Posts tagged ‘Dear Thyroid’

January 20th, 2012

Educate Your Community: Thyroid Awareness Month

by Amanda

Editor’s Note: I’m excited to share a post with you written by our Sponsor Programs Assistant Sharifa Simon-Roberts on Thyroid Awareness Month. To learn more about Thyroid Awareness and the online Thyroid community – check out our interviews with Katie Schwartz, founder of the wonderful Dear Thyroid, and Mary Shomon of About.com’s Thyroid community. Both are doing amazing things for their communities and, if you haven’t yet, you’ll learn a bit more about thyroid health! –Amanda


Educate Your Community: Thyroid Awareness Month

by Sharifa Simon-Roberts

Thyroid Plush

For many, January is the month where a number of bold declarations are made. Heading the list are promises to pay closer attention to one’s health – whether it’s in terms of diet, exercising or making physical check-ups a priority. With this in mind, I thought I would highlight a condition which affects millions of Americans – thyroid disease. What better time to take a look at a common ailment while paying tribute to that new year’s vow of making health a priority, than now and oh yes, of course during Thyroid Awareness month?

Like some of you, I had heard the term “thyroid” previously but if asked to define it and pinpoint its exact location during a biology exam, I would skip over that question quickly and hope no similar questions would haunt me as I completed the exam. I think now, perhaps I can avoid such a situation. The official name for the thyroid is ‘thyroid gland’ and it is an endocrine gland located in the lower part of the neck, in the vicinity of the Adam’s apple. It is butterfly-shaped, surrounds the trachea and some functions of this gland are to secrete hormones and monitor metabolism, heart rate, body temperature and the speed at which the body uses energy.

So what happens if this gland malfunctions or stops working? This is where my limited knowledge on the thyroid did reside. I remember in 2007 Oprah Winfrey attributed her 20 pound weight gain to problems with her thyroid. Her problems started off with hyperthyroidism where her thyroid gland was producing too many hormones, followed by, hypothyroidism, as her thyroid gland was not producing enough hormones. According to Winfrey, this was stress-induced. After devoting time to rest and some TLC (tender loving care, or in this case thyroid loving care) which we could all use, she was on the road to recovery and regaining her health.

Other disorders that I learned can result from thyroid dysfunction include: Goiters (an enlargement of the thyroid gland), thyroiditis (condition in which the thyroid becomes inflamed), and thyroid cancer.

In an attempt to avoid such ailments, researchers say we should ensure we consume foods with certain properties, for example: anti-oxidants, whole grains and iron. Fear not, these foods are not hard to find and benefits extend beyond that of thyroid health. By adding blueberries, tomatoes, spinach, tuna, chicken, turkey, broccoli, raisins, and dried peas and beans you are on your way to supporting a healthy thyroid. You do not have to alter your regimen radically. Rather seek to incorporate these foods into your diet.

In honor of the thyroid, the gland which does so much but receives, let’s just say, less than the praise it deserves, I hope you take to time to share with us specific experiences have you had with your thyroid. Are you active in the online thyroid community? What do you wish more people knew about thyroid and thyroid conditions? How can Health Activists in other conditions help raise awareness this month?

To learn how you can help raise thyroid awareness, click:  http://www.thyroidawarenessmonth.com/

Best wishes on your quest for improved wellbeing this year!

 

 

 

 

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February 2nd, 2011

February HABC: A letter to your condition

by Amanda

In honor of this month’s theme Chronic Conditions and Relationships – our February HABC is: Write a Letter to Your Condition. Sounds a little strange?  It is, because you’re penning these words not to a real person, but to your disease, personified.  Inspired by the old-fashion correspondence of snail mail (or, I suppose, you could be inspired by the art of email), write a letter, a note, a memo addressed to your health.

This is your chance to tell your health what you really think of it, how you really feel … and no holds are barred in this exercise.

