Of Medical Mutterings, Outings, #Tofu, #Jackfruit, And Internet Woes

(The photo above was taken on June 22nd 2018, and shows people enjoying the beach on a nice day).

I started trying to go out with Kelly and Lilie for some of their walks even before my letter from the gynecologist reached the doctor. It's been tough on me to do so, but with no guarantee the shots will work and make the bleeding stop, I didn't dare wait, even though the usual advice you get from a doctor is not to do anything that makes your symptoms worse if you feel dizzy. I need to do what I can to reduce my weight before my surgery date rolls around after all, and the gynecologist made it clear I was to do so no matter how I was feeling. I knew this from my last gynecology appointment, and am especially aware of this fact after getting my copy of the gynecologist's letter to the doctor, which says what it was meant to - about how I'm now on the waiting list, because they've agreed to do the surgery, how they're insisting Kelly be the one to sign the consent form, and that they've established that I know the risks, etc, but need those shots to try and stop the bleeding and decrease the risks to me for issues while trying to exercise - but it also says what I'd suspected, though been unable to confirm was the case, about how the reason they weren't doing the surgery right away was because they were intentionally delaying things to get me to lose some weight first. I'm a bit annoyed about that, but there's not much I can do, except do all I can to get at least a slight decrease in weight, so they don't use it as an excuse to try and delay things further, and hope these shots do what they're supposed to. So, I've been going out with Kelly and Lilie a couple of times a week.

I can't do more than that yet. Between the stairs being hard on me in general, and the strain all the bleeding has put on my body, even that much is pushing me to my limits at the moment. In fact, Kelly's very nearly ended up calling me an ambulance a couple of times. Not having been able to do much for the past several months - and not being much better for a few years before that - meant it was really hard on me. Maybe I wouldn't have been quite so bad if I didn't have to do the stairs too. On the other hand, having to do those might help with the weight loss. Just trying to think positive.

Dealing with the stairs wouldn't be quite so bad if I could take them a few at a time and then rest a while. But I can't. I can't risk being sat on the stairs when that neighbour wants to go in and out. Our other neighbours would understand, and give me the time I need to rest, or to move for them to pass, or whatever. But she wouldn't. Though she seems to have taken quite a disliking to Kelly, she's not quite as bad to me as to everyone else, but she's still rude and unpleasant to me - not to mention, has this thing about insisting she has to be physically touching a blind person when speaking to one, so insists on touching my arm or trying to hold my hand, which I hate, especially when she's doing it while yelling at me - so I wouldn't want to be there trying to rest a bit when she wanted to pass, even if the police hadn't already said I was to avoid it happening. But I don't want to talk about her if I can help it. So... Moving on...

Despite some comments made by a couple of people who think I'm not doing enough to try and lose weight, most of me knows I shouldn't be pushing myself as hard as I am. Unfortunately, as I mentioned above, it's been made clear to me that weight loss is essential, regardless of how I'm feeling. So I don't feel I have much choice. It's push myself like this, or risk them using a lack of weight loss to delay my surgery date even further. They won't take me off the list now that I'm on it, but they might try and delay things, so I'm trying not to give them an excuse to do so. I'm hoping the shots will do their job, and the lack of bleeding combined with the exercise I'm now getting will mean it starts getting easier. Can but hope, right?

As it turns out, it's actually a good thing I didn't wait for them to do the shots first - despite the near hospital trips that have resulted from my not waiting - since I haven't even had the first shot yet, so would have lost an entire month waiting for them. Yes, it's almost a month later, and I'm still waiting for the first shot.

I got my copy of the letter from the gynecologist a week after my appointment, but the surgery was insisting they didn't have their copy even after that. When I called after a week, they said they only get letters that quickly if it's an emergency situation, which this wasn't, so I should call back the following week. When I did, they said it takes about two weeks after the date the letter is sent out from the hospital for it to get to them, and another day or so for it to be on the system and checked by a doctor, so I needed to give them a bit longer, and they suggested that maybe I should call back the following week. When I called again this past Thursday - three weeks after my appointment with the gynecologist, and two weeks after I got my copy of the letter - they finally had my letter, so I was able to make an appointment to go in for the shot.

Throughout this entire thing, they were insisting they, "Can understand my situation."

I managed to resist the urge to tell them they obviously can't, or they wouldn't let things drag out like this, especially since I'd even mentioned the near hospital trips during my attempts at getting the exercise the gynecologist insists I make sure to get. I even managed to resist the urge to point out how ridiculous it is that things take as long as they do, and that it shouldn't be the case. But only just.

I wonder if they'd have sped things up if those near hospital trips had been actual trips to the hospital?

Anyway, I've got an appointment to go for the first shot on Friday July 13th at 1:50pm. That's this coming Friday afternoon.

Oh, and speaking of delays in medical related things getting sorted out: despite being told he'd get it sorted within six weeks, Kelly still doesn't have a date for having that lump drained. Every time he calls to chase it up - which he's done a few times now - they just point out that he's on the waiting list, and tell him he'll hear something soon. *Sigh*

OK, back to the outings thing...

