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Daily Chats and Encouragements
Replies
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I hope I didn't scare you away with that last post!
I am going to have a tele-visit with Jennifer about the pain I'm having. Praise the Lord, today hasn't been too bad. Still pain when I move my leg, but the hip and SI have been quiet. I'm going through my health journal and seeing when the pain started and what it did in the past year and a half! Hopefully we'll figure something out. She may refer me to someone as well, but I'm not sure. I have a deductible still on my insurance so I will have to pay for this one! Eek!0 -
Prayers for you in this venture, Miss Kim...The chronic pain makes daily do's much more difficult for sure! Hope you can get some answers and some help. Let me go check that last post!
I hear you on the deductibles....I lay awake early this morning trying to figure out where I spent so much money since I retired! I had to pay quite a bit for my 2 hospital runs in September but not as much as it cost to get rid of the bed bugs! That was a big bite! I am finally free of that major trial, praise God! I have spent way too much on grocery deliveries, Amazon toys etc. so am watching myself a lot closer this year.
I got up at 3 AM...made coffee, fed Junior, checked mail, am in the process of putting a food box together for give away. In one of my orders, they mistakenly put a big bag of Fruity Pebbles cereal, 2 cans condensed milk, a bag of gummy rings candy and I'm going thru my bins and cabinet to fill it out. I need to get that cereal out of here!
I have my microwave rice cooker in the box as well because it won't fit in my small microwave. Bummer. I have a nice steamer I haven't used in about 12 years! I'm surprised I haven't given it away yet. Speaking of....I haven't had any bites on selling my "new" computer set up so will most likely donate it. I'll see if Natasha's family can use it. She has 3 kids and a hubby in the ministry.0 -
Sounds like our lives are busy - doesn't get slower even though we are older.
Got some good information from my sister re food. There is a program called Proper Human Diet by a Doctor that she sent me on. Makes so much sense. It talks about how we used to eat 50 years ago and lays out a plan on how to do that now. It is higher in protein, no carbs but allowed 20 g. per day, fruit which should mostly be berries and low carb vegetables. No bread, potatoes, rice or spaghetti. My sister has followed it somewhat and lost 40 pounds in 10 months. When she goes out to eat with friends she doesn't fuss about the program just eats and gets back on track when she returns home. She recently had blood work done and everything has improved - no more inflamation, cholesterol has lowered - so she is happy.
When I look at my food I see I consume to many carbs so as of today have changed this. I have decided to remove bread from my plan as when I have one slice I crave a second one. Also have given up ginger ale and going for just plain water. I normally have potatoes at supper but am going to work on having a little of them every 2nd day in order to keep the carbs down. Also working on eating more salads and low carb vegetables. Will be doing that slowly in order to give my digestion time to accept these changes.
The other major change is I am going to be walking more - every morning (before lunch) my goal is to walk 10 minutes on the treadmill with the goal to eventually get that up to 20 minutes.
Am fortunate that where we live we get to see our doctor no charge and also no charge for hospital visits. Bad enough the cost of the meds but if we had to pay for the visits well maybe we wouldn't get treated for things that should be treated. I see the kidney specialist every 3 months (and it is now 3 years that I have been doing this) and there has been no charge for this visit - they do blood work and give me a good exam and discuss any changes I should work on. So far so good - 3 years ago they said they didn't think I would make it 3 years let alone that I would be on diaylsis - and here I am with low kidney function, still living and no diaylsis = they have said they are not sure how I am doing this but I told them if they had time I could share with them about the great physician that is looking after me.
You mention about your new computer that you are no not needing. We gave up the computer you have and now use laptops do we don't have the big tower. So much easier - we both have one and we can take it where ever should we go say on a holiday as all we have to do is plug it in. Wasn't sure at first if it was the way to go but wouldn't have it any other way now - just easier to use and to store not having the big tower.
Am dealing with a bit of vertigo this morning - not sure why - I see the doctor next Wednesday for my excema and the muscle twitches I am having and if the vertigo is still there will need to have that looked into. Also taking Priscilla in as she has had a sore throat now for 2 weeks and though she is eating she is eating very slowly - so something is going wrong there.
Have had breakfast so far - 2 hard boiled eggs (no salt) and an orange. That gives me 16 g of carbs because of the orange so need to watch that.
