LESS Alcohol ~ July 2025 ~ One Day at A Time
Replies
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July:
AF=3
A=44 -
Good Tuesday morning all.
I started a post yesterday and apparently never finished it since it's not here.
@Michieb125 I hope you have a great camping trip with your family.
@itladyee Your patio looks comfy - I love the built-in firepit.
@NonnieDoiron I think with all you have going on a 2 and 4 month so far is very good, and I'm sure you'll work towards your best LA July.
@chicbuc Nice job on the 9-day streak, it's encouraging to know that the temptations are little and manageable.
@LittleSurferGirl7 Congrats on your first July AF day. I hope everything goes well with your retinol specialist. I'm glad to hear Tinker is doing well.
I'm off to add a couple checkmarks to the spreadsheet!!
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Weekly check-in:
I originally planned to only have A on the 5th, but ended up trying a new restaurant in town on the 3rd and had a couple drinks. Then had to post-drink LA on the 6th because hangxiety hit hard 😕
These are exactly the habits I'm trying to break this year. I’ve definitely made progress, but I’m still a work in progress. Grateful for the awareness and ready to keep pushing forward. I will be staying AF until the 17th when I leave for my first (of two) vacation trips this month.
AF = 4
A = 3
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Me, too!! I like that I can check in even if I don't have time to post and respond to everyone.
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Woo hoo!!! @LittleSurferGirl7 great job!
I've marked today AF, so I'm at 6 AF days so far. It's definitely been difficult though. I'm wanting to go to the store right now to get a bottle, but I'm not. Besides, if I hold out to Friday, maybe the "magic bottle" will appear again… then again maybe the magician won't do the trick since he said he's concerned about how much I'm drinking. I guess we'll see what Friday holds.
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I am happy that you all are enjoying the spreadsheet. It was just a thought that occurred and if you wish…we can continue for future months. I like how @chicbuc said, she could just “check” in (pun intended) if she didn’t have time to chat.
Thanks all for the patio LOVE!!! it will be my haven!
@LittleSurferGirl7 ~ I am loving that you are doing this “thing”. And if it’s all for a checkmark, that’s great too!. Oh and yes, my patio was done by professionals. It was the same team that did my previous home. I’m so in LOVE with it! Glad Tinker is doing well.
@NonnieDoiron ~ Yes, this situation with my sister is tough…and all the decisions fall on me… I’ll provide an update later in this post. But, I know you get it!!
@chicbuc ~ I love how the pounds are just falling off. Get job!
@BurnMode05 ~ being mindful counts.. You got this!!
First… I am sinking back into old habits….the stress is real…but while drinking, it’s still less. In the past (for no reason) I could easily do a bottle +… Now, I’m nursing my stress with 2 maybe 3 glasses. The bottomline is I’m scared to death. I just am….
Sister update: Took her today to meet with the surgeon. She has DCIS which is considered breast cancer but non-invasive stage 0, and nothing has spread. Treatment for her based on size and location is a mastectomy of the right breast. BUT they are going to do genetic testing, and if the traits are there…they will suggest removing both. The “good” if you will, my sister and her mental state has no relationship with her breast…so she’s “fine” either way… the stress is on me… I did have her “repeat” what she understood from the diagnosis, and she gets it at a very high level… ie: got some cancer cells, I’ll need surgery to remove.
Me: Like I said, scared to death. I’m also a silent stressor. To look at me, I look and seem in total control, but inside, I’m a raging mess!!!! There probably is a positive trait, all things considered…I don’t “think” I have anything since my Mamms (latest one May) have all been good and I’ve had multiple biopsies that have also been negative…. But…my brain wont stop going…what if…..
So I’m wishing for 7/15 to get here… by then..I should know all that my sister needs to do and any impact to me and I can get back on a healthy track. I don’t plan to drink daily until then…but I’m taking each day one at a time.
So…no checkmarks for me…and I’m over the top proud of the progress of everyone else!!!
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@itladyee I know that’s incredibly stressful, and I will keep you and your sister in my prayers.
My son had cancer at 7 years old with 0 understanding of what was happening to him. All he knows is he was sick and spent a lot of time at the children’s hospital. He didn’t understand surgeries, ports, chemo and why we shaved his head. I did everything I could to just help him through each moment. I had to stay vigilant when we weren’t in the hospital because at any moment he could become neutropenic. After the disease free diagnosis, was when I started REALLY drinking. It was just too much, and they don’t offer post-cancer trauma counseling services for family members. So, that’s how I handled it, and it just never really stopped.
