Goodbye June- I won’t miss you (being sick for almost two weeks put a damper on that month). Let’s move right along to July! It’s the first Friday of the month, which means I’m linking up with Coco and Deborah for their Ultimate Coffee Date.
Let’s start with a discussion about what we’re drinking. I’m still on my anti-candida diet, where all I can drink is green tea. I can say it’s grown on me. I don’t HATE it. But I don’t love it. The main thing I miss on this diet isn’t sugar, gluten, alcohol, fruit, or grains… it’s Earl Grey tea. I’m already planning a couple “cheats” while I’m on my vacation later in the month- I’ll be having some Earl Grey, and no one can stop me.
On the subject of this diet, I had a doctor appointment yesterday and found out I’ve lost five pounds (I only weigh myself when I go to the doctor). If only the entire five pounds were from my stomach! Wow, that would be incredible, but sadly it doesn’t work that way. I’m not trying to lose weight- I’m eating as much as I comfortably can, and keeping up with my strength training so my arms don’t get too scrawny. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just take fat from one part of our body and put it somewhere else? Ha- I’m pretty sure I’m not the first person to have that thought.
The appointment was a “well woman” visit, with a pelvic exam and pap test. That’s always fun! I have to admit I haven’t done it in a long time (oops). The doctor said everything looks good, and pending the results of the pap test, I won’t have to come back for several years, or possibly forever. REALLY? Am I really that old? It made me a little sad… but then I came to my senses. Getting too old for pap smears is not a tragedy.
If we were having coffee together, I would ask if you have plans for the 4th. I have NOTHING planned, and I’m pretty happy about that. I’m off of work, so I’ll get up early and run. I’ll spend the rest of the day relaxing and reading. At night my daughter has plans to go see fireworks with friends, so that lets me off the hook. I know! I’m really boring, but I’ll have a good day.
Are you seeing fireworks tonight? – I’m glad I’ll be home to comfort the cats.
Do you keep up with your regular screenings? – I’ve been doing well with my mammograms, but had neglected my pap test. My next colonoscopy is in one year (can’t wait for that!)
Top photo by Jingda Chen on Unsplash
30 Responses
I started drinking earl gray tea since our coffee machine hasn’t arrived and it has been super nice. I can’t find the beige label, only the blue lady gray which is not the same. which brand do you like?
I have scheduled our annual comprehensive check up in few weeks. I look forward to it.
Honestly, my favorite Earl Grey is from Starbucks. But I had a really excellent Earl Grey at a coffeeshop in Waco last month, and we’re going to stop back there on our way through (driving from Texas to Chicago.) I’ll get a cup and ask what brand of tea they use- I’m hoping it’s something I can buy to have at home.
I say good riddance to June on your behalf! I hope your vacation (and that long-awaited Earl Grey!) gives you a real boost. I think I missed the info – will you be going away?
I’m seriously impressed by your commitment to this diet. I don’t think I could part with my black tea, no matter how noble the cause.
Here’s to a peaceful 4th, no cat meltdowns, and plenty of quality reading time!
Thanks Catrina! Yes, I’ll be flying to Texas and then helping my son drive his car up to Chicago, where we’ll leave it with my sister and then both fly back to Florida. Lots of components to this trip!
Happy 4th! And happy kid free night! We’re going to a family party at my SILs. I made red, white, and blue jello shots yesterday, so we’re looking forward to unleashing those bad boys.
I find the pap situation to be morbidly humorous. I assumed that they would be winding down, but my doc said that I have to get one every 5 years until I’m 65. She said that it’s still possible to get HPV after age 65 (from you know, those nursing home orgies that I’m planning on having), but at that it won’t advance into anything life threatening before…well before I die. But seriously, I used to be very bad about keeping up with my health screenings, and I finally decided that I am a grown up and I just need to suck it up and get ’em done. But I was doing it on my schedule where I was getting my “annual” mammogram every two years. When I changed jobs last year my new insurance has a kick back program that pays anywhere between $5 – $25 for the screenings. All of a sudden I’m 100% compliant and scheduling things one year to the day.
I mean… I really don’t think I’m going to get HPV anytime between now and the time I die. I supposed it’s… possible? But so unlikely, I can’t even imagine.
Enjoy your jello shots- you know how to celebrate!
I am overdue for some regular screenings but have kept up on others. Not sure I’m supposed to get another PAP smear or not!
It would be a great day for a bike ride, but I’m not ready to leave Scooby home alone yet — I may hunker down with that book you suggested ….
Which book? If you hunker down and read, I want to hear all about it! Honestly, my doctor had an attitude almost like “why are you here if nothing is bothering you?” attitude, so if everything is all clear this time, I might not bother to get another pap.
I haven’t had a pap in a couple of years and apparently that’s normal at this age. I have to do one soon, as well as a FIT test to see if I have to have a colonoscopy. My husband has had many, so I know the drill, and I’ll be just as happy not to have to. I keep up with the mammograms because I have had lumps since I was 38.
Well- I had gone longer than “a couple” years since my last pap. And, mammograms- it actually helps my peace of mind to just get them regularly. That way, I figure if they find something it will be early enough to treat it easily. At least that’s what I tell myself!
I just had my PAP done a month or so ago. That’s off my list for a while again which is lovely. I haven’t had a mammogram yet, but that will start soon. Ditto colonoscopies.
