10 days ago I had oral surgery. A cavity developed under a crown and spread into the roots and jawbone. So my dentist had to remove the roots and part of the bone to eliminate all the cavity. She inserted a bone graft and sutured the hole, which will need to heal for about 6 weeks before she can insert a bridge tooth.
My dentist warned me to take a painkiller before the injected anesthetic completely wore off. She offered to write a prescription for a painkiller. However, I assumed prescriptions were required for heavy duty painkillers like Percoset, Demerol, etc. Years ago after outpatient surgery I took one Percoset tablet and then threw up for 72 hours. When I was later prescribed Demerol, I had to also take an antiemetic to prevent throwing up the Demerol, because I don't tolerate heavy duty painkiller drugs. So I declined my dentist's offer of a prescription.
Neither will I take NSAIDs like Alleve or Ibuprofen, which can cause reflux or harm sensitive stomachs (I've already had damage from H. Pylori infection). I told my dentist that I'd be okay with just taking acetminophen (Tylenol). She warned me not to exceed 8 tablets daily, but to take 2 tablets per dose.
I didn't get home (to my acetaminophen bottle) until after the dental surgery anesthetic had definitely worn off and I experienced obvious mouth and jaw pain. So I took my first 2 acetaminophen tablets about 2 pm and only too 2 more doses that day for a total of 6 tablets (500mg each).
The next day I took my first tablets about 6am. I noticed I felt a little nauseas and no appetite, which worked well for chewing restriction (on one side of my mouth to avoid the surgery area). I decided that I needed to get another bottle of acetaminophen, because at the rate of 8 tablets per day, I would run out soon. However, the second bottle (also generic) suggested that no more than 6 tablets be taken per day (vs. 8 per day on the previous bottle). So I only took 6 tablets the second day as well.
However, on the second day I noticed stomach pain as well as nausea and loss of appetite. Around bedtime I experienced some serious refluxing. I already have hypochloridia (my stomach doesn't produce enough acid), which means I won't take antiacids or acid blockers. So I dealt with the reflux by drinking sips of cool water. Eventually reflux turned into serious nausea which turned into uncontrollable vomitting. After that I was finally able to go to sleep.
The next morning I took 2 acetaminophen to cope with mouth/jaw pain, but I also had diarrhea that morning in addition to mild nausea, stomach pain and lack of appetite. I knew I hadn't consumed any allergens or foods which cause reflux. So I started to consider what was different, when I recalled that acetaminaphen can cause overdose symptoms.
I research acetaminophen overdose symptoms and found those matched what I experienced during the past 2 days. However, I definitely had not exceeded the recommended dose on the package. Then I wondered if there was any standard of how much the 'average adult' taking acetaminophen weighs, because I weigh below average for my height and age. I found nothing for adults, but I did find a dosage per weight chart for infants and children. I just happen to weigh the highest weight mentioned for children (under 100 pounds). A child of that weight should take 1 (500mg) tablet per dose not to exceed 5 tablets per day.
For my weight (not my age) I had exceeded the recommended acetaminophen dose, not by much, but enough to get mild symptoms (stomach upset, vomitting, etc.). Fortunately I hadn't taken enough to get serious overdose involving liver damage and a quick trip to the ER to get my stomach pumped. Needless to say, I took no more acetaminophen that day or even after my next dental appointment a week later, when I had a cavity removed from another tooth. I had slight discomfort after the dental anesthetic wore off, but not enough to risk acetaminophen overdose again. I continued using ice packs and gargling with warm salt water for the surgery site.
After I told my dentist about my experience with acetaminophen, she said that's the most common drug overdose. People, like me, assume acetaminophen is safe, because it doesn't irritate the stomach like NSAIDs or aspirin or narcotic painkillers. However many other drugs contain acetaminophen. So people can easily overdose by popping a few acetaminophen tablets while taking another drug. Other people like me (maybe other underweight celiacs) can easily overdose if they follow package instructions for adult doses of acetaminophen.
If I ever really need a painkiller, I might take ONE accetaminaphen caplet and not exceed 4 daily. However, mouth pain is so mild compared with the gut pain I had with undiagnosed celiac disease.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Toenail Treatment Update
I noticed that several people have recently read my old (2011?) post about toenail treatment. I suspect that back then I was soaking my toes in Listerine once a day to fight a longterm fungal infection in my 2 big toenails. I developed that infection sometime during the early 80s after a biking accident where my right big toenail was almost torn off. I went to the ER and received only a bandaid on my bleeding toenail. No antifungal or antibiotic ointment was applied. Who knows whether the attendant had even washed his hands before bandaging my toe?
Within a year my toenail (right foot) thickened. Then the other big toenail (left foot) thickened. One podiatrist told me I had hereditary thick toenails. He regularly filed those 2 thick toenails. When he retired, I saw another podiatrist who informed me that I actually had a fungal infection. He discounted topical treatments (as ineffective) and internal treatments (as too dangerous for my liver). He persuaded me to undergo surgery to remove both toenails and let them grow back as I applied a topical treatment to the toenail bed. Needless to say, both toenails grew back thick and yellow with the still intact fungal infection.
Many years later (2011?) I read a 'people's pharmacy' column which recommended soaking the toenails in Listerine (or generic equivalent) mouthwash daily to kill the toenail fungus. After many months of daily soaks, my toenails seemed healthier, but were still thick. I enjoyed going to bed with mouthwash evaporating from my feet all night so that I didn't get hot feet during the summer months. However toenail thickness after many months of soaking suggested I still had the fungus.
When I finally found a really good naturopath (who determine why my immunity was so low), she wanted to check my liver enzymes before we treated my toenails. I wanted to focus on doing whatever I needed to do to improve my immunity and stop catching continual gastrointestinal bugs and respiratory infections. So I agreed to wait until after testing my liver enzymes (which were fine).
Last year I again asked my doc about treating my toenail fungus. She suggested either oil of oregano or oil of geranium mixed with DMSO to help the oil penetrate the toenail to reach the toenail bed, where the fungus began. I chose oil of geranium, because I rather have my feet smell like a flower, rather than a pizza. LOL
Twice daily I applied the oil of geranium/DMSO (mixed in equal portions) to my toenails. My doc suggested that I apply vitamin E capsule contents to any burned tissue around the toenail. Although the DMSO ingredient made the geranium oil penetrate the toenail, DMSO also burned any surrounding skin it touched. I soon learned to apply vitamin E oil all around the toenail before I applied the geranium/DMSO solution (1-2 drops per toenail).
After over 6 months my doc looked at my toenails and suggested I stop the geranium/DMSO treatment and see what happened. Before that point the old toenails had died, peeled off or were filed off, which allowed new, healthy toenail to grow. I wasn't quite ready to abandon the daily ritual. So I continued a few more weeks applying the solution. After I missed a few days when I was busy, I decided to stop applying the solution and watch my toenails. I filed off a few more dead (black) layers and spots. Only white toenail grew back. I could only see pink, healthy tissue underneath the new toenail.
Now the remaining healthy part of old and new toenails haven't quite merged. So I still file down the old toenail occasionally. However, I'm pretty certain that I will have healthy, normal looking big toenails just in time for summer. I'm already contemplating which toenail polish color will adorn my healtheir toenails.
So bottom line for readers of my old toenail treatment post: Listerine doesn't work for longterm toenail fungus. However, oil of geranium mixed with DMSO does work with 2x daily application for at least 6 months. I suspect less longterm fungal infections might respond to less, but I only know what worked for me.
Within a year my toenail (right foot) thickened. Then the other big toenail (left foot) thickened. One podiatrist told me I had hereditary thick toenails. He regularly filed those 2 thick toenails. When he retired, I saw another podiatrist who informed me that I actually had a fungal infection. He discounted topical treatments (as ineffective) and internal treatments (as too dangerous for my liver). He persuaded me to undergo surgery to remove both toenails and let them grow back as I applied a topical treatment to the toenail bed. Needless to say, both toenails grew back thick and yellow with the still intact fungal infection.
Many years later (2011?) I read a 'people's pharmacy' column which recommended soaking the toenails in Listerine (or generic equivalent) mouthwash daily to kill the toenail fungus. After many months of daily soaks, my toenails seemed healthier, but were still thick. I enjoyed going to bed with mouthwash evaporating from my feet all night so that I didn't get hot feet during the summer months. However toenail thickness after many months of soaking suggested I still had the fungus.
When I finally found a really good naturopath (who determine why my immunity was so low), she wanted to check my liver enzymes before we treated my toenails. I wanted to focus on doing whatever I needed to do to improve my immunity and stop catching continual gastrointestinal bugs and respiratory infections. So I agreed to wait until after testing my liver enzymes (which were fine).
