No cancer is "Good" cancer

When I first found out i was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer a few things were said to me along the way that have struck a chord in me. Drs said to me over and over this is the "good" cancer to get. Even on the internet if you look it up, it can be referred to as the "good cancer." Frankly, and yes i will be frank whoever came up with that phrase needs to "kiss it" :) I toned it down for the PGRating. I really dont understand putting the words "good" and "cancer" in the same sentence. It doesn't even make sense. Tell that to my kids, husband, and myself.
Thyroid Cancer is a very rare cancer to develop however the risk of it and people being diagnosed is on the rise, more so than any other cancer. Yes MORE than any other cancer. It is the cancer with the fastest growing number of cases. Im shocked to hear this. Most people probably deal with the same symptoms i deal with daily without even realizing they have thyroid issues. Reason we don't hear these statistics is because the fatality rate is smaller than most other cancer diagnosis'  For that i can be grateful, but i want to stand with those who struggle with this cancer and disease that follows it. It doesnt end after being treated for cancer. We have to change the way you think of cancer. You have to stand up and demand research and demand information. Why is this on the rise? What can we do to change this? How can we make people aware?
Misdiagnosis' happen daily. Thyroid conditions mimic alot of other chronic diseases. Lymes, MS, Parkinson's. All things i was tested for. We have to be an advocate for our own health. I have several friends whom have these diseases and its heartbreaking to see, yet I understand. Tremors, numbness, loss/gain appetite, memory loss, speech issues, hot/cold flashes, insomnia, chronic fatigue, joint pain, inability to tolerate overly hot or cold temperatures, hoarse voice....list goes on and on.
Drs will check your TSH level on a regular blood test, but i encourage you if your symptoms continue ask to check total t4 and free t4 test.When its low with a high tsh level it indicates a hypothyroid. To put in perspective of what im dealing with and trying to reverse a normal range for tsh is 1.1-5.5, when diagnosed my tsh was 425. Yes you read that right. 425. A far cry from 5.5 i might say. So needlesstosay i was feeling pretty crappy and continue to do so, this was the start of the journey to diagnosis.
 May i remind you im not a doctor. Will not claim to be, just an advocate for my own health and want others to advocate for themselves.
The Thyroid is nothing to mess with. Its the central gear to your whole system. Every cell has receptors for thyroid hormone. These hormones are responsible for most of the bodys function. It controls metabolism, growth, body temperature, muscle strength, appetite, the health of your heart, your brain, your kidneys, and reproductive system. If your thyroid doesnt work properly, NEITHER DO YOU!!! Problems with your thyroid can lead to high cholesterol, heart disease, muscle weakness, and so on.
I encourage you to think twice and dont be afraid to ask your doctor questions. Its for you after all. We need to be RELENTLESS for ourselves and our families sake.

Blessings
Kate
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Relentless-Kate/1476153065991441
http://nashelle.com/relentless-identity-necklace
https://twitter.com/KateTuma

Relentless Fighters

Above is a photo that is precious to me. Its a photo of some of the most brave, loving, compassionate, Relentless fighters i know of. Id like to introduce my family.  To the left we have Isaac 15, Hayden 8, Jayson, Myself, and Lexi 13. Arent they a good looking bunch :) I could explain the two boys with casts, but thats a whole other post :) Lets just say its been an eventful week.

Where would i be without them? Absolutely nowhere, if you know us personally, which on some level you are getting there :) you would know that we are fighters even beyond cancer. Weve been through a lot as a family and we remain strong and steadfast in any fight that we face. These precious faces are who help me get up in the mornings. Make me breakfasts, smoothies, juices, get me dressed and remind me of what i have to live for. They are the reason for the word we chose "Relentless" and each of you as you can relate to us as we have been through what some could say...it all :)

When you are "relentless" about something, you mean BUSINESS!! You're not stopping until you get what you want. You don't take NO for an answer. People, hardship, finances, unforeseen circumstances, or Cancer might try to get in your way or steer you from your goal, but RELENTLESS FIGHTERS have their eye on the prize. Those things will need to get out of the way because they are coming through!! This is my family in a nutshell and the reason for our Necklace and word we chose to be on it. This is how Christ pursues us daily and what we want to stand for. We press on for the prize, God has given us this unrelenting fight in us because we serve a purpose. Each one of my kids will not go through this battle in vain, it serves a purpose. What is it you may ask? I honestly am unsure, but i know its going to be grand and marvelous for each one of them. My husband will not be put to the test of "in sickness and health" without reason, its for a purpose. And boy, do they stand strong in that. Their relationships in Christ grow daily and i see them walk in it "relentlessly" We grow weary at times, little battles try to change our course or path, yet we are reminded that we are here to serve a purpose far greater than ourselves.

