Meals, making a few choices and life generally

I am still recovering from the Shingles, and have done an awful lot of sleeping in the past few weeks mainly in an effort to let my body heal as much as it can naturally. I have had and still have an awful lot of pain.  The Nurse I saw today for my blood test was lovely and she indicated to me that I had, had quite a bad dose of it and that in reality it could take some time for things to return to their "normal"   It has affected nerve endings as well throughout my body and around my arms and arm pit, the skin feels numb on top with underlying pain.  There is also the inclination to constantly itch which I am trying my best not to as that causes another kind of pain.  The bulk of the blisters have gone though.  My GP Practice is keeping tabs on my bloods, Cholesterol, kidney function, and bone density.  I should have the results in a few days and may or may not require further medication depending on the results.  My Mum amongst lots of other things had a Vitamin D deficiency and was on medication, but later on she had to go onto the injections which she hated.  I do not want this under any circumstances.  The same goes for Osteoporosis.  Mum had that, and a reduced immune system can cause this.  Yet again I don't want it.  However it is reassuring that I am being monitored reasonably closely.  I did have an interesting talk with her about being RH negative, where I learned a few things.  A really lovely Nurse  absolutely beautiful. 

Generally

Whilst I have been incapacitated with the Shingles, I have been seriously off my food in quantity and what I felt like eating. I have been really off colour. I have been more drawn towards fresh fruit, salad that sort of thing.  I have also started adding in Peanut Butter again.  I tend to go in phases with this, but the Morrisons shop I go to which is near my home has started selling a Sourdough bread which I quite like, with a load of PB on it either homemade or from Lidl.  Sometimes this is breakfast for me and I am quite happy with this. Simple foods please me the most.

I am also drinking far more water.  I tend to buy in the fizzy water as I do not like the plain still water, although I do keep a few bottles of this in house. I am under instructions by the GP to up the water intake and this seems to be the only way that it is working for me. I do struggle otherwise. I especially like this if it is chilled, and also add some squash or cordial to a glass and top it up.  Ever so refreshing.  I am trying to keep away from things like Pepsi etc.  I cannot tolerate a lot of them in any event although an occasional glass makes a change.  I am looking into trying homemade carbonated drinks in due course as well.

Tuesday

I had quite a busy day.  I managed to do some sorting outside the back door, unloaded a box of food items and started sorting out a lot of preserving jars some of which went into the Dishwasher.  Well I have started a long term project trying to get these all organised and sorted so that I can find things when I need them which will hopefully streamline things a bit when I am actually preserving.  Sorting out the back door will eventually pave the way to the Old Herb Garden border being sorted out completely.  I am hoping to do a bit in the next few days weather permitting.

I also did a lot of washing and got some of it on the line.  It is so much better when the washing is line dried.  Even the towels were dried outside and then just finished off for a few minutes in the tumbler.

Last night I fancied some simple fish for tea.  I like Smoked fish and we went to the Waitrose counter last night and I bought some undyed natural smoked Haddock, a tail piece and it was delicious, just served simply with some bread and butter.  I had also bought G a fillet of Cod.  What we had not realised was that this was smoked too.  A very nice smoke that was not overdone.  Neither of us had appreciated this.  G is not fond of smoked fish. I grew up with it and like Kippers, smoked Haddock etc.  However give him his due he did manage to eat it all despite it not being his thing.

I also came away with a couple of different pates. We have crusty buns to go with this. Will probably have these for tea on Thursday night to ring the changes just a little bit. We have eaten reasonably well for the past few days and therefore a lighter tea is needed.

Wednesday

Back to the grindstone with the washing.  Managed to get most of it done.  Just need to get the bedding, some more towels and the tea towels done and we should be up to date,  The Dishwasher has been on again today.

A quick nip to the shop.  Ended up purchasing some Blueberries for use in making homemade Blueberry Muffins. I intend to freeze the Blueberries and drag them out to make the Muffins as I go along.  I want to build up the stock a little bit first though before I make some of these.

I also bought a couple more fresh Pineapple. One of them is for fresh eating and the other one is for me to have a go at making a tonic style drink.  I need a natural boost of some sort or the other to try and help build myself up again.  My strength has been depleted somewhat and it needs to be built up slowly again.  I am trying to watch what I eat though as I would like to shift a couple of pounds if I possibly can.

