Karen Smyers has competed as a professional triathlete for 30 years. In her lengthy career, she has won seven National and four World Championship titles, including a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the Hawaiian Ironman World Championships in 1995. Her victory at the short-course ITU Triathlon World Championship just 5 weeks later still earns her the distinction of being the only woman ever to win triathlon’s two most prestigious races in the same year.
In this episode, we hear Karen describe what the calls, ‘character building’ moments, including how she approached thyroid cancer in the midst of of preparing for the 2000 Olympics.
Other obstacles included a torn hamstring, being hit by a 18-wheeler, and a broken collar bone. Regardless of the obstacle, Karen was able to stay focused on and win the Pro National Ironman Championship.
At 42 and post thyroid cancer, Karen gave birth to her second child.
Listen to this episode and you will be inspired by Karen’s determination, perseverance, and approach to living life to the fullest. And, in some cases pushing boundaries and achieving what some would say not possible.
Currently, Karen shares her experience, optimism, and passion for racing as a coach, motivational speaker and co-director of the Lincoln Kids Triathlon. She is a 1983 graduate of Princeton University and lives in Lincoln, MA with daughter Jenna, son Casey, and husband and frequent training partner Michael King.
Contact: 11 Giles Rd, Lincoln, MA 01773 mkandks@comcast.net www.karensmyers.com
This interview is a part of the lifestyle stories featured on the Doctor Thyroid podcast, an opportunity to hear from athletes and overachievers, and how they approach their diagnosis, surgery, and recovery.
In this case, we hear from Evan Simon, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Oregon State University. Evan was diagnosed with advanced Stage IV thyroid cancer, which resulted a 13 hour surgery. At the end of his surgery, Evan was told he would not be able to lift his hands overhead for 3 months, instead he broke the odds, taking him only 3 weeks.
Evan shares with us, his approach to first hearing the news, how he chose to share the news with his family, including his two young daughters, and what he did to speed his recovery. Evan will offer you tips to improve better your recovery, including physical rehabilitation and having an optimistic mindset.
During the interview, we also hear from special guest, Stasi Kasianchuk, MS, RD, Sports Dietitian at Oregon State University. Staci shares her experience in treating Evan through nutrition as a means to a better recovery, and improved lifestyle post-surgery.
Dr. Jonas de Souza, Assistant Professor of Medicine, specializes in the treatment of head and neck cancer, including thyroid cancer at the University of Chicago.
Talking points of this episode:
Financial toxicity
What is the COST tool?
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research?
When is the best time to discuss costs with the thyroid cancer patient?
Who is most at risk of the increased financial burden of thyroid cancer?
How can a patient best prepare for the costs of thyroid cancer?
Resources:
The COST tool for measuring the financial costs of thyroid cancer, http://www.facit.org/FACITOrg/Questionnaires
Hear about the advances in thyroid ultra sound technology, along with the patient process from diagnosis to surgery. Key topics in this episode include how to research a surgeon, requesting a second opinion, selecting the best hospital, and the challenges faced when operating on the neck.
This episode features Dr. Joseph Sniezek, who is the Medical Director of Head & Neck Endocrine Surgery for Swedish Health Services.
Too often, the time between being told by your doctor to get an ultrasound to biopsy, often results in anxiety and a disconnect between surgeon - radiologist - pathologist. Now, with better technology, especially in the area of ultra sound, the multiple trips to specialists can be eliminated.
This episode features Dr. Shawn Soszka.
Topics covered in today’s interview include, starting your day right, tendon issues due to thyroid disease, insomnia, dizziness, painful feet, temperature testing, hypothyroidism, low dose Naltrexone, selenomethionine, and why some people feel worse when exercising. Also, discussed is adrenal function and optimal time of day for body temperature testing as related to the thyroid disease.
Dr. Soszka strives to integrate both systems of medicine. a focus on functional medicine, with emphasis on treating gastrointestinal, chronic disease, and endocrine based conditions. He specializes in: fatigue/adrenal exhaustion, thyroid disorders, digestion/gut health, autoimmune diseases.
In this episode hear from Dr. Greg Nigh, a Naturopath in Portland, OR.
Dr. Nigh will discuss the following topics: