Cancer and Car Theft

Well, I think I'm ready to share some news about what's been going on in my world. You know I spent most of November after I returned from ObesityWeek in Washington DC sick with the flu. It was a bad strain this year as anyone that got it can tell you. I got over the major symptoms but I was still feeling not quite myself: swollen glands, tired/sluggish, cold, anxious. I thought maybe my iron/ferritin was just getting low again, a few years ago I dipped low and it required a round of infusions, which for those that don't know sounds like a big deal but really it's just an IV drip (sometimes an hour or so, in the past I had Injectafer which is quicker 30 minutes, 2 treatments, a week apart) and I was back up in the black for the past few years. I am faithful in taking my vitamins (a non-negotiable, post-bariatric surgery) so when I was still feeling not like myself after a month I knew something was up.

I went to my Primary Care Provider (PCP) who ordered blood work and it came back Ferritin 10 (range is 10-232.) I emailed him when I saw the results and asked for a referral to a Hematologist. I received a reply that it wasn't needed because I wasn't anemic. I emailed again and received no reply. So I made an appointment to have a little chat: Me: "I really think I need iron infusions." His reply: "I don't know who is telling you that you are anemic but you aren't." I explained my symptoms again and I finally got him to refer me to a Hematologist. Me: "I get you are saying I am not anemic but do you have a problem giving me a referral? I'd like to hear that from a specialist." Him: "No, but you aren't anemic." Me: "Good."

I couldn't see the Hematologist that I'd been referred to a few years ago as my insurance no longer covered him and was sent to a new office and I mean brand new, they were still having furniture delivered, disorganized, not fully staffed. I wasn't pleased but New Hemo Doc was pleasant enough and said he'd put in for infusions but he didn't think they would be covered until I dropped below 10 (he was right they were initially denied) but he ordered more blood work said he'd resubmit as soon as my ferritin dropped below 10 and then he asked me about a nodule they had found in my neck via ultrasound this past summer.

Rewind... well over a year ago I went to a health fair with my Mum. We both had a free stroke test ultrasound. The technician told me after mine that I should tell my Dr that he saw something on the ultrasound and to give me a thyroid test. At my next appointment, I mentioned it and my PCP (yes, same one as above) said something to the effect of health fairs causing unneeded tests... he'd order a thyroid test and ultrasound but it was probably just a nodule... tons of people have nodules that they are only cancer in 1% of cases so it's "usually unnecessary to have a need stuck in your neck." My blood work came back "fine" and ultrasound confirmed a nodule but again he gave me the line about the needle in your neck... so I passed on the needle.

Fast forward...
New Hemo Doc: What's this nodule mentioned in your file. Have you had a needle biopsy on it?
Me: No, my PCP said tons of people have them, that they are only cancerous in 1% of cases so it's usually unnecessary to have a need stuck in your neck. Why? Could that be causing my issues?
New Hemo Doc: It could. It's no big deal. It's a fine needle... like blood work. Get it done.

I scheduled the biopsy for December 20th, trying to get in before the end of the year when my insurance was changing. I figured if I didn't just do it, New Hemo Doc might not push for infusions. It was a fairly easy procedure... sort of like the ultrasound of the neck I had in the summer but instead of lying down I was in a cool motorized reclining chair that tipped me back, I felt a little pressure, 2-3 needle pricks then ice. I waited in the cool reclining chair with ice on my neck while the Biopsy Doc examined the tissue. Instant pathology results. I remember thinking that's great I don't have to wait for days to get the all clear and I really want one of these chairs.

A few minutes later Biopsy Doc returned, "Well, it's thyroid cancer." I remember saying "What?!" She must have walked into the wrong room. "Yep, it's thyroid cancer but if you are going to get cancer this is the best cancer to have. It's highly treatable. I'll be sending your doctor the report and you should expect a call from him tomorrow but if he doesn't call you, call him. Do you have any questions?" I think I asked her what the treatments are? Do I have to have chemo? Am I going to lose my hair? Sort of in a rapid-fire string. I felt like I should have better questions but this was not supposed to happen. I remember her saying something about surgery and chemo only being necessary if it's spread beyond the thyroid. I could feel myself welling up and just needed to get out of the building. So I said thank you, was handed some aftercare paper and walked into the waiting room. My Mum was with me and I remember her looking at my face and I could feel my eyes widen in that "holy crap!" deer in the headlights look and she said "what, what" and I remember just saying, "come on, let's go" as I walked out of the office. I got to the parking lot before I burst into tears and told her. I remember straightening myself up and saying nothing has changed. I walked in there with this and the only thing that has changed is me knowing and how everything was going to be OK. So yeah... not a good day in my world.

