A sweet update

My sugar has been running a bit high the last week. In the morning it is about 130. I have been a little sloppy, so I'm tightening up, and see what happens.

I've been missing my vitamin doses, and have developed a habit of taking a hot chocolate every night. That stopped today. And I have been having too much fruit late. I'll see what happens in the next couple days. This is too serious to mess around with, but I just seem to push the limits.

Depression and Diabetes

This was brought up a few posts ago. Research has been done concerning sugar and mood. Sugar Blues is a book by William Dufty that was released in 1975, and he concluded that several psychological disorders may be improved, and possibly cured, by removing sugars from the diet.

I have also read of an informal observation in a prison system, and it had been noted that the prison population used much more sugar in coffee and tea than most people. This was not exactly an exhaustive study, but it did indicate something that could use further study. Unfortunately, studies require funding, and as anyone who knows to follow the money, well, no one is going to pay for a study to have people use less of a product. Unless, of course, the company is selling a product that could be used instead. And, since sugar substitutes often produce the same results, don't look for Monsanto to fund anything soon.

Part of the challenge for the diabetic, then, would be to completely remove sugar. One theory that I have heard espoused, is that diabetics may have an unusually strong reaction to sugar, one that is heightened compared to "normal" individuals. That is, they are almost allergic to it, yet crave it much as an alcoholic craves booze. Considering the reaction of an alcoholic to his drug of choice, it may be logical to think diabetics have this same relationship with sugar. And alcohol is sugar based. Hmm.
Just some low carb food for thought.

Interviewed by Doc Nicole

The official doctor of the blog interviewed me. Thought you'd like to read it.

http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/living-with-diabetes-an-interview-with-joe/

Substitutions

I'm not a big fan of substituting things. I would rather not eat something, than to eat a sugar-free substitute. Crazy, huh?
But, there is a good reason.
Splenda, Nutrasweet, the pink stuff, the blue stuff, it doesn't matter--I can taste it and I don't like it. Diet soda just has an aftertaste that I really find, for lack of a better word, nasty.

But, one good thing is that the substitutes are not particularly healthy anyway. I don't know the specifics, but our body treats substitutes like sugar, even firing the synapses as if it were sugar.

So, where am I going with all this?

General Tso chicken. This is one of my favorite meals, but it is high in fat, carbs, and everything that is unhealthy for anyone, let alone a diabetic, particularly a type 2 who needs to lose some pounds.

What to do when I really, really, really want something? Usually I would limit portion size, but that works with chocolate or treats. I will have a tiny piece of good dark chocolate instead of a bag of milk chocolate. That works. But it just won't work with dinner.

I have found a way to have pizza. No, I can't have regular, but I do get thin crust, which gives me a pizza-like experience. Back to the General.

Fried and breaded and served over rice with a sauce. It looks like I'm going to have to really limit the times I have it.

But when shopping, the Mrs. found General Tso's sauce on the grocery shelf. Hmm.

Ok, so last night, she sauted some chicken breast, mixed in a little of the sauce, and served it over brown rice. It wasn't exactly like my favorite Chinese restaurant makes it, but it was pretty good. Hot and spicy, with a hint of sweetness. And it was healthy. Low fat, and limited carbs.

So now, we have a new dinner that both of us like-- a healthy version of General Tso's chicken. This is going to become a regular meal for us.

How do you substitute to meet your needs as a diabetic?

Diabetic friendly food

I just did a review of these on my other blog. These would be good for a type 2 diabetic, or anyone controlling portions and carbs.

http://thejoyoftoast.blogspot.com/2008/11/muffins-health-food.html

Depression and Diabetes (part 1)

While no significant study has ever been conducted linking diabetes and depression, it has been suggested that such a link exists.
Bear in mind that many diabetics feel guilty for having the disease because, in many cases, particularly with type 2, it is brought on by lifestyle. Again, not always, it is tied to being overweight.
While it is easy to find the reason some people are overweight, it is often complex.

I have yet to meet an overweight person who truly is baffled by his/her weight problem.

