RA: An Update ~ Steroids and Biologics

So I mentioned back here that I was having a lot of pain over the summer....in June the doc had changed my methotrexate from 8 pills on Monday AM to 5 in the AM and 5 in the PM for a total of 10 hoping that the absorption would be better and it would actually work.... well... I tried it... and felt HORRIBLE... sick to my stomach and the pain was exactly the same... tried it one more time... AWFUL.... and decided that I was not going to spend my summer like that as I anticipated going to PA and thinking about people who ARE really SICK and HAVE to take the nasty meds... I figured I would deal with the pain so that I could at least not be sick to my stomach and support....

and then I came home to the foot infection... and then we had a few good weeks (albeit pain filled) and looked forward to the anticipation of vacation... and then you know we had the broken arm.... and then.... there was a night where it all just broke down... all of what I was TRYING to do on my own, the denial of what is wrong with me, the aloneness of being in chronic pain but no one knows because it is all inside your body.... the taking care of everything just like I always have and just couldn't do it anymore. (Here is the part where you should all feel sorry for Husband ;) good thing he's so good at picking up my broken pieces....because they were ALL over the place...

I was scheduled for an RA visit on 8/16. I made the appointment so that Husband would be able to go with me... they rescheduled. For the end of August when he would be back at school/practice... etc. and the date they picked didn't work for me so I cancelled. I finally made the call to reschedule and agreed to be put on a cancellation list and was able to get into the doctor on Wednesday.

You know... midway through the sanding/painting/joints dying renovation? CountryMum agreed to take the gals and I was an absolute TRAIN WRECK. Terrified doesn't even begin to cover it... these next steps... these drugs... telling the Dr. that I had not been taking the "chemo" all summer and would he be angry.... TERR-I-F-I-ED....

The RN came in and I shared my (tearful) concerns and she assured me that he would be understanding. That he only wants me on meds that will make me feel better, not worse. When he came in he definitely tried to lighten the mood and we decided on a new plan.

I'm taking prednisone for about 2 months. Just a low dose that he says will just "take the edge off the misery" and he was right. HOWEVER... my blood sugars are all outta whack... running extremely high for me so I put on a sensor so I can have a better handle on how quickly they are rising and taking a boatload more insulin to combat the steroid.

I also was checked for TB in the office on Wed and went back on Friday for them to confirm it was negative. I had NO IDEA that I was going to get my first Enbrel shot as well.... TOTALLY took me by surprise but I guess that was good because I didn't have time to get all worked up about it... the poor RN that gave me the injection didn't know that the Dr. had taken one out of the fridge anticipating my arrival that day so she gave me a cold one... WOWZER that did NOT feel good. Thank goodness for Miss B holding my hand and her encouragement when it was all over... "that's ok Mommy, next time you just have to be tougher...." um... OK. Steroids every day....Enbrel injections every Friday courtesy of Husband ;)

So now we are in with the big guns and PRAYING that in the next few weeks (although it can take up to 3 months) the Enbrel takes over, I get weaned off the steroids and I'm feeling better and better... that is of course always the goal isn't it? Emotionally I'm doing better with it and I think that obviously has to do with not being in AS MUCH pain....still praying for remission and not having to take anything at ALL would be amazing....

So let's START here...

yeah... it has been a WHILE.... but... single-mommin' it, summer va-ca fun, and not feelin' great have all contributed... I do... however... this time have PICTURES.... 146 of them to be exact ;) not ALL for the blog but lest I loose those that only come for the fluff and not to hear me rattle on....

a couple of health updates...

1) SIL Bets, MIL, and SIL L and I are all headed to the great city of Philly in a week or so... to a Cancer Center of America for a few more opinions. She has a pretty tight itinerary with lots of info and we are all anxious to hear what they have for "options" that may not have been presented to her yet....

2) I met with the RA doc a couple of weeks ago... because I am not ready for yet another INJECTION in my life and what we are doing is not helping my pain at all, he modified my methotrexate from 8 pills on Monday AM to.... 5 pills in the AM and 5 in the PM... I started that new regime last week (Hubs was away) and by Tuesday afternoon felt HORRIBLE.... Tried it again this week and same thing so far... today has been fairly miserable. Guess we may need to go back to the drawing board before August....

now stay tuned for the fluff...it's gonna be enlightening fun :)

RA ~ The Update

Here's where we are at....

