15 Monday Feb 2021
Posted in covid, gadgets, health & happiness
So hey, I hope I never actually need this thing but getting one seemed like the prudent thing to do. I’ve tried it out a few times just to know what my normal “base” is, and it seems to be more or less close to the settings below. Meanwhile, doesn’t look like I’ll be getting vaccinated before September…
01 Monday Feb 2021
Posted in cancer, food & drink, health & happiness, hospitals
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Unless it’s prepared like this. I feel a bit like Sherlock Holmes and also grateful for having most of my life (including meals) up somewhere on the ol’ internets, because I think I have solved a mystery that’s been plaguing me for at least five years and probably more. So okay, getting to the point (and be forewarned, this is probably going to be really boring so don’t feel obliged, but I want the info here for future reference)…
After that last emergency op in August 2011 things didn’t heal as well as after the previous three cancer ops, which I think was in part my fault. I was extra impatient about being in hospital AGAIN and I remember begging the surgeon to let me go home on the Friday (the op had been on Monday, and we’re talking major abdominal surgery). I just wanted to be back home with the cats and sleep in my own bed and couldn’t bear the thought of spending the whole weekend in hospital (they only discharge people on weekdays). Well, turns out I should have stayed in because after promising the doctor that I’d “be good”, I really wasn’t. I didn’t wear my “faja” all the time at home (it was August and too hot), and I was out and about more than I should have been. The result was that I ended up with an umbilical hernia as well as the usual post-op adhesions. What’s this got to do with cauliflower you ask?
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10 Saturday Oct 2020
Posted in health & happiness
Hey, it’s World Mental Health Day folks! That means that for the other 3 out of 4 of you… well, I guess we have to remind you about it. Again.
Yeah, I get it. Was the same when I had cancer. Makes people uncomfortable, they end up saying inappropriate and sometimes hurtful things, and so we end up not saying much either, even when feeling just a little bit understood would make all the difference.
And hey, not really your fault guys, since we are all conditioned to not show the cracks, to keep a stiff upper lip, to appear NORMAL at all costs.
But you know what? Sometimes that costs too much.
Last time I “opened up” to someone about the shitty time I was experiencing one day a couple of months ago their response was that I should talk to a professional. So I’ve pretty much buttoned up since then. Well, except for here. I can say whatever I want here, which is the whole point of this blog.
All my adult life (since I left home at 15) I have heard this…
“But you always look so strong and calm”.
Well guess what? It’s called a coping mechanism.
For those of you who know what this is like, how it feels to be told this, remember that you’re not alone. And that asking for help is not weakness (I’m still working on that last one).
It’s only been recently (post cancer) that I’ve been able to admit to suffering from chronic, sometimes crippling, anxiety, even though it’s been with me since I was a child growing up in an abusive home. I’m still not doing great with it, should probably be doing things better, but today I am doing this. Letting you know you are not alone. Just keep talking. ❤
29 Tuesday Sep 2020
Posted in health & happiness, home, hospitals
So I had my CT scan today at 5 pm, which is a bit of an awkward hour because I always like to “treat” myself after a hospital ordeal, either going out for a tapita or a cold beer. But as I was in and out in fifteen minutes that meant that all the bars (or ones that I would want to go to) were closed.
So I walked home to get my steps in, taking photos along the way to send my friend Julie @woollygee, who was virtually walking home with me via Whatsapp. Anyhow, this photo op caught my eye because of the colourful flowers. I guess despite the pandemic city workers are still keeping Sevilla beautiful. Should have scan results late next week.
31 Monday Aug 2020
Posted in health & happiness
Well, or at least a teaspoon a day for starters. Thing is, I’ve heard whisperings about the benefits of turmeric for years, specifically with combatting inflammation, which it seems I have in spades. But it was only when I happened upon a tweet about it couple of days ago (yep, in the middle of the night) that it finally clicked that I should get on this. Or at least give it a go.
So I bought some turmeric the next day and proceeded to make some stuff, adding it to my usual salsa az, adding it to some garbanzo flour batter… but I needed more. I wanted to know how I could get my required daily amount in one go, and also what that daily amount was. Turns out it’s about a teaspoon of ground turmeric a day (which is what I’m going with) or as a supplement 250-500 mg. So now I am working out how to get that teaspoon all at once, like maybe in a shot of tomato juice in the morning? And I will continue adding it to my cooking, but that will be for bonus benefits. So, while I may be ten years too late on this, will report back in a couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, my white cotton summer dresses are already looking nervous…
