Finally! A Diagnosis!

After many tests -- process of elimination -- my doctors believe I probably have a bad and unusual case of pleurisy, which is a severe inflammation of the lining of the lungs. That has what has caused the stabbing pain when taking deep breaths and moving around. And why I've been so tired. The lower lobes of my lungs have collapsed as well, but will come back to normal when I can breath without pain and move around more.

This illness is directly a result of my double bronchitis from a few weeks ago year and not "taking it easy" long enough through the recovery. I have prescription antiflamatories to take for the next few weeks and have been told to rest and recoup -- that should be all it takes to recover fully. This time I'll try to be a better patient!

It's Fat Tuesday! Time for Pancakes!



 Today is Fat Tuesday -- also known as Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day. It is the day preceeding Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, when many rich foods are given up by Christians around the world. Pancakes are associated with this day because they are a way to use up rich foodstuffs such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent.

While pancakes can be rich, they can also be packed packed with nutrition and taste great, too! I worked on this recipe for months, getting it just right. The combination of wheat flour and cornmeal is the secret!


¾ cup unbleached flour
¼ cup cornmeal
½ tablespoon ground flax seed
2 teaspoons non-aluminum baking powder
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup soymilk
1 tablespoon expeller-pressed canola oil
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, flax seed, baking powder and sea salt.

2. Add soymilk, canola oil and maple syrup. Mix until just combined.

3. Lightly spray a large skillet with cooking oil and warm over medium-high heat.

4. Measure about 1/3 cup of batter onto the hot skillet. Flip pancake when bubbles appear and burst on the upper surface, about 2 minutes. Cook for another 2 minutes or until set.

5. Serve immediately with warm maple syrup and butter.

I Can't Catch a Break

After my prolonged bout with bronchitis, I woke up with an aching stomach. Soon it morphed into real abdominal pain. I pushed through it last week but finally caved in and went to the doctor yesterday.

Turns out that the medicines I took to recover from bronchitis may have damaged my stomach, kidneys and/or live. Or I may have an overgrowth of "bad" bacteria in my gut, after the good guys were probably killed off by the massive antibiotics. Three giant vials of blood were drawn and now we wait to hear the results.

Meanwhile, I've been told to "take it easy" and eat a bland diet -- which is basically all I feel like doing right now anyway. I'm not hungry and I can't even walk a mile without doubling over in pain. How will I ever be ready for the half-marathon in two months?!

Still Not Dead

I got wholloped by this illness. Two rounds of bronchitis and then a stomach bug. Ugh!

Blogging will resume tomorrow with some fun updates and news.

Thanks for hanging in there with me!