Saturday, September 27, 2008

CirCaids, not for the weary

I have Lymphedema in my lower legs. This has been an ongoing issue that started last Fall, and I have been trying to get compression stockings since June. Long story short, the DME (Durable Medical Equipment) supplier locally who could furnish me with custom made stockings (the only one in town, mind you) was unable to fill the rx because she was limited on manpower and it was incredibly hard trying to get in for a fitting. Frustrated, I called my doctor's nurse and she took it upon herself to try to find someone to accomodate my needs. Bless her heart- she called all over the place and I appreciate it so very much. I met up with a physical therapist who works with Lymphedema patients who was able to get me in touch with a lady down in Bellevue who is a supplier of medical supplies, and she told me about these things called CirCaids, which are a compression garment that is made up of velcro that you can adjust as the swelling goes down. After many missed calls and describing my situation to her, she fit me into an appointment when she made the trip up north here in Bellingham.

The lady brought me CirCaids and taught me how to use them. They are a pain in the NECK and NOT cheap. $800-$1000, seriously...and I'm hoping to god my insurance covers them. She called for benefits and they told her they do cover it, but I was told something else (that a Pre-determination needed to be done). In any case, she got the rx and the letter of medical necessity from my primary care physician and is going to submit the claim, so we'll see what happens. It's hard trying to 1, put them on in the mornings, and 2, keep them on during the day. It's a bit hard trying to adjust them while at work, and I hope this investment is going to work, but I will purchase compression stockings as well, as the physical therapist told me I would need those too.

I also spoke with my PCP and discussed aquatic therapy with him. When we were in Anacortes during our Labor Day vacation, I went swimming daily, and noticed the swelling went down tremendously and it was NOT a problem at all during that trip. It's not just that but now my knees are really starting to feel the pressure from my weight, and I think this will help the aches and pains I am dealing with. I am hoping that the aquatic therapy will work and it is something I can fit into my schedule. I'll continue with Curves, but I need to do this as well. More updates later.

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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

For Sher

I have not been visiting my friend's blogs lately and while going through them, I found out that someone who has always inspired me has passed away. Sher is the creator of What Did You Eat? and I am still sitting here in shock. I did not want to wait until tomorrow to blog about this wonderful person and my memories of her.

Sher passed away on July 20th, 2008, and her husband, Bob, wrote about her passing on July 23rd. Sher was an inspiration to me, not just in this great blogosphere, but as an animal lover as well- she had blogs about the animals in her life, and had humorous and touching entries about her beloved cats (and two I'll never forget- Sundance and Upsie).

We lost a beautiful, kind and sweet person, but her spirit will live on and she will never be forgotten. To Sher- thank you for always being a friend, even when I hadn't been around often, and thank you for sharing everything you did.

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High Fructose Corn Syrup ad controversy

I don't know about you guys, but I have caught two commercials recently that basically states "get the facts" about high fructose corn syrup and I was shocked the first time I saw the commercial. It's being advocated by the "Corn Refiners of America" or something like that. A quick Google brought up a couple of YouTube videos and several articles about the controversy of these ads.

Let's face it- High Fructose Corn Syrup has no nutritional value and has been contributing to the obesity epidemic, and I'll even go as far to say that I would not be surprised that it contributes to Type II Diabetes as well (that is strictly my opinion). I am sure that it's a just a way of trying to get those who are trying to avoid HFCS (like myself) realize that in moderation it's not bad for you. It's bad enough, in my very humble opinion, and I try to make healthy choices for my family, and HFCS is not on my list of healthy things. I can understand in moderation it will not kill you, but these ads make the people who question HFCS look stupid and uninformed. I think that is stupid and frankly, it is annoying. I take my time when I go grocery shopping to make informed and healthy decisions about what we eat, and while we cannot always avoid HFCS, I think we do a pretty good job of doing it (if only I could get my husband to drop his pop habit).

I found an interesting online article about these ads and the HFCS myths at hand. I will say that moderation is key in any diet, but look at how many food products contain HFCS these days. So many products, including bread and juices- and according to that article, even children's vitamins contain it (WTF? I will be reading my daughter's vitamin jars from now on!).

I don't know what the answer to HFCS is, but I will say that I will continue to avoid it as much as humanly possible.

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Friday, September 05, 2008

School's back in session

and with that is one happy momma! We had a wonderful summer but I am relieved that school is back in session, especially for my daughter's sake. This year is third grade and so begins the arduous task of getting her ready to take the WASL in the Spring (don't get me started on that!). It should be interesting, needless to say.

As usual we have been incredibly busy here with everything from work to doctor's to a mini vacation we took last weekend down in Anacortes. We visited Deception Pass and Deception State Park, which is absolutely beautiful. I loved the bridge, but going on it and trying to walk across was another story. I have a big fear of heights and I could not even get a quarter of the way across without feeling dizzy and nauseous. I'm still glad we were able to go down there to see it- it truly is a sight to behold! Here are some pictures from our trip:

The Deception Pass sign at the bridge:



I thought this was cool, it kind of reminded me of the movie The Goonies (someday I will get my butt down to Astoria, Oregon and see it for myself!), and there seems to be little caves down there!



Here is the bridge in all of her glory- truly amazing structure but scary look down!



And finally, a picture of my daughter on the beach in the Deception State Park:


This is probably our first real trip together as a family ever, which was nice. I am looking forward to going down there again next year!

Other than that, soccer season has begun and my daughter is gearing up with practices for her games. We are looking forward to see how much she has grown during this season (her third soccer season). She just finished some swimming lessons recently as well, and I plan on enrolling her in more eventually, just with soccer on her plate at the moment there's not a lot of room for anything else (or I will create burn out for her and myself!).

I am continuing my fight trying to lose this weight, so far so good, just going to keep plugging along and am trying to get assistance with a nutritionist to achieve my goals faster (hopefully). One of these days I'll actually get back to what my blog was about in the past and write about food and how retraining myself in the food department has changed me. I will say this much for now- Tillamook has great ice cream and cheese- but their yogurt? So yummy. Not exactly low-calorie but it does not contain that High Fructose Corn Syrup junk and it's low in fat. Tillamook makes some good stuff. I will also add that Ezekiel bread is DELICIOUS!

Til next time!

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