LESS Alcohol ~ MARCH 2023 ~ One Day at A Time
Replies
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@dawnbgethealthy It's good to see you back online. I was starting to worry!4
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@joans1976 it concerns me to hear you are having so many skin effects. That is not supposed to happen as far as I know (and in my experience getting a high dose every day for 6 weeks after 9 mos of chemo and surgery with still healing scars it didn’t happen). Everyone is different, and treatments are different, but they should be getting better not worse so forgive me if this comes out wrong - but are you advocating for yourself strongly enough and asking questions to make sure that everything is going properly? Have you had check ins with your radiologist or do you just see the team doing the treatment every day? Call your radiologist and tell them how bad it is if you haven’t yet.
I have very light and sensitive skin and I had only minimal redness like a very mild sunburn in the precise spot they were aiming towards the very end. I felt like a wreck (which in my case was probably due to the cumulative nature of things, because I was actually starting to feel better/get better during radiation) but I worry that the effects on your skin are so bad, because they aren’t supposed to be. One thing that helped me was using vitamin A&D cream . It is cheap dime store stuff people use on babies bottoms to prevent diaper rash, but you are trying to prevent similar skin breakdown. Maybe it will help? Sending you healing vibes.
My father was diagnosed with a malignant scarcoma on his head yesterday. He is also increasingly confused and my mom and I don’t think he understands the diagnoses. Monday I continue trying to unravel the cause of his various movement and neurological issues at yet another specialist. I am nostalgic for the days when I thought he “only” had dementia or “just” Alzheimers. He drank fairly heavily his whole life and even now has a beer at lunch and a beer at dinner even though he takes all sorts of medicine and can barely navigate the apartment with a walker. I switch him to NA drinks whenever possible but he usually figures it out. I don’t really feel like at his age it is my place to mess with his habits unless and until a dr absolutely forbids it.7 -
Hello My "LA" friends! Happy March! I am SO ready for spring! My goal is 16 AF days.
3/3: AF - The only NA beer I have on hand right now is Athletic Brewing NA IPA, which is good and what I had with dinner. I was able to get in a good 50-minute workout on the Peloton. I'm hoping it actually makes up for the over-budget extra calories.
I'm going to venture out to Total Wine today to see if they have more options. Today will be an A day.
Rolling Total: 2 AF Days out of 36 -
@joans1976 Wow! A blizzard in March!4
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Checking in for the weekend and Happy Saturday!
@Lilylady3k - way to go on your approach to your sister’s visit and wine drinking. It sounds like it worked out to meet your personal goals. Historically, my sister (ok and me) would love to start drinking wine together when she arrives in the door or when we meet up at our mothers - no judgment but I am realizing my own participation in that has been excessive through the years. I’m now responsible for my own actions. Now that I am liking LA, I think I’ll try the Fever Tree pre-dinner and one bottle of wine with the meal ‘approach’ when she visits next month.
@joans1976 - congrats on accomplishing so much with this Less Alcohol group and your radiation journey. Glad you are so active on this site
. I agree with you, there is a mix of wonderful and supportive people here and everyone’s posts are truly
Inspiring to keep coming back here.
Enjoyed my 2 glasses of planned red wine last night (measured 5 oz each). Planning no A until next weekend.
March accountability and stats:
AF - 2
A - 1
Goals: Limit 2 glasses per A day and
20-23 AF days planned
Whatever your plans for the weekend, remember “It’s not what you give up, but what you will gain.” - Godwin
(This is from The Alcohol Experiment)
Have a blessed day!
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Hi, all. I've been following the Murdaugh trial, too, and was surprised (and relieved) the verdict came so quickly. SO many unanswered questions around that one.
Anywhoo... AF M-Th and split a bottle of wine w DH last night. Plan to do the same with dinner at home again tonight. I appreciate comments from @itladyee and @Womona about one drink being just the right amount and satisfying. Well done, ladies. I aspire to that. As one with a javelina mounted in a powder room such that male users stand nose-to-snout, I do appreciate the funny story, @RockinRobyn672.5 -
Sinisterbarbie1 wrote: »
My father was diagnosed with a malignant scarcoma on his head yesterday. He is also increasingly confused and my mom and I don’t think he understands the diagnoses. Monday I continue trying to unravel the cause of his various movement and neurological issues at yet another specialist. I am nostalgic for the days when I thought he “only” had dementia or “just” Alzheimers. He drank fairly heavily his whole life and even now has a beer at lunch and a beer at dinner even though he takes all sorts of medicine and can barely navigate the apartment with a walker. I switch him to NA drinks whenever possible but he usually figures it out. I don’t really feel like at his age it is my place to mess with his habits unless and until a dr absolutely forbids it.
