speechless
there are times when I wish I had amazing language skills. I want the ability to choose all the right words, to communicate clearly and pointedly. But once again my words fail me. A couple of years ago, my housemate from Montreal married, a college friend. It was one of those events that you could celebrate effortlessly. They were to have their first child early next month. Last week, as they were headed to town for the (also effortless) wedding of another college friend (in which he was part of the wedding party), complications arose. Today shortly before heading to a prewedding gathering, we got word that she had given birth to a tiny baby boy. Sadly, half an hour later they lost him. If something of this magnitude happened at any other time, the groom would be the first to drop everything, and do whatever he could to help. It is an awkward thing to feel such pain for 2 friends, and such joy for 2 more at the same time. Tomorrow may be the first time I cry at a wedding.
bad news,good news
the bad- Harry Potter spoilers abound
the good- Starbuck will be on the new Bionic Woman series. Now I will have a reason to tune in.
about my health
I have gotten a couple of emails about my health. The big question seems to be why all these trips to the doctor,etc…?What does it mean?I have been a bit reluctant to elaborate on specifics, mostly hoping that I would get answers and be able to move on. It has been a year and a half since I started on this journey, so there is no point in avoiding it any more.
The long and the short of it is, I am still awaiting an official diagnosis. Currently my doctor and I are operating under the assumption that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. This is a best guess situation, as my pain responds well to medication that specifically targets arthritis. There is often an overlap of symptoms and conditions in the world of autoimmune diseases, so that is why I will need to see the specialist in October.So what does this mean for me on a day to day basis? I operate on a day to day format, keeping my plans open based on pain and fatigue levels. Before my current medication there was enough pain, fatigue and stiffness that I was unable to work. There were even discussions about getting a cane. Its hard to articulate how much my condition has impacted everything I do. I identify with something called the Spoon Theory. Read it. It sums up so much of my life now. If you have questions- ask. I’m not hiding anymore.
musical heartbreak
I don’t know why a remake of Footloose sounds so depressing, and almost blasphemous…. Its not like I am unaware of the musical version… Its just seems so wrong to me.
and then there was more rhubarb
so I suck at updating my blog. With all the Potter hype I shouldn’t have to be reminded “constant vigilance!”
This past Saturday Andy came down for a day with spawn1 and 2. It was a lovely treat to have her come all the way here. The twins have their own personalities now, last time I saw them they just sat and smiled. 4 hours with twins and I needed a nap. Consequently, the last hurrah to wheat and dairy I had planned for dinner needed to be postponed for a day.
My first 2 days without dairy and wheat have been less traumatic than I may have imagined. Luckily going wheat free does not mean going bread free, and the bread lady makes 100% rye bread using water not milk.
Yesterday we picked all the rhubarb off the plant, and it took 2 of us an hour to chop it all. Today I made several different rhubarb treats-muffins (5 doz), crisp (regular and wheat/dairy free), sweet sauce, and savory sauce. Unfortunately, 28cups of chopped rhubarb later, my bowl was only half empty- so I cheated and froze the rest. Meanwhile the plant had the nerve to send up 3 more leaves overnight.
