Staying the Course -- 10--09--2017

[Superbob]

Well, thank goodness, it was easy finding the New Topics button to start a new week's thread, as opposed to last week. Hope we have had a breakthrough on the technological front,

Grateful to two of our astute observers (Pellicle, Paleowoman) who said they routinely go to 'Activity Stream' to check all new posts. That never occurred to clueless me so I will do that from now on.

Last week I whined about my concerns a lot (but if not here, where would I do that?)....so I will try to make this week less about me. But in my defense who among us does not worry a bit when their cardio orders up an echo. Are our tickers tickin' like a ticker oughta tick? Echo is Wednesday so answers may be forthcoming -- or new tests, whatever. Okay that's it about that.

Fred, I have an image in my head now of you making pots in the pottery shop and eating cookies ... always enjoy your posts. Hang in them, guy. What kind of cookies -- oatmeal raisin, chocolate chip, sugar....? : )

Tail end of Hurricane Nate is pushing a bunch of tropical moisture up the east coast -- we have a high chance of thunderstorms today, tomorrow, and even beyond. Makes it kind of tricky picking a good time for daily dawgwalk. Will be glad when we settle into a steady pattern of low-humidity, cool, crisp fall weather.

Hope life is pleasant along your respective courses this week. Thanks again for battling through the technical glitches and staying with us.(Breaking news: Understand all is cleared up -- thanks, Hank! Plus we can even Tweet now. What would Twitter make of us? lol

Cheers, Superbob

 

[Superbob]

Also, the little arrow up top to take you to next page of posts on the thread (when we get enough to have a second or third page) -- another great tip from Paleowoman! Many thanks.

 

[Paleowoman]

Grateful to two of our astute observers (Pellicle, Paleowoman) who said they routinely go to 'Activity Stream' to check all new posts.

I have the forum bookmarked in my browser on the 'Activity stream' page so that when I click the bookmark to go to the forum I'm right on that page and can scroll down all the new posts since I last went on. It means that, at least in theory, I shouldn't miss any new posts.

Last week I whined about my concerns a lot (but if not here, where would I do that?)....so I will try to make this week less about me. But in my defense who among us does not worry a bit when their cardio orders up an echo.

You're spot on about worrying a bit when we see the cardio or they order an echo, that's only natural SB !

Are our tickers tickin' like a ticker oughta tick?

I'm seeing my cardio tomorrow afternoon........

Thanks again for battling through the technical glitches and staying with us.

Things seem to be back to normal after the tinkering that Hank did today - see all my paragraphs lol

And now there's those two new buttons 'Share' and 'Tweet'

 

[FredW]

SB, the cookies were some kind of wedding cookie with a big dab of chocolate in the middle. A "friend" brought them for us yesterday from a wedding they attended. Deadly.

Real friends do not let friends eat cookies.

But I can't eat them while making pots or I'll end up eating clay, for my hands get fairly covered with clay. See here: https://www.facebook.com/potterstou...tif_id=1507573753702009&notif_t=story_reshare

We all know that clay weight is harder to loose than cookie weight.

 

[Paleowoman]

Things seem to be back to normal after the tinkering that Hank did today

It seems to have gone a bit wrong again FredW

But I can't eat them while making pots or I'll end up eating clay, for my hands get fairly covered with clay. See here: https://www.facebook.com/potterstour...=story_reshare

Is that you making all those pots in that video ? Impressive !

 

[jwinter]

Good Morning all. Glad to see the board working a bit better. Not much new in my corner of the world and I don't mind it. My INR dipped last week after stopping the shots so more warfarin since. It sure has taken a long time to get things back in line it seems. Oh well it is good to know that is all I have to contend with at this time.

Good luck to all with upcoming appointments and echos. I have one the 23rd and also an appointment with primary. Will get my flu shot and shingles shot that day and get my paperwork in order with coumadin clinic. If that new grand baby is here I am ready to pack my bags and head to the SW. Saw the travel conditions through Wyoming and Denver yesterday were pretty "iffy" so will have to watch for a travel window of about 3 days. Traveling with a pup this year so may require more stops.

Found some good online videos so getting my cardio exercise started as I plan to join some classes this winter. Will be a nice change from yard and house work. ATV trail riding, rock hounding, and photography are calling me.