Surely some are cursed with a terribly slow metabolism, but even then, most tend to eat way too much. A Big Mac, fries and a soda is not a healthy meal. Have a diet soda instead and it really doesn't change the fat and sodium overload situation. Sure, it's a few hundred calories less, but so nutritionally deficient that it doesn't really matter.
I know fast food is cheap, and damn, it's tasty, but sometimes that doesn't justify it. I've worked hard to get my habit (and that's all it is) down to maybe one fast food meal a week. I'm trying next to get it to once every other week. I'll check back and let you know how it goes. I'll be back with more in a few days as I study the depression/diabetes link.

Getting a Second Chance

Getting A Second Chance

It seems that a lot of people in my family have diabetes. I guess we were lucky or something. On one side of the family every cousin, aunt, and uncle struggle to keep their sugar levels low so they won't have to face the consequences down the road.

Some do better than others.

Others seem to totally ignore the condition, which is hard for me to understand.

I know it is difficult to accept; but, there isn't a cure, so deal with it. I think the most shocking moment for me was when my doctor looked at me and said, "This is what you are going to have to do to combat this disease."

Disease—who said anything about a disease. I just got a little sugar diabetes, nothing to worry about.

Well, that thought lasted all of two minutes and then the cold hard facts set in; this is serious and life threatening.

One of my family members has been given a second chance with this dreaded scourge. I think they got their wakeup call. Diabetes can't be cured but it can be managed quite well if you put your mind to it.

I'm the Diabetic Diva tune in next time when I hope to discuss the successful implementation of an exercise program into my daily regime.

Seems like a new cure every day

Diabetes is such a big business terrible disease, it seems as if a new and expensive improved method of treatment becomes available every day.
Yet, Doc Nicole gave such an inexpensive and simple way to cure and prevent diabetes, it makes one wonder why it is routinely ignored.
Well, to be heartless and cruel, it's all about the Benjamins. Follow the money, my friends, and you will see the, as Paul Harvey would say, the rest of the story.
According to the most recent data, the health care sector contributes millions to each party, and ranks 6th among all sectors in political contributions. Of course, the biggest contributor is the finance industry (sort of puts the recent bailout in perspective, doesn't it) but you can be sure the millions in health care dollars are not ignored.
Please don't wait for the government to step inand cure diabetes. It isn't going to happen. Eat right and exercise and you will do more than any health care program. Trust your instincts, and trust Doc Nicole. Don't wait for a miracle, create one.

Advice from Dr. Nicole

The official Naturopathic doctor of this blog is Dr. Nicole. Her site, Kitchen Table Medicine, is a must read for me. You can find a link on the sidebar. One of her articles is about eating to control blood sugar. Doc could easily have put this in a book, thrown in a few anecdotes, maybe a chart or two, along with a few recipes, a picture of a fat guy, and charged us $29.95. But no, she is kindly sharing this information gratis. Look for more from Doc Nicole in the future, as she is planning to put together some recipes, with ingredients proven to control blood sugar, and will help spread the word that better health is right at your kitchen table. Visit her site, and learn how to be healthier.
And the doctor is in:

Welcome to my favorite diet!
Eating your meals with a “Low Glycemic Load” means that you are going to stay fuller longer and thus less likely to go out and binge on a bunch of junk. Staying full is as simple as eating foods with a high protein, fiber, and water content. Keeping yourself feeling satisfied is the most important aspect for success with any weight loss program. Regardless of it you have diabetes or not, you are in the right place when it comes to learning the basics on how to eat correctly to stabilize your blood sugar. Stabilizing your blood sugar translates long term in to weight loss, ridding yourself of that jittery, irritable, faint feeling associated with hypoglycemia, improving energy and mood, as well as providing the foundation for an anti-aging program!

Wow all that from just one diet!

How exciting.

I bet right now you really want to buy whatever I am selling. Well I am not selling anything, except healthy diet and lifestyle.
I am simply here to teach you how to change your eating habits permanently over the long term, and field any questions or concerns that come up as you start this new adventure to a healthier you.
The most exciting thing about this diet, is that I can sum up how to do this diet in one simple sentence:
Every meal you eat should be high in protein and fiber.

Yes, it is that simple.
Memorize that.
Make that your new mantra.

Fiber is your new best friend forever!!!

Lean proteins are your new favorite friends.

The next step is to memorize what high fiber foods are and what foods are healthy sources of protein and to stock your cupboards with all these foods.
Trust me we will get fussy about the numbers later. But you need to get the basics down before you will be ready for anything like.
Most foods high in fiber are either fruits, vegetables, or whole grains. Begin to make best friends with vegetables now as for diabetics and those trying to lose weight they are essentially “free foods”, meaning the calorie count is relatively insignificant, with of course some occasional exceptions.

