Couch 221: Definitely Spam!

aw, poor kitty.

And I tend to get triggered on anniversaries of things, too. Maybe try to focus on your 300-plus days instead?

Pic of Lexie on my chest from last night

Thanks LT. Good suggestion!

Happy Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate and to those that don't I wish you a happy weekend!

I've always wanted a guinea pig (but everyone in my household has major allergies...to literally everything). It's so cool that she snuggles with you.

That sucks that everyone has allergies... I always wanted a cat, but my husband is allergic. He's fine with the guinea pigs though (we have two, adopted right at the start of the pandemic). My daughter seemed to be allergic to the first kind of hay we got (timothy hay), but we got a different kind, and she's OK with it. I was worried she was allergic to them at first.

The other one, Amelia, isn't as into snuggling (hates being picked up), but she'll tolerate it for a bit. She tends to crawl up on my shoulder--I guess it feels safer there? I'm in a couple guinea pig groups on Facebook, and it seems like a thing they do. They're odd, but adorable, little creatures!

Poor ragamuffin!

awwww! so cute!

I haven't posted in a while. I finally got approval from my insurance for the gastric bypass, but my surgeon is still backed up so I've got a 1 to 2 month wait, at least. COVID isn't as bad in my past of the state, so at least I'm not worried about them closing down elective surgeries (at least, not at the moment).

My birthday was on Monday. I had ordered myself a cake from a local bakery, but it was quite disappointing. Technically, it met the requirements for an Italian cream cake, but it was underwhelming at best. That was meant to be my gift to myself, so I was pretty bummed. I bought myself a new video game to make up for the disappointment. (Expansion pack for The Sims 4, which I only play occasionally.)

I attend two support groups through the bariatric center. One is required, run by a nutritionist, and utterly useless. She sincerely suggested that we have one Hershey's kiss a day, but really savor it, and that would satisfy our chocolate cravings. Lady, we didn't get to be in need of bariatric surgery because we're capable of eating one Hershey's kiss a day! I only have to go 8 more times and then I'm done with that one. I said I was worried about the pain after surgery because they only give us Tylenol, and she said I shouldn't worry because it's "IV Tylenol and it is souped up, it has something extra in it." Bull. I looked it up and it only has acetaminophen in it. This fool doesn't know what she is talking about. So irritating.

The other group is better but I still have misgivings. The leader has a PhD in psychology and at least knows what she's talking about in that regard (hooray!) but she's also had the bypass surgery and it was only two years ago. I dunno... if I were an alcoholic looking for a sponsor, I'd sure want one who had been sober for more than two years. But none of her food- related suggestions have been utterly asinine, so I keep going.

The anniversary of my mother's passing is coming up in about ten days. I wasn't sure whether to put up a tree or not, but she would want me to, so I'll do that tomorrow before I cook my turkey breast and mashed potatoes.

Wishing Happy Thanksgiving to the Yanks among us and, I suppose, a jolly Thursday to everyone else!

I like that, jolly Thursday. We don’t use jolly nearly enough in holoday greetings.

Jolly Thursday!

My mother used jolly a lot. She also spoke like someone in a Jane Austen novel. Icant remember the number of times people asked if she was ok. It was quite a surprise to go to kindergarten and realise people closed doors not unopened them.

Hi Moeb! I guess thats why folks on the obesity surgery website call them "Nuts"! I probably should have gotten surgery, but i was too scared. Also i dont think i understood my emotional eating. I think i do now. Keep us posted. I had a coworker who had the surgery, and a cousin-in-law. Also there are a few people on pc.

I should clarify that my mum didnt speak like that all the times she would go through phases.

Happy birthday MobiusPsyche.

I had my pre wisdom tooth surgery consult. Surgeon was nice. Unfamiliar with PTSD (i put PTSD rather than CPTSD) but agreed to stop inspection and let me breathe if I raised my hand. Agreed I'd need general anesthesia. I just have to see the anesthesiologist to be safe because I had heart surgery as a baby before electronic records or the unified electronic health records system, so there's no records of what exact heart surgery it was.

Happy late birthday Mobius.

Happy Birthday and Happy Thanksgiving, Mobius! Sorry the cake wasn't good.


I find it odd that they'd only give you Tylenol for the surgery. When I had my C-section, they did give me Tylenol because I'm allergic to ibuprofen, but also oxycodone, which is an opioid. I got both as long as I requested them in the hospital, then had a small prescription to take home, but only took them for the first day or two. I'd confirm with the surgeon that they won't give you anything else.


And the Hershey Kiss suggestion doesn't seem very helpful--plus it's not even high-quality chocolate. Are your misgivings just about the groups or about the surgery itself?

Happy whatever! I hope that whatever else happens, your day is full of whipped cream and pie

Thanks, LT! Yes, I just had a hysterectomy at the same hospital in 2019 and they used real pain meds and sent me home with enough hydrocodone to last five days (although I only needed it for 2.5 days). This is a comparable laparoscopic surgery, but either this surgeon is different or the whole system has gone nuts trying to avoid the use of opioid painkillers. I teach about addiction, I've worked on the field, I understand the damage it causes. But cutting back so drastically does real damage to people with chronic pain and I think it's just ridiculous when you're having major surgery!

Having talked to previous patients, they will relent and give you real meds in the hospital if you're truly in pain, which is reassuring. But getting any pain meds to take home at discharge takes an act of Congress. So I'm only worried about the home recovery period for the week or so immediately following the surgery. It isn't something that would cause me to consider canceling the survey, because it's temporary, but I'm not looking forward to it.

I'm going forward with the surgery. Of course I have some worries, but that is natural. There are so many "what if's" but ultimately I believe I'll be healthier long-term with the surgery than without.

Freed from the tyranny of turkey (which I dislike) - I made dosas/ red lentil dal and tomato rasam. Delicious and I am not faced with what to do with leftover turkey.

Session this morning before work was just meh. It’s not nearly as productive when I’m in hardcore work mode and can’t really access difficult emotions.

Finally off tomorrow after seven long days-hopefully today isn’t too terrible!

Hey couchies, hope you all are well and safe today.

I slept off my food coma from 7 pm to 3 am, fun times. Today is clean up after the feast and general laziness.

Happy Friday!

The tomato rasam sounds yummy. I have been on a tomato kick myself. That and roasted red pepper. I made sea scallops for my thxgiving dinner. Did i mention that already? I need to find a place that sells mass quantities. I tried the Gordon Food Services website last nite but it wasnt much help.

I am preparing a lecture on Roman folk medicine remedies.

Cato the Elder recommended cabbage for everything. Ex-hankster’s kind of guy.

Happy late birthday, mobius and happy thanksgiving to those who celebrate.