Cheekychinchilla's food and stuff

[cheekychinchilla]

I'll post you a pic of our main tree, it's pretty nice I have to say. Mum does Christmas decorations really well

Aye, really impressed with Anya. For a small rabbit she is very good natured. I reckon she's a Netherland cross and they're notoriously naughty rabbits! My other one, Simon, is just nervous, not nasty. But they can be very bitey and scratchy! I usually prefer bigger bunnies. But yeah, she's doing really well.

We went to see The Muppets Christmas Carol at the local cinema a couple of weekends a go

Have got such a busy week ahead. Tomorrow I'm going to work to speak to my boss. Then I'm picking my friend Caz up to go to Ikea for lunch and a few bits. Want to stop at M&S too coz it's MASSIVE at the retail park. She needs the Post Office too so offered to take her.
Wednesday I have to pick up Mum from work and take her to her friends - she got turkey crowns in an offer at M&S and one's for Mum. Then we're going to the cinema.
Thursday I'm going out for tea with my work friend Laura.
Friday Mum wants to do some Christmas food shopping at Tesco. She wants me to take her to her Mum's to drop of presents (I wish she'd stop doing this to me! I feel SO uncomfortable being around her family!) and we're going to check out Aldi on the way home. Want to see what all the fuss is about!!

The weekend I don't know yet, but hopefully nothing or just a trip out for coffee or something.

And Monday is the proper food shop at Morrison's

:faint2:

I'm sure you can imagine how tired I'm going to be and how all over the place my food will be. Eeek!xx

 

[Barbette]

You are really busy, just think though just over a week and all this madness will be over lol. I think everyone's like that running around like headless chickens doing the last bits and pieces and the food shopping I think I'm doing my food shopping saturday morning straight from work, no one is ever around at that time
I've never had a bunny, had gerbils, spiders, cats, dogs and birds so never knew they could be nasty. Glad she's friendly though. x x

 

[cheekychinchilla]

If I was in work I wouldn't be this bloody busy! Dunno what everyone's going to do when I'm back in work and not free to taxi people round and do favours and stuff. I know that sounds really mean, but it's true! I'm just so tired and it seems never ending at the moment. Wont get much of a rest before I have to go back to work. I've not even had time or energy to do the bits of coursework I wanted. There's no way I can fit that in too really. I'm stressed enough as it is!
I have to do all the running round with Mum because my Sister will be working a LOT this week and a bit. And she also wont have anything to do with my Nan or two of my Mum's Sisters. So because I'll be civil and tolerate them I get roped in. Cant explain how stressful it is!
Have told Mum I don't mind but I will accept bribery

Oh yeah, rabbits can be really aggressive! I've still got scars from one of my rabbits I had over 10 years ago. Females are generally worse too, so lucky with this one. I used to come out of work when I was in Pet World looking like I'd been mauled by tigers and that was just handling baby rabbits They can be surprisingly nasty!
Boys are usually better

Right, time to pick a film....x

 

[cheekychinchilla]

Had a good day today.
Popped in to work to speak to my boss and she's going to sort my rota and holidays. I think I'm starting on the 2nd Jan Will just do 2 3hr days that week - Thurs & Fri. The week after I'll do 3 3hr days, then we'll just build on that. Will do a phased return for about a month. Sucks that I'll only get paid the hours I work tho. That months pay is gonna suck
I asked about reducing my days to 4 but she's worried that with standown from weekends I'd only be in like half a day one week again, like I used to. And I need to get this course done asap. So I think at least until the course if done I'll have to keep the 5 days. But when I do a weekend I'll have 2 or 3 days off either side of it anyway, so will probably only do a 5 days week one every 3 or 4 weeks. So I guess that's not so bad.
I also wont be doing weekends until my phased return has finished - thank God! So my first weekend wont be until Feb sometime. That's a relief. So not looking forward to them! Hope I can cope. I know the first few will be rough, I'm expecting to feel utterly rubbish the first few months I'm back while I readjust.

Had an off conversation with a nurse, my mentor actually, and it's really playing on my mind. She was asking if I'm ready to come back and would it be better if I gave up my job and just did some voluntary hours instead. WTF?! Erm, no, I don't think so.
I just explained, as nicely as I could, that I wanted to work now while I think I can because I obv don't know how long I'll be able to work or how my health will be. It really felt like she was trying to talk me out of coming back to work

Oh and I was super nice to the vet I found out had been talking about me over the FB thing

Picked up my friend and we had a lovely few hours in Ikea We had lunch - so made up I could get chips, gravy and peas My entire lunch cost me £2.80!! I got a wholemeal roll, chips, gravy, and peas, and coffee for me and tea for Caz. The hot drinks are free with a Family Card It was really nice too!
Good job they let me have that because they had no soup today and the veggie option was mushroom pancakes :jelous: Oh and I didn't get dessert at Ikea, buy naughty food in their food shop, or at Starbucks. I'm even amazed!!