I had hoped to buy a few Melons today but was only able to come away with one.  I shall look later in the week to see if I can obtain any more.  I am planning on preserving some for the Pantry shelf.

For tonight's tea, we are going our separate ways.  G is having Piri Piri Chicken Wings and I am having a Chicken Thai Green Curry which I am rather partial too served with a little rice.  Am looking forward to that.  Pudding for tonight is a small individual trifle each which was bought from the Baker earlier this morning.

The other day I bought in 6 Pineapple which are going to be processed and then heat processed by water bathing. I also intend to buy in some Melon and also water bathe this as well. There is a nice refreshing starter/pudding that we make periodically with stem Ginger and Lime juice that I want to recreate. This normally stores in the Freezer.  However I am mainly keeping meat, with a little veg and fruit in the Freezer which is not very big. I am going to be using Honeydew Melons for this purpose.  I have also bought in a couple of more Pineapples as there is a tonic drink I want to have a go at making, and G quite likes Pineapple fresh in any event.

I am also keen to get some Pink Grapefruit on the shelf as well.  These can be used in breakfast and also in a fruit salad.

Fresh Blueberries were also bought in.  These are going into the Freezer with a view to making some homemade Blueberry Buns which I am also quite partial too.  Another useful breakfast or indeed tea ingredient.

I am trying to get organised a bit more on the preserving front and am hopeful that will be able to put up a few posts concerning this in due course.

I also went for a blood test for kidney function,together with a sample as the GP had ordered both.  The Nurse I saw was lovely.  Very gentle and listened to what I was telling her.  She mentioned that I had had a really bad episode of the Shingles to what normally happens.  Probably as a result of not being able to get to the GP to get the anti-viral medication in time and also the fact I have a reduced immune system and my age. As my left side is the side badly affected I would not let them touch my left arm. In any event my veins started to do their normal collapsing act at the mere mention of a needle.  She mentioned that the veins in my right arm are very fine, and instead of using a needle she used a Butterfly and Tube for coaxing the blood out of my veins.  In 60odd years of having to have blood tests quite regularly I have never come across this technique.  It worked and what was the best was absolutely no bruising which is an achievement in itself.

Thursday and Friday

Was not a good day.  I had no energy whatsoever and felt completely off colour. I have therefore taken it easy in an effort to bring my energy up to scratch.  

I also received two separate phone calls from the Surgery, who wanted to arrange a telephone consultation with the GP and also to arrange another blood test for when I go for my Shingles jab on the 11 May.  So what's going on I do not know but obviously something is.  Will wait to see what happens.  Might be something to do with the fatigue that I get regularly.

However I did manage to get the end of the washing done which was a big relief.  Including the household bedding.  So not completely not doing anything and I got everything line dried as well.  The linen always smells lovely once it has been out drying naturally.

I am also trying to increase my water intake.  It is not going well.  I do not like plain still water much.  I have therefore been drinking the fizzy water.  Yes I know, but I just cannot cope with still water at all.  This seems to be helping, I am now drinking about a litre a day which is a big increase for me although I think the GP will not be happy with this.  Trouble is if I have much more I feel water logged.

Saturday

t has been a very hot day again.  The wind has been fresher today as well.  I do not do heat very well.

I felt 100% better than yesterday and I have therefore taken the day to potter about a bit, just doing menial chores. Not rushing around like a Bull in the China shop. Only small things done that is until a little later.

I decided that the time had come for me to start on the weeding in the back border of the patio this evening, when it was cooler. I have only done a little bit, but feel a lot better for having a go.  It is something that has been bothering me for sometime.  I had company in the shape of a Robin who saw me digging and decided it was worm time.  They always say when Robins appear loved ones are near. That is a lovely way to think of things.

I then came in and was only in for 20 minutes when the wind started blowing and we are now in the middle of a massive rain storm.  It will do some good as I noticed that the garden soil is very dry again.

Therefore am still wading my way through the latter stages of the Shingles.  Extremely uncomfortable even now all these weeks on.  Can continue on for ages apparently.  Oh well Tiz just the depth that varies.  I am generally lucky overall.

It is my bump day tomorrow and G is going fishing as he is in a match.  Will see him later on but it will give me time to just simply be.

Catch you soon and hope all is well in your little area of the world.

Pattypan

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