tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82342222556918919632024-03-13T12:17:58.179+10:30Simply (trying to get healthy!)Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-38286105667762963172019-09-24T16:13:00.000+09:302019-09-24T20:39:28.019+09:30BLOODY HELL! Here we go again.....<br />
Honestly... I am shaking my head at my own stupidity here!<br />
Instead of doing the smart thing....I took the ostrich approach and buried my head in the sand.<br />
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Just over 10 years ago I had Breast Implants as part of my Breast Reconstruction post Breast Cancer ... after some initial hiccups ..including multiple surgeries all was well.... until a few little issues showed up in the last year or so.... and then BIGGER issues came to light this year.<br />
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I have tried to self analyse why I was so reluctant to address this earlier.... and this is all I can come up with...<br />
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<ol>
<li>I have boxed up my entire Breast Cancer event and shelved it. I never talk about it...I don't refer to it... and I don't identify with having had it. (I am actually incredibly good at 'boxing up' nasties in my life... its a finely honed skill. I see or hear something I don't like....I 'box it!' ...Breast Cancer is in a double box ....never to be opened again.... or so I thought.)<br />.</li>
<li>I can not read or watch anything Cancer related.... I switch off. Its my worst nightmare.... so when Dad was diagnosed this year and we all stepped up to support him through his illness it affected me... it played into my greatest anxiety.. and dealing with anything else at all at the time was too much to bear.<br />.</li>
<li>I had read stories about Implant illness and I had also read and watched media releases about the Allergan implants and the lymphoma risk.... but everyone I spoke to thankfully verified exactly what I was hoping to hear.... "If you were at risk...someone would have notified you!" Haha! ...WRONG!</li>
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So... my story so far...<br />
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Earlier this year I noticed a lump under my arm.... it was painful... and my clothing annoyed it... lifting anything heavy dragged my arm down on it and hurt (so noticeable at work) ... and even applying roll-on deodorant was uncomfortable. I told myself it was a lymph node.. nothing to worry about... and I ignored it.<br />
It would flare...then settle... then flare... and by then I was in the midst of 'anxiety land' with Dad... and the last thing I needed was to worry about an armpit. So I continued to ignore it.<br />
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In August I figured life had settled... and I probably should get it checked... my Dr was thankfully more concerned than I had been... and I had an Ultrasound and a breast clinic Appointment arranged before I left the room.<br />
The Ultrasound confirmed a lump almost 4 cm under my arm... not too far from the implant edge. I then had to wait until mid September for my Breast Clinic Appointment with the Oncology surgeon.<br />
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During that wait I received my first letter from the T.G.A - it mentioned the media was about to release stories regarding the danger of textured breast implants.... but <i>not to panic</i>. They advised no course of action was required unless you were having problems. They also mentioned that most implants were safe...and to speak to your healthcare provider if you were worried.<br />
I was immediately suspicious... but I knew I had an appointment in the weeks to come.... so I 'boxed that info'.<br />
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Fast forward to mid September ... my Breast Clinic Appointment -<br />
Thank goodness.... my Breast Surgeon who I absolutely adore and have complete and utter faith in (after 4 surgeries for the reconstruction process)... was still at the Breast Clinic ..and was to be my Surgeon again for this trip around. It was reassuring to know I was in the best hands possible.<br />
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I was then handed the second letter from the TGA (that had been neatly tucked in my file)... it stated that I did indeed have the suspect Allergan textured implants!<br />
Then luckily because I was symptomatic my Surgeon recommended urgent removal.<br />
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So I was booked for a fine needle biopsy of the lump under my arm.... the soonest available time was 10 days away.... but somehow I fluked an Ultrasound and Biopsy within 30 minutes of being in the Breast Clinic... and we now knew that my (R) implant had ruptured and I had multiple lumps of silicone free floating under my arm and toward my rib cage. The one lump in August was now multiple lumps.... and progressing... and surgery was booked for the very first date possible.<br />
Which is early October 2019<br />
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So ... as I type this I am anxiously ticking off the days.... I have 6 more shifts at work . and then I can mentally prepare myself for whats ahead.<br />
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<i>I am so grateful </i>.. incredibly grateful that I have the Surgeon of my choice...<br />
<i>I am disappointed</i> with myself that I didn't do something earlier.<br />
<i>I am angry</i> that the T.G.A left us in the dark for so long....and that they didn't notify us of potential dangers sooner.<br />
<i>I am frightened </i>of the possibility of lymphoma from 10 years of these implants including a rupture.<br />
<i>I am hopeful</i> that possibly all of the weird symptoms I have experienced over the last few years may in fact be as a result of Implant Illness....and possibly I will feel much better once the 'explant' occurs.<br />
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I have read a lot over the last few weeks about 'explanting' and 'breast implant illness' .... and its been comforting to hear the stories of others. As always I am so torn with how much to share?<br />
What is my motivation to share? I am just not sure it benefits anyone.... but its all part of by Breast Cancer story and so it seems fitting I share the next chapters here as well.<br />
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Links -<br />
<a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/alert/breast-implants-and-anaplastic-large-cell-lymphoma">TGA and lymphoma </a><br />
<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-08/doctors-weigh-up-ban-of-breast-implant-linked-to-cancer/10979612">ABC news story</a><br />
<a href="https://mardi-mychemojournal.blogspot.com/2010/01/reconstruction.html">My initial Reconstruction Story</a><br />
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<br />Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-24040000085524060462014-04-14T07:48:00.001+09:302014-04-14T07:48:11.571+09:30Allergy and food sensitivity<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Homemade Apple'; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;">
Allergy and food sensitivity....</h3>
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I have had this ongoing battle for literally FOREVER with allergies... and sensitivities...</div>
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For a large part of my adult life it was manageable and I took it in my stride...</div>
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and yes I had itchy...patchy skin at times...but that was me...and I got on with it.</div>
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But then I had a little <a href="http://mardi-mychemojournal.blogspot.com.au/2008_02_01_archive.html" style="color: #9eda26; text-decoration: none;">health hiccup</a> ... </div>
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and its been a roller-coaster ride ever since.</div>
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I have kept a journal on a side blog just as a record for myself...</div>
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and I have collected a few beautiful readers along the way...</div>
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but today I had a little more info to share and thought maybe it might be interesting and beneficial either to others...or to me if I were to share it here.</div>
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I feel as though I bang on about my sensitivities and allergies far too much...</div>
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I hate being that person who cant eat this....or cant eat that...</div>
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who cant put that on their skin....and who spends far too much money buying books...</div>
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visiting alternate treatments....and adding supplements to my cupboard that I cant even tolerate.</div>
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I am embarrassed talking about it among my friends...</div>
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I feel contradictory...</div>
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I blame food in one conversation.....and in another I blame stress...</div>
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or maybe a product I used....and the truth is....it is all of those things...</div>
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and its difficult to navigate and manage.</div>
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The hardest part is that I now have a list of foods and products that affect my skin..</div>
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and another list that affects my stomach..</div>
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and yet another list that gives me migraines...</div>
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and even then I'm in trouble..</div>
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My lists aren't accurate enough....its pretty clear I am still eating foods that aren't suitable...and more than likely omitting foods that I could be enjoying.</div>
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Just as a visual...(oh how we all love a visual haha) Here are a few recent pics from my sensitivity diary I keep on my phone...I can only get skin shots...its impossible to record every time my stomach feels like this on the inside or my head is splitting in half.</div>
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Fortunately I have the sweetest.... most patient husband.... who when I miserably tell him I have reacted to something....will always start listing the foods he believes it could be...his words are always...</div>
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"Ok....what have you eaten?" then between us....we try to nut it out.</div>
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But it makes me sad.... that I fritter and waste both his and my hard earn t money on chasing the answer..</div>
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I couldn't count the amount of dollars I have spent on specialists... alternate therapists..lotions.... supplements... food alternatives....books...access to online sites...</div>
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not to mention fuel as I trek to Adelaide for appointments.. and follow ups.</div>
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Its not about the money though....its about the fact that after ALL of that...</div>
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I am in exactly the same spot...albeit a little worse than I have ever been.</div>
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My dear hubby is frustrated by my enthusiasm at every new step when I come home excited that </div>
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"This is the key...this is it....it all made sense.."...only to find that a few weeks in that I am no better...more disillusioned... guilty at the money wastage yet again....and I plunge into miserableness. </div>
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He is always the counter-balance.... when I am over excited he brings me back to earth...and when I am so miserable and down about it all....he brings me back up.</div>
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I never actually tell him how much I appreciate that in him....I sometimes hate that he doesn't get all excited along with me...but when I'm having a bad reaction and feel so blotch...itchy and red...he loves me anyway....and I love him to bits for that.</div>
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So...</div>
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I have tried...</div>
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The usual dermatologists...immunologists... I've had allergy testing...skin pricking...and all amount of steroid creams...prednisolone...and antihistamines.</div>
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Then in the few years....</div>
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I visited Naturopath one - I had liveblood testing...and followed a <a href="http://mardi-mychemojournal.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/next-instalment-in-my-quest-for-health.html" style="color: #9eda26; text-decoration: none;">12week detox.</a>.. for a number of problems... including adrenal fatigue and leaky gut... I came out the other end feeling much improved but still something wasn't right...I was still having flare-ups.. and as my old habits crept in I began to feel achy... fatigued and unwell again.</div>
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I ate low Salicylate for some time....and it helped...but wasn't exactly the answer... some of the foods on the high-sal list I tolerate....and then I react to others that are low-sal...so it was not clear cut.</div>
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So I visited Naturopath two - I liked him a lot...and he soon had me feeling better in myself...he had my adrenal fatigue sorted....but his expertise wasn't on individual food sensitivities...and at that time I was fairly certain the Tamoxifen I was taking for my BC was affecting me...and he wasn't </div>
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(and quite rightly so) prepared to make any recommendations regarding that so I sought out Naturopath three...who was a GP as well ... she was in more of a position to bring a valid argument to the table over the Tamoxifen and also had some great suggestions about my diet as well. I was disillusioned after a few months though when I had a mountain of supplements ...and my stomach was worse than ever...</div>
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and I found the supplements were contributing to that.....so I stopped going.</div>
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I gave up for awhile....I thought I could nut it out myself...</div>
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I began a diary...and kept a record....including photos of bad days</div>
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I kept up my exercise...and ate well....although at times it was hard...and I was frequently envious at what others could eat....and I couldn't.</div>
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Oh how I would love to tuck into a bowl of bircher muesli....with berries and yoghurt...</div>
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but nope...I don't tolerate oats....berries or yoghurt!</div>
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So....it was a few weeks ago ..in a state of fed- up...that I made a decision to follow another lead I had been given.... yes...it was Naturopath 4 (Gosh I hadn't realised it had been that many)</div>
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This time I was tested for foods ....and it was interesting...</div>
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A lot of the foods I already avoided were on my 'sensitive list'....good job super-sleuth Mardi!</div>
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but some others were added... the big daddies being.. Gluten and Dairy...</div>
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So.... I have a 12week healing plan...</div>
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then hopefully some of the foods will be added back.</div>
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I have been giving my healing plan a good shot which means..</div>
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I have a restricted food list..</div>
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My diet it to include a lot more protein and larger meals....</div>
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and I had to stop any intense cardio activity.. just while my body is so inflamed... this goes a little against my usual way of thinking....but I am giving it a chance.</div>
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I'm a few weeks in.....and I cant really notice any benefits just yet...but I know these things are never an overnight fix...so I am not discouraged in the least.</div>
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What I found interesting though was that a few months prior I had stumbled across </div>
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<a href="http://thelowhistaminechef.com/about/" style="color: #9eda26; text-decoration: none;">"The Low Histamine chef"</a> - Yasmina Ykelenstam ..</div>
