Getting There & Pre-Op

The following entry includes a frank explanations of some of my cancer recovery experiences. If you are at all squeamish about pain, bodily fluids, or possibly even blood, you should probably give this and related entries a pass.

Diagnosis and Treatment

So there I was, trying to improve my life in some small way. Doing my art. Creating new recipes for healthy food. And so on.

Then one day I realized that it had been quite a while since I had a mammogram. So I called The People's Clinic (my regular source of medical attention) and made an appointment.

A week or two after I went to my appointment, I got a letter saying that I had been referred to St Mary's Hospital for a follow-up mammogram because the technicians at the People's Clinic "saw something they didn't like".

So I went to Saint Mary's and got mammogramed again. 
Just days later, I was notified that I needed a biopsy. That didn't actually scare me so much. I remembered that, years ago, my mother had to have a breast biopsy. So I went in expecting it to be just a cyst or something even less scary.

Turns out I had a lump in both breasts. So I actually needed two biopsies and ultrasounds... and... and... and.

I'm not sure I've ever been poked and prodded so much, over so many doctor visits, in my whole life.

The final diagnosis was CANCER.

And not just one. I had one in each breast.

I say "had" because I've just come back from surgery. 

The good news, so far, is that they were both small, and apparently pretty soft. So even if I had been remembering to do my regular breast exams, I would not have been able to find them myself. So it's a good thing that I thought to get that mammogram when I did.

I still haven't decided if I want to blog about the details. There was a lot. And most of it was extremely painful. For now, I think I will just say that I am swollen, sore, exhausted and ready to move on with my life. 

Unfortunately, there is still much more to go. And I'm not even sure what that's going to look like.

I will say that the folks at St. Mary's have been really great. Even so, now that I'm home, I'm feeling so weak and helpless. I so desperately want to be done with this now.

Comments and words of encouragement are welcome. And if you'd like to help, please use the following link:

Help LilMischif

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Roasted Beets with Turmeric and Ginger

I created this recipe with the thought in mind specifically to include more nutrient dense food in my own diet.  Based on what knowledge I've acquired, it includes 3 "super food" ingredients.  And that doesn't even include the olive oil, which is touted to have its own health benefits.
Feel free to do your own research.  Challenge my information.  And let me know, in comments, if you learn I am mistaken.
Either way, this is a tasty way to improve your eating habits.

Ingredients:

• 18.50 oz(s) roasted beats [recalculate the other ingredients as needed, based on the finished quantity of this one]
• 2 Tbsp, 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil 
• 1 tsp, Lemon Juice
• 1/4 tsp, Mediterranean Sea Salt
• 1/8 tsp, Fresh Ground Black Pepper
• 1 Tbsp, Minced Fresh Ginger
• 1 tsp, Ground Turmeric

Instructions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350⁰.
2. Scrub off any dirt and debris from all parts.
3. Cut away the stems and stringy bits of roots.  Leave the skins on for now.
4. Coat all exposed surfaces with olive oil (not included in the measured quantity).
5. Arrange in a covered baking dish or wrap individually in aluminum foil.
6. Place in the middle of the oven and roast for 1 hour, or until a small knife easily pierces the skin.
7. Remove from oven and allow to cool, until they can be handled safely.
8. At this point, the skin can mostly just peal off.  Remove any stubborn areas with a paring knife.  They can now be refrigerated, for later use, if desired.
9. Slice into roughly 1/4" cubes and set aside.
10. Combine the remaining ingredients, including any available beet juice, in a small sauce pan.
11. Be careful to cover any clothing that you care about getting stained.  The infused oil turns a rather violent shade of yellow and stains solidly.
12. Cook the mixture, on low heat, until any water evaporates.
13. Warm the prepared beets slightly, if refrigerated.
14. Pour the hot mixture over the beets and "toss" together until the mixture thoroughly covers the beet cubes.  The result should have a "meaty" appearance.

Serving Suggestion:

• I recommend heating each serving, right before consumption, to re-liquefy the oil.
• My personal favorite way of eating this is to heat the beets to steaming and top them with crumbled extra sharp cheddar cheese. 
• You could also sprinkle the cubes over a salad.

Storage Notes:

• Obviously, you can store the finished product in a single large container.  However, I recommend dividing it into pre-measured  serving-size containers (ie: sealed glass custard cups).
• I don't know why but the processing of the oil causes it to solidify when chilled.  So if you care about accurate distribution of nutrients and calories, it's in your best interest to separate the portions while it's fresh and still warm.
• Avoid reheating multiple times.  Repeated exposure to heat can cost you valuable nutrients and flavor.

Calorie Distribution:  31 cal., 2 Carbs., 2 Fat, 0 Protein, 55 sodium.

If you appreciate the information I'm providing, please feel free to use the following link:

Thank LilMischif

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Seasoned Olive Oil Grilling Sauce

I just created a new conceptual recipe.  I was trying to think of a way that I could have something resembling barbecue sauce, while staying on Keto.  This recipe evolved rather quickly after that.
It has yet to be tested and the ingredient quantities may change, once I get the opportunity to test it.  Though that's unlikely to happen until this coming summer.