Here is a list of good lean protein choices: Chicken, fish, white cheese, plain nonfat yogurt, beans, and whole grains.

Now let’s keep in mind that certain proteins high in saturated fat like beef, bacon, and cheddar cheeses are just not conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Especially for those of you with diabetes we want to be on the look-out for heart disease and kidney problems. If you are having a hard time giving these up then simply treat them like the garnish for your plate. Instead of a pile of bacon you get just have one little piece.

Over time you will begin to feel so much better on this diet that it will be WORTH it for you to get rid of the offending foods. Remember “nothing tastes as good as being healthy and looking good feels”.

Be sure to drink plenty of water in between your meals. A high fiber diet will naturally require more water. Water will also help keep you feeling full. Sometimes we feel hungry when really we are thirsty.

Now most patients that have Type II diabetes (non-insulin dependent) have it because they already have a very unhealthy relationship with food, if not engage in compulsive eating patterns, and use food as a drug. For my patients having a hard time making these necessary dietary changes, I recommend counseling. Counseling may help treat the underlying problems of anxiety or depression.

While they are trying to make the necessary changes to change their emotional relationship with food, I recommend that they keep chewable fiber tablets on hand so that if all else fails they can at least lower the Glycemic Load of the binge. Now you have to be careful not to get the chewable fiber tablets high in sugar! But sometimes a glass of Metamucil or your favorite fiber supplement can help offset the huge quantity of sugar consumed. Yes this is a quick fix tip, and no it is not addressing the root cause of the problem, it is simply offering a solution to a common problem and trying to approach it realistically while we work towards a permanent solution.
Now that you are eating lean proteins and high fiber foods, the next question is…

“Can I have carbohydrates on this diet?”

Most doctors agree that in most cases a “Slow” carbohydrate diet is better than a “Low” or “No” carbohydrate diet. Personally I am not a fan of the No/Low carbohydrate diet unless it is for specific therapeutic purposes.

“So how do I know if my Carbs are “slow” or not?”

Well that is where the magic of the low glycemic index diet and the numbers assigned to certain foods come in to play. This usually is a bit too complicated for me to just start patients out with right off the bat. I prefer to have my patients on a whole foods diet of lean proteins and fruits and vegetables before playing around with various carbohydrates.

Glycemic Index numbers are determined in a laboratory by measuring how quickly a test panel of humans blood sugars rise after consuming the food. The higher the blood sugar rises, the higher the glycemic index number is as a result. For instance a piece of white bread has a high index number as it will raise your blood sugar rapidly.

Interestingly enough after analyzing the numbers on the Glycemic Index chart one can conclude that not all carbohydrates are created equally. Some will release more rapidly in to the system than others. This might explain why you have a half cup serving of pasta at dinner and your numbers are different than when you have a half cup serving of corn.

The take home message with all of this, is that if you have diabetes…especially type II, it is sincerely in your best interest to get off all the “white” refined foods and stick with the healthier choices of carbohydrates found in fruits and vegetables and whole grains as they are high in fiber as well as packed full of vitamins and minerals which will not only protect your system from long term damages associated with diabetes, but will also keep you younger and feeling more fabulous as part of an anti-aging program.

Switching to this diet can be challenging and require a great deal of support, feel free to leave your questions in the comments of this post!

http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/diabetes-diet/

The Diva speaks again

My favorite Diabetic Diva

The last time we were together I mentioned that I may or may not talk about exercise in my next discussion on diabetes. I've decided that I wanted you to know about something else.

So, please bear with me as I give you a descriptive reflection on my daily injections.

I'd like to meet the person that said my body was to be used as a human pincushion.

No, I'm not into acupuncture.

I'm not one of the carnival people that like to put needles all over their bodies.

I don't have an tatoos.

I'm one of the lucky people that rely on a needle to give my body insulin to keep me alive. I don't think I worked very hard for this honor. I surely didn't want to be the best in my field. Who wants to stick needles in their bodies? Not once, but four times a day.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. It's a lot better than the alternative, if you know what I mean. But sometimes, you just get tired of doing it.

