I had my monthly visit to my natural path today. They have been treating my thyroid condition for about a year which my general physician was under treating! I truly believe that finding naturalpathic medicine has changed my life this last year. They focus on the ENTIRE person and treat the root cause of your problem, not just the symptoms. So, I have to get my blood tested every month to ensure my thyroid levels are staying normal. When they aren't normal, I get to have all kinds of fun dealing with hair thinning/loss, extreme weight gain/loss, exhaustion, and inability to focus.
Well, turns out, they have FINALLY been able to normalize my thyroid levels..yeah!!! , but my genetically high cholesterol has him concerned. With my family history of heart disease, diabetes, and atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, he wants to work with me on a lifestyle change nutrition plan. I'm excited to have an entire two hour session dedicated to making me healthy!
He told me to do my research on which plan I want to explore. He gave me three options:
1. Vegetarian- no meat
2. No carb/sugar/oil diet
3. Vegan- no animal products, by products or oil
REALLY????????? Not great options! I don't see Weight Watchers anywhere on this list! I know I could be okay without eating carbs, sugar and meat, but I draw the line at no fish, eggs, yogurt, and peanut butter!
So I'm going to do my research on all three options to see just how much "modification" I can withstand so I can live a healthy life for the next 40+ years!
Stay tuned on my decision...tonight, while doing my research I'm going to have sushi and beer and hope I don't have a heart attack. LOL!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
There are benefits to a mammogram other than early cancer detection...who knew?
I used to say...OMG, I'm going to be 30!...my 30's turned out to be my favorite decade. After turning 30, I realized I wasn't a fan of my 20's...I used to say OMG I'm going to be 40!...and while age really never bothered me, because I never looked or felt my true age, 40 seemed a bit intimidating to me...but, I have to tell you, I LOVE being 40! 40 feels sexy! I'm coming into myself. I feel good...actually, I feel GREAT!
One of the beautiful things about turning 40 is that, as a woman, you get to add a whole bunch of tests to your "to do" list every year from now until you kick it...PAP smear, bone density, colonoscopy, mammogram...I asked my OBGYN what men get when they turn 40, he laughs and says...grumpy! I love my OBGYN, don't care that its a man...
However, I went for my mammogram today. I was told to wear no deodorant, body lotion, or perfume. They take me back to the room and tell me to take my shirt and bra off and put on one of those paper robes that doesn't cover ANYTHING, and my technician will be right in. I'm standing there sweating and hoping that my body doesn't betray me without deodorant, because ick...who wants to stink knowing that someone is going to be up in your business for 30 minutes? that's just gross...anyhoo...I'm standing there in all my glory waiting for my GIRL to come in when the door opens and man walks in. I'm thinking "oh Jesus, please tell me you are just here to check on me and that you are NOT the one who is performing this test!"..No such luck...Cutie boy starts telling me what to expect from the procedure...etc...I'm not listening...My face is flushed and I'm getting even more nervous, triggering an unusual sweating reaction. I do not sweat a lot unless I'm working out, but I'm really praying to the gods of mercy that I don't smell when this man comes up next to me and asks me to open my robe!
So he does the drill of smashing my boob between the cold metal plates and taking 50 different xrays of EACH side... very professional, asking questions about when I had my implants are they over or under the muscle...to which I respond, "dude, you have the xray machine, you need me to tell YOU if they are under the muscle?"...He is making jokes to relax me...again, wasn't listening...was just hoping this would be over quickly so I could put my cute outfit back on and get the hell out of there before he figures out how adorable I think he is! I should note that he is only one of the several men who actually get licensed to do this. Go figure!
After 35 minutes, we were done...After I finally stopped blushing and sweating, I decided, having a cute male technician perform your mammogram is just another benefit of being 40! :)
One of the beautiful things about turning 40 is that, as a woman, you get to add a whole bunch of tests to your "to do" list every year from now until you kick it...PAP smear, bone density, colonoscopy, mammogram...I asked my OBGYN what men get when they turn 40, he laughs and says...grumpy! I love my OBGYN, don't care that its a man...
However, I went for my mammogram today. I was told to wear no deodorant, body lotion, or perfume. They take me back to the room and tell me to take my shirt and bra off and put on one of those paper robes that doesn't cover ANYTHING, and my technician will be right in. I'm standing there sweating and hoping that my body doesn't betray me without deodorant, because ick...who wants to stink knowing that someone is going to be up in your business for 30 minutes? that's just gross...anyhoo...I'm standing there in all my glory waiting for my GIRL to come in when the door opens and man walks in. I'm thinking "oh Jesus, please tell me you are just here to check on me and that you are NOT the one who is performing this test!"..No such luck...Cutie boy starts telling me what to expect from the procedure...etc...I'm not listening...My face is flushed and I'm getting even more nervous, triggering an unusual sweating reaction. I do not sweat a lot unless I'm working out, but I'm really praying to the gods of mercy that I don't smell when this man comes up next to me and asks me to open my robe!
