How many times do you need to chew a raw carrot?

Apparently more than I did.  'Nuff said.  The dogs get to eat the rest of the carrots.  <sigh>

Yes, it is what you think it is.

Craving Satisfied

I really wanted to make a homemade pizza and today I did.  I made it as "healthy" as possible without losing much taste.  I had to calculate all of the ingredients and then figure out how much I would be able to eat (rather than regretting it after I ate half the pizza).  I got to eat TWO pieces!!!! Yeah!!  It had mystery meat, chicken, turkey pepperoni, and much less cheese then I would have preferred, but it was good and I'm happy for a while.  Next time I will put way more meat on there.  I snapped a picture midway through.  If you're one of my friends on myfitnesspal.com, I believe you can see my recipe that I used.  (user ID: lifeisjustbeginning2011@yahoo.com).  Thanks for visiting.

Hydration

Pardon the rant, but I'm finding it completely impossible to drink as much as I should be.  First, 64 oz every day.  Alright.  Then add two cups because I'm on antibiotics.  Alright.  Then if I'm outside for any length of time (i.e. five minutes), I've gotta drink more because its 112.  So, I've calculated my water.  If I don't leave the house, that's 80 ounces minimum.  That's with a "pouch" that holds about 3 swallows of water before I feel like I'm going to yack.  UGGGGHHHHH.  I'm going to have to start drinking some Gatorade G2 every day.  My bowels will appreciate this.  Now, I'm off to.....stay inside.

I GOT STUCK!

Wow.  I knew the day would come.  I've been uncomfortable before, but tonight I actually had food get stuck.  I had two "chickenless nuggets."  This was during a big thunderstorm - my power was out, the dog was freaking out, and I was just happy that I had dinner ready before I lost power.  I ate two of them, realized that I ate them too quickly because I felt a little bit full.  I set the plate down to make myself slow down.

I started salivating a lot.  Then I felt like someone had their fist up the back of my throat.  I think the thunderstorm drama probably got me nervous and the band tightened.  The rest of the details are graphic, so if you're grossed out easily, quite reading now.  This is for the benefit of my bandster friends, so if they haven't had it happen, they'll know what it's like.

I can't say that I actually vomited.  There was no liquid whatsoever.  It is hard to dry heave up food!  I think I only did the dry heaves a few times, then got a little up, then a little more.  I felt my throat relax a bit, so I got some warm water and took two large sips.  Then I was in shock.  There was just too much going on and I didn't chew my food.  It was very scary though...I had to breathe through my nose because I felt like I was choking.

I waited a half hour or so and tried a tiny bite.  Five minutes later it was fine, so I ate the rest of my chickenless nuggets.  Ack.  It sucked.

Lab Results (vitamin levels)

Here are the blood tests I had from my primary care:

CBC (complete blood count)

Thyroid Panel (T3, T4 & TSH)

Iron + TIBC (not sure what the second thing is)

Folic Acid

B12

Vitamin D

The only issue was Vitamin D (I've been low before).  I'll have to talk to the Endo about the thyroid levels.  I think they're ok though.  Considering what I put my body through for the last 5 weeks (1 week pre-op diet, surgery & finally a staph infection, I'm happy.  I'm eating regular food (cautiously) and hoping that I'll get some energy back once I knock the staph.

I also met with the nutritionist today and had my food diaries printed out since surgery day.  He advised to watch the sodium, which I had noticed as well.  I think it goes hand in hand with my love for cheese.  He wants me eating 200 more calories a day, a total of 1000.  He said the caloric intake could also be responsible for the fatigue.  Eat more protein, protein, protein.  My goal is 60 a day but I'm usually in the upper 40's or 50's.  Planning my meals ahead of time will help me plan this better.

Man, a few hours in the sun (110 degrees today) has worn me out.  I carry water with me all the time, but I can only drink sooooo much.  I'm supposed to drink two more glasses of water a day since I'm on antibiotics, plus more because of the temperature, in addition to the minimum 64 oz.  That's a lot of water!

Manic Monday Questionnaire

1. What is your occupation right now ?

Just left the teaching field, too much drama. I'm lookin'!

2.What color are your socks right now?

None, no one wears socks in Arizona!

3. What are you listening to right now?

Food Network

4. What was the last thing that you ate?

Pizza Casserole

5. Can you drive a stick shift?

Nope.  I tried once and it smelled like the car was on fire. Never again.

6. Last person you spoke to on the phone?

Dad

7. Do you like the person who sent this to you?

Cece always reads and replies to my blogs, even when they're boring. 
Thanks Cece!

8. How old are you today?

33 1/2

9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?

None really

10. What is your favorite drink?

Fuzzy Navel

11. Have you ever dyed your hair?

Yes, just to a darker shade of brown.

12. Favourite food?

Cheese

13. What is the last movie you watched?

Little Fockers

14. Favourite day of the year?

Christmas because I get to see my family

15. How do you vent anger?

 Just blurt it out.

16. What was your favourite toy as a child?

Cabbage Patch Kid

17. What is your favorite season?

Winter.  I live in Phoenix, remember?

18. Cherries or Blueberries?

Cherries

19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?

Sure, not sure anyone really reads my blog anymore. lol

20. Where is you favorite place to escape?

Dad's and Jan's house!  Or to play Bingo somewhere...

21. Favorite Tv Show?

Sex and The City, Food Network Star, 48 Hrs on ID

22. Living arrangements?

I live with two dogs, a mutt and a Shiba Inu

23. When was the last time you cried?

Talking about my surgery

24. What is on the floor of your closet?

Dirty laundry central

25. Who is the friend you have had the longest?

Amanda - since elementary school

26. What did you do last night?

Went to Target

27. What are you most afraid of?

Death (people, pets, anything really)

28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?

Cheese - maybe a little spice but not too much

29. Favourite dog breed?

None in particular - like 'em all

30. Favourite day of the week?

Well, I'm unemployed, so any day

31. How many states have you lived in?

Three

32. Diamonds or pearls?

either, I don't wear jewelry very often though

33. What is your favourite flower?

Gerbera Daisies, but I like all flowers really

Bad news :(

Staph infection.  Thank goodness the doc cultured it last week.  Added another antibiotic to the one I'm already taking AND my fill for tomorrow is cancelled until the port is better.  DANG!!!!