When my oldest son was born, I remember having a conversation with my sister about how I disagreed with a decision made regarding my son's care. My sister told me: "Never be afraid to flex that mom muscle." What great advice. She was so right. Never be afraid to assert yourself. You are your child's best advocate and you know what is right for you and for your family. I tell that to people all the time. You'd think I would listen to the same advice. I usually do, but, recently, I failed to follow my own advice. 3 weeks ago, my oldest had to have blood drawn for some allergy/immunology testing. His doctor wanted me to use their recommended lab. I really didn't want to because we (of course) have a lab and phlebotomist we prefer. I … [Read more...]
Thyroid Imbalance: A Yin-Yang Perspective
I am pleased to introduce you to my acupuncturist, Ginna Browning. Ginna has been helpful in treating many issues for me, beginning with sciatic nerve pain when I was pregnant with my oldest son. The information she is sharing as today's Guest Blogger will hopefully help you understand more about thyroid imbalance and help you see the value of incorporating a holistic or balanced approach to treating hypothyroidism (under active thyroid). Happy Reading! ~Blythe aka Thyroid Mom ******************************************************************* In traditional Chinese medicine, thyroid disorders are treated depending on the patient’s symptoms and presenting diagnosis pattern. Low thyroid function often presents as a “Spleen and Kidney … [Read more...]
My Child Has Congenital Hypothyroidism: A New Mom Confronts the Diagnosis
I am Thyroid Mom. I have been talking to parents and grandparents of children who were diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism for several years now. Until this year, I had never met (face to face) with another mother of a child with congenital hypothyroidism. I had never met another child, another than my own, who had congenital hypothyroidism. Imagine my surprise when one day my endocrinologist said to me that she had a patient I needed to speak with. She told me that another patient of hers had just had a son diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism and that if it was okay with me, she'd like to pass my email address along to her other patient. A few months later, I met my friend Shelley and her son, Gavin. I am pleased to share … [Read more...]
Undefeated Q2
While I write mostly about congenital hypothyroidism, I also write about MY journey with thyroid disease. I think being open about our entire family's struggles with thyroid problems is one of the ways I can be most helpful to you. Some of you may recall my January "resolution" post about 2014 being the year that I'm undefeated as a thyroid warrior. Read the full post here, as well as my summary report on the 1st Quarter here. Can you tell my husband is in sales? He encouraged me to update you all on my progress during the 2nd Quarter. So, here goes: 1) Climb. My first goal was to rock climb more. Well, I was doing that until my back decided not to cooperate. I have spent much of this last few months in fairly severe pain … [Read more...]
I’m a Pediatric Endocrinologist and My Son has Congenital Hypothyroidism
Imagine being a pediatric endocrinologist and getting the call that your newborn son has the same disorder that you treat. Well, that's exactly what happened to my guest blogger, Dr. Sarah Hart-Unger. I stumbled across her blog when I was doing research for my Wednesday Weekly Roundup and knew immediately that she's someone you would want to learn more from. I pleased to introduce her as my guest blogger today. Hello, Thyroid Mom readers! Blythe contacted me after reading on my blog (the SHU box) that I was in a rather unusual situation: I am a pediatric endocrinologist who treats thyroid disease every day at work, and I recently had a beautiful baby boy -- Cameron -- who was diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism. After a failed … [Read more...]
I was born with Congenital Hypothyroidism
Introducing Teresa Rodgers. Parents of children with congenital hypothyroidism, have you ever wanted to look into a crystal ball and see what the future holds for your child? I have. I worry a lot about what it will be like for them as they get older. Will they take their medication when they go off to college? Will puberty be more difficult for them? How can I make sure they stay healthy during those times? One of the best things about starting my blog is meeting other bloggers and thyroid advocates. This journey has introduced me to so many wonderful and amazing people, including Teresa Rodgers. Teresa, now in her mid twenties, was born with congenital hypothyroidism. I recently chatted with her and am thrilled to share her … [Read more...]
Raising Children with Congenital Hypothyroidism
WELCOME TO HOLLAND by Emily Perl Kingsley I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this...... When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting. After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to … [Read more...]
Battling Those Winter Blues
Yes, that's me, Grinchified. Where I live, the winters aren’t awful, but usually still cold and often rainy. It’s just not cold enough to snow, so no fun sledding or building snowmen. The holidays are filled with fun times with friends and family, and then I blink and it’s back to the regular days. I often find myself feeling like the Grinch around this time of year. If you struggle with the same thing, here are some tips on brightening your spirits this winter: 1) Get some sunshine each morning. If you wake up to a sunny morning, try to get in a walk before breakfast or sit in a sunny spot in your house to eat breakfast. If those aren’t good options for you, consider purchasing a light box (available from online retailers like … [Read more...]
Optimism and Thyroid Disorders
My 3 year-old son has been sick, but well enough yesterday to sit in the stroller while I pushed him around the lake near our house. After we got back, he said that I was right, the fresh air had made him feel better and he wanted to try playing outside for a while. I agreed and he, noting the occasional wind gusts, decided it was perfect kite flying weather. I tried to explain to him that in order to fly the kite, we needed sustained wind, not just a few gusts. I reminded him that we usually only fly kites at the beach, where there is plenty of wind. His kite-flying mission wasn’t deterred. He unwound lots of string and tried running with the kite, and then had me try. Nothing worked, yet I could sense his little mind already had … [Read more...]
My Letter to My Sons
Thyroid Advocacy for our Children Hold on, to me as we go As we roll down this unfamiliar road And although this wave (wave) is stringing us along Just know you're not alone Cause I'm gonna make this place your home Settle down, it'll all be clear Don't pay no mind to the demons They fill you with fear The trouble it might drag you down If you get lost, you can always be found Just know you're not alone Cause I'm gonna make this place your home -Phillip Phillips, HOME The other day, I was riding down the road listening to Phillip Phillips’ song, Home. I’ve heard the song plenty of times, but that particular day, it struck me that a parent could have written this song to their child. I write mostly about thyroid related … [Read more...]