My Weblog

I think I've rediscovered.........

my right ankle. For about 3 weeks now, my feet and lower calves have been swelling more and more. I've tried wearing just about every shoe I own. They're all too tight and cut into my swollen feet something fierce. I went to work anyway yesterday which is what I've done throughout. But yesterday I asked for a chair. Mistake! The store manager herself sent me home and told me not to come in today. So, here I am at home.

This all started when I went to the doctor. This guy never liked the way my prior primary care doc had set up my blood pressure meds. I distinctly remember his face when he asked me about it originally. He either had a really intense gas pain, or he disapproved. However, it worked. This time he decided to fix what wasn't broken and put me on a different format of the same medication. The result is that both feet have bloated up something fierce. The right foot is the worst. I haven't seen my ankle since. I switched back to the previous prescription a couple of days ago and called the doc's office to leave a message to that effect. I guess he never heard that old adage--"If it ain't broke.............." He seems to have a bit of a God complex, so I'm sure he'll be pissed off when he sees me next.

Yesterday, after coming home, I dug around and found some diuretics. They are left over from a previous diagnosis of pneumonia when I refused hospitalization. I am peeing up a storm. But, praise be, I have an ankle again and no more shiny skin on my lower calf. The ankle is still very sore, I suppose from all the pressure of the fluid. But, there's hope..............

Trying again

I am thrilled to report that I am reintroducing green smoothies into my diet. Today's contains spinach, 1/2 orange, 1 whole banana, fresh pineapple chunks frozen by moi, peanut butter, and chia seeds. I admit to adding some sugar, but I honestly think I could have been happy without the little I added. The spinach contributes calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, Vitamin A and folate. From the orange we get Vitamin C, thiamine, folate, and potassium. The banana adds potassium, Vitamin C and Vitamin B6 as well as various antioxidants and phytonutrients. The chia seeds add Manganese, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, B3, B1, B2, and zinc. They are also high in Omega 3 fatty acids. Pineapple adds more manganese, copper, Vitamin C, Vitamins B6 and B1. Peanut butter donates protein, magnesium, phosphorous, and zinc. I have had an 8-ounce glass and I'm headed back for more. There is probably a drizzle more than another 8 ounces.

I have a satisfied feeling for several reasons. First, I do feel satisfied, i.e., full, not hungry in the least. Second, I know I have had a considerable amount of nutrition in each glass. I figure that one glass is the equivalent of about 6 servings or more of fruit and veggies. You know how I always worry about the crappy amount of nutrition I generally get. So, I am "satisfied" that I have nourished my body for a change. I have had plenty of fiber, some protein, very little refined carbohydrates and a fair amount of filtered water to start my day. Go me!

I would love to tell you I whipped all that up in my Liquitex blender, but, alas, that would be a lie. But, my little old Oster did a stand-up job. That ole girl is sure giving me plenty of bang for my buck. Considering the low cost, I couldn't ask for better. I am blessed to have her.

That's all for now. I go to work at 2 today.

I have to tell you that I've awakened with more energy than I've had in years. And, THAT was before the smoothie. I might not have pulled myself together enough to put the smoothie together under normal circumstances. There have been many mornings when I didn't have enough oomph to make it to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee in the Keurig.............

 

don't despair

I'm still alive and kicking though quiet. Working............ My hours (along with all the other cashiers) have been cut. I had at least 2 weeks with only 3 shifts. I have, however, managed to wangle one more shift one of those weeks.

I went to the doctor last week. I have little confidence in doctors. It is difficult for me to talk myself into an appointment. I hate that they want to run test after test. This particular hatred stems from a few things. First of all, I don't like relinquishing the time involved in traveling here and there across the city, placing my precious (to me) body at risk in the hands of a perfect stranger. Even when one receives a referral, I am not sure that is is done in such a way that the best doctor wins. I also doubt the validity of some of the tests. For example, I don't think much of mammograms. I believe, and there is research to support it, that a mammogram will not really aid in early detection. A breast cancer has to be fairly advanced, or at a point where its palpable before the mammogram is likely to show anything. This guy wants me to get a colonoscopy. I have had a particularly bad experience with the colonoscopy and I have absolutely NO symptoms to lead me to believe one of those is necessary. I hate that doctors like to espouse whatever "new" thing comes along, usually with limited knowledge of its efficacy. We're all supposed to trot ourselves out and get a flu shot. Well, those flu shots are propagated from last year's version of the flu, not dealing with whatever current mutation is floating around. The corona virus is a good example. We HAVE a vaccine against the corona virus. However, the current troublemaker is a mutated version, and, as best I can discover, the vaccine available is of no use.

Anyway, off my soapbox. This dude expects me to spend all sorts of time seeing several specialists and having tests of one sort or another done. And you can bet your bottom dollar, if you're so inclined, that the specialists will have their very own shopping lists of additional tests. I finally told him, "Doctor, I have a job" as he rattled off his shopping list, at which he smiled. No doubt he got my point. We'll see what I decide to let myself in for...........

I have made an interesting discovery on my own recently. I have dealt with muscle spasms for many years. Several years ago, as a result of an impassioned plea, a pharmacist recommended I begin supplementing potassium, which I did. The first doctor to whom I was assigned after becoming eligible for medicare told me I had to take magnesium as well. According to him, it is the magnesium that helps carry the potassium to the cells. He specifically told me to take the potassium at night and the magnesium in the mornings. Of course, he had no "dosing" recommendation for me. I faithfully followed his time table for a couple of years. I discovered recently that most thyroid patients are deficient in magnesium. However, I ran across a study that indicated that magnesium interferes with thyroid medication. And when was I told to take the thyroid meds? Well, in the morning, of course. After researching, I found that I could easily be taking 3-4 times the magnesium I've been taking. So, for now, I've doubled the dose I was taking and moved potassium to the morning and magnesium to night. That should give my body time to actually USE the thyroid meds I'm taking and still allow for the magnesium supplements. I've been doing the daily double dose at night. I am finding I am experiencing much less exhaustion. So far, I don't see an improvement in the way my legs work, but, after the magnesium has a chance to build in my system, that may change. We shall see.............

I worked today. I did get to spend half of my shift in Lumber. When I came back up front, I was assigned to work "in the middle", not down on the register I hate. We were not BUSY, but surprisingly, there was a steady stream of folks at my register. More than I would have expected on Superbowl Sunday. I got off at 1PM so maybe everyone was out taking care of business early in order to leave the afternoon free for football frivolity.