Dirty Soda’s For A Treat

My Dirty Soda Era Has Begun! 🥤💕

Okay, y’all… I have recently discovered something that apparently has been happening everywhere, and somehow I was late to the party. 😂

Dirty sodas!

I don’t know where I’ve been, but I have discovered that I really like them. There’s just something about taking a regular diet soda, adding a fun flavored syrup, maybe a little cream, and turning it into something that feels like a special treat.

And the best part for me right now is that I already have several syrups sitting at home!

I have chocolate coconut macaroon, salted caramel, caramel pecan, and hazelnut, and I will be adding vanilla syrup to my collection soon. So instead of going out and spending money every time I want one, I’m going to experiment with what I already have in my pantry.

That’s one of the reasons I wanted to write all of these combinations down. I know myself. I’ll make something I absolutely love, and six months from now I’ll be standing in my kitchen thinking, “Now what in the world did I put in that drink?” 😂

So here is my little dirty soda recipe collection for future Karen!

🥤 Diet Coke Creations

Chocolate Coconut Caramel Dream
Diet Coke + chocolate coconut macaroon syrup + salted caramel syrup + optional splash of cream.

Salted Caramel Coke
Diet Coke + salted caramel syrup + vanilla syrup + optional cream.

Caramel Pecan Coke
Diet Coke + caramel pecan syrup + vanilla syrup + optional cream.

Chocolate Hazelnut Coke
Diet Coke + chocolate coconut macaroon syrup + hazelnut syrup + optional cream.

Vanilla Caramel Coke
Diet Coke + vanilla syrup + salted caramel syrup + optional cream.

🍋 Diet Sprite Creations

Salted Caramel Vanilla Sprite
Diet Sprite + vanilla syrup + salted caramel syrup + optional cream.

Coconut Vanilla Sprite
Diet Sprite + chocolate coconut macaroon syrup + vanilla syrup + optional cream.

Caramel Pecan Cream Sprite
Diet Sprite + caramel pecan syrup + vanilla syrup + a splash of cream.

Hazelnut Vanilla Sprite
Diet Sprite + hazelnut syrup + vanilla syrup + optional cream.

🥤 Diet Dr Pepper Creations

Chocolate Coconut Dr Pepper
Diet Dr Pepper + chocolate coconut macaroon syrup + optional cream.

Caramel Pecan Dr Pepper
Diet Dr Pepper + caramel pecan syrup + vanilla syrup + optional cream.

Salted Caramel Dr Pepper
Diet Dr Pepper + salted caramel syrup + vanilla syrup + optional cream.

Chocolate Hazelnut Dr Pepper
Diet Dr Pepper + chocolate coconut macaroon syrup + hazelnut syrup + optional cream.

And then there’s my Kitchen Sink Dr Pepper… because sometimes you just have to see what happens. 😂

Diet Dr Pepper + a little vanilla + a little salted caramel + a little caramel pecan + maybe some cream.

Who knows? It could be amazing. It could be a disaster. Either way, I’ll have fun finding out!

A Little Treat for Myself ❤️

I think there’s something to be said for treating ourselves every once in a while. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It doesn’t have to be fancy. And it certainly doesn’t have to be something we do every single day.

Sometimes it’s just a fun drink in a pretty cup.

Since I’m using diet soda, these are a way for me to enjoy a sweet-tasting treat without drinking regular sugary soda. And I can also look for sugar-free syrups when I want to reduce the added sugar even more. Of course, I’ll still check the labels because different syrups can have very different ingredients and nutrition information.

For me, this is really about enjoying the little things.

So today is all about dirty sodas that I plan on making in my future, using what I already have on hand. I have a feeling I’m going to have some winners—and probably a few combinations that make me say, “Well…we won’t be doing THAT again.” 😂

And that’s okay!

Life is about trying new things, finding what makes us happy, and giving ourselves permission to enjoy a little treat along the way.

Now I’ve just got to decide which one I’m going to make first. 🥤💕

Thank you for taking a look at my blog and coming along on all of my little adventures.

