Cholesterol Problems

Cholesterol Problems

Our household is at the moment a low cholesterol one. My dear husband decided that as he had had a pneumonia jab and a flu jab, he would get something else on the NHS – a cholesterol test. On a serious note, two members of his family, his father and uncle, had died from heart disease, so for him it was something that had to be done and now was the time to do it.

What I think he didn't expect was for the cholesterol level to be rather high and a letter from the doctor suggesting that initially he modify his diet. A follow up blood test will be done in 3 months.

Alan is fairly strong willed. I know that he will take all the steps necessary to change his diet. In fact, in less than a week, major changes have been made. We are now drinking skimmed milk instead of semi-skimmed and using Benecol instead of butter. We have detailed discussions about food, calories and the amount of fat in different items. I knew he needed to lose some weight (as do I!); it has now given him some impetus.

I have told him that I will also keep to the new eating regime. I really can’t see the point of buying butter and semi-skimmed milk just for me. I have also bet him £10 that he won’t get down to 4 (he is currently at 7.7). As if he needs any-more reason to keep to this diet!

Will report as to how it goes. He is currently losing weight, even in this short time. Too short a time for me, evidently, as none is coming off me at this time.

Time and Priorities

It’s really amazing how time flies. You think of all you would like to do in a day or what you would like to accomplish in a week and the day just flies away and you end up not doing the things you would like.

Take today, for example. I went out at around 8.30am to do the shopping, go to the bank and to drop a card into a friend. It was 10.30am by the time I got back. By the time I had had a coffee and looked at my emails (and played a couple of game – let’s be honest here!) it was time for lunch. Then, after a cup of tea, it was off for a walk with my husband and our dog. This time we went to Firle and walked around the village and fields. Although windy, it was a lovely walk and beautiful scenery.

We were home by 2.35pm. Had another cup of tea and watched the synchronised diving finals, only to see Tom Daley and Peter Waterfield lose, which was a shame. I did some cross stitching during this TV watching and now I’m back on the computer and you think, ‘where has this day gone?’

I suppose it’s all a question of priorities and knowing what is the most important thing or things in your life. I’m not very good at setting goals, but let’s try for two. I’d like to get more exercise but need to get into it gradually. So, I intend to start doing Tai Chi. I have a DVD and book, so I can start from home.

For my second goal, I would like to get further into writing. I’m not sure which of my writing ideas I want to concentrate on, but let’s just say that for the next 4 weeks I will write for at least 30 minutes a day and see where it gets me.

A Purposeful Life

It’s been a funny old day. First I get told off by someone who has taken offence at the way I let my dog look at the cats she sees on our walks of an evening. She said that I was teasing the dog and making her bark. On reflection, she may be partly right. I don’t like to offend people so didn’t try too hard to justify myself. But how do you change the behaviour of a very assertive Border Terrier?

Fast forward to this evening. I go out with a swift prayer asking for His help, because there was definitely nothing I was going to be able to do if J got started. From the start, it was a different walk. We took a different route (J tends to set the route in the evening); she didn’t seem to be looking for cats; and we met the same lady again and I was able to say ‘Hello’ without seeming churlish or offended.

I’ve also come to the conclusion today that part of the road back to health, for me at least will be to develop a life that has purpose in it. Before I became ill, I worked full time in a job which, although professional was still under someone else’s control. But it did give meaning to the day because I was always doing something and being kept busy. Over the past few years, as soon as I started to improve health wise, I would go straightaway into something else and then, surprise, surprise, fall ill again.

At the moment, I feel I am searching for a way forward. I know I am much more cautious. I said before that I get times when I fight my own demons because I feel so useless sometimes. I am realising that I do need to do things that give me a sense of purpose. Writing is definitely one option. Calligraphy is another. Most of all, I need to start believing in myself and what I am capable of, because it’s more than I think.

A Little Agonising

Another scorcher of a day today. It’s so nice to see the sun – just a shame that it’s a bit of a shock to the system. Even my dear dog seems to have realised that it’s not the sort of weather to go out in after lunch – she can’t be a mad dog, evidently!! She came out with me to get the paper this morning, looking as if she did it every day, which, of course, she doesn’t.

This gave me the opportunity to finish off three cards that I needed to do. It involved some calligraphy and decoupage, which I enjoy. But I had to wrestle with my inner demons which tell me that it is a waste of time, that because I don’t have a job of work, I’m useless. And I tell them that this is my job now and to butt out. I just feel a bit confused at the moment, wanting to write and yet trying to balance my life so that I don’t fall into another patch of illness. I’ve come to the conclusion that I like to feel well.  God and my husband are the only two I need to please.