I treated myself to a bottle of mulled red wine, a scented candle, and got Davey a little toy rat Got the few bits Mum needed and exchanged the bloody cushions! They'd run out of wholemeal moose pasta *sulk*

When I got home I made a nice FREE tea and wrapped my Mum's Christmas presents with A Nightmare Before Christmas on :109:

Food wasn't exactly SW friendly. but calorie wise I don't think it was too hideous really.

Breakfast: Bowl of Crunchy Nut Cornflakes with Kara milk

Lunch: Chips, gravy, peas, and a wholemeal roll. Got in the super free

Starbucks: Medium soy milk peppermint hot chocolate. I swear half the cup was bloody froth!! So disappointed

Tea: Veg packed free curry, Mild Curry rice, and seasoned potato chunks.

No snacks coz I'm actually really full and don't feel hungry at all I know!

Right, off to bed to read. Got a hospital appointment tomorrow afternoon - I'm sure it'll just be for them to decide who to send me to next and make me wait months and months!! Might stop at Starbucks after coz I will no doubt wait at least an hour to be seen for 5mins....
A bit later on I'm picking Mum up from work and we're going to pick up her turkey crown from her friends. Caz is meeting us and we're gonna go see Frozen. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Barbette]

Sounds like you had a good day. So glad your chat at work went well, it sounds like a sensible plan You must have good employers. I wouldn't listen to the nurse, if you don't try you'll never know and like you said it be a case of you'll get worse and this may be your only chance to do this while you can.
Well done on being so good food wise, I love mushy peas, chips and gravy, yum
Good luck for the hospital appointment, I hope they do something productive x x x

 

[cheekychinchilla]

Well I think it's safe to say that I hate being right.....

I saw a different Dr today, one who doesn't usually work in General Medicine. Oddly enough he usually sees people with Chronic Fatigue. He kept saying "If I had my CFS hat on" etc and I told him I'd done lots of research and knew what it was and stuff.
He thinks it is that. He said it before I said I knew what it was. So
Like I knew, there is no medical or surgical treatment for M.E/CFS, but they do offer things like mental health treatment, physiotherapy, and management and stuff. Just, I dunno, CBT never worked for me and I really don't find counselling very useful. Doesn't leave me with much, but, we'll see.
So the plan now is to send me for a full brain MRI (he said they only scanned the front of my brain and the pituitary last time) just to double check for tumours - yay... He said it's very unlikely as my headache hasn't gotten worse, even though its constant, and I have no neurological signs. But still, another tumour hunt!
He's written me a prescription for my GP for better antihistamines and a steroid nasal spray. He thinks my long-term allergies may have my sinuses and stuff inflames - why I always have a runny nose! And could be why I have sinus, face, ear, etc pain. That'd be good if it works! He said give it a month or two and if they don't work then stop them.
He said obv I shouldn't be around animals so much if I'm allergic to them. Captain obvious!! But, also, no chance He likened it to a smoker in declining health who wont give up. I might have gotten a bit high pitched and said it was nothing like being a smoker!! *****!
Apart from the smoker/animal thing he seemed like a really good doctor and we had a good chat about lots of things and it was quite chatty and light hearted really.
I've asked to be referred to his Chronic Fatigue clinic and he's sorting that too Not that there's much they can do, but it's a HUGE research area and it's be good for work really to say I am trying to do something about it.

F*ck knows what work will think!! I think I need to process it first and speak to my GP on Monday and stuff. Obviously I will tell them, but it's not a 100% diagnosis yet. Maybe once I've been seen by the CFS people they will say for certain.
But he seemed pretty certain because I've had all the tests done that rule out the things that could be. Because CFS presents the same as so many medical conditions they have to rule those out first. And then you're left with this.

