Weekend - Healthy Eating

Another recipe you may be daring enough to try for your 20 grams of fat intake per telaprevir dose.

Cinnamon Tortilla Shells

1 large tortilla shell (7 grams - fat)

Butter (3 tsp. = 12 grams - fat)

Cinnimon sugar mixture ( 1/2 & 1/2)

Optional:

Sliced apple, banana or pear

Method:

* Spread 2 tsp. of butter over entire tortilla shell.  Reserve 1 tsp. of butter for the frying pan.  If you are going to bake them, spread all 3 tsp. of butter on the tortilla.  These tortillas are large ( 12 inches ). 

* Sprinkle with the 1/2 & 1/2 cinnamon sugar mixture. It doesn't take much!  Experiment.

* This is the time you would place the apple, banana or pear slices on top of the tortilla shell.

* Fold over in half and fry in the pan on both sides until brown. Garnish with fruit slices and plain yogurt. Remember to consider the fat in the yogurt if you do decide to use this ingredient. * If you are baking them, do not fold the tortilla shell over, plus, serve the fruit &/or yogurt on the side.

Salad Ideas

Next salad you make for your 20 grams of fat intake, try adding a few of these ingredients.  They will bump up the fat count;

* Kalamata Olives - 3 to 5 olives = 4 grams of fat

* Feta Cheese - 1/4 cup crumbled = 8 grams of fat

* Croûtons - check the package of fat content. 

* Slivered almonds

These few ingredients add enough flavor to your salad, you may find you only need a small amount of olive oil and balsamic vinegar to top it off.

I would like to extend a special "Happy Mother's Day" to all the moms out there.  May your weekend be filled with love, special memories and the voices of your children telling you how much you mean to them.

Deborah 

Friday - Update: Fibroscan

In 2003 I had a double biopsy completed on my liver.  I found the procedure to be painful and invasive.  I said to myself at the time that I would not put my body through that again.  

Fairly recently here in Ontario, Canada a test called a Fibroscan was approved.  Basically, it works like an ultra sound.

*The following information is from a brochure offered to physicians and patients. I have been given permission to share this information. 

What is a fibroscan?

A fibroscan can help your doctor determine how scarred (fibrosed) your liver is.  It can be used in many different types of liver disease.  In some cases it can take the place of a liver biopsy.  Your doctor will explain to you why they think this is the best test for you.

The scan takes between 10 and 20 minutes, and is painless.  The device uses non-invasive ultrasound waves to assess the health of your liver, and there are no risks associated with this test.

 

Preparing for the scan

Nothing to eat for 2 hours prior to the test.

How much does the procedure cost?

The Fibroscan is approved by Health Canada, however is not covered by OHIP.  To cover the operating and maintenance of the machine, there is a charge for this test.  (Please contact the clinic performing the scan in your community for current fees.)

What happens when the test is done?

A liver specialist will analyze the data from your test and send the results to the doctor who sent you for the test.  Your doctor will discuss the results with you directly. 

How to get a Fibroscan?

Your doctor must complete the information on the back of the brochure and fax it to the Fibroscan Program.  You will be notified of an appointment time. 

   

I found the scan to be painless. The specialist was able to go over the results with me immediately.  

Personally, this was a favorable alternative to another biopsy. 

A special thank you to my specialist and his nurses for all the good work you do in caring for your patients.

Deborah

Thursdays - Movement

This last week has been a bit of a struggle.  Motivating myself to be physically active is one of the most challenging hurdles that I have had to over come. 

This treatment can hit you hard.  When someone wants you to go out for a 20 to 30 minute walk, for some, you may as well ask us to run a marathon. For others, it's a breeze...not a problem.

Grocery shopping last week with a friend, I must have looked like a drunkin' sailor because I was having difficulty walking in a straight line.  I swear - I could feel the rotation of the earth.  Like a child, I had to hold onto the side of the grocery cart while my friend pushed. Now there's a humbling experience!

There are different stages of this virus and each stage affects the individual differently. I do what I can manage each day.  At times, I push myself just slightly beyond that mark.  It is what works for me.

Last weekend the weather here was spectacular!  I needed to get out and go where there was water, bush and life.  I ended up at one of the lakes in the region.  I took the camera with me and found a quiet spot. I walked a bit, took a few breaks, snapped some photos, and I  sat in the sunshine by the water.  It was a good hour out of the house. I enjoyed every second of it.

I am learning that finding a physical balance while on this treatment may not be possible some days.  The medication has the strength to physically and mentally swing the body from one extreme to another like a pendulum. Some days all I can do is just hold on for the ride.

What I can rely on is at one point the direction will change.

Until next time,


Deborah

 

Wednesdays - Meditation & Stress Release

One of the earliest teachings I received on meditation was; check in with each part of the body and send  it love and gratitude.  Thank it for all it does for you -  for each body part,  each organ, each feeling we are able to experience is a miracle. 