I’m impressed with your dedication to the diet. I would have failed miserably on it, I’m sure. How is your digestion? Has it accomplished everything you had hoped it would? I’m glad the green tea doesn’t seem quite so horrid now!
Ahem. To answer your question, no the diet has not accomplished everything I had hoped, which is SUPER frustrating. I’ll be talking more about it on the blog soon. But at least… um… at least… well whatever.
Ugh on all the health screenings, though I know how valuable they are. I’m overdue for the annual ordeal, but will need to switch doctors (due to my new locale), so I have been procrastinating. You know, avoidance suffice the guilt, LOL. Here’s hoping July plays much nicer with you!
Oh no, I know what a hassle switching doctors is. That’s actually why I went so long between pap tests- I just didn’t have a gynecologist and couldn’t seem to get it together to find a new one. Now I got that taken care of, but I’m going through the same thing with a dermatologist. It just adds an extra challenge to the whole thing.
Your 4th of July plans sound very chill, which is (imo) exactly what the day should be! I started my long holiday weekend yesterday and did my 14 mile long run in the mountains, so I have a shorter run to do this morning and then hopefully will spend most of the day in the pool with my parents. No fireworks here since my dog is not a fan at all, but unfortunately people in my parents’ neighborhood like to shoot them off. Hopefully they won’t be going all night!
My well woman screening is coming up in the fall and I’m good about keeping up with that because I really like my doctor and I need my birth control prescription. But I don’t have a regular PCP right now and I’m also bad about going to the dentist since COVID and I have anxiety about it anyway, but I’m hoping to make it happen before the end of the year!
The one thing I’m really good about is the dentist- I had some dental problems in the past (leading to two root canals) and I learned my lesson- just go regularly!
Your 4th sounds really nice, as does a 14 mile run in the mountains! People in our neighborhood shoot off fireworks too, and as a matter of fact some idiots were shooting them off at 6:30 am. Luckily I was already up to run, but I would imagine anyone who was trying to sleep in on the holiday would be pretty annoyed.
Go you, Jenny! Those pap tests are so uncomfortable but preventative care is important! I was given a pass on the pap this year, but I get one next year I guess. Super weird to go from annually to every three years, but I’m not complaining. I’m all set to schedule my first colonoscopy for next year, too. We have colon cancer in my family, so I need to stay on top of that.
Trying to get on top of my sleep stuff means I’ve had a million appointments this year. I am very tired of the doctor.
Hope your evening is super relaxing!
Thanks Suzanne! We have colon cancer in our family too, so I’ll definitely keep on schedule with colonoscopies. I guess if you get to a certain age and have no issues with your pap tests, you don’t have to get them as often. But you’re so right- preventative care is VERY important.
Yes I absolutely keep up with screenings religiously. I don’t find it all that bad and it gives me piece of mind. Earl grey tea does not sound like much of a cheat to me. How long are you doing this diet? What do you hope to achieve? Enjoy your 4th of July!
I agree- keeping up with regular screenings is worth it for the peace of mind. As for how long I’m doing this diet- I don’t really know at this point. I’d like to fix some digestive issues I’ve been having.
Good job getting preventative care out of the way! I had a pap this spring and will have my first colonoscopy later this month. I need to get it early since we have colon cancer in our family and my siblings had polyps. So I technically should have/could have had it at 40. I am not looking forward to it!
We are at my parents for the 4th. We will not see fireworks, though. It’s just too late for me and the boys with how late the sunshine sets!!
Everyone seems to have a different experience with colonoscopies, but I’m one of the people who will tell you it really isn’t that bad. I hope yours goes well.
I agree- fireworks are LATE. Too late for younger kids.
Ummm, let’s not start with a discussion about what we’re drinking… We just spent a week with our grad school friends and I played bartender all week. 😉 Congrats on your commitment to your diet.
I was going to ask where you’re going for vacation, but then I saw your reply to Catrina. How fun to spend time with your son on the drive north to Chicago!
Well, it sounds like you’re having fun- as you should on vacation!
I had no plans (except to run a race) on the 4th. It is usually a low key day for me. I don’t think I’ve ever had Earl Grey tea and now I am curious about it. I also go for regular screenings but have never had a colonoscopy. My doctor did order a test in which I had to send something back to be analyzed. I hope you know what I mean as I didn’t want to write it here. 🙂
I am more than happy to say goodbye to pap smears and other gynecological nonsense. I hate all of it.
We stayed home with the pugs. I watched movies and ate Caesar Salad (it was the 101st birthday of the salad!) and fries. And it was just fine. I didn’t feel very festive.
Wait– we age out of paps? that’s kind of great.
I am pretty good at keeping on top of my health screenings! Skin check, well woman’s visit, physical, dental cleanings, eye exams, etc. Sometimes I might put off the visit for a few months, but nothing more than that. And all those routine screenings will just be increasing as I get older, ahhh!
I’m so impressed at how long you’ve stuck with this diet! I love that your “cheat” is earl grey tea. HA. You go, girl! Drink that tea!
Jenny–I don’t know if you remember, but we were going to be like pap-smear test accountability buddies… But I don’t think I’m getting one after all.
A (my husband) said current research suggests that since I’m 10+ years post menopausal and monogamous, pap smears are unnecessary unless there are noticeable anomalies (e.g. bleeding, pain, etc.)
I hope you don’t continue to feel bad about not needing pap smears!
I am sipping some Earl Grey while I catch up on your posts.