Yesterday the grocery store was a packed, but I had good fortune, and was able to get a handicapped spot, and didn't have to wait in line to check out. It was a much better experience than I expected, especially since I waited until the last minute to go. No complaints :)
I won't carry any bags in anymore. Even if I wanted to, I can't because my left arm and hand, which is the free one, are somewhat lame since the relapse.

We didn't do anything special for New Year's Eve. Usually I make filet mignon, but I bought french bread for pizza yesterday, forgetting I had to use it before it went stale. My husband wasn't bothered by it. We watched a couple of movies, and were both asleep before midnight.

This morning I'm going to poach some chicken to use later in soup and chicken pie. If I'm feeling up to it, I'll throw the soup together. We'll have our steak dinner tonight.

The Patriots play today at 1pm. I don't have to worry about lunch, since we have leftover pizza from last night, so I won't have to miss any of the game :)

I couldn't make it through the whole Patriots game again yesterday. I decided to take a nap around the same time Tom Brady decided he was done for the day because the team was up by 21 points.

I cooked the chicken, but didn't make the soup yesterday. I'm not surprised. I'll get to that at some point today so we'll have it for dinner. The filet mignon I made for dinner came out great, but (of course) dinner was later than I anticipated. I need to start cooking everything at least 15 minutes earlier now. On the off chance dinner is ready early, it's early.

I went to bed later than usual last night, and actually slept in past 7am this morning. Last night I was dead-set on getting something done first thing, but for the life of me I can't remember what the hell it was now. So frustrating.

the game wasn't on time warner in nyc. rats. you really got me into it

The Patriots have had some big wins this year, but they've had some real squeakers, too.

During the regular season, unless you have satellite TV or a special cable sports package, you can usually only see your local teams play, with the exception of featured games aired a couple times a week (on Monday Night Football, etc).

The regular season just ended. The playoff games start this weekend, and you'll be able to watch them all. The Patriots won their division, so they will have this weekend off, and won't play again until Saturday the 14th.

I love, love, love football :)
I would watch all the playoff games, but my husband is really only interested in watching the Patriots games. I may be able to get him to watch a game this weekend if he's in the right mood, and if I'm lucky.


I took my time and the soup came out great! My husband wasn't thrilled that I chose to use rice vs. pasta, but he got his way last time, so I made it to my liking yesterday.

Pop Tarts came out with limited edition Dunkin Donuts Chocolate Mocha and Vanilla Latte flavors, and I bought a small box of each the last time I shopped in lieu of my usuals. What a mistake! They're gross!!! I threw them out because they're inedible. I have no idea exactly what it is about them, but I'm obsessed with Pop Tarts. I've been without them for two days, and I'm going to have to go out and buy a box today.

thanks about the football. the pop tarts sound gross. I wonder who eats those

Heehee, I eat pop tarts. Just one or two kinds. And then my grandkids do.

Its more an kids food.

I watched the colts play. Thought they weren't going to show up for Mathis's last
game. THey did and won. Wow,

Donna :hug::grouphug:

I'm in love with the chocolate chip cookie dough Pop Tarts. I don't heat them up, and eat them as it. My husband likes the chocolate fudge and smores flavors, and so do I.


I trimmed all the cats' nails yesterday. Buddy's always take me about 30 seconds. Dottie has been getting a little fussy lately so she took a little longer. Rocky is usually terrible, and I have to make multiple attempts before I can get the job done, but I grabbed him when he was half asleep, got lucky, and was able to finish them all at once.

The cats have shredded the scratching posts on the cat condos, and I started to repair one of them a while ago. It wasn't easy work, so I stopped midway through, but finished it yesterday. There is a larger, taller one that I have to at least repair part of. I'm not looking forward to it, but will probably get started on it tomorrow.

The Feliway spray is arriving today or tomorrow, so I wanted to make sure that their nails are trimmed and they will have appropriate places to scratch in place of the couches and box spring. The diffuser will probably arrive early next week. This time around, I will keep up with the spraying, and make sure I keep their nails trimmed. Hopefully I will get some good results.


I have pulmonary function tests this afternoon, and I'm very anxious. I've been smoking for 23 years and I'm already pretty sure I have COPD anyway. Maybe it's worse than I think it is? The testing is supposed to take about 90 minutes. I don't know if I'll get any input during or after the testing, or how long my PCP will take to get back to me with the test results.

