Mic Check : One, Two — What thyroid?

I realize, I’m not so fantastic at this whole blog thing. I get a vibe going and then I fall off. Which isn’t right. Not only does this blog exist to represent a plethora of thyroid cancer knowledge and awareness, it also touches on my experience to all my fellow survivors and recently diagnosed. My intentions are always to engage, inspire, make you laugh, create a blanket of comfort, and to let you know – You are going to be just fine.

This week, I am currently undergoing my yearly cancer screening. This involves thyrogen shots, blood work, a neck ultrasound, a tiny dose of RAI, and of course a full body scan this Friday. I will make sure to write about the whole process. I do have a few really great subjects to touch on next week pertaining to the cost of having a “good kind of cancer” as well as all the pills that have come into my life since being diagnosed.

Stay tuned, Darlings – Keep fighting the good fight!

via Mic Check : One, Two — What thyroid?

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The opening of GARDEN GARAGE

Hey Babes!

 

Cheers to Thyroid Cancer Awareness month! Have you had your neck checked yet?
What are you waiting for?!

 

I have a new blog post coming up this week, pertaining to my most recent results since May.  Let’s just say, I FINALLY got a break! For a few months at least…

In the meantime, I’ve been busy traveling and perusing a dream of mine; opening up a plant retail shop! It’s called Garden Garage. The door went up directly after my last post and it’s been nothing short of amazing. My favorite part besides getting my hands dirty? All the people and avenues it has led me to. Las Vegas has such a great community of makers, finders, and creators, it’s unbelievable! You just have to find us 😉

Garden Garage builds a unique narrative of plants and spaces we see everyday. By elevating the location to a neighborhood environment, through display and living plants, we acknowledge how extremely delicate and beautiful life really is. It is an idea of connecting with the community through shared interests and to take a pause and appreciate an object that brings meaning and breaks us away from the tendency to blend in.  This tightly edited collection of greenery is carefully crafted with design and quality in mind. We believe surrounding yourself with organic, southwest, minimalism vibes leads to a happier and more productive lifestyle. Give. Get. Grow.

For the rest of September, with every plant purchase over $50 I’ll be giving away a #WhatThyroid pin in the color of your choice! If you’re not in Las Vegas and would like to rock some awareness flair, you can find them on Etsy where shipping will be free through the remainder of the month. Interested in my full story? WhatThyroid.com .

If you’re in Las Vegas, stop on by! The shop will be open 11AM – 3PM this Saturday, September 16th. As well, we’ll be at the Life is Beautiful, Market in the Alley, September 22-24, West Elm Oct. 1, AND the Grow Your Own Festival, Oct. 8th!

“To plant a garden is to
believe in tomorrow.”
— Audrey Hepburn

 

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Don’t forget to hit follow on Instagram for daily chats, inspiration, and good vibes!

@garden.garage
@whatthyroid

TT 101 : The Basics

Hey babes in babes land. Have you ever thought about your life without a thyroid?  No?  I promise you, without genetics and this soft little gland, your world would be a whole lot different. It’s pretty impressive what that squishy honey does for your bod.

Oh wait. What is a THYROID, you say?  I said the same thing once.  Over the next handful of days,  let me provide you with a little more information. Maybe more than you ever intended on having. But it’s good for you. Like apples, or champagne. Trust me.
Knowledge is power!

Let’s start here  ——>
SEPTEMBER is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month.
Which means someone, somewhere, decided this would be the perfect time of year to take your thyroid into a little more consideration and spread awareness about disease. I think three-hundred and sixty five days, on and off, is cool – But I’ll take whatever I can get.
Someone find me a soap box!

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thy·roid

ˈTHīˌroid/

noun

1. 1.

   a large ductless gland in the neck that secretes hormones regulating growth and development through the rate of metabolism.
2. 2.

   a large cartilage of the larynx, a projection of which forms the Adam’s apple in humans.

   
   Thyroid hormones support nearly every body system. In humans and other backboned animals, the iodine-containing hormones guarantee proper development of the brain, skeleton, and organs. Yet, too much or too little derails the body’s delicate balance causing goiter and other health troubles. These distinct regulators work alone or in cooperation with other hormones to generate energy, control cell oxygen use, and moderate many other life processes in both males and females.

   
   Almost all body functions carried out in nearly every tissue rely on thyroid hormones. Their actions and influence are so wide-ranging that vertebrates cannot live without them. Among other things, thyroid hormones specifically affect brain development; heart rate; lung function; blood function; bone growth; steroid hormone production and breakdown; sugar, fat, and protein breakdown; and some immune processes.

   ———

Well. When they put in terms like that, it sounds discussing and terrifying; but if yours works, ENJOY that little bastard! Broken down into phrases that make more sense to me, this lumpy butterfly controls how you gain or lose weight. It decides whether or not you could sleep all day or stay up all night. Sometimes you sweat like a pig and other times you freeze like a popsicle. Sometimes I feel like my heart is going to jump out of my chest. And for us creative folk, watch out! Creative blocks happen more often than not.
Those are just some relatable basics.

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OK. Since it’s 2016 and more than half of the world has the attention span of a squirrel, I am going to stop right here. I don’t want to ruin your day with too much reading. I hope you enjoyed Thyroid Topics 101.
Tomorrow, I’ll show you where your thyroid is located even if you already know.

Or decide to look it up on your own. Onward!

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Mic Check : One, Two

I realize, I’m not so fantastic at this whole blog thing. I get a vibe going and then I fall off. Which isn’t right. Because not only does this blog exist to represent a plethora of thyroid cancer awareness knowledge, experience, and reach to all my fellows who are lacking a thyroid; my intention is always, to engage, inspire, question, and provoke hope and insight that the days to come will be brighter for all of us. Whoa. Run on sentence. You get the gist of it.

 

This past week’s whirlwind of a surprise trip to Minneapolis, surrounded Julian and I with so much love and family. The energy was intoxicating and the conversations were thick. The perfect recipe for times that are meant to be and never forgotten. We crashed and celebrated a party in leu of a beautiful young woman named Carmela, who has climbed to the top of her nest and is about to hit Chicago this fall only to find herself yet again. Even more than she anticipates. She is amazing.

 

I rested my head softly those two swift nights; in the land of rolling thunderstorms and lush filled days. I couldn’t be happier. The fresh smell of plentiful greens, complimented by my urban instinct of a city dweller; I am home. Surrounded by family, swirling with chatter and positive emotions – It makes one feel whole again. All those voids that have been waiting to be filled are now complete. And as the rain pounded on the roof our last night home, thunder rolling, flashes of natural energy filling the sky; I felt so alive.
Your life and what you put into it, with time,  creates a the perfect personal portrait. The need and willingness to grasp and appreciate it all is crucial. My life, with all the good, the bad, and the ugly, is a beautiful dream that I wish to live over and over again.

 

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