Staying the Course -- 08/26/2019

[Superbob]

Well, top o' the Courser Week to one and all. How are all staying their courses? I can only answer for myself: shakily is the word as my September 18 AAA (plus valve plus root plus whatever's left) surgery day gets closer. I felt shaky on our evening dawgwalk even though the humidity was low and it was quite pleasant. I do think my enlarging aneurysm has some effect. So cut it short and got a strawberry-banana smoothie from McD's and felt wonderful. Huge shot of sugar. Snacked in evening on huge muffins my DW made me buy (ha!) Then ate a bowl of crunchy Raisin Bran this morning and suddenly felt rather dizzy. Panic city. Ascending Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) related? Off to ER? Emergency surgery by local surgeons I do not know? Then I thought about it: You are a type 2 diabetic, dummy! Think of the carbs you have been loading in -- eating nervously. Think of the water you have NOT been drinking enough of.

So I checked my blood sugar for first time in a good while -- and it was 206. I rarely am over 200. Well, it figures dummy! So I ate some protein snacks, made me a bowl of oatmeal (much better glycemic choice than Raisin Bran), and drank a couple of bottles of H2O, and I am starting to feel better. Soon will make a grocery run and I will get some foods that help with glucose: whole wheat bread, sardines, unsweetened yogurt, the right kinds of fruit, etc. And I will take my reading regularly. AND I will make myself drink water. I know I am dehydrated because the low number on my bp regularly is in the 40s. 60 would be about right for me, I think. 110/60 -- something like that. Last thing I need is to go in for surgery with type 2 raging out of control -- I am normally 6.5 A1C so it has been well-controlled. Need to get back to healthy eating and living.

We had a Sunday lunch at my son and his bride's house yesterday, and afterwards we did a pre-and-post-surgery planning session. First assuming all goes well. And then assuming not. Good idea, you need to have all your stuff straight. But I looked over and tears were streaming down the face of my big tall athletic stud of a son. I tried to cheer him up. I mean que sera sera. I have found the most experienced knowledgeable surgeon I could, so chances of success are good. But with any surgery there is the chance of finis. Anyway, maybe it's good he realizes that, just in case.

Okay so I am staying my course -- if shakily. How are you all staying YOUR courses? Yes I want to hear about you!

Cheers,
SUPERBOB
❣

 

[Protimenow]

Superbob -- I don't have a course, but if I did, I probably wouldn't be maintaining it very well.

Does proper hydration keep the diastolic number down? If so, I've got to drink a LOT more water - mine's been pushing into the 80s.

I'm glad to read your post, and I'm even happier that you figured out that your glucose was way too high. I'm happy to see that you're making plans for either surgical outcome. Good for you. You're a more superman than this old fart is.

I hope to read more from you, leading up to that day.

 

[LoveMyBraveHeart]

Superbob, you're awesome, and you are going to be okay. I am wishing the best for you!

We are currently 12 days post emergency re-op and doing pretty well. Mathias originally had his AVR redo on 8/9 and ended up back in on 8/14 for tamponade. Very scary, so we are gun shy in saying everything is going well. We take everything day by day. He has some post-op anemia (they decided a transfusion wasn't necessary during the emergency surgery, though they thought it would be) so we are trying to recover from that. Makes him kind of pale and not have a ton of energy. He is also dealing with some fun muscle spasms in his shoulder and back...they scare the bejeezus out of us both when they happen, but only last for a few seconds and are thankfully few and far between. Lots of Dr. appointments next week--only one for INR testing this week (it's been a smidge low, so we are in the adjustment stage; testing every 4 days or so) but next week we have INR testing, OMT (if you aren't familiar, Mathias really recommends it after surgery if you can find a doc that offers it), and a follow up with the surgeon plus an echo somewhere in there. Everyday he feels a little better, but also discovers something new about his body or side effects of meds or something like that. I am just so in awe of how well he is taking all of this mentally. His sense of humor is fully intact, he wants to hold in depth conversations and debates with me, he is going out to lunch with some of his family today...he is just so amazing...I look at him with stars in my eyes (how silly it may be to admit). As you all know, there is so much to keep track of...needless to say, I don't rest much yet. Anyway, we are hopefully that the reports we give continue to be positive ones.

