the alternative is not a choice
In reply to Chrissy
When I first found this group I was so frustrated! I cried a lot, couldn’t go
to work (well, teaching in Ontario, Canada is VERY
depressisng these days), and, after 42 years of feeling pretty good about taking
care of myself, was very angry at my body betraying
me.
This group has HELPED ME A LOT! You suggested I not panic, that I read this and
that… In general, it has been so good to know
that, at last, I am not alone with this f—–g disease. I still need to let my
own anger out but, you know, what else can we do. Someone
wrote recently about just wanting to give up. Do we know about that manouver???
Yes! I decided on a recent holiday to Cuba (yes,
Canadians can go there!) that since the alternative to not taking care of myself
was death, I would take a little holiday. In Cuba, for 2
weeks, I tested my sugars, ate pretty well what I was used to at home, but took
a holiday from writing every dam thing I did, injected, or
ate. Didn’t even take the log with me. I am just realizing now how nice that
control-vacation was. It didn’t hurt. And my A1C last week
was 6.5.
Audra
Type 1 for a long time
pumping, when, next week?
February 26th, 2006 at 10:39 am
<< This group has HELPED ME A LOT >>
Thanks Audra. It does help alot to have a support group of people who
understand. Im not always so mad about being diabetic but sometimes I am.
So I know I can say it here cause people understand. I know youll love
pumping. Chrissy
February 27th, 2006 at 12:35 am
The anger you feel is OK. Diabetes is not an easy
disease/malady/condition to live with. Even though it’s my Hubby
who’s the "diabetic," it affects my life, too. It’s so hard to watch
the one you love when they go through those periods of: just not
caring, making choices not to learn (still not knowing meal plan/
food exchanges after 23 years) or choosing to ignore concerns
(doctor’s,CDE’s, not just friends or relatives) so that you see them
get glucose readings in the 400 and 500’s (yep) for days on end, not
being willing to check for ketones, and getting sicker and sicker.
Then all of a sudden, a light bulb goes on, and the pendulum swings
the other way for a while, and with it the hypos. Then the person
without Diabetes has to be there to "pick up the pieces" like calling
911 when the hypo’s so bad that the combativeness prevents you from
helping and you are afraid of being socked in the face and injured
severely (bruises never count).
On a better note, Hubby has learned how to do basic boluses, and as
of yesterday, he’s got the 508 hooked up with saline running. He is
to change everything tomorrow so keep your fingers crossed! Any
hints or suggestions????
Oh yeah, all you guys out there, Hubby wants to know do you shave the
area on your abdomen where you do the insertion??
In case anyone forgot, he doesn’t want to learn to use a computer, so
I’m the one who does the posts. If any of you would prefer that I
not do this, then please let me know. I find that all of you are a
great support for me, too, and I always share your messages with
Hubby.
February 27th, 2006 at 11:02 am
<< Oh yeah, all you guys out there, Hubby wants to know do you shave the
area on your abdomen where you do the insertion??
>>
That would definitly be a "man" question. Ar Ar. Im not that hairy!!! <VBG>
I sure hope the pump helps him. I know it did me. There wont be as many
reactins. Although I still get some highs and lows. Not as many tho. I
dont like the way I feel when my BGs are extremely high so I do what I can so
this doesnt happen. I really appreciate you spouses. What you do does not
go unoticed. Unfortunatly (at least in my case) you are the closest ones to
us so you get the good w/the bad regarding diabetes. You are very very
important to us tho. I dont know what Id do w/o my husband. Hes been to a
million hospitals w/me, taken care of me when Im sick, and listened to me
gripe about diabetes. He still loves me tho, although Im sure its very
tiring taking care of someone like "us". Tell him good luck w/the pump.
Since you didnt sign your name Im not sure who you are. I dont always
remember Email addresses/peoples names together. Chrissy (diabetic for
33yrs, pumping 1 yr)
February 27th, 2006 at 10:28 pm
Fourcats,
First of all, could we have a name to call you? I’m going to insert answers
where appropriate.
>>> Even though it’s my Hubby who’s the "diabetic," it affects my life, too.