Afterwards I just sat in Starbucks staring. Was stuck between happy-ish about getting an almost diagnosis but really sad that this could be it forever and ever. I'm going to be exhausted forever! :cry:
He did say sometimes it kinda resolves itself in a year or two, for no reason. It's such a bizarre illness and they really don't know much about it. They don't know why it happens, just the symptoms. So weird! I asked about it having a psychological/emotional trigger and he said about 60% of cases start from something like that. I think that's how mine started really. The end of last year Mum was in that coach crash on holiday, then before Christmas my Granddad was hospitalised and we started talking to the family again, then I bought the b*stard car and all that crap happened, then it was my 30th (amazing, but stressful), then a week later my Granddad died - whilst the car was taken off me by the garage and I was stuck at home with Mum living in the hospital with my Granddad, then the funeral and re-meeting all the family, then Mum had her surgery, my GP thought I had a depression crisis but I started the investigations, then Sweden (I know I totally crashed after that), then I had the massage that "brought out" my symptoms, my tests, and then that Sunday in work when I kept almost fainting. That was the beginning of the end really! And then it just got worse with all the investigations and seeing John and stuff.
You know what, looking at that, I'm not surprised!!!!!!

That'll do for today. Need to process it and think - whilst watching the Bake Off Christmas special

Back tomorrow.xx

 

[cheekychinchilla]

Forgot about food yesterday. Not terrible, but not great. Could have been a million times worse though to be honest.

Lunch before the hospital: Sachet of plain porridge with almost a tsp of Golden Syrup, made with Kara milk.

Starbucks treat after the hospital: Medium soy Gingerbread Latte with extra coffee. I actually wanted a toffee nut and got really confused and was too embarrassed to ask them to change it

Cinema: Some pick & mix. Didn't even eat half at the cinema, but had them later on . Not a lot though, even by my standards lol!

Tea: Carton of New Covent Garden tomato & basil soup. A LOT of wholmeal/granary bagette with low fat garlic cream cheese. And a pack of Hoops and Crosses.

Drinks: Coffee & diet Coke.

Thursday food: Feel all out of sorts today. I didn't take my sleeping pill last night, want to cut them down as much as I can. Was still awake at 5am but did manage to get some sleep after that. Woke up very, very anxious and really jittery. Not been hungry and a little nauseous. Just a big mixture of everything tbh! Wont do me any harm to not eat a load of stuff today tho

Lunch: 2 free Quorn sausages
2 boiled eggs
Wholemeal toast (HexB1)
Half tbsp of tomato sauce (1)

Tea: Portion of free beany & veg casserole
2 veggie burgers (2)
Smash
Veg bag: Carrots, peas, and sweetcorn
Cheese (HexA1)

Snack: Passion fruit Danio (1.5)
Chewy Delight (HexB2)

Drinks: Coffee. Squash.

Syns used: 4. Not bad

 

[cheekychinchilla]

Oh also, I got weighed at the hospital yesterday and another kg on!! Well the scales said 76.5kg but I left my hoody on, so will knock off the 0.5 and say it's 76.
Very much looking forward to getting past Christmas and New Year and getting back in to SW properly again. I want to lose the weight I've put on and try and keep myself as healthy and fit as I can. Would also like to lose more, but we'll see how it goes. Losing this near stone would be fantastic anyway!
Now that I kinda know what's wrong with me I think it's incredibly important that I get my weight down to a healthy BMI as it will help with joint pain and my asthma. And I will be getting back in to dog walking. And, maybe sometime in the near future I could start jogging again. Will see what the therapies people say when I start seeing the CFS Dr's & nurses. Apparently there's this 'pacing' therapy where they set physical goals and stuff and help you work up to physical stuff you want.
I think work will help with being physical too because it is such a physical job. Need to build up my strength and stamina again

Today was supposed to be a rest day - especially after the lack of sleep! But the house was getting on my nerves. So much clutter everywhere and nothing's been tidied - we've all just been in and out of the house so much!
So I de-cluttered and cleaned the kitchen, living room, and hall. Hoovered all downstairs. And emptied the bins, sorted the recycling, and put my re-usable bags back in the car boot Looks nice now. I feel much calmer when everywhere is tidy Can't bloody help myself lol!

 

[Barbette]

I don't know wether to pleased or sad for you, it must be good to have some idea of what it is but to know you're going to feel like this forever can't be good. I hope when they confirm it they start giving you support and help you get on with your life as much as you can.
You sound as though you've been really busy today, I hope you're ok and haven't overdone it.
I wouldn't worry about the "gain" too much you won't be able to tell properly because you got weighed on a different set of scales, they could be well out. x x

 

[cheekychinchilla]

I don't know wether to pleased or sad for you, it must be good to have some idea of what it is but to know you're going to feel like this forever can't be good. I hope when they confirm it they start giving you support and help you get on with your life as much as you can.
You sound as though you've been really busy today, I hope you're ok and haven't overdone it.
I wouldn't worry about the "gain" too much you won't be able to tell properly because you got weighed on a different set of scales, they could be well out. x x

