Cross-post from FB, about cooking

I ”quiet quit” cooking a while back, which is why you haven’t been seeing scratch meals on my facebook like I used to post. I’m too exhausted, and I think it’s unfair to push myself to do things the traditional way when more convenient choices are available to me. Hand washing dishes is miserable, and always increases my pain level. It’s not worth it. Cooking for others is unnecessary. I don’t owe them, and they have other options. So, after I clear out my freezer and pantry, I’m going to retire from cooking.

I’ll still buy some groceries for quick meals, but I’ve reached the end of going above and beyond. I’m not doing it anymore.

I still plan to participate in Thanksgiving. I don’t know what Christmas is going to look like this year and prefer not to think about it. Most of my money is going to the dentist. Next year should be about $40 easier with SS increasing, but the rest of the increase will go to my simultaneously-increased rent, as usual.

I am very grateful to have my own place, where I live alone and I’m not often bothered anymore, and will happily pay whatever they ask until I move somewhere else.

At any rate, I plan to lock the food photo album after I finish cooking what’s in my freezer and pantry, but I’ll post a few things before that happens.

TL, DR: I feel better when the kitchen is closed. So I’m closing it.

My mean ass is ok

The title is literal, haha. My digestive tract is awful to me, but I know I’m not alone. Swelling and inflammation were found in my lower half, but nothing more alarming than that. I’m not bleeding anymore, and it was likely caused by blood vessels that had burst.

Colon prep was horrific and by far the worst part of this. I passed out in the bathroom, and woke up with periodic paralysis. My legs and feet were dead weight. I’m grateful I recovered enough to go through with the procedure.

They documented my Periodic Paralysis, and gave me the absolute minimum general anesthesia. I’m dealing with muscle weakness and major brain fog, but I am relieved it went so well.

Labs showed my mild allergy to shellfish, and no allergy to a list of other things. I don’t have Celiac disease. Really surprised by that one, based on genetic markers, but glad I don’t have to restrict gluten (other than the carb intake in general).

My meds and diet will be adjusted to hopefully improve the pain and other problems.

My throat is trash post-procedure, so whatever they did to it wrecked me. More than 24 hrs later, it still hurts like a mofo and I can’t stop coughing and gagging. I’ve been having esophageal spasms, which is frustrating. I can resume home medications at noon (that’s a few minutes from now) and I will be taking a Skelaxin immediately.

The nursing staff was very compassionate throughout, and that meant a lot. My cousin took great care of me and I appreciate him endlessly. Thanks to all for the prayers and best wishes, friends.

I’ll have fewer medically-intrusive updates in the future, hopefully!

Short health update—upcoming procedure

I’m starting a liquid diet and colon prep today for exploratory and biopsies on Tuesday. My cousin Ed has graciously volunteered to take off from work to be my caregiver for 24 hours.

It is very risky with HKPP to do this, but it is needed. I’m taking in as much potassium as I can safely get away with, hydrating well, and hoping for the best. 

See you on the other side of this crap. (That’s a pun. We like puns, right?)

❤️