We made it through last week's tremendously hot, hot, hot Tastefully Simple party. I earned $65 worth of free product so that was a nice bonus to seeing my friends gathered in my little sweatbox apartment.
Today I started taking insulin for my diabetes. I am still taking all my other diabetes meds so now I am doing two shots a day: one of Victoza and one of insulin. My A1C was up from 6.7 to 8.3 and my glucose numbers are way too high.
I am also dealing with the stress of a work friend who is very ill and in the hospital again. He has been sick for many, many months and hospitalized for almost that whole time. He was improving but now has had quite a setback. I am sending up many prayers for him and his family.
In my free time I am working on making cards and a scrapbook page for upcoming events. I feel like I am slowly making progress with my business although I am not pushing it very hard. It is mostly about me right now and I am okay with that. I am just enjoying the crafting and pure joy of making beautiful things.
Oh, and on the MS front, I was the number one individual fundraiser for my local work and the 39th highest fundraiser in the state. Other than that, I am doing my monthly Tysabri and doing well.
The biggest hurdle I need to clear is the diabetes and obesity issue. Move more, eat better, take my meds, and test, test, test. I'll make it!
A beginner's blog about an early 40-something female who's divorced, a teacher, and has MS (multiple sclerosis) and diabetes. The Messy Stuff in life will be exposed to the sunlight, making it less important and allowing our trusty blogger to enjoy life more.
Showing posts with label diabetes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diabetes. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
This isn't my first rodeo...
It's been almost a week since I last posted. What have I been up to?
Well, on the diabetes front I am basically testing twice a day like I was told to do. I have started eating better with more fruits and veggies.
Exercise? Well, something's gotta give and it's been that. I have only exercised once, partially because I am lazy and don't think about it until about eight o'clock and it's hot and humid then. I have been more active than usual because I have been cleaning and organizing and hauling things out to the dumpster. I am having a Tastefully Simple party on Thursday with a bunch of friends coming over to my place.
Having a party like that once a year is a good thing because I see my friends, we have a great time, and I clean my place up! The bad thing is it's supposed to be about 100 degrees that day which is just ridiculous. It never gets that hot here and I only have air conditioning in my bedroom. Sigh, I'll figure something out with the fans to keep people alive and ungrumpy.
My brother is still home which is nice. I met his new girlfriend the other day and she seems to have redeeming qualities beyond the fact that she is attracted to my dork of a brother. Hehehe...
Tomorrow will be the continuation of some cleaning and organizing and making the beer bread and the chocolate pound cake. I also have to make a strawberry cheeseball. Everything else is made already.
Now I just need to start moving my body!
Well, on the diabetes front I am basically testing twice a day like I was told to do. I have started eating better with more fruits and veggies.
Exercise? Well, something's gotta give and it's been that. I have only exercised once, partially because I am lazy and don't think about it until about eight o'clock and it's hot and humid then. I have been more active than usual because I have been cleaning and organizing and hauling things out to the dumpster. I am having a Tastefully Simple party on Thursday with a bunch of friends coming over to my place.
Having a party like that once a year is a good thing because I see my friends, we have a great time, and I clean my place up! The bad thing is it's supposed to be about 100 degrees that day which is just ridiculous. It never gets that hot here and I only have air conditioning in my bedroom. Sigh, I'll figure something out with the fans to keep people alive and ungrumpy.
My brother is still home which is nice. I met his new girlfriend the other day and she seems to have redeeming qualities beyond the fact that she is attracted to my dork of a brother. Hehehe...
Tomorrow will be the continuation of some cleaning and organizing and making the beer bread and the chocolate pound cake. I also have to make a strawberry cheeseball. Everything else is made already.
Now I just need to start moving my body!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Back in the saddle again ...
Today was a day of reckoning as I drove myself out to the diabetes nurse educator's office. First off, we stopped at the scale and blessedly my weight really hasn't changed any. I was scared to death that it had gone ever higher as I approach a rather large number that I don't want to surpass.
Then we took my blood for my A1C level (piece of cake after Tysabri yesterday) and we tested my glucose level. It was 221 five hours after I had eaten. Not good. Really not good.
I came out with the truth about my lackadaisical testing regimen and my recent high blood sugar numbers. I told her that I was getting no exercise. Shame, your name is Weeble!
So, what am I going to do about this and where does she plan to go?
It looks like I will be starting insulin once a day at the end of the month. If we do that then I no longer have to be on the pills. If it works better then I am all for it as I am already doing a Victoza shot daily.
On my end, I have to check my glucose levels twice a day and report those numbers in two weeks to her. That, coupled with the A1C level, will be the insulin clincher.
I also started exercising again tonight. It was 27 minutes of very low intensity walking but it was something. I am making a real effort from this point on to build up my exercising to 3-4 days a week. I am also charting my blood sugars online along with my exercise at a health site. I really enjoy spending time online so why not use that to my advantage?