Last year I again asked my doc about treating my toenail fungus. She suggested either oil of oregano or oil of geranium mixed with DMSO to help the oil penetrate the toenail to reach the toenail bed, where the fungus began. I chose oil of geranium, because I rather have my feet smell like a flower, rather than a pizza. LOL
Twice daily I applied the oil of geranium/DMSO (mixed in equal portions) to my toenails. My doc suggested that I apply vitamin E capsule contents to any burned tissue around the toenail. Although the DMSO ingredient made the geranium oil penetrate the toenail, DMSO also burned any surrounding skin it touched. I soon learned to apply vitamin E oil all around the toenail before I applied the geranium/DMSO solution (1-2 drops per toenail).
After over 6 months my doc looked at my toenails and suggested I stop the geranium/DMSO treatment and see what happened. Before that point the old toenails had died, peeled off or were filed off, which allowed new, healthy toenail to grow. I wasn't quite ready to abandon the daily ritual. So I continued a few more weeks applying the solution. After I missed a few days when I was busy, I decided to stop applying the solution and watch my toenails. I filed off a few more dead (black) layers and spots. Only white toenail grew back. I could only see pink, healthy tissue underneath the new toenail.
Now the remaining healthy part of old and new toenails haven't quite merged. So I still file down the old toenail occasionally. However, I'm pretty certain that I will have healthy, normal looking big toenails just in time for summer. I'm already contemplating which toenail polish color will adorn my healtheir toenails.
So bottom line for readers of my old toenail treatment post: Listerine doesn't work for longterm toenail fungus. However, oil of geranium mixed with DMSO does work with 2x daily application for at least 6 months. I suspect less longterm fungal infections might respond to less, but I only know what worked for me.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
A Month of Hypo Symptoms
After experiencing hypothyroid symptoms (irregularity, bloating, gas, indigestion, esp. reflux, fatigue, low body temperature) during most of April, I finally realized that I needed to increase my T3 dose by 2.5mcg (which is a small amount, but effective with T3 only treatment). I tried that small increase off and on during the past couple of months, especially after my last allergen (vanilla) contamination incident. Most celiacs react to contamination with diarrhea, not constipation, which is more indicative of hypothyroid than allergy reactions. However, I had experienced soooo many years of constipation before my hypothyroid diagnosis that I automatically think that I must have eaten the wrong food or not eaten enough of the right food or not drunk enough liquids or not exercised enough, etc., etc. I heard all that 'constipation cure' advice for so many years that I can easily forget that the only longlasting solution for me is an effective thyroid dose.
Last year I spent 8 months slowly raising my T3 dose (according to symptom appearance and resolution). So I believed I finally found my final, full effective dose, when I had no hypo symptoms for 8 months. I wanted to stay at one dose. I didn't like having to request new prescriptions with new doses, although my doctor lets me tell her how much I need.
I should stay open to the possibility that I need to increase my dose. Of course 2.5mcg is a tiny increase, but enough to notice a huge difference in my digestion, gut motility, energy level, body temperature and general attitude toward life. I don't know whether I'll stay at this dose. So I plan to ask my doc to give me a new prescription witn a 5 mcg increase, just in case I need another small dosage increase.
Last year I spent 8 months slowly raising my T3 dose (according to symptom appearance and resolution). So I believed I finally found my final, full effective dose, when I had no hypo symptoms for 8 months. I wanted to stay at one dose. I didn't like having to request new prescriptions with new doses, although my doctor lets me tell her how much I need.
I should stay open to the possibility that I need to increase my dose. Of course 2.5mcg is a tiny increase, but enough to notice a huge difference in my digestion, gut motility, energy level, body temperature and general attitude toward life. I don't know whether I'll stay at this dose. So I plan to ask my doc to give me a new prescription witn a 5 mcg increase, just in case I need another small dosage increase.
Monday, April 22, 2013
What Are Your Favorites?
I've read several versions of the following questions on various social media, but I don't recall ever blogging my answers to questions about my 'favorites'. So in the spirit of getting acquainted, I decided to list and answer the following 'favorites' questions. I alphabetized the questions. (Actually I used the alphabet for inspiration.) Feel free to copy and paste these questions into your own blog post and insert your own answers ...
Favorite automobile: Mazda (first car was a GLC, now own a Mazda 2)
Favorite bird: penguin
Favorite color: orange
Favorite dessert: cookies or ice cream
Favorite eastcoast city: NYC
Favorite fiction book: "I Was Amelia Earhardt" (I don't usually read fiction, but recently read and liked that book)
Favorite game: Go Fish with Hawaiian species (Do you have any Hummuhummunukunukuapua'a?)
Favorite holiday: Wedding Anniversary which we celebrate in Maui.
Favorite ice cream flavor; Green Tea or Chocolate (I can only eat one brand which contains none of my allergens. Those are my 2 favorites of the 4 flavors I can eat. However, I can make in my blender and icecream maker many allergy free flavors, but that's more work.)
Favorite jewelry: Delicate, long earrings or lightweight necklaces with coral or freshwater pearls
Favorite knick knacks: My deceased aunt's colored glass pitchers.
Favorite lyric from a song: "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me."
Favorite musician: Enya (singer) or Geoffrey Castle (electric guitar player) for instrumentals
Favorite nonfiction book: "Waiting to Fly: My Escapades with the Penguins of Antarctica" by Ron Naveen
Favorite ocean beach: Kamaole Beach 2 in Kihei, Maui, HI is nice for swimming, but I prefer the beach behind the Lahaina Shore Condo/Hotel also in Maui for just walking and beachcombing.
Favorite perfume/scent: White Ginger
Favorite quotation: "(Y)ou'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse." (Phillippians 4:8 from "The Message" translation)
Favorite restaurant: Tropica at the Ka'anapali Westin, Maui, HI (The chef loves making allergy free entrees with fantastic sauces just for me. I love the special attention and tasty meals.)
Favorite sport (either watch or play): I like to watch figure skating but actually skate occasionally. I like to play tennis during the summer.
Favorite tv show: "Project Runway" or "Once Upon a Time"
Favorite umbrella: animal print umbrella which matches my inifinity scarf
Favorite vacation destrination: Lahaina, Maui, HI
Favorite westcoast city: I like Seattle where I live, but San Diego is also fun to visit.
Favorite xanthum gum use: Gluten free cookies, breads or cupcakes.
Favorite yogurt: Amande raspberry yogurt with additional raspberries.
Favorite zoo: Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, but San Diego's SeaWorld "Penguin Experience" is the best penguin exhibit I've seen.
Favorite automobile: Mazda (first car was a GLC, now own a Mazda 2)
Favorite bird: penguin
Favorite color: orange
Favorite dessert: cookies or ice cream
Favorite eastcoast city: NYC
Favorite fiction book: "I Was Amelia Earhardt" (I don't usually read fiction, but recently read and liked that book)
Favorite game: Go Fish with Hawaiian species (Do you have any Hummuhummunukunukuapua'a?)
Favorite holiday: Wedding Anniversary which we celebrate in Maui.
Favorite ice cream flavor; Green Tea or Chocolate (I can only eat one brand which contains none of my allergens. Those are my 2 favorites of the 4 flavors I can eat. However, I can make in my blender and icecream maker many allergy free flavors, but that's more work.)
Favorite jewelry: Delicate, long earrings or lightweight necklaces with coral or freshwater pearls
Favorite knick knacks: My deceased aunt's colored glass pitchers.
Favorite lyric from a song: "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me."
Favorite musician: Enya (singer) or Geoffrey Castle (electric guitar player) for instrumentals
Favorite nonfiction book: "Waiting to Fly: My Escapades with the Penguins of Antarctica" by Ron Naveen
Favorite ocean beach: Kamaole Beach 2 in Kihei, Maui, HI is nice for swimming, but I prefer the beach behind the Lahaina Shore Condo/Hotel also in Maui for just walking and beachcombing.
Favorite perfume/scent: White Ginger
Favorite quotation: "(Y)ou'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse." (Phillippians 4:8 from "The Message" translation)
Favorite restaurant: Tropica at the Ka'anapali Westin, Maui, HI (The chef loves making allergy free entrees with fantastic sauces just for me. I love the special attention and tasty meals.)
Favorite sport (either watch or play): I like to watch figure skating but actually skate occasionally. I like to play tennis during the summer.
Favorite tv show: "Project Runway" or "Once Upon a Time"
Favorite umbrella: animal print umbrella which matches my inifinity scarf
Favorite vacation destrination: Lahaina, Maui, HI
Favorite westcoast city: I like Seattle where I live, but San Diego is also fun to visit.
Favorite xanthum gum use: Gluten free cookies, breads or cupcakes.
Favorite yogurt: Amande raspberry yogurt with additional raspberries.
Favorite zoo: Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, but San Diego's SeaWorld "Penguin Experience" is the best penguin exhibit I've seen.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Little Known Facts About Me
I was inspired by a friend's blog post about funny things about her and another blogger's post of 5 things people don't know about her. So here's my list of little known facts about me:
I'm a penguin freak. I collect stuffed penguins, penguin clothing (not tuxedos LOL), jewelry, penguin ornaments (our Christas tree has penguin lights and ornaments), books about penguins, etc., etc. When I was very bloated with undiagnosed CD and food allergies I often described my body as 'penguin shaped'.