Me neither mate. Really struggling to process it and let it go in! Maybe I'll be one of the lucky ones who miraculously recover after a year or two?! I dunno, it's really difficult to even think about being exhausted for the rest of my life. The other things I guess I can deal with, but the constant exhaustion and fatigue is just so difficult to deal with.
I'm swinging between really positive and really gloomy really. Maybe the CFS people will be able to help me manage it and build up my stamina and stuff - that seems to be the difficult bit and the bit they focus on the most.
I'm always busy dude. Apart from being in work I'm still doing all the things I have to. Especially with Mum being so ill and stressed at the moment. She had an awful spell yesterday in the cinema. She kept almost fainting, lost all her coordination, couldn't speak much, couldn't walk, etc... I mean this happens every so often anyway and I always have to help her when we're out, but this was a really, really bad one Feel so awful for her! And I feel so guilty that I could end up being a rubbish carer and needing help myself! Meh...

Tbh the cleaning and tidying took less than an hour. I didn't get out to the bunnies today though and feel guilty, even though they got a pile of food yesterday and loads of hay. They'll be ok, but, well, you know what I'm like.

The scales I used yesterday are the set I always use at that clinic. Would be interesting to see what my weight is on my mates scales though. Probably wont get a chance before Christmas. x

 

[cheekychinchilla]

Food has not been good today. Not in the slightest Have had a busy day and some pretty scary news!

Took Mum food shopping to Tesco and we had a look in a few places on the highstreet near there.
She took me for lunch in Costa
Went to my Nan's to drop off Christmas presents and so Mum could see her before Xmas. I thought I did alright and was nice and polite and everything. She even gave me £5 to donate to my work

But I got paid from work. Yay.... no wait, what? £180 ?!! Seriously been underpaid! When I've thought about it the most likely reason is that head office didn't receive my last sick note in time - which finished on Monday. And it was for 2 weeks and I'm roughly 2 weeks short. I've emailed my boss, but she didn't get back to me, so will phone head office on Monday. I know they wont send me it till my next pay day, so this month is going to be awful!! So lucky I get working tax credits weekly - but only £40 is 'spare'. So yeah, a tight month. Hopefully it WILL be sorted though and I do get it back. FFS!

I also got a letter from the endochrine Dr I saw a few weeks ago. Or whenever it was, my brain is mush! And they want to test for reactive hypoglycaemia and a rare tumour called an insulinoma that is in your pancreas and effects your insulin levels. This involves a 4 hour glucose test - bloods at the beginning and end. Urgh!
But also a 72 hour fast test. THREE DAY FAST! The starts with a blood test and has finger prick blood tests every 2hours until you either become hypoglycaemic or finish the test. THREE DAYS of fasting and being stabbed every 2 hours. Wtf?! A little excessive I feel! ***** H!

Of course I am now super freaking out and worrying that I have cancer - again!! Ok, most of these insulinoma's are benign (90%) but can only be treated with surgery. I have a massive, massive fear or being operated on again. It's one of the recurring nightmares I have. Also between these two tests and the full brain MRI everyone is looking for b*stard tumours. It eventually gets to a person!!

How I haven't broken down today or completely lost it I don't know. I am so, so fed up of all this.

Now I have to tell work that I might have CFS, but they also want to do an MRI and these two new tests - one of which will involve me being off work for 3 days. The letter says the tests will be done within the next 8 weeks.

Oh and to add insult to injury the letter said that I was 39! WTF?! I'm 30. Can they not read my date of birth right?!

Just urgh and argh at everything!!

I'm not even going to bother telling you what I've eaten today. It's just baaaaaaaad! Planning a low syn on plan day tomorrow tho Thinking sausages and eggs for lunch and stirfry for tea

Back tomorrow, hopefully in a better less stressed mood.xx

 

[cheekychinchilla]

Saturday food:

Lunch: 2 free Linda M Sausages
Half tin of spaghetti hoops
cheesy scrambled eggs (half HexA1)
Wholemeal toast (HexB1)
Half tbsp of bbq sauce (0.5)

Tea: 6 Quorn nuggets (3)
Low fat Supernoodles
Stirfry veg - onions, carrot, cabbage, and beansprouts
Soy sauce and Worcester sauce

Snack: Shape 0% (0.5)
Chewy Delight (HexB2)

Drinks: Coffee. Squash. Highlights made with Kara (rest of HexA1 + 2)

Syns used: 6

 

[cheekychinchilla]

My at home days are never as relaxing as I plan lol!

