Second Day Meatless

Well thats me now.  My hairs longer but thats me, fat face and getting a double chin.  Its been two days now and I am not feeling bad or deprived.  I have eaten dairy, had a little bit of ranch dressing in my salad last night and at lunch this morning.  I used a little bit of olive oil in my pan for my onions and peppers. I am trying new recipes and learning to cook in ways I haven’t before.  I am going to try my hardest to remove all meat, dairy and extra fat from my diet. I know that raw is the way to go, it only makes sense to me anyway, but I am not there yet.  To learn about you health and food heres a wonderful website by T. Colin Campbell, Phd, http://nutritionstudies.org. There are a lot of other sites you can get to from here as well as recipes.  There are also documentaries that I have watched and have inspired me to take control of my health. “Fork over Knives” is currently on Netflix and is a great watch as well as “Food Matters”. I am not saying that meat is a bad thing for everyone nor am I going to be out in the streets protesting, I am just saying that its a good idea to watch and read for yourself.

I am starting out at 141 lbs, I’ll weigh myself every Sunday and see how if any effects this new direction has.

New Year New You

Crazy journeys we are on in this short life of ours.  I think how much things have changed since I was a girl.  The internet, cell phones, satellite television and on line shopping to name a few, are things that have made life easier and more enjoyable for most. With that said, those same things…

Friendships

I don’t have a lot of friends but the ones that I hold true are forever there.  This is my friend Tami.  Her and I met 20 plus years ago when we dated roommates.  Our daughters were just over a year old and they enjoyed each others company and that was pretty much it.  Our dating relationships turned into marriages and later on divorces, but Tami and I and our daughters stuck together and our still great friends.  This picture above is her, (on the left) and I (on the right) visiting me while I was stationed in Hawaii on the island of Oahu in  October 2014. We are on one of the scenic pull off sights. We where out and about everyday all day long for 2 weeks straight.  I took some vacation time, long over due and Tami and I had a great time.  We hadn’t seen each other in years but when I picked her up at the airport, it was like we had never missed a beat.  We picked up right where we had left off. That is a true friend.

I will forever remember the visit in Hawaii.  I am back in Texas now working with a signal unit, so I doubt I’ll get to see her anytime soon. Just keep your true friends close, tell them how important they are to you and keep them in your life.  Thanks Tami, you are loved and missed.

Radiofrequency Ablation

It’s not for everyone, hell I thought it wasn’t for me.  It’s been 12 hours since my second procedure and I am feeling good.  I am going to try vacuuming tomorrow and she if my back begins to hurt.

Radiofrequency Ablation, (RFA) is a outpatient procedure in the pain management doctors tool box.  It helps patients like me find some level of pain relief.  It heats and in my case, burns the nerve endings in my lower back.  My first go round was at Tripler Army Medical Center in Oahu, Hawaii.  The physician there wanted to burn the nerves again because this was my first time, all the nerves may not have been affected.  Since it was to close to my fly date,(new duty station) I waited until I was settled here in El Paso.  My new physician here agreed with Tripler and whala I had it done this morning.

When I got home I took a nice long nap with the puppies and when I woke up, my left leg felt a little numb.  It’s been hours since then and it is not feeling as numb.  I know I posted my x-ray once already but here it is again.  

In this photo you can’t see the bottom half of the x-ray, it is curved back the opposite direction from the top.  I also have a couple bulging disc and degenerative disease within the disc.  This causes numerous pain issues.  It’s hard for me to carry anything weighted for long, vacuuming, sweeping and mopping causes a burning sensation in my lower back to include bending over and over again.   I am hoping the RFA will eliminate or decrease my pain a lot.   Only time will tell.  The nerve endings will evidently grow back.  They say between 9-24 mos.  Cross your fingers for me friends.   I want to be able to run, if only a half mile with extreme pain.  Cleaning isn’t an option, so that would be nice to go through my weekly cleaning and laundry without pain relievers, heat or ibuprofen.

Along with the scoliosis, I also have cubital tunnel in my left elbow and a torn bicep that I am working with physical therapy to try and heal without surgery.  I was given an injection last week on Wednesday in the bicep sheath.  I have gotten back some mobility but not all and I am still in pain.  Need to see the surgeon again soon.

I swim everyday, well, as much as I can.  I also walk and use some weighs on my lower body.  Since I am active duty military, I have to maintain my health and I am trying to get it back.  I weighted 120 lbs and under until December of 2014.  I stopped smoking and then in February 2015 I had major surgery.  This limited my able to do physical activity and the pounds just piled on.  I am only 5’2 and I am weighing in at 140 lbs right now.  I am not obese but I am in a not so safe zone for my health.  I need and want to lose 15 lbs.  My clothes will fit, my body will feel better and I’ll be safer in my career.  My max weight for my sex and height is 142 lbs., to close for comfort.

I am keeping at it.  Wish me luck and let me know if you have good ideas for those with scoliosis that want to run and keep fit.  The less weight I have on this back the better.

We Made it

We are here.  Fort Bliss is so much better and bigger than it used to be.  If you live on post, you almost never have to leave.