Whether you’re writing a letter of love (which may be a challenge) or a note that describes what you’re working on in your communities to help raise awareness for your health condition – the point is to be honest and to examine your emotional ties to your physical health. This could be a great way to check-in with how you’re feeling and work on that first relationship conflict we mentioned in our theme announcement:  Your Condition vs. Yourself. And, if you want to complete the correspondence – it would be really interesting to reply to yourself from the perspective of your health. What does your health think about your letter? Bonus points if you write two letters this month!

(If you need an example check out the awesome community Dear Thyroid, built around the idea of writing letters to your thyroid.)

Once you’ve written your letter, we hope you’ll share it with our community by leaving a link in this discussion in the Health Bloggers Group. We also hope you’ll post this brand new graphic in your post to show that you’re a participant in the HABC!  (Because who doesn’t like a Ferris Wheel o’ Health Activism?)


If you’re up for the challenge, you can just start by typing out the words, “Dear Health,” and flex your creative muscle!

Categoryblog carnival, chronic illness, February, HABC, health activists, relationships, Thryoid, wego health | Comment14 Comments »

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January 14th, 2011

Interviewing Health Activists: Katie Schwartz, Founder of Dear Thyroid™ Part 2

by Amanda

Here is Part Two of my interview with Katie Schwartz, founder of Dear Thyroid. (Click here to read Part One)

Katie (@dearthyroid)

Amanda: Dear Thyroid is a different kind of health community and it says so right in the first line of the About page. What made you decide to bring your crusade online?

Katie Schwartz: Being a writer, I have an ongoing love affair with words. I believe that each person (when they are ready) must tell their story in their own words. Our slogan is “Healing our thyroids one letter at a time”. We mean that literally and metaphorically. Write and submit as many letters as it takes. Join our conversations in comments, and on our chat boards.

If we don’t tell our stories, we are doing our respective diseases a huge disservice. We learn from each other. (By we, I mean the collective we.) We tell the medical community what’s not working. We bridge the gap between families and patients. We experience a degree of healing through the realization that someone else has gone through exactly what we have.

To quote Joanna Isbill “Dear Thyroid™ is changing the way we talk about thyroid disease and cancer. We are starting a new conversation using YOUR words.”

Words are the key to all doors, in my opinion. Our community has written hundreds of thousands of powerful words, humorously, irreverently, angrily, sadly and happily.  And always, always honestly.

A: What inspired you to create this unique community?

KS: Providing a literary outlet for our community to come together, and write their story on their terms, in as many ways as they wish. That and a desperate, burning passion for change. We deserve better. Too many doctors treat thyroid disease like a ‘no brainer’, akin to the flu.  We empower each other, to become our own patient advocates, to change the way we communicate with our doctors, our families, our friends and each other. We have guest bloggers, some are doctors, others are health advocates, or nutrition experts.

@BigGirlFeats said the best thing I’ve heard in a long time regarding thyroid cancer “That it’s an “easy” cancer it’s the best kind!” She went on to say “Ok, than YOU take it for me!!”

How dare any doctor tell patients how lucky they are to have this fabulous cancer?! Package it in a Tiffany box; Cancer is cancer, is cancer. Period!

Too many doctors marginalize thyroid autoimmune diseases. They barely explain what it is or what it does. Few of us walk out of the doctor’s office knowing what a thyroid is, even AFTER diagnosis! If left untreated or mistreated, this disease can kill you. Over 59MM people have a thyroid condition and over 20MM don’t know it. This is a pandemic issue with little funding, awareness or education. Most people don’t know where their thyroid is located, much less the power it has over a person’s mind and body. Become your own patient advocate. We provide a lot of resources.

As a few of our community members said: “Treat the patient, not the chart!” (Jill) “Why must I fight for normality?” (Amy). “Thyroid disease leads to brain drain” (Bonnie). “Wading through this crap to live!” (Linda).

That and more inspires the drive to do more, more, more.

A: What has been your proudest moment as a health activist?