Not quite sure what lunch or dinner will be - I need to take the time to sit down and plan a couple of days of what I will be eating to make sure I have all that I need. Am needing to have protein with each meal and all food ends at 7 pm - then I don't have anything until 8 - 9 am tomorrow. Lots of water will be consumed today.
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Fresh foods! I think that is just so key in our diets anymore. Marilyn, have you looked into low or no carb tortillas instead of bread. I get those and they make a nice sandwich, especially if you roll it up and then put a wee bit of butter in the bottom of your skillet and let the tortilla brown (I don't do that when I have it with peanut butter though - what a mess that would be). Wade and I had made healthy muffins, but it turns out they had twice as many carbs as the Aussie Bites I had been ordering - I'm ordering the Aussie Bites again. I try to have an apple a day, or at least five days a week, usually in a Greek yogurt with granola salad. The granola is home made (oats, raisins, unsweetened coconut, pecans, honey and butter). We get local honey so it will help with allergies.
Bren, I hate you have to let that go, but it would be really nice if the ministry family could use it. Mom offered to buy me a computer because she saw my frustration with the one we had (a tower that was super slow). I got an Acer and it's been great. I have the lap top (Acer) attached to a large monitor and keyboard. I tried to use the laptops keyboard and monitor, but they were both too small and I don't like to use that pad, but rather use a mouse. When I am doing my Bible study I usually have two documents on the screen and they were squished so tightly on the lap top I had to keep moving them around to see them both. With the big monitor I can see both at one time - and no eye strain! I'm had the computer for about five years now and it's still running great. I think part of the problem with my other computer was keeping up with driver updates. I'd keep getting messages that this or that driver was outdated - well, I had no idea where to go to get the update. On this computer I downloaded the AVG drive updater so it does it for me and I've had almost no problems. I'm not very computer saavy, so there are times I yell for Wade! He's so handy!
Well, I talked to my NP in a tele-visit yesterday. She is setting up an appointment with and orthopedist and for another MRI on the lower body, hip, SI, and leg. I hope this gives us some answers. She said there wasn't really anything in the spine MRI, but now I'm curious about what that means! LOL! I'm happy if she didn't think it was anything I needed to think about! I'm also going to be taking Gabapentin when I go to bed. It should help me sleep as well as help with the pain. We'll see how it works. I'll take the Tramadol during the day and maybe that will help me get around with less pain. Yesterday and today have been good days with not a lot of pain - praise the Lord.
Oh, Marilyn, I loved what you said to the doctor - telling him about our Great Physician. I'm so happy that you have been with us for longer than they thought you would be - God is so very good!
Love y'all.0 -
I'm OK with gifting things....I just need to actually get what I "need" when the time comes to replace things! I'm glad I hadn't taken it out of the box as I'd probably never get it all back in. I have the same trouble! Vision wise...It took me awhile to get used to this new keyboard...and now it looks "normal" to me! Initially, I could barely see the numbers on it. I do fine with the desktop since I never move from room to room or need to have it with me.
Marilyn, that sounds great and kudos to your sister! You do exercise discipline and should do very well.
I have a bag of food items ready for pickup and put the MW rice cooker in the bag. I am sure there are smaller ones that would meet my needs...should they arise. I have a lady coming for it in a few minutes. I gave her the wet mop things I'd bought in error as well. I have the Swiffer Wet Jet thing that uses the dry pads...which I now have.
I am so glad you've had some pain relief. Those days are grand! I'm doing more putter work in short spurts today. Tho it started at 9 degrees with a feel of 1...it's now 19 with a feel of 13 and on it's way to 40. Woohoo!
I've been using my pain roll on and ordered another. The one I have is several years old so maybe that's why it's not super effective but I'm happy with any easing of the pain at all. I am so thankful for the mild winter we've had to date but since I hibernate...it can do what it needs to and I'll just tuck in with my water jug and Kindle.
My girl came for the bag of goodies...and I have the door open for the bug man. The sun is mostly out and it's looking lovely! Oh yay...he's here and done. I do wish all the roaches could be annihilated. Definitely needed spell check on that word...
Wishing you all a blessed day, God's protection and provision....and His peace always. Love and prayers...0 -
Ooo, what is your pain roll on. I use a hemp cream at night which helps with my twitchy legs, but not much with the pain. I took my gabapentin by itself last night and it did nothing for me. The first night I had taken my tramadol two hours before and slept through the night. Don't know if I had pain or not, I slept through it if it was there, but last night I got up to use the bathroom twice and the pain was ugly. I got up around 7 with my eyes barely able to stay open, but there wasn't any position I could get into that I wasn't in pain so I just got up. I will do the Tramadol and Gabapentin again tonight, two hours apart and see if I can get the same result as the first night! Tramadol alone doesn't help much and Gabapentin alone doesn't help at all, but together I think they will do the job. Hopefully the gabapentin won't hurt me in other ways.
