The results are in

Posted on June 30, 2010 by mydiabeticheart

Well, this post is definitely more than a day late, but better late than never.  Here goes.

I went to the doctor  last Thursday to get the results of all the lab work that was done last month.   You know, the lab work that I had a hell of a time fasting for.   Anyway, the results of those tests were a mix of good and bad.

My A1C, which had been 6.0 the last couple of times it was check, was up to 6.4.  Not a bad number in the grand scheme of things, but certainly not the third 6.0 in a row that I was going for.  In reviewing blood glucose logs I gave her, the doctor noted the increasing number of highs  in my logs.  In light of those, and the A1C results, she concluded that the Metformin that I had been taking just wasn’t as effective as it had been.

And as if the Metformin not working anymore wasn’t enough, she also concluded that it was also the culprit behind all of the stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea that I’ve been dealing with for the last few months.  All side effects that I had been warned about when I started taking the medication a year ago, but that never appeared.  So, as a result, I’m no longer taking Metformin.  I’m now taking Januvia, and the jury has just started deliberating on whether this will work or not.  I’ll keep everyone posted.

The results of the microalbumin tests noted some abnormalities, too.  There was apparently quite a bit of protein in the urine sample they took,  which could mean any number of things.  Not the least of which being possible kidney problems.  More tests are being scheduled to determine the cause, but in the doctor went ahead and adjusted one of the medication I’m taking as a precaution.  I’ll keep everyone posted on this as well.

My blood pressure was on the high side as well, so that medication was adjusted, too.

Oh, and one other change made at this appointment came in the form of a prescription for Ambien.  I’ve been having a terrible time sleeping with the BiPAP machine I use for treating sleep apnea, and asked the doctor about something that might help me get some sleep and be able to use the machine at the same time.  So, we’re going to try the Ambien for a while, and hope to God it actually helps.

All for now.  Keep hanging in there.

Posted in Diabetes, Doctor Visits, Health, Heart, Medications | 2 Comments

Lab work finally done

Posted on June 15, 2010 by mydiabeticheart

After last week’s failed attempt at fasting for the lab work I needed to have done, I was rather nervous about how things would go when I started attempt number 2 last night.  Fortunately, though, I made it though the 12 hour fasting time period, and went to the hospital for the lab work early this afternoon.

This round of tests is to check my A1C, Microalbumin levels, and lipids.  I’ll get the results when I go see my doctor next week.  Here’s hoping for more good results.

In other news, my stomach is being a pain again.  Woke up this morning with the same issues I had last month or so.  I’m not impressed.  Here’s hoping this flare up won’t last very long.

All for now. Ciao!

Posted in Diabetes, Health | 2 Comments

Fast Failure

Posted on June 7, 2010 by mydiabeticheart

When I left work last night, I had every intention of going home and beginning a 10 to 12 hour fast to prepare for blood work that I need to have done.  Well, unfortunately, the road to blood sugar hell was paved with those intentions, and I ended up battling lows early this morning, starting with a 65.

I tried a little bit of juice, figuring that would at least get the numbers to start rising. I checked my blood sugar again 20 minutes later, and I was only in the high 70’s.  The juice was obviously doing something, just not enough.  And it was 5:30 in the morning, I was really tired any way, and wanted to sleep.  So, I said to hell with the fasting and blood work, and fixed a peanut butter sandwich.  That more than did the trick.  Between the juice and the sandwich, I was up to 135 within an hour or so.  That was good enough for me.  At least it was safe for me to go to sleep.

I figure I’ll give it a day or so, and try the fasting thing again Tuesday night and have the blood work done Wednesday.  Thankfully, I have a couple of weeks until I see the doctor.  I just wanted to get the tests done early, so I wouldn’t have to worry about them.

Better luck next time, I guess.

Posted in Diabetes, Rants | 1 Comment

New Opportunities

Posted on June 1, 2010 by mydiabeticheart

During the year and a half since I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, I’ve often said that I see that diagnosis as a blessing in disguise.  If it weren’t for my going to the doctor for diabetes related problems, the congestive heart failure wouldn’t have been found, and I probably wouldn’t be writing this post.  The fact that I am here is a blessing in and of itself, but there have been so many more.

