I had an experience recently that many in the sandwich generation go through. My mother moved into my brother’s house, much against her will, because she had not been able to monitor her medications by herself, or feed herself adequately. I spent a week back east, helping my sister clean out the house in preparation for remodeling for occupancy by a younger generation. It was a dirty, dusty job. There was a lot of stuff in that house. With the help of a few local high school boys, we filled a construction dumpster to overflowing. At one point a young woman came by and took a lot of the mattresses and furniture, as she was filling a shipping container in preparation for moving to Ghana. She said that if she doesn’t use these items, there are plenty of needy families that will be thrilled to have them. I’m glad my mother’s things will be treasured by others. I especially get a smile when I think about the two high-back stuffed chairs, that I lovingly needlepointed for my parents many years ago, will be travelling to Africa.

Anyway, besides the aches that came along with all that garbage humping, I tried very hard to eat compliantly. I stayed at my sister’s house, and there was a lot of wheat and processed food there. So, I succumbed to deli turkey sandwiches for lunches. My sister has most of the health problems of the three of us siblings, and I can see why. Even though her diabetes is controlled by diet, she just didn’t eat well for a B. Peanut butter on raisin toast, ham sandwiches, a dollop of ice cream in her coffee. She knew I don’t eat chicken, so at least for dinner she served beef.

In contrast, I had dinner one evening at my brother’s house. He follows the B non-secretor diet, and so they made an almost perfect dinner. Lamb chops with baked sweet potatoes and sautéed chard. The oopsie was cookies for dessert that were made with wheat and sugar. (Of course…….I ate some!.) I felt so much better after that dinner, though than after the processed lunches.

I’m glad I went on the trip. I felt like I was contributing something to the trials and decisions my siblings have been dealing with concerning our mother’s wellbeing.

Here’s an update on the Biotherapeutic Drainage experiment my naturopath did with me in trying to lower my cholesterol. It didn’t work. She tried two different series on me, and the cholesterol went back up to around 250. So, at this point I’m taking the Red Yeast Rice again. But I think I want to talk to her about trying Shitake tincture. My massage therapist’s husband works for a myco-medicinal farm, and she is encouraging me to give it a try.

For my last note: Two of the three pounds I gained last year are gone. Hurray!