I’m so sorry to hear this. Ugh, that’s rough. Hugs!
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@RockinRobyn672 that’s a hilarious story!
I only one glass of wine for me tonight! Yay! I had two drinks last night, right within my goal.5 -
Thanks for keeping us going (and accountable) @MissMay
I am Dawn, I live in South Eastern British Columbia.
I joined this thread in November of 2018, a daily drinker at the time
My primary goal with drinking less is weight loss.
My usual goal is 16-20 AF days for the month,
I had 16AF days for the shortened month of February.
I do this diary style, I normally post the next morning.
Wed March 01 - 2 drinks - Still off of work this week from Covid
Thursday March 02 - AF - Starting to feel better, but my sleep schedule is all over the place, mostly up all night now.
Friday March 03 - 2 drinks. First day out, I did 3 Foster Grant stores, I felt good. I will restart at the Indian Restaurant on Monday for my first shifts since Covid.
Saturday March 04 - Drinks. I have a Rye Stinger chilling as we speak. I had an awesome day, then went out for a walk this afternoon. Sunny and lovely. Photos to come...
Rolling total: 1AF day out of 4 days.5 -
First time out to a trail in weeks.
This is Idlewild Park where they are still tobogganing down the little hill.
It was warm, I just had a hoodie on today.
I never got a chance to skate here this year because of my bum ankle, but I have skated here many times through the year. Too close to spring now...
Kids sledding down the hill
The river is running under the ice. The sound is amazing. I live downtown, so we don't have snow like this.
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@Sinisterbarbie1 Uh oh. I actually thought my skin was doing pretty okay for 11 treatments. I see my radiation oncologist weekly (but can see a radiation oncology associate any day I request it.) I saw the RO Thursday and she examined me. She said my skin will get worse, with (sorry if this is TMI) open weeping patches. I have dermatitis above my collarbone and the whole area being radiated is tan. I don’t really want to write on here what the problem area is. I can use A & D, I’m currently using an unscented, alcohol free, paraben, sulfate free radiation cream, Aquaphor, steroid cream, and an anti-itch cream on the itchy areas. I have a solution coming from Amazon the doctor specifically recommended that I can put on the weeping patches. I have non stick gauze pads.
I am a huge worrier so I do speak up if I think any little thing is wrong. I honestly thought radiation was supposed to be tough on the skin. I don’t usually ask the rad techs about my skin or side effects. Now you’ve got me worried though. I have 5 more sessions then 4 sessions directed directly at the tumor bed on “boost.” I see my medical oncologist Tuesday to start the hormones. I can see a radiation oncologist Monday and ask about my skin again. Thank you for your concern!8 -
Gonna make my visits less frequent for a while. Work and dogs and tasks and errands and projects and life in general are stacking up on me again and my down time is at a minimum. I'll be thinking of all of ya, and trying to keep my drinking to a reasonable amount.
-m
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Michieb125 wrote: »
@Lilylady3k - way to go on your approach to your sister’s visit and wine drinking. It sounds like it worked out to meet your personal goals. Historically, my sister (ok and me) would love to start drinking wine together when she arrives in the door or when we meet up at our mothers - no judgment but I am realizing my own participation in that has been excessive through the years. I’m now responsible for my own actions. Now that I am liking LA, I think I’ll try the Fever Tree pre-dinner and one bottle of wine with the meal ‘approach’ when she visits next month.
@Michieb125 - Good luck with you and your sister. I did offer to put vodka or tequila in my sister's Fever Tree Lime & Yuzu but she decided to try it like I planned to drink it ... just over ice. The Blood Orange Ginger Beer I drink chilled no ice.
