Talk of the devil....

Where have I been for five months?

Jail?.... no, I'm a law-abiding coward.

Found God?.... yeah, right!

Abducted by aliens?.... more likely.

Fallen in love?.... not yet.

Enough already! The truth is a little less exotic.... my old laptop finally gave up the ghost and my living arrangements changed. Both, in their own way, the consequences of "living" with a (not optimally treated) chronic health condition.

But.... I do have a fabulous new pet Sony VAIO laptop which is only 2 days old.... yay!!

And I am now back living in my childhood home with my Mum and my Brother. I love them both dearly but it is not how I saw things being when I was 40 years old. Then again whose life has gone exactly, or even close, to plan?

So I need to be selfish and concentrate on my health.... this is not my default setting.... you think?!?!

What else have I been up to?

This and that.

I moved back home in October and the understandable adjustment period (still adjusting) followed.

Since ill-health has resulted in being reclusive and skint all the time Christmas and New Year has gone from being a period of socialising and celebration to a time of fear and wanting it over with.

My very own Grinch complex.

Like I need an excuse for self pity.... right?!.... so you can imagine.... but it's over with for another year and spring is just around the corner.

Anyway, regarding my thyroid health, I have seen my Doctor and my Endocrinologist a couple of times since my last post. I have made progress of sorts in the battle between good and evil *winks* but will cover this in detail in another post soon.

I am still following a gluten/wheat free diet.

I am happy to report that I no longer require 2 Movicol sachets a day to spend some quality time on my throne!

Now I am back online I hope to find inspiration for foods to eat, recipes to try, and where specific foodstuffs can be purchased.

This will be helped when I finally get my first ever printer.... I just need to count my 2 glass jars of small denomination coins first (£50-£100 fingers crossed). I am old school and function better when I have something tangible in my hands.... those with dirty minds.... there is a joke in there somewhere *chuckles*.

I am not 100% happy with my digestive health yet, but one thing's for certain, I will never take it for granted again.

Do not fear.... I will make sure to keep you up-to-date with my bowel habits in future.... the highlight of everyone's day I'm sure!

I am still caffeine-free. But even with my improved digestive health I dare not try any type of coffee.

I still do not drink alcohol. Since #thyroidlife began any alcohol consumption makes me feel really ill. I never drank at home and was only ever a social drinker.... so no social life equates to no alcohol.... simples!

I am approaching 3 years smoke-free.... THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE!.... you see, we are all stronger than we could ever imagine. I am so proud of myself for this that I have to fight the urge to pontificate to anyone who will listen, including the world in general.

As if further evidence is needed.... you are no doubt aware by now that life with me is quite the party!

I eat a very healthy diet, pay particular attention to hydration.... but my nemesis is.... portion control! I consume too much, albeit healthy food, for the calories my body burns. A body ravaged by Hashimoto's Thyroiditis consumes the bare minimum.... yet another cruel irony of this particular auto-immune disease that is not lost on me!

So, I need to work on portion control.... like I haven't got enough on my plate already....

A knock-on effect of being ill for so long, and with my particular problems, is that you become extremely.... and I mean EXTREMELY.... physically unfit. It is a horrible by-product of chronic illness.

With that in mind I have taken tentative steps towards beginning exercise again.... this is yet more evidence, that for me, I am feeling pretty good.... but, as is my want.... I am waiting for this particular bubble to burst!

I have started a stretching routine in the first hour after waking and in the evening before retiring to bed.... baby steps.... I read that stretching before bed aids restful sleep.... not quite there yet but every little helps. In time I would like to be able to attend a yoga class.... baby steps.

My flexibility has improved markedly. When you notice, and hold onto these small gains, I find it helps my state of mind just as much as my physical state.

I have been going for a short walk and/or generally being more active during the day, running errands etc. This has caused the expected muscle fatigue, generally after the equivalent of only a couple of miles walking. I really feel it in the front of my thighs!?!?

My aim is to be able to enjoy the countryside on my doorstep, with walks along the river, as the weather and my fitness improves. I intend to post photos so that you can enjoy the experience too.... you know it has been a long time coming.

All of that said, I still suffer horribly from the symptoms of hypothyroidism, it just seems that for now at least the balance between really bad days, average days, and good days has altered a little.

Unrefreshing sleep still obsessively stalks my every waking moment.... his partner in crime; brain fog/memory impairment never far behind. The sores on my skin, the heightened levels of anxiety, haunt me still.... you get the picture.... of course you do.... you "live" it too!

Libido?!?!.... do me a favour!!!!

I digress.... those of you in the same boat, on the same stormy seas, know that you can only do what you can do.... it is still nigh on impossible for me to make any plans in advance.... so that frustration continues.

Posts to follow on subjects including; my supplement regime, anonymity, and developments in my treatment from "Health Professionals".... sarcasm, as always, intended.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those readers who have stayed with me, those who have recently "discovered" me, those who comment, and those who spread the word.... THANK YOU ALL.

I've wanted to type this for so long....

Remember, for as long as we have hope we have a chance.