So he does the drill of smashing my boob between the cold metal plates and taking 50 different xrays of EACH side... very professional, asking questions about when I had my implants are they over or under the muscle...to which I respond, "dude, you have the xray machine, you need me to tell YOU if they are under the muscle?"...He is making jokes to relax me...again, wasn't listening...was just hoping this would be over quickly so I could put my cute outfit back on and get the hell out of there before he figures out how adorable I think he is! I should note that he is only one of the several men who actually get licensed to do this. Go figure!
After 35 minutes, we were done...After I finally stopped blushing and sweating, I decided, having a cute male technician perform your mammogram is just another benefit of being 40! :)
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Hello gorgeous!!
Have you ever lost something important but did not realize how much you valued it until you found it again? You never even knew it was missing until it turned up unexpectedly one day and the feeling of absolute joy took over? You immediately missed it and swore to never again let it out of your sight?
That is what happened when I looked in the mirror today. I was getting ready for work, running VERY late, knowing I had no coffee in my apartment, bitching myself out for getting home way too late and not getting enough sleep…, but it was one of those days that my hair came out exactly the way I love it. My face is flawless and breakout free… my eyes were sparkling, I was rocking my new smaller dress size, my legs looked hot in my new Bandolino shoes…all the good things. No flaws, for this lead pipe queen to beat herself up over…Then something incredible happened…As I was surveying my appearance in the mirror, I saw a person I used to know and love. Myself.
I have gone through some serious shit lately, stuff that makes you evaluate who you are and what you want out of your life. I’ve driven my family, friends and myself nuts with my constant sadness. I have done some serious soul searching looking for answers to questions that have no solution (and for anyone who knows me, you know that my Type A personality needs answers!)…wondering when this period of sadness would end…when would I find myself again? Would I EVER find me again?
Well today is the first day I have seen the confident, funny, intelligent, sexy girl I used to know and love. I don’t even know how long she’s been gone. But guess what, it feels so good, to have her back; I’m putting her in a lock box so I never lose her again.
Thank you God, not necessarily for providing me with answers to my questions, but the path and the people to finding my way out of darkness. Thank you for helping me find myself. Amen!
That is what happened when I looked in the mirror today. I was getting ready for work, running VERY late, knowing I had no coffee in my apartment, bitching myself out for getting home way too late and not getting enough sleep…, but it was one of those days that my hair came out exactly the way I love it. My face is flawless and breakout free… my eyes were sparkling, I was rocking my new smaller dress size, my legs looked hot in my new Bandolino shoes…all the good things. No flaws, for this lead pipe queen to beat herself up over…Then something incredible happened…As I was surveying my appearance in the mirror, I saw a person I used to know and love. Myself.
I have gone through some serious shit lately, stuff that makes you evaluate who you are and what you want out of your life. I’ve driven my family, friends and myself nuts with my constant sadness. I have done some serious soul searching looking for answers to questions that have no solution (and for anyone who knows me, you know that my Type A personality needs answers!)…wondering when this period of sadness would end…when would I find myself again? Would I EVER find me again?
Well today is the first day I have seen the confident, funny, intelligent, sexy girl I used to know and love. I don’t even know how long she’s been gone. But guess what, it feels so good, to have her back; I’m putting her in a lock box so I never lose her again.
Thank you God, not necessarily for providing me with answers to my questions, but the path and the people to finding my way out of darkness. Thank you for helping me find myself. Amen!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Some day...
Yes, I realize i have sucked at blogging the last few months. It isn't that I haven't wanted to put my thoughts down on "paper" or share with everyone. It's more like I can't pick just ONE thing to share. There is so much going on in my life right now, I can't focus. My head is like one of those spinners that comes in a children's game...however this spinner NEVER lands on a number telling me what to do next. ya know? It's getting worse with age too!
Anyhoo...I have a friend. A man I have known for so many years, I don't remember not knowing him. We met when we were 11 and in 5th grade. He lived down the street from me. We hung out together a lot. He was there for my first kiss...well, he was standing outside of the tree house at Fernando Zerrate's house when I had my first kiss. We hung out with the same group of people all through middle school, and most of high school. He is the reason my 8th grade boyfriend broke up with me (long story)...He was the guy that wanted to date me and I wanted to date him, but it was never the right time, it was always some day...He is the guy that I lost touch with for over 10 years and reconnected with while planning our 20 year reunion. When we started talking, it was as if no time had passed at all.