Send you lots of positivity! (I hear its my specialty )

 

[Paul1972]

Always good to read your posts Bob. Best wishes for the 18th September will be thinking of you.Paul xx

 

[Duffey]

Glad you’re concentrating on your type 2, Superbob, and getting it back to where it normally is. We spent the weekend in mid Missouri with two of our sons. One, our youngest, just moved into a new home so we spent Saturday and Sunday helping with the unpacking. Our other son, who is 37, enters the Air Force National Guard next week so we bid him fond farewell. Out of our five children, he is my rock, and my anxiety is off the chart. It seems a little silly since we survived our oldest boy’s almost 15 years in Marine Special Ops, but there it is. Later in the week we’ll head north, close to @dornole, for the last vacation of summer. I hope to keep my diet on track, but my resolve is sketchy. Wishing you all a good week . . .

 

[Superbob]

Superbob -- I don't have a course, but if I did, I probably wouldn't be maintaining it very well.

Does proper hydration keep the diastolic number down? If so, I've got to drink a LOT more water - mine's been pushing into the 80s.

I'm glad to read your post, and I'm even happier that you figured out that your glucose was way too high. I'm happy to see that you're making plans for either surgical outcome. Good for you. You're a more superman than this old fart is.

I hope to read more from you, leading up to that day.

Actually a home-health nurse for my wife after her bad fall last winter told me that if your diastolic is low (like mine sometimes -- in the 40s) you can raise it by hydrating. I've tried drinking a couple of bottles of water after getting a low reading, and sure enough it raises the number. Don't know exactly why but I get nervous when my meds take it below 50 so I use that as a reminder to drink more water.

 

[LoveMyBraveHeart]

Actually a home-health nurse for my wife after her bad fall last winter told me that if your diastolic is low (like mine sometimes -- in the 40s) you can raise it by hydrating. I've tried drinking a couple of bottles of water after getting a low reading, and sure enough it raises the number. Don't know exactly why but I get nervous when my meds take it below 50 so I use that as a reminder to drink more water.

Electrolyte replacement drinks work well too (Gatorade). I know in animal med if BP falls too low (pulse too) fluids are the remedy! As far as lowering BP goes, I've found a really good supplement that has lowered my own from 140/90 range to 120/70. It's called Carditone. Because I'm not part of your guys club (mechanical parts in my bod) I have not done research on if it's safe to use with all medication. But it's really worked wonders for me, and once built up, stays in the system for days. I only take a half a pill EOD now.

 

[Superbob]

Superbob, you're awesome, and you are going to be okay. I am wishing the best for you!

We are currently 12 days post emergency re-op and doing pretty well. Mathias originally had his AVR redo on 8/9 and ended up back in on 8/14 for tamponade. Very scary, so we are gun shy in saying everything is going well. We take everything day by day. He has some post-op anemia (they decided a transfusion wasn't necessary during the emergency surgery, though they thought it would be) so we are trying to recover from that. Makes him kind of pale and not have a ton of energy. He is also dealing with some fun muscle spasms in his shoulder and back...they scare the bejeezus out of us both when they happen, but only last for a few seconds and are thankfully few and far between. Lots of Dr. appointments next week--only one for INR testing this week (it's been a smidge low, so we are in the adjustment stage; testing every 4 days or so) but next week we have INR testing, OMT (if you aren't familiar, Mathias really recommends it after surgery if you can find a doc that offers it), and a follow up with the surgeon plus an echo somewhere in there. Everyday he feels a little better, but also discovers something new about his body or side effects of meds or something like that. I am just so in awe of how well he is taking all of this mentally. His sense of humor is fully intact, he wants to hold in depth conversations and debates with me, he is going out to lunch with some of his family today...he is just so amazing...I look at him with stars in my eyes (how silly it may be to admit). As you all know, there is so much to keep track of...needless to say, I don't rest much yet. Anyway, we are hopefully that the reports we give continue to be positive ones.

Send you lots of positivity! (I hear its my specialty )

After all your guy (and you) have been through, sounds like he is doing well. Hope that continues. I am sure that he is very lucky to have a wonderful woman like you in his corner. All best to the two of you. Thanks for the well wishes and the positivity!

