Living with Diabetes and Lapband

Knee Replacement

My right knee has bothered me for years.  I’ve been coping with it, have had physical therapy, have had shoe inserts, Symvist, etc.

Got an x-ray done yesterday, saw an orthopedist today.

Really liked him, because he made no assumptions, was not judgmental, and laid it out.  I sort of have this in the back of my head anyway. 

He got that I liked to be active and liked to do the dog stuff, was cool about my having lost weight but it hadn’t helped.  Was cool that exercising was a struggle.  He said all the stuff above I’d done helps, but doesn’t solve the problem.

They are supposed to contact me tomorrow about the next steps.

Looks like I’ve be cancelling some dog training and some agility trials, but I’m waiting and seeing what happens.

We’ve also got to get the insurance company on board too.

I will, of course, be blogging about this.

Mother Love’s Answers

1.     You travel a lot, and have a varying schedule.  I do the same in a small way, and have trouble managing my diabetes then.  What helps you?
What helps me when I travel is speaking up in restaurants and asking the chef to specially prepare a dish for me, not eating at fast food places and being able to snack well with my Glucerna shakes and snack bars. They are easy to carry and I can always get my shakes over ice.

2.      What tips do you have for keeping at the work of diabetes care over the long haul? I do great for short periods, but am constantly having to reinvent my self-care.
I have changed my LIFESTYLE! You have to get in down to a routine so its second nature.

My positive attitude that I can live well with diabetes helps a lot. I make my P.H.D., my Personal Health Decisions, to live well with diabetes.
Keeping a strong support team around me is crucial. Sometimes family & friends don't get it, so I had to make new family & friends who support me in a good way. 
I have a better relationship with food now that I used to and I do most of the cooking so I control what's in my meals. There is always something bright and colorful on my plate, lean proteins and good carbs. I also snack well with Glucerna bars and cereal because they solve my sweet tooth when she appears.
I understand the importance of physical activity and I move in big movements, cleaning, doing laundry, walking and swimming are good activities. Try to get moving and stick with it on most days.

Lastly, I know how to chill, de-stress and relax. I have learned to say "No, I can’t do that", something more people ought to learn to do instead of always being in their SUPER CAPE. I read a lot, hang out with my grandchildren, cook, do arts & crafts, go to the beach, movies, the playground... kids will keep you moving!

Done with Doctors for the day

So when last I posted, I was in the waiting room at my doctors.  Almost 2 hours later I got 10 minutes of his time.  EKG was good.  I’ve gotten to up my Celebrex dosage, got orders for an xray and a referral to an orthopedist which I am to see tomorrow.

I also saw my injury specialist today and go back to him in 4 weeks.  They are still trying to get rehab for me.  i also had them check if they would take my BCBS insurance as they are infinitely closer to anyone else my doctor might send me to, I swear he’s almost in Oklahoma and all his specialist definitely are.

I still need to see my sleep doctor (next week), and my endo – right before school starts.  Otherwise, I have all the yearly stuff out of the way and working on the arthritis. 

Fun day.  Looking forward to tomorrow.

Doctor’s Visits

July is my month for doing my yearly follow up visits.  Cardiologist this morning.

They didn’t seem to want to do any tests, blood pressure 124/70.  Sent me off for another year.

At the primary care physician, who I am trying desperately not to annoy me, he insisted on EKG even though I’m here for arthritis pain.  Yeah, I tried this last month, and got so annoyed I went to try another doctor but he didn’t even bother to open his office the day I had the appointment.

Also see the accident doctor this afternoon, I’ve pretty much decided I’m not going to get any more rehab out of them.  I think they are going through my health insurance and I’ve used that.

My contact lens center employees suck

They keep giving me the wrong lens.  I’ve gone over this about three times.  My doctor prescribed a lens.  It didn’t work, we went back to a different strength lens, she wrote it down in the chart, but still order and give me the WRONG lens.

Gheesh. 

Now, I have to call them and tell them they gave me the wrong lens.  Your guess is as good as mine if they will have the right lens when I get there.