My diagnosis lead me to the diabetic online community, and the awesome people, blogs, and other websites that make up the community.  And it lead to the creation of this blog, which has allowed me to share my story with people from all over the country, and even around the world.  This blog, and my interactions with others in the community, have lead to another opportunity, too.

Some of you may have seen my tweet last night that I had just submitted my first post for Blogabetes, and some inquired as to what that was all about.  Well, a while back, I was contacted by dLife and was extended an invitation to join their team of bloggers. I accepted, of course.  And now that the paperwork and setup is out of the way, I’m at the starting point of this new opportunity, and as excited as can be.

Now, don’t worry, My Diabetic Heart isn’t going anywhere;  I’m going to be blogging in both places.  I’m thankful to have been blessed with another opportunity, and to know that I’m definitely in someones good graces.

Posted in Announcements, Diabetes, Popular, Shout outs | 10 Comments

A Day to Remember

Posted on May 31, 2010 by mydiabeticheart

Remembering those who have served and those who are currently serving is what Memorial Day is all about.  This video is from 2006, and has a reference to Veterans Day at the end, but it is rather fitting for this day.  Today, I remember.

Posted in Inspiration, Life | Leave a comment

Simple Pleasures

Posted on May 22, 2010 by mydiabeticheart

After running a few errands in downtown Fort Wayne yesterday afternoon, I decided to grab some food and go have lunch at Lakeside Park.  It’s one of my favorite parks in the city, with a big lake in the center, rose gardens, etc… Awesome place.  So, I drove to Lakeside, parked the car in a spot right in front of the lake, turned the engine off, and proceeded to eat my lunch.  The flocks of ducks and geese in the park provided great meal time entertainment.

As I was finishing my lunch, I noticed a mini-van pull into a parking spot behind me. A lady emerged from the van, and went around to the passenger side to removed a young girl in a wheel chair from the van.  They headed off towards the playground, and I turned back to watching the ducks and geese in the lake.  That is, until the birds started waddling off towards the lady and the girl.  As it turns out, they had a loaf of bread, and were there to feed the ducks.

It was pretty cool watching the birds gather around the girl as she tossed out bits and pieces of bread for them.  She was having a great time, and got really excited when the babies started getting closer.  Every now and then I’d hear a loud WEEEeeeeeee! from the girl, as she threw another handful of bread out to the ducks and geese.  It was really precious and beautiful, and just tugged at my heart.

Here was this young girl living with what I believe to be cerebral palsy, and, for the briefest of moments, she was experiencing sheer happiness through the simple act of feeding those ducks and geese.  And her mother, for that brief moment, got to see her daughter completely happy.  Having grown up with a family friend having cerebral palsy, I know how rough that can be on the entire family, and that those moments can be hard to come by.  I was excited for the mother and her daughter, and so glad that they had that time together.  And felt fortunate to have seen it.  It did get me thinking though, and that’s when the tears started welling up.

If that young girl can hold her physical ailments at bay with such simple pleasures, why can’t I?

Posted in Inspiration, Lessons Learned, Life | 4 Comments

I don’t know

Posted on May 16, 2010 by mydiabeticheart

D-Blog Week Day 7:  Dream a little dream – life after a cure.

Being that today is Sunday, it’s only fitting that one of my favorite gospel songs came to mind when I was thinking about how I was going to address today’s subject.  That song is titled “I know who holds tomorrow”, and talks about not really knowing what tomorrow may bring, and trusting that God knows, and that he will be beside us each step of the way.  After watching the youtube video below, I knew exactly how I was going to write this post.

The truth of the matter is I really don’t know what my life would be like if I were suddenly cured of diabetes.  I don’t know if I’d be really happy that it was over, or if the moment would be bittersweet.  Sure, I think I’d be glad I didn’t have to deal with all of the ups and downs that go along with diabetes, but when I think of the possibility that all of the awesome people that are a part of my life now might disappear, well, it just makes me sad.

Sure, I hope that some of the lessons that I’ve learned in the last year and a half would carry over into my life after a cure.  Like taking better care of myself, eating right, exercising, etc… I can’t say with any degree of certainty that any of that would happen.  All I can do is hope that the good aspects of life today, would ultimately follow me into life then.