 

[Superbob]

Glad you’re concentrating on your type 2, Superbob, and getting it back to where it normally is. We spent the weekend in mid Missouri with two of our sons. One, our youngest, just moved into a new home so we spent Saturday and Sunday helping with the unpacking. Our other son, who is 37, enters the Air Force National Guard next week so we bid him fond farewell. Out of our five children, he is my rock, and my anxiety is off the chart. It seems a little silly since we survived our oldest boy’s almost 15 years in Marine Special Ops, but there it is. Later in the week we’ll head north, close to @dornole, for the last vacation of summer. I hope to keep my diet on track, but my resolve is sketchy. Wishing you all a good week . . .

Hey Duffey, all best to your Air Force son! Good for him for serving our country as did your youngest. Your anxiety is understandable but he should be fine.

 

[Paleowoman]

Goodness SB - 206 ! I converted that to UK numbers: 11.4 yikes ! Good wake up call for you to get in control prior to surgery.....or the medics will panic. Take care !

Then I thought about it: You are a type 2 diabetic, dummy! Think of the carbs you have been loading in -- eating nervously. Think of the water you have NOT been drinking enough of.

So I checked my blood sugar for first time in a good while -- and it was 206. I rarely am over 200. Well, it figures dummy! So I ate some protein snacks, made me a bowl of oatmeal (much better glycemic choice than Raisin Bran), and drank a couple of bottles of H2O, and I am starting to feel better. Soon will make a grocery run and I will get some foods that help with glucose: whole wheat bread, sardines, unsweetened yogurt, the right kinds of fruit, etc. And I will take my reading regularly. AND I will make myself drink water. I know I am dehydrated because the low number on my bp regularly is in the 40s. 60 would be about right for me, I think. 110/60 -- something like that. Last thing I need is to go in for surgery with type 2 raging out of control -- I am normally 6.5 A1C so it has been well-controlled. Need to get back to healthy eating and living.

 

[FredW]

#Superbob, I don't know much about Type 2 diabetic blood sugar numbers, but I do know I want you to be well. I'm pleased you are taking care of yourself. The best to you and your DW.

 

[Superbob]

I stumbled across this YouTube video from Mayo Clinic surgeons and cardiologists. A little esoteric at times, perhaps, but found it pretty helpful re aortic aneurysms. Maybe others will as well. About a half-hour.

 

[Lex Luther]

Thanks Superbob. Had not seen the clip and found it informative. Thanks for the example you have set in going through this. God Bless!

 

[Paul1972]

I stumbled across this YouTube video from Mayo Clinic surgeons and cardiologists. A little esoteric at times, perhaps, but found it pretty helpful re aortic aneurysms. Maybe others will as well. About a half-hour.

Wow I was a lucky man, my aneurysm got to 8.2cm before it was found by chance

 

[Superbob]

Wow I was a lucky man, my aneurysm got to 8.2cm before it was found by chance

Wow, Paul, that was a huge booger! Glad you are still with us! I'm fretting mine may have continued its brisk growth of past year to reach 6.0 cm (where average risk of dissection in a given year is about 14%, I've read). Of course, to state the obvious, we are all different and averages can be misleading. Anyway, did you go promptly to surgery after they measured 8.2?

 

[Paul1972]

Hi Bob,They gave me the choice to stay in hospital or go home as the surgery wasn’t going to be done till 8 days later. I had already been in hospital a week so I decided to go home I didn’t want to stay in hospital fretting and worrying any longer ,so they sent me home with strict rules not to do anything but relax. They eventually did the David’s procedure on me but unfortunately that failed after a few months,so they booked me in for a mechanical valve which I had 10 months after my first surgery. Best wishes for your upcoming surgery Bob

 

[Agian]

Wow I was a lucky man, my aneurysm got to 8.2cm before it was found by chance

Bloody hell Paul. Glad you're ok.

 

[Paul1972]

Bloody hell Paul. Glad you're ok.

I feel very fortunate Again And thankful of what these surgeons can do nowadays.Hope you are keeping well

 

[Agian]

I feel very fortunate Again And thankful of what these surgeons can do nowadays.Hope you are keeping well

I am bruv