My MRI is scheduled for the 25th of this month so now they will schedule the orthopedist. I hope this will give me some answers.
Love y'all. Have an awesome day!0 -
Right now I'm using up the StopPain, extra strength. The one on order is Equate brand with lidocaine and lavender....max strength. I love the roll on because I don't like to use my hands to smear stuff around. I just looked at expiration dates! My Voltaren that I haven't been using...expired in 2022, and this roll on...oops...in 2021. I am waiting to place an order when I need cat food or coffee. I am cutting down on my delivery orders.....but I think I'll go ahead and get the "fresh" pain reliever.
The Gabapentin is what sent me to the hospital with internal bleeding...and it didn't help with the pain! Waah! I hope your combo helps again and causes no trouble for you. I use the duo of Ibuprofen and Tylenol, Equate brand. I need to add that to my list.
I got up at midnight, since I slept a lot, all day yesterday....so am getting geared up to do a few chores. Natasha is coming this afternoon when her daughter gets off work at 2:30 and that's great timing....no stress and I will have rest time prior.
I looked at egg prices at Walmart...I hadn't got any in quite a bit and I knew they were high but $5.46 for the 12 large....ACK! I think of those in the cafes, bakeries, restaurants etc. that need them in quantity and folks complaining about increased prices. Maybe folks could tip a dozen eggs at those places? LOL...
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That picture is, unfortunately, so true. We have friends who have chickens (like right next door), if they get much higher we might see if they can do us a deal! She and her husband were going out of town for a weekend and she brought us two dozen (for nothing) because they were the older ones (which are fresher than the store ones). Wow, that was really nice! I saw a thing on Fox this morning that eggs in NY were selling for $1.50 each! Eek! Sometimes, when her chickens are laying well, one of my Church sisters brings in several dozen and puts them in the fridge at the Net House for anyone who wants them. That is pretty much why they are raising the chickens, so they can help the body. Her daughter is raising and selling rabbits for income - a neat idea. We talked about raising rabbits for food years ago, but it never came to fruition. She is raising them for pets! Never talk about rabbit stew around her - LOL! The chick-ens are pets too and aren't used for food, yet! They have talked about having food chickens, but they would be placed apart from the other chickens and not become pets or named! LOL!
Well, it took me a long time to go to sleep, but when I finally did I slept undisturbed for six hours. I hope the gabapentin doesn't give me side effects. I think I'm going to have to do the two Tramadol two hours before the gabapentin and see if it works like the first night. If so, I'll keep doing that until the ortho-pedist tells me differently.
My pain is a little worse yesterday and today so taking it slow when I walk. We found Mom's dressing stick to help pull up pants without bending or having to lift the leg, but I can't figure it out. I guess I'll need to do a search on how to work it! LOL! Lifting my leg into my pants hurts a lot, and I'm not sure I will be able to stay standing when I have to stand on it alone putting in the other leg, so I face the bed - if I'm going down I want it to be a soft landing! With the stick, I'm sitting down and only bend over my knees a little bit. I can't take arthritis meds or anti-inflammatory meds so that leaves them little choice but Tramadol, and that barely masks the pain. This pain is so strong it really doesn't touch it, but it keeps the milder pains under control so I can handle things overall. I would definitely try the shots again!
Have a great weekend, ladies. I love you and am praying for you. Please pray for my church family, several people have covid!0 -
I started my new eating plan on -official start date was Feb 11 with a weigh in of 230.
This morning Feb 15 I weighed in at 226.8 so the healthy way of eating is helping.
Working on 5 pound goals - so just about there for the first goal.
Plan consisted of low carb watching to work on geting the grams to 20 or below. Means no bread, potatoes, rice or spaghetti. Am I giving those up forever - no. For instance on Thursday at lunch I did not have any lettuce for my tuna so I ended up having toast with peanut butter. But I did not have any potatoes that day. What is really working well is I am not drinking any ginger ale - just plain water and lots of it. Need to get up and move more though and I know that will happen soon.
