Fun and Frolic With Long-Term Love

I have a question. Why don't you guys ever cook meals from scratch?

You know restaurants often aren't cooking meals from scratch. They are premade and reheated and often from highly processed foods. Have you ever tried like making a pasta but not using any jars or boxes of processed foods and sauces and totally from raw ingredients? Chopping up onions and garlic and tomatoes to make a ragu? That kind of thing?

That way you can totally control the amount of chemicals and sugar and salt it has.

It may also help some of your bowel issues too.
 
DarkKnight does all of the cooking and I’d say he cooks 4-5 nights of the week. Of those times he cooks from scratch maybe 2 times? He gets home from work at around 4:30 pm, he feeds the cats dinner and then starts making dinner. Then he’ll leave to go play trivia with his friends (Thursday), for his board of directors meeting (Tuesday), or to a theater practice (could be any day of the week). Cooking from scratch is something he enjoys, but it’s not feasible depending on his schedule. I remember one of the first things he ever made me was his spaghetti sauce, almost 20 years ago!

We sit down every Sunday morning to make up the dinner list for the week and to go over our calendars to see when he can actually take his time cooking or when it’s going to be a DoorDash day. Because MisterMoonbeam usually won’t eat at home if he’s in the office - Dulles is a distance and with DC traffic he won’t get home until after 7:30 pm.

Generally though, I am the one who throws a wrench in planning because I am out more often in the evenings with other partners, or friends, or events I wanna do. Of course that hasn’t happened in the last 5 weeks!

We had definitely gotten off track with lunches - I was pretty much ordering in or eating out every single day last year. Since being diagnosed diabetic, I now limit myself to twice a week, tops, and then it’s Panera Bread for sure one of those times with a Green Goddess salad w chicken and 1/2 a Chicken Frontega sandwich. Other times, DarkKnight preps egg salad and chicken salad for me every Sunday, so I can grab a scoop with a salad or with some celery easily.

I have fresh fruit with every single meal 97% of the time, whether it is order-in or prepared at home. Pomegranate arils, watermelon chunks, blueberries, strawberries and 1/2 bananas are my regular choices.

True story - DarkKnight just came into the bedroom to ask me what I wanted for dinner this week! 😅
 
So of course last night we went to Texas Roadhouse. 😂 When MisterMoonbeam’s parents visited last week, they gave us a $25 gift card. I had half a 12 oz ribeye, half a sweet potato and a garden salad with no tomatoes, because they were out of them.

Tonight we are having pulled pork quesadillas - though DarkKnight says he’s making pulled chicken as an option as well.

So last night was the worst I’ve felt since the surgery - really bad gas again. It’s not farts - the farts, when they come, are a relief! My abdomen is just awful - I could feel the ripples and the aching was just horrendous. I didn’t sleep well. Yesterday I didn’t poop at all. The day before, I had to have an enema.

I’m going to throw in the towel and have another enema after lunch today if I haven’t pooped yet. The temperature outside isn’t horrific so I plan to walk after lunch and hope that helps before giving in. Though, I did walk last night around the neighborhood and that definitely didn’t help.

I’ve been having an iced chai with Miralax every day and it doesn’t seem to be working. My surgeon said it’s normal and to just hang in there until my body regulates. Okayyyyy.
 
Did I share that I was organizing my closet this past week? Part of that was sorting out my dresser as well. Anyway, that project is positive and I’m almost done. I think I posted a pic of my new clear boxes that I bought to keep dust off of my purses, but I have also bought some covered boxes as well. One is holding paint clothes, and the other has boot toppers and leg warmers. The two on the right are currently empty.

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Honestly, looking at the photos I took the other day, I wish I had the energy to paint the walls inside of the closet. I think it would be nicer. Anyway, those green boxes and the picture right below this paragraph are all of the right side of my closet.

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The next two photos are the right side of the closet.

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I’ve actually since taken my two scarves and put them on a hanger so that looks nicer!

I didn’t take any pictures of the center of my closet as I only organized half of it. I need to figure out storage for my jewelry and belts still. Hopefully that will be done by the weekend and I will share then.

