Friday, June 10, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
ThyCa group meeting - June 7, 2011
We had a few new people last night. That's a good 'Yay!' but also a bad 'Yay!' because that means that more people in San Diego are being diagnosed with thyroid cancer and getting thyroidectomies. Two of the three ladies recently had their TTs done, the other had hers done a couple of years ago. Also, the two new members from last month's meeting (the one I missed since I was on vacation) were also in attendance. One of those ladies also had HCC. It is just so amazing to me how we all have one form or another of thyroid cancer, but for everything that we experience in common, there are just as many that some of us experience that is very uncommon.
It was another long meeting - 2 hours! Our meetings are only supposed to be an hour long, but we always manage to go over by at least 30mins each meeting. I think I was considered to be the main facilitator this time, which I don't mind, but I have a hard time keeping the meeting moving so everyone has a chance to speak. How do you effectively cut someone off when they've been talking for over 10 minutes, and they don't seem to be winding things down?!? So, I am trying to figure out a better way to run the meetings when we have new members. I think a good idea is to have one of the facilitators tell their ThyCa story first, then have the new members tell theirs. That way, they are able to introduce themselves to the group, tell their story, and then ask about any questions or concerns they may have. In addition to the sign-in sheet, we should also have a sheet where members/guests can write down any questions or concerns they may have. Hopefully we can cover everyone's questions before the end of the meeting.
Now the big question is how should I deal with members who go way off topic? There was one person that was all over the place - she started talking about her other health issues, then what happened before she had ThyCa, where she used to work, what else she is attributing her current symptoms to.....I was lost just trying to follow what she was saying. I kept on thinking to myself, "what is a nice thing to say to her so she'll stick to her ThyCa issues, or how do I effectively let her know that we need to move on to the next person without sounding bitchy?"
So, I have a few things to work on before the next meeting. Hopefully I can put something together and share it with the other facilitators, see what they think. Anyway, despite the meeting feeling like it was getting out of hand, it was still nice to be able to meet with others on the ThyCa journey with me.
It was another long meeting - 2 hours! Our meetings are only supposed to be an hour long, but we always manage to go over by at least 30mins each meeting. I think I was considered to be the main facilitator this time, which I don't mind, but I have a hard time keeping the meeting moving so everyone has a chance to speak. How do you effectively cut someone off when they've been talking for over 10 minutes, and they don't seem to be winding things down?!? So, I am trying to figure out a better way to run the meetings when we have new members. I think a good idea is to have one of the facilitators tell their ThyCa story first, then have the new members tell theirs. That way, they are able to introduce themselves to the group, tell their story, and then ask about any questions or concerns they may have. In addition to the sign-in sheet, we should also have a sheet where members/guests can write down any questions or concerns they may have. Hopefully we can cover everyone's questions before the end of the meeting.
Now the big question is how should I deal with members who go way off topic? There was one person that was all over the place - she started talking about her other health issues, then what happened before she had ThyCa, where she used to work, what else she is attributing her current symptoms to.....I was lost just trying to follow what she was saying. I kept on thinking to myself, "what is a nice thing to say to her so she'll stick to her ThyCa issues, or how do I effectively let her know that we need to move on to the next person without sounding bitchy?"
So, I have a few things to work on before the next meeting. Hopefully I can put something together and share it with the other facilitators, see what they think. Anyway, despite the meeting feeling like it was getting out of hand, it was still nice to be able to meet with others on the ThyCa journey with me.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
GPS what?!? - Nike+ SportWatch review
Now, I have had the Nike+ SportWatch GPS for three weeks now. What do I think about it? Well, it has definitely motivated me to run more days during the week. The whole idea behind the watch itself is really cool. I have not run using the 'interval' option yet, tapping the screen to mark laps, or setting alarms to remind me to run.
There are a few things that are not so great about the SportWatch. The watch screen - thing that bugs me about it is that tapping the screen doesn't always turn on the back screen light, but other things tapping it does. Weird. The GPS mapping feature - this is a real disappointment, and is the one thing that really bugs the crap out of me. WTF, Nike! Or maybe it should be WTF, TomTom. Of all the GPS runs I have done in the past three weeks, only two have been mapped properly on the Nike+ Maps Beta website. I generally end my runs where I start them, but on the Nike+ Maps website, most of the time, the location of my start is 50-100 feet away from my end location. In addition to that, instead of running on streets or trails, the GPS has tracked me running through front yards, houses, a lake...and in most cases not anywhere close to where I was actually running. Apparently I am not the only user with this issue. Some users' GPS tracking is right on, but there are many others, like myself, that are having problems with it. There was a hardware update last weekend, but that did not fix GPS/mapping issue. Supposedly, Nike is working on this problem. But until they do, my pace, splits, and distance will be off.
Sadly, the GPS function was the main reason why I decided to upgrade from my Nike+ Sportband to the SportWatch, so among other things, I could see a map of where I ran, the pace, and the correct distance. Right now, I feel like I should have stuck to my sportband since the GPS on my SportWatch is seriously lacking. What I do not know is if any other GPS running watches have or have had the same issues - could this be the best that all GPS running watches do when tracking ones' runs?!? Anyway, I'm not completely giving up on my SportWatch, not yet. But if Nike doesn't fix this problem soon enough, I may have to return it.