Depending on the time of day a typical injection can go like this:

Locate syringe for the injection and decide which insulin you will be using. Locate area you will be injecting and cleanse with an alcohol pad. Pull desired amount of air into syringe for injection into insulin bottle. Depress air into insulin bottle and then draw desired amount of insulin into the syringe. Hold needle up to the light and tap the side to release any air pockets. Pinch up the skin and insert needle into your desired locale (stomach, thigh, arm, hip, butt, or anywhere you can reach) scream like mad when you hit a nerve and depress the plunger until all of the insulin has been successfully transferred from the syringe into your body. Withdraw needle and discard properly.

I do this four times a day. I begin my day with a shot to the stomach and end my day with a shot in the ass.

For now, I'm the Diabetic Diva, and kids, don't play with the needles.

What doctors don't tell you

So, you were just diagnosed with diabetes. If you are like most people, you are given a prescription for some pills, and maybe a sheet with a diet on it, and then sent on your merry way.

Now what?

The best thing you can do is find a dietician, or at the very least follow the diet you were given. About the worst thing would be to continue what you had been doing that contributed to your becoming diabetic to begin with and asume the pills would take care of your sugar problem.

What the doctors do not stress enough is that the pills, whether they are Metformin, glucophage or any of the various medications, are only a supplement to diet and exercise.

The Diabetic Diva Is Back

I'm trying to eat the diabetic way—which is a diet consisting mainly of fruits and vegetables, small amounts of proteins and even smaller amounts of carbohydrates. It isn't working very well.

Why?

I'm glad you asked. I'm a meat and potatoes kind of girl. I don't like all of those fancy vegetables like peppers, onions and sprouts. I like beans, peas, corn, and my favorite, potatoes.

I love potatoes cooked any way. Fried, mashed, steamed, baked, au gratin, boiled; I'm beginning to salivate just a little. Anyhow, mashed potatoes with brown gravy are my favorite food.

There's only one problem: Potatoes are very high in carbohydrates, and, as you know, carbs break down into sugar which your body then uses to provide you with energy.

Wait! Slow down! Hold up a minute! I know what you're saying. Aren't diabetics supposed to avoid sugar? After all, the term sugar diabetes has been used to describe Diabetes Mellitus for many years.

You would be correct. But, it just isn't potatoes; it's also rice, bread and grains, everything that I enjoy. I was raised on a farm and we didn't grow bean sprouts; we grew potatoes, corn and beans. I really think it's hard to change a way of eating that I grew up with.

Shoot, I gave up the desserts! I once had a doctor tell me that he would rather I ate a piece of cake instead of a baked potato. Go figure!

All the Diabetic Diva is saying is that I don't mind altering my diet in some ways to keep my glucose levels low, but, leave my taters alone. That's one food I'm not giving up!

Tune in next time when the discussion may or may not involve exercise.

Diabetic Diva and Desserts

My favorite Diabetic Diva checks in:

I've developed a bad habit and I think that it is affecting my cat as well. I like to cook, especially desserts, but I don't normally eat them for myself. I'll take them to work or give them to family or friends.

After years of being deprived of dessert because of diabetes I have started to sample my tasty treats. That, in itself, isn't a bad thing. It started out quite innocently, I would go to the refrigerator and open the door just to sneak a peek at the dessert. I never tasted it; I just looked at it. However, each time I opened the refrigerator, the cat, no matter what he was doing would come to investigate. He would look, I would look and then he would look up at me with a look that seemed to say, "What are we having?"

So, that's how it started. I would have just a small tiny piece of something scrumptious and the cat would get a bite too.

This had gone on for several months and I think was beginning to add a few extra pounds to both of us and make our sugars higher than normal. I decided that I was going to stop cooking--just the desserts and focus on something more healthier.

The cat doesn't see it this way.

Now, every time I open the fridge for anything whether it's a cold drink, a tasteless baby carrot or a stick of butter I am met with a sulking, annoyed kitty who wants to know what happened to his desserts.

His disgust is mutual, I miss the desserts too; but I don't miss my waistline which seems to be shrinking since I stopped making dessert.

Tune in next time when the Diabetic Diva will discuss something other than the yummy food that she and her cat aren't supposed to eat.

