Might Be of Interest (To Some)

I have peripheral-neuropathy. I have burning/pain/numbness/tingling in my feet and lower legs. Did I mention Pain? OK, didn't want to leave that out. Sometimes it feels like my feet hurt all the way to my armpits. It has also effected my hands, no pain yet just numbness. I plunk guitar. (Notice I didn't say play or pick.) I have lost my "fine" sense of touch in my right hand resulting in a lot of rotating and/or dropped picks. I had resigned myself to a life of strumming bare-handed which resulted in broken nails and shredded cuticles. THEN I found these on the internet.

Please excuse the blurry image. They are tethered guitar picks. Slip the loop on your index or middle finger, grip the pick as normal and boogie on!

Catching Up - Sorta

My last post, way back on 8/24, was concerned with my 1st visit with my new physician and my 1st visit ever to a podiatrist. The next week I had a regular appointment with my opthamologist and found out I still have no indications of retinopathy. The next day I received my lab reports in the mail and evertthing was normal (A condition with which I am not usually associated.) The biggie was that my HA1C was 6.2, the lowest that it has been since Lord knows when. (Picture a 69 yearold big guy doing a happy dance - O.K. don't, it's not the greatest image.) The next day, while attending one of those kindergarten grandparent-day thingies, I happened to run into (not very hard) a fellow T2 whom I haven't seen in a while.

Him: How's it going with your diabetes?

Me: Great, and you?

Him: Mine is still a real problem.

Me: How are your blood glucose levels running?

Him: Oh, I don't mess with that.

Me: (After recovering from a swoon) Are you eating right?

Him: I'm not real careful about that.

His wife: He ate a big bowl of rocky road ice cream last night.

Me: Well what are you doing?

Him: I just try to get my doctor to keep increasing my medications.

Me: Do you tellhim about all this "stuff" you don't do?

Him: Nah, he'd just fuss at me.

Me: (Bear in mind I'm an ordained minister) Will you let me preside at your funeral? I won't charge a dime.

Him: (Looking astonished) Ah, this stuff isn't that serious.

Me: You're forgetting the eleventh commandment.

Him: What's that?

Me: What goeth around Cometh around.

I'll Try This One more Time

Last night I had one of those “Oh Rats” moments. I was almost finished typing a new post when I noticed that I had several windows open. (Laptop screen – Not house) I started closing windows and, sure enough, I closed the one with the new post. “OH RATS” Actually. “rats” was not the word I used. Feel free to substitute your favorite expletive. The post was about my first visit with my new primary care physician. My prior physician has become the medical director of a large prestigious hospital in our area. I had a very good first impression of my new guy. He proved to be very knowledgeable about diabetes and all the extra “stuff” that comes with it. Also, he, like my previous doc, listens. They both realize that a PWD has more insight as to what is going on with their body and what works in controlling their disease than anyone else. I did manage to score an Accu-Chet Nano meter. It will be a welcome addition to my management routine. I’ve been using a Compact Plus (See my post of 8/18) and have been very pleased but that sucker is kind of large to carry around. Now I have one that is extremely small and light weight and can load data into the same software program. Yesterday I also had my first visit with a podiatrist, I’ve been diagnosed for over 15 years so it’s about time. The visit was prompted by a small black spot that appeared on my right big toe. It was just a hematoma that was quickly and painlessly removed by the quick flip of a scalpel. I do realize that professional foot-care is something I need to add to my regimen of care.

YUCK

TOYS!!!

One of the few benefits, if you are a male, of being a PWD (Wouldn’t that be a MPWD?) is that you get nifty toys to use in your control regimen. Yes, I’ll admit that we guys never really quit being boys. I’ll be 69 next month and I still like toys. My latest is an ACCU CHEK Compact Plus Blood Glucose Meter. This was supplied by Liberty Medical, my source for testing supplies since I became eligible for Medicare. Between Medicare and Blue Cross/Blue Shield I am truly blessed out-of-pocket expense wise.

I’ve been quite pleased with the device. The display is bright and easy to read. The 17 strip cartridge is easy to handle. The lancing device is attached so you can’t lose and/or forget it. The lancets that fit it are virtually painless. I have cross checked the accuracy against other meters (One does tend to accumulate them),  and it seems to be spot on. I invested a little money in Roche’s 360 software and the interface works great.

The only disadvantage is that it is a little cumbersome. Being a guy and not usually carrying a purse, I carry a One Touch Ultra-Mini when I’m not wearing enough pockets. Yeah, I do have a “go-bag” but it’s not always convenient to take everywhere.

On the whole I give it 4 ½ out of 5 stars.

Should I Be Ashamed?

I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when the awful news of President Kennedy being shot and later the announcement of his death came on TV. The same goes for the assassination of Dr. King, Bobby Kennedy and the attempt on President Reagan. Ditto for when the Eagle landed on the moon.

Try as I might, however, I cannot remember when I was diagnosed as being diabetic. I have noticed that most folks who blog about diabetes know the day, month, year and (in some cases) the time of day. It wasn't that it didn't have a major impact on me, it did. The impact, however, was in reality a positive one. It was a relief to find out why the weird things that my body was going through were happening.