We found a beautiful home to rent on the West side of town.  Hubby starts school next month and UTEP is just up the road.  I like my office so far.  I have one Soldier right now but soon will gain a couple more.  Of course are office is short, but most S1 shops in the Army are.

Going to the field in a couple weeks.  Haven’t done that in some time. Should be interesting.

Picked up a new member of the family today.  His name is Shiner. He is a 8 week old Blue Heeler and he is adorable. Jager is having a ball right now.  He gets a little rough and have to remind him to be easy.  Give Shiner a couple weeks and Jager will be the one in trouble.

Last Few Days at Work

This week is going to be a short one.  I have my unaccompanied baggage being picked up on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Friday is my farewell luncheon at Buffalo Wild Wings and theres not a whole lot of work for me to do.  I have trained my replacements and made sure they have all of the access they need.  Now it’s pretty much a waiting game.

Tomorrow will be busy with many phone calls.  I have to call and make the vet appointment for Jager and Tink’s health certificate.  They can’t fly without one.  Getting an animal on this Island is crazy.  Just another way for the state to make money.  Tinkerbell, our 13 year old chihuahua, stayed with my Dad for the 12 months we were in Korea.  Then we were stationed here in Hawaii and she was required to have 2 sets of rabies shots with the certificates, the health check, and a blood draw that had to be sent off and verified for the rabies vaccine.  There are only 2 labs in the US that are capable of doing this test and it takes 6 to 8 weeks to get back the results.  So, even with the 2 certificates showing the rabies shots and the blood results you still have to have them quarantined for 4 months after the results come in.  Tinkerbell spent almost 20 months with my Dad between Korea and getting her taken care of for Hawaii.  If anyone you know is going to Hawaii and they will be taking their beloved pets, make sure they start the process early.  It is very expensive if you have to have them held at the quarantine center here for their waiting period.  It was a monthly cost of $245. when we arrived here in 2013.  I am sure the price has increased since then.   Leaving the Island is also a pain in the rear.  The Army pays for our flight from here to our next station, but of course they do not pay for the dogs tickets.  Our airline happens to be American and they DO NOT reserve cargo space for your animals.  You must arrive early and cross your fingers that there is space for them or they do not fly.  I called United Airlines to see if they would reserve space, but not luck with them either.  Now I know when I flew Tinkerbell here she had a reservation.  It maybe that they do not reserve from Hawaii.  When I called both American and United a few months back in regards to pricing, they both said $200. per pet with no weight or container limits. Since I will not take the chance on them not be able to fly, I am sending them a week and a half earlier to my in-laws.  Thank goodness for them.  They live in Arizona, so Tucson bound they will be.  I am using Delta Airlines because they fly animals all the time and all year long.  The have special cargo for animals and it is climate controlled.  The price is doubled and it does go by weight and size of container, but they are worth it.  I will also be calling to get their flights reserved and paid for.

Between having to show my face a work for a couple hours, I have to do a lot of little things at our rental so its ready to go with minimal work at the end.  I am also riding my bicycle to and from PT and home and back to work.  I sent my Jeep off on the 4th, and have been using my bike since then.  I am only 2 miles from work so its not so bad.  There are plenty of hills though.  The thighs are getting a work out. I looked at getting a rental from today (Sunday) until we flew (11 April) it was $1000. Crazy.  I have to spend that to fly the dogs.  ugh!! I will have to get one at some point. Hubby still have his truck. Thank goodness.  He works all the way on the Northside of the island. We live on the south end.  They are still having him come in so until they ease up, I’ll have to ride the Trek.  I also have to send an email out tomorrow so I can get my clearing papers. Should get them on the 28th of March.  They give us 10 working days to clear.

 

 

 

Moving On

Next Duty Station My husband and I have been on Oahu for almost 3 years.  It has been a great experience to say the least.  It is now time to move on.  Texas here we come, again.  Although I was born in Ohio, I spent most of my teenage years in Texas, so, I claim…

Last 7 Day’s

Bought myself a gym membership on the 4th. I have been to the gym everyday since except for one. Started leave today and joined a Turbo Kick class this morning. Wow, I am super sore. Hope I can walk tomorrow.

Going to ride my bike around Honolulu tomorrow and get some sun. Maybe a swim in the ocean as well. Should be a nice treat for me and some good exercise.

Although, I’ve been to the gym everyday I haven’t lost a pound, not even an ounce. Could be my crappy eating. Haven’t gained any either so I guess that’s a plus.

In-laws should be here Sunday evening. Going to be site seeing. Hope I can still hit the gym while they are here. Don’t want to get in a rut again.

Had my bike for sometime now but haven’t ridden it as much as I’d like. Need to buy some good  bike shorts but at $99.99, it’s a little hard to swallow.

I Did It… Finally

I almost made another excuse. I forgot to change into my workout clothes before I left the office yesterday. I am active duty and have to wear a heavy uniform and big boots. I already had brought in another uniform, so I only needed to bring in my boots, a belt and my cap. So,…

Chiropractics

I have visited chiropractors before a few times in my life, but I always felt worse when I left. All I am reading on-line is so confusing. Some docs say go for it, it will help your back, while others say it may relieve pain temporarily while others say, stay away. I have a prescription…