If you ever need an ear, I will listen. Unlike most people, I don’t offer advice and tell you what you should do. I just listen and pray because though we went through it, I also learned from watching the other families at the hospital our cancer journey is vastly different than anyone else’s.
Love and prayers to you!
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@itladyee You and your sister are definitely in my prayers as well. They must have caught it very early. Give yourself grace during this time. It will be difficult and you'll be a mess, but it will be ok. We're all here for you!
@NonnieDoiron I can't imagine going through cancer treatments with my child. I just can't. You handled it the only way you knew how and that's ok, too. You're doing great this month! The struggle when you're not enjoying while you're doing is tough. I have certainly done that and can commiserate. As I like to say, keep on keeping on and maybe some enjoyment will kick in.
Hugs to both of you and to anyone else who is hurting.
Doing well with AF here. I didn't work yesterday because they randomly decided to my annual background check, so I was home and got few things done around the house.
Confession time. Usually when I stay home during the week, I drink starting around noon. If I don't have wine in the house, I order it or run out and grab it. Then I drink and binge watch TV and take a nap and be somewhat normal with my SO got home from work and start drinking again. It would make me feel so guilty! I did not even contemplate that yesterday! Thank God!
Happy Hump Day all!!
AF = 8
A = 0
10 -
3 AF
3 LA
2 A
5 -
Checking in - zero drinks. Trust me, this week I really could really enjoy a very cold prosecco, XXXL size.
Oh well. Back to reality and out of fantasyland. My husband needs spinal fusion and we are just waiting and waiting and waiting for stuff to get scheduled and over and done with. I am at the bonkers stage.
@itladyee I hope the drs could do a partial mastectomy instead of a full, big difference and just supplement with short term tamoxifen pills or something like that. Depending on the procedure, the body can fill in the space magically over a year or so. And hopefully it's outpatient. When they did mine I didn't even need pain meds when I got home. I used a lot of topical arnica gel, that expedited healing. In any case, hope they book it and all the waiting is over for you.
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So many of you are kicking off July in stellar LA fashion! WOW @chicbuc for showing us the immediate physical benefits of saying no to wine, you are inspiring!
Love your new beautiful patio @itladyee - I see you spending many happy times out there. Thoughts for positive outcomes for your sister. I believe this diagnosis is the earliest diagnosis you can have. Still frightening to the core, I would feel the exact same as you. 💕You went through a truly traumatic time with your son @NonnieDoiron. I cannot imagine how difficult those days were sitting in the hospital by your child’s side. Thankful for a disease free diagnosis.
Hope your retinol eye appointment went well @LittleSurferGirl7
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@LittleSurferGirl7 @NonnieDoiron ( I appreciate the ear and I believe everyone's journey is different, I can only imagine what you went through), @chicbuc @globalhiker (they didn't recommend a partial…the size of the mass is 10cm, they felt to get 10cm and surrounding tissue, the entire breast was the best option. Granted, this is where 2nd opinions could come into play but not sure I want to put my sister through it all. She did say it would be outpatient. @Michieb125
Thank you all for your kind, supportive thoughts and prayers. It really is appreciated and it really does help. After a very stressful day, it all came crashing down. I went to bed at 8:30 last night and slept a pretty good portion of the night. Today was the MRI for me….the contrast dye made me nauseous, but I had to deal with it to not have to repeat the entire test over again. It will be a few days before I get results…
@chicbuc, @NonnieDoiron ~ loving your successes and the checkmarks!! and HYS isn't doing too bad either!! :) I'm going to work really hard to get out of my emotions today. I went into work after my appointment and I get my nails done afterwork so it will be late (7ish) when I get home. Dinner is already planned so I'm going to try to not have that pour!
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Been doing many circle walks in the campground loop while watching my DGD on her razor. Also took a wonderful walk this morning down to the lake front. Paused to notice the sun glistening across the water below the clear blue skies - oh I love summer. We decided to stay an extra night so will head home on Friday.
Funny story……Yesterday I ran over to a Raleys market alone (up where we’re glamping) as it has really nice foods like specialty cheeses and I like to check out the different wine varietals. I picked up some fresh salad stuff and then walked over to the nice bottles of wine on display —- I couldn’t believe the cost! Average cheap wine started at $17.00 and went up to $25 for something decent and then $57.00 00 for a bottle of a “really nice” white wine. I said to myself in my head, “that’s why I buy this one at Costco” lol. Then “I might as well buy a Black box for $17.99 which is on sale from $27.99.”