My first big thing of the day was that I woke up naturally at 11 and actually got up! I didn't think "Oooh it's before midday I can get another hour" I just got up. That NEVER happens! And I felt really cheery and stuff This makes no sense considering yesterdays stress, but well, I'll take these days when they happen!!

My BIG achievement of the day was finally calling Aviva about my car insurance. I spoke to a lovely lady and explained that even though the renewal was over £400 less than last year I had gotten quotes from other companies that were below £1,000 and I'd also gotten a quote from their website myself as a new customer and it came out at £743. Their renewal with the interest was £1,050! So she checked my details, my policy details, and then the new quote details. All's I'd changed was my yearly mileage, which was nowhere near what I guessed last year! So she price matched it!!!! Holy crap! So with interest it £790 with repayments of just £67 a month. I was paying £122!!! I really can't believe they did that, I thought it was a mistake and they would find a problem with the new quote, but no! I wished the lady a happy Christmas, raced downstairs, and did a victory lap around the coffee table cheering and waving my arms. You know, like you do.....
So that's a huge weight off!!

After that I de-poo'd the garden. Then played fetch with Dave for a bit till my hands got too cold.

Had a nice low syn lunch

Sort of half watched Ice Age 2 while playing Plants Vs Zombies. And then thought I'd better sort out the bunnies before it got too cold.
Did a full clean on all three houses. Can't wait till Ralph and Anya can live together - less cleaning!! She's an absolute joy tho and very clean. She has a pee corner and that's the only place she goes. All the girl bunnies I've ever had have been really messy, it's usually the boys that are tidy. So she can stay

Also did a bag of all the hays mixed together for the chinchillas and topped up their food and stuff. I usually have around 5 or 6 different types of hay on the go, but they're stored in the garage. So I throw a few handfuls of each in a carrier bag and take it to the chinchilla room for them. They do have a bag of cheap plain hay of their own too. My animals are so spoiled!!

Also did clothes washing and put that out. Washed my hair. Did the dishes a couple of times. Made tea for me and Mum. And then we watched two films - Hope Springs and The 5 Year Engagement. Hadn't seen Hope Springs before and it was a little awkward watching it with mum (relationship/sex therapy for an older couple) but I've seen MUCH worse with her lol! I love the 5 Year Engagement SO much! One of my favourite films. Jason Segal is super awesome

Not really had too much of a think about the hospital stuff today. A few conversations with friends via text and I did post quite a frank message on FB. Was basically to show disbelieving work friends what I've been going through. Sick of them thinking I've been on a 7 month holiday!
At the moment I'm resolved to the fact that I HAVE to do these tests and jump through the Dr's hoops. It'll be horrible, the fast test is going to be horrific, but I can do it, of course I can. And maybe this will be the last of the nasty testing. Just a few more and maybe I'll be done. I'll do my best and work my way through it all and just do what I can to cope *nods*

Anyway, feeling a bit tired now. Like genuinely yawning tired rather than eyeball melting fatigue tired! My headache's gotten a bit sharp though and don't want to push my luck. Will just read a chapter or two and hopefully get some sleep.
Me and Mum are going to head to Otterspool for coffee and probably something naughty in the afternoon. There should be some craft stalls and stuff there too, so that should be good.
I was supposed to be going out with my vet friend tomorrow night but she was rushed to hospital yesterday with a sudden, random pneumothorax - air in the chest cavity. I didn't even know that could happen without trauma! She hasn't a clue how it's happened either. Poor girl!! Have been in touch and she has friends and family with her. I keep asking which hospital and ward she's on but she wont tell me lol. Hopefully she'll be out in time for Christmas and they figure out what's going on

Right, night all and hope everyone is having a nice weekend xx

 

[Tetris]

Just caught up- holy crap!

Firstly- AWESOME about car insurance! So cool!

But oh my god- 3 day fast and being stabbed every 2 hours- OUCH! That sounds awful! (really sad that my mind does think "Probably would lose a few pound due to no food though" LOL but I guess metabolism would just shut down...)
I take it you can drink but does that mean literally NO food?! ******...

The scans and stuff sounds really scary it does sound like they're just trying anything though and at least they are trying to expand their knowledge of your situation. It does sound like they're putting you through a lot of pain for probably nothing but it'll be good to rule that stuff out. I get the vibe that you don't really thing the CFS thing is right? Because you already researched it and it didn't sound like your symptoms matched... I hope the prescribed stuff helps give some relief though!