The Kiss of Diabetes

Submitted my friend, Kiss.

well Diabetes is no longer a secret.
we see it daily, we here about it daily, and its everywhere.
its never ending.
with it comes many challenges.
Sad to say!
but it is Manageable~!
question is how much are we willing to change?
plus how well are we educated?
cus with this disease a simple medication will "NOT FIX"things!!
Diabetes is Stressful in the beginning but then we seem to "grow" into it.
U have to set a goal & make it happen as with anything that's new.
U will adjust & U will make it!!
Each person will see that diabetes affects them in a certain way.
none of us are alike Nor is OUR DIABETES...
what works for me... may not work for you!
Diabetes is a progressive disease it decides on it's own what's its doing if U don't manage it.
WHAT??? U might ask..... YEP U read that right.!!
Diabetes has to be monitored individually, by doing so then you know
what foods are the EVILS.
aka-- CARBS
those foods should be avoided!!
Normal blood sugars should be between
70-120
Plus Diabetics need to exercise but only do so
IF blood sugar readings are
above 80 & below 300.
Also drink plenty of Water while exercising!!!!!
by drinking water & testing your blood sugars
2 hours after every meal,
plus once every single morning.
U alone will get to know more about your Diabetes
So U control the Diabetes.... Don't let it control U!
in the long run.
U will see just how easy things will become!!!

talk to U later...... till then.......

KISS is out of here........ Muahhhhh

The Diabetic Diva returns

The latest from my favorite Diva:

I got a call from my veterinarian a few weeks ago informing me that they were discontinuing the insulin that my cat uses.

What?

You heard me correctly, my cat is a diabetic just like I am.

My insulin costs are $120.00 for two different kinds of insulin and usually lasts about three weeks.

My cat's insulin costs $125.00 and will usually last about a month.

Those costs are just for the insulin, it doesn't include the syringes that are needed to inject the insulin subcutaneously.

I have health insurance, my cat doesn't.

There will never be a cure for diabetes, because there is so much money to be made from the poor folks who have it.

However, there is a bright side: My cat's new insulin is only going to cost $25.00 a bottle. I guess the insurance and pharmaceutical companies realized that my cat was never going to be able to pay them a dime.

Tune in next time when I discuss my favorite topic: Just desserts.

Leg wound update

Part of the problem with diabetes is that it eventually destroys circulation in the extremeties. I'm currently having an issue with my leg. Here's how it looks today. It was worse.

Guest post from the Diabetic Diva

I am happy to make a guest appearance on Crotchety's other blog, as the Diabetic Diva, almost 100% of my daily life is involved with keeping diabetes from ruining my life. I have good days and I have bad days. How I feel mainly depends on the effort that I put forth. If I eat the prescribed 1600 calorie a day diet, take the recommended 4 daily shots of insulin, take the 4 daily prescribed medications, exercise for the recommended 60 minutes a day, test my blood sugar when I wake up, 2 hours after breakfast, right before lunch, 2 hours afters lunch, right before supper, 2 hours after supper and right before I go to bed, plus, eat at the same time every day, I would probably feel great. However, in the 3650+ days that I have had diabetes, I have failed to accomplish this.

I feel like such a failure...

I bet you didn't know that diabetes was so complicated, did you?

But, that is only the beginning.

Tune in next time when I reveal other new and startling information in the everyday life of the Diabetic Diva. Please hold your applause until after I leave the stage. Until then, check out my evil stepmother at http://reflectionsonamiddle-agedfatwoman.blogspot.com/.

Diabetic Diva

Diabetic bloggers needed

Things have been going ok. I need to post more here. Any diabetics willing to share their story, please contact me. I'm love to have guest bloggers and make this site more interactive.

Not just people are diabetic

Here's Sophie, my sister's diabetic cat.

My diabetic life (Part 6)

Last week, I made a committment to myself to clean up my food even more. Keeping in mind that I do eat a limited amount of sugar, one may wonder how I clean up.

I have completely eliminated meat and almost all dairy.

For example, today, the only dairy I had was a small yogurt with breakfast, and a tiny bit of shredded Romano cheese (I use the shredded because I find I use less than grated.)

And while I do eat sugar, I don't use a lot over the course of a day. For instance, many people drink sweetened adult oriented beverages like coffee or tea, along with the occasional soda. I drink water or unsweetened tea or coffee. (not artificially sweetened junk) I don't drink glasses of milk (read the carton--loaded with sugar) and only have about 6 ounces of juice a day.

