"What have you eaten" Parallel Chat

GP receptionist phoned to confirm that my Humilin S prescription has been upped to 3 packs at a time. Might stretch that out to a month. We'll see.

A bit heavy on the carbs today - commercially produced frozen mashed potato with peas and some duck breast. Tasted fantastic but I'm hoping that, since the potato was frozen, it wouldn't be too bad. Started the day with bacon and eggs, so no carbs there. Finished the day with a "Mumbai roll" - a wheat flour wrap, dipped in egg and fried with a filling of potato and peas (left over from lunch) with spring onion, tomato and a few spices, rolled up and then refried. Very good taste and very bad for carbs, but I enjoyed it.

I also had a little taste of some mango I was pureeing to make lassi for Em. I've never liked mango but this was actually pretty good - I did add a squeeze of lemon which sharpened the taste a bit. The idea was to test if the fruit sugar would upset me as much as other sugars/sweeteners do. The answer is no.

DIL sent some home made halloumi for me to try. It's very good. I must ask her how it is made. She also sent a little pot of home made jam. Tasted a tiny drop on the tip of a spoon and it was very good tasting but I mustn't eat it. Living dangerously today.

Just in case anyone out there is reading this thread - I'm going to be on soft foods, eg "nursery eggs" and so on because I broke another tooth. An eye tooth, so very obvious, and had to have the remaining bits extracted this morning. That was the only tooth that had never had any work done on it and when it finally gave up, it was pretty catastrophic. Split in 2 and then broke off at the gum. I was a bit nervous that the extraction would be as bad as the previous 2, but although the anaesthetic didn't actually deaden it, it was OK and I managed to hang in there without any dramatics. Stoic - that's me.

Oddly enough, in the early hours of this morning I had a hypo - the first in ages. It woke me up, luckily and I had a couple of digestive biscuits, which dealt with it fairly rapidly. Shan't be having any more biscuits for a while though. Boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, soup. these will be the order of the day (and tomorrow probably).

Antje77 said:

I usually use my beloved 'kaasschaaf' and put slices on my baking sheet, but it being a Dutch thing I figured you guys wouldn't have one
I did try how it worked with grated cheese once (mature Gouda in my case, as that's the cheese which is always there, a cheddar or such would work just as well, I'm sure) and it worked just fine. I first microwave and cool before breaking it and storing in an airtight container(*). If it doesn't crunchily break it needs a bit longer in the microwave.
I can't remember how long I microwave them, I think at least 2 or 3 minutes but I tend to keep a close eye on them as I've forgotten the right cooking time every time I make them.
You can make them in the oven as well, I tried!

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And for woever is wondering what I'm going on about, it's those cheese crisps :

(*) edit: The storing in an airtight container is of course only to protect them from dogs and cats. There is no way they would survive long enough to go stale!

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I've got one of them. @DCUKMod would not find that surprising.

I'm still about but obviously you all know my life is rather chaotic again. No change in brother's condition but we now have a lot more "kit". They've supplied a riser/recliner that makes it a lot easier to get him upright and something I'd never heard of, a Susan Stepper? Something like that. It's a kind of hoist aid to get him from the chair to the wheelchair so he can sit at the table for meals. Still eating well and some days he's more alert than others. No pain either thankfully.
I'm relieved his daughter got in from Australia when she did. As she said, the journey was challenging. She's still in isolation until Monday. Hubby has been busy making soup which I've been ferrying back and forward as Hubby makes very good soup! I'm going up quite frequently to assist, take in groceries and generally so they can pick my brains as well as visit and have a laugh and a chat with brother.
In between I'm still on Home Schooling. Grandson is improving. He actually likes the writing practice and he's doing cursive writing I can read now! He really got into roman numerals this week and he's quicker than me now. He wandered home yesterday and announced "Salve! The year is MMXXI". I've been teaching him how Latin works into everyday life and languages. I had one laugh. I was not impressed by the Scottish CfE so I switched to the English curriculum. I made a mistake though as their year 6 is the equivalent of our year 7 so I've been teaching him a lot of stuff from next year. He's doing it though so now I'm using a mix of both and added in some David Attenborough programs and interactive tutorials. The school still hasn't sorted his online access. Otherwise I'm trying to keep on top of health and my own housework. Glad to see most of you are still around. I'll try to keep a closer eye on this thread. xx

@maglil55, Glad to hear that things are running relatively smoothly for you at present. I don't know where you get the energy from though.