It is not all my sister's fault since I too like drinks. My sister and I are the same. Definitely usually drink with each other whenever we get the chance. She usually has wine at her house AND a pitcher of her speciality orange cosmos in the fridge. And then toss in DH. The last time we said no wine we weren't drinking she brought 2 bottles. This time I did not give her the heads up. LOL We only had the 1 wine bottle available and even though she arrived at 4pm ... we weren't opening that bottle until dinner was served. A different pattern for us for sure.
@dawnbgethealthy - It is good to see you out and about after that bout with Covid! Lovely pictures. Thanks for sharing them with us.
March accountability: 1 days AF
Alcohol: 3 days (1 drinks)
Days over 2 glasses: 0
Goal: Limit 2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days this month.
3/1 - AF; Clausthaler Grapefruit Non-Alcoholic. First sleep over babysitting our 8 month old granddaughter
3/2 - 2 wine; Bunco
3/3 - 2 wine; pre dinner drink AF Fever Tree Lime & Yuzu. Split 1 bottle at dinner between 3 of us (6 glasses total so small pours)
3/4 - 1 wine; pre dinner drink AF Fever Tree Blood Orange Ginger Beer. Split 1 bottle at dinner between 5 of us.
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Oh hey, last minute pic upload:
-m
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Hey everyone!
LOL life is still sailing along as normal as can be, really. My A days and AF days are 50/50 right now.
We are taking our vehicles in for tune ups next week. The last thing we want is to break down on our travels!
We are really looking forward to exploring our way East.
OMG the deer head story had me rolling out of my office chair.....that is so classic and wish I had been there.
This is short, my down time is been too little lately so trying to cut back on my screen time.6 -
Hello! I’m Amanda, I’m a crazy cat lady from Michigan! I joined this forum in June of 2022 and since September I have decreased my drinking to one day a month! This is a huge accomplishment from where I was and I absolutely could not have done it without the wonderful mix of people in this group!
March goals: just make it through the month unscathed! (27 doctor appointments)
Alcohol goals: 95-100% AF
3/1: AF
Yesterday was a rough one but I didn’t even think about having a drink. Radiation continues to suck the life out of me but I can’t fight it, I have to do this. After today I will be halfway through treatment!
It’s almost Friday!
3/2: AF
Yesterday was a tough day on the radiation front. Skin breakdown and fatigue affecting my daily routines. I have 10 more sessions of radiation, or 2 weeks and then those effects can continue for up to 4 more weeks. I’m trying to manifest the complications away!
29 days AF
3/3: AF
Big blizzard here. March in Michigan. I hope anyone else who was hit by it has power and is warm and cozy and safe.
3/4: AF
31 days AF7 -
@dawnbgethealthy Im glad to see you’re back and out getting a walk in. I always love your pictures! You make snow look good! I bet the sound of the River under the ice is heavenly. We got 8 inches of snow here Thursday with heavy winds and I know 3 people who wrecked their cars driving in it. Yesterday it was 42 and sunny so it’s melting.4
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Back again. Marylander. My goals are to increase my AF days and reduce during A days. Not been successful so far. Actually worse. Two high alcohol content IPAs daily turned into 3 or 4 daily. Been a bad two weeks. Lots of stress from my daughter who at 23 is not maturing. Stressing also because I have not been able so far to drink less. Worried alcohol now controls me. Weight blew back up because of all the calories and drinking leads to bad food choices. On Friday we went to our friends to celebrate her first grandchild. It was small gathering at her sister's house. They have a beautiful house on the water and turned their upstairs into a party room. Full stocked bar/fridges lined with beers/ and everybody brings food. I probably drank 8 IPAs in 2.5 hours. My wife drove us home. On Saturday I felt like garbage so my wife went to our grandchild's soccer game. Knowing I need changes, soon as she left, I drank my last two IPAs (9 percent alcohol content). Drank the last sip of the second at 9am. A little buzzed I got up and started to clean up. Once I felt sober I packed all of garbage and recycles into my jeep to take to the transfer station. The recycle bin told the story of this mass of empty IPA beer cans from just one week. It's like "Did I really drink this much"? Only good news is no vodka bottle. I have been sneaking some vodka and cranberry into my Yeti rambler I use for ice water to hide my drinking from my wife. I stopped doing that a couple of weeks ago when the massive Absolute bottle finally was empty. Have not replaced it and no plans to do it. Well in 20 minutes from now I will have my first 24 hour AF in a long long time. I managed to do all my chores and shopping on Saturday so Sunday's plan is to do the exercise bike for an hour and then take my real bike for a ride on the base I work at which has a beautiful stretch for several miles along the Chesapeake Bay.