I literally gave away three heaping boxes/bags of clothing and I still have a large box sitting here that needs to get gone! It makes me sad because this stuff is not cheap to replace. I have a list on Amazon of just clothes I want to purchase, and a mental list of other items I need to buy elsewhere. I put in a Stitch Fix request for skirts, as I had to donate four different Liverpool/Democracy/Tribal skirts that I loved and now don’t own anything like them. Like, I need a denim skirt! A dark brown skirt would also be nice. However, I don’t necessarily have $60 a pop to drop on those right now. And what if I lose more weight? I’m buying just a bit here and there.
 
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I wish my closets looked like that. We have 2 walk through closets for my wife and a little closet in my spare room for me.

I am not confident we have walls behind the clothes, its so jam packed in those walk through closet.
 
I wish my closets looked like that. We have 2 walk through closets for my wife and a little closet in my spare room for me.

I am not confident we have walls behind the clothes, its so jam packed in those walk through closet.
Mine was getting pretty bad but losing 30 pounds helped me get rid of a lot!
 
Mine was getting pretty bad but losing 30 pounds helped me get rid of a lot!
Impressive :)... shedding the clothes after a physical change isn't something everyone is comfortable with. The "when I change back" scenario runs through my folks brains and they end up hoarding :D haha

Congrats
 
Impressive :)... shedding the clothes after a physical change isn't something everyone is comfortable with. The "when I change back" scenario runs through my folks brains and they end up hoarding :D haha

Congrats
In my mind, I won’t be changing back. I have diabetes and I don’t wanna die. So this weight loss is where it’s going to be at this point!

I am a little nervous now that I am in surgical menopause, but I also figure that any weight gain there will be canceled out once I get on medication for my blood glucose! The 30 pounds lost has been because of diet changes only. I’m looking forward to getting my home gym set up this Fall and seeing how that helps too!
 
In my mind, I won’t be changing back. I have diabetes and I don’t wanna die. So this weight loss is where it’s going to be at this point!

I am a little nervous now that I am in surgical menopause, but I also figure that any weight gain there will be canceled out once I get on medication for my blood glucose! The 30 pounds lost has been because of diet changes only. I’m looking forward to getting my home gym set up this Fall and seeing how that helps too!

Completely understand. I am a big guy playing lots of sports etc, but even being sporty, I am getting to the age where my size + age is causing high blood pressure etc. Its time for me to lean out to a much smaller size to help.

I understand the surgical menopause, my partner just.. is still... chemically in menopause. Its rough in many ways and not an enviable position. I wish you the best of luck navigating that path.
 
Did I share that I was organizing my closet this past week? Part of that was sorting out my dresser as well. Anyway, that project is positive and I’m almost done. I think I posted a pic of my new clear boxes that I bought to keep dust off of my purses, but I have also bought some covered boxes as well. One is holding paint clothes, and the other has boot toppers and leg warmers. The two on the right are currently empty.

View attachment 4904

Honestly, looking at the photos I took the other day, I wish I had the energy to paint the walls inside of the closet. I think it would be nicer. Anyway, those green boxes and the picture right below this paragraph are all of the right side of my closet.

View attachment 4905

The next two photos are the right side of the closet.

View attachment 4907

View attachment 4906

I’ve actually since taken my two scarves and put them on a hanger so that looks nicer!

I didn’t take any pictures of the center of my closet as I only organized half of it. I need to figure out storage for my jewelry and belts still. Hopefully that will be done by the weekend and I will share then.

I literally gave away three heaping boxes/bags of clothing and I still have a large box sitting here that needs to get gone! It makes me sad because this stuff is not cheap to replace. I have a list on Amazon of just clothes I want to purchase, and a mental list of other items I need to buy elsewhere. I put in a Stitch Fix request for skirts, as I had to donate four different Liverpool/Democracy/Tribal skirts that I loved and now don’t own anything like them. Like, I need a denim skirt! A dark brown skirt would also be nice. However, I don’t necessarily have $60 a pop to drop on those right now. And what if I lose more weight? I’m buying just a bit here and there.
Love the rainbow cardigan 🤩 closet looks great so far
 
Well, shit.