I spent the rest of the day Googling, freaking out, crying, and a little cursing "WTH?! My PCP said 1 f---ing percent." (It's actually closer to 5% of nodules that are cancerous as I am learning more.) My Hemo Doc called me later that night and said, "So you got some bad news?" "Umm yep." He said he'd see me on the 27th and we'll talk about finding a surgeon to remove the thyroid." I already knew from my Googling I was looking at Full or Partial Thyroidectomy (perhaps removal of some lymph nodes in the area) then depending on the biopsy I might need I-131 treatment where you take a radioactive iodine pill and need to be quarantined for a few days from people and pets (it targets and kills any remaining thyroid tissue) and a lifetime of a prescription thyroid hormone replacement medication (oh joy) but that is usually it. Unless... cancer has spread beyond the thyroid and then well you know the drill chemo, radiation, that hair loss I was so worried about. But... one step at a time. I remember telling him I had new insurance starting in January, that I was hoping it wouldn't cause delays and he said to bring that information on the 27th. He said to try and have a Happy Holiday and I said you too.

Christmas. Wow, I really had forgotten. I would try and enjoy it. It was just my Mum and I. My sister just had her 2nd knee replacement so was recovering from that still and my brother had visited earlier in the month. We went shopping for a few things on Christmas Eve. I made a few seafood dishes, it's tradition and I tried to be cheerful but my mind kept going back to worst-case scenarios and what-ifs which only got me upset and gave me a gnarly headache and the Tylenol I kept taking wasn't doing a thing for it, so I went to bed pretty early. It was a quiet Christmas Day we stayed home and watched movies, I made a couple of steaks with sauteed mushrooms and I made a super yummy loaded cauliflower side dish.

On the 26th we decided we needed some things from the store and at around noon when I walked around the corner of my house... I was staring at... an empty driveway. My car was gone. Seriously... you can't make this shit up. We think based on our neighbor not seeing it on Christmas Day it was gone late Christmas Eve (he got one of those hovercrafts for Christmas and was flying it down the street and thought we were out visiting for the holiday... it's our only car.)  I filed a police report and as of today they still haven't recovered it. I remember waiting for the cops to come take the report and thinking well had this happened a few days ago I would have been way more devastated but hearing the word cancer sort of puts everything into perspective but... WTH?! Seriously?! I actually had to Uber to my Hemo Doc appointment on the 27th to hear about my cancer diagnosis. And OK, I know it's bad karma but I figure I'll get a pass on this one... my car trunk, if you aren't careful can fall on your head. I know about it and it's still happened to me, twice... and it's gnarly-knot-creating-concussion-hard. Gosh, I hope the creeps who stole my car need to put something in the trunk ;)

Anyway... the New Year came and with it a new attitude. I went to Denver for the Obesity Action Strategic Planning Meeting/Retreat and am really excited about all the plans we have for the year. I'm serving as Chair of the National Board this year. All the great plans are keeping me busy and sane. I can't wait to share all those throughout the year and am hoping to see everyone in July at the Your Weight Matters National Convention. Big plans this year so I need to kick cancer's ass and move on...

So where I'm at now... my insurance change caused some delays for new pre-authorizations but I think we are good on that front now. I had an iron infusion this Friday (my Ferritin dropped to 9 on my last blood work) and while the only in-network surgeon is about 50 miles away I understand he's top notch in his field. I see him this Tuesday for a consult and we'll hopefully schedule surgery in February. Thyroid cancer is very treatable and I'll likely be all good with the removal of some or all of my thyroid. Fingers crossed and prayers welcomed. I'll put some resources I've found helpful at the end of this post for anyone recently diagnosed and Googling who stumbles upon this. I Google a lot and I would be lying if I didn't still sometimes start worrying about what if's (damage to vocal chords during surgery, medication-related weight issues, calcium issues, etc. etc.) but I try not to stay in those thoughts too long. There is power in positive thinking.

If you are still reading along... sorry I know this was loooong... thank you. I have lived the last decade sharing my life post-Bariatric Surgery on this blog so it felt strange not sharing this past month, I just needed a little time to process. I thank you in advance for prayers and good thoughts. They are much appreciated.