Kelly and Lilie usually go out every day, but I've only been going with them on Mondays and Fridays, making use of the benches along the seafront, and picking one of the local cafes to rest at for a drink or lunch sometimes, so I can deal with it a little easier (trying to find a balance between using cafes to rest, and being careful how much we spend while out, because of trying to save to move). It's still really hard on me though, and I'm too exhausted to do anything else for the rest of that day. I'm not much better the following day either. This is part of the reason it's only twice a week at the moment. As it is I'm pushing myself to my limits.

Lilie thinks it's great though. Not how hard it is on me, but the fact I'm joining them on the walks. Plus, my needing to rest while we're out means we end up staying out for a long time, and she gets to say, "Hi," to a lot of people and other dogs, which she loves. Sometimes we meet them while we're walking, sometimes they walk by while I'm taking a short rest. Sometimes they pass by while we're sat having a drink or lunch at one of the cafes. Lilie doesn't really mind which is the case. She loves everyone - human or otherwise - and loves being outside in general.

I have to admit, despite how hard it is on me, I am glad to be getting out of the house sometimes for more than medical appointments.

Luckily, we've had a lot of nice weather, which helps with the being outside thing, since it makes us want to be out there.

In mid June, temperatures were hovering around the high teens. Mostly around 19 degrees C (70 F). By the end of June, the average temperature was hovering around 23 degrees C (78 F). During this past week though, temperatures have been more like 26 degrees C (84 F). Bearing in mind, that's with the nice breeze coming in off the ocean to cool things down some. Many places - especially those without access to the coastal breezes - have had temperatures much hotter. I think I'll stick to our temperatures, thank you very much! As it is, many days have had me staying close to the fan, and wishing we had air conditioning.

We've had a few storms too, though not really any big ones, and they've been wind storms - no rain. I've enjoyed listening to them though. I've also enjoyed the way they tend to take the edge off the heat for a while just after their over. Not as well as a rain storm would, but it helps a little. Another benifit to living this close to the ocean.

As I said though, the weather makes us want to be outside. Especially since both Oscars and The Goat's Ledge are right on the seafront, so we get the full benifit of the ocean breeze during most of our walk to and from them, as well as while we're there.

Speaking of which: the photo at the top of this post was taken during one of those outings. It was taken while we were having lunch at the Goat's Ledge cafe. It's one that's only recently opened, and is along the seafront (as I just mentioned above). The photo in this post was taken the day we first tried it. We were actually sat at one of the picnic tables outside the cafe when the photo was taken. Unfortunately, though there were a couple of boats out on the water, I'm told I just missed getting a boat in the shot. Oh, well, never mind. Plenty of ocean for you, which was the whole point of taking the photo.

Here are a couple more ocean shots for you. These two were taken this past Friday (July 6th) while we were sat on one of the picnic tables that are actually on the beach, enjoying the ocean breeze, and waiting for our food order.

The place now known as "Goat's Ledge" used to be a fish and chip shop, but now it does more of a variety of foods. They still do fish and chips, but they also do salads, and cater to vegetarians and vegans. The guy who owns it now is the guy with the ice-cream cart that goes along the seafront most days. His ice-cream and sorbet is excellent, so we thought we'd try his actual cooking. Turns out that's great too. He does a fantastic tofu burger, and was even nice enough to make me one when we showed up earlier than the time he usually starts cooking them (he starts making things like that after noon, but made me one when we got there around 11:30am). He's a wonderful guy who really cares about his customers. He went and sorted me out a sorbet the other day too, when I wanted one and he was late bringing the ice-cream cart out because things were so busy. The service is absolutely fantastic - in fact, as I said, he really cares about his customers, and is prepared to put in a bit of extra effort just to make them happy - the food is delicious, and there are outside tables we can sit at with Lilie (he even provides a bowl of water for dogs who are sat out there, though it wouldn't matter too much to us if he didn't, since we always take water and a bowl with us for Lilie anyhow).

I don't often take photos of my lunch to post. I did this time though, so here are a couple of shots of my tofu burger and fries:

By the way, speaking of tofu: Carol Taylor was talking about it on her blog recently, and asking for tips, because she wanted to try tofu, but wasn't sure where to start. When she learned I'd had tofu several times, she asked me to write a guest post for her about tofu. I pointed out I'm far from being an expert, but since she still seemed enthusiastic about the idea of me writing what I could anyhow, I put something together for her. If you're interested, you can read my tofu post here.

Something I didn't think to add in the post is that you can make your tofu firmer. Simply place it between two pieces of kitchen roll (paper towels) on a hard surface, and then press down on it with a chopping board. The more you do this, the more of the moisture will be removed, and the firmer your tofu will become.