Hairy Thoughts

Another lovely hot day, coming as quite a shock to the system when there has been so many cool rainy days as we have had this year. Not that I don’t the rainy weather. I‘ve never seen the garden look as good as it has done this year, so green and lush with the amount of growth that some of the plants have shown.

Today I had my hair cut. It’s a regular 2 monthly thing and I do like my hairdresser. She gets my hair looking just right. But it’s a regular, quiet battle every time as to the length of the hair and fringe. It’s not just her but every hairdresser I’ve had for years. Apparently, if my hair is cut too short, it is going to stick up and I won’t like it; so I must trust them – that they know best. So it becomes a compromise.

I know that there are those that say, ‘well change your hairdresser then or do something different.’ Partly I don’t because if it does go wrong, it does take a time to grow back and partly because I don’t have the courage to do my own thing. Oh what a wimp I am!!

I’ve also been thinking today about how to pursue my writing. One way, of course is to do an entry for my blog, which is why I’m doing this. I have also been reading a very good book called The Writer’s Compass by Dodd. It does point out that the two main things needed are persistence and determination together with organisation. I despair a bit of, because organised I ain’t!! It also points out that it is not helpful to wait until someone answers the quest, ‘will I be good at this?’ If you don’t try, you won’t know.

I think a little more thinking and a bit more doing is necessary.

A Beautiful Day

What a beautiful day it has been - Wall to wall sunshine and clear blue skies, but not over hot. Paradoxically, it’s also been the day when Morrison’s car park was full with people going round and round at 10.00am; oh the joys of the school holidays. Fortunately, I managed to park outside the shop and so didn’t join in the fun.

This afternoon husband, dog and I went for a walk through Friston Forest, where the beech canopy of green kept us pleasantly cool. There is nothing quite like a walk through a forest, with the tall tree trunks with the multicoloured bark look more like wallpaper as you look around.

It’s been a while since I wrote on my blog. My apologies. I haven’t been 100%. I started aching in my joints; or rather burning and became quite stiff. When getting out of bed, I resembled a beached whale and at night, when getting up from the settee to go to bed I limped my way to the bathroom before my limbs decided that they would behave themselves.

At first, the doctor decided, following blood tests, that I had polymyalgia rheumatica. Apparently, I had signs of inflammation. He also referred me to a consultant to check that I didn’t have rheumatoid arthritis, as my twin sister is affected with this. When I finally saw the consultant, she advised me that I didn’t have polymyalgia rheumatica or rheumatoid arthritis; but she didn’t rule out fibromyalgia. But first, I have to come off the steroids that I have been on since the first diagnosis because they will mask my symptoms as everybody feels well on steroids. That I’m not disappointed about because I’ve been like a chipmunk on speed since I’ve been on them and it would be a great relief to my husband when I have stopped taking them – he thinks they make me very vile in temperament.

So, I’m currently down to 7.5mg of prednisolone and hopefully, will be off the tablets in 2 weeks. Then we shall see how things are. I still ache in my shoulders, elbows and behind my knees, but it is currently manageable.

Smell

It wasn’t until I lost my sense of smell that I missed it. It was just something I took for granted, as with all the senses. How did I lose it? I had a long standing nasal problem which wasn’t properly diagnosed for years. Gradually, my sense of smell left me.

It was a little embarrassing, as my job as an Environmental Health Officer involved assessing complaints of smell and odour. If you can’t smell these things, how can you assess them?

Enjoyment of food can also be a bit difficult because if your sense of smell goes, then your sense of taste is affected. In the end, food has no ‘colour’ and the pleasure that you get from having a good meal leaves you. It’s just a meal, period.

Then there’s the fear that you yourself might smell, either through sweating or something unsavoury having dropped on you. I had long given up wearing perfume because this nasal condition made me sneeze if I wore any, so, at times, I was apt to feel a little ‘naked’, and worried that people might reject me.

Losing my sense of smell mattered to me. I couldn’t smell my husband, my dog, my grandchildren, the smell of grilled bacon, a pot of coffee, flowers, the pavements in the summer after a shower of rain, my home, nothing. It all felt very blank.

Then I had an operation and joy of joys, my sense of smell returned. It was strange that it did actually, because operations to remove nasal polyps usually mean that you lose your sense of smell. But no, my sense of smell was well and truly there. And over the past few weeks, it has been getting better, more defined and sensitive. I fear now that it will go again, but I’m enjoying it and making the most of it while I have it.

