Health
Since Joshua's next duty station was overseas, I needed medical clearance just to prove I didn't need constant healthcare. The problem with that was that I hadn't been to a doctor since I was under 18. I'm 23 now. So I had to find a doctor, get serious stuff done in a short amount of time. On top of that, my civilian doctor couldn't read basic instructions and kept messing up military paperwork. If you have access to a base, and need military paperwork by a doctor, go to the base doctor! During this time, I had my "yearly" physical, but found out it's every three years now (woo!). Everything was normal that way. I did get blood work done, and that's where the eye opener happened. I had a few issues.
First and foremost: I have hypothyroidism, That means my thyroid is not working as good as it should. Secondly, I had somewhat high cholesterol, which was from the thyroid issue. Finally, I had low Vitamin D.
During this time, I was near tears and panicking because I feel doctors just give bad news, so I had this irrational fear that I was going to be told I was dying. The nurse asked how I even drive with how bad my anxiety was. So on top of vitamin supplements and thyroid medication, I was given anxiety meds. Thank God.
A few months after that hell, I am now here in the UK, but I still feel out of sorts. I did feel better briefly around January (about a month and a half of taking meds). It was short lived, and I told myself once I got to Lakenheath, I'd talk to a doctor there. So I scheduled an appointment.
I explained to my new doctor about how it felt like I needed a higher does of my thyroid meds because I still feel fatigued and I'm still losing a lot of hair, on top of no periods (a problem I've had since 16). He listened to me and told me he suspected PCOS, but he'd have to refer me off base. I also needed blood work.
After blood work confirmed my hormones were a little wonky, he scheduled me off base with an endocrinologist, a doctor specializing in hormones. So I took a copy of my blood work to the next doctor, and he looked over my results and asked me several questions.
He did think it was PCOS, but there were two other medical issues that could cause a loss of periods. So I'm getting blood work to check for all three tomorrow. On top of that, I had an ultrasound of my ovaries. I'm sad I didn't get to see, especially since Joshua was clueless as to what he was seeing. The technician said my ovaries had PCOS features.
I really hope I do have PCOS, because it can be helped with serious dieting and exercise, as well as Metformin (yes, the diabetic drug). 75% of women with PCOS are insulin-resistant, so Metformin helps a lot.
A Novel!?
Back in November 2014, I participated in my first serious NaNoWriMo attempt. NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month, and it takes part in November. The goal is to write 50,000 words in 30 days. That averages out to 1,667 words a day. Not hard once you get into the writing groove.
Well, I did it! I wrote the rough draft to What Were You Wearing? It's a novel focusing on fictional people dealing with a social issue. I want to help people with my writing.
I'm in this awkward stage of writing where I need to rewrite it because half of it is in first person. But on the other hand, I have so many other stories (especially since Joshua gave me another great story idea).
Well, I did it! I wrote the rough draft to What Were You Wearing? It's a novel focusing on fictional people dealing with a social issue. I want to help people with my writing.
I'm in this awkward stage of writing where I need to rewrite it because half of it is in first person. But on the other hand, I have so many other stories (especially since Joshua gave me another great story idea).
UK Differences
There are SO many differences. Let's start with the cliché: driving on the opposite side of the road. I haven't driven, since I lost my license on the traveling over, but it's intimidating being on the inside of the lane. The roads are narrow and curvy. I really hate the road to Lakenheath, because it's narrow, windy, and 60mph. I scream internally most times.
Next, different types of roads. There are A, B, C, and motorway. Pretty much, motorway is the high way; A is the freeway, and B and C roads are residential. Motorways get most taxes towards them, then A, B, and C (in that order). So B and C roads have some pot holes or are literal dirt roads.
ROUNDABOUTS. EVERYWHERE. They don't have intersections like the States. Instead, it's a right-of-way roundabout. You know that scene in National Lampoon's European Vacation where the family is forever stuck in a HUGE roundabout? That's a legit issue. Pick a wrong lane during rush hour and you could easily go around a few times waiting for an opening.