I'm addicted to fashionista blogs. I read them daily and get inspired to improve my style.
I prefer sewing (making new garments or altering old ones) to almost anything else.
As well as penguin paraphenalia, I collect clothes. I make them, buy them, alter them for better fit. When I travel I buy clothing 'souveniers, like tee shirts or dresses.
If I ever won the lottery, I'd buy a house on the beach in Lahaina, Maui, HI. I've been to Maui about 8 times and always return to Lahaina. The manager of Lahaina's Serendipity boutique knows me well.
I walk 45-60 minutes daily to keep my bones strong. I lost 1-1/2 inches of height during the years I had undiagnosed celiac disease. Several NTX tests proved that I'm no longer losing bone, because I'm no longer eating gluten. So I can easily absorb calcium from my diet. However I still take daily magnesium and vitamin D for bone health, I also lift weights daily.
I weigh 40 pounds less than I did during my freshman year of college. Instead of the 'freshman 10' I gained 25 pounds during my first 3 months of college.That was the first time I could eat freely without teasing or critcizm from my family about my weight (which was 115# when I entered college). Of course I'm 1-1/2" shorter now, but I'm happy that I no longer worry about weight, thanks to a healthy metabolism with thyroid supplements.
I'm 4 years older than my husband who won't be able to collect full SSN benefits for another 4 years. (Do the math.)
Like my friend, I need to do something with my hands when I walk or stand. If I can't put them into pockets or carry something, my hands, arms (wings?) automatically slip into full penguin position.
That's enough for now. I feel a little embarrassed after revealing all that ... SIGH
I'm a penguin freak. I collect stuffed penguins, penguin clothing (not tuxedos LOL), jewelry, penguin ornaments (our Christas tree has penguin lights and ornaments), books about penguins, etc., etc. When I was very bloated with undiagnosed CD and food allergies I often described my body as 'penguin shaped'.
I'm addicted to fashionista blogs. I read them daily and get inspired to improve my style.
I prefer sewing (making new garments or altering old ones) to almost anything else.
As well as penguin paraphenalia, I collect clothes. I make them, buy them, alter them for better fit. When I travel I buy clothing 'souveniers, like tee shirts or dresses.
If I ever won the lottery, I'd buy a house on the beach in Lahaina, Maui, HI. I've been to Maui about 8 times and always return to Lahaina. The manager of Lahaina's Serendipity boutique knows me well.
I walk 45-60 minutes daily to keep my bones strong. I lost 1-1/2 inches of height during the years I had undiagnosed celiac disease. Several NTX tests proved that I'm no longer losing bone, because I'm no longer eating gluten. So I can easily absorb calcium from my diet. However I still take daily magnesium and vitamin D for bone health, I also lift weights daily.
I weigh 40 pounds less than I did during my freshman year of college. Instead of the 'freshman 10' I gained 25 pounds during my first 3 months of college.That was the first time I could eat freely without teasing or critcizm from my family about my weight (which was 115# when I entered college). Of course I'm 1-1/2" shorter now, but I'm happy that I no longer worry about weight, thanks to a healthy metabolism with thyroid supplements.
I'm 4 years older than my husband who won't be able to collect full SSN benefits for another 4 years. (Do the math.)
Like my friend, I need to do something with my hands when I walk or stand. If I can't put them into pockets or carry something, my hands, arms (wings?) automatically slip into full penguin position.
That's enough for now. I feel a little embarrassed after revealing all that ... SIGH
Thursday, April 11, 2013
April Update
After 1-1/2 months of not posting I realized that I prefer enjoying my life to writing about my activities, health, beliefs, etc. Nevertheless I decided I could at least post a monthly update. Friends who read my blog tell me that they enjoy reading about my day to day activities. However, I get the most 'hits' on posts about my medical experiences. So I'll share my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual news:
PHYSICAL: I'm still doing very well on 55mcg daily of liothyronine (T3 supplement). Over a year ago I stopped taking my T4 supplement and started T3 only therapy. After 8 months I reached my effective T3 dose and have stayed at that dose for the past 8 months.
However, a week ago I accidentally consumed a small amount (1/2 teaspoon) of chocolate sauce which contained vanilla (one of my diagnosed allergens to which I strongly react). After 7 days of cramps, bloating and reflux I'm finally feeling almost normal digestion again (and my typically flat stomach). I was so angry at the sales person who gave me that tiny sample. I specifically asked what ingredients were in the chocolate sauce. She told me "only cocoa and agave". AFTER I tasted that, I looked at the label on the container and saw the word 'vanilla'. I asked the salesperson why she didn't tell me it contained vanilla. She tried to wriggle out of the situation by saying she didn't think the company added vanilla, but the cocoa already contained vanilla. Just the same, the label stated vanilla and she lied by omission by not telling me when I asked. NOTE TO SELF: Always read the container. Never trust the salesperson. SIGH
EMOTIONAL: This month began on a high note. A longtime friend spent her vacation seeing my city and spending time with me during the first week of April. We packed so much into the four days we spent together. We shopped for clothes, ate lunch together every day, did the 'house tour' of my home, walked around my local lake and fed crows and coots, prepared and enjoyed a meal at my home, visited the art museum and waterfront aquarium, rode the Space Needle to the top and took lots of photos, saw the Dale Chihuly Glass Art Museum (first time for both of us) and enjoyed dinner at the Whole Foods Deli one night and at PF Chang's before she boarded the train to the airport and flew home home. While doing all that we talked nonstop and learned so much more about one another. We walked so much each day that at one point I reminded my very tired self that I could return to my usual relaxed pace the following week. However, I felt rather numb during the first few days after she left. I didn't feel anything. Then yesterday I had to go into town to run errands before meeting my husband for dinner and a meeting at our church. When I returned to one of the same shopping malls where I met my friend several times during her visit, I realized why I felt numb. I really felt sad. I had just spent a wonderful week with a great friend, but now I was visiting those same places alone. Just acknowledging that sadness and realizing how much I missed my friend helped me move on. That experience reminded me that I used to feel numb, rather than face unpleasant feelings. I became more aware of my feelings several years ago. So that 'numbness' took me by surprise.
MENTAL: I still enjoy altering clothes that don't fit or flatter my body as well as I'd like. Every garment is a new challenge, although some garments require alterations which are similar to previously altered garments. Of course, every successfully altered garment is like a brand new piece of clothing. I previously donated to charity (or tried to sell in consignment shops) clothes which no longer fit well (or never fit well, but I didn't really know when I bought them). Now I love to pin, rip and resew anything I can find. I haven't followed any patterns to make new clothes since last year.
SPIRITUAL: After reading "A Course in Miracles" cover to cover (in 3 months) and attending a study group about the "Course" for almost 8 months, I took a break from that group while my husband and I battled a bad cold. (The group met in the leader's small living room, where we could have easily shared our cold virus with the whole group.) After a few weeks away, I didn't really want to return to the group. We did return one night, but decided to stay away for awhile, at least until after the first week in April, when my friend visited. However, on Easter on minister announced that she would lead a class on affirmative prayer during April. We have attended Unity of Seattle for 8 months, but we're still mystified by that church's approach to prayer. So both my husband and I attended the first class last night and decided to take the whole course (another 3-4 weeks). I realized after the first class that reading "Manifest Your Dreams" by Wayne Dyer familiarized me with the logic of affirmative prayer, without actually calling the approach 'prayer'. (Maybe he could sell more books by not calling it 'prayer'.) I know a bit more than I did before the first class, but I'm still struggling with practical application. Of course, that's why I took the class.
I'm uncertain where 'gardening' fits into my categories (physical? emotional?) ... but I wanted to mention that we started our vegie gardens. I transplanted brocolli plants (from a local store). My husband and I planted seeds for lettuce, green onions, kale, carrots, golden beets. We will wait until we have warmer weather in May to plant zucchini and green bean seeds. I still need to clean out the strawberry patch and transplant some strawberry 'volunteer' plants which pop up wherever birds (who eat the berries) drop the seeds. Our raspberry and blueberry bushes are blooming, but we won't see signs of life from our grape arbor until after a few more weeks. My cold weather herbs are doing well. I need to use or freeze the rosemary before summer, because it thrives during cold weather and barely tolerates heat.
PHYSICAL: I'm still doing very well on 55mcg daily of liothyronine (T3 supplement). Over a year ago I stopped taking my T4 supplement and started T3 only therapy. After 8 months I reached my effective T3 dose and have stayed at that dose for the past 8 months.