The funny thing is that I thought that we smelt things all the time. Well we probably do, but not consciously. A car will go past me and I smell the fumes from its exhaust; I walk into a chemist’s and am enthralled by the smell of perfume (and no sneezing!!); I go into a supermarket and can sniff the wonderful aroma of bread and my husband cooks a meal and I enthuse over the taste of garlic and other additions to the meal. It has quite literally lit up my life.

Cuckmere and Computer

Our walk today took us along the Cuckmere, where it meanders towards the sea. Such striking scenery on this  walk, because you are going through a valley, so on each side there are beautiful country views with sheep and cattle. And yet you know that you are only minutes from the sea. It also feels so open, looking up at the sky which was clear and blue this afternoon.

We didn't get quite to the sea today but did a circular route which took us down one side of the river and up the other. Had to be a bit careful as there was quite a breeze. I put the scarf partially over my face to protect my lovely nose, which is healing so well.

Had a bit of a surprise today. My dear husband had already mentioned that we had been amazingly frugal just recently, which meant that we had more than he thought in the bank. He knew that I had said that at the end of the year I would need to think about a new computer as mine was about 8 years old. (I don't really want it going on the blink before buying a new one!). I have now been told to buy one now!! Wonderful, except I keep on thinking, should I wait and what would happen if we had a financial emergency and needed the money - I can sure give myself excuses.

So, it has been decided that I sort out what needs to be sorted on my computer and order a hard drive etc., from our local computer shop, who seems to have the best deal. Exciting and frightening all at the same time!!

A bit tired tonight - I was trying out new things with a birthday card for a member of the choir (actually the organist). I don't think I've got it quite right yet - needs a bit more work, so it won't be handed around to sign tomorrow - not happy with it at all.

Walking in Firle

There is nothing quite like a good walk with Joey, our dog. And Firle is a beautiful place to go walking, especially when we do a circular route around the village. This takes you onto the Firle Estate lands and then around to view the Downs and Firle Beacon. Lovely views and very peaceful. A bonus when we saw Peter Owen- Jones in his car.

As we walked we talked about longer walks we might try this year, now that I seem to have so much more energy. One we both would like to do would take you from Firle village and up onto the Downs. As my husband pointed  out there were at least some trees in the area, so if it became hot we could have some respite.

On the poo front (see earlier postings), I'm afraid there are now two more poos on that twitten. I have decided that tomorrow I may remove as many of the dumpings as I can. I just find them plain annoying, but rather than getting annoyed, the answer may well be to be community spirited and clear the twitten. It does go against the grain but I believe that there are certain people in this world who take pleasure in being a pain and going up against them would just cause angst. By the way, when may husband and I walked the streets with Joey yesterday, we passed a house with two rather angry dogs - looked the right size for the poo a short way from them up the twitten, so we know where they live!!

Smells 2 and Energy

Just a little bit more on smells. I was rather amazed at the smell outside following rain. It was like a muddy but perfumed smell - quite wonderful. If I sound a bit weird, it because it's been so long since I could smell anything, I think I've gone a bit demob happy over it. I stand over things sniffing like crazy, even porridge smelt wonderful this morning.

My husband and I discussed it this afternoon. I expressed my fears as to how long I would have my sense of smell. He just said "Enjoy it while it's there," and I shall.

Another thing that is nothing short of miraculous, is the amount of energy I now seem to have. The operation was only three weeks ago, yet how I am now bears no resemblance to the tired, old feeling female who used to drag herself through the day.

To look at today:- I've been on the computer and finished a draft of a short story, checked email, sent emails, been on facebook and eBay. I've vacuumed and cleaned up the kitchen  and bathroom floors. I'm in the process of hand crafting five cards (before the operation, I would have been hard pushed to do one!). We took our dog out for a short walk after the rain and I'm doing this blog. Utterly Amazing!! And, like the smell, I shall take every enjoyment of this energy while its there, day by day.

Smells

I'm a bit preoccupied about my sense of smell at the moment. I wasn't really expecting it to come back after my operation. In fact, usually with this sort of op. apparently, you can lose this sense for a while. So to actually smell things at this time is a real bonus.

It does make the world less monochrome. At last I can smell what my home smells like (we moved there three years ago and I never knew what it smelt like - I'm pleased to report that it smells quite nice - not a bad smell anyway). And food cooked by my husband has proved a revelation. It tastes wonderful!! (Not that it ever tasted bad!!). And funnily enough, I don't seem to be eating so much of it at any one time, because I take longer savouring the taste. Before, and I hate to say it, everything tasted bland. Now I appreciate what wonderful meals I have been getting.