My MIL bought me a daily horoscope calendar for Christmas, and today's reads, "Misdiagnosis is likely, now that Mercury retrograde…" and it goes on to suggest getting a second opinion. I don't put any faith in horoscopes, but I just think that this one is SO random…

Happy new year kay!
just wanted to pop in and say HI.
read your thread for the past 2 weeks today and I have to say that
I think that you are amazing.
Thank you for sharing about your relapse...is your left arm lame all of the time now? So you use the crutch with your right arm?
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi:hug:

Bizi, I had weakness in both arms and hands to begin with because of a combination of the progressive part of the disease and previous relapses. The left side is just worse than it was now. It's useable, it's just weaker, and tires more easily. I've been through PT for the same issues before and have been doing some exercises, hoping that will help a little. My left side is worse in general, so I carry my cane, or use the forearm crutch, on my right side.

The respiratory therapist said I did well with the pulmonary function tests yesterday. She said something was "off," but nothing "jumped out" at her. She said the pulmonologist had to read the report and my PCP may send me back for a test that's more sensitive for asthma. I have to accept her input with a grain of salt because she's not a doctor though.

I was diagnosed with asthma about 10 years ago, but it seemed to be a temporary issue, so I figured it was a misdiagnosis. I don't remember if I had a cough at the time or not. Albuterol never worked for me, so I stopped using it.

I'm going to be thrilled if I don't have COPD, but then I won't have an explanation for my cough and shortness or breath, and I'm worried my PCP will drop the issue.

I have to stop smoking.

The Feliway spray arrived yesterday, but I'm still waiting on the diffuser. I'm going to spray the couches and the box spring this morning. One thing I didn't think about it is that we have an air purifier in the living room now… I hope that it doesn't suck up all the pheromones from the spray.

I didn't get started on the large scratching post yesterday, but the kitties are really enjoying the smaller one I did fix. They scratch the scratching posts more after I clip their nails.

Kay
I have a form of Asthma that is coughing mainly. I use an nebulizer when
it gets bad. I have been having much better years for a while now.

Also I have shortness of breath for many years now. But never found a reason.
Did testing for COPD and it wasn't that. But its worse for me during the winter
usually.

Donna :hug::grouphug:

Thank you Donna :hug:

That could definitely be what's going on.

I have no expectation of when I'll hear back from my doctor's office. I'm less worried about my results because of what the respiratory therapist said following my test. Now I hope he sends me back to test me for asthma though.

I'm going to try to quit smoking again by going back to the e-cigarette when I finish this carton.


Dottie woke me up at 2:30am when she knocked over the glass of water that was on my nightstand. The water fell into my purse, which was next to the bed. So, I was up in the wee hours trying to deal with that mess.
I woke up again around 6 to several spots of cat puke. So, right now I'm not exactly thrilled with my cats.

I sprayed the Feliway on the box spring and all the spots on the couch and loveseat they like to scratch. The smell of the spray didn't bother them at all. I haven't seen them scratching at anything, but that's just a coincidence at this point since Feliway doesn't work that fast.


I really wanted today to be a day where I didn't have to go anywhere...

But we may or may not have a snow storm tomorrow into Sunday morning that will dump 5-8" on us, and that will interfere with my plans to go grocery shopping this weekend. I'll have to shop for at least a couple of days today and we're having snow flurries.

I'm getting really tired of the The Weather Channel app's lousy weather forecasts. They change frequently, and are often wrong. I depend on them to prepare for when I should and shouldn't go out...

sorry for the cats behavior. maybe the spray will work.
sorry you had to get up early. Our bedroom is a no cat zone.
good luck to day and be safe as you venture out doors.
it is 37 here and supposed to get into the 20's tonight.....
the house feels warm this morning.
must get going....
bizi

Grocery shopping was entertaining yesterday... the woman in the checkout line in front of me was lip syncing and gesturing to the music they were playing in the store and she was really into it!!! I had to put my head down and stop watching so I didn't burst out laughing! It was the wildest thing I've ever seen!!! :):):)

We got a dusting of unexpected snow last night, and we are supposed to get some precipitation from the storm in the area today, but the forecasts about how much keep changing. It seems like we'll be getting at least 4", but I'd hardly call that a storm. High temps will be in the low 20s for the next couple of days, with the lows in the single digits. I'm hoping I don't have to go anywhere until my pdoc appointment on Wednesday.

I'm going to work on the second scratching post today. I'm hoping it's not going to be as difficult as I think it is. I'm going to force myself to finish it today no matter how long it takes. Maybe my husband will have some tips that will help make doing this one easier than the last one.

Did you get the scratching post done? Did corey help?
bizi

Kay,

'Hope the weather is working out for you.


M

Unfortunately I didn't get to the scratching post because I laid down for a nap at 11:30am and it turned into an epic nap. I set alarms, but that didn't help. My husband woke me up around 4:30pm... I wish he had tried to wake me earlier... I lost the whole day.