 As a mom i want to protect them from any hurt this causes. When i hear our kids upset about me being sick, or unable to speak, i feel their pain. We've been able to find humor in the ugliness of cancer. We laugh instead of cry  because we choose to. Some days its more difficult but one thing i can count on with them is.....LAUGHTER!! We find laughter because we know we fight with purpose.

In your battle, whatever it may be, know this....Relentless fighters pursue the prize. I challenge you to fight your battle relentlessly for a purpose greater than yourself. BE RELENTLESS!!!

Blessings,

Kate
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Relentless-Kate/1476153065991441?ref=bookmarks
http://nashelle.com/relentless-identity-necklace

My Diagnosis Story

April 14^th, 2014….D day in our house. The day I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. Ill never forget hearing the words “you have cancer ” coming from my doctors mouth as he explained what was to follow after many tests came back positive for cancer. I became numb, unsure how to respond. My husband and I sat there confused and then reality set in….we have to tell the kids. We have 3 wonderful, full of life kids and this was the hardest part of it all. I didn’t want them to feel upset, pain, or feel helpless which I knew was going to happen, but I also knew God would take care of them and their hearts. How much do we tell them? Where do we begin? How will they react? All questions my husband and I pondered and prayed over.

 It was shocking in the sense that I didn’t go in for anything huge. I went in for a random doctor checkup and the week that followed was a whirlwind of events that meant one test after another. Some were  very invasive and painful, others fairly simple. Don’t ever let a doctor tell you that biopsies are painless, they are NOT.

It had been years of not feeling “normal” A year prior to my diagnosis I was having tremors in my hands and face, unable to speak and numbness and tingling in my extremities. With all the tests ran and MRI’s I never found the problem. MRI’s were only focused on brain scans so the idea of any Thyroid issue seemed to be nonexistent. OR was it?

I could go back and be angry that the doctors at that time missed several key components that I later found out could have helped diagnosis me earlier. However, that isn’t going to help me now. All I can do now is be my own advocate for my own health care.

Going back to the day I was diagnosed I began racking my brain and thinking back on signs and symptoms that I was having and continue to have on a daily basis. What most don’t understand is that Thyroid Cancer is rare, therefore the research and information on it isn’t easy to find and “thyroid specialists” are hard to come by so to get answers to my questions my husband and I had, we had to be our own advocates in research in a sense to help find the best plan for me and treatment.  I struggle daily with little to no sleep, swelling of my neck and throat due to the large tumor on my thyroid, I loose my voice occasionally, tremors in my hands, tingling or numbness in my legs hands and feet. I have hardly any energy for simple tasks such as getting dressed or showering. It takes a lot of will power to get up each day because my body is saying “NO” and my mind is saying “Yes.” I get sick during the night that can extend to the rest of the following day, due to lack of hormones. My hair fell out even without treatment. And all these symptoms I feel daily.  Not only did I have cancer in my thyroid but it had spread to some lymphnodes. Overall, I had a sense of peace during the early stages of figuring this out. I knew it was going to be a battle but I also knew that the Lord had a plan. What could have been a huge set back, and in some ways are…financially, etc, has turned into a huge outreach to others that struggle with cancer, disease, or daily battles. It has given me a new perspective as most cancer patients have happen. But more than that. I see my husband and children in different ways. My faith is real and I see real miracles every day as my family and I battle this. The way they stepped up to help me and encourage me to get up out of bed is incredible. I will be sharing more about “Our story” and life living with Thyroid Cancer as I believe it needs to be talked about. I also want to encourage those that are in a cancer battle of their own or chronic disease, and even just a daily battle of life circumstances. Lean on the Lord. Give it to HIM, BE RELENTLESS in your fight!!

Blessings,

Kate Tuma

 http://instagram.com/relentlesskate

 www.facebook.com/relentlesskate

Our Story

'We are truly overwhelmed with gratefulness as this is a huge blessing to us and our family. We designed the necklace below with Heather Nashelle Straw for Nashelle designs to help raise money for medical funds and to raise awareness for Thyroid Cancer.

We chose the word "Relentless" for many reasons. We relentlessly pursue our faith in Christ and He pursues us relentlessly. He never has given up on our little family. We "relentlessly" love each of you and so many who are affected by cancer or any other disease, and want to reach out. We are "Relentless"in his fight against cancer or anything in our daily lives.

We chose not to be broken down but to press on and for that our family chose this necklace to represent so many parts of our lives and in hopes that it will bless others as we walk through this chapter with all of you. It's an honor to be chosen and I do not take it for granted. I'm so blown away by our community in this help for our family. Our kids, my husband, and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.' ~Katie

Blessings,

Kate Tuma