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Sun Nov 05, 2006 8:09 am |
My baby sister (45) just had surgery to remove her thyroid after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. After getting past the shock of having cancer, and then the relief that it hadn't spread, she was able to voice her concerns about the vanity factor - the scar. I told her I was an expert since I've been hanging around the essential day spa forums for over a year, and I'll take care of getting her that magic potion. I was thinking of Strivecten at the time, but like what I see on the Candessence website also.
Do any of you have other recommendations? If you have a vote for one of the creams I'm considering, please make it known.
Thanks for all your help to make it all better for my "baby" sister. |
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Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:16 am |
Breaking a capsule of vitamin E did the trick for my aunt when she got some of her parathyroids taken out. It helps the healing and the visual of the scar. |
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Sun Nov 05, 2006 11:30 am |
Natalie - I had thyroid cancer surgery & radiation 26 years ago (I was 24). The radiation burns turned out to be more noticeable than the surgical scar. www.skinbiology.com has a big section on treating scars & burns. Several places make special radiation-treatment creams to help the skin stay healthy, if she's going to also have radiation (just Google). Also adding extra beta-glucans into a topical mix would be a good idea for both scar & radiation area, once the scar has fully healed (not on open wounds). A botanical healing oil is also a good idea. Internal beta-glucans is always good for a healthy immune system, since radiation suppresses white blood cells.
FYI there's alot of info on using organic kelp for allaying the effects of radiation (again just Google "kelp and radiation"). Info I wish I'd known when I went through it. All kelp is NOT the same...if you want a good souce, PM me.
Also, in terms of thyroid replacement, please check this out: www.drlowe.com. Most docs want to only give you T4 which is what's in Synthroid and Synthroid generics. Apparently T4 and T3 together are quite important but this is either not believed or overlooked; I'm going to hash out this info with a new endocrinologist after the holidays.
Hope this helps. |
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Sun Nov 05, 2006 1:36 pm |
i recommend checking this out: http://www.medicalz.com/scar-management-medigel.htm. it's not a cream, it's a patch and use it 12 hours a day. you can get a sheet that you cut into the proper size and each one will last about two weeks. i've seen some scars that are almost invisible after using this.
as for the ones you mentioned, i really don't think Strivecten does anything. Candessence's scar cream is inexpensive and feels soothing and healing. i've been using this during the day with the medigel at night. unfortunately, i have a huge honking eight inch scar on my outer arm that i'm stretching every day so it's still quite obvious. compared to what it was, however, it's nothing short of miraculous. i highly recommend this combo.
i think it's lovely that you're looking into this for your sister. making the scar disappear will help her heal, emotionally at least. not seeing the scar every time she looks in the mirror.... |
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Sun Nov 05, 2006 2:25 pm |
Chocolat - Thanks for all your advice and links. I will PM you, but first I'll talk with my sister to get a better understanding of her needs. She just came home from the hospital this afternoon.
I especially appreciate your link to Dr. Lowe. Because she is diabetic, her hospital stay was less than satisfactory...they didn't seem to know how to address that issue. She ended up with a sugar count over 200, and no option to remove the dextrose drip for another six hours until the doctor made his rounds. So she wants to get very educated about replacement therapy so she can "help her doctor". Sad, isn't it. |
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Sun Nov 05, 2006 2:27 pm |
I couldn't get your link to work, but I'll try doing a search for this, sounds interesting. |
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Sun Nov 05, 2006 2:35 pm |
natalie2 wrote: |
I couldn't get your link to work, but I'll try doing a search for this, sounds interesting. |
try this: http://www.medicalz.com/home.htm and click on the Scar Management Gels
(feeling a little sheepish as Chocolat's info is so much more helpful!) |
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Sun Nov 05, 2006 4:32 pm |
Natalie, Dr Lowe has a center in Colorado that assesses people w/thyroid problems on-site. I doubt if any insurance pays for it, but I may end up doing that if I get resistance from my new doctor. I've found over the years that thyroid cancer is something relatively few doctors (GP's) encounter in their careers, (although I do think it's becoming more common) and I too have had to educate each new one, telling them what tests I should have done each year, what meds I want to be on, etc. Sheesh! For such an important gland it doesn't seem to get much focus in med school.
I'm glad that your sis's cancer hadn't spread. Mine was metastasized to numerous lymph glands and one of my parathyroids as well which is why they followed up with radiation. If hers was extremely contained the hope would be that radiation isn't needed. The Internet is such a great tool to find out information when these things happen, and she's lucky to have a sister like you you sister scouting out helpful things for her! |
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Sun Nov 05, 2006 4:42 pm |
Chocolat wrote: |
I've found over the years that thyroid cancer is something relatively few doctors (GP's) encounter in their careers, |
That's a shocker! Here, in Pennsylvania, specifically in the Three Mile Island area, everyone knows someone who has or had thyroid cancer. It is very common. We've joked about it being a result of the TMI incident in 1979, but if what you're saying is true, then it could very well be related to TMI. |
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Sun Nov 05, 2006 4:46 pm |
la vie en rose wrote: |
[quote=
(feeling a little sheepish as Chocolat's info is so much more helpful!) |
Please don't! Every piece of info is helpful! |
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