Hashimoto's Update

A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Today we are still in the process of figuring out the correct treatment plan. Seriously WTHashi?!

Current TSH: 6
Current Free T3: 5.17

I have now tried 4 different medicines now, Synthroid, Levothyroxine, Nature-Throid, and now Armour Thyroid. Each one brought my TSH level's down a little but with how high of doses I was taking it should have brought my levels into normal range. I am still sitting at a 6, with my highest being a 13.75. Optimal is below a 2 or below.

I am currently seeing 2 endocrinologists and I could not be happier with them! The new plan is to switch from Nature Thyroid to Armour. Taking one medicine first thing in the morning and another one at lunch. I will go back in 8 weeks to check my levels again.

The one good think about my levels slowing going down is that I have lost weight! Down 14.8lbs!! I am still carrying so much weight and even with diet and exercise (what I can do...more on that in a second) the pounds are staying for now. Surprisingly I have accepted that this is me and even took a few pictures of myself and posted online. Yikes!!

I am still having symptoms with the hashi's. My biggest issue is still swelling in my hands. I am thinking of taking my wedding ring to have it resized again. I haven't worn it in years and let be honest my hands will be this swollen for the foreseeable future, may as well have a pretty ring on it! The other symptom that hasn't even begin to subside is the joint pain. Holy moly do my knees, hips and elbows ache at night. While walking does help it also hurts me later. Now with the weather turning hopefully I can get out more and walk. And the weirdest and newest one is the outer ankle bone. WTHashi? It feels like someone is taking a hammer and hitting that bone that sticks out. Lovely!

This weekend wasn't my best. I have been suffering from this horrible plague. I don't know if it's a cold, allergies, sinus infection, ear infection, bubonic plaque or all of the above. Mix that with Hashi and I am a hot mess. We went to a wedding this weekend and I could only make it through the ceremony. I had to come home and rest. Stupid fever and body aches. Of course this causes me to feel anxious and then I have to deal with that on top of feeling like WTHashi. Ugh.

Well that is my medical minute! Hopefully this new medicine will start working. We will see in 8 weeks.

Hashimoto's Update

A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Today we are still in the process of figuring out the correct treatment plan. Seriously WTHashi?!

Current TSH: 6
Current Free T3: 5.17

I have now tried 4 different medicines now, Synthroid, Levothyroxine, Nature-Throid, and now Armour Thyroid. Each one brought my TSH level's down a little but with how high of doses I was taking it should have brought my levels into normal range. I am still sitting at a 6, with my highest being a 13.75. Optimal is below a 2 or below.

I am currently seeing 2 endocrinologists and I could not be happier with them! The new plan is to switch from Nature Thyroid to Armour. Taking one medicine first thing in the morning and another one at lunch. I will go back in 8 weeks to check my levels again.

The one good think about my levels slowing going down is that I have lost weight! Down 14.8lbs!! I am still carrying so much weight and even with diet and exercise (what I can do...more on that in a second) the pounds are staying for now. Surprisingly I have accepted that this is me and even took a few pictures of myself and posted online. Yikes!!

I am still having symptoms with the hashi's. My biggest issue is still swelling in my hands. I am thinking of taking my wedding ring to have it resized again. I haven't worn it in years and let be honest my hands will be this swollen for the foreseeable future, may as well have a pretty ring on it! The other symptom that hasn't even begin to subside is the joint pain. Holy moly do my knees, hips and elbows ache at night. While walking does help it also hurts me later. Now with the weather turning hopefully I can get out more and walk. And the weirdest and newest one is the outer ankle bone. WTHashi? It feels like someone is taking a hammer and hitting that bone that sticks out. Lovely!

This weekend wasn't my best. I have been suffering from this horrible plague. I don't know if it's a cold, allergies, sinus infection, ear infection, bubonic plaque or all of the above. Mix that with Hashi and I am a hot mess. We went to a wedding this weekend and I could only make it through the ceremony. I had to come home and rest. Stupid fever and body aches. Of course this causes me to feel anxious and then I have to deal with that on top of feeling like WTHashi. Ugh.

Well that is my medical minute! Hopefully this new medicine will start working. We will see in 8 weeks.

Hashimoto's Update

A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Today we are still in the process of figuring out the correct treatment plan. Seriously WTHashi?!

Current TSH: 6
Current Free T3: 5.17

I have now tried 4 different medicines now, Synthroid, Levothyroxine, Nature-Throid, and now Armour Thyroid. Each one brought my TSH level's down a little but with how high of doses I was taking it should have brought my levels into normal range. I am still sitting at a 6, with my highest being a 13.75. Optimal is below a 2 or below.