Back in March I met with my PCP... she told me some blood work I had done did show a positive Lyme test... I talked to her about how DONE I was with the pain and that we needed to move forward... she agreed and asked me to meet with the new RA doc and she also suggested I get an appointment with a Lyme literate doc...

She pushed through the referral for the Lyme doc and I am not able to get in to see him until the end of August...

In the meantime, I went to see the NEW RA doc on April 20th. While I was getting ready that morning I was thinking about things that he might say that would encourage me to know that I was on the right path of healing and accept this diagnosis. One thing that ran through my mind was if he talked to me like I was his daughter, sister, or other family member...

Within minutes of sitting down with me, my history and what I am currently going through for pain, he said... "If you were MY daughter... I'd be on my hands and knees BEGGING you to take this medication"....

So... the first line of defense with RA is always Methotrexate. Aka....chemo. The dosage that RA patients take is FAR less than cancer patients but you can have similar side effects....

The first week I took 4 pills on Monday and then folic acid once a day every day from now on.... by Monday night I was definitely sick to my stomach and had no appetite. On Wednesday afternoon I had to pull my car over on the side of the road so I didn't get sick IN it....

The next week I took the 4 pills again and the side effects were SO much more MILD. I didn't have much of an appetite but I didn't feel like I wanted to toss my cookies... I feel a little more rundown Tues/Wed but overall not too bad...

This past Monday I took the 8 pills that is the "normal" dosage.... Praising Jesus that my side effects were just like the week before with the 4 pills. Again, I don't have much of an appetite but that is fine... and sleepy for a couple of days....but definitely doable.

I go back to see the RA doc in June for blood work to make sure the drugs are not killing my liver and to see where my pain is at.... so far... it is still the same. My wrists, shoulders and chest bones are the worst... but praying there is some relief in the next few weeks... it will be summer soon after all ;)

RA ~ an long overdue update

These things have been swirling around in my head for a few months now... and I'm still not sure that it is going to make sense when I type it out but you all know how I like keeping track of things and this is one that had all consumed my life....and I have not kept track of it...at least here. 

 

The pain has been getting worse... back in November sweet Liz did some "gentle" nudging ;) and made a few phone calls that were just TOO much for me. Some times it is just picking up the phone that is the scariest part... at least for me. My PCP had recommended a few months prior that I get in to see a health consultant/medical intuitive. She thought it would be beneficial to see if this other woman could "sense" anything other than RA as a diagnosis. So... I went to see her. She did some muscle testing before she even started talking about any of my history or why I was there or what I had already been diagnosed with... she did a few tests and claimed "you have LYME". She then did a few other tests and an hour later sent me out with three supplements and a LIST of foods NOT to eat.

 

Two days before Thanksgiving and Minnie's birthday party weekend.

 

I committed to the modified diet, in a nutshell, no gluten, dairy, sugar, corn, pork....etc.....thank the GOOD LORD that I had already done the 30 Day stint back in April/May. I had things already in my knowledge bank and then yet again... sweet Liz came along side and said... I'll support you. I'll go gluten free... Power in numbers for sure ;)

 

But even so... emotionally it was REALLY hard. A couple of weeks into it and I was struggling. I was keeping things in and putting up walls... getting depressed and not caring. That dividing line down my brain where one side knew what was going on and could see the decline and the other side didn't care.

 

I went back to see the PCP, explained what happened at the health consultant and expressed my concerns about at LYME diagnosis. She validated my concerns and decided to a GAZILLION (9 vials worth) of blood tests and put me back on the antibiotic I was on this summer after the tick bite. She also encouraged me to continue with the Rx from the RA doc. She said it could have some LYME killing properties.

