Health Update and Just Some Thoughts in My Brain

I had no intention of posting today. I got up early and tackled the day, but my mind has two things on it and just need to share/write them down and move on. I am going to apologize now for the length, but sometimes you just gotta write/share. 

Stick with me...because I need your opinion.

My thoughts go back to Wednesday (I have been quite busy this week). I had a class at my doctor in Pensacola that has made me a new person. Part of the program has been a series of classes. ALL of them have been extremely interesting. The title of this one had made me look forward to it. It was called a "A Life in Balance." It was great as all of his stuff has been!

This whole process has been life changing. I have said it before, I have been going downhill slowly at first since about age 38 or 39 with the onslaught of RA. Really downhill from age 50. I am currently 55. I am basically in 6 months time a whole new person. More later.

As we sat in the conference room, I knew two of the men started around the same time as me because we had been in an earlier class together and I have seen them leaving when I would get there, etc. We began to talk before the doctor arrived. There were 4 of us on Wednesday and every single one of them said the same thing. He had changed our lives. BACK TO THAT in a moment.

I have been working in the yard all week, been to the gym two days and really been going at it.

Yesterday, I decided to tackle a problem on the side of the house that affects the lower deck. It really needs Hubby's attention, but more about that in a minute. 

About two years ago, when the spring rains came here that were like the 100 year rains and flooding took place all over Fort Walton Beach, we took to putting gutters back up on the side of the house. 

We had taken them down because of trees and that we didn't think we needed them. Anyway that kind of created a washing down at the bottom. I got old pictures of the house out, trying to see what looked different because I couldn't remember my father-in-law ever having trouble. 

I decided to dig out some dirt at the bottom and add some stones. It is tacky for sure, and I know Hubby will change it up, but that is not the point of my story at all.

You see.... I went to Lowe's and purchased 21 stones that I put on the cart, pulled to the truck, loaded onto my truck, unloaded into a wheel barrow in a couple of loads, hauled them down the side of the house which is a long way. I stopped about halfway and then toted them down to the bottom. I dug out dirt that had washed down there and moved all that dirt to other places and stacked the stone.

Tired of it washing all onto my deck.

The long journey with stones. Pretty far and steep.

I was extremely tired. 

Did not cook: we ate leftovers. I

 took an Epsom Salts bath and sat down to watch American Idol. 

I figured I wouldn't be able to move this morning. 

Well, amazing, not so!

I felt great!

I got up and walked/jogged for a little over a mile instead of the gym today. I wanted to be outside. I figured my stone carrying had been my weights for today.

The thing is I jogged for a good bit of it. Do y'all have any idea how long that has been??????

I did 5K's after my son was born, but that was 23 years ago. I never had great times, but still, I was able to do it.

All of this leads me to the crazy part of me!!!!!

Are y'all ready for the crazy part of me????

Well, I do not have a Facebook. I have said I never would. Here are my big two reasons....

#1 I have always kind of felt like it was a gossip rag. I will go further with that thought in a minute. Now, isn't any form of social media kind of that if we allow it? 

Most of my friends have no idea I have a blog. Yes, I am a closet blogger. I am confessing that.

Why am a I a closet blogger? I am not sure... insecurity is one reason -if I am honest. Second, I truly don't want anyone to thing I am bragging when I share pictures of my home. I am always humbled that I get to live in the great house on the water, and own a farm and a cabin at the lake.

I always feel like I would be thought of as bragging, but the truth is I really love houses. Remember, I  Majored in Home Economics. One of my favorite blogs is Kelly's Talk of the House. She is simply amazing with all her creativity. Her home is beautiful. I love that. She says she has always loved looking at homes and magazines.

It has always been a hobby of mine.

Here are a few of my older books from late 80's and early 90's to show you my love for all things decorating.

So, if I am a closet blogger, you can imagine that having a Facebook account would kill me.

#2 Reason for no Facebook is that I am a teacher by trade (retired, because there is no way in the world I would even be writing this if I were still teaching). Anyone out there in the education field knows what I am talking about. I wouldn't have to write one word. I think personally for teachers and the impact it has on kids is hurtful.

IT REALLY is a place to be mean and hurt people!

In fact, most of my hubby's previous day was spent yesterday dealing with something that happened that was made a thousand times worse with social media. I mean kids are something else. AND this was good kids who should have known better in one of the TWO incidents that dealt with social media.