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I had read....and read her blog and a little light bulb went off....it sounded a lot like me.</div>
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(Obviously knowing how easily I can latch onto something as 'the answer' I was cautious)</div>
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So at this consultation....and for the first time ever....I was told that I have a histamine related disorder..and having had read so much about it previously....I was almost excited that if nothing else.....I had maybe found a pathway that summed me up more accurately.</div>
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There is a wealth of information on the web on histamine disorder...</div>
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and just this morning I read through this <a href="http://www.histaminintoleranz.ch/en/symptoms.html" style="color: #9eda26; text-decoration: none;">list</a>....</div>
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and although I by no means have every symptom....I do have a lot in common with this list.</div>
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I also know that its utterly ridiculous to just assume I have something because it sounds like me...and because someone does a "woo woo" test and tells me I do....in order to be certain it would require actually being tested and diagnosed medically.</div>
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But....in all honesty I doubt I would bother at this stage...</div>
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I feel from my reading that I its something I could be mindful of without the need for testing.</div>
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I bought Yasminas book...</div>
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<a href="http://thelowhistaminechef.wazala.com/products/the-anti-cook-book-antihistamine-anti-inflammatory-recipes-for-health/" style="color: #9eda26; text-decoration: none;">The Anti-Cookbook</a></div>
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I love the concept of not only reducing foods that irritate but including foods that are anti-histamines as well.</div>
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I guess now...I persist and see how I go.</div>
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I would love to hear any experiences anyone has to share...</div>
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its through sharing resources and ideas.... that some of the best answers are found.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">x Mardi x</span></div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-80524128589933666712014-02-18T08:48:00.000+10:302014-02-18T08:48:04.881+10:30week six and seven...<div style="text-align: center;">
Time is scarce here...</div>
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I am luck a duck paddling...</div>
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its all calm above the surface...</div>
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but Im paddling like mad underneath.</div>
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I find it <b>very</b> hard to juggle it all...</div>
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To work full time...plus the extra shifts I do regularly...</div>
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commit to an hour each day of gym...</div>
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find time to hang out with the family...</div>
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plan... cook and eat well three meals a day...</div>
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follow some crafty pursuits that are like gym for my soul..</div>
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stay in touch with everyone...</div>
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keep the house clean and clothes on our backs...</div>
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make head space for the extras like some friends who are going through tough times </div>
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(marriage breakdowns are tough) and those jobs at work that just hang around in your head for awhile.</div>
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Plus all the incidentals that are thrown in on top...</div>
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I think everyone can relate to this scenario.... its a sign of the times...</div>
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we all try to be super Mums...and its not easy.</div>
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Just how do you juggle it all?</div>
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I have found that if I am 100% committed to exercise and my nutrition I don't have any time left for crafty pursuits.</div>
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If I split my time with exercise and craft.... my nutrition slips a little...</div>
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If I split my time between the kitchen and craft... I cant keep up with the exercise regime...</div>
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If I juggle it all ...I'm in constant sleep debt...I skip sleep between night shifts... I get tired...I get cranky..</div>
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I feel overwhelmed. I don't know how to strike the best balance.</div>
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So anyway.... this is where I am at...</div>
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My nutrition has been 'not perfect' I have found I'm slipping in some lazy meals... and my coffee consumption has climbed again.... which I know makes me feel acidic and achy.</div>
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My exercise has been consistent at 2-3 gym sessions a week...and my repeated statements about starting my running again hasn't come to fruition yet.</div>
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I completed a fitness test at the gym and was quietly happy with the results... I have some work to do to get back to where I was ....but I wasn't too far off.</div>
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My back / chest has been a lot better... not perfect but much better.</div>
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My weight? unchanged!</div>
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My clothes? looser!</div>
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My mindset? Keep it up... small steps... big results.</div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-77875035685849887122014-02-09T16:53:00.000+10:302014-02-09T16:53:08.325+10:30week five<div style="text-align: center;">
Argh...Im behind the eight ball again...</div>
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So this last week...</div>
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I measured up...</div>
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In 5 weeks I have lost a total of 10 cms which I am pretty happy with.</div>
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I have lost a few cms from each of my body measurements...and my clothes are fitting better...</div>
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however...I have lost zero weight.</div>
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My back is feeling much improved which has enabled me to increase my gym sessions which I've enjoyed.</div>
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My energy levels have been better too..</div>
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which is great seeing as though work has been tough in the heat.and I've worked extra shifts meaning I've had less sleep than usual.</div>
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All in all I can see big improvements.</div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-57630679966863252032014-01-31T12:58:00.000+10:302014-01-31T12:58:22.468+10:30week four<div style="text-align: center;">
Just a quick check in this week...</div>
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I am running late.... but that's ok...</div>
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I was just looking back at week one and realising how much improvement I have actually made.</div>
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My back / chest has improved a lot.</div>
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Its not perfect yet and I made another trip to the Chiro this week which may have helped slightly...but its a marked improvement from a month ago.</div>
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My one big and constant success has been my diet...</div>
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is it cheeky to say I have been pretty spot on with it.</div>
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On the few occasions I have eaten out..or had poor food choices I have not enjoyed the feeling afterwards and its really cemented in my mind the impact that my food sensitivities have on my well being.</div>
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I have found that I feel well when I avoid..</div>
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dairy (although I do tolerate small amounts of skim milk)</div>
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chocolate</div>
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reduced amounts of salicylates</div>
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and only small quantities of grains.</div>
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My diet is predominately vegetables.. lean meat and small amounts of fruits.</div>
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My weight this week..... finally down 400g</div>
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(however I am not hinged on the number....seeing as I am fitting back into some tight shorts with ease and hadn't lost anything on the scales at that stage/) </div>
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Exercise - a couple of gym sessions...although I am finding too much impact causes my back to ache.</div>
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I had intended to ease back into running this week but I am a piker....the weather is ridiculously hot....and I want to ease into it...enjoy it...and stick with it....so I have given myself a leave pass until the heatwave passes.</div>
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I am thinking next week might be a good week to re-check my measurements...and maybe increase my gyn sessions too.</div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-91954178648660507082014-01-22T10:55:00.002+10:302014-01-22T10:55:38.260+10:30Week three<div style="text-align: center;">
Its a case of one step forward two steps back at the moment...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12UsbWW245pvR-JtF_RPpho-ooncj5AiJqWReZ4osJJqrwC7Np9u5GZKoNqE_DCE_5dowGkTcTsxWPhC1Wz-xO4NEEOmw0C2-MgxZf3PyvcBXEDnlNX0Ri1DV7Qr8IY2mvmNXVzaetGnK/s1600/IMG_6895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12UsbWW245pvR-JtF_RPpho-ooncj5AiJqWReZ4osJJqrwC7Np9u5GZKoNqE_DCE_5dowGkTcTsxWPhC1Wz-xO4NEEOmw0C2-MgxZf3PyvcBXEDnlNX0Ri1DV7Qr8IY2mvmNXVzaetGnK/s1600/IMG_6895.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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The pain resolves only to return at times...</div>
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I am still trying to work it out in my own mind what the trigger is...</div>
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it seems to be certain positions...like driving...or any repeated use of my arms at a height....like a lot of hanging of washing....although at times it doesn't bother me.</div>
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The worst part is that each time the pain arrives its more in my chest than my back...</div>
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and I immediately give myself a 'skippy heart' just at the mere thought that it may be heart related.</div>
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Couple that with a very hectic few weeks...lots of emotional burdens with friends...</div>
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and life in general and I feel exhausted and stressed.</div>
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It really frustrates me.... 2014 was going to be my year to unwind....simplify....and live a calm and centered life....I had visions of getting it 'ALL' together...</div>
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my diet...my exercise and my headspace...</div>
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but at this stage I feel as far away from that as ever.</div>
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I am however very determined to continue and not let this shaky start rule the remainder of my year...</div>
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I sort of think of it as part of the journey...and to get to the end goal I have to navigate all the twists and turns.</div>
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Its easy to get caught up in all the things that aren't going to plan...like...</div>
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my minimal exercise...</div>
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the fact that after three weeks I have not lost even a gram of weight...</div>
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and that I feel as disorganized and anxious about upcoming events than ever..</div>
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but instead I am patting my back over the things that I have got right...like..</div>
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making time to craft and relax..</div>
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being kind to my body as it heals and not pushing it with intense exercise...</div>
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eating well 80% of the time..</div>
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making sure I get my daily greens and plenty of water..</div>
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as well as listening to my meditation App ...which I am trying to make a daily habit.</div>
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This morning I headed to the gym for my first session of the year...</div>
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I was apprehensive but also eager to see just how my body responded to the cardio session...</div>
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my heart seemed to sail through without missing a beat...</div>
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but my chest and back are sore from anything that requires arm outstretched movement...</div>
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which helped to confirm in my mind it is back related.</div>
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I guess Ill just see how it goes...</div>
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The aim this week.....continue what I'm doing right ...and add in some more exercise. </div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-60575189469188581102014-01-14T18:22:00.001+10:302014-01-14T18:22:54.601+10:30Week two...<div style="text-align: center;">
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I am so relieved.... </div>
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that after a few weeks of the most hideous back / chest pain it has slowly resolved itself.</div>
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I am making every attempt to stay that way...</div>
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so I am keeping myself moving...</div>
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being careful how long or what position I sit in...</div>
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and taking exercise gently.</div>
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I am not back at the gym....but I have squeezed in some nice long walks.</div>
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Food wise I have been sensible...<br />
Each day I have juiced.... my new favourite..carrot...apple....celery...cucumber<br />
and kale is the best in my opinion.... I've drank one as a meal replacement for either breakfast or lunch and that has worked well in the heat we are having.<br />
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Dinners have been simple....Ian has cooked meat on the BBQ each night and we have had salad.<br />
Nothing fancy.... just simple..easy....and tasty.<br />
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Its also been a hectic week with very little sleep....<br />
Work was challenging and I suffered the most ridiculous insomnia after one particular shift..<br />
(I listened to my hypnosis relaxation App three times that night and still sleep evaded me.)<br />
This frustrated me...<br />
in my mind 2014 was going to be stress free... and easy going...<br />
I was annoyed that this particular day...coupled with another worry had really played so much with my head space.... I felt rattled...and I still do... I hate that feeling.<br />
I wish I could let things slide....not take so much to heart...its something to work on.<br />
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My<b> weight</b>....exactly the same<br />
(no loss this week.... however I feel better in myself...so will see what next week brings)<br />