I probably eat less sugar than the average diabetic who thinks they are eating a sugar-free diet.

One blog I read every day is written by Dr. Nicole Sundene. She has written some very interesting posts about diabetes. She is a Naturopathic doctor, and treats the whole person.

http://www.kitchentablemedicine.com/category/diabetes

Give her column a look when you can. It's worth it.

By the way, my food program is based on good science as researched by Dr. Joel Fuhrman.

He sells a book (cheaply, I should add) describing it at his website Drfuhrman.com. Again, highly recommended.

Lastly, I do take a complete vitamin regimen. And the brand is not important, but buy good vitamins that are easily absorbed. I noticed a change right away in the way I felt.

One final thought: I did buy the book "Eating right for your blood type" (the one for diabetics) and it recommended for my type to eat a vegetarian diet. I feel better when I do, but I get so lazy. Protein like MickeyD's cheeseburger is fast, but Doc Nicole will let you know it's a fast way to get sick.

In much of the western world it is now summer. I would recommend diabetics try to eat better, take advantage of nature's bounty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

My Diabetic life (part 5)

Some things are showing improvement.

I am off all diabetic meds. I take a regimen of vitamins and herbs, and along with eating better, my sugar is fairly well controlled. This may not seem like much, but when I made all the drastic dietary changes, I was in a hospital and on a diabetic med that was not working. I left the rehab hospital with a script for insulin. I told the doctor I would visit him in a month or so, and if I showed no improvement, I would fill the script for the insulin. I made the changes, my sugar got better, and I never needed the insulin. Considering I was on meds for over 20 years, this is nothing short of a miracle.

I'm not totally vegetarian, but I do limit my meat intake to a couple servings per week. I count all animal flesh as meat. I usually eat soy cheese. I do eat a small yogurt every day, but very little other dairy.

I have coffee usually once a week, and use flavored soy milk in that.

I don't drink diet sodas for various reasons. I do drink water or tea, usually herb or green, and it is unsweetened. Yes, I had to get used to it, but it was worth it.
I try to eat whole grains whenever possible. I also use seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen when they are not available. I use some foods as a garnish that I used to use heavily. A tiny bit of shredded Romano goes on some of my pasta dishes. I used to use a lot. Now, maybe a tablespoon or so.

I make my portions of carbs like pasta small, but the meal is enhanced by serving it with broccoli or spinach instead of a red sauce.

Of course I cheat and eat some bad stuff. But I try to do it sensibly.

I love chocolate, but instead of candy, I have a half a brownie and a small glass of chocolate soy milk. This is less calories than a candy bar or piece of cake, but so much more satifying.

I try to keep getting better every day. I'm a work in progress.

More to come.

My diabetic life (part 4)

Probably the worst part of dealing with diabetes is how it has wrecked my finances, along with any chance of a normal life. By normal, I mean working a 9-5, having 2.3 kids, and buying a little house in the 'burbs with a white picket fence.

It's tough to have a career when every so often it's necessary to take off a year or two. My latest "vacation" has been a year and a half since I was able to work part-time, and much longer since full-time.

I'll give the Reader's Digest version.

The worst part is I had to constantly reinvent myself. I began my own business in the automotive field, and as I began losing time due to illness, the business had some trouble.

I then entered social services. I worked at that while going back to college.

I became a certified teacher.

I haven't been able to work full-time in that field as I have been ill. Even the part-time tutoring position has become impossible. The worst part is I love teaching. I'm even pretty good at it. Some of my kids I tutored showed the greatest increases in skills in the center in which I worked.

So, instead of being a happy, productive memeber of society, I sit home and blog.

This disease has been slowly destroying my life. Hence the name of the blog. : )

Next part--what is getting better.

Doctor update

I went to my podiatric surgeon today.

He said my foot is looking pretty good. The wound is superficial, but it's been that way for many months. The wound on the right foot is almost healed, and I look forward to that closing up soon. I'd feel like it was a victory of some sort if that one healed. At the very least, it would cut my bandage usage in half.

It's surprising what bandages cost. They seem cheap until one needs them all the time.

I pay about 5 bucks each in the local pharmacy. I shopped around, and found them at a local medical distributor for half that. (usually between 2 and 3 bucks)

But, I found them by the case at ebay for about a buck each. I paid $110 including shipping for 100 of them. I go through 3 or 4 a week, so the savings are considerable.