We watched part of the Raiders vs. Texans game yesterday. The Texans won. We won't know who the Patriots play until after the Dolphins play the Steelers at 1 today. I'd like to watch that game. Hopefully my husband will want to watch it, too because of its significance to the Pats.

I think we did end up getting about 4 inches of snow. The plow usually comes by to clear spaces around 9am, so my husband asked me to wake him up around then. He has takes care of his work truck. Hopefully he will clear off and move my car too, without *****ing, so I don't have to go outside at all.

I am hoping you enjoy your game together.
(((((HUGS))))
bizi

When the plow came by yesterday morning I asked my husband if he would need me to go out. He said that cleaning off the car and truck would be "a lot." I didn't say anything else until I got worried about time because he spent a long time in the BR after that, and I offered to clean off my car. He said he'd do it, but told me to shut up and stop being a ***** about it. Then he parked my car in a spot where I'd have to walk at least halfway around the building (in the parking lot) to get to it. He's going to have to move it for me, but I wasn't going to ask him yesterday.
He's such a ****ing ***hole...
There should be no question that he would be cleaning off both vehicles if he is home, and he should not be nasty or make me feel badly about it. I have to clean off my car if he is at work. He doesn't help me out with that before he leaves in the morning.


We watched half of the Dolphins vs. Steelers game yesterday. It was pretty contentious. I didn't watch the whole game, but the Steelers won. That means the Patriots will play the Texans on Saturday. The Pats beat them 27-0 in the regular season, but that doesn't mean Saturday will be another cake walk.

I had to take a nap, and decided to do it around halftime. I told my husband not to let me sleep for more than 2 hours, and he was able to get me up pretty easily. I didn't want to waste the whole day like I did on Saturday.
I wake up early every morning without an alarm, but can't seem to wake up from naps no matter how many alarms I set. Maybe I've gotten used to the sound of them, and need to change them in order for them to be effective?

It's 4 degrees out right now, and the high is expected to be 23. Tomorrow's forecast is 37/36, Wednesday 51/35, Thursday 55/40, and Friday 47/21. We're supposed to get rain tomorrow and Wednesday. Crazy weather!!!

I hope to stay in for the next 2 days. I have plenty of things I could do around here.

Your husband is a ****ing ***hole:mad:
sorry.
I so wish he was more considerate about you and your struggles.
Please be safe and warm in your home for the next 2 days.
Hopefully it will warm up and melt the snow, the rain will wash away some of it too.
(((((((HUGS))))))
it was in the 20's-30's over the weekend with gusts, Burr!!!
but it is supposed to be in the 70's the later part of the week!
crazy weather!
bizi

Its been really cool here and its been negatives a lot of the time with
wind chill factors. Today was in the 30's and pretty nice. But I still
got cold. Just life here.

Donna :hug::grouphug:

Donna,
 

Stay warm.

I hope some days are nice.


M

I texted my husband at noon to ask him to move my car back to my spot when he got home, but he had already done it in the morning. I'm glad I don't have to worry about that when I finally DO go out tomorrow.

I haven't seen the cats scratching anything but the scratching post I repaired since I clipped their nails and started using the Feliway spray and plugged in the diffuser. I haven't found any pieces of the couches or box spring like usual, so I don't think they're scratching when I'm not looking either. I think this **** is working! :)

I still haven't gotten around to fixing the second scratching post yet. When I think about doing it, all I can think about is what an ordeal the other one was, and how long it took. I will do it. I just need a little inspiration I guess.

I'm happy to be spending the day inside again. Maybe I will do some laundry? Or clean something or other…

here is some inspiration!

You are a hard worker!
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

lol. I haven't done anything all week but clean the bathroom, and I never got around to doing the floor in there. I'm putting the laundry off until tomorrow. I'm being pretty lazy this week.

I watched the whole Gilmore Girls series in reruns, and had been looking forward to watching the first installment of the new miniseries on NetFlix. I finally got around to doing that yesterday, and was a little disappointed, but it was still better than anything else that was on TV at the time.

I have a pdoc appointment around noon today. I wish it was earlier because I also have to go grocery shopping. Aside from the usual anxiety, and a little situational depression, which I think is understandable, I don't have anything to report.

I'm going to do stage 1 of the South Beach Diet again. I have to redo my shopping list because my husband told me last night he wants to do it with me, and I didn't plan for that.

I wanted him to do stage 2 so he could have more starch and fruit, but he declined. Stage 1 is very hard to do, I don't know if he will eat as often as the diet requires, and he's not giving up alcohol. We'll see what happens.

