Thanksgiving

Sometimes when we are in the midst of trial, it is hard to be thankful.  That is the place I am in.  Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for the blessings I have.  So very thankful for my husband, my home, my cats, my grandsons, my pastor, family and friends.  There is plenty to be thankful for.  But that exhilarating thankfulness that overflows and makes you want to praise the Lord...unfortunately that is lacking in me.

Wednesday we had our grandsons over which was a blessing.  Thanksgiving day, Mark and I enjoyed a very quiet day.  It worked well because I was not feeling my best and I am usually tired after having the boys over.  The Lord blessed me with peace for our Thanksgiving day and He blessed all the food that I prepared.  Everything came out so yummy.  But unfortunately a couple of things popped up health-wise to give me discomfort.  My left heel seems to be swollen and it is painful to walk or stand on.  I don't know why this has happened.  Then last night out of the blue a floater popped up in my eye.  I am going to the ophthalmologist this morning to get it checked out and make sure it is nothing serious.

This morning I came across an article talking about the signs pancreatic patients have when they are not absorbing nutrients from their food. I have the signs. Some of the signs have improved due to the pancreatic enzymes I am taking.  The dizziness I used to have is gone.  The numbness and tingling I had in my arms and legs is gone.  The extreme exhaustion has turned to fatigue. Then there is the fact that I have to clip my toenails more often.  It used to be that they hardly grew.  My eyelashes have grown longer which is nice.  There are other signs, but the one improvement I want the most, my hair, has not improved.

Also, I have changed my diet in the past few weeks.  I am now eating loads of animal protein.  I have always been more on the vegetarian end.  I have never fully excluded animal products, but have always been more about plant products.  I heard about the carnivore diet and got ideas.  I still eat fruit and veggies and some carbs, but way less.  So far my blood sugar levels have lowered and my digestion has improved.  In the past when I cut carbs my body had a fit.  I had read somewhere that when your body gets adequate protein it won't crave carbs.  Well that seems to be true because this time my body isn't having a fit and I am not craving carbs like I have all my life.

Well, this is all for now, better get going with my day.  Hope it turns out to be a blessed day and your day as well. 
  

Lights, Camera, Action

My hubby invited me to a lunch with his co-workers on Friday.  So I got dressed up with a little make-up and my new wig.  I told Mark I was coming in my wig and I think when it went well, he was happy.  He said no one knew it was a wig.  Next, I went to a doctor appointment.  My doctor loved it.  Today, we had our grandsons over.  I showed my oldest grandson this picture of me with the wig and he said I look normal.  So he approved of the wig.  ;-) 

We did our Thanksgiving craft of turkey hands made with sheet foam and feathers.  It always amazes me how much children grow year to year.  Last year I did not get to do turkey hands with the boys, but I am thankful I did this year.  Everett and I did a special picture together.  He did a turkey hand on paper and colored it.  Then I cut it out and we glued it to another picture we made together.  That picture was done with autumn leaves from the backyard that we put under a paper and then colored over the leaf getting the impression.  It turned out really nice and I do so adore children's artwork.  I am blessed because my fridge is covered with it.  :-)

Today I didn't wear a wig.  After wearing the wig for 6 or 7 hours yesterday with a wig grip, my head got a pressure sore.  The wig grip works if I only need to wear the wig for a couple hours.  In fact earlier in the week I went shopping in my wig.  It was a really windy day and my wig did not budge in that wind.  So wig grips work, but for all day I need to use the body glue so I don't get the pressure sores. 

New Wig!

Well, after a 3rd try, I finally found a wig that I feel confident and most comfortable in and that my husband likes.  Of course I would prefer my own hair, but the Lord has not allowed that so far.  However, He has allowed this wig.

This is called "Work It" from Raquel Welch straight out of the box.  Sorry, no make-up for this shot, been having a few facial issues and have had to limit my make-up.  Anyhow, this wig is the most comfortable wig I own (I have 3).  I don't like wigs at all, but if I have to wear one I will choose this one.  When I look in the mirror I feel it's "me" and that is important.  To lose my hair has been the hardest trial ever.  Sniff...tears.  I did not imagine this for my senior years.

Neither did I imagine losing relationship with my sons and pancreatic insufficiency.  Those together are bad enough without piling hair loss on top of it.  My hubby is convinced my hair will come back once I am healthy.  I pray that I do get healthy again.  So far I have been unable to get to 100 lbs.  However, the signs of health I do have are the condition of my fingernails.  Also, my eyebrows seem to be fuller and my eyelashes have definitely gotten longer.  Very amazing since for years my fingernails have easily snapped off (especially in the dry fall/winter season which is now upon us) and my eyebrows and eyelashes have been on the sparse side for years.  So maybe health will slowly but surely envelope me, I pray that it does.