In other food related news:

I like to make most of my food from scratch, or have Kelly do so for me, that way I know for sure what's in what I'm eating. But I do often buy some vegetarian friendly burgers, sausages, or quiches (checking ingredients carefully when I do). I use them for those days when nobody has the energy to deal with much food preparation, we're really busy, or whatever, but I don't want to be ordering take-away. Anyway, I spotted something called "Vegetarian & Vegan Edamame, Asparagus & Mint Burgers" when ordering my groceries a few weeks back. I think it was in early June. Regardless of exactly when it was, I thought they sounded interesting, so I brought some to try. They turned out to be quite tasty. They're kind of messy to eat, since they don't stay together too well, which also means you'd need to put them on something if you wanted to grill them. But they tasted really good, which is the important thing. My Mam - who isn't a vegetarian, but often likes to observe "Meat Free Mondays" - tried them too, and also really enjoyed them.

I also recently tried jackfruit for the first time. Oscars - which is a cafe I've mentioned before that's along the seafront, and that we like - has it on their menu. Since I hadn't ever tried it, but wanted to, I ordered one of their jackfruit subs, which is one of their vegetarian options (but can be veganized by asking them not to add any mayo). It was delicious!

Not sure what jackfruit is? Read this post to find out what it is, how to use it, etc. There's also information - along with a couple of recipes - in Carol's jackfruit post, which is part of the "Fruity Fridays" post series she's been running on her blog.

***~~~***

Long time followers of my blog may be familiar with my blog's post rating system, details of which appeared on my blog's sidebar. Don't worry if you aren't. For those who aren't, this is the rating system list:

• AED or AED = Avoid eating and drinking while reading this post... Failure to do so could result in choking and/or the contents of your mouth ending up all over your monitor, for reasons that will become clear when reading this post
• FD = Food discussed... Those who get hungry when food is discussed may wish to grab something to snack on (unless an AED rating is also added)
• LBE = Long blog entry... You may want to grab a snack and/or a drink to keep you going to the end (a quick bathroom break is advised too)
• PTMI = Possibly too much info... May contain parts that some consider too much info, too gross to have shared, etc...
• R/WP = Rant, or whiney post... Sorry! But sometimes you need a good whine or rant. Posts with this rating may contain offensive language!

Well, I should say it "was" the list, because I'm no longer bothering with it, and have removed it from the sidebar. If I need to add one of the warnings... Most importantly the last two... I can do so in the post itself.

The post rating letters may appear on some upcoming posts, since I already had some scheduled before I decided this. I don't think there are any this applies to, but if you see the letters after today, it means I didn't bother to go in and remove them from an already scheduled post. But any posts I create from today onwards definitely won't use the system.

Why?

For one thing, there were people still asking what the letters stood for, so I know it sometimes caused confusion that way. For another thing, the rise in the use of hashtags could potentially cause extra confusion when my posts are shared on social media, since a lot of them are shortened to a selection of letters like that, and I've seen a few not too far removed from those I use for different purposes. So I decided not to bother with them any more, especially since I'm making use of hashtags to potentially boost post visibility. But I thought I'd mention it, for the benifit of those who do remember what the letters in brackets in my post titles are about, who might miss them once they're no longer being used.

By the way, speaking of social media and the sharing of blog posts:

Networked blogs has suspended their services, so I now have to share my posts across social media myself. So - for the benifit of anyone who finds my posts via social media - I thought I'd let you know that's the reason behind any delays between my posts going live and them being shared. As much as I try to, I can't always get on here at exactly 10:00am UK time to share my posts as soon as they go live.

Apparently I also have to share my own posts to my Google+ profile now, which is weird, since they're supposed to go on there via an automatic feed like the one on Goodreads, and my Google+ profile is what I log in to Blogger with, so you'd think that would work fine. Guess not. At least Goodreads is still automatically getting my posts. Hope that doesn't stop, since I don't have a Goodreads sharing button.

Also, it seems Facebook has changed how their pages work enough that my Twitter posts will no longer automatically post on there - or, if they are posting, I sure can't see them - so I now have to go and post on my page whenever I want something to show up there too. My Twitter posts still come through on my personal profile, but not on the page. This is annoying, because JAWS hates Facebook as it is, and the pages are even harder for it to accept. I might have to put the Facebook Page Manager on my phone. After all, Facebook itself works better for me via the app on my phone, so maybe the page manager will too? Like I said, I might have to try it. In the meantime, at least I can share my blog posts to my page via my own sharing buttons below each of my posts.

On a similar note:

I had some issues recently with the new backgrounds feature on Facebook. I posted about it on my personal Facebook profile, and Chris wrote a post about on his blog for me. Loads of people shared the post, and I contacted Facebook about the issue the same day Chris and I posted about it. A few days later, I noticed I was once more able to read those posts, and it was back to telling me what background had been chosen. So, it looks like they fixed the issue - as Chris reported on my behalf here - which is nice. I decided to still mention it here though, just so you're aware that it could happen... In case someone from Facebook fiddles with the settings again. I hope they won't now they know it's a potential issue though. Also, I wanted to mention it as an example of what can happen if people work together towards a positive resolution for a problem.

Now, if only I could figure out why I'm no longer getting notifications about things being added to the YouTube channels I follow, even though I've got it set to send me notifications...

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that settings for a lot of online things have gotten messed up lately?