Good luck today.
I am sorry I cursed about your husband.
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

Don't worry about cursing about my husband! It was appropriate given the situation, Bizi :)

A nurse from my PCP's office called me yesterday to tell me the results of my pulmonary function tests came back normal. I asked her to ask him if the coughing and shortness of breath could just be from my asthma, and if we could try treating that to see if my symptoms improve. He just prescribed Albuterol ($57!), which never really seemed to help when I was having trouble with asthma in the past, but I used it yesterday when I was short of breath, and it really helped. It's not going to help with the cough though. After I used it, it actually made the coughing worse. I don't think that is going to get any better until I finally stop smoking and stick with it. Apparently I'm not ready to do that yet.

My neurologist sent my pdoc a note following our last appointment to update her. She was worried about how well I would be handling things now (3 weeks later), especially given the fact that I was also dealing with anniversary of my s/s attempt in December as well. But she was impressed that I'm doing so well, sees it as a very positive sign, and I don't have to see her for another 6 weeks vs. the normal 4 unless something turns up (knock on wood).

I decided not to do the laundry (again) yesterday because I'd be cutting it too close given the time of the appointment. I'm blowing it off (again) today because I have a lot of errands to run (too many) and want to get an early start. I have nothing to do tomorrow, and no excuses to get me out of doing it then.

Aside from the bathroom (done), grocery shopping (done), laundry (not done), and the little things I DO do everyday, there really isn't anything to do around this place that can't wait until next week. Some of those errands may be able to wait, too. I'll have to take a look at my list.

I think I just needed some rest, and some time to myself this week.

Good morning kay.
Could you cut back on the smoking? Are there lighter brands that you could switch to?
I have heard that smoking is the hardest vice to quit. So you are not alone in this challenge.
I have cut back my vice considerably this week and it has helped in the weight loss journey I believe.
I have heard that smoking can be an appetite suppressant though.
I hear you in your struggle.
(((((HUGS)))))
love bizi

Kay
I have coughing spells and its so true that the albuterol doesn't help it.
But water does for me. You might try that.

Donna :hug::grouphug:

Thank you ladies :grouphug:

Donna, my cough was worse yesterday, so I only used the albuterol once. I know that over the counter meds won't work for the cough... I'm sure you have the same problem. I haven't drank any water to intentionally help with it, but I will definitely try it. Thank you :hug:

We bought an air purifier with a 3-stage air filter. It doesn't seem to be helping me. I read on some of the Amazon reviews before I bought it that there is a feature on it that does something that can aggravate asthma for some people. I will have to go back and read those reviews and disable whatever it is.


I've kinda put my attempt to quit smoking on the back burner for the moment. I know I'm not in the right frame of mind right now to be successful.

Since I'm starting to diet, stopping smoking at the same time is probably not complimentary, but that doesn't mean I can't do it while I'm still dieting. The first stage of SB is hard, but it gets a lot easier after the first couple of days. The e-cigarette can provide nicotine replacement, which should prevent overeating and soothe some anxiety.

I've been thinking of going to a famous hypnotist called "The Mad Russian" in Boston if I keep failing with the e-cigarettes. Both my parents were heavy smokers, but I grew up hearing about him from their friends. He has a very good reputation/track record and offers free follow up visits for life (probably his life because he has to be pretty damn old by now) if you start smoking again. It's $75 for a group session and he sees everyone one on one while you're there.


I went back to my size 12 jeans yesterday!!! I'm happy I'm starting my diet tomorrow!!! I went to the butcher shop for steak, so now the fridge is fully stocked with all the meat and veggies we will need. I wonder what my husband will want for his last ****ty food meal tonight before we start the diet?

my mother went to a hypnotist and it worked for her!
I would do that! for sure....
Have a nice day kay!.
(((((HUGS))))
bizi

when do the pats play next? I had an easy time giving up smoking. they got too expensive and i used the patch. I think the patch really helped. the first i gave it up when i had the explosion and i was in the hospital for almost two weeks the last time was 18 years later. I was seeing a guy who smoked i started after watching good will hunting. I have had smoking dreams where i started again I still miss it.the second time I soked for about eight years

The Pats play the Texans tonight at 8:30 on CBS.

I FINALLY did laundry yesterday! I probably have enough for two more loads left though... that's what I get for procrastinating.

Then I FINALLY sat down to work on the cat condo. Unfortunately, I found out I couldn't do the job because the rectangular wooden post is not even, so the rope won't stick when I try to glue it. I will have to use a staple gun to anchor the rope in a couple of places. Correction: my husband will have to use the staple gun because I'm not strong enough. I asked him to bring it in last night, but he didn't. He doesn't know if there are any staples in it. I will try to get him to get it from his truck today, and I'll go buy staples for it if it's empty.

