Last night we had a friend over for dinner. The menu was pasta, bread and broccoli with iced tea to drink.
Eli and I made pesto from the basil in our garden and acorns we froze last fall. Of course we had to boil the nuts to make them digest-able. To make garlic bread, I took a loaf and sliced 1 inch pieces, mixed room temp butter with our garden basil and rosemary and a store bought garlic. Mix and spread- then broil until ready. The tea was mint and pineapple sage- both from the garden and a little dried stevia from last years garden.
It was great. And home-grown. I can't wait for our next homemade dinner!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
late stage adolescent angst
Everyone rebels at some point. And of course some rebellions can last longer than others. But at what point does it lose it's momentum and become opposition for opposition's sake?
Growing up, my parents always gave us as much information as they could and let it be known that the decision we make is our decision. My sister does the same with her girls except they call it "You're not the boss of me." To this day, I still ask my parents' opinions when making decisions.
It seems that some make their decisions based on the opposition. They think they know what others would say and they say the opposite. Is this adult angst? It reminds me of what I did when I was an adolescent... At some point it becomes less cute and more hurtful.
Rebellion is supposed to be something you stand for, something in which you believe with all you have. But what you say has lost it's impact on others because of your quick rebut and lack of scrutiny.
I am a fan of devil's advocate. I often give two opposing sides when offering advice because it is meant to inform and not persuade. But when only offering the opposing side all the time as your view, it quickly becomes useless for the opponent.
If you really want to change the world, if you want to save others, may I suggest honey? I hear you catch more flies that way. But if the sour scent of vinegar is all you offer to those you think are damned, I wish to not partake in your offerings.
Signed,
Sister.
Growing up, my parents always gave us as much information as they could and let it be known that the decision we make is our decision. My sister does the same with her girls except they call it "You're not the boss of me." To this day, I still ask my parents' opinions when making decisions.
It seems that some make their decisions based on the opposition. They think they know what others would say and they say the opposite. Is this adult angst? It reminds me of what I did when I was an adolescent... At some point it becomes less cute and more hurtful.
Rebellion is supposed to be something you stand for, something in which you believe with all you have. But what you say has lost it's impact on others because of your quick rebut and lack of scrutiny.
I am a fan of devil's advocate. I often give two opposing sides when offering advice because it is meant to inform and not persuade. But when only offering the opposing side all the time as your view, it quickly becomes useless for the opponent.
If you really want to change the world, if you want to save others, may I suggest honey? I hear you catch more flies that way. But if the sour scent of vinegar is all you offer to those you think are damned, I wish to not partake in your offerings.
Signed,
Sister.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Nesting
I went to the doctor a few weeks ago for a "physical". I had it set up before the last surgery but postponed it for after- just for peace of mind, I guess.
I told the female doctor about all the surgeries and the miscarriage. She said I should wait a year from surgery to get pregnant. She told me, "Spend some time with your husband; travel; NEST!" Really? Really, lady? You don't know me... "We've been together for nine years; married for three. We've traveled all over this country. We were ready to have a baby LAST year! (insert TEARS)." I spared her the details of the baby's room that we've had planned since we bought the house, and the fact that we've had our baby named since we got engaged...
Needless to say, I argued her down to six to nine months! But in my head it's like three to six... ;)
I need something to occupy my time or I'm never gonna make it THAT long! All I can think of doing is setting up the spare room for easy transition to baby room, crocheting toys for babies, and cleaning the house!
We'll see how long I can wait....
I told the female doctor about all the surgeries and the miscarriage. She said I should wait a year from surgery to get pregnant. She told me, "Spend some time with your husband; travel; NEST!" Really? Really, lady? You don't know me... "We've been together for nine years; married for three. We've traveled all over this country. We were ready to have a baby LAST year! (insert TEARS)." I spared her the details of the baby's room that we've had planned since we bought the house, and the fact that we've had our baby named since we got engaged...
