It was back to the doctor today. My Houston ear ENT to be specific. It was supposed to be a follow up for the ear tube and hopefully a resolution to my dizziness. Unfortunately, I walked out of the office completely defeated and almost in tears.
After almost six weeks I have at least 10 more days on ear drops as the infection is still there. I'm starting over on the exercises to "fix/cure" the dizziness. It was extremely disheartening because while in Minneapolis it felt like things were at least moving forward and today it felt like a huge step back.
Then I went to my radiation oncologists office. We are currently packing up the Houston apartment to move on Monday. I literally have a closet full of medication and equipment that I've been trying to find out how to dispose of or donate (which is much harder than you might imagine). Half of the boxes contain a solution that you swish to help with the lack of saliva while going through radiation. Well, they were able to take it at my oncologist's office. In fact they were grateful because it will go to patients whose insurance won't cover the solution or can't afford it even with insurance.
It seems so simple but it made me feel sooooo much better. Knowing what I went through and that something so easy could help someone definitely pulled me out of my funk. I was also thankful that I had come so far.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Broken Records
Friday and Saturday I worked the Redbull Flugtag event in St. Paul, MN. It was quite possibly the craziest event I have ever been to, let alone worked.
Redbull Flugtag is an event that started in 1991 in Austria (home of Redbull). At this event teams of crazies I mean athletes spend months building flying machines that will be sent off a 30' high flight deck into the water. The goal is to have your craft go as far as possible.
Until Saturday an Austrian team held the world record at 195'. Saturday a team from Minnesota broke the world record and "flew" 207'. You can see the video of that world record flight here.
I spent Friday and Saturday up on the flight deck with hosts Uncle E and Tina Dixon. Really I don't know how to describe this event. On Friday we did a dress rehearsal for our pre-flight show. On Saturday the gates opened at 11:00 with the first craft flying at 1:00. From 11 - 1:00 we did interviews with Red Bull athletes, the Mayor of Saint Paul and watched as two sky divers landed on the flight deck. Once we got to the competition part my main job was to communicate between Paul the head of competition and the TV truck. Paul would let me know when the water was clear for the next flight. It was an amazing/crazy day.
The really exciting thing about this weekend was that I almost didn't take the job out of fear. I have been really tired again and I'm still battling dizziness and an ear infection. Originally I was told that Friday could be a 12 hour day followed by a 10 hour day on Saturday. I knew I could make it through Friday (heck this was a Redbull event after all) but was concerned that I would be too worn out to make it through Saturday.
In May I had gone back to work for one week but the days were shorter so I had plenty of time to rest. I was also working with people who knew what I had been through and were watching out for me.
I'm happy to say I made it through the weekend. Last night by 8:30 I could barely move and this morning I took a nap but during the event itself I had little problems. I got a little tired around 2:00 but I think that was due to being in the sun, adrenaline waning, little to eat and not enough water.
The incredible thing about this weekend was to go to work where I didn't know anyone. Not one person there knew what I have gone through. No one knew that I had lost over 70 lbs. No one was checking in with me to see if I was okay. I FELT NORMAL! It was a very liberating weekend.
The other exciting thing was that Baby Chang and Prairie Dad survived two days without Mom. Purely out of circumstance the longest the two of them had been alone was 5 hours prior to this. Though I was home each night in time to put Baby Chang to bed, Prairie Dad did all the rest. I think the two not only survived but thrived on the time together.
Tomorrow we head back to Houston to pack up the apartment there and move into new digs. It will be nice to have that settled and stop packing and moving finally. Plus we can hit the Y pool daily!
So this weekend was a great weekend of new records:
1. Red Bull Flugtag World Record.
2. Feeling Normal (if only for a couple days)
3. Baby Chang and Prairie Dad alone for two days
Redbull Flugtag is an event that started in 1991 in Austria (home of Redbull). At this event teams of crazies I mean athletes spend months building flying machines that will be sent off a 30' high flight deck into the water. The goal is to have your craft go as far as possible.
Until Saturday an Austrian team held the world record at 195'. Saturday a team from Minnesota broke the world record and "flew" 207'. You can see the video of that world record flight here.
I spent Friday and Saturday up on the flight deck with hosts Uncle E and Tina Dixon. Really I don't know how to describe this event. On Friday we did a dress rehearsal for our pre-flight show. On Saturday the gates opened at 11:00 with the first craft flying at 1:00. From 11 - 1:00 we did interviews with Red Bull athletes, the Mayor of Saint Paul and watched as two sky divers landed on the flight deck. Once we got to the competition part my main job was to communicate between Paul the head of competition and the TV truck. Paul would let me know when the water was clear for the next flight. It was an amazing/crazy day.