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-64055864974199928212014-01-06T22:20:00.000+10:302014-01-06T22:20:20.660+10:30Kicking off - Week one...<div style="text-align: center;">
Its been a tough slog this week...</div>
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My back and chest pain has increased to the point I can barely concentrate on anything else...its so frustrating.</div>
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I have analysed...self diagnosed and worried myself half to death.</div>
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It got to the stage that I was struggling at work...and needed to take a couple of night shifts off.</div>
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I saw the Physio who confirmed my suspicion that it was most likely originating from my back...</div>
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but also felt a visit to the Dr to check my heart was a box worth ticking.</div>
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So off to the Dr..</div>
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and an ECG and some bloods..</div>
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and the same conclusion...</div>
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its more than likely an issue with my back.</div>
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The annoying part is...its not like a typical back pain...</div>
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I have no sharp pain...no spasm...no grabbing or increase on movement..</div>
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all I have is a chronic ache that is mainly spread across my chest and in my thoracic back...</div>
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its a wearing... dull....persistent ache.</div>
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In my misery I contacted a friend who is a masseur and I went for a massage...</div>
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I was incredibly sore and apparently very tight across my shoulders and back...</div>
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and in his opinion also...the pain I have is more than likely all associated to that.</div>
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So....I have another Physio appointment and another massage booked for this week...</div>
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its only a matter of days before I need to be fit for work again...</div>
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and at this stage I feel exhausted and pathetically weak from pain.</div>
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I even wondered tonight if perhaps I could have Ross River Virus affecting my back...</div>
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it seems to be a real neuralgic pain...and I am also so fatigued...headache ridden and it was only a few weeks ago I was covered in a rash.....all classic RRV symptoms..</div>
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if only I had thought of it earlier and had it included in my blood tests.</div>
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Anyway....aside from that...</div>
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I have been feeding my body well</div>
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Each day we have juiced....and I have made sure both Briony and I have got plenty of greens.</div>
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Today's was Chinese cabbage...cucumber...carrot....apple and lemon..</div>
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Salads have been our staple this week...</div>
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We have eaten them for lunch and dinner...</div>
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My favourite has been chicken..mango and avocado all mixed together with half a bag of mixed lettuce and a handful of snow pea sprouts..its like eating a little plate of heaven,</div>
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Another evening we had chicken Caesar salad made with lettuce and sprouts... paprika and polenta coated chicken....some crispy bacon... homemade sourdough croutons...a boiled egg....homegrown cherry tomatoes...Mums mayo and a few shavings of Parmesan cheese... omg.</div>
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I have not exercised....</div>
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I am truly not up to it at the moment...and its not a nice feeling...</div>
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I hope that very soon I can begin to get active again.</div>
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Today was weight and measure day....</div>
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I wanted to see just what damage I had done...and where I was at....</div>
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It wasn't actually as bad as I thought... but I do have some work to do and I am hoping to share my progress each week as I update.</div>
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I made the decision this morning to cut out coffee and wine (other than the occasional social event)</div>
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It was while meeting with a friend for coffee that I noticed my energy levels zapped...and a headache creep up....so I just feel that at the moment while I am detoxing that it would be wise to give my body a rest.</div>
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The thought of my morning without coffee scares me...so it will be a challenge tomorrow to go without.</div>
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So week one wasn't as I planned...</div>
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I had never intended to be still suffering this damn back pain...</div>
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and its stifling my attempts to get back into exercise...</div>
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so frustrating.</div>
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But..</div>
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its just a hiccup in the road...</div>
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it will pass...so its onward....and upward...</div>
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and Im looking for some positive achievements by week two.</div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-30678236279505571952014-01-02T22:25:00.002+10:302014-01-02T22:25:43.037+10:30Back on the Wagon....<div style="text-align: center;">
Seriously...<br />
How do I find myself back in this situation?<br />
<br />
After all the hard work...<br />
all the consultations...<br />
all the advice...<br />
all the progress...<br />
all the promises to myself...<br />
and all the lessons I learnt...<br />
<br />
I am back to here..<br />
back to feeling unwell...<br />
back to lacking energy...<br />
back to constantly aching...<br />
back to headaches..<br />
back to a trillion food sensitivities...<br />
and back to that overwhelming foggy lethargy that drives me insane more than anything else.<br />
<br />
I have slowly....bit by bit.... fallen into my old habits...<br />
not entirely....but enough to have lost my way and my drive to get back on the wagon.<br />
<br />
I feel like I have been on this endless search for the key to my health and wellness...<br />
I have detoxed over 12 weeks...<br />
Added supplements...<br />
eaten salicylate free<br />
Consulted with Naturopaths..<br />
Had live blood analysis<br />
Seen my medical Doctor..<br />
not to mention...<br />
literally hours... and hours of trawling the net...<br />
pouring over books and resources I have collected...<br />
searching for that "aha" site...or catch phrase...<br />
something that gives me a direction to follow..<br />
I am confused... and unsure...and still don't know what is right for me...<br />
or what to try next.??<br />
And... during that process....I slowly slowly let down my guard.... skipped my exercise...<br />
made excuses...and made poor food choices... until I had slipped back to a place I never wanted to be at again.<br />
There are of course upsides to all my previous hard work....<br />
the main one being that I am determined not to let this get me down.....its just time to suck it up and get stuck into it again.<br />
<br />
So....I decided to just begin...<br />
Its a new year...and I am determined to make up that lost ground.. and continue my search for the right diet and exercise regime for me.<br />
<br />
So.... how do I feel right now?<br />
(This is a photo after I have eaten something I'm sensitive too...I'm red...blotchy and my eyes are swollen)<br />
This happens far too often.<br />
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I currently suffer from....<br />
frequent headaches.<br />
frequent clogged sinuses..<br />
aching joints<br />
two weeks of thoracic back pain radiating into my chest....every rib space is painful.<br />
My chest is swollen....my left arm is swollen (in other words I have inflammation somewhere that has triggered my lymphodema..)<br />
tired constantly..<br />
cant sleep half the night... wakeful...<br />
floaters in my vision..<br />
stiff neck<br />
eczema and dry skin<br />
weight gain<br />
racing heart<br />
and that feeling of being inflamed all over..<br />
(I am celebrating small victories... I have had no further stomach burning or reflux issues since cutting out the oats and almonds....so that is a small win for me)<br />
My food sensitivity suspects continue to grow... these are on my list of avoids...<br />
citrus<br />
berries<br />
tomatoes<br />
capsicums<br />
green tea<br />
most nuts<br />
yoghurt<br />
cheese<br />
chocolate<br />
salami and other high nitrate meats<br />
oats<br />
many food coloring's...preservatives and additives...<br />
and the list seems to grow as other offenders rear their head.<br />
There are times I can tolerate small amounts of these foods... and so I sneak bits in....but if I overdo it....I react.<br />
<br />
So I began this week with some changes....<br />
My back isn't allowing strenuous exercise....but I have walked...<br />
I've added in a green smoothie each morning...<br />
and I have based my meals around green salads...<br />
increased my already high water intake....<br />
and started documenting my journey back to health.<br />
<br />
I thought I would record it again in a weekly fashion like I have in the past...<br />
I enjoyed tracking my progress... and at times I found it a comfort to read back and see just how far I had come.<br />
This is not written for an audience as such....its a diary of my own thoughts ...however if you stumble across it and its of interest ...feel free to read...and leave a comment.<br />
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-14136692436898973002012-12-11T20:45:00.001+10:302012-12-11T20:46:10.625+10:30week twelve<div style="text-align: center;">
Well I did it....even is if I wasn't truly perfect to the end.</div>
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I would say I had at least 8 weeks of being almost entirely gluten..sugar and dairy free...</div>
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and 3 weeks of being on track 80% of the time.</div>
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This last week I've settled into how I plan to be eating from now on.</div>
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I want the bulk of my diet to be whole and unprocessed....</div>
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I have grown accustom to my quinoa breakfast.... my green smoothies...</div>
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my green salads... and healthy snacks.</div>
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I hanker for nuts and seeds....and love my herbal tea.</div>
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From day to day I don't even consider having gluten or sugar in my diet...</div>
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However eating out and away from home its trickier and I often slip up with less than perfect choices.</div>
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I have felt so much better though these last few weeks...</div>
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I'm back enjoying the gym...</div>
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and feeling my usual enthusiasm returning.</div>
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I'm not truly sold that I have found the exact diet for me.....I have no doubt that Ill refine it further in months to come.</div>
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So this is my last weekly post here for the time being...</div>
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I will continue with updates from time to time....</div>
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and I will also be blogging back on my normal blog as I feel the urge.</div>
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I want to thank SO much those who have followed along....and left such lovely comments throughout the 12weeks....it was nice to share the journey.</div>
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I am proud of what I achieved...and I can honestly say I feel the benefits....and there is no doubt that I have changed some habits for a lifetime.</div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-42313311537977751732012-12-03T09:57:00.001+10:302012-12-03T09:57:19.106+10:30Week eleven....<div style="text-align: center;">
I hadn't really known where to begin this post...</div>
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Its been another tough week on a number of levels...and this week of all of them has caused me to lose a little sleep.</div>
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I guess one of the downsides of feeling well again is that the 'constant aching and fatigue' that acts as a reminder that I need to eat clean and look after myself.... has gone.</div>
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I have actually been feeling quite well over the last few weeks...</div>
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no aching...</div>
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no headaches...</div>
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and my fatigue is normal tiredness.... caused by lack of sleep....or a hard day.....its not that overwhelming draining ....not an ounce of energy fatigue.</div>
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My digestion has been much improved.....</div>
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and my hair has a shine.</div>
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I have been sleeping a full night....no waking at 2am for an hour or so unable to go back to sleep.</div>
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So....as my health improved....</div>
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I added more to my daily list...</div>
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I took on my little 'market' project...</div>
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we became more social again...eating out and about...</div>
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and we headed off on a weeks holiday.</div>
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All of this has been amazing.....and I have loved it....</div>
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but there is a downside...</div>
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and that is that my focus shifted slightly...</div>
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So instead of spending each and every day planning.... searching and preparing food...</div>
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Reading and being inspired by the various books and blogs I love...</div>
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and walking around feeling so proud of myself for giving my body exactly what it needs....</div>
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I switched over unintentionally too....</div>
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Finding I had left my food choice to the last minute and then not making the best choice.</div>
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Having the odd glass of alcohol in the evening before dinner...</div>
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Slacking off on the exercise because I was chained to the sewing machine trying to meet a self imposed market deadline.</div>
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Not making time to read my blogs and books....</div>
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and worst of all.... I had flipped my headspace back to feeling dissapointed in myself.....and so angry that I had slipped back so easily into exactly what I preached I would never do.</div>
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I was chatting with Ian while we were away......and I can analyse myself so well.....</div>
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but I don't know how to combat it.</div>
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I self sabotage....but I have no idea why.!</div>
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I know what makes me feel well...</div>
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I love fresh healthy food...</div>