Goals this week:
- No IPAs/No vodka
- More AF days than A days
- If I have an A day, limit two low cal/low alcohol content
- Go into office three days (I have the option of going into work or working from home. I think going in the office works better for me.)
- Exercise everyday (exercise bikes-running-lifting
If do these, the weight will take care of itself.8 -
Hello My "LA" friends! Happy March! I am SO ready for spring! My goal is 16 AF days.
3/4: Drinks (3) - I had one more drink than planned and I'm sure I went way over calorie budget. Planning AF today. Today, we're going on a driving adventure, heading south towards Nag's Head so food tracking/choices will be a challenge.
Rolling Total: 2 AF Days out of 45 -
Hello all LA members, wishing you a great Sunday. I can’t wait until we change clocks in CA next Sunday morning!
@mfowler883 for sure life can get overwhelmingly busy at times or we may need break from too much screen time. You’ve been doing great, best wishes!
@Lilylady3k Thanks for sharing about your sister and how our stories are so similar. Reading your post I just kept nodding my head yes! Both my sister and I have historically had ample
bottles of wine when we get together ‘ready to open’ - kind of ridiculous (my personal opinion). I think we both use A for celebrations and as coping mechanisms. I do like the positive example you demonstrated to your sister and I definitely plan to change up my approach to our get togethers. I’m also getting older and enjoy waking early and feeling rested.
@Pokey4321 good to see you come back. I can tell you are having an honest conversation about your A drinking and that will put you in the drivers seat to move forward with little changes. Stress has been a major reason I relied on A for many years and I think others would attest to it. I have found my stress and anxiety has actually gone down since I’ve cut way back. Best wishes finding answers for your situation.
Last night I had my first real desire to have some wine in a month since I started here but I reminded myself of the ‘why’ I’m doing LA…..after about 10 minutes that desire changed and I lit a log in the fireplace, and made some favorite tea instead. I suppose there will be lots of days like this.
Planning no A this week until Sat. night.
March accountability: my goal is 20-23 AF days
AF - 3
A - 1
No more than 2 glasses on A day
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@dawnbgethealthy Yay! So nice to see you out and so glad it was an awesome day. It looked like crystal clear perfect weather. Thanks for the pics!
@RockinRobyn672 very sorry to hear about care complexities with your dad. It's tricky navigating fo sho. ((hug))
@mfowler883 Take care out there and drop in anytime. Thanks for the photos.
@Michieb125 & @Lilylady3k My brother and I are a bad combination, too. We don't get together often so we use the special occasion excuse when we are. It doesn't have to be that way, but that neural pathway is well established, unfortunately. C'mon neural plasticity!
Quiet weekend so far. Interns in Austin, DH & I home alone and haven't gone anywhere. Planned a quick easy dinner of Hatch chile stew but could not find (I am not kidding) the starter sauce in my freezer. It's like jenga in there. Obviously the freezer has reached the breaking point because my notes told me I had 2 chunks of hatch and one chunk of tomatillo (which I was also planning to use this week) that vanished. Poof. Fortunately I still have peppers so I could make the hatch sauce from scratch. Gotta say. It's so good it's worth the effort.
Opened another varietal of wine club wine last night and really enjoyed the 2 glasses I had. Planning 1 mixed drink tonight then switching to soda.8 -
@ahoy_m8 I think family systems are full of the deep neural pathways and connections to alcohol. I can completely relate to your insight there! Your homemade hatch chili stew sounds incredibly delicious.5
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@Pokey4321 ..Congratulations !! One giant step forward. And no points deducted for slips. Just get up, dust off and start from "one" again. It's all about LESS.
NAS is a grand place to turtle watch. May, when the mommas come in to nest, and August, when the hatchlings dig out and scatter 🐢
Thanks @Womona ...now every time I think about pulling a cork I'm gonna be watching out for a "smak".
Watched a documentary about Iceland's sustainable energy...and now I'm waiting for a cross ocean order of omNom Chocolate. Really really really tried to resist. Probably needed another couple reallys....
