Jan 28: Just stuff

Responding to Deneen's query:  Yes, still here!  So many days with snow, temperatures in single digits, icy roads: and I don't have to leave the house!  Of all the years that this decision was brewing I am so very grateful that when finally taking the plunge the weather enforced the correctness.  That said, my sympathies to those of you still dealing with this misery. 






The paperwork marches on.  Just spent more than 30 minutes on the phone today with the case manager nurse of the disability company, who started the conversation with 'I'm hoping that you can clarify some of this information about your medical problems....'  She was impressed after my recounting of the high points.  Assurant (free advertising for them!) has been really great through this.  My short term disability will end on February 6, and the policy will automatically flip to long term, which will last until I turn 65 years old.  Having that safety net is so huge, and I'm glad that my life decisions gave me that security.






The SSD application is still on-going, although there will be an answer soon.  I spoke today to the disability claims adjudicator (how's that for a job title?!) in Harrisburg and he told me that my case had been reviewed and everything has been sent to my local office, the West Chester branch, who should send me a letter soon with the decision, one way or the other.  Most people get rejected on their first application, but here's hoping their physician reviewers are as impressed as they should be.




Just celebrated my 51rst birthday!  A much better day than last year, although the bar was pretty low when, if you remember, the day was spent driving around with the contractor finishing up bathroom details.  Had lunch with Mom, then came back to go the wonderful live music venue Steel City.  Jenn, Michael and two of my 'local' friends Holly & Marina joined me.  The week before I spent part of the weekend with some friends from UUMAC in Maryland, then went to Susan's for what ended up being an all-to-brief visit.  Had a lovely surprise dinner with the cousins.  Monday Susan and I went shopping, including getting her gift to me: a squirrel proof bird feeder.  This will hopefully provide the benefit of experiencing the outdoors from the comfort of the table where I write this.  Extra benefit: kitty TV!  Will report how it works once it goes in, which will take a break in the weather.  I was planning on leaving Tuesday, or even Wednesday, but came back early before the blizzard. 






Addressing Deneen's comments: the rheumatologist I'm seeing is the one who recommended the vegan diet, which I appreciate as a more holistic approach not involving medication and with hopeful benefits to multiple body systems.  Unfortunately, I can't seem to get off the damn prednisone, tried again a couple weeks ago and the swelling of the left lacrimal gland got worse, pushing on my eyeball and feeling like a foreign body.  She warned me it would take several months to really work, and since it took me so long to really commit to complete vegan the results will be delayed.  I do generally feel better when doing strict vegan (with the gluten free that's an absolute necessity), but the last week I've been having more left hip and back pain, not really sure why. 






Related to that: spending large amounts of time cooking, with incredibly frequent trips to various markets to re-stock.  It is getting easier, although still a huge adjustment.  As I type this, a lentil soup is simmering on the stove, despite the fact it's after 11 pm.  A couple cookbooks help, but my major source is the wonderfulness of the internet and the many blogs out there.  It's been a terrific surprise how many blogs and recipes there are when you enter 'gluten-free vegan'.  Some recipes are better than others, of course, and I'm getting better at selecting the good ones for me.  Most of you would find my new-found domesticity hilarious, and they would be justified!  Sometimes I look down and laugh at my apron-clad figure, or stifle a giggle when I sound articulate regarding a recipe or way of doing things.  I now know to soak my dates before putting in the food processor (making a scrumptious vegan caramel!) as well as soaking cashews (nut butter, and basis for a 'cream' base to many recipes) and beans (believe it or not I've rejected canned and make everything from dried, so a longer process).  Yesterday I made my own almond milk for the first time, and it's pretty tasty, although not as good as the cow's milk I've loved for decades.  There is no good vegan replacement for cheese, no matter what they tell you.




Not sure if I previously mentioned a fast-growing lump on my scalp, which started about 6 weeks ago, in my hair on the right side.  Got in to see the dermatologist (after a three week wait!), her first comment on looking at it was 'Well, this is unusual.....'  Sigh.  She took a biopsy (with amazingly little blood loss); the results came today as a 'benign tumor of the hair shaft', which apparently is not rare.  The rest of it will be cut out next week; since it is a tumor and might continue to grow. 






There's more to relate, but that's enough for now.  Time to start cooling down the soup and get to bed.  Thanks for checking in,   Laurie