KS: There have been so many. One that I recall off the top of my head was with a woman who wanted support, but wasn’t ready to write a letter. I asked her if she’d be comfortable emailing with me. She was. Over the course of a few months, on her own, she submitted a letter. I was so proud of her because I knew what a challenge it was for her to share that letter. We chatted during the entire process, from the moment it was published and while she was receiving comments. At the end of the day, she said “I found my voice.” She added that she’d never felt the level of support that she received from our community and how indescribable the experience was. She doesn’t know this, but I sobbed tears of joy for her.

A: The most challenging one?

KS: In the beginning a few folks took umbrage with the uncensored language, lack of religion and pin-ups that we pair with each literary piece. My goal was to engage, and make sure they understood why I made those choices for the brand, not to change their minds. I wanted them to feel heard because I did hear them. What was so great was that a few of those folks ultimately became community members. They understood, on a very deep level why Dear Thyroid was different and how that difference might be of value to them.

A: What do you wish the general public knew about the thyroid and thyroid conditions?

KS: Thyroid conditions are not an excuse to be fat! Conversely, people who look anorectic might have a thyroid condition. Stop assuming. Thyroid diseases and thyroid cancers are very serious health issues, psychiatrically and physically. Thyroid disease and thyroid cancer can kill you. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Don’t judge and don’t mock a disease you know nothing about. Think about what you want to say before saying it.

PLEASE check your neck. Request a full thyroid function blood panel. Look up the symptoms of thyroid diseases and thyroid cancers, and if you think you have a thyroid condition, run like a dog to an endocrinologist. Oh, and for those who think this is an easy fix or an inexpensive disease to treat. WRONG. This disease is very costly.

A: What do you do when you’re not advocating?

KS: Writing, rinse and repeat. I’m also reinventing myself. Reading – I’m a Beat Literature junky. Collecting – vintage tchotchkes and perfumes. Rebuilding – relationships. Adding new cards to my “Guilt Rolodex” and maintaining a high level of neuroses.

It’s a brand new year, what is in store for the future Dear Thyroid and thyroid awareness overall? We are SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS YEAR! All caps and an exclamation point, word! New partnerships are in the mix, becoming a fully fledged non-profit, launching our family outreach and support program, and doing everything we can to continue our unique approach to awareness, education and support.

Thank you so much for taking the time to interview Dear Thyroid. We very much appreciate WeGoHealth.com and the good work you do.

Special thanks to Katie for sharing her story with me. I eagerly await more of her impending advocacy endeavors and hope to be able to feature more of her and her community’s work on the blog!

Learn more about Thyroid Awareness Month and be sure to check out more of her work and interact with her and her community now:

Visit Dear Thyroid™ and see the Dear Thyroid profile on WEGO Health

Follow Dear Thyroid and Katie on Twitter

“Like” Dear Thyroid on Facebook

Check out Katie’s new Awareness campaign “I am The Face of Thyroid Disease” that she created with Mary Shomon (@ThyroidMary and http://thyroid.about.com)

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January 14th, 2011

Interviewing Health Activists: Katie Schwartz, Founder of Dear Thyroid™ Part 1

by Amanda

Katie (@dearthyroid)

In honor of January’s Thyroid Awareness Month, I had the awesome opportunity to interview Katie Schwartz, Health Activist mastermind behind the community Dear Thyroid™. Like her community, Katie is fiercely dedicated to being honest and real about life and thyroid conditions. Her responses to my questions are saturated with rich, fun language, likely due to her background as a comedy writer and fellow lover of words. In addition to being well-spoken, Katie takes a fresh approach to advocacy that is both light-hearted and content-centric. (Perhaps it’s no surprise why I’m such a fan!) Personally, I connected immediately with Dear Thyroid’s mission statement and their literary focus. It doesn’t take long to see why this community is special and why it has engaged so many. A self-proclaimed “pushy broad,” you can expect many more great things from Katie and her community in the future.

Amanda: I’m so excited to be chatting with you today Katie! Thanks so much for taking the time out to share with our community.

