Whole Foods purchases

While Stephen was out west visiting family this last weekend, I spent a few lovely hours with a friends browsing the wonderful goods at Whole Foods Market. If you've never heard of that place, google it and go to the one nearest you (or come visit us!). If I had it my way, all groceries stores would be like this. They specialize in whole, organic food and products, emphasizing production and handling that is environmentally responsible. I will stop myself from blabbering on and on about it, but yeah... go check one out!

Here are some of the fun purchases I walked away with:

As an experiment, I tried this vegan, aluminum-free deodorant called Desert Essence: Dry By Nature Deodorant. I was shocked to find out it works better than my mainstay Secret: Platinum Protection. The smell is mild too, not heavily perfumed. We have a winner!

With winter around the corner, I picked up this lotion to keep our handsies feeling lovely: Kiss My Face: Olive & Aloe Ultra Moisturizer. This stuff is great. Not greasy (which is my complaint with most everything else), and has a totally light, non-feminine scent. Good for girls and guys.

Freshly ground on-site peanut butter. This was the first time that I tried natural peanut butter. Initially, I was quite taken aback because it lacked the sweetness I have grown accustomed to with Jif and Peter Pan, but it soon became spoon-friendly. I decided it is the perfect consistency. Not smooth, not chunky, but gritty. MMMMMMM.

I couldn't pass up the bulk dark chocolate covered espresso beans. These little buddies were expensive, though, at $7/lb! Luckily, a small handful of 15 satisfied my curiosity. Two or three at a time is more than enough. They're an effective mid-night jolt for studying!

In addition, I picked up a couple boxes of Raspberry Leaf Tea, an incense burner and two packages of incense, and a bag of bulk whole wheat flour, since we were out anyway. I totally wish this place was closer to home because I'd happily spend more money there...

New Post

There's a new post in the Alpha blog.

Unknowns, but Peace

Fall 2009, in this household, is the Season of Unknowns.

Last week, Stephen learned that he had forty-some days to find a position within Verizon or walk away with the ample severance package. This news did not catch us completely off-guard, but it did jostle our reality a bit. We were expecting Verizon to hand him a position, not leave Stephen to his own devices. On the upside, Stephen's devices in the past have proven advantageous; still, we are better off keeping over-confidence beyond arm's reach, and embracing humility and faith in the meantime.

He has responded to two acquisitions so far within Verizon, both "floating manager" positions that may be based out of Omaha (no moving required). We hope he receives a call or two sometime after the 22nd.

On my front, we are waiting patiently, but anxiously for appointments that will give us more information about my manifestation of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. I've come to a wall in my research; the Internet and books can only tell me so much about what may, or may not, be on the horizon. Thankfully, we have been able to lay our concerns to rest for the time being, and live our normal lives without the distraction of "what ifs".

Apart from our Unknowns, life is chugging along peacefully and happily. Stephen successfully completed his first six-week class, and will be starting a new one shortly, God-willing. I'm enjoying my coursework, especially Medical Terminology. My homework load is substantial, but not overbearing.

My body has healed from my surgery, and I have regained my normal routine. I can eat everything (so far...) without upset, except for pepperoni. I'll have to give it whirl again; maybe by now my body will tolerate it. Unfortunately, my successful recovery means I can no longer weasel my way out of weekly litter-box sanitation without implementing premeditated sly manipulation. Not that I'd ever consider that, of course.

Stephen is leaving Thursday for a solo trip to visit family in Wyoming until Tuesday, and I'm heading to KC for a short visit this weekend. In two weekends, my Aunt Ramona and my siblings are coming. Very much looking forward!

Autumn is practically here, blowing in bright colored leaves, gray chilly days, soups, pumpkins, apples and spice, earlier darkness, Halloween, and baked goods. I can't wait to bust out my fall music selections/soundtracks.

AAD Blog

Meg has a new blog discussing her experiences with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.

www.alphameghan.blogspot.com

TMI Surgery Pictures

Four incisions. Three bordering my upper right quadrant of my torso, and one just above my bell button.

My OR team took this picture for my mom. The last conversation I remember as I laid on the table was the nurses asking my surgeon if it was ok for my mom to see my gallbladder. "No way" The picture they took instead is close second to coolness.

48 Hours Post-Gallbladder Removal/A1AT

My surgery went well. The nursed described my gallbladder as "yucky", so I feel vindicated. I was home on our oversized living room chair merely three and half hours later. I have been sleeping a lot, but sentient enough to do did a bit of homework. Other than feeling stiff and sore, I'm doing great. I was allowed to take a shower today; it felt sooo good getting surgery gunk off me; there's nothing like sleeping in your own grunge for several days, blek. My torso is still yellow from the iodine, but at least my pits are clean! Mom came up for my first night. She was an incredible help to me and to Stephen. With her mommy-touch, she made a pot of homemade chicken noodle soup, did a few loads of laundry, helped keep the dishes up, and even helped to get onto the cats when they were naughty (which they were quite frequently yesterday morning).

A few of you may know, but most don't, that when I was a toddler, I was found to have a liver enzyme deficiency called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. I was sick fairly often at that age, and one those times when I was sick, my pediatrician palpated my liver and found it to be enlarged. They ran some blood tests, and I came back positive for Alpha-1 (which, btw, was completely unrelated to my childhood illnesses). It was a freak thing that probably would have gone undetected until I was much, much older and manifesting symptoms. While I was seeing my PCP last week, I asked to be screened for Alpha-1 again; the results came back today, and yes, I am still positive for it (unsurprisingly; this is a genetic disorder). This particular enzyme is responsible for protecting my lungs, among other organs; any problems I have with it will likely be respiratory. Oct. 30 I go in for a Pulmonary Function Test, and then a week later I will see my pulmonary specialist and come up with a plan. It isn't anything that is serious right now; I may go my whole life and not have trouble with it. On the other hand, I could develop emphysema, COPD, or worst case scenario, need a liver or lung transplants ... so I feel it is important to monitor this as I age. You can read about Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency here.