Oh and if you take anything away from this blog entry I hope you take this: if you know something is not right DO NOT let anyone push your concerns aside. You know your body better than anyone.

Thyroid Cancer Facts:
• Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer.
• The cause of most thyroid cancer is unknown.
• Thyroid cancer is one of 13 cancers associated with overweight and obesity.
• Thyroid cancer is a malignant tumor or growth originating within the thyroid gland. It is also called thyroid carcinoma.
• Thyroid cancer is one of the few cancers that has increased in incidence over recent years. More than 56,000 people will be newly diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the United States in 2017 and more than 600,000 people in the U.S. are living with thyroid cancer.
• 2 of every 3 people diagnosed with thyroid cancer are between ages 20 and 55.
• Thyroid cancer is more common in women than in men. More than 7 of 10 people diagnosed with thyroid cancer are female.
• Thyroid cancer is usually highly treatable when found early.

For those wanting to learn more about Thyroid Cancer:
American Thyroid Association - great resource, current treatment guidelines.
ThyCa - this website has been a great resource for information, videos, and patient support.
Here's a great UCLA video presentation: Thyroid Nodules & Thyroid Cancer: What You Need to Know
Thyroid Awareness - Check your neck.

Post Weight Loss Surgery Menus: A day in my pouch

A day in my pouch is a series of blog posts to show what a typical daily menu looks like in my post weight loss surgery world. Yesterday's protein packed delicious menu...

Breakfast: I had an early doctor's appointment so after I hit the closest Starbucks and ordered those Red Pepper Egg White Sous Vide Bites. I love these suckers. I always wait for a free reward on my app to order them because it sort of pains me to pay as much as a dozen eggs for them (How many batches of my Egg Bites I could make) but they are a yummy breakfast on-the-go.

More Eggface Breakfast On-the-go Recipes and Ideas

Lunch: I had a couple of zucchinis that needed using so I sauteed them with some onion and mushrooms and a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and oregano and served them with a couple of those Real Good Food Enchiladas (P.S. the link has more info about them and an affiliate coupon code for 10% off) with the "tortilla" made of chicken. They cook in the microwave in their little tray in like 4 minutes so perfect for taking to work... but LOL put them in something like this lunch box because otherwise they will totally be stolen from the breakroom fridge... they are so good.

More Eggface Healthy Mexican Inspired Recipes and Ideas

Dinner: The plan was to have lettuce wrapped burgers topped with sauteed mushrooms and cheese but I forgot to take the burgers out of the freezer. So now that is tonight's plan. I had a little leftover zucchini, mushroom and onion mixture from lunch which I planned to use in the morning became breakfast for dinner. I just added a little salsa, a couple of beaten eggs and a sprinkle of cheese and made a sort of frittata. It was delicious. It worked out better. I used those yummy leftovers up (hate waste) and it was too late for burgers by the time I felt like dinner. Those enchiladas are pure protein and fill you.

More Eggface Leftovers Repurposed

Snacks: Too much coffee but I am slightly addicted to Trader Joe's Rooibos & Honey Bush Tea (I've been trying to cut down a bit on caffeine in the evening) now I'm not a tea snob at all (it's bags) but I love the flavor. If you have a TJ's near you pick some up. I made a batch of my Pineapple Upside Down Protein Mini Muffins the other day and still have a few left so I had one of those.

Shelly's Pineapple Upside Down Mini Protein Muffins

1 Egg, beaten
3 Tablespoons Milk
2 Tablespoons Sugar-Free Torani Syrup (any flavor SF Caramel, Vanilla, Brown Sugar Cinnamon)
1 Tablespoon Canola Oil
3 Tablespoons Multigrain Pancake Mix, dry
2 Tablespoons Almond Flour
1 Tablespoon Sugar-Free Vanilla Pudding Mix, dry
1/4 cup Premier Protein Vanilla 100% Whey Protein Powder
Pinch salt
1 Pineapple Tidbits (100% juice) Fruit Cup, drained well
6 Cherries, cut in half
Chopped Pecans for top

Mix egg, milk, syrup, and oil (applesauce or cottage cheese can sub for oil but 1 T divided between 12 muffins is really not a lot) and combine thoroughly. In a separate bowl, mix pancake mix, almond flour, pudding mix, protein powder, and salt. Tip dry into wet and stir till combined. Cooks note: Any whey or whey isolate protein powder will work.