With this plan the first thing to do is clean out the pantry of foods that are full of carbs. I put all those foods on one shelve for Norm and Priscilla to use up - and all the foods that I can eat at eye sight so I won't be tempted. Also as Norm loves to cook and is good at it he is now meals for me according to the plan. For instance at dinner we would have chicken and he would add potatoes for him and Priscilla where I would have a caesar salad - I eat just the lettuce from that salad not all the add ons. Eventually will start adding things to it. Yesterday lunch consisted of left over chicken from the night before and putting it over lettuce using 1 teaspoon of mayo to moisten the lettuce. Very tasty and Norm did not miss the potatoes.
Praying that you all will be feeling better - less pain and better sleep. I know I have lots of pain but with changing up the food to low carb has helped a lot. Am sleeping so much better.
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Hiya Girls....
Natasha and her crew....oldest daughter and hubby are here....got my bed together for me, trash out, vacuumed/dusted and they are at work in the kitchen now. First time in many years some things have been cleaned well!
They are happy to take the computer! I am so glad. they have a laptop she said, but as they homeschool their kids, they could use the desktop.
Prayers for us all as we close out another day....Love you!
Isn't this nice?
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I love your bed, Bren! So pretty. Praise the Lord the whole family could come and get things done for you!
Marilyn, praise the Lord you are doing so well with your new diet plan! Woohoo on the weight loss again! You are so dedicated and have such a strong reason to keep at it! I need to do more to keep more carbs out of my diet.
Having some hip pain and of course leg pain today. My MRI is on the 25th, so eight more days to go! Then, Lord willing, I will have an appointment with an orthopedist. I am praying I won't need a replacement of any kind but rather it can be controlled with shots since I can't take the OTC stuff for inflammation or arthritis pain. The gabapentin isn't really doing much but helping my sleep. I'd rather take something else for sleep than the gabapentin which can have strong side effects. So far I don't have anything that I can tell, but I know the longer I take it it could start affecting something!
Hope y'all had a great weekend and a good President's Day (well, us American's on the President's Day - LOL). Love y'all.0 -
Thank you. I just use the bottom sheet and that super warm blanket for winter. I have a comforter I'll put on, come spring, with a top sheet. I like the bed skirt...now that it's safe again to use one.
I looked up an old site yesterday which immediately showed a virus was loaded...ack! I got out, no issues and hope I don't have any. But...I deleted my history which knocked all my passwords off...and who knows what they all are? I'll spend some time today, getting things back and making notes. I used the same on at many spots when I could.
That's a bummer when the meds have the side effects and don't even help. Makes me whinier than normal. I sure hope you don't have to have any replacements....That's one of my excuses to not be checked out. At my age....I just don't want to deal.
I saw on my cell phone, that my cardiologist's office had called twice....well, I can't hear it and I can't access my voice mail since it crashed 4 years ago or so. I'll send a message....again.
I was awake for several hours last night so slept until 7:30, once I got back to sleep and I feel really achy today. We have a cold front coming in again for a few more days of winter. We've had a really bad outbreak of flu here, with schools closing and the like. I am much less exposed than most, with my enjoyed isolation.
I'm going to have some coffee and see what I can get out myself today. Love and prayers...0 -
Lots of folks sick with stuff that is going around. Like you, I am pretty isolated (other than Wade who does get out among people, but often uses the sanitizer on his hands when he goes out. So far Wade and I are doing well as far as sickness goes! I'll wear a mask for my MRI! I praise the Lord I didn't get sick when I had either of the two I've had so far. It seems like last year, every time I got around people I got pneumonia. Praise the Lord, nothing so far and it's in that three month time period when I've had it in the past. God is good!
Here's some cute Valentine's Cards:
Not sure I'd be happy if I got one of those! LOL!
Here are some verses I ran across in my studies this morning and wanted to share them with y'all:
Here are some verses that spoke to my heart this morning:
Col 1:9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
10 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
13 For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Love and prayers.
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Today marks 1 week of making positive changes - and I am seeing results and feeling so much better.
February 11 I weighed in at 230
Today February 18 I weighed in at 225.8 which is a loss of 4.2 pounds. Makes me feel good that I stuck with the changes and am seeing progress.
What are the changes?
Biggest change is not having any ginger ale - I am fairly sure that a lot of this loss if from drinking water only.