Needless to say, I argued her down to six to nine months! But in my head it's like three to six... ;)
I need something to occupy my time or I'm never gonna make it THAT long! All I can think of doing is setting up the spare room for easy transition to baby room, crocheting toys for babies, and cleaning the house!
We'll see how long I can wait....
Monday, April 19, 2010
Paid in full!!
Our benefit show went really well. So many people came out; a lot of people who have made a difference in my recovery! I have been so
lucky to have so many people who love and care for me in my life.Most bands covered a Beatles song for me and I even got a No Doubt and a Fernandina mix-in! I sold a lot of my crafts and the shirts were a hit! It was a GREAT night- and a great morning after counting our funds!
The next week I called the hospital to see if they would discount my bill if I paid a large sum- AND THEY DID!!! We were able to pay it off in full!!!
Thank you to everyone who helped out- financially and emotionally!!
XOXOXO
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Fillin' up that colon!!!
The benefit show my friends are throwing to help pay my medical bills is TOMORROW!!! I am so excited. We have a bunch of friends coming in from out of town to party with us. We have made shirts for sale. We have art for sale. I want this colon FULL!! :)
I love my friends!!
XOXOX
5 BANDS, $5!!
For more info, check this out!:
http://www.containmenttheoryrecords.com/shows.html
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Colitis/Colonless Curse
For the last eight years, my weight has served as a significant indicator of my health. To file for disability one has to document substantial weight loss; 10% over a 60 day period. This is easy for those with an IBD- and now I know it's easy for those without a colon. When I hit 15 pounds lost, I know it is time for drastic measures. My "healthy weight" has a 5 pound window. I haven't held at that weight for over a year now.
Most people complain that their pants don't fit. Lunges in freshly dried jeans may help you; not me. I get comments all the time about my weight. Others, I would imagine, welcome skinny jokes. To me it is a constant reminder of my disability.
When did it become ok to comment on someone's weight? Does everyone feel they know me well enough to say how skinny I look? If I were over weight, would it be ok to say, "Gosh, you're looking fat!"? It's the same to say, "Gosh, you're looking skinny," to someone without a colon (or an IBD)!
I'd love it if a few cheese burgers would do the trick (I get that suggestion all the time). I wish my pants fit right. But as hard as it is for someone who over eats to be called fat, it is just as hard for someone who can't properly digest food to be called skinny.
You can't stop eating? Well, I can't stop my food from rushing through my gut.
Leave me alone and I'll leave you alone. Deal?
Unfortunately, the people who usually read this are close enough to make fun...
(XOXOX)
Most people complain that their pants don't fit. Lunges in freshly dried jeans may help you; not me. I get comments all the time about my weight. Others, I would imagine, welcome skinny jokes. To me it is a constant reminder of my disability.
When did it become ok to comment on someone's weight? Does everyone feel they know me well enough to say how skinny I look? If I were over weight, would it be ok to say, "Gosh, you're looking fat!"? It's the same to say, "Gosh, you're looking skinny," to someone without a colon (or an IBD)!
I'd love it if a few cheese burgers would do the trick (I get that suggestion all the time). I wish my pants fit right. But as hard as it is for someone who over eats to be called fat, it is just as hard for someone who can't properly digest food to be called skinny.
You can't stop eating? Well, I can't stop my food from rushing through my gut.
Leave me alone and I'll leave you alone. Deal?
Unfortunately, the people who usually read this are close enough to make fun...
(XOXOX)
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Third time's the charm?
March 1st was surgery. I really want to say it is the last surgery but if I've learned anything in the last nine months, there is no telling when this will all be over until it's over!
We are still riding the tax refund wave so I was able to pay our lowered co-pay for the hospital stay. While we were in the business office the morning of surgery, I read through the paper work the office lady gave me and it said "Liquid diet day prior to surgery"! I guess the celebratory burrito was a bad idea...
I told the nurse and really thought they were going to send me home. But before I knew it, I was flat on my back getting wheeled into surgery. I saw doctor Nic before I went under. The last thing I heard was the discussion of medication needed during the surgery. "Well, I'll be here if you need more..."