It’s so hard to watch the one you love when they go through those periods of:
just not caring, >>>
We often *don’t care* because it’s a losing battle! We aren’t going to win
anyway. Dr. will say *try harder* w/o giving us tools and working WITH us. It
boils down to an insulin/carb ratio. A non-DMer eats something and the
pancreas takes care of it. A DMer eats something and must inject/infuse the
proper amount to take care of it.
>>> making choices not to learn (still not knowing meal plan/food exchanges
after 23 years) or choosing to ignore concerns (doctor’s,CDE’s, not just
friends or relatives) so that you see them
get glucose readings in the 400 and 500’s (yep) for days on end, not being
willing to check for ketones, and getting sicker and sicker. >>>
Since *I’m* the one stuck with this (pardon the pun), I had no choice in the
matter. Our spouses, however, did often make the choice to marry us with DM
already, or to stay with us after the dx. Both sides have much to deal with -
not *really* understanding the other’s. But my paragraph above this one still
applies. *I* think when your dh gets *hope* (pump), he’ll want to make up for
lost time.
>>> Then all of a sudden, a light bulb goes on, and the pendulum swings the
other way for a while, and with it the hypos. >>>
This is why it is recommended to come down slowly. Have a target range perhaps
of 200 for a couple of weeks, then a lower target range. The DMer will feel
better and the family will fare better.
>>> On a better note, Hubby has learned how to do basic boluses, and as of
yesterday, he’s got the 508 hooked up with saline running. He is to change
everything tomorrow so keep your fingers crossed! Any hints or
suggestions???? >>>
Stand up to do the site change. If he sits and the skin folds, the tape might
pull out upon standing or shortly thereafter.
>>> In case anyone forgot, he doesn’t want to learn to use a computer, so I’m
the one who does the posts. If any of you would prefer that I not do this,
then please let me know. >>>
It’s absolutely, perfectly fine!! We just need a name to refer to you. If
you’ve told us, I’m on 5 other lists and can’t keep everyone straight or
separated.
>>> I find that all of you are a great support for me, too, and I always share
your messages with
Hubby.>>>
We are very trying!
(~_^)
February 28th, 2006 at 10:28 am
Yes.
I tried something like Nair once, and it works (well even) but I find
it a bit scary that some cream in a bottle from the grocery store can
make the hair fall off my body like that… So, I shave (Mach 3 razor -
kinda on the pricy side for blades, but worth every cent!) I also found
that It looked a little silly to have only the few inches around my
belly button shaved so I do up to the xiphoid process (bottom of the
sternum) as well as far enough down so that there’s not a "hair line"
an inch or two above my waist line (Boy, did that look silly the first
time I noticed it too…)
The only even sorta downside of shaving the belly is that belly stubble
looks awfully strange and when I’m too lazy to shave and I have to put
in a new site over some stubble the tegaderm can make it a bit on the
itchy site, though the itchiness does fade in and out.
Also, the area right around the circumference of the belly button is a
bit tricky. Belly razor burn really sucks.
Regards,
John.
February 28th, 2006 at 10:55 pm
Sort of takes care of itself….the forest is being denuded,
by the constant ripping off of tape….
Scott
March 1st, 2006 at 12:45 am
If anyone saw the "Jay Walking" segment on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno a
night or two ago….waxing may not be the way to go. OUCH!
Connie & Dot
Scott wrote:
March 1st, 2006 at 11:15 pm
Hi!
clipping the hair away with a scissor is better than shaving….nicks
increase the risk of infection….Hang in there ok? we don’t care whether
it’s you or hubby posting, the fact is that you need just as much support as
he does, and we’re all here to help each other….Joan :-))))))
March 2nd, 2006 at 11:54 pm
I don’t shave… I just do the site… and when it’s time to remove it… Inhale
and let er’ rip… it only stings for a while and it never takes ALL the hair
out at the same time.
I tried shaving… and it seems to stimulate hair growth… and being of
mediteranian descent.. it looks like a bathmat after a while.
Allen
March 16th, 2006 at 6:57 pm
4 cats, I never shaved when I was pumping, but only trimmed the hairs with
scissors.
fp