16 st Low Carbing part 2

[ProfYaffle]

As the first thread is full, I thought I'd start this one to dip a toe in the water and see if anyone else is still around. At the end of the last thread I think a few of us had decided to have the summer off and come back to it in September - so here I am.

Hope a few of the old gang are still around

Hi, have name changed.
Prof Glad it went ok for you both at the hospital. The keyhole surgery sounds much better than the craniotomy doesn't it.

All those hospital visits are draining aren't they. Hows your DH feeling about it and more importantly, how are you ?

Dh is feeling quite positive about it. My only worry is that if the keyhole technique doesn't work then it'll be fairly radical facial surgery involving scars right down the centre of his face. I've not mentioned that possibility to dh as it doesn't seem to have occurred to him as yet so I don't want to create anxiety.

I want to just get it out of the way. We've got to wait for MDT to discuss him and it'll be ages before a date's confirmed. We've had this in previous years and we ended up waiting 6 months for a surgery date. It's awful because life ends up being on hold, can't plan holidays, celebrations, house alterations etc

So far, each of his surgeries has co-incided with some major house renovations being done. I should have known planning a new kitchen was tempting fate!

(who were you btw?)

Sorry I am Blods (smile)
That sounds hard Pro. Would he definitely have a scar down the centre of his face or could they do it another way if keyhole doesn't work. Is there any reason keyhole wouldn't work though?

Ah! Ok

It would def be a big scar down the centre of his face. I think it would only happen if there were complications which couldn't be resolved via the keyhole route, uncontrolled bleeding in surgery, that kind of thing. We'll have the chance to talk to the surgeon beforehand to figure these issues out but there are no guarantees so it's hard not to worry.

But no point in dwelling. It's dh's birthday today, we were supposed to be going out tomorrow night with the in laws but that's been cancelled so the 4 of us are going out tonight instead. I intend to sink many beers!

It is hard to not worry isn't it. Mine had a brain haemorrhage last year.
With that and both my parents being very ill, its been a difficult year.

You have a lovely evening tonight wont you x

You're a mistress of understatement Always, sounds like something more than a 'difficult' year! Is he OK now?

But, yes, we will have a good night tonight!

Yes he has spent this year recovering and is so much better than when it happened. Thank you .

Food wise.....Im still on track which is good.

Glad to hear he's getting better. Brain stuff's so unpredictable, it's horrifically worrying.

It really really is. I was terrified he was going to dye when they rushed him to hospital. Has taken me a long time to start to feel normal again.

"die" grrrrr!!!!!!

Yup, I get that. Twice I walked away from dh not knowing if I'd see him alive again. It's after the crisis that it all sinks in. Dh has a fondness for tie dye so I know the fear of dying you describe

Hows everyone doing?

Been eating Brie with chutney on. My target is Xmas. I wanted to be a normal BMI by Xmas and I am 4 lbs away from this.

Only 4lbs away? That's amazing - well done :)

I'm doing OK, have calmed down somewhat since Friday. Bit annoyed with the in laws over the whole situation really. Dh rang them from the hospital with his news but couldn't get a word in because they had to tell him all about their colds () His birthday meal out with them (did I mention we got the results on his birthday?) ended up being cancelled because of said colds. Bil came round to deliver dh's cards from him and pil but he just pushed the cards through without knocking and left again straight away. So we're not exactly overwhelmed with support from his side of the family

That's rubbish Prof. Sending positive thoughts for your DH.

I'm ticking on here. Weight loss is still quite slow - dropped again over a week ago by a couple of pounds but nothing since.

I won't lie, I'm starting to get a bit fed up with the restrictive diet and worried about Christmas. I was vege, so food bills have sky-rocketed too. The problem is, it has improved my health, so I'm going to have to stick with it. Food was my crutch - I'd stopped drinking and smoking a long time ago - it is so odd to not have it to fall back on. I know this isn't a healthy way to be and it's for the best, but I am missing getting a takeaway or having a piece of birthday cake (two birthdays this weekend with lots of food and cake and I stuck to the plan). Heck, I even miss having a treat can of coke.

I'm also narked that it does appear that dairy is an issue as I'd love some cheese.

Pffffttttttt.

I'm going to explore some paleo alternatives for Christmas treats, but I will still be missing mince pies and cheese and crackers.

The big difference for me is that it is about health. If it was just weight, I'd sack it off for a few days and indulge, but I'm going back full time after Christmas after weeks off. If I go mad, it will set back my recovery and I can't do it.

Ok Kinky you are doing so well. There are paleo mince pies , paleo cakes, paleo puds, etc that are really really delicious. As for missing out, well if you can control it then you can always have a little wheat and dairy and still get back on this. Have you tried sheep cheese or goats cheese to see how you are with them? There is a lovely goats cream cheese that is lovely. As for cream there are loads of alternatives out there. Oat cream, soy, coconut etc. I find that I have to be flexible sometimes. Also although not that brilliant , what about gluten free Christmas products. The mince pies are lovely made from rice flour.

That's difficult Kinky. I know what you mean about needing a 'treat' of some description, that's why I still drink wine. I'm being good about everything else I need a release somewhere! Always is right though, there are plenty of things you can make, that's the approach I'm planning on taking over Xmas.

I like the sound of the goat cream cheese - I love goat's cheese. Where do you get it from?

Pro I get it from Tesco. It's in a tubular shape, the soft cream y one but they also have a harder stronger tasting one that is like a baby round Brie. Some people are better with goat and sheep milks as the composition is more like human breast milk whereas cows milk is different as its for a much bigger animal

Oh cool, I'll have a look for it. I tried making my own goat's cheese once, a friend keeps goats so I begged him for some milk. I wasn't very impressed with my efforts though, didn't taste very goaty.

The creamy one in oblong packet is softer and less goaty, bit like full fat Boursin in texture and the small round one is stronger and Brie like texture and is the full "goat"haha! It's lovely popped under the grill and then served on a bed of rocket with peppers and olive oil.

Yes, the full goat is what I'd normally have. I don't recall trying a more cream cheese style one though, I'll definitely hunt it out and see what I think.

The creamy soft one is lovely spread on things

Kinky, what other treats or luxuries do you enjoy that would be good for you that are not food/drink based? For me it is doing yoga, having a massage, spa evening, having lots of cups of tea and gossip with a friend, going to the cinema alone, cuddles and kisses with my DS, watching some addictive to series on Netflix, or buying clothes in a smaller size (bought size 12 jeans today yay!!). I'm finding I'm enjoying that stuff more now and regularly having me time because I deserve it.