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup 100% extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. turmeric
• 2 Tbsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp. Lawry's seasoned salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• liquid stevia to taste (optional) if using, be sure to heat long enough to steam off the water in it

No real instructions needed here.  Just measure and mix.  Then heat.  It may be desirable to heat these together in a small saucepan and then pour into a canning jar.  It can be put together in the jar and gently heated in the microwave if desired.  To prevent damaging the essential flavoring oils, avoid overheating this mixture.
USE CAUTION.  Avoid overheating the oil lest it should boil.  I've found that boiling oil can cause it to kind of explode.  And the microwave method gives no warning.
Serving Note:
Be sure to stir up the seasonings before apportioning a serving. Otherwise you may lose some of the flavor.  This recipe is intended to produce 16 1 tbsp servings. That is however only intended to season one serving of meat.
Calorie Distribution: 123 cal., .5 Carbs., 14.1g Fat, 0g Protein  (according to MFP).

If you appreciate the information I'm providing, please feel free to use the following link:

Thank LilMischif

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All Day Tea

This recipe is intended to allow individual choice of flavor. If you don't see a drink mix flavor that you prefer feel free to add your own, or leave it as just tea, with or without sweetener. And aside from the artificial flavorings from drink mixes, it is entirely herbal. No caffeine, no calories.

May be served cold or warmed.  To avoid damaging the flavoring, avoid overheating.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 bag Bigelow Lemon Ginger herbal tea
• 1 bag Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime herbal tea
• Water, 59 fluid ounce (add more if desired)
• Great Value - Liquid No Calorie Stevia

Your choice of the following to taste;

• Crystal Light Strawberry Pineapple Refresh liquid
• MiO Orange Vanilla liquid
• Great Value Tropical - Peach Mango Passion Fruit
• Tang - Sugar Free Squirts
• Crystal Light - Blueberry Raspberry liquid
• other (personal favorites)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Steep both tea bags in 8 to 16 oz. of boiling water, for at least 10 minutes.  I usually let it steep until the water is cooled.
2. In a large container (at least 59 oz.) combine the remaining water and your choice of sweetener and drink mix(s).  Availability in your area may vary.
3. When the tea is done steeping, add it to the container of water and flavoring.  Top off as needed.

I use some version of this mixture every day.  The recipe is set at the listed volume only because of the bottle I use.  Although it may require the addition of more flavoring, it is perfectly acceptable to bump the fluid level to 64 oz., to allow it to be a complete compliment of 8 - 8 oz. cups of water per day.
I actually go with about 12 cups myself, due to my own personal health concerns.  And yes, that does mean that I add other beverages, above and beyond this.
I'd like to note that, although I do not have any documentation to support it, I have been given to understand that ginger and a sufficiency of fluid intake can aid in weight loss.  My results are slight, and I am monitoring my food intake as well, but I can say that the combination seems to be having a reductive affect on my weight.
My general opinion is that it can't hurt.
It is not without merit that I feel better when I drink enough each day.  It seems to even reduce the frequency of my migraines, which seem to be able to be triggered by nothing more than dehydration.
Please feel free to test it and draw your own conclusions.

If you appreciate the information I'm providing, please feel free to use the following link:

Thank LilMischif

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FLAME Inbound!

I don't know how I came by it, but I now have a Google news feed. It pokes at me several times a day, with news, gossip and so forth. I generally avoid the things that look like gossip. I just don't have the stomach for the stuff.

Today I decided to look at something, that could have been gossip, but wound up to be news. And not just news, but something I actually am rather passionate about!

Here's the link, so everyone can be on the same page with me;
Mila Kunis Expresses Her Objection to Pence's Policies in a Unique Way

[FLAME]
All I can think to say, at this time, is;  The Religious Right needs to get its collective Cranium out of its Rectum and stop trying to squash Women's Rights, as it relates to our own bodies and biological choices.
Just wait and see how they feel, when it's one of their daughters that needs the abortion!!!
Especially when *feigning shock* it's by some mixed-race "mongrel", that they wouldn't "let" her date in the first place.
[/FLAME]

My apologies to anyone who might have taken offense at the terms mixed-race or mongrel. That was not intended to offend anyone who might theoretically fit in those categories, per the religious right definition.
It makes me so very angry when these people presume that they can dictate to others. The flame was intended to illustrate my intense objections. The last thing I wish to do is offend anyone that might actually agree with me.
And for the record, I am a Liberal Democrat through and through!
Also, in case there's any clarification required, I fully support Mila Kunis, at least on this subject. I think it was a stroke of Brilliance, too send donations to Planned Parenthood in Pence's name.

If you appreciate the information I'm providing, please feel free to use the following link:

Thank LilMischif

OMG! How is there any such thing as a non-person...

To my knowledge, the young woman in question here has committed no crime.

Everyone should see this story:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/11/03/justice_department_declares_war_on_aclu_attorneys_who_oppose_trump.html

Please read it for yourself. I only wish I knew how to make a difference here. My outrage knows no bounds, as it regards this sort of thing. Just another case of the "Religious Right" sticking its nose in someone else's personal business.