 

For about 2 months I gave it about 98.9%... as the time has gone on... as things feel the same and worse, it gets more and more challenging. I'm a girl who barely ever took 2 Advil... now I have a line up of natural supplements, oils and Rx's.  Things to take with food, things that can't be taken within 2 hours of other things, things to take twice a day, things to day once a day....

 and taking FOUR of these when I just can't deal... and even then it doesn't touch it on an especially "bad day"

Emotionally, the past few weeks have been exhausting, tough, freeing and insightful. The Lord has placed things in my path that are JUST for me. He has given me nuggets to just get through and most recently opportunities to spend last weekend listening to some wonderful speakers who spoke truth straight to my soul. (Lauren Chandler, Jen Hatmaker, David Platt and Bianca Olthoff)

 

Yesterday, I scheduled an appointment with the Rheumatologist. A different one than I had seen before but in the same office. It has been a year. I've tried different things, we've spent $$ as natural things are not covered by insurance. I've been loved, supported and encouraged... but I'm in pain. I'm at the point where financially it makes the most sense to pursue the "big guns". If remission is the goal... if pain-free is what is at the end of their tunnel... I'm ready.

 

 

RA an update..of sorts...

I sort of left it hanging back HERE but not much has changed... really. Except that it kinda has...

My B/W came back saying that I did NOT have Lyme. Yipppeee... (more on that later)

On June 5th Husband and I had our follow up with the RA doc. The appointment felt completely different than it did the first time I met him. He shut me off when I started to tell him that I had tried a 30 day elimination diet stating "that's not going to work." (RAH) and just didn't feel like we are a good "fit".

He did agree to let me try the "least toxic" RA med with his disclaimer that he didn't think it would work. This past week I had Husband pick up my Rx of Plaquenil... I've yet to take it.

In the meantime, like last week... I got bit by something. It was itchy and felt like a deer fly bite. Over the weekend the spot got progressively bigger and more typical to a tick bite. On Monday I was able to get in and see an NP... they did confirm a tick bite and I'm on an antibiotic for the next THREE weeks... or longer if the spot does not COMPLETELY go away.

Wouldn't be summer vacation without SOME sort of medical drama right?

The End. This Girl.

Honestly... I have THE.BEST.Sisters in LOVE... You all WISH you could have the sisters I do... TRUST ME.

 

But honestly... for this girl to give up and sacrifice like she did for the entire 30 days... overwhelms me in a way that I wouldn't EVER be able to put into words. This blog post has taken me SO long to just be able to get my mind around... and stop crying every time I started typing.

Giving up how you eat is so much more than "giving up how you eat"... It is rethinking all that you do, how you take care of your family and required MUCH planning ahead. This gal took it all on JUST to support me. Just so I wouldn't have to do it alone and just to be the person I could lean on who truly understood what I was going through in that very moment because SHE was going through the same thing...

I would throw myself in front of a bus for her babies but I don't know that I would have given up what she did for those 30 days. I love this girl and I am so SO blessed and thankful for her... especially the past 30 days... Thank YOU SIL L

It didn't really answer any questions of what are potential trigger foods for me but as Husband said... "it's not like you are hurting yourself by eating better" :) So now I wait for blood work checking for Lyme and I have an appointment in June with the rheumatologist that Husband will be able to come to as well. Onward and upward and so happy the food chapter is done... for now. ;)

Monday, Day 29 and Tuesday the LAST DAY

Weather: Mostly cloudy 50/60's!!!! Tuesday, mostly cloudy.. .took a while to warm up but got to 80

Food:
(Monday) Coffee with almond milk little syrup
 2 waffles with jam
Pasta salad with chicken and dressing
Strawberries
steak, GF pasta, salad

 

Two waffles with jam

chicken, orange, popcorn, fritos (for low blood sugar)

Leftover Steak, GF pasta, roasted asparagus

Supplements: Fish oil once, turmeric w/black pepper twice, probiotic once, vitamin D once (didn't take the meds until bedtime Tuesday) did a detox bath on Monday and took 4 Advil before bed hoping to have a "good day"

 

Drs: Monday I went in for my blood work and confirmed that I am getting the Lyme test that "Fletch" says I need :) so everything under the sun I hope... waiting for those results...

Overall pain level and locations: 5/6ish... mostly feet and finger, chest....