Katie Schwartz: Me too, Amanda! You’re passion and enthusiasm for health advocacy and WEGOHealth.com is infectious. LOVE IT, GIRL. Thanks so much for your time and the opportunity to talk about Dear Thyroid™

A: First off – tell us a little bit about your background and why you became an advocate for thyroid diseases and thyroid cancers.

KS: I’m a comedy writer. Life, pre-sickness, was fantastic. I appreciated my life, family, friends, and valued time; mine and others. I knew who I was and where I came from. I didn’t need an internal or external makeover.  I didn’t need a disease to teach me anything. Suffice it to say, I don’t believe that we create disease or invite it into our lives. Disease just is. When it happens, life as you know it is forever changed, for yourself, your family and friends.

Though I was diagnosed with Graves’ and Graves’ eye disease 4 years ago, I’ve had it for at least 10-years. Unbeknownst to me, it was genetic.

Unfortunately, I almost died from thyrotoxicosis and thyroid psychoses. My mother and sister intervened to save my life.

Upon diagnosis, I wrote scathing hate letters to my thyroid. I wondered if anyone wanted to write one too. One day, I launched a blog and invited other thyroid patients to write and submit letters to their thyroids. Within a few months, a brand, a website and a community were born.

As letters poured in from patients and survivors; I realized that elements of my story kept reflecting back to me in various degrees. Multiple misdiagnoses, mistreatment and neglect were as normal as brushing your teeth in the morning. The more I read the more heartbroken and enraged I became. These exquisite, brave and wonderful women, men and young adults had rich, full lives that were ripped away from them without forewarning or consent. Their courage to keep fighting and sharing their stories was the impetus for my unwavering determination to be part of the movement that invokes change for thyroid patients. That and I am a pushy broad. So, I’m not giving up.

A: What made you get involved in the first place?

KS: I was frustrated. I wanted to know exactly what other patients were going through, in their words. I wanted the uninterrupted, uncensored grit. I didn’t want anything sugar coated. I was frustrated by the lack of spinning and spiraling. I thought, certainly others feel this way too, right? Anger seemed to be taboo. Not that anger is an aphrodisiac or anything; I just refused to believe that I was the only one who felt angry about my disease.

Save religion and politics, anything goes on Dear Thyroid. This disease takes your mind to dangerous places and morphs your body into an unrecognizable stranger, to yourself and others. That brings up a lot of anger, frustration and sadness. We encourage everyone to write honestly. We want the good, the bad and the ugly.

A: How has Dear Thyroid evolved to take that mission to the next level? What keeps you going?

KS: As Dear Thyroid™ has grown, so have our goals. From a literary perspective, we receive poems, songs, rants, raves, love letters, hate letters, letters to doctors, and to and from families, among other literary works. Each piece is a gift, and treated with the utmost respect. Letters from families are as important as letters from patients. This disease impacts them as hard as it hits patients. In addition, we have ongoing columns about Graves’ disease, thyroid cancer, chronic illness, and a few more coming soon. We also giveaway Thyroid Awareness Bands, provide offline local support, family support and Wearing My Disease on My sleeve. Recently we launched a “Thymentor” program. We sell humorous T-shirts. (To be clear, we are in the process of becoming a non-profit and we do not accept any revenue.) We also partner with other organizations and groups to support their awareness endeavors.

I am empowered and inspired every day by our community and their courage. They motivate me to do better, fight harder and challenge myself to think as far outside the box as possible, to make life better for all of us.

As for the Dear Thyroid Team, I am VERY lucky to be working alongside such extraordinary, dedicated and talented individuals. Our team members donate their invaluable time, to write columns, support community members, and forge partnerships with other organizations. They donate their time—THAT’S AMAZING. They give so much of themselves to our community. I am in awe of them and have tremendous respect and gratitude for them. Each has such a unique point of view. With a pure heart and passion for their work, they bring it.

Stay tuned for Part two of the interview with Katie where we discuss online activism, the highs and lows of online community, and the thyroid itself!

Continue onto Part Two»

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