Just back from my second dentist visit of the day, to pick up my dental plate with a new tooth on it. The anaesthetic is wearing off now and it's getting a bit sore - more Co-codamol may be the answer - not feeling strong enough after walking up and down a long corridor twice, to cope with increasing pain as well. It will pass, though, so I shouldn't complain but I wasn't sure I was going to be able to drive when I got out the second time and had to sit for a few minutes to compose myself and get my breath back.

Had a US scan yesterday - scanned places I didn't think they could reach! I'll have to phone the GP on Monday to see if they found anything.

Annb said:

@maglil55, Glad to hear that things are running relatively smoothly for you at present. I don't know where you get the energy from though.

Just back from my second dentist visit of the day, to pick up my dental plate with a new tooth on it. The anaesthetic is wearing off now and it's getting a bit sore - more Co-codamol may be the answer - not feeling strong enough after walking up and down a long corridor twice, to cope with increasing pain as well. It will pass, though, so I shouldn't complain but I wasn't sure I was going to be able to drive when I got out the second time and had to sit for a few minutes to compose myself and get my breath back.

Had a US scan yesterday - scanned places I didn't think they could reach! I'll have to phone the GP on Monday to see if they found anything.

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Just read they've put the Western Isles in Level 4 (which in my book is level 5 with added bits!). Dare I ask why? You look positively minuscule compared to the West figures.

maglil55 said:

Just read they've put the Western Isles in Level 4 (which in my book is level 5 with added bits!). Dare I ask why? You look positively minuscule compared to the West figures.

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Yes, I just heard that as well. We're in the same boat as everyone else from midnight tonight. Not sure how it will affect us - we only go out for medical appointments or shopping anyway. It does mean that Neil is advised not to go on any public transport since he requires shielding, but as long as the Scenic keeps going, it'll be OK. The only effect I can think of is for local businesses which have to shut down. Probably we will find that there is a run on the shops again - it's a response to every emergency here.

There is a cluster in Barra and 4 patients had to be sent away to hospitals off the Island - 3 went to Glasgow and one to the Western Isles hospital in Stornoway. There was one other person, from Benbecula, who was also sent to the Western Isles hospital. And apparently there is another cluster of 12 actually in Stornoway, somehow "associated" with the hospital. Not sure whether any or all of them are hospitalised. Anyway the W I hospital has no more beds available for Covid patients. which really means, no more trained staff to look after them. The numbers are small, but so are the resources. So - up a level to level 4.

maglil55 said:

Just read they've put the Western Isles in Level 4 (which in my book is level 5 with added bits!). Dare I ask why? You look positively minuscule compared to the West figures.

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We have been in level 4 since Boxing Day - so no hairdressers (I had to cut my fringe again during the week as I haven't been to the hairdressers from before christmas), no restaurants or pubs open at all, only essential shops allowed to open (only the ones selling food or medicine allowed to open) so no card shops or clothes shops and greggs are closed also. Takeaways are allowed to open but no one is allowed inside the premises - you have to wait outside and they bring your food to you and take your money outside. I was asked to leave the bank the other day as the manager said only 5 were allowed in and I was no. 6 but 2 had come out before I went in so work that one out ... not allowed to mix with other households unless it is for caring or someone is on their own. It is so hard for everyone especially the young ones who are not allowed out unless of course for exercise which is unlimited and oh we are not allowed to travel more than 5 miles either unless it is essential ...

What I'm not clear on with level 4 is whether a hairdresser is allowed to go to clients' homes, or cleaners, for that matter. My hairdresser is not due until early March, but my cleaner is due to come today. I've heard nothing from her, but that's not unusual. Don't know if she knows any better than me. To be honest, I don't think she should come since she is also a care worker with the W I Council, working around the community. But if she comes, I will probably let her in - she needs the money for her morning's work here.

Edited to add: If she doesn't come, I will probably have to tackle it myself, but it won't be today. I'm still pretty shattered after yesterday's to-ings and fro-ings.