Cliff Notes from SIL L:

Friday Day 26, Saturday, Day 27, Sunday, Day 28

Weather:  Sunny 60's

Food:
Coffee with almond milk little syrup
 2 waffles with jam
 Banana for low blood sugar
Orange for low blood sugar
Roast chicken, cukes, strawberries
Skinny Pop and an apple low blood sugar

Chicken and pasta probably.. can't remember now... (Tuesday) 

Saturday
Waffle
Salad with chicken, cukes and dressing
Strawberries
Burgers with avocado and some ketchup to dip

Sunday (Mother's Day)
GF pancakes with raspberries from SIL L and kiwi
Salad with chicken and dressing for lunch
GF pasta with broccoli and vegan butter
Skinny Pop


Supplements: Fish oil once, turmeric w/black pepper twice, probiotic once, vitamin D once  I also took 3 Advil in the AM (Friday)

 

Drs:

Overall pain level and locations:  6/7, chest and finger

Cliff Notes from SIL L:

Friday

breakfast same

Lunch

chicken

2 clementines

snack

skinny popcorn

supper

steak

baked potato with approved butter

 

Saturday

same breakfast

lunch

burger with fries

supper

pasta salad

Sunday

breakfast

approved pancakes

lunch

pasta

salad

fritos

supper

waffles with approved jelly

 

Wednesday & Thursday

Weather:  Sunny, Sunny, Sunny 75+

Food: Kinda gave up on the lemon water... tastes yucky and wasn't doing anything
Coffee with almond milk little syrup
No breakfast
Homemade guac with corn chips and leftover steak
Piece of Liz's chocolate

Leftover crockpot pork (was in the freezer) with leftover brown rice pasta
Skinny Pop

 

1 waffle with jam

1 banana
Some strawberries, 1/2 an orange and Skinny Pop for "lunch"

Piece of Liz's chocolate

Tacos, mine were on corn chips with lettuce, quac, and burger

Supplements: Fish oil once, turmeric w/black pepper twice, probiotic once, vitamin D once Wednesday I also took 3 Advil in the AM

 

Drs:

Overall pain level and locations: Wednesday was a "BAD" day... I could barely move, I had so much I wanted to get done around the house and it was a battle to not climb back into my bed... thank goodness the weather was nice and I have the two cutest reasons to just keep going. My back, my chest, my finger, my feet... everything. Brutal :( 8/9 ~  Thursday was better... 6/7

Cliff Notes from SIL L:

Wednesday

morning...same

banana

lunch 

salad with steak

blueberries/raspberries

clementines

snack

banana

skinny popcorn

supper

pork tenderloin

brown rice

steamed broccoli

waffle with approved jelly

 

****very bloated early in week from pancakes (flaxseed KILLS me)....

Monday & Tuesday Days 22 and 23

Weather: Monday Sunny 85!!!! Tuesday Sunny and 75 LOVE IT!

Food: Kinda gave up on the lemon water... tastes yucky and wasn't doing anything
(Monday) Coffee with almond milk little syrup
1 waffle with jam
Pasta salad with chicken and dressing
Piece of Liz's chocolate

Pasta salad with chicken, raspberries and blackberries

 

Two waffles with jam

1 1/2 bananas for snack and to treat a low blood sugar

guess... pasta salad with chicken (I'm 'bout done with that meal)

Piece of Liz's chocolate

Steak, brown rice, steamed asparagus FROM MY GARDEN!!! and salads 

Supplements: Fish oil once, turmeric w/black pepper twice, probiotic once, vitamin D once (didn't take the meds until bedtime Monday)

 

Drs: I spoke to my PCP office and have asked my dr. to give me any and every Lyme test available... I'm waiting for a call back letting me know if she agrees to it or not ~ she called back on Tuesday and said she agreed to the Lyme tests, now I'm waiting for them to tell me when they are ordered at the lab closest to me

Overall pain level and locations: 5/6ish... mostly feet and finger
 
Cliff Notes from SIL L:

Tuesday

morning and breakfast routine same.