Spoon a little batter into each non-stick mini muffin pan opening that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Place 3-4 pineapple tidbit pieces on top the batter and pour the remainder of the batter on top and I topped each with a few chopped pecans and a 1/2 of a cherry. Bake at 350 for 13-14 minutes. Edges will be golden, tops dry.

More Eggface Dessert Recipes and Ideas
More Post Bariatric Surgery Menus

It was a pretty tasty day in my world. I hope all is well in yours. xo Shelly

Celebrate Chocolate Mint Recipes & Giveaway

This post is sponsored by Celebrate Vitamins. I am excited to share with you one of my favorite products their Chocolate Mint Protein 20 Protein Powder and a heads up for an opportunity to win some!

One of my favorite protein powders is Celebrate Vitamins Chocolate Mint Protein 20. If you love Andes mint chocolates or Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies you'll have to give it a try. It's great mixed with water, milk, used in a variety of recipes but my ultimate favorite recipe is this frosty, frappe-style shake with a little espresso to kick-start your day or jump start your afternoon. It's better than anything at Starbucks and better for you too!

Shelly's Chocolate Mint Espresso Protein Shake

8 oz. Milk (any)
1 packet Celebrate Vitamins Chocolate Mint Protein 20 Protein Powder
1/2 tube Instant Espresso Coffee Powder (I used Café Bustelo Instant Coffee Single Serve Packets)
a few cubes of ice

Blend on high. I topped it with a little squirt of Homemade, No Sugar Added Whipped Cream and a sprinkle more of espresso powder.

More Eggface Protein Shake and Smoothie Recipes

It makes a great protein packed, no sugar added dessert too...

Shelly's Chocolate Mint Protein Pudding

2 cups (minus 1 Tablespoon) Milk
1 scoop Celebrate Vitamins Chocolate Mint Protein 20 Protein Powder
1 - 1 oz. small package Sugar-Free Chocolate or Chocolate Fudge Instant Pudding Mix (dry)
1 Tablespoon Sugar-Free Torani Syrup (any flavor)
Optional: Homemade, No Sugar Added Whipped Cream and Nonpareils

Pour the milk, pudding mix, protein powder and syrup flavoring into a shaker bottle. Shake for 3 minutes or until thickened slightly and place in fridge for about 5 minutes to thicken further. Spoon the thickened protein pudding into glasses or if you are taking them with you on a walk or to work use small mason jars with lids (don't forget to bring a spoon with you.) Optional: Before serving top with Homemade, No Sugar Added Whipped Cream and a sprinkle of nonpareils. Makes 4-6.

More Eggface Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery Friendly Desserts

Head over to my Instagram for a chance to win a week's worth of Celebrate Vitamins Chocolate Mint Protein 20 and other great goodies to make these 2 recipes!

For the purposes of this post Celebrate Vitamins provided me with the product used to make these recipes. Thanks for the yummy protein. 

Heading to Denver

Heading to Denver, Colorado for the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) Annual Planning Meeting and Retreat. Once a year we get the whole Board of Directors together to do planning for the year, work on projects that are best done in person and do a check in on how all our goals and plans are coming along. It's always held in the hotel that will be the host hotel for the big Your Weight Matters National Convention the OAC puts on each year (Hope to see you there in July! Sign up for updates, speaker and agenda release, discount room block, etc.)

If you'd like to follow my adventures this weekend be sure to check out my Twitter feed. I'll be tweeting my travels. You'll see lots of recipe and food posts on my Twitter account but warning, I have been known to go off on political and social rants or randomly bitch about something happening in my world. Of course, you can follow my other social media pages Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest for more food and recipe related posts those are rant-free zones (LOL mostly)

Health Goal: More Water

One of my health goals for the year is to drink more water. We all know the benefits: natural appetite suppressant, flushes wastes and toxins keeping our kidneys healthy, great for your skin. I wish I was better at it but I think this year I'm going to master it. Here's my 3 step plan.

1. I'm committed to using a reminder app. I've actually been messing with 3 different ones: Plant Nanny, a fun game app, you have to keep your plant alive by drinking water and logging it and Waterlogged and WaterMinder which are more traditional tracking apps. I'll let you know which I end up using the most.