I had my endocrinologist appointment this morning and it was not good.

So my entire health care disaster kicked off last September, when I went to my doctor with concerns of a lump in my throat. All of that was pushed aside because they diagnosed my diabetes, and then I had all of the issues with the medication, and then oh, I might have cancer and they took out all of my organs in my abdomen in May. Well, we’ve come full circle. My throat is now once again at the top of the list.

This is not at all what I thought would be the focus of my appointment today!

I’m going to get bloodwork on Friday, and I’m waiting on a call now to schedule an ultrasound. There is something definitely wonky with my thyroid. Until this is addressed, the endocrinologist thinks that the other problems I’m having - my diabetes and menopause side effects - might not be because of those issues, but because of the thyroid. Or, at least, whatever is on my thyroid is exacerbating things. Sigh.

FML

It is enlarged, and she thinks there's something growing on it.

I’m to go back in to see her in two weeks. Until then, we’re not messing with my current HRT meds (1 mg of Estradiol) but we are going to get me started on a Dexcom monitor for my blood sugar, and on the lowest dose of Mounjaro - if it’s in stock. I'm currently waiting for the insurance company to approve these two things.

My blood sugar was not good today so we will see how I do with the Mounjaro over the next two weeks. She said she thinks I might need a long-lasting insulin dose but she wants to see how things go. She doesn't want to make changes without the info on the thyroid as well.

Apparently when a thyroid is producing too much, it can cause blood sugar to rise. It can actually cause insulin resistance. So not dealing with this last year could be making my diabetes now be out of control. 😢

I’m aggravated because that was my initial complaint that set everything off. I hope moving everything else forward hasn’t fucked me up. I have lost 30 pounds and I’m continuing to stick to the meal plan that was laid out to me all those months ago. How has this not brought down my blood sugar more? I feel so defeated. If it’s not one thing then it’s another, apparently!
 
That's good information to have though. It might be the root of many of your issues!
 
So everything was approved by insurance. It was sobering to see the Mounjaro priced at $1,260.99 and my portion cost $0. It’s part of the main reason I divorced DarkKnight, to get it completely covered. It wasn’t a surprise. I was glad to see it. But it hurt my heart, nevertheless.

MisterMoonbeam stuck the first pen in my right arm before bed tonight. It didn’t hurt much. Hopefully it doesn’t leave me feeling too sick tomorrow and that most of the side effects miss me!

The Dexcom was ONLY the receiver. I’m irritated I have to call tomorrow and ask for a prescription for the sensors so I can actually monitor my glucose levels. Like, what the fuck?

I’m feeling up and down right now with my mood. Here are some positives:

I had to do an at-home blood sample for a “wellness incentive,” and I got the results. My A1C before my surgery (taken May 2) was 7.7. The reading last week was 6.7. So that made me feel good!

I also purchased plane tickets & the car rental for me & MisterMoonbeam’s December trip to Houston to meet our new granddaughter. And I booked my tattoo appointment in September- I won a $200 gift certificate last year and I’ve been waiting to get it on the calendar for a while!

I saw LittleMichigan today as she came over to scoop cat litter and water plants. Both my daughters have been so amazing, helping my household each week. I asked them to assist until I hit 8 weeks in recovery.
 
So everything was approved by insurance. It was sobering to see the Mounjaro priced at $1,260.99 and my portion cost $0. It’s part of the main reason I divorced DarkKnight, to get it completely covered. It wasn’t a surprise. I was glad to see it. But it hurt my heart, nevertheless.
Holy christ, its like 400$ up here. Wow.. thank god for insurance
MisterMoonbeam stuck the first pen in my right arm before bed tonight. It didn’t hurt much. Hopefully it doesn’t leave me feeling too sick tomorrow and that most of the side effects miss me!
arm, interesting I was told belly fat.
I’m feeling up and down right now with my mood. Here are some positives:
Sounds like you have a lot of body things going on. I am on TRT, and thyroid, for some hormone issues. Hopefully they figure out the thyroid thing, I have a friend that ended up with a rare thyroid issue where the thyroid was, bursting o_O.. been a while. Once removed all the automimmune symptoms went away.

