Wednesday, August 24, 2011

August Update

Over another month passed since my last post. I've been busy sewing, harvesting garden fruits and vegies, playing tennis, walking daily and enjoying opera and musicals. We've had season tickets to Seattle's 5th Avenue theatre for a few years and enjoy most of the musicals there. However, Seattle Opera offered us a trial subscription (3 operas of our choice) for a reasonable price. Since my husband doesn't understand opera, we chose the most famous operas (Porgy and Bess, Madame Butterfly and Carmen). I was very impressed with Porgy and Bess and hope the other 2operas will also be outstanding.

Healthwise, I've done well on the increased thyroid supplement dosage (25mcg of T3 in 2 divided daily doses and one 50mcg dose of T4). However, I noticed more hypothyroid symptoms when I don't wait long enough after taking my thyroid before taking magnesium supplements. My doc warned me to wait 4 hours, but I've read that 3 hours is okay. I've noticed that I need to wait 3-1/2 to 4 hours to get the full affect of my thyroid dose.

I got tired of sewing skirts and moved onto dress patterns. I only completely the muslin on the first pattern. I had so much difficulty fitting the linen dress from that pattern that I gave up. I realized the linen was too stiff, I added too much extra 'ease' to the pattern and I moved the front dart incorrectly. Of course I realized all that AFTER I wasted the linen and lining fabric. SIGH However, I really needed some summer dresses, because we're having really warm August weather. So I moved onto the next pattern and made the first attempt from an inexpensive cotton, which I could wear if it fit or put in my charity bag if it didn't fit. Fortunately, I recognized and corrected fitting problems before I completed the garment. So the first attempt is 'wearable'. Nevertheless, I learned how I need to alter the pattern before making my second garment from that pattern.

Since I stopped taking the LDN, I did well with no cold symptoms while taking arabinogalactin daily. Even one teaspoon daily is enough to stop slight symptoms (like sore throat) before I develop a cold. However, when I ran out of the effective brand of arabinogalactin (IAG), I tried taking a cheaper brand, which causes more gas, bloating and pain (from the FOS prebiotics). So recently I've not taken any arabinogalactin at night, but continue to take vitamin D and get some sunshine daily. (Vitamin D also fights infections.) I seem to be doing well (no actual colds) without any IAG, when I get enough vitamin D. Nevertheless, I also snack on cantaloupe (which is high in both vitamin A and C, which both fight infections).

After my last post I tried a new hair stylist. A new salon opened 2 blocks from my house. I was really tired of trying to communicate with my former hair stylist. She was Vietnamese and didn't always understand what I told her. She was VERY skilled at cutting hair, However, she couldn't understand that I didn't want a cut exactly like the pictures I showed her. I would tell her that I liked the bangs from one picture, the length on another picture and the angles on another picture. She just didn't get that I didn't want a cut exactly like the picture. She kept telling me I couldn't get that cut until my hair grew 3 more inches (6 more months). So I finally decided to try a new stylist. I showed the new stylist the same pictures. She 'got it' and gave me a great cut. She's also close enough that I can pop in for free bang trims or neck shaves. (My hair grows down my neck in 2 places.) While I still have a short 'inverted' bob (shorter in back, longer in front), I need to keep the back trim (and shaved). Almost a month after my cut with the new stylist I love the style even more. However, I'll wait another month before my next cut to precede my trip to Maui.

I'm looking forward to our Maui vacation, especially now that we have temperatures in the low 80s in Seattle. We usually have mid 80s in Maui. So I'm ready for more warm weather. However, my husband tells me that I will experience Maui very differently this year. Taking thyroid supplements has finally increased my core body temperature. I used to easily tolerate 80 degree weather, because I wsa sooooo cold all the time. Now I sweat when the weather is in the low 70s. I wear sundresses or tank tops and shorts when my husband wears long sleeved shirts and slacks. I only get cold just before I need to take my second T3 dose. T3 has an 8 hour half life. So when I take my first T3 at 5:30-6 am, by 3pm I have an energy and temperature 'crash'. I have to wait 1 hour after lunch before taking my T3. If I don't get my lunch until after 2pm (which often occurs), I suffer the energy 'crash'. I just get too busy sewing and don't want to stop to eat. So I don't eat until I'm starving and then have to wait longer for my T3 dose.

I need to go out now to harvest more brocolli, blueberries and strawberries. Our grapes won't be ripe for another week or so. Hopefully, the berries will finhish ripening by then. So much to harvest, so little time. Actually too much sewing ... LOL