Let’s start off with the thing that put a damper on… well, everything.
The bad news
No teeth for Tim yet.
It turns out we misunderstood the process. This time, he was just going in for impressions both days.
In two weeks, he’ll go back in to test a preliminary mold. Or something like that. The process is kind of hard to understand. Two weeks after that he’ll actually get his final chompers.
I don’t know whether it’d have been faster if we chose someone who’s in town full-time. (This guy only comes in twice a month. No idea why, but he’s got almost 40 years’ experience, so Tim wanted him.) But it’s too late now. Tim’s stuck for another month, poor guy. He was really looking forward to that steak.
It’s definitely a good thing that he opted to stay home this year. The last thing he needed was barely being able to eat while on vacation — let alone the crap his so-called friends would give him about the current look.
The good news
I’m definitely going to make weight for FinCon. Last year, I was at 171 lbs when I went down. Still about 15 lbs over my healthy weight, but whatever. I was thrilled. I mean, at one point down here I was 212 lbs. Eep.
Anyway, yesterday I was at 172. Today I weighed in at 171, but I think I might not have had enough water. (Desert conditions mean I need to drink nearly a gallon a day, and if I don’t drink enough I suddenly get much lighter on the scale overnight.) Even so, I have nine more days of working out/eating carefully/avoiding high sodium foods. So that’s plenty of time. And if it turns out I really am at 171 already, then I’ll keep my streak alive of being just a little bit lighter each conference. For now, though, I’ll settle for breaking even.
The neutral news
I saw the psychiatrist on Thursday about my medication. He said that, given the stress of things, it’s not surprising that I’m having a tougher time. So he didn’t seem that interested in adjusting my levels just yet.
Part of me was relieved. I was worried that I’d top out on Lamictil, which would mean switching medications. It’s not something to do lightly.
Granted, this was all when we thought the Tim-barely-being-able-to-eat thing was just about to end. Not to mention the anticipation of having this awfulness over and done with.
On the other hand, I’m needing to lie down a bit less. (A bit.) And I think the exercise is boosting my mood/energy a bit. (A bit.) Hopefully, I’ll come back from FinCon recharged (if a bit weary). If not, we’ll discuss the medication levels at the appointment later that week
More good news
The psychiatrist gave me a prescription for Ritalin for my fatigue.
Those of you who’ve been reading for a while know that I haven’t been able to get medication for the problem in years. I went off Provigil because it wasn’t covered by insurance. I was on Adderall, but then doctors stopped wanting to prescribe for off-brand use. Understandable but frustrating.
A neurologist and rheumatologist both couldn’t help due to insurance approval constraints. Then I decided to just not deal with it until the pregnancy thing had been resolved. But that, for various reasons (too various to get into now), has been put on hold. So I figured I’d mention it at my appointment and… voila!
He started me on a low dose (5 mg), but it does seem to perk me up a bit. Not quite as much as Adderall, but we’ll discuss that at the next appointment. Maybe I’ll see better results if he boosts it to 10 mg.
For now, I’ll just revel in the fact that some doctors still realize that there are ways to get patients the medications they need.
Vanity news
For the first time in probably six months, my gray is covered and my hair is cut. I miss being able to have slightly longer hair, but the lack of humidity here causes my hair to lie progressively more flat on my scalp the longer it gets until I have a whole bell shape going on. So… short it is.
Actually, a bit shorter than I intended. But I like it fine, and it’ll grow out to the right length soon enough. That’s the nice thing about too-short cuts. They fix themselves.
I’ll getting my eyebrows dealt with on Wednesday. I try to take care of them on my own whenever possible, but eventually I either get too carried away or not enough. So I’m willing to spend $15 to get a professional to take care of it this time around. Then fend for myself for a few more months.
I got a facial when one was on special. It was fancy schmancy with an outrageous “real” price (which, given the frequency of specials, I doubt any customer actually pays). But I still tip on the list price, so it wasn’t as cheap as I’d have liked. But whatever, I have plenty of fun money, and it’s a once-a-year indulgence.