I am currently seeing 2 endocrinologists and I could not be happier with them! The new plan is to switch from Nature Thyroid to Armour. Taking one medicine first thing in the morning and another one at lunch. I will go back in 8 weeks to check my levels again.

The one good think about my levels slowing going down is that I have lost weight! Down 14.8lbs!! I am still carrying so much weight and even with diet and exercise (what I can do...more on that in a second) the pounds are staying for now. Surprisingly I have accepted that this is me and even took a few pictures of myself and posted online. Yikes!!

I am still having symptoms with the hashi's. My biggest issue is still swelling in my hands. I am thinking of taking my wedding ring to have it resized again. I haven't worn it in years and let be honest my hands will be this swollen for the foreseeable future, may as well have a pretty ring on it! The other symptom that hasn't even begin to subside is the joint pain. Holy moly do my knees, hips and elbows ache at night. While walking does help it also hurts me later. Now with the weather turning hopefully I can get out more and walk. And the weirdest and newest one is the outer ankle bone. WTHashi? It feels like someone is taking a hammer and hitting that bone that sticks out. Lovely!

This weekend wasn't my best. I have been suffering from this horrible plague. I don't know if it's a cold, allergies, sinus infection, ear infection, bubonic plaque or all of the above. Mix that with Hashi and I am a hot mess. We went to a wedding this weekend and I could only make it through the ceremony. I had to come home and rest. Stupid fever and body aches. Of course this causes me to feel anxious and then I have to deal with that on top of feeling like WTHashi. Ugh.

Well that is my medical minute! Hopefully this new medicine will start working. We will see in 8 weeks.

BB18 - Post Season Blog

Since Big Brother 18 ended last week I wanted to do a recap and see how I did predicting at the end of the season!!

Here is how I ranked them in order of eviction and how they actually went out:

1- Glenn                             Glenn
2- Victor                             Josea
3- Michelle                         Victor
4- Josea                               Bronte
5- Tiffany                            Tiffany
6- Natalie                            Frank
7- Day                                 Day
8- Frank                               Zakiyah
9- Bronte                             Bridgette
10- Bridgette                       Paulie
11- Paulie                            Michelle
12- Zakiyah                        Natalie
12- Nicole                           Corey
13- James                            James
14- Corey                            Paul
15- Paul                               Nicole

I didn't do too bad!! I picked the final 4! However I never in a million year would have bet the Nicole would walk away with the $500,000. Especially when she was sitting next to Paul in the final chairs.

This season wasn't the best as far as game play. Actually in all reality it was quite boring. There weren't any HUGE game moves or blindsides. Day would have been the biggest blindside to Michelle....but that's about it.

Glenn- poor Glenn, out the first day!

Jozea - dear Lord let me never see or hear of him again. Worst BB player in the history of the game.

Victor - I had mad respect for him. When he first went into the house I was scared. He thought he was too cool. But once he was evicted and came back in the game I turned a corner. He deserved to win and I am so glad he was AFP.

Bronte - her voice killed me and really she didn't have much game at all. Out on a math comp.

Tiffany - cry me a river and go back to Florida!

Frank - there was potential but man what a filthy mouth and butt.

Day - LOVED mama Day!! She had some major flaws but she did play a different less emotional game than last time.

Zakiyah - she did really well! Worst thing was aligning with Paulie and then going back to him after his horrible remarks and fighting with Day in the jury.

Bridgette - I just can't get over the Cabbage Patch reference. She did all of Frank's dirty work and was quite annoying.

Paulie - what once was hot is now not. Man did he lose points with the comments he made to the girls. I'm not a feminist at all but that was just rude and disrespectful.

Michelle - I totally underestimated Big Meech. Seriously I ended up loving the cry baby by the end of the season! She was such a superfan!

Natalie - WOW!! She surprised me! Making it to final 5. She had crazy strength and aligning with James helped a ton.

Corey - What a dud..... I feel like my 5 year old could hold a better conversation than this guy.

James - really didn't like your lack of game play this year. I'm not surprised you went out before final 2. But I loved James and Natalie together!

Paul - I will admit I now have a huge crush on Paul. His dry volger humor made this season. But his emotional side also played a huge part in his character. He was quite entertaining on the live feed. He will be in All Stars for sure. I so wish he had won.