So bloody annoying that they didn't pay you properly- ugh! Tight month but next month when you get reimbursed will be great at least extra!
The phasing into work plan sounds like it's going to be pretty good for you- but your mentor sounds like a douchebag! Can't she see how eager you are to get your life straight? Ugh!

At least xmas is around the corner to lighten your spirits a bit and give you a bit of a break/distraction from all the greif! Your stress break down list of the past year is insane :/ it makes my stress list look like a holiday!

Big hugs as always! :bighug: xxx

p.s. I think the ikea rat toy you got Dave is the same one we got our cats it's a bit big for them though so it's become our computer buddy who perches at the top of our desktop screen:
???

 

[cheekychinchilla]

Hey matey!
Welcome back. And thank you for spending the time to read ALL my updates. There was a lot. Have been so up, down, and all over the place!

I'm so so pleased about the car insurance. Never thought I could halve it after the first year. I think part of the problem was I massively overestimated the mileage for my first year. Didn't realise it would make such a big difference if I'm honest. But yes, trying to work out how to pay almost £70 a month rather than £90 will be better

Yeah the fast is complete no food. The bits I've read say I will be allowed sips of water, but that's it. They take you in to hospital not just for the blood monitoring but also to be under constant supervision so you don't eat or drink anything. It sounds awful and completely f*cking unnecessary! I've not once had low blood sugar! And having to deal with all those blood tests while being admitted in to hospital and being starved is just going to be horrendous
But yes I will probably lose a few pounds with an enforced 3 day starvation

Oh no I think I do have CFS/M.E I just don't want it because there isn't any treatment. I think that is the most likely diagnosis, it fits with absolutely every single one of my symptoms - even down to the nausea/upset stomach because it can cause IBS type symtpoms. So yeah, unfortunately, it fits perfectly.
But they want to continue the tumour hunt I know it's fairly unlikely that I have a tumour and if I have, after 10 months surely I'd be f*cked?! If it was cancerous I mean, the pancreatic ones are generally benign.

I'm seeing my GP on Monday so can talk to him about all this and get the prescription sorted for the allergy stuff. Hopefully that will actually help my allergies, coz they've been a bit bad this year! But even animals with allergies have been really bad this year. Probably the change in our weather - it's been an unusual year weather wise. Sorry, distracted by vet stuff lol...

The pay thing is ridiculous! How am I supposed to live on £30 for 5 weeks?! Will have to take yet more money out of my savings to live on and also for the car insurance. Grrrr!!! Good job I'm good with money isn't it?!

Haha my stress breakdown list was only leading up to me getting ill. Didn't include anything after. So that list runs from Oct last year to May this year I think. If I included the weekend I started almost fainting. So yeah, it is quite a lot when I look at it! Surprised I'm still standing or haven't completely lost it. I know I did go erm a 'bit' mental for a while, but at least I'm mentally a bit more stable at the moment

I got Dave the little teeny £1 rat toy from Ikea, just to see if he liked it and didn't kill it. Will upgrade him to the bigger one next time because he genuinely loves it! The other day he was inside his bed, like a sleeping bag, curled up with the rat. How cute is that?!

Anyway, have had a good day today really. Last night was a bit rubbish because I decided not to take a sleeping pill, so was awake for a couple of hours. But I definitely got some sleep! I woke up quite a lot, but I know I slept Of course to congratulate me on this my body gave me THE sharpest headache I've had in ages. Right above my left eye and along the left side of my face/head. And every so often I'm getting stabbing pains at the back of my head too. Thanks for that one body!
But, still an achievement. I really want to lessen my sleeping pill usage. No one's told me to, but I'm doing it for me

Had a lovely lunch here and then took Mum to Otterspool Prom for a nice (cold!!) walk and hot chocolate and cake at the cafe. Took a few pics too! Haven't been using my camera at all and have decided to keep a sort of Christmas photo diary on FB - something nice to do Will upload them in a min and put a couple of here too.
Got a couple of the new bunny, Anya. She is an absolute sweetheart! Have just been out to see them and I let her have a run round the garage and she went straight to Ralph's run and they stood with their noses touching between the bars *melts*

My toes and right knee are really p*ssed off at me for going out. Surely the cake was worth it?! Have noticed I've been getting a lot of random joint pain, especially in my feet, ankles, knees, wrists, and hands. Excellent! And my neck and shoulder have been bad all week with the cold and stress! God if I was a dog I'd have been put out of my misery by now

Anyway, will do food later and post some piccies.xx

Ps. Very glad Tetris is back!!

