The Good News-

Yesterday was a long day. I had a yearly physical with my primary physician. I told her about us juicing, she gave me a print out of the Mediterranean Diet. She said it would probably be beneficial along with juicing to get the full effect of nutrients, vitamins and the proteins. We are going to try more white fish, Carl is not a fan of fish so I will have to find some creative recipes and ways to make it. She ordered full blood tests to see where my levels are at, I also asked her to check for gluten while I am already getting poked with a needle. I got them back today already, she said all my labs were normal. 🙂 My Vitamin D is getting back to normal, I have been taking 4,000 units per the specialist for a month, also still on Prednisone. My calcium, cholesterol, protein and sugar levels are all in the normal range. I was relieved today. She had checked my gluten level and she explained it as, I will always have Celiac’s but the tests here on out are maintenance tests to show if there is gluten in my system. Today the test came back negative, meaning I am doing well and the gluten has run it’s course. The good news. 🙂

At 1:30pm yesterday I had my appointment with the Rheumatoid Specialist to go over my lab results he took at the beginning of June.  I was doing my best to stay positive and confident that it would be ok and I would tackle it head on as I have with the rest; however, still a little nervous. The specialist said that based on my blood tests, I have Sjogren’s Syndrome (SHOW-grins) is another autoimmune disease. During our conversation, I did ask if I have Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis he said, no. Huge sigh of relief.

The main symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth; however, additional symptoms are chest pains, inflammation, joint pain, swelling and the whole works. I noticed over the last few months that I would get chest pains that hurt so bad that I could barely take a deep breath, then I would get this horrible sore throat that would bring on a cough. Oddly enough I was not sick, I thought it was stress related but wasn’t sure. Now it all makes sense, I do notice when I am more stressed that I get a flare up. I have taken liquid cold medicine to help with cough and sore throat. I will be taking a medication Plaquenil for quite some time, he said it would take about 6 months to start working. I am taking calcium, Vitamin D and fish oil for supplements. I will be tampering off the prednisone, thank goodness. Now that I know what I have I am relieved, now just have to make sure the medication works. So thats the Ugly News!

After our appointment, I was sick of getting stuck with a needle and a little ornery. We stopped by Costco again to check it out again. Well, are now members of Costco, I think it was smart and we will be able to save some money during our juicing adventure. We are going shopping on Thursday. Can’t wait to share my finds.

The Bad- 

We got home and then I walked to the dentist. Yeah this is the bad, I had to get my fillings filled and it was not pleasant, more poking with needles. They also gave me the gas, I don’t think that did anything, even after she turned it up. Oh well, it is done. My whole mouth was numb and barely could eat and drink, I looked like a goof.

When I got home at 6:30pm I was beat, we watched an episode of Mad Men, I would recommend that show, it is very interesting of what the mindset was like in the 1960’s business world.

Then last but not least-we had to juice! 🙂 and Arie got a good walk.

Breakfast Juice #8

• 3 peeled oranges
• 1 peeled grapefruit
• 1 peeled kiwi
• 10 strawberries
• two big handfuls of spinach
• 1 cucumber

Juice all these items on the low setting if your machine has one. This was a good combo, I like the cucumber much better in the morning than celery.

Our finished product.

Lunch Juice #9

• 3 carrots
• 3 apples
• 1 piece (1 inch) peeled ginger

This recipe was from one of Carl’s co-workers and it was good, it didn’t make a lot though so I just had this drink for lunch.

Happy Tuesday Night.

It’s almost Independence Day!