My Diabetic Life (Part 3)

I've covered the outer injuries (I warned you this shit destroyed my life, didn't I?) so now, I'll move on to the inner injuries.

My kidneys are shot to hell. The doctors have suggested I put myself on the transplant list, but a combination of things have made me not do so.

Maybe I'm partially in denial about it, but I have faith that my body can heal itself. Part of this is religious based, and a part is based upon my faith in nature. Going on the list would just admit defeat.

I have had a heart attack. The doctors called it a silent one, but I do remember the night it happened. I was laying in bed, and felt my left arm go numb. I also began sweating profusely. I knew it was a heart attack, but I decided that I was going to ignore it. Yeah, denial runs deep in me. Plus, to be honest, I didn't really care if I lived or died. Stupid, but hey, most of the decisions I've made in my life have been pretty stupid.

Lastly, my circulation is pretty bad. That's part of the reason my leg wounds don't heal.

That's enough for today.

I'll have another part soon.

My Diabetic Life (part 2)

I really have a hard time writing this, probably because it's kind of painful. And not just the physical pain, and plenty of that has happened, but the mental aspects.

For today, I'll just hit the physical parts.

My first diabetic wound was around 1992 or so. It was on my right foot, and the result of, believe it or not, exercise.

I started walking more, and a blister developed. I had no idea how serious this was. Eventually, I wound up in the hospital for 40 days of IV antibiotics.

This was a new job, so it didn't sit well that I needed to take a few months off.

It took many more years (and 2 more long term hospitalizations) after that to fully heal. I got other jobs, and subsequently lost those due to my illness. Most places don't like it when someone misses years at a time.

Then, it started on my other foot. That's the one that is even worse.

My foot became infected, and eventually, they had to amputate a toe (4th -the piggy that got no roast beef.) The worst part of that is one of my tendons was cut. So, now, I walk on the side of my foot, which opens the wound. It's nearly impossible to heal. It's been opened since January 2007.

more to come (told you this disease destroys)

My diabetic life (a primer)

I thought I'd blog about myself, and my life with diabetes.

I'm a Type 2 diabetic. This used to be known as adult onset. I became diagnosed about 20 years ago, maybe a little more. I wasn't surprised, as I have a family history of it.

But I treated my body like an amusement park for so long, it is more my fault than anything genetic. Being overweight is probably the most significant contributing factor. Of course, I never ate very well, but that is less than the amount that caused the weight issues. I'm sure it didn't help that I drank a lot, also.

Once I was diagnosed, I did the dumbest thing possible--I ignored it. Doctors told me I wouldn't live to age 30, and definately not 40, so rather than prove the doctors wrong, I thought, "F it, party on, Big Guy."

To be continued.

Feeling pretty good today

The Cipro must be working. I know it won't clear up an infection that fast, but it appears not to be any worse. No odor, and the pain is lessening. All good signs.

I won't be out of the woods until the wound heals.

My sugar has been a little high lately. Not out of control, just a little higher than I like it. This morning it was 126.

Went to the doctor last night

It was my monthly foot whacking.

He takes a scalpel, and slices and dices (without Ron Popeil's Veg-O-Matic) and squeezes. Last night it hurt more than usual because my foot is starting to get infected. So now I'm on Cipro. It appears we caught it just in time. If it happens too late, it's off to the hospital for heavy duty antibiotics and surgery.

I've been keeping pretty good control of my sugar, so I'm hopeful.



OUCH

Vaccine-autism link on trial

NY Times May 13, 2008
WASHINGTON — The United States Court of Federal Claims began another hearing on Monday to decide whether a vaccine additive led thousands of children to become autistic.

The hearing is the second in a series of three in which the court is considering whether the government should pay millions of dollars to the parents of some 4,800 autistic children. In this hearing, parents are claiming that thimerosal, a preservative that contains mercury, damaged their children’s brains. Thimerosal was removed from all routinely administered childhood vaccines by 2001.

Every major study and scientific organization to examine the issue has found no link between vaccination and autism, but the parents and their advocates have persisted.

The claims are being heard in a special court set up by Congress 20 years ago when a series of scares nearly crippled the vaccine industry. The hearing is expected to last two to three weeks, and a decision is not expected until next year.