Be safe, be well, and cheers! 

Karen ❤️

Dilation and Curettage Surgery

D&C After 50: What Am I Supposed to Expect? 💗

Since my D&C is coming up on October 15th, I have been doing a little research and trying to understand exactly what I should expect. And because I know I’m probably not the only woman who has ever been told, “We need to do a D&C to find out what’s going on,” I thought I’d share a few things I’ve learned.

First of all, having a D&C does NOT mean you have cancer.

A D&C, or dilation and curettage, is a procedure where the cervix is opened and tissue is removed from the lining of the uterus. That tissue is then examined under a microscope. One reason doctors perform a D&C is to investigate abnormal bleeding or other changes in the uterus, including checking for conditions such as abnormal or precancerous cells and cancer. (Cancer.gov)

For women who have gone through menopause, unusual vaginal bleeding deserves to be checked out. Endometrial cancer can cause bleeding after menopause, but that symptom can also have other causes. In fact, among women with postmenopausal bleeding, most do not end up being diagnosed with endometrial cancer. (Cancer.gov)

So basically, the D&C is part of the process of getting answers.

What happens during a D&C?

The procedure itself is usually fairly short, although the amount of time you’ll spend at the facility will be longer because of preparation, anesthesia and recovery.

The doctor dilates the cervix and removes tissue from inside the uterus. That tissue goes to a pathologist, who examines it under a microscope. The pathology results are what help determine what is actually going on. (Cancer.gov)

And honestly, I think the waiting for those results may be one of the hardest parts.

What might recovery be like?

Everyone is different, but after a D&C, some women experience cramping and light vaginal bleeding or spotting. You may also feel tired or groggy from anesthesia.

The good news is that a D&C is generally much less involved than a hysterectomy. Your doctor will tell you when you can return to your normal activities, and you’ll want to follow those instructions rather than trying to prove that you’re Superwoman on day two. 😂

For me, I’m planning on giving myself permission to rest.

I’m going to have my bedroom cleaned, fresh sheets on the bed, my chargers nearby, comfortable clothes ready and the things I use most within reach.

I’m also planning some easy meals because nobody wants to come home from surgery and immediately hear, “So…what’s for dinner?” 😂

What should you have at home?

Here are a few things that I’m planning to have ready:

• Comfortable, loose clothing
• Plenty of sanitary pads, since tampons may be restricted during recovery
• Tylenol or Motrin if my doctor says they are safe for me to take
• Kleenex and other bedside necessities
• Phone and tablet chargers
• Earphones
• Easy breakfast and lunch foods
• A few crockpot “dump-and-go” dinners
• Plenty of fluids
• A clean, comfortable place to rest

And probably the most important thing of all…

A little patience with yourself.

What if they do find cancer?

This is the part that can be scary.

A D&C can help provide the tissue needed to determine whether cancer is present. If cancer is found, the next step isn’t necessarily “everything is terrible.” The treatment plan depends on the type and stage of cancer, along with a woman’s overall health and other factors. For endometrial cancer, surgery—including hysterectomy—is a common treatment, and many cases are diagnosed at an early stage. (Cancer.gov)

So for me, I’m trying very hard not to jump ahead.

Right now, I don’t have a cancer diagnosis.

I have a test coming up that is supposed to help my doctors figure out what is happening.

That’s an important difference.

And for all of us women…

If you’re postmenopausal and experiencing unexpected vaginal bleeding, don’t ignore it. Make the appointment. Ask questions. Get the testing your doctor recommends.

It can be scary to hear words like “we need to rule out cancer,” but ruling something out is not the same thing as being diagnosed with it.

That’s something I’m reminding myself of as October 15th gets closer.

I’m nervous. I’m definitely a little scared.

But I’m also getting prepared, asking questions and taking this one step at a time.

And if you’re reading this because you’re facing a D&C too, I hope it helps you feel just a tiny bit more prepared.

