The Sweetly Decorated Life: Ask your Doctor Questions-Chronic Sinusitis, Devia...

The Sweetly Decorated Life: Ask your Doctor Questions-Chronic Sinusitis, Devia...: Your Doctor knows....ask away! Today I had my ear, nose and throat pre-op appointment, shorthand for pre-operative/operation surgery. I&...

Ask your Doctor Questions-Chronic Sinusitis, Deviated Septum Surgery and More!

Your Doctor knows....ask away!

Today I had my ear, nose and throat pre-op appointment, shorthand for pre-operative/operation surgery. I'm having Deviated Septum and Sinus Surgery next Tuesday and I want to be prepared.  The pre-op appointment is where the doctors nurse/assistant explains to me just what will happen the day of the surgery and what to expect after.  She asks me what current medications I'm taking, what previous surgeries I've had before and what if any allergic reactions I've had before in the past, anesthesia, pain meds, etc. I'm excited to be having these surgeries and hope the end results are what I'm expecting: a healthy nose.  The nurse talks and I politely interject with important questions.....................

It's interesting.  I've been asking questions of all my doctors now that I'm in my 40's about important tests and procedures that need to be completed; for this one I decided to fire away because it's my nose and it's been speaking to me. I don't mind asking them either because I'll have less anxiety on the big day and more anticipation on how my family plans to take care of me after. Yeah!  The 14th is coming and I want to be ready for Valentine's Day-there will be lots of hugs while I rest in bed (watch the nose!), gourmet chocolates to chew on (these make women happy but they don't have to be gourmet), and a Coach bag to look forward to (next shopping trip).  I'm excited for other reasons too........namely I don't want to suffer from chronic sinusitis any longer. (4 to 6 or more sinus infections per year)

Here's what I asked:

1) Will I be in much pain?  There will be some pain, mostly the end of your nose will be tender.  You will have to sleep at a 30 degree angle (you won't get quality sleep) and you will have a drip pad to dab your nose.  There will be blood but in your case since you clot, there may be less blood and this is a good thing!

2) Will I be able to work the next day?  I'm a writer so that shouldn't be a problem right?  You can work the next day but you will need your drip pad.  Please don't lift anything heavy for 4 to 7 days after the surgery.

3) Will these surgeries help me in the long run?  I want to stop having sinus infections, even though I do the sinus rinses, take allergy medications, and humidifiers. I want my sinuses to be open and have circulation.  Yes, I had the surgery done two years ago and I haven't had a sinus infection since.  A cold is a cold and it goes away within a week now; the cold before I had the surgery became a sinus infection and lasted a month.  I can relate to this.

4) Can you sinus rinse too much and take away the good bacteria in your nose?  No you can't.  Your nose is a filter, unlike your gut which requires good bacteria.  Are you taking a Probiotic?  Yes I am.  Then your in good shape!

I think we all might have these questions in the back of our mind and choose not to ask them or forget to ask.  I'm now at the point in my life where asking questions of my doctor, as many as I need to are REQUIRED.  Don't worry that your taking too much of their time or inconveniencing the doctors in some way, you paid your co-pay, now ask away!!!  :)

I wish I had done this when I decided to have a c-section when I was pregnant with my twins because I think I would of opted to have a natural delivery.  I was afraid in some senses of natural childbirth and just thought I'll recover and have time with the babies but oh no I was drugged (Preeclampsia) and in and out of consciousness. Not good. The pain from the c-section was too much to bear. It left me to focus on how to get around and not rip the sutures instead of really enjoying my babies.  (I did enjoy them but the pain was intense and the pain meds made me really, really drowsy.)  Ugh.

Getting back to the Sinuses.  If you suffer and haven't had your nose looked into by a good professional Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor, I suggest it may be time, especially if you're looking at being uncomfortable and miserable for so much of the calendar year.  It's no fun when your nose is doing that much work-it should be smelling the roses (the ones your gonna get on Valentine's Day!)  Love to all.

My favorite variety: Barbara Streisand's Hybrid Tea Rose

The Sweetly Decorated Life: THE BEST SUPERBOWL NACHOS EVER

The Sweetly Decorated Life: THE BEST SUPERBOWL NACHOS EVER: KICKIN' GRILLED NACHOS WITH BREAKSTONE'S SOUR CREAM 8 oz tortilla chips 1 package (8 oz) KRAFT Mexican Style Shredded Four C...

THE BEST SUPERBOWL NACHOS EVER

KICKIN' GRILLED NACHOS WITH BREAKSTONE'S SOUR CREAM

8 oz tortilla chips
1 package (8 oz) KRAFT Mexican Style Shredded Four Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA
1/2 cup finely chopped red onions (this seals the deal!)
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded, finely chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1/2 cup BREAKSTONE'S Sour Cream

1 Heat grill to medium-high heat.
2 Double-fold edges of large sheet of heavy-duty aluminium foil to make rimmed 12"x 10"-inch tray.  Spread chips onto bottom of tray; cover with cheese, onions and peppers.
3 Place on center of grill.  Turn off burners directly below tray; cover grill with lid. Grill 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
4 Top with tomatoes. Serve with sour cream.

