Tag Archive | Health

♥ The Thyroid & Melanoma

Melanoma fact: They have found a high number of Melanoma patients also develop hypothyroidism. The TSH levels when high feed the growth of the tumors.

Being recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I am very grateful I am on meds to keep my TSH low.

 

♥ On The Upswing

I had 1 mole removed for biopsy and I have 3 moles that are being monitored, if they grow again they will have to be removed. My skin cancer doctor noticed several “new” moles around both my Melanoma scars. She looked at each mole and then took a picture of my abdomen showing all the moles. New moles that pop up around a Melanoma scar is not something you can ignore. Recurrent Melanoma is something I will always have to be careful of. Since I had a mole that came back inconclusive in the same vicinity, it is very important to stay ahead of the game.

Since my dad had Melanoma of the colon, my cancer doc thought it would be a good idea to have a Melanoma genetic test done. This test would help the doctors treat me in a more precise manner as well as be able to monitor future issues. If I am predisposed genetically, then the chances for my children are very high as well. I go back in 6 months and hopefully if all stays quiet I will be able to start a once a year program in 2013. Yea!!

My blood work came back showing my thyroid is low. So now that I am on thyroid medication, hopefully I will bounce back quickly. Damn, do I hate feeling so blah!!

 

♥ My Silence

It’s been quite some time since I have really blogged anything. Since going on the Accutane back in September, my health has been up and down with all the crappy side effects. Even after I went off the Accutane back in October due to complications from the medication, I’m still dealing with some lingering effects. My body and mind are so fatigued that it really takes too much energy to think let alone blog what is on my mind. I try to keep people informed on my Facebook, but even then, I only share the cliff notes version.

I’m hoping to find out here in the next few days about my B-12 levels and what to do going forward. My 6 month mole mapping with my skin cancer doctor is next week. She has already told me that I will be having a few moles removed that she saw at my last check up in January.

I’m still doing my water aerobics, but have missed several days due to my health. Hopefully I will be back on track again and living a productive life and blogging about it. Be patient with me and check back often. I will get back to regular blogging, but for now I’m doing the best that I can.

 

♥ Stress

As I wait for my biopsy results to come in, I am overwhelmed with anxiety, fear, and stress.  I know whatever the outcome is, I am in the Lords arms.  The Lord has been with me every step of the way in my life, sometimes carrying me when I’ve been too weak to walk. 

I am one who strives everyday to be the best that I can be (no, I’m not in the Army).  To not let my emotions of anger or fear take over, but rather learn whats behind them.  Once you have an understanding, you can then turn those emotions into peaceful emotions such as love and trust.  The key to being a grounded person is realizing the power of acceptance, forgiveness, compassion, understanding, and higher–level thinking.

Stress is a factor in everyone’s life.  Each burden you carry is an opportunity for growth—carry yours with grace and dignity.

♥ Accutane

This week, if my blood work comes in at the levels my doctor feels is safe, I will start taking Accutane.  I have cystic acne and have been taking medication to keep it under control.  But after my skin cancer doctor removed that black ominous spot, she told me I need to go on Accutane to treat my acne.  Accutane is a chemotherapy drug to treat certain cancers, one of them being metastasized Melanoma.  Accutane is also used as the last resort for severe cystic acne. 

This drug will require monthly blood work to monitor my liver and other levels since this medication can cause some serious permanent health problems. 

So for the next 5 months or so, I will be ingesting a chemo drug.  Now, all this could change if I am diagnosed with another Melanoma that is greater than Stage 1A.