I do know that it was approximately 15 or 16 years ago. Like everyone else I have had my highs and lows. (No pun intended - Well maybe a little) The highs mostly occurring in the first legs of the journey when control was relatively easy; a couple of pills a day and watch what I ate. The lows started happening several years into the trip and could probably be attributed to my taking the disease for granted.

This lack of attention culminated with a week long hospital stay with 4 mega powered antibiotics alternately being pumped into my veins in order to bring under control an infection that started in my lower left leg and that had become, because I ignored it, systemic. My hospitalist MD, also referred to as MY HERO, explained that they were trying to "savey my leg."

They did!

Since that adventure 3 years ago I have been a very good boy.(Almost 69 years old but still a boy) My pancreas has started fading into the sunset and Lantus has taken the place of part of my oral medication. When I look at my condition I can truthfully say that I am in better shape than the majority of my friends that are my age who do not have diabetes.

Diabetes has changed my life but certainly has not ruined it.

And I Didn't Punch Him in the Nose

Scene: Talking to a guy I just met
Guy: Do you always drink diet soda?
Me: Yep
Guy: Do you like 'em?
Me: They're OK
Guy: Trying to lose weight?
Me: Well, yeah but mainly because I'm a diabetic.
Guy: What kind?
(At this point glad that I'm talking to somebody that at least understands there is more than one flavor of diabetes,)
Me: Type 2
Guy: Oh good, you don't have the serious kind.

Result: I didn't punch him in the nose.

Caramba!

Sadly, it seems that I may have to somehow find a way to curtail my love for Mexican food. I had dinner last night at my favorite restaurant Los Rancheros with my 89 year old Dad. The food, as always, was excellent. My BG this morning sucked, (149) not life threatening but certainly above the 90 to 105 that my fasting BG usually is.

I suppose that I will need to have somebody "hog tie" me so I can't reach the basket o' chips that they furnish and put some effort into figuring out the carbs in their dishes and only order those that are the least lethal.

Sometimes I amaze myself that, when confronted by a menu full of things I like, I can somehow justify ordering something that I know deep down in my heart I shouldn't. And this, after 15 years of knowing that I'm diabetic and being cognizant of how to best take care of myself. This may be a factor in why I've "graduated" from just taking oral medication to 25 units of Lantus @ night plus Januvia every morning plus Glimepiride 2 times a day.

I used to have a framed slogan that hung in my office that read:

I'm not totally useless

I can always be used

as a bad example. 

Armageddon Outta Here

Well, I'm supposed to remain indoors, out of direct sunlight, again today. (See previous post re. removal of skin cancers) You know, there are days when I don't leave the house and enjoy it immensely. It is the thought that I've been TOLD to not leave that gets to me. Can you really get cabin fever after a couple of days?
> My wife is 400 miles south of here at the beach with assorted kids and grandkids.
> I have about 200 cable channels and can't find anything I want to watch.
> I'm all caught up on my studying and writing duties.
> My dog and I have covered everything we need to talk about.
SO
I'm going to put on my wide brimmed hat (Indiana Jones style fedora & rather dashing looking if I say so myself), put the sun visor down in the car and go do something - anything.

Chillin' and Bored

Not doing much of anything today. I'm not supposed to be in direct sunlight. I have two approximately "dime sized" red spots on the right side of my already not so handsome face. Yesterday had a dermatologist appointment to have two squamous cell carcinomas removed. No big deal, just a in the office procedure. I must admit that the initial diagnosis made me nervous. I know that this type of skin cancer is not really a big deal but it was the first time that I had heard the "C" word used in connection with me.

The truth be known, the "D" word is a lot bigger problem. My BG readings have been behaving themselves a whole lot better lately. Two things involved:
1. A doctor who really knows his business.
2. Finally having enough sense to follow his instructions.
(O.K., I thought of one more.)
3. Having access to inspiring writers on the web, i.e.Kerri Morrone Sparling & Wil Dubois

Saturday Morning Thoughts

There are some blogs and/or websites that I visit frequently for both information and inspiration. The web is a great thing for folks with problems of any kind. It's kind of like a huge support group minus the 12 Steps. In my attempt to add to my list of favorites I have visited (and read) material from a whole bunch of sites and have found:
1. Some people either do not have spell check on their computers OR have it turned off OR don't know what     that red line under a word means.
2. Some folks evidently don't proof read and use the wrong version of words that sound alike.
   (Examples: to/too - there/their - etc.)
3. Some others use their blogs for self aggrandizing rather than for helping others.
4. Some are just plain depressing. I know that the symptoms of diabetes do not include uncontrollable laughs and giggles but if you control you BG and let diabetes steal your joy it has still won a partial victory.

P.S. I'm not bullet proof. If you ever find misspellings, grammatical errors or maudlin content in my postings feel free to blast away.

Told Ya So!