Next, this country truly doesn't believe in street signs. Our GPS will tell us to turn down The Street, but you don't know which one The Street is. And yes, that's a legit street name. We live on it! Though, a major road may have a sign. Thank God for GPS's and their real time maps.
McD's! So there are a couple of differences I know so far with McDonald's (we don't go often). Firstly, the drink sizes. A large drink is a medium in the States. I like that, it's healthier. It's also nerve wracking to see a cup say "0.5 litre." Also, their McChicken patties are different. In the UK, it's pretty much a giant chicken nugget, instead of the soft patty the States use.
Next, different types of roads. There are A, B, C, and motorway. Pretty much, motorway is the high way; A is the freeway, and B and C roads are residential. Motorways get most taxes towards them, then A, B, and C (in that order). So B and C roads have some pot holes or are literal dirt roads.
ROUNDABOUTS. EVERYWHERE. They don't have intersections like the States. Instead, it's a right-of-way roundabout. You know that scene in National Lampoon's European Vacation where the family is forever stuck in a HUGE roundabout? That's a legit issue. Pick a wrong lane during rush hour and you could easily go around a few times waiting for an opening.
Next, this country truly doesn't believe in street signs. Our GPS will tell us to turn down The Street, but you don't know which one The Street is. And yes, that's a legit street name. We live on it! Though, a major road may have a sign. Thank God for GPS's and their real time maps.
McD's! So there are a couple of differences I know so far with McDonald's (we don't go often). Firstly, the drink sizes. A large drink is a medium in the States. I like that, it's healthier. It's also nerve wracking to see a cup say "0.5 litre." Also, their McChicken patties are different. In the UK, it's pretty much a giant chicken nugget, instead of the soft patty the States use.
Lakenheath and Mildenhall Differences
So Lakenheath, Mildenhall, and Feltwell are known as the Tri-base area, since they're so close. But Mildenhall and Lakenheath are fifteen minutes apart, so we bounce between bases depending on what we need.
Lakenheath's BX (the mall), is like a JC Penny's. There are lots of clothes. There IS a Starbucks, Charley's, Baskin Robbins, and some small vendors in there, as well. Lakenheath's BX also has household stuff, like vacuums and electronics.
Mildenhall's BX is more of a furniture and gardening store. There's a small toys section, sports clothes, bikes, grills, etc. So if you want a patio set, you go to Mildenhall. It also has a really cute small Celtic store in this BX, as well as Taco Bell and Burger King.
Lakenheath's commissary is the one you want to go to. It's like a major grocery store. Mildenhall's commissary is a very small grocery store, and does not have nearly as much as Lakenheath's. It's sad in comparison.
Lakenheath also has Popeye's, which I just discovered a love for their biscuits, so yeah! Too bad once I'm officially diagnosed with PCOS, I most likely won't have their biscuits. A cruel twist of fate!
So that's that! Sorry it was so long, but it's been awhile!
Lakenheath's BX (the mall), is like a JC Penny's. There are lots of clothes. There IS a Starbucks, Charley's, Baskin Robbins, and some small vendors in there, as well. Lakenheath's BX also has household stuff, like vacuums and electronics.
Mildenhall's BX is more of a furniture and gardening store. There's a small toys section, sports clothes, bikes, grills, etc. So if you want a patio set, you go to Mildenhall. It also has a really cute small Celtic store in this BX, as well as Taco Bell and Burger King.
Lakenheath's commissary is the one you want to go to. It's like a major grocery store. Mildenhall's commissary is a very small grocery store, and does not have nearly as much as Lakenheath's. It's sad in comparison.
Lakenheath also has Popeye's, which I just discovered a love for their biscuits, so yeah! Too bad once I'm officially diagnosed with PCOS, I most likely won't have their biscuits. A cruel twist of fate!
So that's that! Sorry it was so long, but it's been awhile!