However, a week ago I accidentally consumed a small amount (1/2 teaspoon) of chocolate sauce which contained vanilla (one of my diagnosed allergens to which I strongly react). After 7 days of cramps, bloating and reflux I'm finally feeling almost normal digestion again (and my typically flat stomach). I was so angry at the sales person who gave me that tiny sample. I specifically asked what ingredients were in the chocolate sauce. She told me "only cocoa and agave". AFTER I tasted that, I looked at the label on the container and saw the word 'vanilla'. I asked the salesperson why she didn't tell me it contained vanilla. She tried to wriggle out of the situation by saying she didn't think the company added vanilla, but the cocoa already contained vanilla. Just the same, the label stated vanilla and she lied by omission by not telling me when I asked. NOTE TO SELF: Always read the container. Never trust the salesperson. SIGH
EMOTIONAL: This month began on a high note. A longtime friend spent her vacation seeing my city and spending time with me during the first week of April. We packed so much into the four days we spent together. We shopped for clothes, ate lunch together every day, did the 'house tour' of my home, walked around my local lake and fed crows and coots, prepared and enjoyed a meal at my home, visited the art museum and waterfront aquarium, rode the Space Needle to the top and took lots of photos, saw the Dale Chihuly Glass Art Museum (first time for both of us) and enjoyed dinner at the Whole Foods Deli one night and at PF Chang's before she boarded the train to the airport and flew home home. While doing all that we talked nonstop and learned so much more about one another. We walked so much each day that at one point I reminded my very tired self that I could return to my usual relaxed pace the following week. However, I felt rather numb during the first few days after she left. I didn't feel anything. Then yesterday I had to go into town to run errands before meeting my husband for dinner and a meeting at our church. When I returned to one of the same shopping malls where I met my friend several times during her visit, I realized why I felt numb. I really felt sad. I had just spent a wonderful week with a great friend, but now I was visiting those same places alone. Just acknowledging that sadness and realizing how much I missed my friend helped me move on. That experience reminded me that I used to feel numb, rather than face unpleasant feelings. I became more aware of my feelings several years ago. So that 'numbness' took me by surprise.
MENTAL: I still enjoy altering clothes that don't fit or flatter my body as well as I'd like. Every garment is a new challenge, although some garments require alterations which are similar to previously altered garments. Of course, every successfully altered garment is like a brand new piece of clothing. I previously donated to charity (or tried to sell in consignment shops) clothes which no longer fit well (or never fit well, but I didn't really know when I bought them). Now I love to pin, rip and resew anything I can find. I haven't followed any patterns to make new clothes since last year.
SPIRITUAL: After reading "A Course in Miracles" cover to cover (in 3 months) and attending a study group about the "Course" for almost 8 months, I took a break from that group while my husband and I battled a bad cold. (The group met in the leader's small living room, where we could have easily shared our cold virus with the whole group.) After a few weeks away, I didn't really want to return to the group. We did return one night, but decided to stay away for awhile, at least until after the first week in April, when my friend visited. However, on Easter on minister announced that she would lead a class on affirmative prayer during April. We have attended Unity of Seattle for 8 months, but we're still mystified by that church's approach to prayer. So both my husband and I attended the first class last night and decided to take the whole course (another 3-4 weeks). I realized after the first class that reading "Manifest Your Dreams" by Wayne Dyer familiarized me with the logic of affirmative prayer, without actually calling the approach 'prayer'. (Maybe he could sell more books by not calling it 'prayer'.) I know a bit more than I did before the first class, but I'm still struggling with practical application. Of course, that's why I took the class.
I'm uncertain where 'gardening' fits into my categories (physical? emotional?) ... but I wanted to mention that we started our vegie gardens. I transplanted brocolli plants (from a local store). My husband and I planted seeds for lettuce, green onions, kale, carrots, golden beets. We will wait until we have warmer weather in May to plant zucchini and green bean seeds. I still need to clean out the strawberry patch and transplant some strawberry 'volunteer' plants which pop up wherever birds (who eat the berries) drop the seeds. Our raspberry and blueberry bushes are blooming, but we won't see signs of life from our grape arbor until after a few more weeks. My cold weather herbs are doing well. I need to use or freeze the rosemary before summer, because it thrives during cold weather and barely tolerates heat.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
March Update
As expected, my life became more complicated after my last post. I did make Valentine cherry flavored cutout cookies with coconut flavored frosting. My husband LOVED those cookes, but we still have 6 left. He wants more decorated cookies for St. Patrick's Day, even though he never celebrated that day before he met me. Any excuse for more cookies ... but I need to explain what happened on Valentine's Day.
My husband caught a cold from a coworker about a week before Valentine's Day. He shared that cold with me. He developed a painful cough. I developed a sinus infection. So by Valentine's Day we were both too sick to celebrate much, even though he took time off to spend the day with me. We walked to a local Mexican restaurant for lunch, because I always crave spicy foods when I havea cold. He also gave me an H&M gift certificate with his Valentine's card for me. No chocolates, because we can't find any chocolate free of dairy, soy and cane sugar. I can make allergy free fudge, but that's too much work for the few times I crave chocolate. I can always eat my allergy free chocolate ice cream on those rare occasions.
Despite taking lots of zinc, vitamins C and D and arabinogalactins (the source of echinecea), eating many oranges, getting lots of sleep, the cold lingered on for weeks. When my husband returned to work, he heard everyone coughing and their stories about getting a severe cold that lingered for weeks. My husband is still coughing a month later. I still get a sore throat (my first symptom), when I get tired early in the evening. Nevertheless we both recovered somewhat.
I never finished altering one pair of pants, although I successfully altered the other 2. After days of struggling to resolve a crooked pleat problem, I gave up and hung the pants in the back of my sewing closet, behind many other garments, which I'll probably want to wear sooner than those pants.
We had sunny, warmer weather this weekend. So we cleaned out last year's vegie gardens by harvesting the rest of the carrots and leeks, but threw out brocolli plants, which our local birds considered part of their daily diet. Although we have 2 seed feeders and 3 suet feeders, the birds attacked my brocolli regularly. So I only harvested a few small brocolli heads from about a dozen plants. This year we will plant brocolli far away from the bird feeders and cover the plants with netting.
I've also spent several weeks hasselling with Express. I bought a pair of columnist pants last month and was told I'd get 50% off a second pair. The first pair was a store return, which fit perfectly. However, that size is usually only available online. So the manager ordered another pair online, but we could only guess the color, because online colors are deceiving. Over a week later, the 2nd pair of pants arrived, but the color didn't match anything in my wardrobe. The fit was fine, but just not my color. So I returned those pants in store and was persuaded by that store's personnel to buy another pair in a different color. However, those pants were the same number size, but different length. I soon realized that a 00r (regular) is actually bigger all around (waist, hips, thighs and lengths) than a 00s (short), the size of my original purchase. However, I also had ordered 2 more pairs of columnist pants online in my size and colors which seemed to fit into my wardrobe. Before the 2nd 2 pairs arrived, I returned the 00r to a local store. The next day I received the 2nd 2 pairs in the mail. One pair was labeled size 00short, but they were huge. I could put them on and take them off without even unhooking or unzipping them. The second pair was another 00regular, which were a little too big, but I ordered those before I realized that 00regulars were bigger, not just longer, than 00shorts. However, I measured the waist of the 00r, which was 28 inches. Then I measured the waist of the 00short pair, which seemed waaaay too large. The 00s was actually 32 inches in the waist. Obviously those were mislabeled. So today I returned the mislabeled 00s and slightly too big 00r pants to the store. I need to mention that I ordered another 00s pant in a true white color. Hopefully the color and the size will be correct this time. Fed Ex estimates I'll receive that last pair on Friday, the day before St. Patrick's day, when I'll be baking cookies.
I hope Express finally gets one right. After this experience, I'm done ordering online. I'm glad H&M only offers garments in the stores. If they don't have my size, I move onto another garment (or store). By the way, I've already blown that H&M gift certificate, which my husband gave me for V Day. I don't know why I bother shopping anywhere besides H&M.
My husband caught a cold from a coworker about a week before Valentine's Day. He shared that cold with me. He developed a painful cough. I developed a sinus infection. So by Valentine's Day we were both too sick to celebrate much, even though he took time off to spend the day with me. We walked to a local Mexican restaurant for lunch, because I always crave spicy foods when I havea cold. He also gave me an H&M gift certificate with his Valentine's card for me. No chocolates, because we can't find any chocolate free of dairy, soy and cane sugar. I can make allergy free fudge, but that's too much work for the few times I crave chocolate. I can always eat my allergy free chocolate ice cream on those rare occasions.
Despite taking lots of zinc, vitamins C and D and arabinogalactins (the source of echinecea), eating many oranges, getting lots of sleep, the cold lingered on for weeks. When my husband returned to work, he heard everyone coughing and their stories about getting a severe cold that lingered for weeks. My husband is still coughing a month later. I still get a sore throat (my first symptom), when I get tired early in the evening. Nevertheless we both recovered somewhat.
I never finished altering one pair of pants, although I successfully altered the other 2. After days of struggling to resolve a crooked pleat problem, I gave up and hung the pants in the back of my sewing closet, behind many other garments, which I'll probably want to wear sooner than those pants.
We had sunny, warmer weather this weekend. So we cleaned out last year's vegie gardens by harvesting the rest of the carrots and leeks, but threw out brocolli plants, which our local birds considered part of their daily diet. Although we have 2 seed feeders and 3 suet feeders, the birds attacked my brocolli regularly. So I only harvested a few small brocolli heads from about a dozen plants. This year we will plant brocolli far away from the bird feeders and cover the plants with netting.