Just heard that an old (and elderly) friend who has been living in South Uist, and was taken into the W I Hospital after having a stroke, has now caught Covid, while in the hospital. That, of course, is always a danger. Very worried about her. Her family are all in Alaska so won't be able to get to see her. She was already suffering from early dementia, so will be feeling very alone and probably not understanding what is going on. None of the friends she has made in Uist will be able to visit, nor will any of her friends here on the Isle of Lewis. That's 2 old friends currently in the hospital - the other one is an old man who fell in the house and broke his hip. As far as I know, he has, so far, avoided the virus, but it seems like the hospital is a good place to stay away from just now.

Hiya guys just popped over her to catch up. Time is as ever tight for me because of caring and felt easier to put my bits of news in same post as my food. However as we’ve been reminded not to add general chat to that thread I need to make an effort to catch up with chat here!
@Annb missed you on other thread but can see that you have been suffering sending hugs it sounds like an uphill struggle for you let’s hope the road ahead gets a bit more even over time and well done on sticking at it must be very hard.
@maglil55 I feel for your family too - so difficult to deal with the issues around a close family member having a terminal condition sending hugs to you too - you are so persistent and keep going despite the mountains you’re dealing with. Really admire all the wonderful home schooling you are doing alongside the care and support you are providing for your brother and his family.
@DJC3 im so thrilled about your scan results and that after another year your odds will improve - know this info posted on other thread but replying here to keep to thread rules. I’ve really being crossing everything for you and delighted not just with results but how you’ve dealt with it all. It’s a major project too I’d imagine to organise your expedition from Cornwall and London and back.
Things remain complex here but it’s the way it is and I’m trying to be as sanguine as possible and working on things like a narrower eating window to help as stress raises my bgs so being stricter about how and what I eat along side stress management helps.
Sending hugs to allx

I would join in the chat, but absolutely nothing is happening here...for which I am quite grateful, if thoroughly bored.

Sending hugs all those with health and stress

Evening all and thanks for the tag @shelley262 thanks also for the congratulations. It really is such a huge relief to be clear again. I’ve no idea if lc/ keto is helping to keep metastasis at bay, but I’m not about to test the theory. I’m halfway through Jason Fung’s The Cancer Code which is fascinating reading.
Yes it is quite a mammoth task getting up to London and back now , especially since we finally sold our house up there - the car park costs more than the hotel!!! Plus we have to arrange for Dennis to be looked after etc. All worth it though and I wouldn’t swap to be seen down here even if they suggested it. The Royal Marsden is known worldwide and I consider myself very lucky to be treated there.
I know that stress is a major influencer in your BG levels so I really hope you are managing it effectively. It must be really hard, especially at the moment with your caring commitments, your mum being far away and the flooding on top of everything. Do you still listen to Headspace? I’ve recently got it again as anxiety was stopping me sleeping, I love their Sleepcasts.

I haven’t popped in here much recently either. I’m working 2 days a week, looking after granddaughters one day a week and volunteering the rest. I’m busier now than I’ve been for ages. I found out this evening that I’ve been offered the vaccine on Monday. One of my volunteering roles is as a Marshall in the car park of my doctors surgery which is acting as a vaccine hub atm. As the Pfizer vaccine only lasts 5 days once started - they are doing 5 day bursts of activity, getting 7 patients done every 10 minutes in 5x12 hr days! Tremendous logistics but after 5 days any remaining doses will be discarded so the volunteers have been offered it to save chucking it out. I’m very happy about that, a nice perk of the job and makes standing in the pouring rain for 6 hr shifts worthwhile.
I haven’t read back in everyone’s news yet but I’m hoping to do so this weekend. I’ve missed @Anbb and all the chat too.
Hope to catch up with you all soon.

shelley262 said:

Hiya guys just popped over her to catch up. Time is as ever tight for me because of caring and felt easier to put my bits of news in same post as my food. However as we’ve been reminded not to add general chat to that thread I need to make an effort to catch up with chat here!
@Annb missed you on other thread but can see that you have been suffering sending hugs it sounds like an uphill struggle for you let’s hope the road ahead gets a bit more even over time and well done on sticking at it must be very hard.
@maglil55 I feel for your family too - so difficult to deal with the issues around a close family member having a terminal condition sending hugs to you too - you are so persistent and keep going despite the mountains you’re dealing with. Really admire all the wonderful home schooling you are doing alongside the care and support you are providing for your brother and his family.
@DJC3 im so thrilled about your scan results and that after another year your odds will improve - know this info posted on other thread but replying here to keep to thread rules. I’ve really being crossing everything for you and delighted not just with results but how you’ve dealt with it all. It’s a major project too I’d imagine to organise your expedition from Cornwall and London and back.
Things remain complex here but it’s the way it is and I’m trying to be as sanguine as possible and working on things like a narrower eating window to help as stress raises my bgs so being stricter about how and what I eat along side stress management helps.
Sending hugs to allx

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Suffering is, I suppose, a relative thing. When I see what some of you have been dealing with recently, my heart goes out to you. All that I have is niggles of old age by comparison. When I told my brother about yet another broken tooth, his comment was "you're falling to bits!" My reply was "I've been falling to bits for the last 50 years, but I'm still, relatively sound". It's a matter of a thousand cuts. Hoping for no more toothy issues - I don't have many left to break now. My grin is getting to be a rather toothless one. I don't think I ever saw my grandmother with teeth. She had all of hers out before I was born but would never wear dentures unless she was going to church or some special occasion. She just chewed with her very hard gums. She was a bit daunting really but much of it was that kind of collapsed face that you see on people without teeth of any kind!

Cold sausage breakfast. Something unidentifiable from the freezer for main meal - turned out to be a chicken casserole. Nursery eggs shortly. They will be a bit hard boiled - I put them on before looking at this thread and then forgot to take them out on time.

@DJC3 brillant news re vaccination I had heard that volunteers at vax centres had been added to the priority list last week - so no doubt that is reason that you’ve been offered. Very sensible for anyone doing a job like yours. Hope it goes well.
Yep still do Headspace find I need to do it every day even if just do a short one it makes a difference.
Acts of kindness like you do are also good. Daffodils are out for sale at greengrocers and bought extra bunch for lonely neighbour it gave me pleasure seeing her face light up - bet you see that a lot in your volunteering @DJC3

With all the things going on in both the world in general and people's lives in particular, I thought it time for a happy post
We (my neighbour, best friend and I) have had a very satisfying little bonfire, illegal because there's curfew from 9pm.
In our defense, we live at the end of the world where there's very little risk of wasting time of police officers because they're busy elsewhere.

And if the weather is in our favour I'll go sailing with another friend for an hour or two (which is long enough when the temperature is only just above freezing point) tomorrow!
If it works out and there's not too much (cold!) nor too little (no outboard motor and not a fan of the paddle) wind I'll post happy pictures tomorrow

Apologies for absence, It's been difficult. Was feeling pretty hopeless about most things. Am starting to pick up a bit now.
You might start seeing posts from me again.
There is no chance in the world of catching up with what's been happening with you all, so will just say hope you are getting better or staying well.

Very glad to hear you're starting to pick up a little, @SlimLizzy!

SlimLizzy said:

Apologies for absence, It's been difficult. Was feeling pretty hopeless about most things. Am starting to pick up a bit now.
You might start seeing posts from me again.
There is no chance in the world of catching up with what's been happening with you all, so will just say hope you are getting better or staying well.

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Difficult times but so good to see you here again @SlimLizzy and that you’re starting to pick up

Antje77 said:

With all the things going on in both the world in general and people's lives in particular, I thought it time for a happy post
We (my neighbour, best friend and I) have had a very satisfying little bonfire, illegal because there's curfew from 9pm.
In our defense, we live at the end of the world where there's very little risk of wasting time of police officers because they're busy elsewhere.

And if the weather is in our favour I'll go sailing with another friend for an hour or two (which is long enough when the temperature is only just above freezing point) tomorrow!
If it works out and there's not too much (cold!) nor too little (no outboard motor and not a fan of the paddle) wind I'll post happy pictures tomorrow

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Hope weather good enough for sailing. It’s amazing how important the little things we took for granted seeing friends and having social contact are. Sounds like a happy time and, with hope, we will all get there soon meeting up again. Lovely to hear happy things enjoy. I’m missing swimming but sounds from temp that you should stick to the boat!