 

[cheekychinchilla]

Our Christmas Tree - for Barbette


Big Red Bull basking in the winter sun


Mum with a hot chocolate


Looking out to the Wirral and Wales in the background


Big red bull's better side


And lovely little Anya!



Ellie thoroughly in the Christmas spirit. This is her "Oh ffs" face :8855:

 

[cheekychinchilla]

Today's food. Tried to keep it relatively good Had lunch at home to save money (Mum offered to pay but I felt mega guilty!) and also syns!
And we had a healthy tea too to kinda make up for it. And we had a bit of a walk in the super cold wind by the river

Lunch: Special Egg Mayo sandwich - 2 boiled eggs in 1tbsp of extra light mayo , 2 Linda M Italian sausages, spinach, and wholemeal bread. (1.5)
Graze Bonnie Wee Oatcakes with red onion marmalade (114kcal/6 syns)

At Otters cafe: Large soy milk hot chocolate (prob HexA1 + 4/5syns)
HUGE piece of cappuccino cake (a billion syns?!)

Tea: 2 veggie burgers (2)
Mash with some Clover light in (prob 2 the mount Mum threw in!)
Beans with onion, mushrooms, peppers, and spinach in
Cheese (HexA2)

Snack: Funsize Crunchie (uh oh - another 4 syns)

Drinks: Coffee. Squash.

Waaaaaaay over syns! But, as always, could have been much worse. At least I kept my meals relatively good and didn't cave in to eating out again.

 

[Barbette]

How do, just catching up.
The tests sound icky, I've had the glucose one when I was pregnant with my middle one twice. I had pregnancy diabetes. Fingers crossed these are the last horrible tests.
Anya looks so cute, glad she's settling in nicely
The tree looks amazing, puts my tiny one to shame lol. I can't be bothered with big trees any more maybe when the grand kids start arriving.
Sorry to hear you're you're all achy and in pain, hope it gets a little better for you x x

 

[Tetris]

Anya is so cute can picture the nose kisses through the bars- awww!
For some reason only half the pics loaded on my phone but will check them out on facebook!

Oh no sucks that you agree it is probably CFS/M.E... LOL @ put out of misery if you were a dog- it's funny how it is seem as inhumane to keep a poorly pet alive but not a dying human, eh?! Not that you should be put down
That fasting thing sounds utter boll*cks

Take the missed payment out of your savings and put it straight back in when you get reimbursed next month??
Glad to be back too upsetting everyone with tales of fondues amd other deadly syns LOL. Love ya kiddo! X

 

[cheekychinchilla]

Hey guys!

The tests do sound vile! Is it the 4 hour glucose one you've had barbette? But did you have low blood sugar during normal blood tests? Coz mine has been normal every time. Even when I've been for bloods first thing in the morning when all I've had is a couple of pints of water - usually wouldn't have had food for about 12hours! It's just so frustrating because I want them to not give up on me and try and find an answer, but I am so sick of all these blood tests I thought they were done and I could forget about them a while and not have to rely on people for lifts and stuff so I can spaz out on diazepam. It's just really unfair. As childish as that sounds

Anyway, I have had the busiest day today! Early start (for me) and was out the door before 10am. Stopped in at the chemist to give them their Christmas card and hand in my prescription - thank God it'll be ready by Friday! I hardly ever forget to order my meds, but had a bit on my mind lol!
Then we went to Morrison's. Holy crap it was insane!! There were just a handful of parking spaces left, no trolleys in the store, etc. Absolute nightmare! We managed to do the shopping in about an hour and a half. Most of that was queuing to get down the bloody aisles! I don't remember any Christmas being that busy in the shops.
We took the shopping home and put away the frozen bits then headed to the retail park. And I thought the carpark at Morrison's was bad

Mum took me for lunch at MacDonald's. Neither of us are particularly fans but it was the handiest place at the park. They have a couple of Costa's, a Pizza Hut, and a Maccies. And I reckon Maccies is probably the healthiest and cheapest out of those!! Mine wasn't too bad actually, they made a slight effort with the veggie burger. Tbh I was starving by 1:30 coz I'd been up early and not eaten anything.
We had a wander round the shops. I bought myself (with all my money ) the Frozen soundtrack Got My Sister's boyf an extra thing - shower gel to go with his duck flannel lol! He has a thing for ducks And Mum got a few bits. Had a quick look round M&S (their party food is stupidly priced now!) and got some nice looking mince pies. And also Pets At Home for a last few things. I did spot a sign that said there are now parking restrictions of 3hrs there and we got back to the car in time, but it took a very long time to get out, the queues were insane. Hoping if I do get caught out I can blame the queues. Surely they wouldn't get people on a super busy day like that where you're queueing to get in and out?!

