The Fast's

Ok - So, I've been meaning to do this for AGES and haven't ever got around to it, so a couple of days ago I finally bit the bullet and did it.
It was well overdue, it's been almost a year since I was Mary Friel... so, now you can catch up with us over at "The Fast's". I know, really original, but I couldn't really come up with anything. I had things going round my head like "life in the Fast lane"... "life the Fast way" but it all seemed to cheesy... I will probably change it at a later date anyway.
So, click here to visit the new blog... it's not very exciting yet, but I will work on it this Spring!

Hope you're all keeping well...

(if the hyperlink doesn't work the URL is http://lifethefastway.blogspot.com/ You can copy and paste that into the address bar on your internet browser)

A Tribute to Paula Ann Fast

Here is a photographic tribute to Paula Fast, Cory's Grandmother. We showed this video at her funeral on Monday 15th March 2010.
She was a wonderful lady and had such an impact on her family, her friends and the whole community.

Irish Blessing

I wish you not a path devoid of clouds,
Nor a life on a bed of roses,
Not that you might never need regret,
Nor that you should never feel pain.

No, that is not my wish for you.

My wish for you is this:

That you might be brave in times of trial,
When others lay crosses upon your shoulders.
When mountains must be climbed and chasms are to be crossed;
When hope scarce can shine through.

That every gift God gave you might grow along with you.
And let you give the gift of joy to all who care for you.

That you may always have a friend who is worthy of that name.
Whom you can trust, and who helps you in times of sadness.
Who will defy the storms of daily life at your side.

One more wish I have for you.

That in every hour of joy and pain you may feel God close to you.

This is my wish for you and for all who care for you.

This is my hope for you now and forever.

RIP Paula

This past week has been hard as we watched Cory's grandmother struggle with her health and become more weak as the days and hours passed by.

Yesterday she passed away at 5pm (exactly) peacefully with loved ones surrounding her. Her husband of more than 61 years was holding her hand. He leant down and kissed her and she gave a big smile before taking her final breath.

She was a strong and much loved woman by so many people, she will be sorely missed.

Rest in Peace dear Paula.

(This photo is of Paula with her husband Marvin and her three sons, Danny, Doug and Denis)

Still struggling

So, it seems like we are not as far down 'regulation road' as perhaps we thought. I am still not feeling right and we are rapidly getting to the point where we are becoming more and more nervous about exactly how long it is going to take before we settle on the right medication.

The Doctor tested my bloods for FT4 and for TSH. My FT4 was still registering in the 'normal' range at 1.4, but for my age the goal is to be closer to the higher end of that range (which is 1.85). My TSH still showed as suppressed. WEIRD.

I knew something was wrong, I could feel it, and I have read so many books and studies about thyroid disease recently and I just had a feeling that what I was feeling seemed to fit with my FT3 levels being low. I mentioned this to the doctor, and I'm not really sure if he agreed, but since I'm the one who knows my body the best he ordered the bloods again - FT3, FT4 and TSH.

I didn't realize he'd put a rush on them, and yesterday afternoon the office called to say that my FT3 levels were indeed low and that they would like me to start taking the cytomel medication as soon as possible.

It was good news and bad, but mostly good. Good because I now knew I wasn't going crazy - I knew my body well enough to know what felt wrong and was knowledgeable about the different thyroid processed and hormones to be able to work out that it was the T3 causing my problems.
Bad because it meant some more trial & error on a new medication and we really don't know how it's going to effect my body, or if it's going to mean starting back on trying to work out dosage and changing pills every couple weeks again.

I guess we'll see.

We are also being referred to see a specialist, a different one this time. They have referred me to OSHU which is one of the very best hospitals in the area and they have a very good reputation with Endocrine disorders. I'm not sure how long that will take, and perhaps before I get the appointment I will already be feeling better with the new meds... we can but hope?!?!