We’re going to get through this one step at a time. ❤️

#WomensHealth #DandC #OneDayAtATime

Getting Ready For Surgery

Tuesday Ramblings: Getting Everything in Order

Okay, everybody… I am really trying to get everything taken care of for my upcoming surgery on October 15th, and let me tell you, there are a LOT of little things that have to be done before you can just show up and have surgery! 😂

I went to work yesterday, and when I was coming back from my 30-minute lunch break, I got a phone call from Dr. McGorn’s office a little after 11:00 a.m. They were letting me know that the paperwork I had turned in wasn’t complete. It didn’t have anywhere for my doctor to sign.

Well, let me just say… I immediately started stressing because I feel like I am running out of time! 😳

So I went over to HR and talked to our scheduling person, Chris, because I swear, I feel like Chris can do pretty much anything. 😂 Unfortunately, he said this was kind of outside his scope. My boss, Sherry, was at lunch, so I went to Shannon, our director, and she said, “You probably need to get back with Christina over at HR in the main office.”

I’m like, “Yes, ma’am. That’s what I’ll do!”

When Sherry got back, I talked to her about it, and she asked me if I had created my UNUM account online.

Ummm… nope. 🤦‍♀️

She explained that THAT was where the problem was. I needed to create the account, and then UNUM would fax the necessary paperwork over to my doctor’s office.

So, that’s pretty much what I focused on for the rest of my workday. I know how important it is to have all of this paperwork in order before my surgery, especially since I will be relying on my UNUM insurance benefits while I’m off work.

Thankfully, I feel like I finally got everything in a good place.

And just to be extra safe, when I got off work I had two printed pages that Sam had given me, just in case the doctor’s office didn’t receive the faxed copies. So I ran those over to Dr. McGorn’s office and dropped them off for Dr. Angie.

One more thing checked off my list! ✔️

After that, I went over to Grandpa Kendall’s to pick up some money for Aaron, but I also stayed and visited with him for a little while.

He’s really not getting up and down anymore and is pretty much immobile. They brought him a hospital bed, and it’s now set up in the living room.

I don’t know… I just hate watching him go downhill so fast. ❤️

I told him what was going on with me and that I was going to have surgery, and he looked at me and said, “My goodness, I guess everybody’s getting down these days.”

I’m like, “Well, hopefully not!” 😂 Hopefully, once I get mine done, I’ll be good to go and back on my feet.

On the way home, I stopped at Taco Mayo and picked up dinner for us. Nearly $30 for fast food! 😳

It absolutely blows my mind how much money we spend on fast food sometimes. But you know what? Sometimes you just have to do what you’ve got to do. When Mr. C isn’t feeling good, picking something up makes things a little easier on him, and sometimes that’s worth it.

And honestly, that’s just the way we do things.

Overall, I felt like yesterday was a pretty good day.

I logged 14 saves at work, which I was really proud of! Although I could already see that four of them didn’t stay on the books, so that was a little disappointing. But in the grand scheme of things, I still had 10 saves that stayed on the books, so I met my daily goal.

I’ll take it! 🙌

So now I’m just continuing to work my way through this list of things that need to be done before October 15th. One day, one phone call, one piece of paperwork at a time.

Hopefully, by the time surgery day gets here, I’ll feel like I’ve got everything under control… or at least as much under control as I possibly can. 😂

I hope that your day is blessed. Be safe and be well.

Cheers,
Karen ❤️

Surgery Journey

Getting My House—and Myself—Ready for My D&C ❤️

Well, friends, the closer I get to October 15th, the more real this whole surgery thing is starting to feel.

I’ve been trying to get everything in order—my FMLA paperwork, things around the house, and now I’m even thinking about what I might need for the actual recovery.

And if I’m being completely honest…

I’m a little scared.

I’ve heard women talk about their experiences with a D&C, and I’ve heard everything from, “It wasn’t bad at all,” to women saying they had quite a bit of cramping and pain afterward. Since I don’t know exactly how I’m going to feel, I decided that instead of worrying about it, I’m going to prepare for it.

So I’m making myself a little D&C Recovery Nest! 😂

I’m thinking about having everything I might need right here at home so I don’t have to worry about running to the store afterward.