Even smelling the dog is wonderful. She is 7 years old now, and I've really only smelt her a couple of times in her life; both times were for a very short time indeed. Now, every day, I take pleasure in smelling my dog - daft, isn't it?

Of course, sometimes places or things that I have always thought might smell nice can be a bit of a disappointment. I went to Morrison's today, fully convinced that I would smell wonderful things - like bread being baked, cleaning liquid smells, fruit and vegetables - but no, hardly any smell, or maybe I wasn't trying hard enough.

Just to be able to breathe through both nostrils is a joy. Unless you have been through this kind of experience, I don't think you can fully understand. I have met people who say they understand because they've had a bad cold and blocked nose - but it's not really the same. At least with cold you can get some relief by using a steamer  and breathing in or using a nasal spray - with polyps blocking a nostril, they just is no relief at all, and it can go on for years!!

I'm at last sleeping well and all night through. With the nose blocked, I was sleeping with my mouth open and waking up several times a night, either because I was dry or I woken myself up snoring. And then in the morning, I had to deal with a sandpaper tongue and snot etc coming down the back of my throat - Lovely!

I feel very thankful at the moment for the skill of surgeons and for our NHS; for a loving and caring husband, who has put up with so much; for friends from the Church who have been so supportive and prayed for me; and for those within my Church who could see beyond my health problems and given me the opportunity to work within the Church.

I really have a lot to be grateful for.

Sunday Service

Had to chuckle on my way down to get the newspaper. I usually walk down a couple of twittens to get to the shop. One of them has recently been rather visual on the dog poo front, mainly, it would appear from one dog judging by the uniformity in size - quite a handful!! Some one has evidently got fed up with this and put a note through each amount of poo. The note reads 'Pick up your dog's shit or have your nose rubbed in it!'

It's the sort of thing you dream of doing but never dare. I have a dog myself, but I'm almost anal (Ha!) in my insistence that it must be picked up. Did make me smile though, and wonder how the person is going to react. I would presume that if they don't care where their dog messes, then they aren't going to worry about a note. We shall see. Watch this space.

Back to Church today after 2 weeks away following my operation. I couldn't  go anywhere there might be risk of colds etc. for two weeks, so Church was out. Nice to be back and into the swing of things. Was a Reader of one of the Bible passages and sang in the choir. There was, as always, a lovely atmosphere. I was glad to be there. Had a surprise, when our vicar gave me a cross. I have recently been commissioned as an assistant at Communion, and this is to be worn when I perform my duties. Really amazed to be given such a thing - I shall treasure it.

Then after lunch, our walk with Joey, our dog. For some reason, she has taken against a walk we've been going on since we moved here. She seems really scared, and then we heard a whistle and that was it. Must do some research on this.

So far, not a bad day and good for a Sunday.

A Blogger Virgin's First Blog

This is something I thought I would never do. Yet, since an operation a couple of weeks ago, I feel the need to keep track of this year; it just seems that after years of being unwell, I have at last started to get my life back. And it feels GOOD!!


What was the operation? A polypectomy (removal of polyps from the nose). Seems minor, doesn't it? Seven and a half years ago, I had a similar, but bigger operation to remove polyps that had been causing problems for 10 years, but which had not, until the operation, been properly diagnosed. 


After that operation, I developed chronic fatigue, and never recovered fully. Then I was told the polyps were regrowing (they were aggressively growing ones apparently), and despite steroid treatment over the past seven years they remained a problem.


Added to that, a diagnosis of an under-active thyroid and you get one tired women.


However, since moving to a beautiful little town in Sussex, with an excellent doctor's practice, I am learning to manage my chronic fatigue; I am on levothyroxine for my thyroid; and I have now had a further operation on my nose, which has been successful.


I now have a sense of smell (although for how long, I don't know, it has been and gone before), my hearing has improved, I no longer shout at my husband (bless him), I can breathe properly through both nostrils and I have more energy than I have had in years.


The sad thing about these conditions is that they are unseen - people look at you as if you're just making it up. Throughout it all, I have looked OK, yet felt at times perfectly awful. 


Just before Christmas, my uncle died. I feel so guilty that I just couldn't travel down to his funeral in Plymouth - just didn't have the strength and had a nasal infection as well. Now, of course, I could have considered it. We're even thinking of having a holiday this year - unbelievable.


So I want to keep track this year, of what I get up to. I want to fulfil a dream of writing and am advised that this may be one way of starting things off - we shall see.