I've also spent several weeks hasselling with Express. I bought a pair of columnist pants last month and was told I'd get 50% off a second pair. The first pair was a store return, which fit perfectly. However, that size is usually only available online. So the manager ordered another pair online, but we could only guess the color, because online colors are deceiving. Over a week later, the 2nd pair of pants arrived, but the color didn't match anything in my wardrobe. The fit was fine, but just not my color. So I returned those pants in store and was persuaded by that store's personnel to buy another pair in a different color. However, those pants were the same number size, but different length. I soon realized that a 00r (regular) is actually bigger all around (waist, hips, thighs and lengths) than a 00s (short), the size of my original purchase. However, I also had ordered 2 more pairs of columnist pants online in my size and colors which seemed to fit into my wardrobe. Before the 2nd 2 pairs arrived, I returned the 00r to a local store. The next day I received the 2nd 2 pairs in the mail. One pair was labeled size 00short, but they were huge. I could put them on and take them off without even unhooking or unzipping them. The second pair was another 00regular, which were a little too big, but I ordered those before I realized that 00regulars were bigger, not just longer, than 00shorts. However, I measured the waist of the 00r, which was 28 inches. Then I measured the waist of the 00short pair, which seemed waaaay too large. The 00s was actually 32 inches in the waist. Obviously those were mislabeled. So today I returned the mislabeled 00s and slightly too big 00r pants to the store. I need to mention that I ordered another 00s pant in a true white color. Hopefully the color and the size will be correct this time. Fed Ex estimates I'll receive that last pair on Friday, the day before St. Patrick's day, when I'll be baking cookies.
I hope Express finally gets one right. After this experience, I'm done ordering online. I'm glad H&M only offers garments in the stores. If they don't have my size, I move onto another garment (or store). By the way, I've already blown that H&M gift certificate, which my husband gave me for V Day. I don't know why I bother shopping anywhere besides H&M.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Alteration Trials and Tricks
Related to my addiction to clothes is my alterations passion. Rather than give away clothes which I previously loved and wore BCDD (before celiac disease diagnosis when my stomach was bloated almost 24/7), I learned to alter garments so that they fit my current (flat abdomen) body. I haven't posted again on my blog since my birthday, because I've been busy doing alterations on dressy pants.
Several years ago I bought wide leg pants with high waists. I loved the high waist part, but I'm really too petite (short and thin) for wide leg pants. I also dislike the constant flapping of the pants bottoms against my legs. Those are dark colored, light weight wool. So I would wear them in the winter, but the wide legs don't provide much warmth. Similarly I bought flare pants, which got wider below the knee. Again too much flapping for me. So I've been working on reducing the flare (and flap) on 3 pairs of pants. After I get those to hang straight, I'll tackle 2 more pairs of wide leg pants. I'm also altering a wool bias cut skirt (from long to short plus narrowing the sides a bit).
I did include 'tricks' in the title of this post. So I need to add that if you take in one side of a pant leg (i.e. outer seam) below mid thigh, you need to take an equal amount off the other side (i.e. inner seam). Otherwise, the pleats don't hang straight. If you have narrow hips (yeah that's a rare problem, but I have that), A-line skirts may 'collapse' on the sides and create 'tails' in the front and back of the skirt. So you need to fit the skirt pattern to your own hips or alter the finished garment (which I usually do). Bias cut skirts tend to collapse more obviously in the front and back, when your hips are too narrow. So, instead of tails, you get inverted tails or ruffles over your knees with a deep indentation between your legs. SIGH The heavier the material, the more a bias cut skirt can collapse, rather than forming even little ruffles at the hem. I plan to take in the hip area and use a serged rolled hem to create even ruffles on my wool bias skirt.
Amidst all that I need to find time to make Valentine's Day cookies. I doubt I'll post again until after this week.
Several years ago I bought wide leg pants with high waists. I loved the high waist part, but I'm really too petite (short and thin) for wide leg pants. I also dislike the constant flapping of the pants bottoms against my legs. Those are dark colored, light weight wool. So I would wear them in the winter, but the wide legs don't provide much warmth. Similarly I bought flare pants, which got wider below the knee. Again too much flapping for me. So I've been working on reducing the flare (and flap) on 3 pairs of pants. After I get those to hang straight, I'll tackle 2 more pairs of wide leg pants. I'm also altering a wool bias cut skirt (from long to short plus narrowing the sides a bit).
I did include 'tricks' in the title of this post. So I need to add that if you take in one side of a pant leg (i.e. outer seam) below mid thigh, you need to take an equal amount off the other side (i.e. inner seam). Otherwise, the pleats don't hang straight. If you have narrow hips (yeah that's a rare problem, but I have that), A-line skirts may 'collapse' on the sides and create 'tails' in the front and back of the skirt. So you need to fit the skirt pattern to your own hips or alter the finished garment (which I usually do). Bias cut skirts tend to collapse more obviously in the front and back, when your hips are too narrow. So, instead of tails, you get inverted tails or ruffles over your knees with a deep indentation between your legs. SIGH The heavier the material, the more a bias cut skirt can collapse, rather than forming even little ruffles at the hem. I plan to take in the hip area and use a serged rolled hem to create even ruffles on my wool bias skirt.
Amidst all that I need to find time to make Valentine's Day cookies. I doubt I'll post again until after this week.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Cake Occasion
I love frosted cake. Even with 7 food allergies (gluten, dairy, soy, cane sugar, egg, vanilla and nutmeg) I can bake tasty, allergy free cakes which I LOVE to eat. I consider every holiday a 'cake occasion' or at least a cooky occasion if a cake occasion will occur in the same month.
Today is my birthday. Because we'll be busy all day attending church, seeing a movie, shopping and having 'birthday' dinner at PF Chang's, I made (and ate) my birthday cake yesterday. I hadn't baked a bundt cake since my husband's birthday 2 years ago, when I made a lemon poppyseed cake with lemon glaze. We enjoyed that cake so much that I wanted to try a recipe for apple spice bundt cake.
I like to 'enhance' recipes. Besides the suggested cake batter ingredients (all gluten/dairy/soy/egg free), I substituted finely chopped pecans for raisins (one of my husband's allergies). Instead of vanilla (an allergy for both of us), I used my favorite 'ginger peach' flavor. I also added ginger and cardamom to the recommended cinnamon spice. I always substitute beet sugar or coconut palm sugar for cane sugar in recipes, because I'm allergic to cane sugar.
I totally changed the recipe's glaze. I tried combining maple syrup with powdered sugar (per the recipe), but I hated the flavor (icky sweet). I always taste what I prepare, esp. glace or frostings. LOL Rather than the sickening sweet syrup/sugar combo, I decided to add some Earth Balance soy/dairy free spread (like a soft margarine) and more ginger peach flavor, I spent awhile adding and tasting, before I created the taste and texture I wanted, but I liked it. While the cake cooled, I refrigerated my version of the 'glace'. Later before dinner I set the glace on the counter to soften a bit, because refrigeration hardened it beyond spreading. Even after an hour at room temperature, I still had to spread the glace rather than pour it. However, after the glaced (frosted?) cake sat on the dining room table, while we ate dinner, the glace began to melt and run off the cake just a little. So we'll store the cake in the refrigerator.
I enjoyed the cake part, but still thought the glace/frosting was too sweet. My husband suggested that I just scrape off the frosting, when I cut a piece of cake for myself, and put the extra frosting back on the cake or cake plate. He assured me that he would take care of any extra frosting. LOL I suspect I will enjoy the frosted cake on a day when I haven't been preparing and tasting frosting. I can easily get sweets overload!
I won't mention my age, because I feel healthier and more energetic than I did 25 years ago. Age is relative and most related to mindset. My ACIM lesson for today is "I could see peace instead of this". That's my favorite lesson so far. I may find situations in which to practice that today.
Today is my birthday. Because we'll be busy all day attending church, seeing a movie, shopping and having 'birthday' dinner at PF Chang's, I made (and ate) my birthday cake yesterday. I hadn't baked a bundt cake since my husband's birthday 2 years ago, when I made a lemon poppyseed cake with lemon glaze. We enjoyed that cake so much that I wanted to try a recipe for apple spice bundt cake.
I like to 'enhance' recipes. Besides the suggested cake batter ingredients (all gluten/dairy/soy/egg free), I substituted finely chopped pecans for raisins (one of my husband's allergies). Instead of vanilla (an allergy for both of us), I used my favorite 'ginger peach' flavor. I also added ginger and cardamom to the recommended cinnamon spice. I always substitute beet sugar or coconut palm sugar for cane sugar in recipes, because I'm allergic to cane sugar.