Needless to say I left without that box! Back in the day before LA I was known to bring one on a short camp trip and just refill my glass often. Grateful I’m part of the mindful drinking community now (for the last 2 years and 5 months).
This weeks target is a bit of a reach - 4 no wine days and 7-10 glasses measured.
July goal: 12 AF daysCurrent:
AF - 3
A - 4
LA - 2
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@Michieb125 I'm grateful to have found this community as well…Happy Glamping, enjoy the journey!
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@BurnMode05 I think we're all a work in progress and, as you pointed out, awareness of our habits and what we want to achieve is why we keep going on this journey.
Two vacations in one month 😮 I'm a bit jealous!@itladyee I think non-invasive stage 0 is the best thing you can hear after the word cancer. Still, I'm sorry you and your sister have to go through all of this.
I get that your brain keeps thinking about your own future (on top of your sister's) given your family history, but it might help relieve some stress to focus on all of the positive (good mamms, negative biopsies, etc. in the past). We can't control everything that happens to and in our bodies, but we can control what we put into them. Maybe try to work on your own health as much as you can until the 15th rolls around.
I'm keeping you and your sister in my thoughts and I hope 7/15 comes quickly for you. Hugs 🧡@NonnieDoiron I'm sorry to hear you had to go through such trauma. I've never been a parent, so I can't imagine the pain and fear that one goes through on a continuous basis when they hear their child has cancer, and then has to go through all of the "stuff" that happens after that moment. But you and your son got through it, and you're handling it now by being here with us and working on your LA journey. And, as @chicbuc wrote, "You're doing great this month!"
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@chicbuc Doesn't it feel great when me make such a healthy decision and barely have to think about it!
I have days when I struggle to fight cravings for an hour or more and end up caving in and going to the store. Other days (like that last 3 in a row) I barely think about wine and, when I do, the thoughts are basically "Hmm, I'm not even thinking about buying some wine, I wonder why that is?" I still haven't given myself an answer to that question, but I'm glad I'm having more and more days with it.@globalhiker Yikes, a spinal fusion does not sound fun. I hope the procedure gets done quickly and as painlessly as possible, and will keep you and your husband in my thoughts. I know that you already know this, but a prosecco of any temperature or size is not going to change the situation, or relieve your bonkers state. Happy to hear you pulled yourself back to reality. 💕 hugs
@Michieb125 Sounds like you're having a great time glamping - unplanned extra nights anywhere are always such a special treat to ourselves and our loved ones.
I'm always amazed at your LA goals and how you're able to follow or adjust as needed (I have more of an all-or-nothing mindset, LOL).
I'm also very grateful that I found this space to share, vent or just report/track.4 -
July stats
AF 6
LA 1
A 2
I hope to catch up on the chat soon. All the best.4 -
4 AF
3 LA
2 A
2 -
@itlaydee your sister’s diagnosis is not nearly as bad as I was expecting. Stage 0 is a good stage, all things considered. So glad they caught it early, and that she understood what is involved. But you still have a road ahead of you.
Meanwhile, sorry to hear the MRI contrast stuff made you queasy. Hope you feel better now.
Thinking of you both.
@NonnieDoiron I can only imagine what you went through with your son going through all those treatments. So glad he came through and has remained cancer free.@globalhiker hope the surgery gets scheduled soon, I hate the thought of your hubby being in so much pain. The fusion should make him feel so much better.
Only half a glass of wine tonight. I did better this past weekend on the boat… until Sunday. Time to reset.3 -
A-2
AF-7Last night was rough. My corporate office is based out of Houston, and I’m on the east coast. I typically work from 6:30 or 7:00 to 3:30 or 4:00, and the VP I work for on the contract knows this. I will answer my phone for her until 5:00, but typically the conversation ends with, “I’ll take care of it in the morning.”
Yesterday, I was seconds away from shutting everything down when she called on Teams. Then, I had to set up an immediate call with our client, and then she roped me into a 4:30 meeting that was completely asinine and a waste of time. I saw what the problem was in the first 3 seconds, called it out, knew what the fix was, and the meeting kept going. Our client apparently feels the need to validate his title and breaks everything down to the most granular level and often sounds like a 5 year old in meetings trying to understand. He also doesn’t seem to fully understand his job, so we end up having to explain what he should be doing. Then, he has the worst habits a person can have when you’re on Teams calls, he stammers, only listens to respond, and talks over people without understanding what they are saying. So, his Teams call was not great way to end my day.
