On Eating Less Sugar

So, I've been contemplating eating less sugar. You might have noticed that I'm all about the baked goods and treats normally, but I would love to be released from the clutches of the daily treat (or twice daily, as the case may be). So, this week I decided that since there's no good time to start, why not now. I'm on day four now of only fruit for dessert and cutting out all treat items (you know, cookies, cakes, candies, etc.) during the week. I'll have something over the weekend for sure. That sounds perfectly reasonable, doesn't it? And it might bring me more into line with how "normal" people handle sweets in their daily lives. I would like that. What spurred me on was that Angry Chicken has blogged about cutting back on sugar and said that it has really been a real positive change for her. She mentioned making a fruit salad like this one (oranges, pineapple, cashews and a little coconut) which really inspired me with its yumminess. I've been having one every night this week. Another thing I've been aware of lately is how much my body has been misbehaving since Rainer has been sick--bad back, hurt knees . . . so maybe healthy-ing up my diet will be a positive step in taking care of myself. I really need to stay strong and healthy for my littles.

Rainer did great yesterday, but oh is it hard to hand him over each time. Since he is a "slow early responder" he's getting a lot of chemo, including these spinal taps on Wednesdays to put chemo into his spinal fluid. It only takes a few minutes and they put him under anesthesia each time, but it's still hard. He's tough, though. And thank goodness I can nurse him as soon as he wakes up. All the staff at outpatient surgery is great. One nurse in particular is excellent and is also his home health nurse on some of the days that he gets chemo at home, so there's a nice continuity there.

Yesterday in the afternoon Rainer had his first visit from the physical therapist. It was late in the day after a big chemo day, so he was pretty tired, but I really liked the therapist and she worked well with us. She let him nurse while he worked with his legs awhile. After that he was willing to latch off and lie on his tummy and do some other things. She showed me how to push on his legs to make him "bear weight" and squeeze his feet to give him sensory input, since he doesn't stand anymore. Also, when I put him on his tummy I should tuck his knees up under him, which is another way to get him to bear weight. She's coming again on Saturday.

Today the home nurse has already come and delivered his chemo. He's kind of worn out and is taking an early nap. Better go get some sewing done.