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I love the feeling of having just exercised....</div>
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but when I am faced with difficulties...like being away from home....being unprepared...or being busy...</div>
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I make silly choices and then regret them.</div>
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I wish I knew the answer.</div>
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So....how off track was I?</div>
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I didn't drink nearly enough water.... </div>
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it was hot weather and I should have been drinking stacks....but I hate public toilets and so I subconsciously reduced my intake without even thinking about it. </div>
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I stuck with my normal long black with a dash coffee order..... but shared a muffin (sugar and gluten) on two occasions.</div>
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I ordered some poor food choices whilst eating out....</div>
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Battered fish and chips (with salad) one night...</div>
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and Prawns and calamari (with salad) another.</div>
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I also had some sourdough bread for lunch one day.</div>
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add to that ....a vodka and orange each evening...</div>
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and an icecream one hot afternoon....</div>
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and I had consumed through the week more garbage food than I have had in the last 10 weeks combined.</div>
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I came home feeling overweight....and like I was retaining a gallon of fluid...</div>
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I have been beating myself up.... so angry with myself...and wishing that on each of the above occasions I had made a better choice.</div>
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HOWEVER....</div>
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I wasn't all bad!!</div>
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I stuck with my herbal teas.... </div>
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I made the most delicious quinoa..cucumber....merjool date....celery....raw nut and whole egg mayo salad....</div>
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no recipe....just a combination of foods I had on hand ...a lucky throw together which we both enjoyed.</div>
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We stopped for lunch in Maldon and I stumbled upon the most amazing </div>
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<a href="http://www.vegetarianvictoria.org.au/restaurant/zen-eden-produce-cafe.html">Zen Eden cafe</a>.... I had the most delicious beetroot and feta tart for lunch.....this would be among my most favourite foods I have ever eaten.....quite seriously it was divine!!!!</div>
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We had coffee and a lovely deli lunch from <a href="http://www.larderdaylesford.com.au/">Larder</a> in Daylesford....</div>
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We snacked on raw nuts and strawberries....</div>
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I had quinoa and <a href="http://www.lovingearth.net/products/38/buckinis">Loving earth buckinis</a> for breakfast each morning.</div>
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We walked.... we relaxed.....watched DVDs in the shade of a tree....</div>
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I took time out...reflected......and came home with an understanding of myself...</div>
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I am completely fallible...this is all part of a learning experience...</div>
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I've tested the waters again of my old habits....</div>
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I've accepted that I need to keep my guard up for a little longer...</div>
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I also know first hand by recent comparison that I feel a whole lot better when I do the right thing.</div>
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So there you have it....</div>
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Its blurted....its out....and as ridiculous as it is....I can already feel the judgements....yep....I so badly wanted to last the entire 12 weeks without coming unstuck..but I'm human....and it was a tough gig. Of course these judgements are all in my head....and laughable really... the biggest and only critic I have is myself!</div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-55434545459922606122012-11-25T22:07:00.001+10:302012-11-25T22:07:11.609+10:30Week ten-<div style="text-align: center;">
There was no doubt a 'train wreck' week was looming...</div>
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I think I can safely say I was completely off the rails this weekend.</div>
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I actually strayed completely from all my principals of the last 10 weeks.</div>
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I ate like 'pre-detox' me...</div>
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I had juice...some white bread....an icecream.... and quite a large amount of fruit.</div>
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I didn't particularly enjoy it.... I just ate it because it was easy and it was there.</div>
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Tonight....I am a little cranky with myself...</div>
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but also just accepting it .....moving on.....and planning for a nice clean week ahead.</div>
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This week we enjoyed some <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipes/Salad/Pasta/recipe.html?dishid=11976">Jamie Oliver satay chicken</a> with roast vegies... and the fiery noodle salad made with Rice noodles instead of the normal wheat noodles.</div>
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<a href="http://onetsp.com/recipe/414521-sweet-and-spicy-quinoa">Quinoa salad</a>....</div>
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We also ate stacks of salad....my usual quinoa and granola breakfasts....</div>
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Without my blender I had to switch to juices...</div>
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I had carrot....celery.....silverbeet and cucumber which I really enjoyed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc00-4DWrAUbM5x1X3KrNJBCPG33TbhnCmbDo0wNmQhDN-a96VptilE9XekOPD-NykA6Ej1PZ05gZ79RQ0h25dPhIfmrPSk9TX-WtHyx1_Tl2PHwTwo73XB5i9jSRchco9f-gFoc_rYvj9/s1600/photor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc00-4DWrAUbM5x1X3KrNJBCPG33TbhnCmbDo0wNmQhDN-a96VptilE9XekOPD-NykA6Ej1PZ05gZ79RQ0h25dPhIfmrPSk9TX-WtHyx1_Tl2PHwTwo73XB5i9jSRchco9f-gFoc_rYvj9/s400/photor.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I also made my own cream cheese using the method outlined by Sarah <a href="http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/2012/03/how-to-make-cream-cheese/">here</a>....at this stage its in a container in the fridge...I will be sure to share once I actually put it to use.</div>
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So that about sums up my week...its been good.....bad....and ugly!</div>
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Thank you for the lovely comments on my post about the moisturiser too...it was so lovely to have so many suggestions to try...and it was nice to know I am not alone.... there seems to be quite a troop of us with sensitive and reactive skin.</div>
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Have a great week....</div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-77672025651776748232012-11-18T20:15:00.000+10:302012-11-18T20:15:58.568+10:30Week nine -<div style="text-align: center;">
I am beginning to think that this record of my journey may be growing a little tiresome by now...</div>
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Nine weeks of updates.... just me blah blahing on about my little improvements and setbacks as I strive for that feeling of wellness are really not that huge on the scale of what others are going through.</div>
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However.....I am not a quitter....and I set out to record the entire 12 week detox.....so I am going to continue on....even though I bore myself to tears half the time.</div>
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So...</div>
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II have continued to improve this week....</div>
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I can definitely feel a shift in my fatigue and body aches...and in general I do feel much more like Mardi.</div>
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Some highlights from this week.....</div>
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I walked almost every morning.....most mornings I was out of bed early and it was nice to walk while the air was still crisp.</div>
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I had a lymphatic massage....</div>
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I made a green smoothie every day.....up until I blew up my blender...so sad.</div>
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I cooked some healthy and tasty new meals.</div>
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On a not so good note....</div>
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I didn't get to the gym.</div>
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I ate out a number of times.... including out work Christmas show which included some alcohol..</div>
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I would like to say I made wonderful food choices....but I cant.</div>
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I did have some gluten...... some small amounts of sugar... and my portions were way over the top.</div>
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However....Im looking at it with 80/20 eyes....</div>
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I have been eating clean 80 % of the time.....and this was my 20%.</div>
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I also had a terrible reaction to some new face moisturiser and spent 4 days with a grossly swollen face.</div>
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I am still trying to settle my skin down.</div>
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My Smoothies this week included...</div>
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Silverbeet...cucumber....lemon and celery....</div>
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Silverbeet.....baby spinach....celery...frozen banana....almond milk....cocao....and coconut oil</div>
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I also made some really nice gluten and dairy free Tuna Patties.. I totally winged the recipe....but it worked....and I can see us eating this over and over.</div>
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Tuna Patties</h1>
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Gluten and Dairy free</div>
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Ingredients</h3>
<div id="ingredients" style="margin: 15px 0px 15px 10px;">
<ul class="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 5px 0px 15px 10px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="ingredient" style="border: 0px; color: grey; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 8px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">425g tin of Tuna in Olive oil</li>
<li class="ingredient" style="border: 0px; color: grey; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 8px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">Bunch of Parsley</li>
<li class="ingredient" style="border: 0px; color: grey; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 8px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">1/2 red onion</li>
<li class="ingredient" style="border: 0px; color: grey; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 8px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">lemon juice</li>
<li class="ingredient" style="border: 0px; color: grey; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 8px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">3/4 cup of LSA</li>
<li class="ingredient" style="border: 0px; color: grey; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 8px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">3/4 cup of cooked quinoa</li>
<li class="ingredient" style="border: 0px; color: grey; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 8px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">egg</li>
<li class="ingredient" style="border: 0px; color: grey; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 8px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">Salt and pepper to taste</li>
<li class="ingredient" style="border: 0px; color: grey; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 8px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">Quinoa flour for coating</li>
<li class="ingredient" style="border: 0px; color: grey; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px; list-style: none; margin: 8px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">Coconut oil for cooking.</li>
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Instructions</h3>
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<li class="step" style="border: 1px solid white; color: grey; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center;">Drain the tuna and mix all the ingredients together.</li>
<li class="step" style="border: 1px solid white; color: grey; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center;">Form them into patties and coat them in Quinoa flour <span style="font-family: inherit;">(or another gluten free flour)</span></li>
<li class="step" style="border: 1px solid silver; color: black; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center;">Cook them in coconut oil.</li>
<li class="step" style="border: 1px solid white; color: grey; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin: 8px 0px 0px; padding: 2px 3px; text-align: center;">Serve with a lovely fresh salad.....yummo.</li>
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So that sums up the week.... some good....some room for improvement....</div>
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but the fact I am feeling more like my old self is wonderful.....and I know that this healthy path is definitely for me.</div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-63410410116445665932012-11-11T21:53:00.001+10:302012-11-11T21:53:11.220+10:30Week eight - <div style="text-align: center;">
This just may have been my best week yet.</div>
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I noticed some definite improvements.</div>
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Much less aching.... the fatigue lifting.....and a sudden burst of energy and enthusiasm.</div>
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I've noticed myself slipping back into old habits...cramming way too much into my days....and adding far more pressure than I need to....I need to remind myself to chill....breath....and rest....</div>
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So the highlights this week were.....</div>
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Purchasing and installing a rain water filter .... finally we will have drinking water without the nasties.</div>
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I did some online reading.....and phoned a reliable medical practice where they combine conventional and holistic medicine to get some advice on whether there was a natural Tamoxifen replacement.</div>
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Their advice was to continue taking it.....and possibly look for some additional supplement to support my body to cope with it.....this was not the reply I was expecting actually.....so I commenced it again...I came to my senses.....and decided the risk was too high to just stop so soon.</div>
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I spent time in my garden....I have lettuce coming out my ears.... rocket.....and snowpeas ready to be picked...and a few tomatoes beginning to colour up.</div>
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Food wise this week I've stuck to my standard favourites....</div>
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Quinoa and Granola for breakfast....</div>
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Most days a green smoothie....</div>
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Chicken and salad.....or asparagus..spinach and eggs for lunch....</div>
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Meat and salad or veg for dinner.</div>
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I did make a quinoa salad as a side for some fresh whiting which was a real hit.</div>