I totally changed the recipe's glaze. I tried combining maple syrup with powdered sugar (per the recipe), but I hated the flavor (icky sweet). I always taste what I prepare, esp. glace or frostings. LOL Rather than the sickening sweet syrup/sugar combo, I decided to add some Earth Balance soy/dairy free spread (like a soft margarine) and more ginger peach flavor, I spent awhile adding and tasting, before I created the taste and texture I wanted, but I liked it. While the cake cooled, I refrigerated my version of the 'glace'. Later before dinner I set the glace on the counter to soften a bit, because refrigeration hardened it beyond spreading. Even after an hour at room temperature, I still had to spread the glace rather than pour it. However, after the glaced (frosted?) cake sat on the dining room table, while we ate dinner, the glace began to melt and run off the cake just a little. So we'll store the cake in the refrigerator.
I enjoyed the cake part, but still thought the glace/frosting was too sweet. My husband suggested that I just scrape off the frosting, when I cut a piece of cake for myself, and put the extra frosting back on the cake or cake plate. He assured me that he would take care of any extra frosting. LOL I suspect I will enjoy the frosted cake on a day when I haven't been preparing and tasting frosting. I can easily get sweets overload!
I won't mention my age, because I feel healthier and more energetic than I did 25 years ago. Age is relative and most related to mindset. My ACIM lesson for today is "I could see peace instead of this". That's my favorite lesson so far. I may find situations in which to practice that today.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Addictions Part II
I love anything penguin. I read about them, collect stuffed, glass and ceramic replicas, wear penguin clothing and jewelry and visit them at zoos and the Maui Marriott Hotel. My husband enables me in this addiction. Maybe he's codependent. I should start a support group for others like me. I could call it Penguin Freaks Anonymous or PFA. However, after reading comments which insist that my clothing/shopping/sewing habits were really 'passions', rather than 'addictions', maybe I 'should' rethink or relabel my warm, fuzzy feelings about penguins.
My penguin passion began many years ago, when someone jokingly said that I looked like a penguin. Rather than feel insulted, I recognized a great explanation for my short legs, long torso and bloated belly (pre celiac diagnosis). Rather than continue to feel frustrated with my abnormal shape, I began to identify with those cute little birds. People, who needed gift ideas for me, were relieved when they learned I collected penguin stuff. My husband bought me stuffed penguins, wherever we found them. I now have about 3 dozen stuffed penguins in various sizes and breeds on dressers and beds. The family room fireplace mantel is loaded with small penguins (glass, ceramic, candlestick holders, etc.). The front door to our house is guarded by 2 'porch' penguins, who wear different outfits during different months/seasons of the year. Right now they wear Valentine costumes.
During the Christmas holidays the penguins rule our house. Two more lighted penguins join the standard two porch penguins. Our living room is filled with all sort of penguins, some of which sing and dance. The main attraction is our Christmas tree which is decorated with only penguin lights and ornaments. The kitchen and family room are equally resplendent with festive penguins. This year, in addition to my usual Christmas cookies I made chocolate frosted penguin cookies. I may bake those every year.
Penguin mania even spread to my email address and custom licensed plate for my car. I've seen almost every penguin cartoon, full length movie and documentary out there. My favorite was "Mr. Popper's Penguins", because it seemed more plausable than cartoons. I even dream about penguins occasionally. On really cold days, when I wear a heavy, oversize, down jacket, I tend to waddle and walk with smaller steps over icy walkways. However, I never layed on my belly and propelled myself with my feet.
I don't know how long my penguin mania will continue. I can no longer describe myself as 'penguin shaped'. Avoiding gluten and other food allergies, taking digestive supplements and thyroid hormones totally flattened my formerly bloated belly. During years of undiagnosed celiac disease I lost 1-1/2 inch in height. My legs are still short, but my torso (neck to waist) is shorter. So I no longer look 'long-waisted'. (No, I'm not losing bone currently as proven by 2 normal NTX tests.) I get strange looks from sales assistants when I comment that I don't wear capri pants because they exaggerate my 'penguin shaped' body. They just see me as fashionably thin. What I really mean is that I have short legs. My height 5'3.5" also qualifies me as 'petite'. I probably should just say 'petite', rather than penguin shaped. Nevertheless, I still have a prominent beak, I squawk when I'm upset and I flap more than usual for a human being.
My penguin passion began many years ago, when someone jokingly said that I looked like a penguin. Rather than feel insulted, I recognized a great explanation for my short legs, long torso and bloated belly (pre celiac diagnosis). Rather than continue to feel frustrated with my abnormal shape, I began to identify with those cute little birds. People, who needed gift ideas for me, were relieved when they learned I collected penguin stuff. My husband bought me stuffed penguins, wherever we found them. I now have about 3 dozen stuffed penguins in various sizes and breeds on dressers and beds. The family room fireplace mantel is loaded with small penguins (glass, ceramic, candlestick holders, etc.). The front door to our house is guarded by 2 'porch' penguins, who wear different outfits during different months/seasons of the year. Right now they wear Valentine costumes.
During the Christmas holidays the penguins rule our house. Two more lighted penguins join the standard two porch penguins. Our living room is filled with all sort of penguins, some of which sing and dance. The main attraction is our Christmas tree which is decorated with only penguin lights and ornaments. The kitchen and family room are equally resplendent with festive penguins. This year, in addition to my usual Christmas cookies I made chocolate frosted penguin cookies. I may bake those every year.
Penguin mania even spread to my email address and custom licensed plate for my car. I've seen almost every penguin cartoon, full length movie and documentary out there. My favorite was "Mr. Popper's Penguins", because it seemed more plausable than cartoons. I even dream about penguins occasionally. On really cold days, when I wear a heavy, oversize, down jacket, I tend to waddle and walk with smaller steps over icy walkways. However, I never layed on my belly and propelled myself with my feet.
I don't know how long my penguin mania will continue. I can no longer describe myself as 'penguin shaped'. Avoiding gluten and other food allergies, taking digestive supplements and thyroid hormones totally flattened my formerly bloated belly. During years of undiagnosed celiac disease I lost 1-1/2 inch in height. My legs are still short, but my torso (neck to waist) is shorter. So I no longer look 'long-waisted'. (No, I'm not losing bone currently as proven by 2 normal NTX tests.) I get strange looks from sales assistants when I comment that I don't wear capri pants because they exaggerate my 'penguin shaped' body. They just see me as fashionably thin. What I really mean is that I have short legs. My height 5'3.5" also qualifies me as 'petite'. I probably should just say 'petite', rather than penguin shaped. Nevertheless, I still have a prominent beak, I squawk when I'm upset and I flap more than usual for a human being.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
My Addictions Part I
Years ago, before I was diagnosed with celiac diseease, food allergies and other digestive problems, I attended a support group for people who were addicted to food. In order to control the addiction, we had to eat a certain way, attend meetings and call another member, when we were tempted to overeat or eat a forbidden food. Now that I understand my symptoms were caused by physical disease and allergies, I can't believe I was ever 'addicted' to food. I need to eat to live. I may undereat or overeat at times, but I basically eat to feed my body.
However, I do use other substances in amounts that may seem excessive to healthy, normal people. No, I'm not talking about drugs. I'm talking about fabric, specifically crafted into garments. My husband tells me that we want excessive amounts of whatever we felt deprived of as small children.
I was rather deprived of edible treats when I was a child. My mom took one look at my bloated (undiagnosed celiac) belly and decided I was getting too fat. She didn't seem to notice the rest of my body parts were normal sizes. Nevertheless she began restricting sweets so that I wouldn't get 'fatter'. Moreover, my mom often used my shape as a reason to not buy new clothes for me. She would often say "I will buy you new (nicer) clothes, when you are thin."
Because of early food restriction, I grew up wanting lots of sweets and pastries until I learned that I was allergic to gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, cane sugar, vanilla and nutmeg. However after finding safe substitutes for all those foods/ingredients, I now bake my own pastries and treats. I like to include sweets with every meal. Fortunately I now have normal metabolism and I like other healthier foods (fruits, vegies, etc.).
However, my childhood clothing restriction influenced my love affair (addiction?) with clothes, which began when I realized I really was 'thin'. I was never 'thin' enough for my mom to buy me fashionable clothes. So I wore really dowdy, unflattering clothes during high school. During my college days, I began to buy my own clothes without my mom's advice or money. Because I've stayed in the same weight range most of the time since my early 20s, I still have garments I purchased years ago. I altered some clothes when I was very bloated with undiagnosed celiac disease 15 years ago. So I had to give those away after I recovered and resumed a normal body shape. However I still have a few clothes (jeans, skirts, jackets, and shoes) which I wore during my 20s.
When I quit painting and marketing watercolor paintings (10? years ago), I started sewing. I literally taught myself to sew, just as I taught myself to paint, but for different reasons. I didn't NEED paintings. So I sold them and supported myself with my painting business. I NEEDED clothes ... sewing allowed me to have more clothes inexpensively and to alter store bought garments to fit my body even better.
Even now, when many women my age wear dowdy clothes and unflattering hairstyles, I make fashionable clothes, when I'm not buying what I like at H&M (my alltime favorite store), Loft Petites, Express, Nordstrom TBD, and occasionally Wet Seal (which I first discovered in Maui) or Forever 21. However, I prefer to sew simple styles (skirts, peasant blouses, sleeveless or short sleeved tops, shorts), which I can make for less than I would spend at a store.