Nicole - I can not believe she won. Does she deserve it? I think she does in some aspects. She did a lot of game moves and was never on the block until day what 77? That's impressive. She aligned with the guys and that helped. She was the first woman to win against a man!

Well that the end of BB18! Another summer over. I'm curious to see how this BB fall season is. I think the cast is announced today. I will do another overview of first impressions and see how I do. Until next summer.... or Wednesday!

Biggggg Bruuuuutha!

w...What...w...When...w...How I became a Kitten Foster Mom

Wait so you have how many cats at your house right now?!?! SEVEN!!

 

I have always had a love for cats. They have my whole heart. I seem to have a 6th sense that attracts cats from afar. Driving down the road I can point cats sitting on porches from afar. I may or may not believe that I was a cat in my former life! I am considered the Crazy Cat Lady... granted before I was just the Crazy Lady without the cats! 

I have had cats my whole life. We got our first Tiger when I was 6 years old. From them I have had Mittens, Tiger II, Simba, George, Timpleton, Little Bit and Glee. These are just ones I have owned. It doesn't include the ones who follow me when I'm walking down the street on a stroll. Or the ones that randomly show up on our porch passing through on their journey for a quick bite to eat. And of course the neighborhood cats that randomly try to run in my house! Needless to say my life if full of felines. 

When George died, two years ago,  my heart truly broke. I had a huge hole in my heart. We couldn't just get another cat with the most territorial cat of all, Timpleton. He would not have it. Although I think he misses a buddy to wrestle with and snuggle with. But it was just a no. 

Around that time I started following a few Cat Foster Moms on Instagram. It was truly amazing seeing what they are doing for pregnant, abandoned, injured and the teeniest cats/kittens all across the country. I wished with all my heart I could do that, but it just wasn't the right time. I had too much going on. A baby and a toddler potty training, I was working, we had just moved back into our house, there just wasn't enough time! 

I continued to follow these woman and yearned to be a foster mom. I studied all about kittens and fostering. I read the ins and outs. I took notes on techniques I saw. I prayed about it. I feel such a passion for helping animals. I know I can't but I want to help them all. It's horrible thinking of all the animals sitting in shelters waiting for a loving family. After all this time and effort I just knew what I needed to do it. 

Fast forward 2 years later. I'm sitting here typing this with 5 little kittens that has taken up a temporary residence in my bathroom! 

I am a believer in signs! When I was looking on one of the Instagram accounts I saw this post that anyone can be a cat foster. WHAT?!?! I clicked on the link that took my to Texas Foster Programs. WHERE?!? I was reading the comments and found the one for Fort Worth about the Cowtown Crashpads. WHO?!? The poster mentioned that they needed help right away because of shelter overcrowding. WHY?!? I decided to write a message to this poster about how she got involved with fostering and what I needed to do. HOW?!? I sent in my application that night! 

I was approved the following week! 

The coordinator wanted me to come in that day and pick up kittens. Remember how two years ago I felt like there just wasn't the right time and I didn't have enough time? Welllll......I am even busier now. We were leaving for Colorado the next day, my business is taking off, Reid is about to start Kindergarten...timing?! I figured lets be honest, when would it ever be right and when will I ever have enough time. I just need to go for it regardless! 

A little over a week after getting back to Colorado I was sitting in parking lot at the Fort Worth Animal Control waiting to go in to get some foster kittens. Anxiety ran through my veins. Was I making the right decision? Would Timpleton be ok? What about the kids? What if something happens to the kittens? How am I going to give them away? I ventured in. On the way back the coordinator asked so how many would you be able to take. I was thinking 3 but told her oh however many! 

She said they have the perfect match for us. FIVE! Yes FIVE! What was I going to say, no I would like to just take 3 please! Forty five minutes later I was walking out with a cage full of tiny kittens. Oops!! 

I can not begin to explain how much these tiny little kittens have filled my heart. Don't get me wrong I will always mourn George and he will never be replaced, but these little ones are so much fun to have! 

Timpleton is doing as well as can be expected with the new residence in the house. I installed a screen door with vinyl on it so he can at least see what creatures are in the bathroom. They are entertaining him for sure! He still has some anxiety when he smells our clothes with their scent on them but at least no aggression! 

This starts my first (and hopefully many) attempts at fostering kittens/cats! 

You know it's summer when....

Yes it was officially summer on June 20 at 6:34pm EDT... but lets be honest for a reality TV fan summer officially starts with the premier of Big Brother!! And that's TONIGHT!!!! I'm so excited!!! Can you tell?!?

