What a tangled web...

What a tangled web we weave….when I had my mammogram a few weeks back, my doc also did some routine blood tests. As I’ve blogged, my mammo was fine but turns out my blood tests weren’t. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been having repeated blood tests because those initial tests showed that I had low red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells and neutrophils (for your immune system).

But at least I know why I have been feeling so tired (read shattered), and having trouble sleeping. I’d also been battling weight loss (as in lose weight, put some back on, lose it again) – which I just thought was from chasing after a 3 year-old, doing lots of yard and garden work and walking to get around (we walk rather than drive locally).

Turns out that it’s a result of a medication I’ve been taking for GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) for the last 10 years. I had a bad reaction to migraine medication in my 20’s that stripped my gut and gave me horrendous gastritis and reflux. But prolonged use of the medication is now impacting on my bone marrow’s ability to create red blood cells for me. It also can impact on bone health as well (but I’m fine so far) and sleep (hence my sleep issues). I started trying to wean off this drug (which is really hard to do) just before we moved house, and gave up due to the stress of moving house.

I’m now super motivated to wean myself off these drugs. I’m going drug free baby LOL. I’m doing it (quite successfully thus far) with probiotics, UMF manuka honey and deglycerized licorice tablets.  So far I’m down to a quarter of my initial dose and will hopefully be done with the meds completely in about 4 weeks time – yay!!

So now I’m treating myself gently (no big walks, no heavy yard work for a while), and trying to avoid sick people (as low white cells increase my risk of infection). I’m glad that we already eat organic and treat our health holistically so I’m not worried about a recurrence of GERD. But its still a wake-up call and I will be really happy to be drug free.

Then it will just be a waiting game for my blood cells to recover (which I’m assured they will) and hopefully I’ll get some unbroken sleep (hope, hope, pray, pray). Onwards and upwards as they say J

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. - soulemama

I am thankful for…..

* my son’s unbridled joy in life

* my dear husbands support in our everyday life, through all the ups and downs

* my close relationship with my beloved mother

* being happy and healthy

* my renewed passions in cooking, gardening, making, creating

* Bloggers like Frontier Dreams, Down to Earth and Soulemama who continually inspire me

* the strong and happy woman I feel that I am becoming

* the lovely community in which we live – just the odd daily interaction can be such a lift

* great friends: old, new and the ones I haven’t met yet

* the magnitude of motherhood with all that it encompasses – I feel like I learn something new everyday, but also relish in the fun and quiet times I can spend with my son

* snuggles on the couch with my boys

* my dancing and the journey it has taken me on for the last 13 years – it’s all about to begin again

Preparing for winter

With the nights getting cooler, I’ve started our normal preparations for winter.

We have aired out the woollen underlay’s and put them on our beds. I’ve also washed all our winter linen and put Little B’s winter sheets on his bed (they are a heavy organic cotton much akin to calico sheets).

I’ve aired out our jumpers and winter jackets, and dug out all Little B’s winter clothes. We’ve had to be a bit creative clothing-wise as the house is so cold. But it’s all about layers here at the House of B and putting Little B in a tracksuit to sleep in was sheer genius LOL.

We also have lots of snugly blankets to cuddle up with when reading or watching tv at night. My favourite is an ancient mohair blanket, whereas Mr B prefers something with polar fleece on the back to keep him warm. There’s definitely something romantic about snuggling up in blankets, when it’s dark and chilly outside.

I’m also getting more serious about my knitting. I’ve done my wrist warmers and have moved onto a scarf for Little B. He’s all set for winter with beanies and gloves, but he loves a good scarf and he came with me to pick the wool J

Finally, Mr B is going to put in some insulation batts underneath the floors of the bedrooms to stop some of the cold coming up from underneath in those rooms at night. We also hope to put insulation in the roof sometime during the next 12 months.

Lazy Sundays

Artwork by Art Harrison

Harvested

- beans, cherry tomatoes, early pak choy, lots and lots of luscious lemons

Cooked

- organic pear jam

- Lentil Stew with cous cous (& home-grown vegies of course)

- lemon cordial

Reading

- House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Project

- re-organising Little B’s play areas in the house – I’m tired of the house looking like a bomb has hit it after one play session.

Happy 101 Award!

It was such a surprise to receive this nomination for this award, so BIG hugs and a THANK YOU to Angie for nominating. Angie’s blog is called, Angie’s Healthy Living blog .   She has so many great recipes and tips for living. I love an inspired mum!  A must see J

Here are the rules: 

1. Copy and paste the award on your blog.

2. List who gave the award to you and use a link to her blog (or hyperlink).

3. List 10 things that make you happy.

4. Pass the award on to other bloggers and visit their blog to let them know about the award.

 

10 Things that Make Me Happy

1. My gorgeous son – he brings muchos muchos sparkle to my life

2.     My beloved husband, who makes me intensely happy and has been my absolute rock for the last 8 years.

3.     Dancing of all kinds – but mainly belly dancing 

4.     Spending time with dear friends

5.     Working in my veggie garden with my mum and my son

6.     Reading, reading, reading – I’m lost without a book

7.     Learning new crafty skills

8.     Experimenting in the kitchen with new recipes

9.      My furbaby, Holly – a cute little kitty

10.  Sleeping in but hey that never happens – but I can dream J

Ten Blogs That Make Me Happy!!!

I'm passing this award to:  

Meagan at ecoMILF.  Please go give her a visit she has so many interesting things to say! 

Ashley at Glorious and Free.  This blog makes me smile and / or laugh with her posts – she is very real.

Tricia at Little Eco Footprints.  Her blog is full of green living ideas with children! 

Tara at The Organic Sister.  Life on the road. Check out her Inspiration Monday!

Sonia at Lighter Shade of Green. A lovely blog I enjoy reading! 

Emily at  Green Apple Designs.  Her blog is all about inspiring change! 

Nicole at Frontier Dreams.  A great crafty blog.

Missa at Thrift Candy.  One of my favorite frugal fashion blogs!

Andrea at A Cat of Impossible Colour.  Vintage fashion inspiration.

Fleur at a Diary of a Vintage Girl.  Vintage fashion eat your heart out.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. - soulemama