My husband always knows what to get me for Christmas, birthday, any 'giftable' occasion. Often we spend my birthday 'shopping'. So he doesn't need to buy and wrap anything before my birthday. I also enjoy the 'chase' for the perfect item, but I sometimes go home empty handed.
Do I have enough clothes now? Well, actually I go through my closets annually to give away garments which I don't want to alter to fit better or clothes which are too worn or never flattering (what was I thinking?). If I don't get rid of clothes by giving them away or selling them in consignment shops, I don't have room in my closet for new items.
Currently I'm altering garments which I haven't worn for a year or so, but still like. Also I alter any garment that doesn't fit well, but I like the color or style. I almost like alterations even better than sewing a completely new garment. I alter garments which I already love and can easily coordinate with other items in my wardrobe. Finding old garments and altering them is like buying a new garment for free. Also I'm satisfied by the work I did to make the garment fit better.
Am I addicted to clothes? I sometimes wonder whether I'm addicted to shopping. However, I don't shop just to entertain myself. I usually have a goal garment or accessory, which I 'need'. Shopping also gives me ideas for garments to sew and save money. However, after awhile I feel 'shopped' out and want to go home and sew or bake cookies! LOL
I suspect my honesty is opening up a whole closet of opinions out there. I look forward to your responses.
However, I do use other substances in amounts that may seem excessive to healthy, normal people. No, I'm not talking about drugs. I'm talking about fabric, specifically crafted into garments. My husband tells me that we want excessive amounts of whatever we felt deprived of as small children.
I was rather deprived of edible treats when I was a child. My mom took one look at my bloated (undiagnosed celiac) belly and decided I was getting too fat. She didn't seem to notice the rest of my body parts were normal sizes. Nevertheless she began restricting sweets so that I wouldn't get 'fatter'. Moreover, my mom often used my shape as a reason to not buy new clothes for me. She would often say "I will buy you new (nicer) clothes, when you are thin."
Because of early food restriction, I grew up wanting lots of sweets and pastries until I learned that I was allergic to gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, cane sugar, vanilla and nutmeg. However after finding safe substitutes for all those foods/ingredients, I now bake my own pastries and treats. I like to include sweets with every meal. Fortunately I now have normal metabolism and I like other healthier foods (fruits, vegies, etc.).
However, my childhood clothing restriction influenced my love affair (addiction?) with clothes, which began when I realized I really was 'thin'. I was never 'thin' enough for my mom to buy me fashionable clothes. So I wore really dowdy, unflattering clothes during high school. During my college days, I began to buy my own clothes without my mom's advice or money. Because I've stayed in the same weight range most of the time since my early 20s, I still have garments I purchased years ago. I altered some clothes when I was very bloated with undiagnosed celiac disease 15 years ago. So I had to give those away after I recovered and resumed a normal body shape. However I still have a few clothes (jeans, skirts, jackets, and shoes) which I wore during my 20s.
When I quit painting and marketing watercolor paintings (10? years ago), I started sewing. I literally taught myself to sew, just as I taught myself to paint, but for different reasons. I didn't NEED paintings. So I sold them and supported myself with my painting business. I NEEDED clothes ... sewing allowed me to have more clothes inexpensively and to alter store bought garments to fit my body even better.
Even now, when many women my age wear dowdy clothes and unflattering hairstyles, I make fashionable clothes, when I'm not buying what I like at H&M (my alltime favorite store), Loft Petites, Express, Nordstrom TBD, and occasionally Wet Seal (which I first discovered in Maui) or Forever 21. However, I prefer to sew simple styles (skirts, peasant blouses, sleeveless or short sleeved tops, shorts), which I can make for less than I would spend at a store.
My husband always knows what to get me for Christmas, birthday, any 'giftable' occasion. Often we spend my birthday 'shopping'. So he doesn't need to buy and wrap anything before my birthday. I also enjoy the 'chase' for the perfect item, but I sometimes go home empty handed.
Do I have enough clothes now? Well, actually I go through my closets annually to give away garments which I don't want to alter to fit better or clothes which are too worn or never flattering (what was I thinking?). If I don't get rid of clothes by giving them away or selling them in consignment shops, I don't have room in my closet for new items.
Currently I'm altering garments which I haven't worn for a year or so, but still like. Also I alter any garment that doesn't fit well, but I like the color or style. I almost like alterations even better than sewing a completely new garment. I alter garments which I already love and can easily coordinate with other items in my wardrobe. Finding old garments and altering them is like buying a new garment for free. Also I'm satisfied by the work I did to make the garment fit better.
Am I addicted to clothes? I sometimes wonder whether I'm addicted to shopping. However, I don't shop just to entertain myself. I usually have a goal garment or accessory, which I 'need'. Shopping also gives me ideas for garments to sew and save money. However, after awhile I feel 'shopped' out and want to go home and sew or bake cookies! LOL
I suspect my honesty is opening up a whole closet of opinions out there. I look forward to your responses.
Monday, January 28, 2013
There's a Crow on my Head
I don't think I look like a tree. Yet during my walk last week a crow landed on my head over a dozen times. I need to add that I walk around our local lake path and feed crows 'not for human consumption' peanuts, which I buy at Wild Birds Unlimited. I suspect those peanuts are intended for squirrels. Originally my husband fed peanuts to squirrels. However, when I noticed that crows also tried to get 'squirrel' peanuts, we started to feed crows, too. We soon learned (and I have read) how intelligent crows really are. No matter what hat, coat or other clothes I wear, crows recognize me and start following me, landing in front of me, and looking up at me, as if to ask "where are the peanuts?"
So I suspect I'm known as the 'peanut lady' among our local crows. A few crows even beg for peanuts by landing on the power line connected to our house and 'cawing' until we lay peanuts on our porch bannister. They seem to hear us open the front door and come for peanuts. But I digress ...
I regularly notice crows following me while I walk and I toss peanuts to them. Occasionally a crow seems to drag his claws through my hair (or sometimes a knit cap). My husband says that they are trying to get my attention. However, I believed that they were just trying to land in front of me and misjudged my walking speed and their landing angle so that they collided with my head on the way to the ground. Sometimes I'll experience several (4-6) collisions within a short distance. I've considered trying to catch a crow when I feel it on my head, but they usually leave as quickly as they land. Nevertheless, I once sensed that one crow stayed for more than a few seconds. So I wondered whether that bird was just catching a free ride during the peanut chase.
During last week's crow feeding expedition I experienced multiple head landings. I believed that several crows were 'misjudging' their landing angle. However I began to notice the crow(s?) began to land on different parts of my head (back, sides, rather than just crown). So I decided I would talk loudly to the next crow to land on my head. If multiple crows were landing on my head, I may need to shout at several crows before the head landing ceased.
Within a minute or so I felt another crow land on my head. So I shouted, "Hey! Stop that! I'm not a tree." That immediately ended the head landings for the day, which made me conclude that only one crow was landing on my head that whole time. I wonder what he was thinking ... (The other crows continue to follow me to beg for peanuts.)
Later that night I asked my husband to look at the top of my head to check whether I had a little sign saying "For more peanuts, land here." I may never know why that crow landed on my head so many times ...
So I suspect I'm known as the 'peanut lady' among our local crows. A few crows even beg for peanuts by landing on the power line connected to our house and 'cawing' until we lay peanuts on our porch bannister. They seem to hear us open the front door and come for peanuts. But I digress ...
I regularly notice crows following me while I walk and I toss peanuts to them. Occasionally a crow seems to drag his claws through my hair (or sometimes a knit cap). My husband says that they are trying to get my attention. However, I believed that they were just trying to land in front of me and misjudged my walking speed and their landing angle so that they collided with my head on the way to the ground. Sometimes I'll experience several (4-6) collisions within a short distance. I've considered trying to catch a crow when I feel it on my head, but they usually leave as quickly as they land. Nevertheless, I once sensed that one crow stayed for more than a few seconds. So I wondered whether that bird was just catching a free ride during the peanut chase.
During last week's crow feeding expedition I experienced multiple head landings. I believed that several crows were 'misjudging' their landing angle. However I began to notice the crow(s?) began to land on different parts of my head (back, sides, rather than just crown). So I decided I would talk loudly to the next crow to land on my head. If multiple crows were landing on my head, I may need to shout at several crows before the head landing ceased.
Within a minute or so I felt another crow land on my head. So I shouted, "Hey! Stop that! I'm not a tree." That immediately ended the head landings for the day, which made me conclude that only one crow was landing on my head that whole time. I wonder what he was thinking ... (The other crows continue to follow me to beg for peanuts.)
Later that night I asked my husband to look at the top of my head to check whether I had a little sign saying "For more peanuts, land here." I may never know why that crow landed on my head so many times ...