Salt & Vinegar popcorn and NA beer this evening.
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March accountability: 1 days AF
Alcohol: 4 days (7 drinks)
Days over 2 glasses: 0
Goal: Limit 2 glasses per day; 12-16 AF days this month.
3/5 - 2 wine; Split 1 bottle at dinner between 3 of us (6 glasses total so small pours)
My sister came over for dinner and brought 1 bottle of wine ... not 2. So another improvement. We held off until 6pm for dinner and opening the wine even thought she was here by 4:30. Baby steps!
Now to work on my AF days this coming week.7 -
Hello! I’m Amanda, I’m a crazy cat lady from Michigan! I joined this forum in June of 2022 and since September I have decreased my drinking to one day a month! This is a huge accomplishment from where I was and I absolutely could not have done it without the wonderful mix of people in this group!
March goals: just make it through the month unscathed! (27 doctor appointments)
Alcohol goals: 95-100% AF
3/1: AF
Yesterday was a rough one but I didn’t even think about having a drink. Radiation continues to suck the life out of me but I can’t fight it, I have to do this. After today I will be halfway through treatment!
It’s almost Friday!
3/2: AF
Yesterday was a tough day on the radiation front. Skin breakdown and fatigue affecting my daily routines. I have 10 more sessions of radiation, or 2 weeks and then those effects can continue for up to 4 more weeks. I’m trying to manifest the complications away!
29 days AF
3/3: AF
Big blizzard here. March in Michigan. I hope anyone else who was hit by it has power and is warm and cozy and safe.
3/4: AF
31 days AF
3/5: AF
I’m having this crazy need to purge things in my house. Every drawer and every closet. I lost 50 pounds last year and I have clothes with the tags still on them that I would like to sell but I feel like maybe that’s tempting fate? I haven’t gained the weight back but I haven’t lost any since my diagnosis either. And I’m tired of looking at these clothes!
I hope everyone had a good weekend and your week is off to a good start8 -
@Lilylady3k Awesome! You call them baby steps but I think when it comes to A those are big steps!
@mfowler883 Take care of what you need to take care of, we are here but don’t be a stranger! Nice pics!
@ahoy_m8 That reminds me I need to purge my freezer too…4 -
I know many of us have problems with sleep. Obviously alcohol makes that worse but this is a very interesting read on foods that help you sleep. Now if I could only get DH to not snore lol.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-foods-to-help-you-sleep5 -
We went to an Indian restaurant last night. I looked at the wine list and was tempted but asked myself, "are you really only going to be satisfied with one?" I decided not to risk it and stuck with water. I had a really delicious vegetarian dish and felt good about myself after.7
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@pokey4321 thanks for sharing your story, especially the “come to Jesus” moment about the amount of empty cans. Whatever it takes to get on the path of less alcohol!
@joans1976 this too shall pass. Sorry to hear about the skin breakdown! Thinking of you.
Oh also, unless you can find a consignment shop that will take your items, I say just donate your too-big clothes and take the nice tax write off. Selling on Poshmark, etc is WAY more work than they would have you believe, and your items can sit there for a long time. All for pennies on the dollar. Just get that stuff out of your house and out of your life.
@mfowler883 don’t be a stranger! You to @lmlmrn!
Went to dinner with the family last night, it was delightful. Celebrated DH’s birthday, DS1’s acceptance into Accelerated Officer Candidate School, and DS2 being home for spring break. Bliss. I had one old fashioned and only about half a glass of wine with dinner.
Today I am going to the gym, and then have a long day at work. I’m glad my job is active! I’ve never counted my steps, but I’m sure there are a lot of them! Plan is to be AF until Thursday night.
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Hello My "LA" friends! Happy March! I am SO ready for spring! My goal is 16 AF days.
3/5: AF - We drove to the Wright Brothers Monument, and wow! It was great! It inspired us to purchase and start listening to David McCullough's audiobook on the way home! I kept it AF during our travels and was able to order an Athletic Brewing Co. NA Golden Ale with lunch (surprisingly good). Food-wise, I did okay, but can get back on track today. It's so hard to do that when it's outside of the normal routine.
Rolling Total: 3 AF Days out of 5
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