2. I've got a cool bottle to help keep track of how much water I'm drinking each day, it's got these rainbow bands you can roll up each time you refill the tumbler.

and 3. I already love so many of the foods that are good sources of water so eating more of these will be an easy one...

Cucumbers: 95% water, low in calories and are my go-to replacement for crackers. Pictured: Cucumber Cold Cut "Sandwiches", Shelly's Greek Hummus Rounds, Cucumber "Fries," Cucumber & BLT Egg Salad, Cucumber and Greek Yogurt Dip, Cucumber Cold Cut Roll-ups, Cucumber Plank Scoopers with Curry Chicken Salad, Cucumber and Cottage Cheese, More Cucumber Cold Cut "Sandwiches."

Zucchini: Get yourself a spiralizer and make zucchini noodles. Zucchini is 95% water. Serve like pasta with sauces or in broth-based (more water) Zucchini Noodle Soup.

Lettuce: Makes a great Taco shells for a variety of fillings.

Cauliflower: 92% water. Try it roasted with a protein-packed Greek yogurt dips (which is another great source of water.)

Tomatoes: One of my favorites Caprese salad (Tomato, Basil, Fresh Mozzarella, Oregano) or Shelly's Pizza Tomatoes topped with cheese and seasonings and broiled till melty.

Strawberries: Strawberry Cheesecake Ricotta Pancakes for breakfast, one of my favorite post weight loss surgery desserts are Strawberry Cannoli filled with Ricotta cheese or a Strawberry Protein Shake.

Do you have any health goals for the year?

Happy New Year with Protein Packed Snacks!

Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a nice night. We stayed home and watched the Times Square Earth Cam and the craz... I mean dedicated people who braved the cold weather (it was 9° F. in NYC when the ball dropped.) Out of curiosity, I looked up all the rules they have to follow... you have to get there at noon the latest or you won't get a location worth having. You can't bring bags or backpacks (for obvious security reasons) so forget food or drinks. All street food carts are ousted for the day, so no Shish Kabobs or Sabrett Hot Dog stands. You can't leave your area and return so even if there were public restrooms or porta-potties nearby (there aren't) you can't go back to your area if you leave. So standing for over 12 hours in freezing temperatures, hungry, thirsty and peeing in an adult diaper. Umm Happy New Year? Nope. Couldn't do it.

Instead, we ate yummy bariatric friendly tidbits and laughed about how the event should probably be "proudly sponsored by Depends undergarments."

Our Tidbit Platter: Trader Jose’s Spanish Cheese Tapas Sampler (Iberico, Cabra al Vino and Manchego Cheese) Nuts, Dried Fruit (watch these if you dump easily, I stick with apricots with no added sugar), Ham, Salami, Olives, Trader Joe's Rosemary Asiago (one of my all time favs), Parmesan Crisps,

We also had Roasted Cauliflower with two Greek Yogurt Dips.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut 1 head cauliflower into florets. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Arrange in an even layer on a baking sheet. Roast for about 40 minutes, stirring at least twice. You want knife-inserted tender and golden brown.

Shelly's Middle Eastern Greek Yogurt Dip: 1/2 cup plain Greek Yogurt, 1 Tablespoon Zaatar seasoning (make your own) and a squeeze of Lemon.

Shelly's Horseradish Dip: 1/2 cup plain Greek Yogurt, Prepared Horseradish to taste (I add about a teaspoon), a sprinkle of salt.

For dessert...

Shelly's Sugar-Free Chocolate Protein Spread 

1/4 cup Protein Powder (dry, any flavor)
2 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/4 cup Almond Butter (I use fresh ground)
3 Tablespoons Sugar-Free Torani Syrup (any flavor)

Mix till well blended. You may have to adjust based on your almond butter, I used fresh ground almond butter some jarred, store-bought brands of almond butters are looser so just add a dash more protein powder to thicken or alternatively add a little more syrup if it needs thinning out. You want spreadable.

Spread on anything (apple slices, protein cookies, celery sticks, baby carrots, those ricotta pancakes that I make, protein cake slices, soy crisps, a spoon, your hand...) I love it on Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apples. This recipe makes enough for 4 huge apples-worth of liberal dipping. Store leftovers in a small jar in the fridge. It'll last a week at least.

For the Almond Joy affect: I used a combo of SF Coconut and SF Almond Syrup in the recipe and had a little bowl of chopped almonds and toasted unsweetened coconut for dipping.

Happy New Year Everyone!