I’m also experimenting with some new makeup because I feel certain that somehow, somewhere there is a way to hide the ridiculously dark circles under my eyes. Hope springs eternal!
Point being, I should look fairly kempt at the conference. Which will be good when I’m trying to tell anyone and everyone about my awesome book that they should buy and/or talk about on their own site.
Speaking of which: I’m bringing some copies. So if you any of you guys keep meaning to buy the book… I’ll probably figure out a special conference rate or something.
FinCon time already?!
Having spent so much time preparing for it, I can hardly believe FinCon is almost here. Mom flies in next Sunday, and we’ll drive out on Tuesday.
At any rate, I’m looking forward to seeing a bunch of you, so come say hi if I don’t find you myself. That said…
I’ve been terrible with faces lately. Really, really terrible. I can’t remember if I mentioned this in a past post, but I talked to a woman for 20 minutes without recognizing her. I’d talked to her at the last four parties (admittedly, months and months apart) and I’d been looking forward to chatting with her again. But I didn’t recognize her. She had changed her hair a bit — it was more blonde before — but still…
My point is, if you say hi and I have to check your badge please please please don’t take it personally. If you have your picture up on your blog, I will probably recognize you. Probably. Anyone else… It’s a dice roll.
So again, please don’t be offended if you say hi and I briefly have a blank look on my face. I will see your badge. I will figure it out and then be incredibly embarrassed that I didn’t recognize you from last year. It’s how I roll.
Vicki@Make Smarter Decisions says
Well it sounds like you are doing well – that’s great about the weight and giving yourself a little boost in all areas! Sorry about Tim though! That kind of wait sucks – but hopefully it will be worth it! Have fun at FinCon – maybe next year for us!
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Abigail says
I’ll expect to see you there! And yep, at least the finish line is in sight… just farther away than I thought.
Revanche @ A Gai Shan Life says
Poor Tim, I’m craving steak for him! Reminds me of years of dental pain where I was on mashed potatoes endlessly. Ugh.
I can’t believe it’s barely two weeks away!
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Abigail says
Even less than that for me! And yeah mercifully he’s able to eat chili, so that’s been better. When he was subsisting on mashed potatoes… it wasn’t good. His hypoglycemia was pretty pronounced. Sigh.
Lake Livin' says
With “friends” like Tim has, he doesn’t need any enemies.
Abigail says
Agreed!
RoInSanDiego says
I hope I get to meet you one of these days. I’ll be meeting up with your mom either before or at the free event the 23rd in San Diego. I have has several friends and relatives deal with implants in the past and wish Tim luck with his journey.
Abigail says
I was planning on making that event, but then I found out I have a dinner to attend for the “Financial Health” contest people. I was looking forward to meeting you, so if I get out in time I’m going to scoot over there. Otherwise, maybe we can grab a bite with you on our way out of town on Sunday.
Linda says
I’m so uncomfortable at my current weight, but various things (work and depression, mostly) have made it challenging to get enough exercise and eat properly. Congrats for paring down a bit!
Abigail says
I know the feeling. Honestly, without FinCon I might still not have gotten motivated. I think it helps that I tend to start off with 8-minute Xhit videos. It’s easier, if not easy, to convince myself to just get up and do that. And once I get in that habit, it’s easier to grumble my way through an aerobic workout video. Also, it helps to swear at the instructor whenever she says, “Doesn’t that feel great?” or “Aren’t you glad you walked today?”
Donna Freedman says
Don’t worry — I’ll introduce myself to you at the airport. 😉
Donna Freedman recently posted…Sunoco and the sesquicentennial.
Abigail says
Phew!
Kalie @ Pretend to Be Poor says
Wow, so much going on! Sorry Tim has to wait a bit longer for teeth. I’m glad your doctor is trying to figure out meds for fatigue, though. And that you’re feeling ready for FinCon!
Kalie @ Pretend to Be Poor recently posted…We Lived with Our Friends…And Stayed Friends
Abigail says
Yep, it’s pretty exciting to find a doctor who doesn’t really mind going out on a limb. Maybe Ritalin is easier to sneak under the radar. Hopefully, I’ll see you at next year’s FinCon. I love meeting bloggers I read.