Have a good week!

 

[honeybunny]

OK guys. I've got to get serious. My GP phoned yesterday to give me the results of my latest blood work and told me I have crossed from the pre-diabetic zone to the diabetic zone with an A1C of 6.0. I powered up the My Fitness Pal app again, put my Fiber One streusel bars in the kitchen at work, and had a salad for lunch.

I took the bull by the horns prior to my surgey just two years ago. I can do it again. But I'm not liking it. I think I have a mild case of situational depression going on because of an intense work load without any play time, and have been consuming lots of carbs and sugar as a result, some sweet red wine too. I'm not so much worried about the condition as I am frustrated at having to change my diet. I don't have many other life pleasures to compensate. Not whining...just laying it out there.

I was given a glucose meter a couple of years ago but never use it. I just don't like testing for stuff (another reason for selecting a tissue valve over mechanical, yes, shame on me). Maybe I will dig it out. Maybe I won't.

I know I'll find encouragement here and will keep you posted.

 

[Paleowoman]

Hi honeybunny - sorry to hear you have crossed over into the diabetic zone. Your blood glucose meter is your friend ! A very good friend when you have been diagnosed with diabetes, or even pre-diabetes.

When I was diagnosed with diabetes the first and most brilliant and helpful book I got was 'Diabetes Solution' by Dr Richard Bernstein. You will learn every thing you need to know in it, what to eat, how to test, and so on (Dr Bernstein is himself a Type 1 diabetic and specialises in treating both Type 1s and Type2s). And you can eat well, you won't be reduced to a life on salads, not at all. Here's a link: https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Bernsteins...hard+bernstein There is a forum too.

Another good book which has just come out, not so practical as Dr Bernstein's though, is 'Diabetes Unpacked' by Prof Tim Noakes and others: https://www.amazon.com/Diabetes-Unpa...betes+unpacked

Once you get 'unhooked' from carbs, believe me it is a 'hook', you can enjoy all sorts of foods which are delicious and nutritious and satisfying, and far more nutritious than empty carbs, and then your A1c will come down...no worries {{{hugs}}}

 

[honeybunny]

Thanks Paleowoman...I've been telling myself for months that I need to give up my sugar habit. I've read several articles of late about the addicition; supposedly it can be beaten in about two weeks if one abstains. My attempts failed. I need to try harder.

I will look into the books you recommend. Appreciate the encouragement

 

[Superbob]

Honeybunny, if you have crossed into the diabetic zone, you are barely an inch over. At 5.9 A1C you would be barely below. From everything I understand, a 6.0 A1C is actually a good number. My last reading a few months ago was 6.3 and my doctor considered that a good number. Actually 7.0 used to be the baseline, and then it was lowered to 6.0, which tends to arouse some suspicions regarding the medical industry and the profits to be made through redefinition.

But I don't want to send the wrong message: If you are borderline diabetic, it is best to approach your diet and lifestyle as if you are diabetic, and make the adjustments to keep your numbers good. Because full-blown diabetes is a terrible, terrible thing, and you never want to get there. As indicated, there are many helpful books out there, and lots on the American Diabetic Association website. Another point: It is not about foregoing all sugar or all dessert treats, it is about moderation.

Some other breaking news: I had my echocardiogram today, and my great tech, who has been doing these tests for 30 years, said everything looked "good" to her. But the doc will give me the official results a week from now. Always glad to have good heart news any time any place...

 

[Paleowoman]

My attempts failed. I need to try harder.

No, no - so many "fail", or feel they fail only becasue they give up foods they enjoy without finding something else to eat that is satisfying and enjoyable and keeps them going so they don't feel hungry. Carbs are guilty because they cause a blood glucose spike and then an insulin spike which causes a blood glucose low and makes the person hungry which doesn't help when they have to control their blood glucose. You'll find a way honeybunny !

 

[honeybunny]

Thanks Anne

SB, thanks to you as well. I thought I've had higher A1C results and been told I was still pre. I need to get into my online records and check it all out. But a big contrats to you on what appears to be a "good" echo!!! Will you be scheduling a tentative hand surgery while waiting to see your cardio?