Dr Nic said it could be an hour or four, depending on how difficult it is to find the leak. Unfortunately for him, it was pretty difficult to find it! Four hours later he sent the "all-good" to Eli in the purgatory. I always feel so bad for Eli having to wait there while I'm getting the best sleep of my life!
When I woke up, all I could get out was a moan. They wheeled me to my room, raised the bed to the height of the stretcher and asked me to "skooch!" WORST FEELING EVER!
When they brought Eli in to the hospital room, my moans had increased with the pain did. The rest of that night was a blur after the nurse said, "Just keep pushing that button! It will kick in..."
We are still riding the tax refund wave so I was able to pay our lowered co-pay for the hospital stay. While we were in the business office the morning of surgery, I read through the paper work the office lady gave me and it said "Liquid diet day prior to surgery"! I guess the celebratory burrito was a bad idea...
I told the nurse and really thought they were going to send me home. But before I knew it, I was flat on my back getting wheeled into surgery. I saw doctor Nic before I went under. The last thing I heard was the discussion of medication needed during the surgery. "Well, I'll be here if you need more..."
Dr Nic said it could be an hour or four, depending on how difficult it is to find the leak. Unfortunately for him, it was pretty difficult to find it! Four hours later he sent the "all-good" to Eli in the purgatory. I always feel so bad for Eli having to wait there while I'm getting the best sleep of my life!
When I woke up, all I could get out was a moan. They wheeled me to my room, raised the bed to the height of the stretcher and asked me to "skooch!" WORST FEELING EVER!
When they brought Eli in to the hospital room, my moans had increased with the pain did. The rest of that night was a blur after the nurse said, "Just keep pushing that button! It will kick in..."
Monday, February 22, 2010
The perfect shade of pink!
I can't tell you how many colonoscopies I've had in the last eight years. If there is such a thing as a good colonoscopy, it is when your colon is only an inch long.
I agreed to let the doc take one more look before I pulled out my tube and the quickest way was in the office without any medication. I laid on the table, pants around my ankles, TV screen in front of me. After messing with some equipment, the exam began! For not being sedated, it wasn't THAT bad.... Well, lets just say, I've had worse exams!
He asked if I could hold on while the nurse gets the other doctor. Apparently, this was too good to miss. The door flung open behind me; we waited; door still slightly open. "It is more entertaining when I have something to watch..." So, he continued with the exam and explained everything we could see.
I have seen my colon before- Nasty, red, white, ulcerated colon. Not this time. It was the perfect shade of pink. It looked fantastic. Until I saw the BLACK HOLE!! At the very top of my j pouch was a little black hole. Maybe the size of a pinto bean. Just pulsating and breathing. "That little guys is what is causing all our problems."
When the second doc finally came in they began to discuss... Unfortunately, they can't just clip it. If they did it in the office, the tool they use is the size of a fist! So, we decided to go back into surgery.
March 1st.
I agreed to let the doc take one more look before I pulled out my tube and the quickest way was in the office without any medication. I laid on the table, pants around my ankles, TV screen in front of me. After messing with some equipment, the exam began! For not being sedated, it wasn't THAT bad.... Well, lets just say, I've had worse exams!
He asked if I could hold on while the nurse gets the other doctor. Apparently, this was too good to miss. The door flung open behind me; we waited; door still slightly open. "It is more entertaining when I have something to watch..." So, he continued with the exam and explained everything we could see.
I have seen my colon before- Nasty, red, white, ulcerated colon. Not this time. It was the perfect shade of pink. It looked fantastic. Until I saw the BLACK HOLE!! At the very top of my j pouch was a little black hole. Maybe the size of a pinto bean. Just pulsating and breathing. "That little guys is what is causing all our problems."
When the second doc finally came in they began to discuss... Unfortunately, they can't just clip it. If they did it in the office, the tool they use is the size of a fist! So, we decided to go back into surgery.
March 1st.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)