To top it off, my husband is working a handyman job and his partner didn’t show up yesterday. So he was in a foul mood all day and kept yelling at my son who was trying to help him, but due to autism wasn’t fully understanding what needed to be done. I could hear him while I was working yelling at him from our shop where they were stripping cabinet doors. I hate when he does that. I was planning to say something to him last night, but he was in such a bad mood and tired he went to bed early.
Anyway, I didn’t drink as much as I wanted to go buy a bottle, I didn’t. Tomorrow may be magic day, so I’m waiting.😉
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@NonnieDoiron ugh what a day! The pointless meetings that can be handled in 3 minutes and drag on for half an hour. Time to re-read the old Dilbert comics for some commiseration! Hope your discussion with your husband goes well, it’s never cool to be harsh with your kids.
@LittleSurferGirl7 what is the treatment for the retina? Did the hemorrhage get re-absorbed or is it still there messing with your retina? Sorry to hear it wasn’t better news.2 -
I just had a long post typed out on my tablet and managed to delete it…blah. Love to all
AF=9
A=0
5 -
@LittleSurferGirl7 Having worked for an ophthalmologist and an optometrist, I just wanted to say that your vision is actually pretty good in your good eye and not terrible in your "bad" eye. If you're diabetic make sure you have your blood sugar well controlled and that will help. Try not to fret, and take care of yourself.
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July:
AF=4
A=56 -
@LittleSurferGirl7 I’m normally honest about my drinking on the doctor’s forms. Honestly, my doctors have never said anything to me about it. The only time I’ve had a doctor say anything it was my kids’ pediatrician and she asked me what I drank.🤷🏻♀️
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@LittleSurferGirl7, catching up on the posts, first, congratulations on the AF day! It's still early in July, so you may be to add more red circles to your calendar. Like @NonnieDoiron, I try to be honest with my doctors about how much alcohol I drink. I'm on prescription antidepressants, and should avoid alcohol, but my Primary Care Physician has never threatened to discontinue a prescription. I think most doctors will offer a warning, but are pretty realistic about patients "self medicating" with alcohol. Withholding a needed medication to "bribe" someone to stop drinking would be unethical, probably. I don't really know, but that's my two cents.
It seems to me that most of us have something serious going on in life, and being here is a powerful step towards owning our response to our problems with a drink. I think we all recognize how difficult it is to change that.
I'm always inspired and amazed at how courageous the members of this thread are. 💪 Thanks.
July stats
AF 7
LA 2
A 17 -
@LittleSurferGirl7 I can understand the hesitation then.
@nbruns83 I don’t know if it’s unethical to deny a medication because of someone’s drinking because some medications are dangerous when mixed with alcohol.
Now that I think about it, I did have a doctor tell me I had to stop drinking if he put me on a medication once. I don’t remember what it was, maybe an antibiotic. I struggled with it, but I’m pretty sure I managed to not drink while on it.
A-2
AF-8I did talk to my husband this morning about him yelling at our son yesterday while they were working. He said that he realized he was doing it, and he had already apologized to him. And, he apologize again to him this morning. I’m glad he is catching himself.
The magician goes grocery shopping tomorrow. I don’t know if I should be worried or hopeful.🤔 I do have a 6-day streak going.
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@LittleSurferGirl7 - chiming in on what I tell my doctor. 10 years ago, I lied. I said occasionally
Then i thought, if I'm truthful, then i will know what I'm really dealing with and they know what to look for,,,
I started telling them I drink daily, 2 to 3 glasses of wine, although I'm generally better now. I expected cause of alarm but my doctor didn't bat an eye but did suggest cutting back, which I have done.
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Hi @SparkSpringtime69 thank you for your kinds words…..it’s true I’m always shifting, making changes, and still forging ahead lol. I am learning this LA journey isn’t All or Nothing for me! You are right, we are all a work in progress (not striving for
perfection).
July goal: 12 AF days
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I love your comment and agree that although life brings challenges and unexpected changes, we have the power to choose our responses @rnbruns83. This pertains to anything we choose to consume. Each and every day - for me, there is freedoms in that! Especially around my relationship with alcohol.
No longer is there only AA where people “admit they are powerless” over alcohol. My dad loved AA for over 40 years then passed at the age of 79, but not of alcohol. Good for him in finding his own path. I like today’s newer trends around mindful drinking that offer plentiful options to quit or cut back for those who are curious. The freedom of choice has made all the difference for me to walk my LA path. I know not everyone may agree and I respect all opinions around what works for each of us - sobriety or less as we are uniquely created individuals. I’m thankful for this LA community.Heading back home today. Take care of yourself today!
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