Found me a cute doctor

Friday, April 01, 2011

I'm feeling lucky today. I found a doctor! Let me explain...

Health care is free in Canada. You don't have to worry about $$ to see a doctor, which I am deeply grateful for. There is, however, a big problem. Many areas of Canada are suffering from doctor shortages.

Where we live, the shortage is severe. So severe that my hubby, who nearly died 5 months ago, has been unable to find a regular doctor. The surgeon who performed his emergency operation agreed to sign the forms a GP normally would & provide extra follow up care. Now that he's been cleared to work, he is once again doctorless.

Not having a regular doctor is a nightmare because the clinics have too great of demand and you can not make an appointment. First come, first serve. You need to go line up 2 hours before the clinic opens in order to make sure you get a ticket. Once you get a ticket, you will wait up to 2 hours to get processed. At that time, you are given an approx time of how long you will have to wait.... and that could be 5-6 hours. I hate waiting at the best of times, but when I'm sick it's almost unbearable.

I've been postponing for a while, but I finally had to face the fact that I had run out of refills on my thyroid medication. I went through the whole rigamarole of getting a clinic appointment... and was lucky enough to snag the very last appointment of the day.

When I finally got to see the doctor, I felt lucky again - he speaks English, which makes things soooo much easier for me. I talked to him about my concerns over medication dosages needing to be altered because of the lifestyle changes I've made. If you don't have a regular doctor here, you can't get non-emergency blood tests. He told me he was impressed & said I'm like a "role-model" patient. lol And then told me he was willing to take me on as a regular patient. It was like the sun came out & a heavenly choir started singing. He said it was because he believes those follow-up tests need to be done... but I think it's partly because he believes I'll be an "easy" patient - and he'll be right!

When I arrived at the bowling alley, I had to share the news & people were congratulating me like I'd won the lottery. Of course, there was one - who is like an evil little pixie anyhow - who was dripping with jealousy. She'd just asked that very clinic if the doctor would take her on & was refused. I think it's her bad karma biting her in the *ss. So now you understand why finding a family doctor makes me so happy that I had to write a whole blog about it!

And if that wasn't enough... the doctor is a young hunk! Yes, I am very happily married... but I can still appreciate pretty. Teased hubby about it too because it amuses me to hear him growl with mock-jealousy.

BTW, Cutie Doc says my blood pressure is excellent!

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Eratic, Artistic, Thoughts on Identity

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Out here in the country, our internet is somewhat eratic. I'm having problems posting the last couple days. With the computer problems, I haven't tracked the last couple days. I ended up eating way too much yesterday & probaby not enough today. Guess I'm erratic right now too.

I had a job taking picturs of orchids today. I'm really pleased with the images & I think the customer will be too. When I got home, I was inspired to be creative with some of the photos, manipulating light/colour/cropping etc. This is one of my favourites. The shape of the orchid reminds me of a fairy sitting in the garden.


I caught my reflection in a large mirror today and was surprised. It seems my shape has shifted again. I realized that I really don't look obese any more - even though I'm still technically in the BMI category by a few pounds. It's weird that I'm meeting so many people now who have never known me as a very large woman.

I think anyone who has been 100+lbs overweight will tell you that size becomes a part of your identity & how people relate to you. It's hard for me to articulate how I feel about releasing that part of myself and how the same me - but maybe more me - is emerging. Something to consider longer, I guess.

I just went and wrote the title to the blog... and realized my unrelated topics actually do have a thread running through them. Imagine that.

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Funny puppy pics & today's ramblings

Sunday, March 27, 2011

My hubby and I got a real chuckle today. He took a picture of me with Deeohgee & when I compared it to one we took in November, I was so surprised. It was like one of those "just add water" thingies that grow to 20x their size overnight. Check it out:


Our little sweetie in November.

Taken today, Deeohgee is 23 weeks & 52lbs.... and 52 lbs is about how much weight I lost last year!

Isn't that funny?

It started me thinking about how we adjust to gradual changes... the scope of which we can only really appreciate when we look at the differences over time. Sound familiar? The changes in my own body have been dramatic when I look at the differences over the span of a year.... but so often I look in the mirror and feel frustrated because the changes don't seem so much day to day. I've posted pictures of me a year ago & now on my fridge. Not as a reminder to not go back... but rather as a reminder of how far I've already come.

