Happy New Year

Another year over and done with. Good riddance, 2006... I never liked you anyway.

Along with the coming and going of the holidays is my four-month milestone. Although during the last treatment I had low energy and was constantly tired a four months, I hoped that my improved health would prevent that from happening again. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case. Call it the post-holiday blues, or the cold weather, but the last few days have been dragging along. After a day's work, I am pretty beat up come 8 or 9 p.m.

Since I'm back on the lipid medications, I officially have to watch my sugar and alcohol intake again. I'm not a sweet-tooth, so this hasn't really been a problem, but I have been known for cheating every so often. For example, how can I resist putting a couple of sugars in my coffee? One of my strategies has been to replace my sugar intake with Xylitol, a natural sweetener that has a lower glycemic index. I like the fact that it is not artificial and doesn't have that artifical aftertaste that other sweeteners do, not to mention it isn't as dangerous (though everything has it's risks). You can pick it up from any fine health food store. I'd recommend trying it in coffee or other drinks first, then increase your intake once you've proven that you can tolerate it.

The edema is still under submission, but it is hard to gauge exactly how much better it has gotten over the last few weeks. I am picking up some weight, but since the edema is now hiding in my upper legs, I haven't been able to tell whether it is real, or just fluid. I'll need another week or two to figure this one out.