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
January Update
I haven't posted for over 2 months. Lots happened, but not much medical news. A friend told me that she rarely read my blog, because I just talked about medical conditions. I previously posted what I thought others might like to read, but during the past year used this blog to track symptoms while I slowly increased my thyroid supplement up to an effective dose. Since I reached that effective (no more hypo symptoms) last August, I didn't have much news to post during the past few months.
I should probably update what I last posted about visiting my doc and getting IAG (arabinogalactin) to fight frequent colds. I used that for several days and felt better rapidly. However, I had forgotten how much gas and bloating side effects I experienced when I took IAG regularly. Because my doc mentioned that DHEA helps with immunity, bone and brain health, I decided to resume taking DHEA, which has no side effects at low levels (I take 2.5 mg sublingual daily). So I stopped taking IAG and stopped the 'side effects'. Since I resumed DHEA, I've had no real colds. Occasionally I get slight cold symptoms (sinus headache or throat tickle or slight sore throat or fatigue), but slightly increasing my DHEA (to 4.0mg daily) or just getting more sleep or even eating very spicy food or ginger cookies quickly eliminates those symptoms without developing a real cold.
Also my doc requested another NTX (bone health) test. I 'passed' in the normal range again. So when my HMO PC pesters me about getting a bone scan (which I consider unnecessary radiation), I can tell her 2 NTX tests showed that I am NOT excreting bone. I may have lost bone during all those years when she misdiagnosed my celiac disease symptoms (and I wasn't absorbing calcium). However, I've been gluten free for almost 9 years and the NTX tests indicated that I'm not losing bone.
Another interesting (okay, excellent) side effect of taking an effective level of T3 supplement is that I can eat as much as I want of anything (to which I don't have diagnosed allergies) and not gain weight. During the holidays I baked a birthday cake for my husband the day before Thanksgiving. So we enjoyed cake (and ice cream a few times) well into December. Then I started baking 5 kinds of Christmas cookies (thanks to my allergy free baking books). I missed pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving (when we had leftover birthday cake). So I had to make pumpkin pie and a dairy/soy free topping for Christmas dinner. Sometime during the holidays (New Year's?) I decided to make muffins after tiring of pancakes with syrup and sausage for weekend breakfasts. So we've enjoyed homemade cranberry/coconut muffins every weekend since then. We still have a few Christmas cookies left (2, 2, 3 and 20 of my favorites which I rarely share) of the 5 batches I baked, even after giving away 5 gift plates to members of our church group. We may finish all the cookies and muffins just in time for my birthday (less than 2 weeks away), when I plan to make an apple spice bundt cake with maple glaze. After eating all those goodies plus regular meals I weigh less than I did during my last mid November post.
I need to clarify that I'm not one of those people who can ignore fullness, when I eat. If I don't stop when I feel comfortably full, the next symptom is 'painfully' full. So I rarely graze or binge eat, although I did that regularly during previous years. Maybe having H. Pylori, Celiac Disease and all those gut bug infections shrunk my stomach. Or maybe having normal metabolism thanks to thyroid supplements means I burn more of what I eat. I suspect that I must have restricted my calories enough during all those years I had hypothryoidism so that I wasn't overweight. So now that I have normal metabolism, I can eat whatever and actually lost weight, but I'm learning to choose more dense calorie foods, rather than too many 'healthy' fruits and vegies.
Maybe the previous paragraphs still sound like 'medical' updates. Lemesee ... after all that baking, eating and holiday outings (Christmas shopping, seeing holiday displays, church services and 2 ice skating sessions at local holiday rinks), I'm finally getting back to my first love, sewing. Maybe that should be 'clothes', because I sew for myself. Right now I'm altering garments that don't fit as well as I'd like.
I also took a pair of (expensive) designer jeans back to Nordstrom and used my alterations credit I purchased those over 4 years ago and wore them maybe 3x, because they were wide leg. I liked the high waist feature, but I realized the wide leg part really didn't flatter my short legs after I started buying more skinny jeans. So I had them altered to 'boot cut'. The leg opening as still wider than I like, but the denim was so heavy that I didn't want to make trouser or skinny jeans. The weight of the jeans makes them hang well. With a short jacket and boots, the altered jeans make my legs look very long, which I need just to look normal rather than 'penguin' shaped. LOL
I can't remember whether or how much I posted about our "Course in Miracles" group. Meetings were moved from the church library to the leader's house (which is about 7 minute drive from our house). Then the leader asked that we rotate leadership for meetings. One member volunteered for the first rotated leader meeting. So I volunteered for the next meeting, which will occur this coming Thursday. (We also changed the meeting day.) I only have a vague idea of how I will lead the meeting/discussion. Hopefully that will just come to me during meditation or sleep or somehow before Thursday night ...
That's enough update. Maybe next time I'll have less medical news ... or not. LOL
I should probably update what I last posted about visiting my doc and getting IAG (arabinogalactin) to fight frequent colds. I used that for several days and felt better rapidly. However, I had forgotten how much gas and bloating side effects I experienced when I took IAG regularly. Because my doc mentioned that DHEA helps with immunity, bone and brain health, I decided to resume taking DHEA, which has no side effects at low levels (I take 2.5 mg sublingual daily). So I stopped taking IAG and stopped the 'side effects'. Since I resumed DHEA, I've had no real colds. Occasionally I get slight cold symptoms (sinus headache or throat tickle or slight sore throat or fatigue), but slightly increasing my DHEA (to 4.0mg daily) or just getting more sleep or even eating very spicy food or ginger cookies quickly eliminates those symptoms without developing a real cold.
Also my doc requested another NTX (bone health) test. I 'passed' in the normal range again. So when my HMO PC pesters me about getting a bone scan (which I consider unnecessary radiation), I can tell her 2 NTX tests showed that I am NOT excreting bone. I may have lost bone during all those years when she misdiagnosed my celiac disease symptoms (and I wasn't absorbing calcium). However, I've been gluten free for almost 9 years and the NTX tests indicated that I'm not losing bone.
Another interesting (okay, excellent) side effect of taking an effective level of T3 supplement is that I can eat as much as I want of anything (to which I don't have diagnosed allergies) and not gain weight. During the holidays I baked a birthday cake for my husband the day before Thanksgiving. So we enjoyed cake (and ice cream a few times) well into December. Then I started baking 5 kinds of Christmas cookies (thanks to my allergy free baking books). I missed pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving (when we had leftover birthday cake). So I had to make pumpkin pie and a dairy/soy free topping for Christmas dinner. Sometime during the holidays (New Year's?) I decided to make muffins after tiring of pancakes with syrup and sausage for weekend breakfasts. So we've enjoyed homemade cranberry/coconut muffins every weekend since then. We still have a few Christmas cookies left (2, 2, 3 and 20 of my favorites which I rarely share) of the 5 batches I baked, even after giving away 5 gift plates to members of our church group. We may finish all the cookies and muffins just in time for my birthday (less than 2 weeks away), when I plan to make an apple spice bundt cake with maple glaze. After eating all those goodies plus regular meals I weigh less than I did during my last mid November post.
I need to clarify that I'm not one of those people who can ignore fullness, when I eat. If I don't stop when I feel comfortably full, the next symptom is 'painfully' full. So I rarely graze or binge eat, although I did that regularly during previous years. Maybe having H. Pylori, Celiac Disease and all those gut bug infections shrunk my stomach. Or maybe having normal metabolism thanks to thyroid supplements means I burn more of what I eat. I suspect that I must have restricted my calories enough during all those years I had hypothryoidism so that I wasn't overweight. So now that I have normal metabolism, I can eat whatever and actually lost weight, but I'm learning to choose more dense calorie foods, rather than too many 'healthy' fruits and vegies.
Maybe the previous paragraphs still sound like 'medical' updates. Lemesee ... after all that baking, eating and holiday outings (Christmas shopping, seeing holiday displays, church services and 2 ice skating sessions at local holiday rinks), I'm finally getting back to my first love, sewing. Maybe that should be 'clothes', because I sew for myself. Right now I'm altering garments that don't fit as well as I'd like.
I also took a pair of (expensive) designer jeans back to Nordstrom and used my alterations credit I purchased those over 4 years ago and wore them maybe 3x, because they were wide leg. I liked the high waist feature, but I realized the wide leg part really didn't flatter my short legs after I started buying more skinny jeans. So I had them altered to 'boot cut'. The leg opening as still wider than I like, but the denim was so heavy that I didn't want to make trouser or skinny jeans. The weight of the jeans makes them hang well. With a short jacket and boots, the altered jeans make my legs look very long, which I need just to look normal rather than 'penguin' shaped. LOL
I can't remember whether or how much I posted about our "Course in Miracles" group. Meetings were moved from the church library to the leader's house (which is about 7 minute drive from our house). Then the leader asked that we rotate leadership for meetings. One member volunteered for the first rotated leader meeting. So I volunteered for the next meeting, which will occur this coming Thursday. (We also changed the meeting day.) I only have a vague idea of how I will lead the meeting/discussion. Hopefully that will just come to me during meditation or sleep or somehow before Thursday night ...
That's enough update. Maybe next time I'll have less medical news ... or not. LOL
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