He was completely exhausted!

AND in both of those ----the parents are a thousand times worse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, if you have survived reading thus far, you are asking what in the world is on her mind???

Well, back to Wednesday. When I walked in the doctor's wife runs the front desk and was talking about the Facebook page that they have created to go with their webpage which in today's world is pretty much a must have!

I knew that I desperately wanted to be able to comment on that page and tell people how much has happened to me, but I don't have a Facebook page.

They have changed my future and answered prayers!

You see my dilemma?! 

My mind can't stop thinking about it. Earlier this week, my daughter and I were discussing a new blog that just disseminated information about RA and where I am at with it, but she said just do it here, but then that goes against my blog purpose here. And I don't want to be one of those people who drives people nutty.

Anyway, it is out there ... just how crazy I am .... I have confessed my nuttiness!!

Facebook or not? That would mean a ton of people would see it and my Hubby is still a principal.

Sorry for the rambling, but I feel better just putting my thoughts down.

Sandy

BTW - 3 1/2 weeks no Xeljanz

and in 2 weeks we look at the place on my back to check it.

Welcome April

Time is flying and I can't catch it. 

Three months have already passed by in 2016. Whew!!!

I have been a busy bee around these parts trying to get ahead of my chores. Mama has been with my aunt a good bit this week. Last week was very busy for both of us, so I am trying to get caught up on a few things,

You know that spinning around and around that we can do sometimes with things we think are important.

Yesterday, I tried to get some yard work done around here and make a honey do list for some repairs. 

Anyway, I worked on the back decks trying to get up the pine straw. The three very large pine trees next door keep me knee deep in pine straw on the back decks. I usually can handle the top level because I walk out of the kitchen weekly and sweep it. I can even sometimes stay on top of the second level, because it still a mostly sweep job. The deck closest to the water is a different story. It is a "use the leaf blower job", but there are times of the year when you get busy or it is too cold. I hate cold. My body doesn't like cold. When all of this happens the bottom deck looks AWFUL! I mean embarrassing, so there are no pictures of that!

I was trying to beat the rain that was supposed to come yesterday. (never did) I wanted to get up that straw and bring it to the front for the rose beds. I ended up just going to Lowe's and buying a few bales to do that.

That means I still have a lot of straw to get up downstairs and the rain is coming today. It is beginning to sprinkle as I type.

Pick up straw on bottom deck. It is on my list!

I finished April's monthly cottage a little early. I was able to stitch on my sampler for the farm house. I have three things lined up to stitch, but I want to finish my cottages first.

I have May, June, July, and August remaining. When I finish early, I get to work on those projects. 

I have books lined up to read as well. I have been trying to read some each evening, but lately I am pooped by 9:00. I am hoping that will change soon and I can make it a little longer each evening.

A little health news. 

I am continuing with my program to keep RA at bay. I am so pleased with everything. No big significant weight loss right now. I am at 126.6 pounds.

It feels good though, and I really trying to keep up with the exercise. I am not a gym person, but trying. This week I actually walked/jogged/more walked in the neighborhood. It was pleasant out in the mornings.

Now, for the other health news. I had my first melanoma. 

Before I tell you about it, let me say, I believe with all my heart that it is not related to sun exposure. 

Yes, I know I live in Florida and lived in the deep south for pretty much all my life. 

I once had an olive tone skin that tanned easily and yes, I went to the beach regularly in my teenage years. However, I took pretty good care of my skin.

I started methotrexate far too long ago.  It completely changed my skin over the course of my taking it. I am now somewhat in my opinion jaundiced looking. 

From the moment I went in to see the dermatologist and they scraped it, I quit all RA meds!!!!

Xeljanz has a side effect of skin cancer. Of course, no doctor will say it. My rheumatologist was all about keeping me on the meds. I have more to say on that, but I am not ready at this point.

I will be ready at some point and am going to share more of my thoughts there.

Anyway, I had to come off of Xeljanz for the surgery due to risk of infection.

I am not out of the woods. The dermatologist took a big ole chunk, but the tests have come back that there is a bit more to look at as the outer edges of the part they cut out is precancerous.

I will be back for more cutting.

That is all I can share at this point, but people start looking at the medical industry of this day and age with sharper eyes. We have made lots of advancements but the pharmaceutical industry is far too powerful.

That is all for me today. I will be back with a more positive outlook and let you know how I do without meds.

Sandy