I certainly do hope that a cure is found sooner than later. Not for my sake, of course, but for all of my friends and loved ones living with diabetes, and everyone else who’s in worse shape than I am.  Until that day comes, though, I’m just going to keep living my life to the fullest.  One day at a time.

Posted in Diabetes Blog Week | 4 Comments

A birdie for diabetes

Posted on May 15, 2010 by mydiabeticheart

D-Blog Week Day 6:  Diabetes snapshots.

Have you ever wanted to give diabetes a birdie, but were afraid to do so because you might get in trouble, or offend someone?  If so, today’s your lucky day, because I’ve done it for you.  You’re welcome! 🙂  More photos later. Ciao!

New Message

Posted in Diabetes Blog Week, Photos | 5 Comments

Let’s get moving

Posted on May 14, 2010 by mydiabeticheart

D-Blog Week Day 5: Let’s get moving

In a post last August, I mentioned that I had joined a gym, and was going a few days a week.  It’s been 9 months since I joined, and I can feel a difference in how I feel on the days that I do go.  Admittedly, I do need to work on going more.

On the days that I do make it to the gym, I still follow the structured cardio routine devised by the trainers based on recommendations from my doctor, but I’ve also added some weight training.  That routine consists of 3 stages: a warm-up stage, a work out stage, and a stretching/cool down stage.

My warm-up routine is pretty simple.  It’s just 3 to 5 laps around the indoor walking track to get my heart rate up and my muscles ready to workout.  Once I’ve completed the warm-up, I move on to the real workout.

As I said, the routine I follow is mainly cardio, with some weight training added for variety and strengthening.  We are focusing on strengthening my heart, and getting it working better.  Walking, bicycling, stair climbing, etc… are all forms of cardiovascular exercise.  And not surprisingly, are the three main components to my routine.  And what I do from day to day varies.

Some days the cardio portion of the workout is divided into 3 parts; I start out walking on a treadmill for 10 minutes, then spend another 10 minutes on a recumbent bike, and finally another 10 minutes on a step machine.  Other days, I spend 30 minutes on the treadmill, and then move on to weight training.  Finally, I finish the session with a little stretching and cool down period.

It’s a pretty simple routine, but it does the job. When I do it anyway. 🙂

Posted in Diabetes Blog Week | 5 Comments

Carbe Diem, in Moderation!

Posted on May 13, 2010 by mydiabeticheart

D-Blog Week Day 4: To carb or not to carb

I’ve always been a meat and potatoes kind of guy, and when I was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the idea of having to give up those carb loaded potatoes was not something I was very happy with.  So, I didn’t give them up entirely.  What I did, though, was learn how to eat them in moderation.  That’s the key!

Anything done in excess is bad for you. The same is true with the amount of carbs I eat.

Sure, if I eat a whole pan of mashed potatoes I’m going to have major problems. A spoonful of them isn’t so bad, though, as long as it is paired with some protein and a salad or some other no carb food items.  The protein and salad help to balance out the meal, and provide padding so my blood sugars don’t take off like a rocket, or drop like a meteor.

And, if I go eat that whole gallon of cookies and cream ice cream in my freezer in one sitting, you can bet I’m going to have problems. A scoop or so every now and then, however, isn’t so bad. Again, moderation is the key.

Each body is different, and in the end, it comes down to knowing what our bodies can handle.  Since diagnosis, I’ve learned a lot about which foods effect my blood sugars, and how my body processes them. I’ve figured out what I can eat safely, what’s OK to eat every now and then, and what I really have to stay away from at all times.  And, I’ve got a system that works for me, and the proof is in my A1c numbers. The last one was 6.0.

Having said that, though, what works for me, may not work for everyone.  And that’s perfectly fine.  Diabetes is not a “one size fits all ” disease, and no two people are alike, so, of course we’re all going to have different approaches to what we eat, how we treat, etc…  That’s just how it works.  We shouldn’t judge others.

One bit of advice to the diabetes police out there, and I’m quoting that awesome SugaSheen video, “All The Diabetics”,

“Don’t tell me I am bad, cause if you do, we’ll be through, and then you’ll get an ear full!”

Posted in Diabetes Blog Week, Shout outs | 5 Comments