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I followed <a href="http://www.thewellnesswarrior.com.au/2012/11/foodie-friday-amanda-de-cadenet-plus-a-recipe-from-me/?doing_wp_cron=1352632279.3673779964447021484375">this recipe</a> with a small alteration......when I cooked my quinoa I added a heaped tablespoon of turmeric to the pot.....it resulted in a delicious flavour....and a lovely yellow colour too.</div>
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Exercise? ..... a few walks was all I managed this week.</div>
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This week....</div>
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Aim for exercise every day.</div>
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Keep up the green juice...</div>
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Try out some new recipes to put my home grown produce to good use ....I couldn't bear it to go to waste.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJucsXYlGODD9nR1xPs7KUEkjYvzAjGMDwgCyYkG0DYBTmQrcjSsWsLPje7REfkkOcOMLU9AJne9GsX5Ghi-4KqF1jnpi67o5yMskVEsnQY-csQkIE7H90mYMM4uf8ETMx6pifhBDtL2uG/s1600/mardi+signature+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJucsXYlGODD9nR1xPs7KUEkjYvzAjGMDwgCyYkG0DYBTmQrcjSsWsLPje7REfkkOcOMLU9AJne9GsX5Ghi-4KqF1jnpi67o5yMskVEsnQY-csQkIE7H90mYMM4uf8ETMx6pifhBDtL2uG/s1600/mardi+signature+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-14171942957192293452012-11-05T21:21:00.000+10:302012-11-05T21:21:25.490+10:30Week seven -<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Phew.... what a relief...this week was a turning point.</div>
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A few things happened this week....</div>
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Firstly....I left off the Tamoxifen...</div>
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I got my blood results back.....all normal (as I knew they would be)</div>
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Plus.....I had an appointment with another Naturopath ( one that Mitch has had great success with)</div>
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This was so enlightening....</div>
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I was reassured when the blood testing he did had very similar results to my<a href="http://mardi-mychemojournal.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/next-instalment-in-my-quest-for-health.html"> first bloods</a>.</div>
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However.....he also ran some other tests that I hadn't had performed before...</div>
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and he added some further problems to my list.</div>
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He believes me main problems are....</div>
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<a href="http://drlwilson.com/articles/copper_toxicity_syndrome.htm">Copper toxicity</a> and <a href="http://drlwilson.com/articles/adrenal_burnout.htm">Adrenal Fatigue.</a>...</div>
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which interestingly are usually accompanied by <a href="http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/candida.htm">Candida</a>....which I was previously diagnosed with.</div>
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I had never considered anything like Copper being a problem....but as we discussed where this overload could have originated from I realised that for the last 10 years we have been drinking rain water collected from our roof....and in all this time we have lived alongside vines that are sprayed frequently with Copper sprays to prevent mildew and funguses.</div>
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These sprays are not harmful in themselves.....but as they build up in our system they become toxic and problems arise.</div>
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It is interesting to note that Mitchs problems also could have been exacerbated my copper....and Briony has long been complaining of some minor problems which are all among the list of copper toxicity symptoms.</div>
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I spent days reading about these two conditions..... and I was gob-smacked by how much the symptoms sounded like me....</div>
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So.....the treatment plan....</div>
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My detox diet does not change....although my reading did make me query a few things...quite a few of the foods I regularly eat like almonds and avocados are high in copper....so I am unsure if I should be cutting them out or whether the amounts in food are negligible in the scheme of things.</div>
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I have been started on a high dose Vitamin C</div>
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Plus two herbal potions....I call them potions because they come in a little brown bottle and are fairly hideously flavoured.....although I am getting used to the taste of them slowly.</div>
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Everything else I have been doing remains unchanged.</div>
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So....within a few days of my new potions....I woke and felt better....I had strength in my muscles...and I actually felt energetic like the old Mardi.</div>
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Is it the new potions?</div>
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or is it that I am no longer taking Tamoxifen?</div>
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I will continue this week as I am...but next week I will resume the Tamoxifen and see what happens.</div>
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That will be my final test.... if the aching and lethargy returns....I will not take it ever again....and will be forced to look for another more tolerable alternative....or just take my chances.</div>
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So.....food wise this week.....</div>
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Pretty darn boring really....the BBQ was in full swing....with salads or boiled veg on the side.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUC899ZJ32D2JdB-P-eR8CqftSNHJsl90cvT1CZtpVOf1sMKvYm64grhNj-TZ_zeMdPpaLj95ZKl4Kl1G_1efbexQf-i1tbxzLKL5yFfH8C7x1egT0sudncvebkC7OG0gcDC0HRKaooLr/s1600/IMG_1660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUC899ZJ32D2JdB-P-eR8CqftSNHJsl90cvT1CZtpVOf1sMKvYm64grhNj-TZ_zeMdPpaLj95ZKl4Kl1G_1efbexQf-i1tbxzLKL5yFfH8C7x1egT0sudncvebkC7OG0gcDC0HRKaooLr/s400/IMG_1660.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I did make the<a href="http://www.hacres.com/recipes/cards/raw-sunflower-seed-lemon-dressing"> raw sunfower seed and lemon mayonnaise recipe </a>I had been waiting to try....and I enjoyed it.....Ian wasn't a fan....but I liked it poured over steamed veg as well.</div>
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Its simple to make....its totally raw.....and healthy....and the recipe was from <a href="http://www.hacres.com/">Hallelujah Acres</a>...a site that the lovely Jacqui mentioned in a comment on an earlier post.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZDjRxmSZ7rEBs-69z1ORkDgQ1xlbNbgCDWm3QpF3fVk0AHKTAE_lfm6Ufr196SKLX3omuhSoEE93HgVTJzWoGs3b2H7UiKVw9_uBTCVS8EN2XBJUOCo5j-QjPQ5X8YM2Ah68C8nyNb9L/s1600/IMG_1657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZDjRxmSZ7rEBs-69z1ORkDgQ1xlbNbgCDWm3QpF3fVk0AHKTAE_lfm6Ufr196SKLX3omuhSoEE93HgVTJzWoGs3b2H7UiKVw9_uBTCVS8EN2XBJUOCo5j-QjPQ5X8YM2Ah68C8nyNb9L/s400/IMG_1657.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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I did have another little detox diet blowout...</div>
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I somehow feel the need to 'fess up'....I want to keep my journal honest....and to share the fact that I am normal....and even though I have slipped up occasionally....I still just jump back on the wagon....and continue.</div>
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This time I chose to have the blow out.</div>
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I knew this weekend was going to be huge.....and I knew I would have some challenges with it.</div>
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Saturday night I participated in the Relay for Life.... it meant we walked laps of the oval from 2pm on Saturday....until 9am on Sunday morning.</div>
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Obviously I didn't walk every minute of this time.....but it was still a lot of walking....and a very long night.</div>
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I did well with snacks....I wasn't tempted by any of the lollies or cheese and crackers....I stuck to my water....and vegetable chips. I chose my dinner well....I stuck to the indian spicy vegetables and ate the inners of a cajun chicken wrap.</div>
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However I did have a pancake with strawberries....and at 3am I craved a hot chocolate....and decided to have one.</div>
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Then on Sunday we attended a Melbourne cup luncheon at the club.... so once again I indulged in a few non-detox morsels.</div>
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Did I enjoy them?</div>
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Well its funny really.... I was looking forward to something different....something I<b> thought</b> I had been missing.....and yes I did enjoy them.....but almost immediately I felt bloated...and yuck.....and I wished I hadnt eaten them.....I was craving a salad...something to take away the blah feeling.</div>
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I also developed a headache....it could be related to lack of sleep.... or dehydration....but in my mind I relate it to the food I ate....I hope next time I am tempted I remember these feelings and opt instead for something healthier instead.</div>
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So this week I want too....</div>
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Increase my water intake....</div>
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Keep up my increased exercise...although once again it was suggested I don't overdo it during this healing period.</div>
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Keep up the green smoothies / juices</div>
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Try and source an affordable water filter for our rainwater tank.</div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-54521454180149427742012-10-29T09:27:00.002+10:302012-10-29T10:41:05.214+10:30Week six<div style="text-align: center;">
So typical...</div>
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Just when I make a bold statement that things are on the improve....I go back to having a crap few days again...... its so frustrating.</div>
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However this time it made it a little clearer to me that maybe it was the Tamoxifen that was contributing.</div>
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I had stopped it for a few days and improved....then recommenced taking it at night....it seemed ok for a few days then bam.....back to aching....tired....and feeling like I was dragging a body of lead around.</div>
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So....I thought I would pop myself off to my GP to ask his opinion on whether he thought it wise to stop it for good....or not.</div>
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I should have known his answer before I headed in there....lets just say he wasn't to happy about me stopping it....and thought it was a very unwise decision.... however I explained that I was fairly sure it was the cause of a lot of my recent woes....so he agreed to me trialling a month without it.</div>
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I didn't leave unscathed though....he took bloods to check for everything.... just as a precaution to make sure there is noting underlying.... I'm sure there wont be.</div>
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So in the later part of the week..... I picked up again.... the aching subsided....my energy returned...and other than my burning upset stomach that seems to continually rear its ugly head despite the fact I've cut almost everything from my diet......I have felt a lot better.</div>
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So this was my weeks fruit and Veg haul.... $34.00 filled two bags .. you have to be happy with that.</div>
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I don't include much fruit in my diet at the moment.....but the rest of the family do. I bought a punnet of mulberries....OMG they were so delicious....and reminded me of my childhood...sitting in the branches eating them until we were dyed purple all over.</div>
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I made another batch of <a href="http://mynewroots.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/happy-crackers.html">happy crackers</a>....</div>
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these are so nice spread with avocado as a quick snack with a bit of crunch.</div>
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I popped some green leaves into the dehydrator with olive oil and himalayen salt....</div>
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I didn't have Kale so I made beetroot leaf chips.... these are lovely for when you feel like a little (healthy) salty snack.</div>
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So last weeks goals were to ramp up the exercise..... which I did gently...I made it to one gym session....walked....and even checked to see if I could still do my 4km run....I was delighted when I made the entire distance at a steady jog....I wont mention that it was such a hot afternoon that by the end of it I was exhausted and couldn't face the 4 block walk to home....so I phoned Ian and asked him to collect me in the car.....he thought I was ridiculous and I doubt Ill ever hear the end of it...LOL</div>
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I kept up with some green smoothies....I find these are a nice alternative to lunch for me if Im busy.</div>
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I bought a free range chicken and Ian boned it for me....I then turned this into <a href="http://www.thehealthychef.com/2011/04/almond-crusted-chicken-schnitzel/">almond crusted chicken schintizels</a>... a pot of chicken vegie soup.....and the remainder is marinating in a <a href="https://www.currytraders.com.au/products/details/5/1/curry/butter-chicken.html">butter chicken sauce mix</a> which I will make for dinner tonight....the aroma in the fridge is delicious.</div>
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The rest of our meals were mainly grilled meat and salads...</div>
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just simple food dressed with olive oil and sea salt and the odd sprinkle of flax seeds.</div>
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I made the crackers but entirely forgot to make the salad dressing.....so I must try that this week.</div>
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I want to thank all of those who are following my little health overhaul and who have left me such lovely comments.....I stupidly didn't realise that email notification was turned off.....so I apologise for not acknowledging your comments.....I will certainly do so over the next few days.</div>
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This week.....increase my exercise.... make the salad dressing....include some green smoothies/juices.....continue on as per my now normal regime.</div>
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Its also nice to know Im over the hump....Ive waved goodbye to the midway marker and Im heading toward the finish line.</div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-90317734574703365852012-10-21T20:30:00.000+10:302012-10-21T20:30:07.506+10:30Week five - <div style="text-align: center;">
Sitting here tonight.... reflecting back on my week ....</div>
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I can finally say that I am beginning to feel the results of my diet overhaul.</div>
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Its been a tough 5 weeks at times... and although I have had occasional glimpses of 'wellness' </div>
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I've also had days of feeling totally exhausted and aching like you couldn't imagine.</div>
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So its nice to finally feel that the good days are beginning to outweigh the bad.</div>
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I am still as committed as ever....</div>
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my thoughts are never on what I cant eat.... </div>
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I only ever think about all the things I CAN eat.</div>
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I look forward to my weekly stock up at the Veg outlet....this is always the starting point for our meals throughout the week.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi28Yo3epnznwuga_lQQMFD562ymadPCc6Wj6HVvxVMc7FuTWfME1tVkR3qtgNszZs5EdBfdY6PTO77ZT_FRu1zw4hgJECPWQCp_YtgvUYgwPw6mhpsxBTTBC6eIgpG_2LR9P4KmVgnL2A/s1600/photor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi28Yo3epnznwuga_lQQMFD562ymadPCc6Wj6HVvxVMc7FuTWfME1tVkR3qtgNszZs5EdBfdY6PTO77ZT_FRu1zw4hgJECPWQCp_YtgvUYgwPw6mhpsxBTTBC6eIgpG_2LR9P4KmVgnL2A/s400/photor.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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True to my word I have made myself a green juice or smoothie most days.... obviously the days I'm at work aren't as easy.....but I always make up for that by packing an enormous green salad.</div>