I do this by starting with my feet and slowly work my way up my entire body.  Then I go deeper.  I check in with each of the major organs (like the liver, spleen, kidneys) - connecting with and offering my deep gratitude. I smile at each body part and organ before I move onto the next.  I smile from the inside out and I feel my gratitude light up.

This meditation has turned out to be a rather humbling experience for me once I got over my internal dialog.  

My first few attempts I was saying things like, "Okay, this is just silly.  I am literally talking to my feet and my legs!"  

The process was new to me and I often react like this with something that is new and different.  I stuck with the technique and in time I started to feel a warm, comforting sensation moving through my body like fluid while I was in the practice.  To this day I still practice this technique.  It helps me realize how everything is connected. It helps my body settle and experience peace. Like anything else, it takes practice. 

For step by step instructions on this Deep Relaxation Practice please visit the highlighted link.

Thich Nhat Hanh was the first teacher who taught me this technique.  I encourage you to check out his website, Plum Village There are podcasts available on iTunes and the world web.  Oprah recently interviewed Nhat Hanh.  You can find a copy of the interview by going to Oprah Speaks to Thich Nhat Hanh.

May you find many reasons to smile today.

Deborah

Tuesdays - What Entertains You?

Yesterday, by late afternoon, I was experiencing one of my most difficult days since treatment started.  I ended up calling a friend who helped me through the worst part of the process. I had a fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, dry heaves, weakness and dizziness. I couldn't stop shaking. I was one hour away from another dose of telaprevir and 20 gms. of fat with no idea how I was going to get the food and meds into me. 

It is a good person who can stand my your side putting a cold cloth on your head and rubbing your back while you are engaged in an intimate relationship with the toilet bowl.

I was too weak to trust myself with the peg elated interferon injection so without hesitation she took care of it for me.  

What I needed at the time was something to revert my attention.  Another friend sent this video to me yesterday. The timing was perfect. I laughed so hard tears came to my eyes!

I have never heard of Jeanne Robertson before but I am certainly going to check out a few more of her videos. 

I will let this one speak for itself. Thank goodness for comedy relief. I hope you enjoy!

Jeanne Robertson - Don't Bungee Jump Naked!

Week 9: Mondays - Rest and Relaxation

Finding time to rest is not as easy as it may appear while going through this treatment.  I know it is time I need to 'take'. Just like I need to take time to meditate, prepare healthy meals, keep my environment clean, get some exercise in and most importantly, take time to tend to medical schedules and needs. Not simple at all.

Right now, my days are filled with these seemingly simple tasks and yet, some days I am not able to keep up.  The energy is not there. Upon review of my recent blood work results, this is understandable. Throw in ridiculous amounts of forms and paper work required by funders, insurance companies and government...well, you have your basic nightmare happening here.

In order for me to be able to be on this treatment I need financial assistance.  This is what insurance is for here in Canada - as is CPP.  We pay into these resources while we are working so we will have the safety nets in place if something happens.

Each resource requires an overwhelming amount of paperwork to be filled out.  They want dates of doctor appointments and hospital stays dating back 5 years previous along with the who, what, when, where and whys of each visit, procedure and operation.  They want current and future information that only the Great Oz would be able to predict.  They also require your doctors to fill out their own lengthy forms and it is my responsibility to make sure these forms are completed on time.

After filling out and sending in hours of CPP forms (an 8 hour process if you are familiar with the forms) I am told there will be a waiting period of 3 months.  Then, another 6 to 7 month wait before the insurance company &/or I hear from them or we receive any payment. This is if things go smoothly. Yikes!

So...rest and relaxation is key to the success of this treatment and my over all health.  With these financial woes and pressures hanging over my head - rest and relaxation is looking like another task today.  

My goodness...no wonder people drink!  I think I need a piece of quality mint chocolate and a miracle.  I'll spend a few hours on the forms and then I'm taking time out to rest.

One piece of mint chocolate away from sanity!

Deborah

Caramelized Cinnamon Popcorn

Here is another recipe I just couldn't resist sharing.  

Since I made this recipe (after my friend Val told me about it) a few other friends have commented that they have had something similar.  This is decadent and delicious all in one!

You will need the following: 

* Popping Corn

* Unsalted Butter

* 1 part Cinnamon + 1 part Sugar (place in shaker)

  

Caramelized Cinnamon Popcorn 

1.  Pop your favorite brand of popping corn. I like to use a hot air popper with Orville's popping corn.

2.  Melt enough unsalted butter to make up the 20 grams of fat required for the telaprevir dose.

3. Pour hot butter over your popped corn and immediately shake a generous amount of cinnamon-sugar mixture over top. Mix well.

Because the popcorn is still hot, the cinnamon-sugar caramelizes.  You may want to be mindful as to how often you have this treat because of the sugar content.  Once in a while it tops off a special evening and is far better than the salted version.

I have posted some new movies on the right side menu to consider.  Perhaps tonight you can take in a film and try some of this popcorn.

Until next time,

Deborah