It's snowing outside, and I am freezing my teeth off with frozen blueberries. Go figure.
Life's been pretty crazy lately. Normally I love the holidays, and love baking during this festive time of year. I've been overwhelmed by all the fantastic recipes I've seen on everyone's blogs! I would love to share with you all the delicious treats I've been working on, but alas, I have yet to make anything worth sharing. Or really, anything at all.
For the last month and a half I've been dealing with some pretty severe pain. A few weeks ago, I finally decided to go see someone about it. I got in to see a sports medicine doctor. She took some x-rays, looked at things, put my body through the ringer, and sent me home with a bunch of prescriptions and a rigorous home therapy schedule.
I've spent the last 2 weeks in a heavily medicated fog of steroids, muscle relaxers and pain meds. Seriously, I've been a mess. I've hardly been eating, I think I may have made it through one of the last 15 days without crying, I've had daily headaches, and my stomach has been so upset. Not to mention the loopiness and nausea/dizziness I get from the pain meds. Such fun!
Finished up the 'roids 2 days ago, and had my follow up appointment yesterday. The drugs didn't fix the problem. They helped, reduced *some* of my pain, but it's still there, and still pretty constant.
So, tomorrow I get to have an MRI done. Yay! Lucky (extremely claustrophobic) me.
But, if it means answers, I'll suffer through it. Most likely I'm looking at lots of physical therapy, possible nerve block injections, and if all else fails, surgery. Hopefully not though. REALLY hopefully not :)
I finally got my Christmas shopping done last night, after 5 emotional hours at the mall (thanks to a painful visit to the doc, and mounting frustration at the looming deadline - it was the one time I was really glad to go shopping with my husband, who kept me going when I just wanted to go home and cry). Everything's been mailed off to the family, and I got our cards sent out today as well. Whew. Just gotta grab a couple more things for my hubby, and I'm set. Thank goodness.
Let's just say I haven't really gotten the Christmas spirit yet. I know, tis the season and all, and I've wanted to. I LOVE Christmas! But with this pain, as well as a busy month at work, and trying to keep the rest of my life together, I've been pretty beat.
I've been living off of almond flour waffles - based on this recipe, as well as this amazing and easy salad, and this delicious tomato soup. Not to mention, lots of Chex cereal in almond milk, as well as anything else I feel like I can stomach.
Like whatever is in the fridge. For example, tonight I had some toasted focaccia bread (w/ oil and garlic salt), a whole package of korean kim (seaweed), and some edamame with salt and lemon. Oh, and a handful of glutino chocolate covered pretzels. It's pretty much been fend for yourself around here. My poor hubby.
Anyway, now that I'm off the steroids, I'm hoping I will start to feel a little better (as far as side effects go). I really want to get in the kitchen and whip up something fabulous. But I have to dig through all the dirty dishes to find the counters first...
I must say, this whole ordeal has made me very thankful for my life. I didn't really do an official thanksgiving post, mostly because I didn't have anything overwhelming to share, other than this totally awesome cranberry sauce. But I will say now, I have a good life. My husband has been incredible over the last few weeks, so patient, caring, and loving. I'm so very thankful for the wonderful man that he is, and that he's put up with all the things I have thrown at him over the last 8 years.
I am also grateful for having a relatively healthy life so far. Nothing I can't control with my diet, a thyroid pill here and there, good food and exercise. I really appreciate a body that has been able to withstand so much, and let me do so much. Like climb to the top of the most beautiful mountain in Utah Valley!
I know, super dorky primal picture of me, but I was so excited to be on top of the world! That was one of the best days of this last year!
I'm thankful for a beautiful, warm home, enough food to eat, cars that get us safely where we need to go daily, a steady job where I am valued, the greatest cat ever, and wonderful friends and family around me. That includes all of you! I am so glad to be a part of this food blogging community, to be able to share with you my successes and learning experiences, and hear about all of yours!
I hope you all are doing well, and enjoying the holiday season! I will (hopefully) be back here soon, with something tasty to share!