Have you ever met someone that knows EVERYONE? Who is ALWAYS positive and smiling? NEVER has a bad word to say about ANYBODY? And not in a smarmy used car salesman way? Well, I have, it's this guy. He is amazing. You can be having the biggest crisis of your life and he will make you forget the reason you were upset. He is a cup filler like nobodies business. And he isn't full of shit. He is genuinely decent. Not an easy thing to find in people these days.
He has helped me through some tough things lately. Without judging or giving advice, he just listens and fills my cup. Gives me faith in people and life.
Here is the kicker. He is busy filling everyone's cup and he himself has cancer. He has survived pancreatic cancer twice in the last 8 years. I have no doubt it is due to his positive attitude and "bring it" attitude. 8 years longer than they gave him during his first diagnosis. He is a walking miracle. Well, 2 years ago, he got the news the cancer was back. Two days ago, I got an email from him telling me that the cancer has spread, aggressively. He has stopped treatments. He is tired and doesn't want to fight anymore. I'm reeling. It's always the good ones. LIFE IS SHORT!
I had coffee with him yesterday and talked for over two hours. Within 20 minutes, I forgot all of the shit going on in my life, and spent time enjoying my lifelong friend, who, of all things, isn't hurting from the cancer, but a broken heart (another long and personal story).
God puts people in your life at certain times. He put this man in my life this week because I am in the process of grieving a marriage and a friendship of 10 years with someone I thought I knew. He put this man in my life this week to make me see that LIFE IS SHORT! Don't waste your time on selfish people who, when you need them the most, bail without a thought or care about you.
He put this man in my life this week to fill my cup which has been empty way too long as the result of filling everybody but my own cup.
And I'll tell you what, if its done anything besides fill me up with grief at the thought that this man is going to die, it has redirected my focus, on my life, my friendships, and my family.
Thank you God for putting this man in my life almost 30 years ago, and again when we needed each other most.
Anyhoo...I have a friend. A man I have known for so many years, I don't remember not knowing him. We met when we were 11 and in 5th grade. He lived down the street from me. We hung out together a lot. He was there for my first kiss...well, he was standing outside of the tree house at Fernando Zerrate's house when I had my first kiss. We hung out with the same group of people all through middle school, and most of high school. He is the reason my 8th grade boyfriend broke up with me (long story)...He was the guy that wanted to date me and I wanted to date him, but it was never the right time, it was always some day...He is the guy that I lost touch with for over 10 years and reconnected with while planning our 20 year reunion. When we started talking, it was as if no time had passed at all.
Have you ever met someone that knows EVERYONE? Who is ALWAYS positive and smiling? NEVER has a bad word to say about ANYBODY? And not in a smarmy used car salesman way? Well, I have, it's this guy. He is amazing. You can be having the biggest crisis of your life and he will make you forget the reason you were upset. He is a cup filler like nobodies business. And he isn't full of shit. He is genuinely decent. Not an easy thing to find in people these days.
He has helped me through some tough things lately. Without judging or giving advice, he just listens and fills my cup. Gives me faith in people and life.
Here is the kicker. He is busy filling everyone's cup and he himself has cancer. He has survived pancreatic cancer twice in the last 8 years. I have no doubt it is due to his positive attitude and "bring it" attitude. 8 years longer than they gave him during his first diagnosis. He is a walking miracle. Well, 2 years ago, he got the news the cancer was back. Two days ago, I got an email from him telling me that the cancer has spread, aggressively. He has stopped treatments. He is tired and doesn't want to fight anymore. I'm reeling. It's always the good ones. LIFE IS SHORT!
I had coffee with him yesterday and talked for over two hours. Within 20 minutes, I forgot all of the shit going on in my life, and spent time enjoying my lifelong friend, who, of all things, isn't hurting from the cancer, but a broken heart (another long and personal story).
God puts people in your life at certain times. He put this man in my life this week because I am in the process of grieving a marriage and a friendship of 10 years with someone I thought I knew. He put this man in my life this week to make me see that LIFE IS SHORT! Don't waste your time on selfish people who, when you need them the most, bail without a thought or care about you.
He put this man in my life this week to fill my cup which has been empty way too long as the result of filling everybody but my own cup.
And I'll tell you what, if its done anything besides fill me up with grief at the thought that this man is going to die, it has redirected my focus, on my life, my friendships, and my family.
Thank you God for putting this man in my life almost 30 years ago, and again when we needed each other most.
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