I haven’t been around here much but I wanted to do some catch-up blogging before tonight’s Biggest Loser. Why haven’t I been around? Because I’ve been teaching like CRAZY – a blog class (!) and then two writing classes, all of which are fantastic but which are taking up huge gobs of time.
But all is well. I’m exercising, going to Nia, running, weight lifting. I’ve gone to a lot of doctor appointments. Cardiologist and endocrinologist are both very very happy – my cholesterol is GREAT now that I am taking a bit of statin. Which I resisted mightily but has actually been fine. I am happy with that. My A1C (for those who know and care about such things) is 5.9 which made me happy even with all the prednisone I took in July.
Also been to OBGYN because even though I am 50 and allegedly menopausal, I have had the world’s most relentless periods. First every 3 weeks (too short) then every two weeks (huh?) then every week and now I have about 48 hours break before it all starts up again. It’s not good. Trying to get to the bottom of it. So, I feel like I’ve been getting my blood drawn every five minutes and it’s all good except for that one thing. Argh.
I wanted to do a big blog post about WW’s “Lose for Good” campaign which involves donating food to food banks etc. which corresponds with our weight loss. I went out and bought 31 lbs of rice and beans. I was going to ceremoniously wear it on my body to one of the WW Meetings, and then peel it off but after putting on about 12 lbs it was SO SO damn uncomfortable I couldn’t bear it. I actually couldn’t believe that I could barely haul that stuff around in a grocery bag. I piled it on the table. Can you see? It’s BIG. But not only did it show me the big pile of 31 lbs, but when I picked up the little one or two lb bags, those were not insignificant either. And it showed me, than when I am “up” 3-4 lbs, I can feel that bulk’s extra on me.
I’ve been continuing my birthday revelry, over one month past birthday. Today a friend took me to breakfast at this favorite spot. They have this mega decadent soft polenta with melted cheese. Which is like my favorite thing ever. Normally I would snarf down this big bowl and feel ILL but today I had three beautiful large spoonfuls and that was like heaven. Just enough. SO so good.
Dinner’s about to burn without me so I’m going to stop here but this is what I’ve been up to. Next, BL, in one hour!
foodfoodbodybody 
September 22, 2009 at 10:35 pm
A nurse once told me, “You probably keep Kotex in business!” when I was in college and trying to figure out why I was having a 10-14 day period every 2-3 weeks (yes, which meant i was always on the rag) and once had a 45 day long period. So nice of her, especially since she missed the diagnosis.
Turned out I had PCOS–which I’m pretty sure is not your case…! (Though i wonder if hormones have something to do with it as things transition into menopause) BUT I want to send my empathies to you. It sucks to always be on the rag!!!! I hope they get ot the bottom of it soon!
September 22, 2009 at 11:07 pm
My endoc did mention PCOS today but said if I had it it would have showed up long before now, but that it probably DID have something to do with hormones, or with my ginormous fibroids which are supposed to shrink with Meno but are not. Going for ultrasound next week.
September 23, 2009 at 3:59 pm
I love your 31 pounds of rice and beans illustration – the fact that you couldn’t even wear all of it says so much, as does the small 1 and 2 pound bags…not only does it show that it’s a lot when you gain, it shows that it really is a lot when you “only” lose a pound or two! Thank you for this – I am really amazed by it!
September 27, 2009 at 8:25 pm
I promise I won’t go from “lurker” to “over postal!” I really wanted to reply to this one because I too have been suffering from Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding as the medical types like to call it. I always was very regular but have gone kind of wacko in the perimenopause years (I turned 49 in July). It started with pelvic pain on one side and gradually moved on to endless periods. I went through the rounds of blood tests and sonograms. My Gyn thinks I have adenomyosis which is basically endometrial tissue embedded in the uterine wall. Anyway, enough to explain the bleeding and pain, not unlike your fibroids. We tried various hormonal things (rings, patches, pills) and I was seriously considering having endometrial ablation but we finally hit on an oral contraceptive that works reasonably well. Basically a no-estrogen mini-pill. I have one friend who had ablation for fibroids and has been very happy with the results, though the procedure sounds truly medieval. In uterine sympathy, T