The really exciting thing about this weekend was that I almost didn't take the job out of fear. I have been really tired again and I'm still battling dizziness and an ear infection. Originally I was told that Friday could be a 12 hour day followed by a 10 hour day on Saturday. I knew I could make it through Friday (heck this was a Redbull event after all) but was concerned that I would be too worn out to make it through Saturday.
In May I had gone back to work for one week but the days were shorter so I had plenty of time to rest. I was also working with people who knew what I had been through and were watching out for me.
I'm happy to say I made it through the weekend. Last night by 8:30 I could barely move and this morning I took a nap but during the event itself I had little problems. I got a little tired around 2:00 but I think that was due to being in the sun, adrenaline waning, little to eat and not enough water.
The incredible thing about this weekend was to go to work where I didn't know anyone. Not one person there knew what I have gone through. No one knew that I had lost over 70 lbs. No one was checking in with me to see if I was okay. I FELT NORMAL! It was a very liberating weekend.
The other exciting thing was that Baby Chang and Prairie Dad survived two days without Mom. Purely out of circumstance the longest the two of them had been alone was 5 hours prior to this. Though I was home each night in time to put Baby Chang to bed, Prairie Dad did all the rest. I think the two not only survived but thrived on the time together.
Tomorrow we head back to Houston to pack up the apartment there and move into new digs. It will be nice to have that settled and stop packing and moving finally. Plus we can hit the Y pool daily!
So this weekend was a great weekend of new records:
1. Red Bull Flugtag World Record.
2. Feeling Normal (if only for a couple days)
3. Baby Chang and Prairie Dad alone for two days
Saturday, July 17, 2010
A Few Photos from the Farmer's Market
I had an amazing morning at the Minneapolis Farmer's Market just snapping pictures. All I bought today was tomatoes but it was tough to walk away from everything else.
Oh the recipes I could explore...
I also stopped by Loring Park to snap a few photos of this fountain. Houstonians may recognize it, as it's twin lives on Allen Parkway.
Oh the recipes I could explore...
I also stopped by Loring Park to snap a few photos of this fountain. Houstonians may recognize it, as it's twin lives on Allen Parkway.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Farmer's Market Day
I must admit we haven't done as well eating through the farmer's bounty this week as we did last week. It may be because I over did it just a little but it couldn't be helped. Last week I bought corn, sugar snap peas, green beans, zucchini, lettuce, tomatoes, English cucumber, fingerling potatoes, cilantro, yellow carrots and kohlrabi. I also can't forget the flowers!
So far we have had:
Stuffed Zucchini (thanks Paula Deen)
Green Bean Salad with Tomatoes and Onion (courtesy of Rachel Ray)
Fingerling Potatoes with Dill (Ina Garten's recipe)
Unfortunately we haven't touched:
Corn
Cilantro
Snap Peas
Kohlrabi
Although today I was finally able to find ground fennel for the kohlrabi and I have a recipe for peas with bacon I can't wait to try. Unfortunately our kitchen has been infested with fruit flies so I'm not super excited to get cooking.
Tomorrow is my Farmer's Market Day and the last time I'll get to go here in Minneapolis (unless I load up the car with veggies for the ride back to Houston next week). Right now the only thing I'll be purchasing tomorrow is tomatoes. However, I'm planning to take my camera and spend some time behind the lens which has been neglected as of late. If I can ever figure it out I may even post a few pics...
So far we have had:
Stuffed Zucchini (thanks Paula Deen)
Green Bean Salad with Tomatoes and Onion (courtesy of Rachel Ray)
Fingerling Potatoes with Dill (Ina Garten's recipe)
Unfortunately we haven't touched:
Corn
Cilantro
Snap Peas
Kohlrabi
Although today I was finally able to find ground fennel for the kohlrabi and I have a recipe for peas with bacon I can't wait to try. Unfortunately our kitchen has been infested with fruit flies so I'm not super excited to get cooking.
Tomorrow is my Farmer's Market Day and the last time I'll get to go here in Minneapolis (unless I load up the car with veggies for the ride back to Houston next week). Right now the only thing I'll be purchasing tomorrow is tomatoes. However, I'm planning to take my camera and spend some time behind the lens which has been neglected as of late. If I can ever figure it out I may even post a few pics...