Lunch

leftover 'spaghetti'

clementines

snack

fritos

skinny popcorn

supper 

burger

brown rice

Friday ~ Sunday Day 19, 20, 21

Weather: Mostly cloudy 50's-60's, Sunday Sunny 60's

Food:
Breakfast all three days:
Coffee with almond milk little bit of maple syrup
2 waffles with jam and vegan butter

Friday:
1/2 an apple

Leftover spag with meat sauce
An orange to treat low blood sugar
Some of Liz's amazing chocolate

Amy's DF/GF Pizza ~ my review is... I got down two small pieces but there was NO WAY I could eat it for lunch on Saturday... crumbly crust and just couldn't do it.

Saturday:
Olive Oil Popcorn from Trader Joe's
Raspberries
Leftover Bourbon chicken, GF pasta, sautéed zucchini and onions
Blackberries and Raspberries

Sunday:
Juice box during church for low blood sugar
Salad with chicken, carrots, pasta, salad and dressing

Supplements: Fish oil once, turmeric w/black pepper twice, probiotic once, vitamin D once

Drs:

Overall pain level and locations: Friday: Really low pain level today, finger not so swollen for sure... keep in mind... 4 advil last night before bed... Saturday: 6? Finger swollen again, chest pain back, Sunday: chest/finger 5/6ish
  

Cliff Notes from SIL:

Friday

cup warm water with lemon

2 cups tea with honey

breakfast

2 waffles with approved jelly

banana

Lunch

chicken

2 clementines

snack

skinny popcorn

supper

pizza (gluton free pizza crust found in gluton free section.. I think the brand is something like Schar) with spaghetti sauce and broccoli

tortila chips

Saturday

1 cup coffee with almond milk

1 cup tea

2 waffles with approved jelly

Lunch

raspberries and blackberries 

Supper

steak

gluton free noodles

Sunday

1 cup coffee with almond milk

1 cup tea

breakfast

2 waffles with approved jelly

Lunch

pasta salad with cukes/chicken/pickles and approved dressing

fritos

Snack

skinny popcorn

Supper

gluton free raspberry pancakes with maple syrup

Days 16, 17, 18 (Tues, Wed, Thurs)

Weather: Mostly cloudy 50's/Partly Sunny (ALL THREE DAYS!!!)

Food: 4 oz of WARM lemon water
Coffee with almond milk
1 waffle with jam (Tuesday & Wed) Nothing to eat on Thursday

Iced coffee with a splash of maple syrup and almond milk (Thursday)

Attempted the DF/GF Mac and "cheese"... three bites and that was it. Kinda gagging but I  MIGHT be able to do it as a side dish... have it in the fridge to try again...
Banana

Salad with chicken

Snacks:
Few Tostitos

Snack Skinny Pop

Dinners:
Burgers, Salad (Tuesday)

Spaghetti w/ meat sauce, side salad (Wednesday)

Crockpot Chicken on a salad (Thursday)

 

Supplements: Fish oil once, turmeric w/black pepper twice, probiotic once, vitamin D once, detox bath with salt, cider and frankincense essential oil (Bath only Wednesday) NO SUPPLEMENTS AT ALL ON THURSDAY ~ I did take 4 Advil before bed on Thursday... extra sore all over (see notes on manual labor below)

Drs:

Overall pain level and locations: 6ish... mostly knees, ankles, feet, finger and chest ~ lots of "manual" labor, carrying heavy totes up from the basement, lots of cleaning, bending, carrying laundry baskets upstairs and trying to steam clean my carpet... key word... trying.
  

Cliff Notes from SIL:

warm water with lemon

2 cups tea with honey

breakfast

2 waffles with approved jelly

lunch

chicken

2 clementines

handful fritos

supper

burger

french fries

green beans

 

Wednesday

warm water with lemon

2 cups tea with honey

breakfast

2 waffles with approved jelly

lunch

house salad with chicken and approved dressing

clementines

grapes

snack

skinny pop

supper

steak

french fries

steamed broccoli

Thursday

warm water with lemon

2 cups tea with honey

breakfast

2 waffles with approved jelly

lunch

salad with chicken and approved dressing

blackberries

clementine

banana

snack

skinny popcorn

supper

pasta salad....cukes, pickles, little bit of chicken

 

Day 15 Monday

Weather: Mostly cloudy 50's

Food: 4 oz of WARM lemon water
Coffee with almond milk
1 waffle with jam
Iced coffee with a splash of maple syrup and almond milk
Banana 

Salad with chicken, grapes and dressing
Few Tostitos

Snack was blueberries and Skinny Pop
Grilled Steak, Quinoa with roasted zucc, asparagus, red onion and raw carrots, dressed with this dressing. I subbed maple syrup for honey because we ran out of honey....and I added some dried basil. It needed more tang so I added more mustard.