Almost absent from this hearing and the others in the series is any discussion of the case of Hannah Poling, an autistic 9-year-old from Athens, Ga., who the government conceded last year might have been injured by vaccines. Vaccine critics say the concession gives strong evidence that vaccines cause autism, but government officials say the case proves nothing regarding the safety of vaccines.

The experiences of two 10-year-old boys from Portland, Ore., are at the center of the latest hearing. The boys, William Mead and Jordan King, were developing normally until they were vaccinated, said Thomas Powers, a lawyer representing them.

But a buildup of mercury in their brains from vaccines containing thimerosal led the boys to regress, Mr. Powers contended.

The claims for the two boys are test cases being heard to determine whether parents in thousands of similar cases should receive compensation. Last summer, Mr. Powers presented before the special court the test case of Michelle Cedillo, who Mr. Powers claimed was injured by both vaccines containing thimerosal and the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella, which did not contain thimerosal.

Next summer, the court will hear a test case in which lawyers will argue that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine was the sole cause of autism.

Plaintiffs and their lawyers have sought for years to delay hearings on their vaccine claims, hoping new research or government data would bolster their arguments. But with each passing year, the claim that thimerosal had an important effect on children has become harder to sustain. Its removal has appeared to have no effect on autism rates.

My diabetic foot (nasty photo)

I've stated that diabetes destroys our bodies.

I decided to post a picture of my foot. It's hard to get a good angle because in my last operation (toe amputation) tendons were cut and I can't straighten out my foot.

This is one ugly disease.

Got some work to do

I'm approaching today with a positive attitude. Ready to work out, and make good choices. Some days I'm kicking the snot out of diabetes, some days it's beating me down.

Today, I choose to kick its ass.

Sunday, May 3

I have been doing more, but not enough, I guess. I had to go out yesterday, and I was so exhausted when I got home, I was asleep by 10. I took a catnap at 8, so I should have been ok. Factor in my Rita's frozen coffee drink (Ritaccino) and I should have been climbing the walls.

Today, I will do some more exercise than I have been doing. One day at a time.

Getting it Done

I was thinking of titling this "get r done," but didn't want to rip off Larry the Cable Guy.

I've started exercising this week. This morning made me realize how bad it's gotten. I was watching sit down exercise (a show to keep geriatics flexible) and after 5 minutes, I turned it off. It was wearing me out. The mellow music made me sleepy, too, so I just gave up. Plus the one ancient guy on the show put me to shame.

I suck.

Finally, I got off my butt

Well, not exactly, but I did do some exercise stuff today. Not a lot, but it;'s a start.

Not a lot going on

Rainy weekend just played havoc with my arthritis, so no exercise for this old man. Just sat on my butt and watched TV.
I have increased my fiber intake which may help control sugar a little. Yeah, I know, no evidence exists, but since our body is a cohesive unit, better health comes from when the parts just work better. Removing toxins through fiber has to be, in the words of Martha Stewart, a good thing.

I need to bring my sugar down

It's been a little high lately, and I need to tighten up my food. I control my sugar through my actions (diet and exercise) but because I've been feeling like crap, I haven't been exercising, and am paying the price. Today, I'll start hitting it a little better.

Lasik is not 100% safe

For quite a few years, Lasik eye surgery has been touted as a quick, efficient way to get rid of glasses. But according to a recent AP article, not all surgeries are successful. Some have made the eyes worse, bringing about new problems such as worse vision, severe dry eye, glare, and inability to drive at night. Add to this severe eye pain, and suddenly what has been touted as a safe, nearly painless procedure is not really one.
On a personallevel, my neighbor had the operation years ago. It was less than successful as her vision continued to worsen. It may or may not have been related to the operation, but she was assured ahead of time that the operation had no risk and would help her.
In the long run, it did nothing.


http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hm4_Y2gN7uuJFU9yGiiiwV0BWDagD9094FIO0

If losing weight helps

and we all know it can for many diabetics, especially type 2, then this man can work wonders.



He was featured on TLC with a show and he has helped me so far, at least with my mindset. I'm so positive the weight loss will follow, that I highly recommend anyone with a weight loss goal check him out.

http://www.mckenna.com

Still struggling

My recovery isn't going so well. I'm using braces to walk, and they are helping, but the wounds are still there.