Thursday, July 15, 2010
July 15th Really?
How did it already get to be the 15th of July? It seems like it was just Memorial Day! I've always thought of July 15th as the middle of summer. As a kid it was half over and time to start prepping for school (which I couldn't wait for). As an adult I want time to slow down. I love summer and the hot weather. Since I am part mermaid I can't think of anything better than spending the day at the pool unless maybe it's spending the day at the beach!
This summer has brought about mixed emotions. On the one hand I love the lazy days spent playing with Baby Chang and have no desire to see the time speed by. On the other hand I want to feel "normal" again. The end of August will be six months since the end of treatment. I've been told by then my energy should be close to back to "normal", my taste buds should have returned to "normal", and the tingling in my legs should be gone. I realize that six months is the average, the should is a big one and that some of those things won't happen for possibly months longer. It's just I can't wait to get my school supplies and new school clothes.
On my wish list for the fall:
1. Chuy's Jalapeno Ranch Dip
2. Chips and Salsa/Guacamole
3. Blue Moon Ice Cream
4. Any other kind of Ice Cream
5. Fresh Chocolate Chip Cookies
6. Any food seasoned with Black Pepper
7. Red Wine
8. Dairy Queen Oreo Cookie Blizzard
9. Prairie Grandpa's BBQ Sausage
10. Thousand Island Salad Dressing
11. Pickled Beets
12. Dill Pickles
13. Ketchup
14. Pizza with Pepperoni and Sausage
15. Brownies
I'm sure there is lots more but that's what comes to mind first.
This summer has brought about mixed emotions. On the one hand I love the lazy days spent playing with Baby Chang and have no desire to see the time speed by. On the other hand I want to feel "normal" again. The end of August will be six months since the end of treatment. I've been told by then my energy should be close to back to "normal", my taste buds should have returned to "normal", and the tingling in my legs should be gone. I realize that six months is the average, the should is a big one and that some of those things won't happen for possibly months longer. It's just I can't wait to get my school supplies and new school clothes.
On my wish list for the fall:
1. Chuy's Jalapeno Ranch Dip
2. Chips and Salsa/Guacamole
3. Blue Moon Ice Cream
4. Any other kind of Ice Cream
5. Fresh Chocolate Chip Cookies
6. Any food seasoned with Black Pepper
7. Red Wine
8. Dairy Queen Oreo Cookie Blizzard
9. Prairie Grandpa's BBQ Sausage
10. Thousand Island Salad Dressing
11. Pickled Beets
12. Dill Pickles
13. Ketchup
14. Pizza with Pepperoni and Sausage
15. Brownies
I'm sure there is lots more but that's what comes to mind first.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Mama's Kitchen is Open
Let me start by saying I hope you all had an amazing weekend full of friends, family, food and fireworks!
Last summer we (Baby Chang, Prairie Dad and I) spent the month of August in New Jersey while Prairie Dad rehearsed in NYC. Since I only knew a few people in the area and going into the city was tricky with a two month old I spent a lot of time in our apartment playing housewife. I was cooking and baking almost daily. Dinner was usually on the table when Prairie Dad got home from rehearsal and on weekends a big breakfast was the order of the day.
Today I remembered just how much I enjoyed that. Saturday I hit the Minneapolis Farmer's Market one of my all time favorite places. I picked up zucchini, rhubarb, raspberries, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, beets, new potatoes, corn and peppers all for a fraction of what it would have cost us at the grocery store. Yesterday I made my first pie, strawberry rhubarb with a streusel top (here's the recipe) to take with us for a 4th of July BBQ. I'm happy to report that it was a hit AND that I can eat it and it tastes good! I'm still having problems with sweets tasting terrible but I digress. After the pie was in the oven I made breakfast -- scrambled eggs with oregano, topped with Avocado, Tomato and Red Onion served with whole wheat toast. Since I had already heated up the apartment I decided to make zucchini muffins. I will admit these weren't as good as I wanted them to be but they aren't bad.
Tonight for dinner we had roasted corn on the cob, Turkey thighs, and Panzanella Salad . I could not stop eating this salad! I recommend spending the exorbitant amount of money for the champagne vinegar. We will be making this salad A LOT this summer it is perfect!.
Believe it or not the cooking frenzy actually started Saturday night with dinner. After having to de-bone salmon with my tweezers. Bobby Flay says use pliers but tweezers was all I had and it worked quite well. On the menu was Salmon with a dill & Dijon sauce, roasted asparagus and rice. Prairie Dad claimed it was the best dinner he's had in months.