Supplements: Fish oil once, turmeric w/black pepper twice, probiotic once, vitamin D once, detox bath with salt, cider and frankincense essential oil

Drs:

Overall pain level and locations: 6ish... mostly knees, ankles, feet, finger and chest
 

Cliff Notes from SIL:

warm water with lemon

2 cups tea with honey

Breakfast

2 waffles with approved jelly

lunch

chicken

2 clementines

snack

small pancake

handful fritos 

handful skinny pop

supper

pork chops

baked potato

cucumber

1/2 Way to 30 Days

Overall... I am not feeling any better. I actually feel just about the same. I'm paying more attention to pain locations but for the most part I don't feel like anything has changed.

That is frustrating :(

I am still missing what I "used" to eat and find myself getting grouchy when I "can't have" something. Struggling with entitlement I guess... Plus...the cake at the bridal shower looked SUPER yummy and the Sunday morning breakfast I would typically eat with Husband smelled up the whole house and looked YUMMY as usual. That is the part that I have to change my thinking on... eating an amazing weekend breakfast made by Husband, making homemade pizza with my family and watching a movie is a once a week - 3 times a month has been an emotional LOSS for me these past 15 days. I did spend WAY TOO MUCH money on a frozen pizza with a GF crust and DF "cheese" on it. It does have a little cane sugar in it but I'm gonna just roll with it. (and PRAY I can choke it down!) So thankful for all the OPTIONS out there.

I think the Detox baths have been the MOST beneficial to me. It is really hard to sit in that super hot water for 20 WHOLE minutes but it does seem like I have a little bit of a better day the day following a bath. Could be in my head. I dunno.

There was a change in perspective though when I was so super frustrated that NOTHING was making a difference (or so it would seem thus far) but then if nothing is making a difference.... I guess I get to go back to MY FOOD! :) Change of perspective.

I do like the menu planning. Having 30 days of meals all figured out and then taking each week against the circular, what I have in my freezer, and what is going on with our schedule has been really helpful. On the flip side... I don't USUALLY cook/plan/organize meals for Friday, Sat. and Sun. Not that I don't cook but Husband and I usually just fly by the seat of our pants as far as oh let's grill tonight or let's make homemade pizza... Having to do meals on the weekend annoys me. I'm just sayin'. ;)

Here's to cresting the hill and coming down on the other side...prayers appreciated.

Notes from SIL L:

Good morning...will try to share my thoughts on our process:)

overall so far it has been a success as far as my stomach etc... I am not feeling as bloated even though the pounds definitely have not melted away..... I don't think I have lost weight through this process yet..(I don't weigh myself so hard to tell).  Many times through this I have been hungry....stomach growling hungry where as before....I just ate because..... now I feel the hunger.  I need to find ways to eat the things that will stick with me and find foods that are filling that fall in the 'can eat' category.

I do notice a difference in belly after eating spaghetti, pancakes and 'pizza'.  these were the foods that really bothered me before and doing the substitutes has helped.  

Overall, when the 30 days is over...I will probably continue to try to go gluten free as much as possible.  however, I love food and probably won't be able to do it...cereal...pizza etc... but I will take steps.. regarding sugar...I know I can't commit to NOT eating sugar.......but will cut back.

this process has reminded me to think before I just put something in my mouth....very hard when I am starving right now and don't eat breakfast for 2 MORE HOURS!!!!!

 

After this...I will continue with the gluton free waffles and making of gluten-free pancakes...even though pancakes are not easy to cook.  I will probably add peanut butter back in to put on these waffles:)  

I will cook with gluton free pasta for myself...not the family though.....and will try and stay away from gluton stuff...super hard....