I am also making a true concerted effort to eat better and choose better meals and snacks. I even made a big salad tonight and enjoyed it. I'm not saying I will be perfect because I won't be but I have the time and energy to focus on this. It is summer vacation, after all.
Consider me back in the saddle again. My horse may not be moving anywhere but I am ready if it does!
Then we took my blood for my A1C level (piece of cake after Tysabri yesterday) and we tested my glucose level. It was 221 five hours after I had eaten. Not good. Really not good.
I came out with the truth about my lackadaisical testing regimen and my recent high blood sugar numbers. I told her that I was getting no exercise. Shame, your name is Weeble!
So, what am I going to do about this and where does she plan to go?
It looks like I will be starting insulin once a day at the end of the month. If we do that then I no longer have to be on the pills. If it works better then I am all for it as I am already doing a Victoza shot daily.
On my end, I have to check my glucose levels twice a day and report those numbers in two weeks to her. That, coupled with the A1C level, will be the insulin clincher.
I also started exercising again tonight. It was 27 minutes of very low intensity walking but it was something. I am making a real effort from this point on to build up my exercising to 3-4 days a week. I am also charting my blood sugars online along with my exercise at a health site. I really enjoy spending time online so why not use that to my advantage?
I am also making a true concerted effort to eat better and choose better meals and snacks. I even made a big salad tonight and enjoyed it. I'm not saying I will be perfect because I won't be but I have the time and energy to focus on this. It is summer vacation, after all.
Consider me back in the saddle again. My horse may not be moving anywhere but I am ready if it does!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Vacation, baby
It's finally here, summer vacation. The last time I wrote I was sharing my send-off message to my homeroom and now there are all gone, tossed to the wind in all directions on vacations, some moving, some staying home and (gasp) actually missing school.
I am missing the routine and my work friends but I am loving sleeping in and I'm doing a rather spectacular job of it, if I say so myself. Last night I logged about twelve hours and then I still squeezed in a few more naps.
So what is on my agenda? I did go to a card making extravaganza on Monday and got my hair cut and coiffed today. I am thinking about maybe getting a pedicure tomorrow and I have an hour massage scheduled for Thursday. Not bad for the first week off, huh?
I have made a dent in the kitchen cleaning needs area but there is still much more to be done there and everywhere else in my place. I also need to get my flex plan stuff all set to be mailed in. I have a few copies yet to be made and then I will have a little more summer money in my pocket. Extra money is always good...
One thing I need to do more of is check my glucose levels and get serious about my diabetes. My MS seems to be well under control but I just checked my glucose level and it was 364! That is way too high for anyone, let alone a diabetic.
I also need to do some more writing (and lots of reading for complete pleasure). Ah vacation is a wondrous time, filled with endless possibilities and time for cleaning my humble abode.
I am missing the routine and my work friends but I am loving sleeping in and I'm doing a rather spectacular job of it, if I say so myself. Last night I logged about twelve hours and then I still squeezed in a few more naps.
So what is on my agenda? I did go to a card making extravaganza on Monday and got my hair cut and coiffed today. I am thinking about maybe getting a pedicure tomorrow and I have an hour massage scheduled for Thursday. Not bad for the first week off, huh?
I have made a dent in the kitchen cleaning needs area but there is still much more to be done there and everywhere else in my place. I also need to get my flex plan stuff all set to be mailed in. I have a few copies yet to be made and then I will have a little more summer money in my pocket. Extra money is always good...
One thing I need to do more of is check my glucose levels and get serious about my diabetes. My MS seems to be well under control but I just checked my glucose level and it was 364! That is way too high for anyone, let alone a diabetic.
I also need to do some more writing (and lots of reading for complete pleasure). Ah vacation is a wondrous time, filled with endless possibilities and time for cleaning my humble abode.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
One more day...
One more day until the gammagram and finally some news. I either get to stop worrying or I turn myself into a whirling dervish who is on a one-way path to getting better. In the meantime I have walked the last two evenings to get some movement going with this body and to help deal with the feelings of nervousness.
I need to stop bullshitting myself about this whole bit with my diabetes. My glucose numbers are all out of whack because I am only taking one Metformin pill a day instead of the four I was taking because of all my bowel explosion issues. I am still taking Glipizide and my Victoza shot but it seems that all I eat is carbs, carbs, and more carbs. I have at least got myself to the point where I am taking my blood sugar numbers once a day; all this after months of hardly any readings.
It's time to start really thinking about what I am eating and exercising regularly again. I feel better when I eat better and I move more, yet I am a slack ass and I don't do it nearly enough. Time to pull out my Geneen Roth books, dust them off, and find those pages that ring true for me.