Tomorrow night's menu will include a Top Loin Beef Roast with a Mustard Paste, Dill Potato Salad and something with broccoli. We are doing an amazing job of eating through our Farmer's Market Bounty.
Since the first we've been moving into our Minneapolis apartment. It has been a tough move as it is a third floor walk-up and I don't have the strength to do as much as I would usually. In August we will be moving into a larger apartment in Houston and right now I'm contemplating hiring movers. I've never hired movers so if you have any tips I'd be happy to take them! I never thought I'd have homes in multiple places it seems more than a little crazy.
I suppose it's time for a health update as well. It seems I'm still battling an ear infection (I think it's time to see the Minneapolis ENT). I've also developed Positional Vertigo. If you think the room spins when you've drunk too much you should feel what happens when Vertigo sets in! The move is really taking it out on me. Today I haven't left the house and until a couple hours ago wanted nothing more than to be in bed all day. I'm heading to bed soon but feeling much better. Grandpa Chang recommended Dramamine for the spins (he's been here) and it seems to be helping. All that can really be said is "it is what it is", that is my motto for 2010.
I am happy to report that yesterday I hit one of my milestones! I drank a watermelon margarita well half of one. After half I wasn't sure if I was dizzy from the vertigo or the booze...
Last summer we (Baby Chang, Prairie Dad and I) spent the month of August in New Jersey while Prairie Dad rehearsed in NYC. Since I only knew a few people in the area and going into the city was tricky with a two month old I spent a lot of time in our apartment playing housewife. I was cooking and baking almost daily. Dinner was usually on the table when Prairie Dad got home from rehearsal and on weekends a big breakfast was the order of the day.
Today I remembered just how much I enjoyed that. Saturday I hit the Minneapolis Farmer's Market one of my all time favorite places. I picked up zucchini, rhubarb, raspberries, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, beets, new potatoes, corn and peppers all for a fraction of what it would have cost us at the grocery store. Yesterday I made my first pie, strawberry rhubarb with a streusel top (here's the recipe) to take with us for a 4th of July BBQ. I'm happy to report that it was a hit AND that I can eat it and it tastes good! I'm still having problems with sweets tasting terrible but I digress. After the pie was in the oven I made breakfast -- scrambled eggs with oregano, topped with Avocado, Tomato and Red Onion served with whole wheat toast. Since I had already heated up the apartment I decided to make zucchini muffins. I will admit these weren't as good as I wanted them to be but they aren't bad.
Tonight for dinner we had roasted corn on the cob, Turkey thighs, and Panzanella Salad . I could not stop eating this salad! I recommend spending the exorbitant amount of money for the champagne vinegar. We will be making this salad A LOT this summer it is perfect!.
Believe it or not the cooking frenzy actually started Saturday night with dinner. After having to de-bone salmon with my tweezers. Bobby Flay says use pliers but tweezers was all I had and it worked quite well. On the menu was Salmon with a dill & Dijon sauce, roasted asparagus and rice. Prairie Dad claimed it was the best dinner he's had in months.
Tomorrow night's menu will include a Top Loin Beef Roast with a Mustard Paste, Dill Potato Salad and something with broccoli. We are doing an amazing job of eating through our Farmer's Market Bounty.
Since the first we've been moving into our Minneapolis apartment. It has been a tough move as it is a third floor walk-up and I don't have the strength to do as much as I would usually. In August we will be moving into a larger apartment in Houston and right now I'm contemplating hiring movers. I've never hired movers so if you have any tips I'd be happy to take them! I never thought I'd have homes in multiple places it seems more than a little crazy.
I suppose it's time for a health update as well. It seems I'm still battling an ear infection (I think it's time to see the Minneapolis ENT). I've also developed Positional Vertigo. If you think the room spins when you've drunk too much you should feel what happens when Vertigo sets in! The move is really taking it out on me. Today I haven't left the house and until a couple hours ago wanted nothing more than to be in bed all day. I'm heading to bed soon but feeling much better. Grandpa Chang recommended Dramamine for the spins (he's been here) and it seems to be helping. All that can really be said is "it is what it is", that is my motto for 2010.
I am happy to report that yesterday I hit one of my milestones! I drank a watermelon margarita well half of one. After half I wasn't sure if I was dizzy from the vertigo or the booze...
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