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I have enjoyed the combinations...</div>
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This one was Silverbeet...celery...pear...and avocado</div>
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and this breakfast smoothie was pear...celery....spinach..zucchini and chia seeds.</div>
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I have been snacking maybe a little too much....haha</div>
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nuts are my usual...although this week I've enjoyed some homemade <a href="http://mynewroots.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/happy-crackers.html">happy crackers</a> and avocado..</div>
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I made a huge bowl of <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/quinoa-tabbouleh/">Quinoa tabbouleh</a> which made such a nice change...</div>
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we had it alongside roast vegies and meat for dinner...</div>
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and I mixed it in with my green salad and chicken for a tasty lunch at work.</div>
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Another nice change this week was some 'zucchini spaghetti' and a mince/veg sauce...lots of onion..tomato....garlic....sweet potato and broccoli all cooked with some beef mince...it was so filling....and of course I stuffed myself and felt ill for hours..LOL</div>
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So meals were the easy the part of my week..... once the fridge is full there its easy to whip something together....even if its as simple as a salad....or wilting some spinach alongside some eggs.</div>
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Exercise....Mmmm....now that's been a little lacking.</div>
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I had huge intentions at the beginning of the week.....but other than a few walks I didn't achieve much....I do feel that now I'm feeling a little better I will have more motivation and I hope to get back to my normal gym sessions.</div>
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I rethought my Tamoxifen.....and recommenced it.... taking it at night....it seems to solve the problem of it 'gazumping' my energy....and if anything helps me to sleep.</div>
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So this week my goals are.....</div>
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To step up my exercise more....even if its just a daily walk.</div>
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To re-stock my home-made happy crackers and try out a new salad dressing recipe I found.</div>
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That's it....nice and simple... bring on week 6..</div>
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Halfway there.</div>
<br />Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-37449680256194924272012-10-14T21:12:00.001+10:302012-10-14T21:12:41.640+10:30Week four....<div style="text-align: center;">
This week...</div>
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I hit the gym once....and ached so much it took me all week to recover...haha</div>
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(I plan on diving back in again this week.)</div>
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I've eaten clean....</div>
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Stacks of greens.... lots of lean meat.....eggs....eggs....fresh asparagus.....simple food.</div>
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I only tried a few recipes this week....</div>
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this mince and turnip casserole....that tasted a lot like pasty.....it was lovely with salad and made a change.</div>
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(Recipe is <a href="http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/2012/01/paleo-breakfasts/">here</a>....scroll down a bit)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHz0eJRWZc-f9ovhBES-zJVuuPokkavBfDXHJddZlQGWuoJ7_WC0U-jvgOf3gHFsf4Vf2A_XBlAKAEcMoZjA8G2taKiwmdTXXdz1RCSSTKxbvuY_V3dZEazf88AUfVrMACrUShScn31sns/s1600/photo18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHz0eJRWZc-f9ovhBES-zJVuuPokkavBfDXHJddZlQGWuoJ7_WC0U-jvgOf3gHFsf4Vf2A_XBlAKAEcMoZjA8G2taKiwmdTXXdz1RCSSTKxbvuY_V3dZEazf88AUfVrMACrUShScn31sns/s400/photo18.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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...and these<a href="http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Banana_quinoa-Muffins-_wheat-Free_-Recipezaar?servings=6"> quinoa muffins</a>....</div>
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I actually couldn't eat them as they contained some sweetener but I wanted to use up some bananas and try out my recently purchased quinoa flour..... I tasted a small potion and they were nice....</div>
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and they didn't last long....so I guess they weren't too bad.</div>
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I roped Briony into helping me clean out the pantry.....</div>
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We threw out a garbage bin full of packaged processed foods.... no more foods with a stack of ridiculous unhealthy additives.... just jars full of natural unprocessed basics....and the odd packet and can....but as time goes on I hope we can reduce these further.</div>
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The next step in the pantry is to get some nice new glass storage jars...but for now I am just happy to be able to find things more easily.</div>
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How have I felt?</div>
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I started the week feeling exhausted....aching.... and actually wondering if Id ever feel ok again...</div>
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and then I did two things...</div>
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I stopped my Tamoxifen after noticing it seemed to gazump my energy.....</div>
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and I started taking a Vitamin D / calcium supplement.</div>
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It was like a switch was flipped...</div>
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the aching vanished over night.....and my energy level soared...</div>
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I now have no idea which it is that caused the major improvement.....but I will give my Tamoxifen another shot this week....and see what results.</div>
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(I still have another 6 months left to complete my 5years on Tamoxifen....so I'm almost done)</div>
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I am actually feeling like my detox is working....</div>
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I have noticed some real improvements...</div>
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my stomach has lost its blahness....no more burning at night.. no more waking looking for rennies.</div>
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I'm sleeping better..... rarely waking in the night...</div>
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I'm eating lots....filling my plate with greens.... snacking on nuts....and never feeling deprived and I've lost 2.5kgs without trying...even with my almost non-existent exercising.</div>
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I can only hope that if my aching and exhaustion are easing that I must be on the brink of a whole new me....fingers crossed.</div>
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Here is to week five.....</div>
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My goals this week....more green smoothies / juices....</div>
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Some new recipes maybe.</div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-12112277497100998182012-10-07T20:36:00.001+10:302012-10-07T20:36:40.233+10:30Week three...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am still plugging away....</div>
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Its actually become very easy.....and is taking very little thought now.</div>
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I've found the foods I am most happy eating.....and tend to repeat them over and over.</div>
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Cold chicken and salad would be my most favourite lunch.</div>
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Thankfully avocados are abundant so I've been eating lots.</div>
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I am so grateful that Quinoa is on my food list.....it is my only source of grain like food....and its a nice change from vegies and eggs occasionally.</div>
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Nuts....they are my favourite snack.... I think I eat way too many though.</div>
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I've had a few meals out this week.... but stuck to my plan as much as possible.... my only slip-ups have been very small amounts of dairy in my coffee... and a few spoons of a lemon cream dessert...I am happy that in 7 days I've really only slipped up with these small amounts of dairy ...no gluten....no sugar though.</div>
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My vegie garden is growing.... and look....my cauli even has a head...I am so proud of that cauli.</div>
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This weekend we headed to Adelaide.....</div>
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visited the <a href="http://www.barossafarmersmarket.com/home/">Barossa farmers markets</a>...</div>
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and the <a href="http://organicsustainablemarket.com.au/">Organic and Sustainable market</a>...</div>
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I came home armed with lots of pantry staples.... some lovely gluten free Muesli for Mitch to try...</div>
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Quinoa flakes.....quiona flour.....and more quinoa...</div>
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Herbal teas....one that smells like dirty socks.</div>
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How have I been feeling?</div>
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Some days improved....</div>
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other days back to square one....</div>
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I'm still terribly tired....and aching....</div>
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but my head is less fuzzy.....and I haven't had a headache in over a week....</div>
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so maybe I am on the improve.</div>
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I have kept up with my supplements...</div>
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Had a Lymphatic massage....</div>
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plus a Chinese neck and shoulders massage</div>
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Soaked in a magnesium baths a couple of times this week....</div>
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I feel like I am giving myself as much attention as possible.... I'm throwing my all into this...hoping that its a one off detox...and I wont have to ever go through it to this extent again.</div>
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This week I plan to get back on the exercise wagon....</div>
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I've been taking it easy....allowing myself time to detox...repair.....and rest...</div>
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but I miss my workouts....and I feel I need them.</div>
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I also hope to get my pantry in order.....and rid it of a lot of unnecessary packets and cans.</div>
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I also plan to continue ridding our home of toxic products....and replace them with far healthier options.</div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-45187706854606368292012-09-30T22:02:00.002+09:302012-09-30T22:03:47.868+09:30Week two....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm still chugging along with my detox....</div>
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although this week hasn't been an easy one....with quite a few meals out.</div>
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Even though I planned as much as I could.....I did find it tough...and wasn't quite as perfect as I hoped to be.</div>
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However....as Ian reassured me.... they were only small hiccups in an otherwise clean week...</div>
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so instead of worrying.... I'm just continuing on.</div>
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Breakfasts have included....Quinoa with almond milk and a spoon of granola...</div>
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and my latest favourite....egg with avocado and flaxseed all cooked in a smidge of coconut oil.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SqCpQxi7OPw8p6T-JhDyiGsI7GYoUqW4vrgytrphI_cB4ifJeXAdfBNbneqod5qLX3vlIUlfaowppvq3uu-2e0B_A3x8NclUuiMR951daRqedgahGkC9ZHk4huXZ1ruJ1DhQ5C3Ni4yt/s1600/IMG_1469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SqCpQxi7OPw8p6T-JhDyiGsI7GYoUqW4vrgytrphI_cB4ifJeXAdfBNbneqod5qLX3vlIUlfaowppvq3uu-2e0B_A3x8NclUuiMR951daRqedgahGkC9ZHk4huXZ1ruJ1DhQ5C3Ni4yt/s400/IMG_1469.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lunches have mainly been cold chicken and salad.... or leftovers.</div>
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I also made a yummy red onion and thyme frittata which went nicely with salad and paleo mayo.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkw2S-djH38fHClPTszZkcE-TQFXHwzzAtBGntc3heOb-1aUTL7l29IH7-n1bxFHm4zW5U6Tx_vKMMPZkheaHC3LRgL-Aa329E4Ozl4FX0cwO91E-3qblEuFXfFYCaMSW2cfq4mkiLD47/s1600/IMG_1408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkw2S-djH38fHClPTszZkcE-TQFXHwzzAtBGntc3heOb-1aUTL7l29IH7-n1bxFHm4zW5U6Tx_vKMMPZkheaHC3LRgL-Aa329E4Ozl4FX0cwO91E-3qblEuFXfFYCaMSW2cfq4mkiLD47/s400/IMG_1408.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Dinners have mainly been stir fry veg and meat.... and I also made my own version of a Pad Thai.... entirely from Vegetables....I enjoyed it so much I made it again to take to work the following night.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRF94ZuY3EGtbKhDBili-kNBYy1JrUIOiMbVuzEd9xbrUTCD0mRWWmj050AVNPAMAHBbWkiKGgqkzXtIHRad5o-7EjczyZHkAxE9uTpXPRAsqGbhCgRpDUxE9gxT1HJ30O-PNcLUf3Y4zn/s1600/IMG_1406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRF94ZuY3EGtbKhDBili-kNBYy1JrUIOiMbVuzEd9xbrUTCD0mRWWmj050AVNPAMAHBbWkiKGgqkzXtIHRad5o-7EjczyZHkAxE9uTpXPRAsqGbhCgRpDUxE9gxT1HJ30O-PNcLUf3Y4zn/s400/IMG_1406.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've added the recipe as a bit of a memory jogger for myself.</div>
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<b>Parsnip Pad Thai</b></div>
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<b>Grate</b> a couple of large parsnips and a large sweet potato using the food processor</div>
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<b>Mix</b> through some finely sliced spring onions and an egg.</div>
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<b>Fry</b> this in batches with some coconut oil until browned and them move to a large bowl.</div>
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<b>Add</b> to this some bean sprouts... chopped coriander...and toasted pepitas.</div>
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<b>Season</b> with salt and pepper.</div>
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(I have no doubt Ill make this again.....and perhaps add whatever I have on hand....I think some chilli would work well too.)</div>
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Otherwise....</div>
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I have made time for a couple of magnesium baths....</div>
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I had a lymphatic massage</div>
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I've continued with my supplements</div>
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I've only walked a couple of times..... I've been a little slack in that department.</div>
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I have been indulging a little too much in my coffees....ooops.</div>
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and we have been out for dinner three nights in a row.</div>
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The first night was fine..... I drank water....and took along a roasted beetroot and spinach salad which I ate with some BBQ meat... no problems.</div>
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The next night was Megs 21st birthday party..... it was a delicious sit down meal....</div>
