Chiropractor

So I finally got in to see my chiropractor again today.  And boy he did a number on my back!  It was good though I know that when I rode on Monday I wasn't quite square so it was a good thing I went today. 

He was very happy with the news of my good blood tests, and the fact that I have been able to eliminate two of my drugs.

On the gluten free front I'm getting better at learning what works for my body although its taking some work.  I used to be able to throw together a sandwich or crackers and peanut butter for work but now that doesn't work at all.  On one hand I'm making much better decisions about the food that I'm eating and adding in a lot more fruit and veggies, and almost no pre-made stuff that you can buy in the stores.  On the other hand I'm having dreams about toast!

Back from the new doctors

And they are going to do a scope on Feb 7.  He does think that it is gluten intolerance that is causing most of the issues, but wants to do the scope to be on the safe side.  Thankfully it will be doing my upper intestine so it doesn't mean much more prep than not eating the night before.  I'll be given a sedative but it shouldn't be much of an issue.  

I did get a ride in today but its -17 plus windchill so we didn't do much more than walking and trotting for 15 min before my feet froze.

Moving on

My best friend and I went into the city today to do a little shopping.  Thanks to RA I have HATED shopping for the past couple of years.  I plan very carefully where I want to go, what exactly I'm looking for in each place and I map out how to get to each store and around each store as quickly as possible.

Mostly I hate walking in malls, but crowds, cramped dressing rooms and heavy shopping bags all add to it!

Today we did very well, we got everything on our lists (except light bulbs of all things!) and I'm home with new sneakers for work, a new bit for Oscar, new reins, shampoo, a birthday present for my mom and I'm not completely exhausted!

We even had lunch in the food court in the mall (my first meal in a restaurant/take out since December 21st!) I stuck to New York Fries as I knew the fries and the oil they were cooked it would be as close to gluten free as it could be.  So far I'm doing good.  I ate a new kind of yogurt on Friday without reading the label first and I paid for it over the weekend.

I see the new Doctor tomorrow afternoon.  Cross your fingers that it is just a gluten allergy and nothing more serious.  This is the best I've felt in a long time.

Oscar's mom is home

And I'm kind of sad to have to share him, but shes such a good kid.  She showed up at the barn just as I was putting on Oscars saddle last night and I figured she would want to ride, but she said she just needed some barn time and to spend some time with him.  So I rode him for 15 min and then she got on for another 10 and jogged him around.  Shes going out tonight to ride which is good because I'm going to bed early!

Its been a week of about 95% gluten free.  I'm still trying to read the packaging on everything and I'm sure there is stuff that I'm missing.  Tonight my mom cooked a ham, and I had already eaten some before I thought to wonder weather or not it was gluten free. 

48 hours of Gluten free

And I'm feeling really good.  I guess you get used to how you feel and figure that is normal.  No more bloating, gas, and running to the bath room.  They kept telling me it was side effects from the drugs (at last count I was on over 10 of them plus vitamins and supplements)

I got to go for a bit of a ride last night, it was -7 plus windchill (which sucks any heat left in the indoor to the outside!).  But with the long underwear, and the down jacket it wasn't too bad.  We didn't do too much because of the cold but had some nice jogging work, and I felt like he was being really good about keeping his shoulders level while we did some changes in direction and schooling figures.  We were riding with a friend who was testing out the new lesson pony so we only loped one direction once, but he was good like always, we're really starting to figure each other out.  He doesn't get into his 'hoppy' lope any more but we are defiantly not ready to show yet.

Oscar's owner comes home tomorrow so I won't have sole custody anymore!  I'm a little sad but I'll go back to working Chilly for a couple of weeks as shes ready for a little bit of grown up work before it gets too cold.