My husband made these for a 4th of July party we had last year and folks were cleaning their plates.  We make them often so when we do have parties we have the ingredients on hand to put together a plate around half-time!  HINT: We use the oven in the winter, but if you live in the northeast and don't want to step outside and use your grill in a frozen tundra, use the oven responsibly!!!!

Enjoy this weekend's SUPERBOWL!!!!

A Dinner Family Favorite! Penne with Ham, Peas and Lemon Cream

Delicious!

I don't usually post photos of food and I'm not sure I've ever blogged about food.  The picture may not look appetizing because I believe nothing says it better than tasting it yourself......I'm also not a foodie by any stretch but I do like to eat good food (it must be served HOT though!) and dine out wherever I am in my travels.  I do cook and occasionally I'll be posting my favorite recipes that I like to make up at home and the meals I love to have out.

You know Easter is just around the corner so if your tired of either serving or eating the same old meals and you want to switch it up, this is a switch hitter for my family.  They love anything made with the penne noodle and this meal is no exception. It combines a green veggie and a multi-grain noodle so you can't loose, just keep in mind portion control because even I go crazy over this dish! (I had 3 helpings this week!)

The only item this recipe absolutely can't go without is the heavy cream. It makes the dish work and the outcome is melt in your mouth amazing. The recipe follows.  It may look complicated but it's all done in a simple 12 inch saute pan (my favorite by Food Network).  Have fun!

PENNE WITH HAM, PEAS AND LEMON CREAM
Serves 4

2 Tbsp butter                                       1 cup frozen peas, thawed
3 shallots, minced                               4 oz diced ham
3/4 cup chicken broth                      2 Tbsp chopped parsley
3/4 heavy or whipping cream       1 pkg Multi-grain Penne, cooked according to package
1 tsp grated lemon peel                    1Tbsp fresh lemon juice

Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat.  Add shallots and cook, stirring, until softened-2 minutes.  Add broth, simmer over medium-high heat, 2 minutes.  Add cream and lemon peel.  Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, 3 minutes. Add peas and ham, simmer 2 minutes more.  Add parsley, lemon juice and multi-grain penne to skillet to heat through.  Serve warm in a pretty bowl.

I'll be back to talk about my favorite Rieslings as of late.  A good Riesling is a must have for Easter and then I'll skip back to my amazing Valentine's I'll be crafting with my kids.  I'll provide the how-to's-just do me a favor, share my blog with other readers.  I'm grateful.

The Sweetly Decorated Life: Our Annapolis Home-a Year Later......

The Sweetly Decorated Life: Our Annapolis Home-a Year Later......: Home-Summer 2014 I'm back to blogging.  I divide my time between my family, my kids (of course), appointments, and now studying onli...

Our Annapolis Home-a Year Later......

Home-Summer 2014

I'm back to blogging.  I divide my time between my family, my kids (of course), appointments, and now studying online to become an interior designer.  I'm happy but finding time to lifestyle blog has been challenging.

I wanted to happily report that after a year back in Annapolis I'm at peace (except for the garden-that's my next project).  I love my doctors, I love the West Annapolis area where we live, our neighbors are cool, and everything and I mean everything is close.  If I want sushi, it's 5 minutes away.  If I want gymnastic classes for my kids, it's 10 minutes.  If I want an arts festival, its around the corner in the village.  I love the word village. Village literally means a small town in that country, a community of fellows and it's inhabitants.

I live outside of that village but I'm accessible to it-quite-so when I don't shop local, here are my favorite stores for deals.  It makes life so much easier, when I only have to drive 10 minutes to the mall.  When you have small children, it's absolutely essential.  Here are my favorites for must haves around the house.

Marshall's/TJ Maxx

Home Goods

Pottery Barn

I know it may seem obvious but these lovely stores hold low cost solutions to setting up your new home and how it will, look, feel and function. Pottery Barn is on the higher end but get on their local email list and you'll get email notifications on floor model sales and design classes.

Pottery Barn is great especially when you carry their card.  They send $25 off coupons off your purchase of $50 or more which can't be beat if you want to update your living room sofa with seasonal pillows.  Because I live close to PB, I'm in there at least once per month for INSPIRATION.

I look for layout ideas for bedrooms, living rooms and my dining room.  When I come back from my shopping extravaganza I feel inspired and sometimes overwhelmed with ideas.  It's important to take an honest evaluation of what you currently have stored, used in other rooms, and hidden in your basement.  You don't have to solely use your new items.  Rearranging and rotating is another great way to stay current with your decor and style.

Okay, now that my home feel satisfying after one year hauling, moving, rearranging, and lots of paint, I'm ready to cook again, I think.  Tonight my kids want pasta (is that different from any other night?) so my go to dish-the one that they absolutely love is..............Penne Pasta with lemon cream, green peas and succulent ham.  Yummy.  Full recipe, next blog.

A Sweetly Decorated Life begins with being inspired.  What inspires you?  Do what you love and the rest will fall into place.