I am so curious to see what the twists are this year. So fat there are 12 houseguests so that leaves 4ish spots left. I really hope it's not another veteran team captain twist. And goodness knows not another twin twist. But with Cody's brother and Vanessa's sister in the house I am wondering if the twist is they come back into the house and another veteran brother/brother sister/sister come in. The only other sibling recently that I can think of is Rachel and Elissa. However Rachel just had a baby and Elissa is pregnant.... so that's probably a no!!

The house looks pretty neat! Like the travel theme throughout. Tokyo room... BRIGHT! London room... umm a phone from the HOH to call down to the houseguests?! Interesting. Hmmmm they didn't show the backroom... Airplane kitchen, love. Africa Safari lounge is pretty cool, much better than the hammock. UMMMMMM... is there sand on the bathroom floor???

NEW POOL???????? Love it!!!! About time. The backyard looks great.

HOH - hawaii room. FISH tank!!!!! The fish will know all, why can't fish talk?!!?!?! 

Ok so here is my first impressions of the houseguests:

- Paul (23): You are definitely going to be a true character. I loved your I just don't give a **** attitude with Jeff. Play this low key and you will go far. Your laugh kills me. Will it be a Rachel laugh by the end of the season? Jury is still out. But I will place you in the jury for sure if not the top 5.

- Victor (25): gym manager....endurance master. However when your mottos is get money...get girls??Not so cool. Will you be the meathead Jesse or will you be the sweet guy helping other's work out in the backyard that everyone loves? You are a wildcard. Lets see you open your cards first week and then I will place you.

Natalie (26): Please close your mouth when you chew. I don't have a great views on Natalie's in the BB game. You could change my opinion. However when you want to start an all girls alliance week 1 that's a huge draw back for me. When has one EVER worked? Obvi you know nothing about BB. You aren't going to go very far, sorry.

- Tiffany (32): DON'T BE AN EMOTIONAL TRAIN WRECK. That is all! Play the mental game like your sister did and you will go far. Be careful though, you seem a little gullible. Hopefully people won't see that as a weakness.

- Corey (25): A Texas boy! I won't hold the Aggies against you too much. I think you will go far. If you team up with Paulie that would be a match made in eye candy heaven! You will be in the top for sure.

- Paulie (27): Yum. Oops, did I just say that out loud?! Another summer with a Calafiore? Twist my arm. I really hope that you go far and I think you will because you know the game and your brother did really well. If you can play the social game that Cody played you will do good. However the twist may hurt  you and the fact that you're Cody's brother... So I'm putting you in the top 10 depending on the twist. 

- Bronte (26): First impression you MAY get on my nerves. And if you are a mathematician how on earth do you not know what 9x9 is?? Even Jeff knew in the interview. I think you will be out within in the first 4 weeks OR be a floater into jury and then out before the final 5. You just don't seem to have the best idea of what is going to happen in the house.

- Bridgette (24): You have potential IF IF IF you can learn quickly how to lie! You come across very sweet and charming. Pair with the right person and you can go far. I'm putting you in the top 5. On the condition you learn how to lie! haha

- Zakiyah (24): anyone who is a preschool teacher gets mad props from me to begin with. WOW! You are going to do great dealing with so many whiny people in the house it will be just like your work environment. She seems like one of the stronger woman this year so I think she will make it far.

- Jozea (25): I'm sorry Jozea but I don't have high hopes for you. Out one of the first 4.

- Glenn (50): Oh Glenn. You are a tricky one. Compared to the other men in this cast I don't know how you will compete with them in endurance challenges. Mentally you could be the "big teddy bear" to the girls and they could take you a long ways. Adam and Donny went pretty far. However if you try to hard like Casey to be the "cool older guy" it could get you in trouble.

- Michelle (23): I'm sorry but you annoy me before the game even begins.  Are you Christina and Nicole's lovechild?? I don't need a lecture on nutrition in your Jeff interview. One of the first ones out, please....


Alright I'm ready!! But first..... only 9 hours to go..... Biiiiiiiiiiggg Bruuuuuuutha!!!

LauraLizzies Weekly Round-up - Letters

 

I am slightly obsessed with thew new letters! I had a request for an ivory X and O plain jane style. No embellishments or chalkboard. They are going to be used in the baby's nursery! How cute are they? They are now available in my store for $25 and $45 for two. 

This week I have been working on 10 letters! It's been a busy one for sure. Here are a few of them!