Next change is going low carb. Honestly didn't think I could do it as I have always eaten heavy on the carbs. But I did change. I did eat some carbs (even had a few slices of bread) but am aware of what I am putting into my mouth therefore the amount has been very low. And I can now say that if I can do it any one can - especially with the fact that I am not a big veggy eater - but have started the change and enjoying it.
This week has been a challenge in other ways though. I have been dealing with vertigo and it hasn't been pleasant to say the least. Also once again I am having muscle spasms (not sure if it is spasms, tremors but upper body jerks a lot even including my head making it difficult at times even to get some words out. Happened once before and lasted for 7 days but this time around am going to see the doctor about it as it is most uncomfortable. Last night we pulled out our essential oil, put pepperment and lavender on the soles of my feet, then frankensence on the temple, in front of ears and behind the ears. Read up on them and they said these oils would help and I believe they did. Also gave in last night and took a tyenol before bed - it helped me sleep - this morning the spasms are not as bad so it has helped - and I am hopeful that when I see the doctor tomorrow that I can find out what is causing them and get them to stop. I don't like the idea of possible medical tests but will see.
Am hoping to be able to go grocery shopping tomorrow - or at least get Norm to go and get a few things - need more chicken, more eggs and more lettuce for sure.
Praying for all of you - I understand from your messages that you are dealing with pain issues - pray that the Lord will comfort you and give you the strength needed to care on - and honestly please look at what you are eating as I know a lot of my pain has been reduced by changing up my food - the lower the carbs the less pain I seem to have - I honestly believe our food can heal us - we just need to get back to eating the way we should - if you are interested let me know and I will see if I can give you a link to the program I am using - it has worked for my sister and it is now working for me- just getting back to the basics rather than the processed food.
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Wade and I are doing a lot of getting back to unprocessed foods. I do eat a processed muffin in the morning because it is better for me than the healthy ones I made - they had a lot more carbs than the little Aussie Bites, and more calories as well. I do eat processed yogurt, although I do have a machine that can make yogurt, I'm afraid that I don't have the ability to stand long enough to put the stuff in the machine and I don't want to add one more thing to what Wade is doing. Overall we are doing better than we had been doing. Getting on the mold-free coffee has helped me the most.
Waiting to see what this front is going to drop on us, not really sure. They don't usually bring the maps out across the edge of NC and onto the Outer Banks. We live on the main land across from the lower end of the Outer Banks, East of Beaufort. Sometimes Beaufort gets on the map and that is the closest town to us Downeasters. We are prepared! Praise the Lord we have a warm home and good food and warm clothing! I wrote a song in the 80's called BE CONTENT and those were the three things that the Bible mentions when it talks about our being content.
Love y'all and am praying for you. Let us know how things go when you see the doctor, Marilyn. Will be praying in the meantime!0 -
Was dealing with my bank and lost my message...ack! I got a rep that I couldn't understand...she sent me an e-mail, requiring info and a signed note and she will send me an access code to get back into my account. Now I remember why I rarely delete history or clear caches...and now my phone (cell) isn't working and my new home number had not been updated so I was stuck...oh well.
Agreeing in prayer for you, Marilyn! I am so sorry you are dealing with these new and devastating, debilitating symptoms and praying for a quick diagnosis and real help. I went thru years of extreme vertigo with the Meniere's and until both balance organs "burned out," taking my hearing with them....it was a long lasting problem, almost costing me my job. Congrats on the weight loss! That was a nice drop.
I hear you on the Be Content, Kim! I regularly thank God for my home and the blessings that fill it. I have what I need and am so grateful.
We've had a cold day here...started at 10 this morning. Should be clear and back in the low 60's by Saturday. We'll have winter two days at a time and I am good with that! I do pray for those in the midst of fierce weather challenges, the massive flooding, ice storms and the like. My heart hurts for them all.
I'm off to cobble together some dinner....and have some TV time. Have a blessed evening. Prayers for rest and comfort for us all.
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Good morning, ladies. I hope you are doing better today. Continued prayers for you, Marilyn; and for you my sweetie-greens! Not doing too bad this morning. Praise the Lord, the pain is the only thing I am contending with. I sent off an order for some more leg wraps and was able to put them on Medicare this time. I love the ones I have but they are a bit to long (not complaining, they were very cheap through E-bay), so I was able to order regular length - these shouldn't go over my knees! Super easy to put on and take off and the hook and eye closures don't peel off when I walk around! LOL!
Stay comfy and warm. Cuddle up with Jesus today! Love you
Here's a picture for you:
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