We didn't have time to do Asda on the way back because I had to get back for my Dr's appointment. He was really nice, as ever. I told him about the referral Dr I saw last week. He agreed it was stupid that they only did half a brain MRI last time! And also thought it was really good that I'm being referred the the M.E/CFS peeps. I asked if there was a difference between M.E and CFS and he said not really, it just depends what someone feels like calling it that day lol. He did agree that by now it is probably the most logical diagnosis. Yay.... I told him about the letter from endochrine and he brought it up on the system. When I told him about the 3 day fast test his eyebrows went RIGHT up! Was slightly comical lol! He also agrees that that is pretty excessive and they really are just trying to tick the last few boxes. He agreed with me that there wasn't much evidence to support the diabetes related stuff as my blood sugar levels have never, ever been low He just said to try and get through it and it'll probably just be another step closer to an M.E diagnosis. He said that even though they do quite like to test for insulinoma he has never met or treated anyone with one, they really are that rare. So that's kinda good. Just feel like I'll be putting myself through this horrible thing for bugger all reason!
He said he's never known anything like this and it's good that they've not just given up on me and fobbed me off and that by the end I'll be the most investigated person in Liverpool. It did make me laugh!!

He sorted the prescription from the referral Dr too. Got new antihistamines - they're 120mg!! My regular ones are 10mg! Ok so a different drug and I dunno what 'normal' dosages are for them, but holy crap! Also has a steroid nasal spray to have a go at

Got back from the Dr's and chilled out for an hour before we headed back out to Asda. It was nowhere near as bad as the other places today!! Busy, but not mental! Got our last few bits

I bought some gingerbread dough in Ikea last week (lazy I know) and I'm going to do Viking shaped gingerbread biscuits for the pub get together tomorrow! My Sister doesn't get on with ginger and I'm super lazy so bought her some biscuits from Morrison's. They're called Disco Pants and are described as "Crunchy biscuit people with snazzy chocolate findant trousers"

Looking forward to tomorrow but will be another busy day. Need to sort out the bunnies and do another proper clean on them. Get a shower and make my hair look nice Bake the gingerbread and try and work out how to do icing Picking my Sister up from her boyf's after work, picking my friend Michelle up when she finishes work, and then picking up my ex on the way back *phew* Then we're either walking the pub or getting a taxi. No way am I driving! I seriously deserve some alcohol!! Won't be much because I'm becoming more and more alcohol intolerant (symptom yay *glares*) but I can have a couple and then switch to Coke
But yeah, cannot WAIT to get a day off from driving on Christmas Day Very much looking forward to our sit in pyjamas and stuff our faces day

The money thing will get sorted. I'll try and survive on the £40 a week - I sound so spoiled! So many people would kill to have £40 a week to live on!! And just take the odd bit from my savings if I need it. Definitely the car insurance anyway.
I did email my boss on Friday about the money thing and asked if my sick note had been sent off in time and if our practice manager had put me back in as working, but on holiday. I finally got a reply this afternoon and it was just "I have nothing to do with the wages now. You'll have to call head office" No reply to any of the stuff I'd asked about, which she can check coz she gets my sicknote and she must be able to check if I'm 'back in work' FFS!!! This lack of communication is so damn annoying. I still haven't been officially given a start date, time, anything! So if I hear nothing I'm going to turn up on the 2nd Jan at 9am and see what happens. Can't plan anything or try to build myself up to it. Feels like it's still floating around! More frustration!!

Believe it or not, really trying to be cheery and not let it get to me. I've had my sulk and tantrum and all out panic. So f*ck it, nothing I can do about it any of it right now so b*gger it!! It's Christmas and well everything else can be forgotten about for a few days.

Food's not been awesome today. But, again, could have caved in and gone nuts and I didn't really! Over syns, obviously, but not like binging or anything.

Lunch: MacDonald's veggie burger with large fries (thank you Mummy!)

Tea: 2 1 syn veggie burgers, 'fried' onions and orange peppers, an oaty wholemeal sub roll, low fat cheese slices, and a pack of French Fries.

Watching tv: A gingerbread man from Morrison's - another Mum buy lol!

Drinks: Coffee. Squash. Diet Coke. Diet Mountain Dew

So yeah, come on, not THAT bad for a busy day out shopping and rushing round like a loon