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Goodbye, Coffee – Hello, Chamomile

Based on the very helpful suggestion of one of my readers, I read the book Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms When My Lab Tests are Normal? over the weekend. It gave me a lot of confidence going into my endocrinology appointment that I’ve done all I can with my lifestyle to support my Frankenneck. The advice in the book was clear: maintaining stable blood sugar levels is really important and one of... read more

I’m Not Crazy And I Like (Scaled) Muscle-Ups: A Story in Two Parts

Part One: I’m Not Crazy I was seriously beginning to doubt my sanity. OK, maybe that’s a little melodramatic, but I was Concerned, was wondering if I’d somehow lost my mental mojo, my trademark stubbornness, that internal core that helps me never cheat, never quit. Since the beginning of the year, my energy level has been, for lack of a more technical term, “whack” – and my... read more

Sometimes I Get Dropsy

It’s often obvious when hormone-poisoning is about to strike. I start bashing my elbows into the TV stand and walking into doorways. (True story: I’ve walked into the door frame. With my face. More than once.) I also start dropping things like they’ve been greased up with coconut oil. Knives, books, plates, my toothbrush, the rubberband I’m trying to wrap around my braid… they... read more

My Half Thyroid: On the Fritz

Wouldn’tcha know it?! About two weeks ago, I wished my Frankenneck a happy birthday, and yesterday I got a call from the doctor. My thyroid is on the fritz, and I need to take Synthroid(synthetic thyroid hormones) for two months, when I’ll be tested again. That’s a fine how-do-you-do. I had a mini meltdown on the phone with the nurse because she couldn’t answer any of my questions.... read more

That’s Fit Success Stories: Erika Jeanne Hagler

I’m a contributor to AOL’s fitness blog That’s Fit. My goal when I write “over there” is to bring the “CrossFit, be a fire breather, eat like a cave person” philosophy to the That’s Fit readers… shake ‘em up a little bit and get them lifting, jumping, sleeping, and chowing down properly. I was recently assigned a featured column: That’s Fit... read more

Happy Birthday, Half Thyroid!

It was exactly a year ago today that I had the surgery on my thyroid to remove a nodule that could have been cancer. Now that I’ve got a year between me and the Frankenneck, I can tell you: during those few weeks last November I was more scared for myself than I’d ever been. About 10% of the adult population has thyroid nodules, a lump that grows on an otherwise normal thyroid. My thyroid... read more

Back at Bootcamp

OK… whew. I’m over the hurdle of “First. Bootcamp. Back.” And it felt great! My Frankenneck stayed glued shut and everything! Our workout Max rounds, 15 minutes 9 med ball cleans 12 dumbbell swings, 20 lbs. 15 deadlifts, 20 lbs. 20 supermans sprint I finished 5 rounds, just under the wire. And while I would never brag myself (ahem), Annie said, “Way to have your throat slit... read more

Giving Fear a Workout

Fear and I have been inseparable companions since my doctor recommended I have an ultrasound of my thyroid on November 6. That’s 24 days and nights of worrying. I know that one of things that Dave likes about me — and, frankly, that I like about myself — is that I usually lead with my chin. I might be a big baby on the inside, but I pretend to be brave and act accordingly and most of the... read more

A Real Pain in the Neck

Yeah, that joke never gets old. I took my Frankenneck to the doctor for a follow-up today and got great news. The pathology report was back, and I definitely, absolutely, positively do not have thyroid cancer. Which means I get to keep the piece of thyroid they left me AND I don’t have to undergo radiation. When my neck is healed, this particular adventure will be over. I’m so relieved. The doc... read more

Blame the Amoxicillin?

Last night, I got caught up watching the first of the two-part finale of Dancing with the Stars and forgot to take my evening dose of the antibiotic Amoxicillin. I was watching the show and laughing and bending and not needing to lie down… I even made myself a snack. In short, I was feeling pretty good and more like my old self. I didn’t realize ’til the show was over that I missed my... read more

The Reasons I’m a Bad Patient

Poor Dave! Y’all should be sending him good wishes instead of me… yesterday he asked me if I was going for my “all-time high grouchy award.” Why, yes! Yes, I am. 1. I resent that my medication makes me woozy. 2. I don’t want to take another nap. 3. I hate to ask for help. 4. If the sheets are not perfectly smooth, I can’t sleep. 5. I’m impatient. 6. I keep running... read more

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