Days 13 (Saturday) and 14 (Sunday)

Weather: Mostly cloudy high 40's, windy, raw and COOOLLDDD

Food:

Saturday:
NO Lemon water
Coffee with Almond Milk
No breakfast, therefore no Vits/supplements
Few raspberries on the way up to a bridal shower
Pasta salad packed my SIL L
Tortilla chips, fruit salad and fruit kabobs at the shower
Skinny Pop and more raspberries on the way home
Leftover brocc/caul/brown rice and pork tenderloin

Sunday:
4 oz of WARM lemon water
Coffee with almond milk
One waffle with jam and a banana

Salad with turkey, red cabbage and dressing

Tostitos
Chicken, avocado, berries

Supplements: NOTHING on Saturday except for 3 Advil, Sunday: Fish oil once, turmeric w/black pepper once, probiotic once, vitamin D once

Drs:

Overall pain level and locations: Saturday was OK except for driving 5 hours in the car. I was definitely stiff and sore but probably a 5-6 Sunday: again 5-6?

 

Cliff Notes from SIL:

1 cup coffee with almond milk

1 cup tea with honey

Breakfast

2 waffles with approved jam

raspberries

Lunch -hmm tricky with being at a bridal shower

1 fruit kabob

pasta salad

snack

skinny pop

raspberries

supper

chicken stir fry (gluten free soy sauce) with broccoli and brown rice

Sunday

gluten/sugar/egg/milk free pancakes with maple syrup

Lunch

hamburger

pickles

Fritos

supper

pancakes with maple syrup

raspberries and blueberries

 

Day 12 (Friday)

Weather: Sunny high 40's, windy and COOOLLDDD

Food: 4 oz of WARM lemon water
Coffee with almond milk
Two waffles with vegan butter and jam 

Salad with turkey, cukes, red cabbage and dressing

Fritos
Snack was an orange
Maple/Mustard (dry mustard) sage, pork tenderloin (this is something we have in the normal rotation at the Mouse House, brown rice, brocc/cauliflower

Low blood sugar after dinner... waffle with jam

Supplements: Fish oil once, turmeric w/black pepper twice, probiotic once, vitamin D once, detox bath with salt, cider and frankincense essential oil

Drs:

Overall pain level and locations: Pain was BRUTAL... a ton of pain in the right side of my chest and really sore all over... we were out in the cold all day (pics to follow) and that may have had something to do with it but really painful 7-8?

Cliff Notes from SIL:

water with lemon

2 cups tea with honey
Breakfast

waffles with approved jam

lunch

chicken

clementine

snack

skinny popcorn

supper - too late

gluton free raspberry pancakes with maple syrup

Day 11

Weather: Sunny high 50's low 60's

Food: 4 oz of WARM lemon water
Coffee with almond milk
Two waffles with vegan butter and jam
Banana for snack
Tried to mix tuna with my avocado mayo and put on a salad (just baby greens) didn't do it for me. Not sure if the tuna was too fishy or what but I threw 75% of it away and had a handful of Fritos calling it "good".
Low blood sugar (you don't say?) so I had a "mock" tail of grapefruit/cran/pom and a splash of lime
Dinner reheated turkey, brown rice, salad
100% juice and Skinny Pop for a snack

Took the girls to DQ with free ice cream tokens (from one of Minnie's ice fishing derby's this winter ;) sat sitting at the Blizzard sign... ah well....

Supplements: Fish oil once, turmeric w/black pepper twice, probiotic once, vitamin D once

Drs:

Overall pain level and locations: Feet are sore... finger not as much... chest not as much...5-6?

Cliff Notes from SIL:

warm water with lemon

2 cups tea with honey

breakfast

2 waffles with approved jelly

lunch

salad with chicken and approved salad dressing on side

clementine

snack

skinny popcorn

supper

taco - burger - with a 'touch' of seasoning and corn shell (2) with lettuce.... NO doritoes even though I wanted them with my tacos.