The worst part, is that I’m wearing the only one of that prescription I own right now.  And I almost lost it today.  I can wear the other lens but not for as long and can’t see quite as well.

Exercise and Eating

I’m not sure why, but it’s hard for me to exercise when I’m working.  Easier when I have summer.  Things are going well exercise wise.

In fact, I just finished walking 25 minutes, from 1.6 to 1.8.  Slow but steady.  My rule right now is to walk 25 minutes straight or two sessions of at least 15 minutes a day.

Knee is tight, and so is the leg, but it’s doable.  I would like a few more sessions of rehab, but if it doesn’t happen I’ll survive. 

Doing lots of dog training, and even some some trials.  Last night Macy and I did USDAA, and didn’t make time but had a good time. 

My goal for exercise is to easily due 25 minutes, then work towards running a 5K.  Don’t want to run a 5K, just do the training.  I figure it will make courses easier to run.

Gynecologist visit was interesting

This was my yearly exam.  Hate them, but don’t we all.  I’ve been on Depo Prevera for over 20 years, and just hit 50 last December, so had decided not to order the next depo shot and leave it up to the doctor if I should take the current one.

He had NO idea I was 50!  He thought maybe early 40’s.  He’s having me take the Depo until I turn 51 since that’s the average age and see what happens, so I had my shot today and I will order the next one when I’ve finished this post.

One of my friends and I have been discussing the age things, since my students insist I have to be around 35, and hers insist she must be in her early 40’s – she just retired after 37 years of teaching. Our theory is we think younger because we are around them and must act younger to keep them under control.  Interesting theory.

Waiting on test results, but not at all concerned as cancer doesn’t run in my family, just diabetes and cardiovascular complications.  I do need to get a mammogram scheduled.

Interesting Opportunity

I’ve been contacted by the manufacturers of Glucerna.  Here’s what they sent to me:

Now that we’re well into the cookout season, many people will spend the July 4 holiday gathering with friends and family to enjoy warm weather and good food.  But for the nearly 24 million people in the U.S. living with diabetes, partaking in the summer fun is not as easy since they have to constantly balance their lifestyle. 

That’s why Glucerna and Mother Love, author, speaker and entertainer, have teamed up to educate Americans and raise awareness for diabetes. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1990, Mother Love, who you may remember as the host of the syndicated TV talk show “Forgive or Forget,” made smart lifestyle choices to gain control of her health. Now as research ambassador for the American Diabetes Association Research Foundation, she travels the country sharing her success story to inspire others to take charge of their health to either mange or prevent diabetes. 

To coincide with her efforts, Glucerna  would like to offer you five giveaway packages for your readers that contain a mixture of great-tasting Glucerna shakes, snack bars and cereals, Mother Love’s book “Half the Mother, Twice the Love,” packaged in a chic reusable lunch tote that’s perfect for summer picnics.

They have given us the opportunity to ask her questions and she will respond via email.

First four questions will get a give away (sorry, but I want one of them!)

Disclaimer:

• The makers of Glucerna at Abbott Nutrition provided complimentary product for me to sample and offer to readers.
• Glucerna nutrition products are formulated for people with diabetes and should be used under medical supervision.

It is definitely summer!

My blood sugar is fairly normal – my insulin usage is down.  Today was very busy though.  I spent some time working on the Fall test (plan is to finish and submit it tomorrow), went to car accident rehab, got Dulce shots at the vet.  Very full.

Still have agility class tonight.

Managed time on the treadmill even.

Love summer.

Tomorrow have half a day of staff development, but should live through that one.

Summer back on track

Now that I am out of the teacher workshop:

4 1/2 days of sitting still.  I think there was maybe 5 hours of hands on, but that might be generous.

4 1/2 days of new people and new food. 

New dog was not happy with the routine and I needed to spend time training her, but didn’t have the energy.  So I also didn’t get treadmill time, plus the food was much higher carb than I need.

So I am back on track.  I’m afraid that I am going to get only one more rehab appointment from the last car accident.  However, what I get is what I get, and I’m glad to get as much as a I did.

My focus now is on getting everything back on track.  I would LOVE to lose 20 pounds over the summer.  Happy with 10.