I had quite a productive day today - so satisfying when I can cross items off my to do list. One of those items, hubby did for me... a tune up on the bike I borrowed. It's still too cold to bike (black ice + bike = road rash), but I'm ready now when the weather warms up.

I tried the "recipe of the day" on the front page today: Crustless Spinach Onion Feta Quiche. As per the comments, I added garlic to the recipe... and it was so delicious. Turned out beautiful enough to serve to company. I think it would good to add low-fat cheddar cheese & turkey bacon - going to try that next time.

Today is a day of rest from exercise. After reading some articles, I've made a commitment to take at least one day a week off from moderate-intense exercise. Slow walks with hubby & the pets only. We live in teh country & it's funny but both our cat & dog like to walk with us. We usually end up carrying the cat most of the way. LOL

I forgot to mention it yesterday, but my 5K was done in 40 min. 21 going out & 19 min coming back. It seems counter-intuitive, but I the 2nd half of my run is always easier than the first. I guess it's being better warmed up and in the groove.

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This is the face of determination.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

This is the face of determination.

This is the face of a woman who refuses to listen to the voices of fear and doubt.

This is a woman who isn't stopped by cold and wind, by PMS, by the couch calling to her.

This woman says: I have a touque. I have layers. I have glasses, wind/sunscreen & lip balm. I have grippers for my shoes & gloves for my hands. I have what I need.

This woman says: My goals are important to me. I will do what it takes to reach them.



This is the face of satisfaction & self respect.

This is the face of a woman who did what needed to be done and feels great.

This woman likes the feel of sweat on her face, likes the ache in her calves and the burn in her lungs.

This woman says: I'm so glad I didn't let the wind stop me. I'm so glad I challenged the hills. I'm so glad I went the whole 5K and didn't turn around early. I feel amazing. I feel proud. I love how running!



This is the face of Si-ah-ti. (She's 2/3 English, 1/3 French - do you get the joke? Hint: say her name out loud. ) She has no interest in any of this!


And this is the face of Dee-oh-gee, who can't sit stil long enough to get a decent picture of! I have hundreds of similar images!

Guess the running high is making me a bit silly!

So to all my sparkfriends out there.... quit whining about the weather & get out there! Did you SEE the snowbanks in my pics? Half of it has already melted away!

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Feeling better & making good decisions

Thursday, March 24, 2011

I'm feeling better today. Still not 100% but no where near as rough. Had 11 hours of sleep last night & I'm sure that helped.

I debated with myself over today's scheduled run. I hate, detest, abhor... you get the idea... missing a workout. So I have to be feeling pretty rough (like last night) to skip it. On the other hand, I don't want to be so fanatical that I ignore my body's true needs.

In the end, I decided to go 1/2 the distance (2.5K) and not worry about walk/run intervals. Just do it at a comfortable pace. I walked up hills, ran downhill & flat stretches. I did it in 21 minutes. Not my best time - but not that bad either. AND I felt better after the run. That often happens if I'm just a bit unwell - a little exercise makes me feel better.


I'm celebrating a little grocery store victory. We had to make a quick run for dog food. I lured hubby along by promising him he could get fried chicken at the store (something he doesn't get at home!). So we're at the store and he's getting a treat... so I start feeling like I should get a treat too. I hummed and hawed. Picked things up, checked the nutritional info, put them down again. Nothing seemed worth the calories. Made the connection that I wasn't actually hungry for anything but I was thirsty... so ended up choosing a zero-calorie flavoured water as my treat. One healthy choice at a time....

And since I didn't spend my calories at the grocery store, I have enough to plan an after dinner treat: 1/4 cup raisons boiled in 1tbsp maple sugar, 2 tsp margarine, splash of cinnamon and poured over 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream. Yummy & just the sweet-gooey I'm craving... and still within my daily calorie allowance.

Speaking of food... I have just recently discovered Catelli's Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat Egg White Noodles - 1 cup is only 155 cal, with 1g fat, 30g carb, 4g fibre, 6g protien. I don't often have pasta because of the high calorie count, so these are fantastic. We're having them with chicken breast, zucchini, celery, onions and parma rosa sauce.

On an unrelated note.... are any of you Corrie fans? In Canada, Gail's trial has just begun, Tracey is testifying. I can't believe they'll convict her... but remember what happened to Dierdre? If you know what happens, DON"T tell me. I'm off right now to watch! Oh... and Tony escaped. This can't be good.

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