Day 10

Weather: Sunny high 50's low 60's

Food: 4 oz of WARM lemon water
Coffee with almond milk
Two waffles with vegan butter and jam
Lunch was turkey "sandwich" on two waffles with lettuce and the avocado mayo, Fritos
Supper was tacos. Instead of spending the $$ for the no sugar taco seasoning packet at Whole Paycheck, I ended up having Husband take some of the burger out and adding just a LITTLE bit of seasoning... I also cooked refried beans (yum!) and had avocado, a little salsa, and I lined each corn taco shell with the avocado mayo. Def. missed my sour cream and cheese... :( but the beans were fun. Not something that I usually do because it makes my sugar go up and I did have to wake up around 2AM to take insulin for a high

Supplements: 3 Advil before leaving for track practice Fish oil once, turmeric w/black pepper 3 times, probiotic once, vitamin D once, 20 min detox bath with Epsom salt, apple cider vinegar and baking soda

Drs:

Overall pain level and locations: Brutal morning... both feet, finger... a little bone pain in my chest. I still walked a mile at practice and felt better after that.

Cliff Notes from SIL

warm water with lemon

2 cups tea with honey

Breakfast

2 waffles with approved jelly

snack

banana

Lunch

chicken with mustard

strawberries

snack

tortilla chips

Supper

gluton free noodles with spaghetti sauce

snack

waffle with approved jelly

Day 9 (Tuesday)

Weather: Rain, damp, overcast high 40's

Food: FORGOT my 4 oz of WARM lemon water
Coffee with almond milk
1/2  Bob's Red Mill GF biscuit with vegan butter and jam
Lunch was turkey on a salad with red cabbage, celery, cukes, avocado and dressing
Bowl of "ice cream" frozen peaches, strawberries, tablespoon of maple syrup and a dash of lemon juice in the food processor. Frozen until firm. (I separated the batch and sent 1/2 with SIL L)
Skinny Pop
Supper was grilled steak, and pasta salad that I used the leftover GF corn pasta for...it was HORRIBLE cold. The texture was TERRIBLE and we all HATED it. I did make mine with avocado mayo and that was AMAZING. Loved it!

For whatever reason the biscuits did not agree with SIL or I at ALL. We both had a "reaction" to them for some reason... won't be making those again. Bummer because they really were not awful

Supplements: Fish oil once, turmeric w/black pepper once, probiotic once, vitamin D once

Drs: I called my PCP and she is on vacation until next week. They will get back to me once they have spoken to her

Overall pain level and locations: Pain was way down... woke up at probably a 4... even with rain


Cliff Notes from SIL:

lemon with warm water

2 cups tea with honey

breakfast

bisquit with approved jelly

lunch

chicken

clementine

banana

snack 

skinny popcorn

supper

Steak on grill

french fries

salad

1/2 cup 100% apple juice

snack

2 tbsp of peach/strawberry icecream Julia made

waffle with approved jelly

Day 8

Weather: Damp, overcast high 40's

Food: 4 oz of WARM lemon water
Coffee with almond milk a little maple syrup
 2 GF Raspberry pancakes with syrup
Snack was a clementine
For lunch I tried to do the leftover sausage/veggie thing but couldn't do the "meatballs". Just made my stomach turn. I heated up some of the leftover pasta and put some marinara sauce on. Had some Skinny Pop for a snack
Dinner was roast turkey Bob's Red Mill GF biscuits and green beans. The biscuits were by far the best GF option for "bread" that we have had. I used all my biscuit tricks and read the reviews on line before making them... put my "butter" diced in the freezer for 1/2 hour, the flour mix with an added 1/2 tsp of baking powder and the almond milk. Used the food processor and these things ACTUALLY rose... a little bit. Couldn't believe it.

Supplements: Fish oil twice, turmeric w/black pepper twice, probiotic once, vitamin D once, 3 Advil at lunch time, Detox bath

Drs:

Overall pain level and locations: When I woke up pain was at a 7-8 today. It never really got better. Most days I can feel it getting better but by lunch time I had to take some Advil.


Cliff Notes from SIL:

coffee with almond milk (2nd try)

tea with honey

Breakfast

2 waffles with 'approved' jelly

lunch

chicken

clementine

snack(s) - hungry today....

tortilla chips

2 pancakes with maple syrup

supper

chicken with garlic

cucumbers

barilla pasta

1/2 biscuit with approved butter