 

[Superbob]

Thanks Anne

SB, thanks to you as well. I thought I've had higher A1C results and been told I was still pre. I need to get into my online records and check it all out. But a big contrats to you on what appears to be a "good" echo!!! Will you be scheduling a tentative hand surgery while waiting to see your cardio?

Thanks, HB -- no, won't be doing any surgery-scheduling just yet. The cardio might be aware of something the tech isn't. And anyway I want to discuss the anesthesia.

 

[Agian]

I know a young girl who got full blown diabetes in her 20s. She lost about 30kg and the diabetes went away. Not kidding.
Stress can also increase your bsl. Aim for weight loss, modify your diet, and turn down the stress. You can do it girlie! Keep the faith!

 

[honeybunny]

Thanks for the encouragement Agian. And you're correct; I CAN do it.

 

[jwinter]

HB after watching your dance/exercise video I have all the faith in the world you will succeed! My son's GF was diagnosed pre-diabetic about a year ago. had quite a few pounds to lose, and started working out. Her numbers came in line far ahead of her weight goal and getting her diet completely on board. My sister is diabetic and won't even try exercise and diet. She and several others I know have this mentality of "just take more medicine". Aggravates me to no end as I know what all the ibuprofen from my earlier years did to my liver

You have us all behind you cheering you on. It wont be easy but just think how you will feel when you get that number you need to keep that body healthy.

Yep, you got this (and don't be afraid to share those ups and downs or just VENT)

 

[epstns]

Wow! It looks like I've missed a lot. We were out of town for a few days, on a coach tour of Wisconsin's Door County - which they bill as the Cape Cod of the Midwest. Beautiful country, if a bit remote. they promote a simpler lifestyle by banning all chain stores and restaurants in the entire county, which is a peninsula about 100 miles long. A very interesting experience, although we are used to more urban adventures.

HB - hang in there on that blood sugar. I have several family members (in-laws, so I may not be in the danger zone) who are pre-diabetic and "just barely diabetic." They all do fine, once they figure out what is good for themselves. It is a lousy condition to have, but for many, it is very manageable. It is just one more of those conditions that could make life very miserable if one lets it do so, but which can be managed pretty effectively for the long run. We wish you the best of luck, and we'll be here to cheer you on in your battle.

Our weather here in the upper Midwest has definitely drifted into fall. Daily highs are now just above 70F, with lows in the 50's or even upper 40's. Great weather for sleeping, but not as nice for a walk in the park. I'm going to have to adjust my lunchtime walking plans once it gets colder and snowy. If it is just cold, but not too cold or windy, then I can often get in a walk at lunchtime. Once it snows, too many people fail to shovel their walks, and it is not safe to walk in the street, so I lose out. That may be partly the cause of my typical winter weight gain.

Well, we made it to Friday. One more work day, and then I get the next two off. I'm ready for that. . .

 

[Superbob]

HB -- I will just add in way of personal experience, I got my first Type 2 diagnosis in 2004, the year before my heavy-duty heart surgery. In the years since, I have fluctuated between 6.0 and 7.0 A1Cs, and recently have been at the lower end of that spectrum. When I started, the guidance was to keep it below 7.0. That was changed nationally to 6.0.

I do take a couple of diabetes meds -- metformin principally (which some recent research has indicated might have some ancillary benefits re cardiac health -- who knows if that is true not?) A couple of times my insurance has paid for diabetes management courses with experts at local hospital, and they are helpful with basic stuff. You can find that info in various guidebooks, but to hear from other folks is helpful.

I get 3 month foot-doctor checks, and regular check-ups from our great eye doctor -- both looking for any diabetic effects -- and of course see my regular doc and cardio also. Just keeping track of all the vitals that diabetes can affect is a good idea -- and besides it keeps my social schedule busy. (My black book is now filled with all sorts of docs' phone numbers, not girlfriends as in ancient times)....

I am not as regular as I should be in home-checking my blood sugars these days. Don't emulate me on that. And I will try to do better. I have my testing kit just above my computer right now.

Anyway, the lesson is just be vigilant and of course... stay the course!

 

[honeybunny]

Thank you!

 

[honeybunny]

Thanks you guys. Yesterday I brought my stash of chocolate candy to work and left it in the kitchen. Baby steps, right? Love you all xxxxxoooo