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I weakened and had a couple of white wines to celebrate....and I also had a small piece of the gluten free carrot cake....otherwise I ate clean.</div>
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Then tonight we ate at the club for a friends 18th birthday....I stuck to the grilled fish....and plain veg and salad....no worries there.....but I also ate some hot chips....and didn't say no to the piece of birthday cake.</div>
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So rather than dwell.....Ill just get on with it...</div>
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my quinoa and almond milk is ready for the morning....and I am as determined as ever.</div>
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How have I felt?</div>
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I've had days where I've felt energised....only to feel flat as a tack the next....all in all though I'm sure I have turned the corner.</div>
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I have lost 2 kilos - not that weight loss was even a priority.</div>
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I am aching a lot less</div>
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I am sleeping better</div>
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I feel a lot less blah</div>
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Now if I could shake off the fatigue factor Id feel great.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbjBJY-Wn1udSsD9j8geu566bzDtfkUKEATgDJUAY7c4B7iH5pwtexlgp1KAT1s6zfcJZ3pVkbpeUQFc5jwoMnEtVOftVk-q6uqDWsccdT7Bt3-pgfb4j7Nwpk-wXnpYDkV8pKZMnpLH1/s1600/mardi+signature+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbjBJY-Wn1udSsD9j8geu566bzDtfkUKEATgDJUAY7c4B7iH5pwtexlgp1KAT1s6zfcJZ3pVkbpeUQFc5jwoMnEtVOftVk-q6uqDWsccdT7Bt3-pgfb4j7Nwpk-wXnpYDkV8pKZMnpLH1/s1600/mardi+signature+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-19604360881109157002012-09-23T21:14:00.000+09:302012-09-23T21:14:21.434+09:30Week one....<div style="text-align: center;">
So here is a little run down of my first week....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi857L1jk_y3DqPthDA7uthecllDq6Szn0HkqfWEcYmLGlnBUQc_pArpO0YvtlQtVOzClqUtMmtpXebIMhLo8C4NQ4RgJLOKr9v7EEZxvGiZo5R4CtSUioHIT3licjSEVfap6ix_hLvaqWU/s1600/558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi857L1jk_y3DqPthDA7uthecllDq6Szn0HkqfWEcYmLGlnBUQc_pArpO0YvtlQtVOzClqUtMmtpXebIMhLo8C4NQ4RgJLOKr9v7EEZxvGiZo5R4CtSUioHIT3licjSEVfap6ix_hLvaqWU/s400/558.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Breakfasts have included - eggs and spinach..Green veg juice..Quinoa with almond milk...chia pudding and I also adapted my favourite <a href="http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/2012/08/sugar-free-granola-the-most-popular-recipe-from-my-cookbook/">Sarah Wilson Granola recipe</a> .... I just left out the coconut and rice malt syrup and added in flaked almonds instead. Its very nutty....but that's ok.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTDt2pCiMoca8lPic1t-Zb3ulETGp5pKb6J-BO-cztsob0Qkrrv36pCudO-m1rBoBOi4tPzgESVHH6A2go1pRGUuADxN-ILWXD5YHOAEghDzFCo94M9Ip6iBEww09oRxO8kaVA24AmHDg/s1600/photo33.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTDt2pCiMoca8lPic1t-Zb3ulETGp5pKb6J-BO-cztsob0Qkrrv36pCudO-m1rBoBOi4tPzgESVHH6A2go1pRGUuADxN-ILWXD5YHOAEghDzFCo94M9Ip6iBEww09oRxO8kaVA24AmHDg/s400/photo33.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lunches have included - <a href="http://www.superchargedfood.com/create/recipe-book/mini-frittatas-with-spinach-and-tomato/">Mini Frittatas</a> ...poached egg on<a href="http://www.superchargedfood.com/create/recipe-book/spinach-bread/"> spinach toast</a>... and lots of enormous green salads.<br />
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Dinners have included - <a href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/lemon_dill_chicken.html">Lemon and Dill chicken</a>...<a href="http://nomnompaleo.com/post/1356598429/recipe-worlds-best-braised-green-cabbage"> baked cabbage.</a>...pan grilled fish with stir fry vegies.....<a href="http://www.superchargedfood.com/create/recipe-book/shepherds-pie-with-cauliflower-mash/">shepherds pie with cauliflower mash</a>...Roast organic chicken with root veg and a giant green salad.<br />
I even made a lamb Korma dish.... it required way to much stuffing around for me.....I had to toast and grind all the spices for the curry mix.....then blitz all the fresh herbs.... make the meat balls.....make the sauce....combine it all together.....I then made cauliflower rice to serve as a side. It filled the house with the most delicious smell... but when we went to eat it....it was a little too spicy for us...and neither of us particularly enjoyed it....talk about a waste of an entire afternoon.<br />
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I also played with some salad dressings....<br />
This <a href="http://www.koraorganics.com/blog/live-in-my-skin/all-things-organic/organic-certification/creamy-avocado-and-tahini-spread/">avocado dressing</a> was lovely....although I swapped the vinegar for lemon as vinegar is off my list of foods.<br />
I also made this <a href="http://everydaypaleo.com/2011/06/20/homemade-paleo-mayo-cooking-demo/">Paleo Mayonnaise</a>....once again swapping the vinegar for lemon.<br />
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Snacks have included - Brazil nuts...almonds and celery with almond paste...exciting huh!<br />
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I have kept up with the magnesium baths...<br />
walked each day....mmmm..well almost every day.<br />
Drank lots of water with Himalayan salt...<br />
Developed a love of Tulsi herbal tea...<br />
My one vice....I haven't limited my coffee as much as I need to....eeek<br />
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How have I felt?<br />
Like I've been hit by a truck!<br />
I've had an enormous headache.... but I have resisted the urge to take painkillers.<br />
I have had waves of dizziness like I could faint.<br />
I am covered in a fine red rash<br />
I'm tired... and grabbing a nap every chance I get.<br />
Thursday was my worst day.....I had a nose bleed on and off all day... my head literally thumped like it was about to explode.<br />
Thankfully that was my turning point..... and I have begun to feel a little better since then.<br />
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It is quite normal to experience a worsening of symptoms in the initial stages of a detox... it means the body is eliminating toxins....so I'm looking back over the week thankful that I've started to shift some of those toxins from my system.....I must be on track.<br />
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I also popped to the farmers markets.....and stocked up on lovely fresh veg.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQNNHSED25LE02cpPUXjhTBT4lBcSR2EhtTR6pLxO8w8xBce01yASAB1YeoaGcb5ymmJONXLZ6LzQQm59-lEKqlMzoh48Yx-ULqNLsJ7XttB4ajt1LUNce52DlpshCPZ_6S_FI4mA-uUy/s1600/!cid_3039E26A-5871-4FA9-8729-67525B4F1A3D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQNNHSED25LE02cpPUXjhTBT4lBcSR2EhtTR6pLxO8w8xBce01yASAB1YeoaGcb5ymmJONXLZ6LzQQm59-lEKqlMzoh48Yx-ULqNLsJ7XttB4ajt1LUNce52DlpshCPZ_6S_FI4mA-uUy/s400/!cid_3039E26A-5871-4FA9-8729-67525B4F1A3D.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Then... I was very excited to talk Hubby into turning some of the back lawn into vegie patch.<br />
We already had small one....but I wanted to go larger....here is a photo during the process.<br />
I cant wait to get it all planted out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEGQlg1VdNg4PkKpvOuWxycBt2rdTNvegJSL7JQ7OP7QNpTzsj42-D9bdY-7txU1DwJggfnu2ge5adkAySmBDMJVWv0AvA-Vn4CYyRQQC2VTROyyAf1fahPiFXqUuBinztnadfu2QTlGn/s1600/55.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEGQlg1VdNg4PkKpvOuWxycBt2rdTNvegJSL7JQ7OP7QNpTzsj42-D9bdY-7txU1DwJggfnu2ge5adkAySmBDMJVWv0AvA-Vn4CYyRQQC2VTROyyAf1fahPiFXqUuBinztnadfu2QTlGn/s400/55.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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So that is week one done and dusted....</div>
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I do think that would have to be the hardest week..... not only did I feel so unwell....but I was still trying to get my head around what I could and couldn't eat.....I spent a lot of time searching for recipes I could adapt....and experimenting in the kitchen. In all honesty the only things I made during the week that I really enjoyed were the basics..... green salad and fish or chicken.... the avocado salad dressing.....the modified granola....and the spinach toast is quite nice with an egg on top.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP65oR8RjXZ-BcZWQYA1w1Rka4aRw1g3WCQ3mf_tfVUz1947L9neFD6pQape-f5Tyv02xBdsIfLN7r7qrrxqBmwblkqZM6Ce9E8y0-i3rQmUXSVBvbXcNYrpf8iuuVzNbuf4_7oLd_Kst/s1600/photo44.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP65oR8RjXZ-BcZWQYA1w1Rka4aRw1g3WCQ3mf_tfVUz1947L9neFD6pQape-f5Tyv02xBdsIfLN7r7qrrxqBmwblkqZM6Ce9E8y0-i3rQmUXSVBvbXcNYrpf8iuuVzNbuf4_7oLd_Kst/s400/photo44.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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(Purple carrots....yum!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzTr645ffOkvv0xXQE4odKQfet7V6aeWp2915R0Ktzb_854dGjGt1p2n22PvfxuI-dSL4svODYjlottTOjtRjOWVRqakkJHDduKdpp-9jwj_EBRXRrdb6vjwZ6iD5qSuHDnQA4pM7aKug/s1600/mardi+signature+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzTr645ffOkvv0xXQE4odKQfet7V6aeWp2915R0Ktzb_854dGjGt1p2n22PvfxuI-dSL4svODYjlottTOjtRjOWVRqakkJHDduKdpp-9jwj_EBRXRrdb6vjwZ6iD5qSuHDnQA4pM7aKug/s1600/mardi+signature+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-6114448104686633252012-09-19T22:12:00.001+09:302012-09-19T22:12:28.541+09:30.. the next instalment in my quest for health.<div style="text-align: center;">
So my testing showed a number of things... these included....</div>
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altered ph - acid imbalance</div>
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poor lymphatics</div>
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low immune</div>
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carb and sugar intolerance</div>
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candida</div>
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leaky gut</div>
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too much lactic acid</div>
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Most of these would be a direct result of chemotherapy... anaesthetics and the squillions of antibiotics I have had over the last few years. Added to that my diet has been far too high in processed foods and garbage over the years.... and even though I've made recent changes....the damage had been done.</div>
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So the plan.....</div>
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Begin the day with lemon juice in warm water</div>
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Some supplements to heal my leaky gut and boost my immune system</div>
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Add Himalayan salt to my water for better absorption</div>
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Exercise gently 30-60 mins a day....nothing strenuous at this stage.</div>
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Magnesium baths at least twice a week</div>
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Eliminate as many avoidable toxins as possible.</div>
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Eliminate all processed foods...alcohol...tea and coffee (except for one quality black espresso a day)</div>
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Eliminate all sugar including fruit and alcohol</div>
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Eliminate all grains</div>
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Eliminate all dairy</div>
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No potato...pumpkin...corn...mushrooms or peanuts</div>
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No vinegar of any kind.</div>
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These are on my EAT list..</div>
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vegetables 80% or my diet</div>
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Green juices</div>
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Meat and eggs (No pork)</div>
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All herbs and spices</div>
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Seeds -chia and linseed</div>
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quinoa</div>
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Nuts - brazil....almond or walnuts</div>
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healthy oils....coconut...olive and flaxseed</div>
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This is for 12 weeks - it takes me up to the 17th December</div>
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Then I will have another reassessment and hopefully reintroduce a few foods.</div>
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As you can see ....this is a lot of changes.....and it became totally all consuming.</div>
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My head went into a spin....I had an internal dialogue going constantly...</div>
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"Yes...you can do this.... you are in control.....this is what you need"</div>
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then a minute later...</div>
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"This is ridiculous....who can do this?"</div>
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then...</div>
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"Of course you can....its only 12 weeks"</div>
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then....</div>
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"Omgosh Ill be hopeless....what will I do when I eat out?"</div>
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then....</div>
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"Just think of the health benefits.....some people would give anything to just be able to heal with a diet change"</div>
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then....</div>
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"How do I know this is even correct advice?"</div>
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The doubt crept in... this was to be such a huge change....and I wanted to be certain it was sound advice.</div>
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So I consulted Dr Google....and this added to my panic...</div>
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Now I was in complete turmoil....what should I do?</div>
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So I sought an independent opinion.....</div>
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The lovely Manon was so generous with her knowledge....and took the time to thoroughly answer all my questions....and there were many....believe me!</div>
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I feel like I cant thank her enough..... I felt reassured and confident that I was on the right path.....and that made all the difference to how I felt about it all.</div>
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So....I kicked off on Monday.....</div>
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I hope to keep track of my progress over the next 12 weeks.</div>
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As I said....this blog is mainly a record for my self.</div>
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I dont expect that it will be all that interesting for others..... however if you do pop by....or have something you have experienced.....or a recipe that may fit my diet Id love if you left me a comment.</div>
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Mardi x</div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-45865521821724742352012-09-14T17:48:00.001+09:302012-09-15T17:25:14.556+09:30The journey continues...<div style="text-align: center;">
Its been a LONG time since I posted... </div>
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so I figured Id just dot point a few catch up details....</div>
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and then take off from there with my latest health endeavour.</div>
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My treatments ended....</div>
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my reconstruction was over....</div>
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and it was time to get on with mu life.</div>
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However I was overweight and felt like Id been through the wringer.</div>
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So at the end of 2011 I joined the Michelle Bridges 12wbt program....</div>
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It was truly life changing in a lot of ways.</div>
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It enabled me to loose a lot of the excess weight.....</div>
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and reinstalled my love of exercise.</div>
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You can watch a small video of my 12wbt journey<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGHWo3FnaFE"> here </a></div>