For breakfast yesterday:
Chocolate chip cookie dough Pop Tarts
5 coffees with 1% milk and stevia

Lunch:
Large Iced Coffee with 2 cream and 3 sugars &
Chocolate chip muffin from Dunkin Donuts

Dinner:
General Gau's Chicken
Pork fried rice
Egg Roll
1 O'Doul's

Because today I start the diet.

sorry about the cat post.
WE have crazy weather here it has been in the high 70's for the past few days. I have turned the air conditioning on the last 2 nights to cool down the house.
Good luck starting your diet tomorrow. How long will you do this?
I am taking it day by day.
bizi

The recommended time for phase one of SB is only 2 weeks because it's so restrictive, but I went a little longer the last time.
If I'm satisfied with how much weight I've lost after 2 weeks, I'll move on to phase 2 where I will lose weight more slowly, but can eat a wider variety of foods, and will stay in that phase until I lose all the weight I want.

I had no trouble over the weekend adhering to the diet. The only rule I don't follow is the caffeine restriction because I depend on coffee to keep me awake and alert.
So far, it has been extremely hard to have my husband on the diet, too. All I did was prep, cook, and do dishes all weekend, but that should make it easier later in the week. As a result, my neck, right shoulder and arm are very sore.
He has done well on the diet except he is still drinking a lot of beer and doesn't believe in counting out peanuts (lol). I packed him breakfast, lunch, and a snack for today, and I hope he gets to eating all or most of it.

All 4 football games were FANTASTIC to watch this weekend. Of course my main interest was the Pats game. They didn't play well in the first half, but they came back in the second half and the offense and defense played much better, and they capitalized on the Texans errors to win by 18 points. It was fun to watch Brady throw the long ball more often than usual to keep them guessing. The Pats will play the Steelers in their house on Sunday, and I can't wait! :)

sounds like a productive weekend. Yeah for the pats!
sorry for the sore muscles.
Have a good day kay!
love you
bizi

I forget what I was going to write about before because ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT is my husband paid our cellphone bill without noticing that they charged us an absolutely obscene amount of money… I called last month to change our plan to reduce the cost, and instead they charged us A LOT more. My anxiety is really high right now and is preventing me from understanding what went wrong with the billing. I guess I will have to wait until the klonopin kicks in before I can really look at it and call customer service.

They will straighten you out. honest they will. They want to keep you happy, too much competition out there.
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi:hug:

The new 3GB cell plan was supposed to kick in at the beginning at the last billing cycle (12/26) so there would be no prorated charges, and only charges related to the new plan should have been reflected on this bill so there should have been no confusion for me. Because we changed plans, they took our rollover minutes as expected, but for some reason on this bill it showed we were charged for the old 15GB plan and they just tacked on more money for everything. There was no explanation for the additional charges, and no mention of the 3GB plan at all, but I have a feeling they charged us for BOTH plans.

The call center was temporarily closed "due to unforeseen circumstances," and I was too impatient to wait until they opened, so I decided to try my hand at the chat feature. The rep. was extremely condescending and couldn't seem to apologize for the error. He couldn't/wouldn't tell me why we were charged more money this month, and all I could do was get him to reduce the bill back to the amount we had been paying for the 15GB plan. I'm not happy, but at least I got a credit for $60 that will show up on our next bill. We are almost through our billing cycle, and I fully expect things to be ****ed up on our next bill, and that credit will just make it harder for me to decipher it.

My husband is fired from paying the bills. Not only did he pay that bill without noticing how high it was, he also paid it late.


Every time I get up, he says, "Can you get me a beer while you're up." It's not really a question. I get up a lot, and he drinks a lot, so it really gets old. He often says jokingly, "I do EVERYTHING around here". He was in a good mood last night, so I said in response, "You work very hard at work, I'll give you that, but you don't do **** around here." Then I proceeded to tell him how frustrating it was for me to sit in the apartment and stare at all the things that need to be done that I can't do myself anymore. I pointed out a couple of things. He said if I was looking for something to do, I could clean out the fridge. NOTHING sinks in.

I do feel better after voicing my frustration even though it's not going to do me any good.


As long as he is still on this stage of the diet with me, I need to start doing prep work and packing his breakfast and lunch during the day instead of around dinner time because it's too much for me. I have no executive function so I've been scattered and getting stressed out.

For my part, I've been adhering to the diet, and haven't had any problems. It's actually a nice change of pace for me because I had been cooking mostly to my husband's preference of just a protein and starch, and now I am eating a ton of veggies and enjoying it :)