There are a few things that are not so great about the SportWatch. The watch screen - thing that bugs me about it is that tapping the screen doesn't always turn on the back screen light, but other things tapping it does. Weird. The GPS mapping feature - this is a real disappointment, and is the one thing that really bugs the crap out of me. WTF, Nike! Or maybe it should be WTF, TomTom. Of all the GPS runs I have done in the past three weeks, only two have been mapped properly on the Nike+ Maps Beta website. I generally end my runs where I start them, but on the Nike+ Maps website, most of the time, the location of my start is 50-100 feet away from my end location. In addition to that, instead of running on streets or trails, the GPS has tracked me running through front yards, houses, a lake...and in most cases not anywhere close to where I was actually running. Apparently I am not the only user with this issue. Some users' GPS tracking is right on, but there are many others, like myself, that are having problems with it. There was a hardware update last weekend, but that did not fix GPS/mapping issue. Supposedly, Nike is working on this problem. But until they do, my pace, splits, and distance will be off.
Sadly, the GPS function was the main reason why I decided to upgrade from my Nike+ Sportband to the SportWatch, so among other things, I could see a map of where I ran, the pace, and the correct distance. Right now, I feel like I should have stuck to my sportband since the GPS on my SportWatch is seriously lacking. What I do not know is if any other GPS running watches have or have had the same issues - could this be the best that all GPS running watches do when tracking ones' runs?!? Anyway, I'm not completely giving up on my SportWatch, not yet. But if Nike doesn't fix this problem soon enough, I may have to return it.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
How does my neck look? 6/4/11
How did all of this come about? Well, last night when I was frying some Trader Joe's organic polenta, I looked at the ingredients and noticed that salt is one of the ingredients. Salt! I can't have salt in any of my food on the LID because there is no way to guarantee that it is neither sea salt or non-iodized salt. How on earth did I miss the ingredient salt when I was looking at the label Monday when I bought it?!? So, I decided to fry the rest of it and eat all of it. Then I remembered that the chocolate and peanut butter Luna & Larry's coconut 'ice cream' I got the other night also had salt in it. So, while I was chatting with Viv, I decided that I should also eat that (whole pint) as well. Good plan, right? So I had a salad, about half the roll of polenta, fruit salad, and 3/4 of a pint of chocolate and peanut butter Luna & Larry's, all washed down with diet coke. At 11:59pm, I could not put anymore of the Luna & Larry's in my mouth. I gave the rest of it to my dad to finish. But two hours later, I had the worst stomach ache ever! I wasn't sure if it was from the polenta, the Luna & Larry's, or if I was just feeling bad about deciding to eat stuff that was not LID safe. Argh!
Anyway, despite my LID miscues, how does my neck look?
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
What is in those cookies?
I thought I was doing Ok on the LID, then I hear the words 'I baked cookies', and everything goes out the door. I completely forgot I was on the LID after my run this evening, and ended up eating about six of AnnMarie's snickerdoodle cookies. It wasn't until she started to describe what she put in the cookies that I remembered that I have a few food restrictions. I decided not to ask her if there was salt in them, or about any of the other restricted ingredients. I am just going to be happy that the first week is there in case I mess up; it is the second week that really counts. That doesn't mean I'm planning on messing up a lot this week. I have to be really good next week.
I am still worried about the contrast dye thing, so I tried to call the radiology department. I have to call back before 3:30pm tomorrow, and ask to speak with a tech. My ENDO's office said I don't have to worry about isolation since I'm getting a much smaller dose than my ablation dose last year. Thank goodness! But I still want to hear that from the Nuc Med doc, or someone over there. I hope they can also tell me more about this contrast dye thing.
Otherwise, I'm sore and tired. My back is still a little sore from yoga on Monday. The insides of my elbows (not quite my biceps and not quite my forearms) are a bit sore from climbing last night. And then there is my left foot - it doesn't hurt when I run, but every now and then while walking, regardless of whether or not I am wearing shoes or the style, it starts to hurt. This foot pain worries me because it has been going on for a while now - at least a month, I think. It feels like I am getting a foot spasm, around the metatarsal for my big toe. Maybe I should see a podiatrist. And if that doesn't work, then I have until Friday to eat cookies to take my mind off the foot pain.
I am still worried about the contrast dye thing, so I tried to call the radiology department. I have to call back before 3:30pm tomorrow, and ask to speak with a tech. My ENDO's office said I don't have to worry about isolation since I'm getting a much smaller dose than my ablation dose last year. Thank goodness! But I still want to hear that from the Nuc Med doc, or someone over there. I hope they can also tell me more about this contrast dye thing.
Otherwise, I'm sore and tired. My back is still a little sore from yoga on Monday. The insides of my elbows (not quite my biceps and not quite my forearms) are a bit sore from climbing last night. And then there is my left foot - it doesn't hurt when I run, but every now and then while walking, regardless of whether or not I am wearing shoes or the style, it starts to hurt. This foot pain worries me because it has been going on for a while now - at least a month, I think. It feels like I am getting a foot spasm, around the metatarsal for my big toe. Maybe I should see a podiatrist. And if that doesn't work, then I have until Friday to eat cookies to take my mind off the foot pain.
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