Health stuff is never fun. Wish you the best
 
Belly fat was one of the options in the user guide - that or the fattest part of the thigh. They also showed having someone else injecting in the upper arm. I was chickenshit to do it myself so I had MisterMoonbeam do my arm. 😂 Now that I know what it feels like, I am confident I can do it into my thigh next time.
 
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Belly fat was one of the options in the user guide - that or the fattest part of the thigh. They also showed having someone else injecting in the upper arm. I was chickenshit to do it myself so I had MisterMoonbeam do my arm. 😂 Now that I know what it feels like, I am confident I can do it into my thigh next time.
Fair enough, luckily the injector needle is tiny.

When I first hopped on T, I was doing intramuscular. Big ole long needle with big gauge to inject. I have since switched to injecting in belly with insulin needles, a lot easier on me haha

Definitely get it.
 
I got my first Dexcom G7 sensor installed this morning - DarkKnight helped me get it plugged into my left upper arm.

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So far my numbers have been in the safe range, and I had a salad for lunch. I just ate an apple so we will see what happens here shortly! It’s interesting to watch my level move. Before my Mounjaro shot - I’ve never had a reading under 150, so this is pretty great to have it stay steady around that number!

Insurance once again left me with a $0 copay. No insurance? $1,360. This is for 9 sensors, so a 3-month supply. I also got a receiver - again for $0 but it costs $389 - which now that I have it, I know I will never use it. I have to leave it within 3 feet of me. Like, I’ll just use my phone!

I’ve been nauseous all day long. I woke up and had breakfast, and then fell back to sleep and didn’t wake until DarkKnight brought me the sensor to insert it. I feel groggy and still like I need more sleep! I’m going to get up and put on clothes in a short bit, to take a walk around the neighborhood. It’s hot out though, so hopefully that plan will come to fruition!
 
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So this was my day today! The screenshot was taken a couple of hours ago but not much happened at the end of the graph - I’ve dropped to 182 but things aren’t going lower. It’s clear I have insulin resistance, and it’s annoying that it’s probably tied to the thyroid issue. Fuck. I can’t make anything go down with that happening! Plus combine that with my fucked up sleep schedule, the stress of the last year, and my hormones being completely out of whack since I no longer have ovaries…yeah, I’m screwed.

Good news though - the numbers today aren’t horrific. September-December when I was using the finger prick method, I was sitting between 200-250 consistently, so I believe my weight loss & diet changes have helped to bring my new normal down to 150-200. At least, that’s what this looks like.

My nausea never went away today but it stayed at a low level. I had a headache all day that never went away as well. Ugh. Hopefully my body adjusts quickly to the Mounjaro. And hopefully it helps to bring down that blood sugar baseline. I don’t need it to make me less hungry or lose weight. I need it to work on my glucose!
 
No nausea today so that’s good news. Definitely going to be doing an enema soon though. Ugh.

Last night’s graph on the Dexcom was interesting - you can definitely see when I got up to pee twice! I went to sleep at 2 am.

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What’s crazy is that I had breakfast and then my polycule went on a quick walk. My numbers kept climbing and then I got my first ever alarm. Yep, I had an intense climb up to 278 before it started going back down.

This really got me excited because I have a solid idea of why - it’s Old Tyme 647 white bread. It says low carb and keto but it definitely isn’t good for me! I had a slice with breakfast. What’s really great is that the last time I had it was on Tuesday, which is when I tested a 309 at the endocrinologist! Mystery solved. I’m throwing that shit out.

What is mind boggling to me is that the hot dog bun I had last night that was just a regular white bun didn’t have this effect.

Oh well.
 
When I was tracking back when I had GD while pregnant, oatmeal would always make me spike which was surprising as it’s supposed to be complex carbs of the sort I was supposed to be eating…
 
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