Here’s What’s Going on My Recovery Checklist:

Maxi pads.

This one is definitely a must. I’m planning on having plenty of pads on hand because there can be some bleeding or spotting afterward. No need to discover that I forgot them when I’m already home recovering!

A heating pad.

I’m going to have one ready because if I do have those period-like cramps everyone talks about, hopefully a little heat will make me more comfortable.

Comfy pajamas and loose clothes.

This is my excuse to live in pajamas for a few days! I’m going to have some soft, loose clothes and comfortable underwear ready to go.

Easy food.

I’m stocking up on things that don’t require a lot of effort. Crackers, soup, toast, yogurt, applesauce and other easy foods are going to be much better than trying to stand in the kitchen cooking a big meal.

Luckily, I have Mr. C. And we all know he is pretty good about taking care of the cooking department anyway!

Plenty of water and drinks.

I want to make sure I’m staying hydrated, so I’m going to keep a water bottle nearby. I’m thinking my little recovery station will have everything within arm’s reach.

My medications and a thermometer.

I’m going to ask my doctor exactly what I’m allowed to take for pain and have everything ready before surgery. I’m also going to keep a thermometer handy so I can check my temperature if I don’t feel well.

And Then There’s the Cozy Part…

I’m planning on making myself a little recovery spot with extra pillows, blankets, the television remote, my phone charger, my water bottle and probably a few snacks.

Basically, I’m going to make it so I don’t have to get up unless I absolutely want to!

I’m also going to try to get some housework and laundry done before surgery. Not because everything has to be perfect—but because I know myself. If I see a basket of laundry sitting there, I’ll want to do it.

And that’s exactly what I don’t need to be doing.

I’m going to give myself permission to rest.

I’m Also Going to Have Some Help

Mr. C will be around, and I’m very thankful for that.

After anesthesia, I’ll need someone to drive me home, and I’ll want someone around while I’m getting settled. I’m sure he’ll be making sure I have what I need and probably reminding me that I don’t need to be doing housework.

He’s good about that.

What Am I Expecting?

From everything I’ve been told, some cramping and light bleeding or spotting can happen after a D&C. Some women recover very quickly, while others need a few more days before they feel completely normal.

So I’m planning for about three or four slower days, but I’m going to listen to my body instead of putting a deadline on my recovery.

If I feel good, that’s great.

If I need another day in bed, that’s okay, too.

I’m learning that rest isn’t being lazy. Rest is part of healing.

And I’m definitely going to follow the instructions my doctor gives me about when I can return to normal activities, drive, work, use tampons, have sex, take baths and everything else. Everybody’s recovery is different, so I’m not going to compare mine to somebody else’s.

And Then There’s the Part I Don’t Want to Think About…

There are certain symptoms that I won’t ignore.

Heavy bleeding, severe or worsening pain, fever or chills, foul-smelling discharge, fainting or feeling like I’m getting progressively worse are things I’ll contact my doctor about. If something feels seriously wrong, I’ll get help rather than trying to tough it out.

I’m not going into this surgery expecting something bad to happen.

I’m simply going to be prepared.

There’s a difference.

So That’s Where I Am Right Now…

I’m making lists.

I’m getting paperwork done.

I’m getting the house ready.

I’m trying to get my head ready.

And I’m reminding myself that I don’t know what the next few weeks are going to look like yet—and that’s okay.

The D&C is the next step.

We’ll deal with the results when we get them.

And if something more needs to be done after that, I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.

Right now, I’m choosing faith over fear.

I’m going to prepare for my recovery, listen to my doctors, let Mr. C take care of me, and give myself permission to rest.

And maybe I’ll even take advantage of this whole situation and watch a few movies, read a book, work on some crafts and just be still for a little while.

Who knows?

Maybe my body is going to surprise me and I’ll be back on my feet quicker than I think.

But just in case…

The D&C Recovery Nest is officially under construction! 😂❤️

Hey, have a great day, and thanks for stopping by my blog!

Cheers, Karen ❤️