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and read the posts relating to it<a href="http://mardiwinen.blogspot.com.au/search/label/12WBT"> here</a></div>
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However..... for all the hard work I have done.... and for all the weight lost</div>
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I've still battled to feel well.</div>
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So..... I read and searched....</div>
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Changed my training routine.....</div>
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Got inventive in the kitchen....</div>
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Added in a lot more vegetables....</div>
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and then decided to cut out all the refined sugars.</div>
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</div>
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I cant recommend highly enough Sarah Wilsons quit plan...and her honest down to earth approach.</div>
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Sarah really was my inspiration.</div>
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You can read my sugar elimination posts<a href="http://mardiwinen.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Healthy%20kitchen"> here</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68cwdeYdQHMgDZvo8oKPRIWckTfn7GK-40NNik_nSDdFvHgX0Ve_YyF3VRDIZiWeQpbJdiFpIT7kx4-GZ2x4fImWSvsi9mvWdtmFa0of5_Txiy99WjpP2DJtmFgdat0Nte7jpuTcmL7Zg/s1600/Picture-23.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68cwdeYdQHMgDZvo8oKPRIWckTfn7GK-40NNik_nSDdFvHgX0Ve_YyF3VRDIZiWeQpbJdiFpIT7kx4-GZ2x4fImWSvsi9mvWdtmFa0of5_Txiy99WjpP2DJtmFgdat0Nte7jpuTcmL7Zg/s320/Picture-23.png" width="274" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and Sarah's book is available <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?ii=1067277&c=ib&aff=218240&cl=110050%22%20target=%22ejejcsingle%22%3EClick%20here%20to%20view%20more%20details%3C/a%3E">here</a> if you are at all interested.</div>
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I truly though this was the key....</div>
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I was certain once the sugar was gone Id feel million dollars...</div>
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and I did briefly... but then that darn old niggling unwellness seeped back in... </div>
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I really was at a loss at what to try next.....</div>
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So although I knew that cutting out sugar was the right thing for me....</div>
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I also knew that there was also something else that needed to go.</div>
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So....I bought books..... and searched the web..... and read everything I could get my hands on....</div>
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but truthfully...</div>
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its so confusing....and so contradicting....and each approach has its own merits.</div>
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How on earth was I to choose what was right for me?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uhWcHIq4XVIQh1dbx8GkVUyk7Cw6rAup4hl-GAdNOmskwb3eZvAuSPa-znlT5FQ67-K6QiuNMeSpLUut56mgD7gHNd1iPnghSnvGbl5UxCZWrmUQTIRaTGBGFeqI8PNZxy8FEHPDax2Q/s1600/photo3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uhWcHIq4XVIQh1dbx8GkVUyk7Cw6rAup4hl-GAdNOmskwb3eZvAuSPa-znlT5FQ67-K6QiuNMeSpLUut56mgD7gHNd1iPnghSnvGbl5UxCZWrmUQTIRaTGBGFeqI8PNZxy8FEHPDax2Q/s400/photo3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then like a little godsend.....</div>
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I read a small article in our local paper...</div>
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It was just an article advertising a seminar about health.. </div>
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and it was being run by a nutritionist who had grown up in the Riverland.</div>
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I was free....so I went along.</div>
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It was interesting.... a lot of it I already knew....and believed in....but it was a wonderful reminder....</div>
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and the key note from the day was .... </div>
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that most of us lack good nutrition and are exposed to far too many toxins.</div>
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I felt like I had been ignoring this for too long.... that maybe I was meant to be at this seminar.... maybe I was destined to be there....to hear this....perhaps this is exactly what would give me the answers to my questions.</div>
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So I took the next step....</div>
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I booked a <a href="http://www.innerlighthealth.com.au/index.html">Liveblood analysis</a> to see exactly what my problem was.</div>
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I had that done yesterday......and let me tell you..... my head is spinning....I have SO much information....</div>
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and so many changes to make....</div>
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Ill be back with an update once I get my head around it all.</div>
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Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-50002536765082847692010-01-06T08:53:00.002+10:302010-01-06T11:33:24.526+10:30Reconstruction...Well this is a topic I haven't really blogged...and have no intention of blogging on my main blog...<br /><br /><br />I guess that's for a few reasons.....<br /><br /><br />I sometimes feel as though this entire journey has become a saga...I worry people grow tired of hearing about it...so I would prefer to keep it to myself<br /><br /><br />Its also a personal topic...I mean ....just how much do you share?....how much is over share.?... and does it make people look at you differently once they know the full story....<br /><br /><br />But....because I'm a believer in keeping it real....and mainly because I want it recorded..... here is a brief history of my breast reconstruction journey...<br /><br /><br />I was never defined by my breasts.... I wasn't large breasted...and I have never longed for large ones....or dressed to emphasize them... in fact after my left mastectomy I was quite comfortable with the way my body now looked..... I realised I really didn't have attachment to them.... by taking one away...I still felt whole....I still felt like me.<br /><br /><br />But....dressing like 'me'...was a whole other story....I was limited to clothes that where high enough that if I bent over no-one could notice that my chest was flat on one side....and swimming in bathers was crossed off the list....not that I swim much....but it was a limitation....and I am young...and I have life to live....I don't want restrictions.<br /><br /><br />So...when my Surgeon at the breast clinic told me that my risk of another cancer developing in my right breast was quite high.... there seemed no other decision to us....that right breast (and the risk) had to go.<br /><br />So my Surgeon (whom I'm so grateful for) referred me to a Plastic Surgeon so we could chat about the possibilities of reconstruction in the future....and I was added to the waiting list for a prophylactic right mastectomy.<br /><br /><br />I'm not even sure now when I first met Dr Nicola Dean who is my Plastic Surgeon but she is fabulous... she is clever, professional, caring, kind, thoughtful and I had complete and utter faith in her always (as you can see... I cant speak highly enough of her)....I'm once again so grateful that life brought me Dr Dean.<br /><br /><br />In initial visits we talked about the options as far as reconstruction go.....and there are many.<br /><br />Her preferred option (using muscle from the back) gives a great end result but takes a little longer to recover from.... but because I wanted to continue working and didn't want a lengthy recovery I preferred a less invasive method....and was happy to accept that they may not be as perfect as possible. Dr Dean was very accomadating of my wishes and I was very grateful of that.<br /><br />We finally decided on reconstruction using expanders under the skin to create a 'pocket' and then finally implants... this would enable me to continue working...and lifting....not jeopardising my strength needed for work.<br /><br />So now I was on the waiting list for right mastectomy and bilateral tissue expanders....and we began the wait.<br /><br /><br />September 1st 2009 - I was admitted to ward 5c at FMC for right mastectomy and bilateral tissue expanders. I was actually excited to get this next part of the journey under way.<br /><br /><br /><p>September 4th - the drains were removed and I was discharged home. I wasn't really prepared for just how painful the recovery was....I naively thought that this would be a simple procedure...I mean....it sounds simple doesn't it. What I wasn't aware of initially is that in order to make the pockets for the implants....the expanders have to be inserted up under the muscle....so my pec muscle had been cut in places to allow access..and then lifted up from the chest wall to make a cavity...and yes...it hurt...a lot!</p><p>September 10th - I returned to Adelaide for a check-up at the plastics clinic...I was feeling pretty flat and sore on my left side...although my recovery otherwise was going well.</p><p>September 11th - I spiked a temperature and was feeling terribly unwell. I visited our local outpatients and was commenced on some oral antibiotics.</p><p>September 12th - the pain had increased in my left breast and I was feeling like I had the flu.... temperatures continued - so I made an appointment with my GP.</p><p>September 14th - Still unwell.. still temperatures - back to my GP who took bloods and updated the plastics team via the phone.</p><p>September 15th - my blood results were a little abnormal and Dr Dean and the plastics team requested that I return to FMC via the emergency department - so we made a mad dash back to Adelaide... we arrived around 5pm ... I got my first taste of public outpatient clinics....it was so busy...and I'm not sure if the communication broke down or what.....but I was there until 2pm the following day when I was finally admitted back to a bed in 5c. The staff were lovely...and I was started on IV antibiotics but it was still a very long wait...with very little food or water.</p><p>September 16th - I'm back in ward 5c - fasting and waiting to return to theatre at 9pm to have the left expander removed and the cavity flushed. I woke from my anaesthetic with drains back in place and feeling a lot more comfortable.</p><p>September 18th - I returned to theatre again and had the drain removed and a new expander inserted.</p><p>September 19th - I was discharged for the second time and we spent the weekend in Adelaide with the kids... it was lovely ....we celebrated Ian and Alex's birthdays with a nice dinner and enjoyed being all together as a family again.</p><p>September 24th - back to Adelaide for a checkup - feeling well.</p><p>October 8th - back to the plastics clinic and finally I'm on track and the expansion can begin. Its a very simple procedure....over a period of time small amounts of saline are added through a port under the skin. As the expander is filled...the skin stretches and adjusts. This procedure is repeated at two week intervals until the required volume is reached then the expanders are removed and permanent implants inserted. So today....is the day I finally begin the expansion-Dr Dean wants to take it slowly... particularly on the left so I think my first expansion was only around 50mls.</p><p>October 22nd - back to the plastics clinic for another expansion - still only around 50mls</p><p>October 29th - back to plastics clinic - expansion</p><p>November 12th - back to plastics clinic - expansion</p><p>November 30th - back to plastics clinic - expansion</p><p>December 17th - back to plastics clinic - expansion - I seem to have developed a redness on the left side and my scar is stretching very thin on the lateral edge but I'm well and have no pain and the expansion is still happening slowly so I'm not worried. Dr Dean asks me to watch it and notify her immediately of any changes. I'm so used to not having breasts that by now even with this amount of expansion I'm referring to myself as Dolly Parton and loving that I can finally wear clothes...any clothes.</p><p>December 23rd - I notice a dark spot appearing on the thin scar line so I contact the Dr Dean who advises me to attend the clinic the following day so she can review it.</p><p>December 24th - Mitch comes with me...and we make a dash to the plastics clinic. Dr Dean removes some fluid from the expander to take the pressure off the skin / scar ...asks that I take it easy and done work for 10 days or so to allow the skin to repair and we return home to enjoy Christmas.</p><p>December 28th -I notice that the dark spot has now become a hole... mmmm... possibly not the best thing to happen...</p><p>December 29th - I make an early appointment to see my GP who looks and decides its not a job for him...its a job for Dr Dean... she advises him to remove some more fluid and begins the process of getting plans in place for me to return to Adelaide.</p><p>December 30th - My dear boss John drives me back to FMC ...where I'm admitted back to ward 5c and reviewed by Dr Dean. (Once again I have to repeat how fabulous she is...I'm sure she mustn't sleep or take time off.... each time Ive had a hiccup she has been there...always reassuring...) So unfortunaly the expander has broken through the skin and while I'm well and have no infection the best option is to have them removed and my permanent implants put in. This all came as a bit of a shock initially....here I was back in Adelaide at New Year....not what Id planned... but when I thought about it more....what a blessing! </p><p>This operation was inevitable....and to have it earlier than planned...and to get it all over before the New Year....that could only be a blessing..</p><p>December 31st - I'm first cab off the rank and in to theatre nice and early.... it was lovely to see Dr Deans smiling face and waving hands as I was wheeled into theatre again.....for the final time.</p><p>This operation was a breeze for me - the pain was minimal....and after the expanders which felt hard the new implants felt comfortable. There was no drains...and once the anaesthetic wore off I seriously felt fabulous. I have a couple of nice long incisions under my breasts which are still to heal....and some sutures on the top of my left one where the expander broke through...but each day I just feel better and better....</p><p>So that is my story to date....somewhere in excess of 14 trips to Adelaide.... 3 hospital stays..... 4 trips to theatre....and a memorable night in the FMC Emerg department.....I guess it possibly explains why this year has felt like a blur.</p><p>I should add we have also had a wonderful year.... with a cruise in June/July with dear friends....and Bellas 1st birthday and Alex's 21st birthday as well as weekends away....Ive continued to work full time as much as possible... but I'm kind of glad to leave 2009 behind in my memories and move on to a fabulous 2010 with a new set of boobs.</p>Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8234222255691891963.post-11076656217829188892010-01-06T08:17:00.003+10:302010-01-06T08:52:31.989+10:3017 months on...Wow....I was thinking perhaps Id pop in here and update.... I had no idea it was 17 months since my last chemo dose....and I can look back now and perhaps see how far Ive come.<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423383742063238674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihD3y7Dwqw65sYB0WjHmeobqCRxPOiWCDv8t0McZGOM014x_HJPNm9-RyghobDkdGdbPsXb95NkGc5VhwiA7y9d7wuXuTc5ALiiVYvQOH9RuNxU2mT3SYShmRnOKGCaj9tveDCa6ooyo9Q/s400/IMG_9206x.jpg" border="0" />(PS... I think everyone should have a photo with a bird cage protruding from their head and their daughter pulling a silly face....)</p><p>It was very interesting reading my final thoughts....and it makes me feel very grateful today for the difference 17 months can make...</p>I mean...I now have eyebrows and lashes....my hair has grown....Ive lost a little weight...got fitter...most of the time my brain functions now....I still don't drink instant coffee..but I dont miss it either...and I'm much happier with me....<br /><br /><br />I thought about making a list of all my Herceptin trips... to try and calculate the amount of kilometres I drove over that period....but I cant find my old diary's...and so I'm taking that as a sign to let go... and leave it in the past...<br /><br />I can do the rough Maths,...based on 12 months of a three weekly treatments..... 7000 kms ....then add that on top of the 8000 kms for the chemotherapy part of my treatment and I travelled in excess of 15000 kms last year just for treatment.....not including other appointments and surgeries.... no wonder I was tired of the trip ...lol<br /><br /><br />So.... with all of the tough stuff over.... it was time to look toward the future and reconstruction.... which leads me to the next post....Mardihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14972267519815125181noreply@blogger.com0