Amanda @ centsiblyrich says
It’s too bad Tim has to wait for the teeth. I’m sure he’s getting frustrated and tired of the wait.
Sounds like you’re feeling better and are ready for FinCon! Hope you have a great time! (And if you discover that makeup that covers dark under eye circles, do share!)
Amanda @ centsiblyrich recently posted…Debt Free Story: How one family paid off over $50,000 debt and paid cash for their house
Abigail says
Haha, I’ll let you know. It’s a dark salmon color corrector. I just have to figure out how to apply it well. Before this I had a technique that kind of hid my circles, but you could sorta still see them. Just much, much lighter than before. Which is something. I’ll keep you apprised after a few more practices with the stuff.
Punkin Pye says
Abby, buy some vitamin K cream at the health food store and apply it to your dark circles. I found that it is very effective for under eye circles. It’s also great for bruises. I usually get it at Whole Foods.
Also, I once did one of those focus group things where you get paid to try a skin product. It was not a prescription product because not doctor was involved. We were given a tube of cream. It was supposed to soften wrinkles and smooth and rejuvenate your skin. I was surprised to find that the stuff was great. After the survey, we were allowed to keep the product. I use it very sparingly so I still have some.
The thing that astounded me was how the dark circles under my eyes were virtually erased. I have been thinking of trying some of the over the counter wrinkle erasers to see if they work as well for my dark circles. Yes, I know they are pricey. They seem to run about $30 to $40, but it is far cheaper than prescription creams like Retin-A. Prescription creams can run well over $100. Besides, if I’m just using it to remove the circles under my eyes, it should last a long time. Maybe you can use some of your mad money.
Abigail says
Out of curiosity, what was the skin product you used? Or was it the Vitamin K cream? I personally have yet to find *anything* that actually helps get rid of my dark circles. I’ve tried drugstore to a $40 philosophy product. The best I get is stuff that reflects light and so lightens them a bit that way. But I’ll try vitamin K cream because, really, why not? For now, I’m just worried about covering them up with makeup. I have a way to lessen them substantially already, but you can still see that I’m covering them up, if that makes any sense. I have a new color corrector (deep salmon) that I figure is worth a try. It worked okay the first time around, but I need some practice.
Punkin Pye says
The brand of vitamin K creme I used, is “Pro-K Vitamin K Cream Professional Strength”. If you can’t find it at Whole Foods, I know that Amazon carries it. It runs about $19 for a 2 oz. jar.
The other cream I was talking about was given to me in a blind trial at a focus group. It worked great and I am thinking that it was an over the counter product rather than something you would need as a prescription, because no doctor was present at the trial. They just handed the stuff out. That’s why I’m wondering if some of these over the counter retinoid creams would work on dark circles. I was thinking of giving it a try.
teinegurl says
yes please do share your secrets for under eye circles!! I’ve been using a face cream and that seems to help but I noticed some on my sister as well and I would like to get her something as a gift. Thanks! I’m going to check it out!
Catseye says
Poor Tim! I feel for him because I hate it when things are not explained clearly and in a timely fashion. Don’t get me started on how the tech college I attend just jerked me around! ;o)
Congrats on the weight loss and the medication victory! Also, I know how you feel when the gray is covered – you feel like a new woman, don’t you?
You can’t remember faces, I can’t remember names. I’ve always been like this, but age isn’t helping matters, that’s for certain! ;o)
Abigail says
It’s just especially embarrassing given how much I used to mystery shop and would have to describe people in detail. Now I can never pick our waitress out by sight, even once she’s been to our table multiple times. Sigh. It’s probably brain fog, but that’s not comforting when you’re drawing blanks and/or trying to get a waitress’s attention.
Harmony@CreatingMyKaleidoscope says
Poor Tim, the issues with his teeth never seem to end 🙁
I’m excited for you – getting all fixed up, attending FinCon, and promoting your book. Hope you have an awesome time!
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