I told you that it wouldn't be another 4 years between posts. Fact is, it's only been 4 days. Yesterday, Memorial Day, was spent at one of may daughter's house watching everybody else play in the pool. In light of the fact that next Monday I will go to my dermatologist to have a couple of skin cancers removed from my already not very attractive face, I figured it best to not risk a sunburn.

I was pleasantly surprised that the day's menu was full of "stuff" that I could eat without endangering my BG's. I know that technically I can eat anything but there are times that if I were to eat the "anything" I would need a magnifying glass to find the allowable portion.

The evening was spent, as all Monday evenings are, conducting the chapel service at Brother Bryan's Mission. I don't know if I do anybody there any good but the guys are truly a blessing to my life.

Too Much of a Good Thing

I love to read and oftentimes I run across I come across things that truly fascinate me. These things tend to fall into a style of having, at first reading, a humorous nature but upon further consideration have an underlying substance of great importance. Such is the nature of the following item, which by the way is true.


First and importantly, let me point out that this concerns someone who became vegetarian BUT I relate it to you NOT in condemnation of vegetarianism. I believe that being vegetarian is an extremely healthy lifestyle and actually tried it myself for a period of about six months. In fact, I might give it another “go.” I’ve never been comfortable in knowing that some “critter” has had to die in order to fill my gut. But, I digress.



Robert Crabb had always displayed some rather unorthodox behavior in his life in general and in his religious practices in particular. Some of his contemporaries attributed these things to the fact that his skull was cracked open by a battle axe during the English Civil War.



In 1641 he felt “led” to embark on a diet of vegetables, water and celibacy. All of the foregoing were typical means of penance recognized by the Catholic Church at the time, but he was not Catholic.



He moved to Uxbridge and became a hermit. He supported himself by selling herbal remedies to visitors who came in a steady stream. He made his own clothes and also starting increasing his income by making and selling hats. He rather fancied himself a prophet and pursued the avocation with such zeal that he was accused of being a witch.



He then came to the conclusion that he must sell everything he owned and give the money to the poor. He did but it did not enhance his reputation of being a “nut” or help the poor all that much.



Next he felt that he was being led to give up the worldly extravagance of having potatoes and carrots in his diet. He ended up on bran soup, turnips and bean pudding. He still did not feel as if he had forsaken enough worldly indulgences and spent the rest of his life on a diet of leaves and grass, and an income of one penny every four months.


Side note: Robert had one convert to this lifestyle, a Captain Northwood from Philadelphia. The captain died shortly thereafter from malnutrition.



As I see it there is a triple moral to the story:

1. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a vegan.

2. Even something good can be carried to a ridiculous and harmful extreme.

3. I had way too much time on my hands today.

Greetings and Salutations

I have, recently, been referred to as “Pop”more than by my given name. It is my humble opinion that anyone who survives long enough to be called “Pop” should not be ashamed of the title, but should wear it as a badge of honor. The greater the quantity of life that one experiences the more insight they acquire in how to live it. Not just by surviving but living it in a quality manner.


My years on this Earth have given me a great appreciation for, first and foremost, the God who created us, also other people, books, art, music, etc. My hope is that, through this website, I might share some of the blessings and insights bestowed on me with others.

I'm baaaaaack!

Probably no one noticed that I've been gone. It's only been 3 years and 11 months since my last post but what the heck. a lot of things have transpired in almost 4 years. 2 grandkids and 1 more great have been added to the tribe. My work at Brother Bryan's Mission has increased but the thing I want to talk about is having to come to grips with the fact that I'm diabetic and if I want to remain on this planet for any extended length of time I'd jolly well better start acting like it.

I was actually diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes about 15 years ago. At the time it was no big deal. Take some pills, watch what I ate (sort of), check my Blood Glucose level every once in a while and everyything went swimmingly. As the years ticked by I put my condition on the back burner with disastrous results.

2 years ago, I had ballooned to 345 lbs.and had to walk with the assistance of a cane because my knees couldn't the load anymore. My blood glucose had gotten out of control and I just in general felt like crap 99% of the time. In addition my doc, who was already pretty darned disgusted with me, had to go on extended leave of absence due to problems of his own.

After coming to the conclusion that I didn't want to die, I went to another doctor. He wasn't all that keen on taking me on as a patient but due to the fact he was already my wife's doc he agreed to seeing me. He really laid it all out on the table, if I wanted to live I would have to make drastic changes in my eating, my activity level, my cooperation with a treatment plan and primarily in my attitude. Through the grace of God, a supportive wife and a doc that wouldn't put up with my crap, things have turned around.

Through many trials we have come upon a combination of medications that have brought my blood glucose level back under control. I am eating correctly again. Actually, better than ever in my life. As a result I have lost over 85 lbs. and my weight continues to slowly drop. I no longer need a cane. (If the truth be known, I really don't the the handicap tag on my car.) I can actually mow my own lawn again for the first time in 3 years.

Is everything just rosy? NO, but life is so much better I have no desire in returning to the miserable condition that I brought on myself before. My gratitude to Jane (my wife), Dr. Frank and primarily to God.

I feel certain that there will not be a 4 year gap between posts again.