How is it that we as women often sabotage ourselves as if we don't deserve to be fit and healthy? We put ourselves last on the list and I don't even have a family of my own to take care of, no hubby anymore or kiddos, so what the heck is my reason for acting so piss poor lately? Why do I let myself fall apart and gel into this giant body?
It's time to focus on me more and getting healthier. I can win the fight against diabetes and I can get it under control again. I have summer vacation coming up and I will have all sorts of time to take care of me in many different ways.
Wishing you health and happiness, Weebs
I need to stop bullshitting myself about this whole bit with my diabetes. My glucose numbers are all out of whack because I am only taking one Metformin pill a day instead of the four I was taking because of all my bowel explosion issues. I am still taking Glipizide and my Victoza shot but it seems that all I eat is carbs, carbs, and more carbs. I have at least got myself to the point where I am taking my blood sugar numbers once a day; all this after months of hardly any readings.
It's time to start really thinking about what I am eating and exercising regularly again. I feel better when I eat better and I move more, yet I am a slack ass and I don't do it nearly enough. Time to pull out my Geneen Roth books, dust them off, and find those pages that ring true for me.
How is it that we as women often sabotage ourselves as if we don't deserve to be fit and healthy? We put ourselves last on the list and I don't even have a family of my own to take care of, no hubby anymore or kiddos, so what the heck is my reason for acting so piss poor lately? Why do I let myself fall apart and gel into this giant body?
It's time to focus on me more and getting healthier. I can win the fight against diabetes and I can get it under control again. I have summer vacation coming up and I will have all sorts of time to take care of me in many different ways.
Wishing you health and happiness, Weebs
Sunday, May 1, 2011
2011 MS Walk

Our team has successfully completed another MS Walk. If I say so myself, and I am saying so, we had the coolest T-shirts at the walk. I know this because another person even stopped us to tell us that!
I did the 3-mile walk with BJM and another friend. The rest of our merry walkers split up into other groups of people doing either the 3 or 5-mile jaunt. Some of us were even on TV tonight which is just the bomb.
I'm so proud to have so many awesome friends who took time out of a beautiful Sunday morning to come and spend time with me, to walk, and to raise money. I am a lucky, lucky girl!
I know I have once again been remiss at keeping this thing updated. I hope to get back to it fully once summer vacation is here. Unfortunately, that isn't until the end of June. In the meantime I will let you know that I am doing my best to check my blood sugar levels once a day and that the bowel blow-outs have stopped thanks to the discontinuance of a diabetes medication.
The stamping thing is going well and I am having a blast with it. I am making some money through sales to friends and orders from myself. I seem to have a new addiction and it's calorie-free but it does get a bit costly.
Happy May to all!
Weebs
Thursday, April 14, 2011
What happened to March?
Not only what happened to March, but what the heck happened to me, ye olde trusty blogger? I have to admit folks that I need new topics to write about because my MS is in remission, my diabetes I'm not focusing on much (which reminded me to go take my blood sugar for the first time in ten days!), and school is going okay.
In short, which is what I am for those of you who know me in real life, life is just ducky.
My MS Walk team is getting revved up and ready to go for our May 1st walk. We're a small team compared to some but we're mighty in spirit. Right now we are third for team fundraising and I am first for individual fundraising for the Syracuse, NY walk. I'm just thrilled with that even if I am behind compared to last year's amount. I know the economy is tanking and discretionary spending doesn't necessarily include donations to the NMSS. However, I am thankful to all who have been generous in time, spirit, and donations of goods and cold hard cash.
The diabetes thing is a bit of a problem because even though my A1C is dropping it's not because I have made a concerted effort to change things. Since my Dad's death in November I have been a huge slacker in this area. I rarely check my blood sugar weekly, let alone check it twice a day. I am trying to remember all my meds but often forget my Victoza shot in the morning. My other meds give me the "runs" which are oh so pleasant, especially when you already have some bowel and bladder issues due to MS.
I know this is TMI but I have lost more panties due to sudden explosions than I care to count. I just ordered some new ones online to replace the casualties. Now back to your unregularly scheduled program...
So diabetes is something I need to conquer. I can do it, was doing it, until Dad died. Then some things fell apart, like me, and the diabetes thing got lost in the shuffle. I keep telling myself I'll start to take better care of myself and then I don't. Maybe I need to write more about that. Maybe the blog needs to take a diabetes slant for a bit. I mean, I do fancy my eyesight and all my limbs and such. It would be a tragedy to survive and thrive with MS and then go blind or need something amputated in the future.
I also need to start really exercising again. I have been walking in my little apartment to get prepared for our big walk. Last year there was no turn around sign so we kept on walking extra and I absolutely plan against doing that this year. I know where to look now and plan to do three mile minimum (or less, if I can get away with it). I have people at work that tell me they don't walk and I want to tell them that neither do I on a regular, athletic basis. I know I need to but I just don't. Walking after work puts a real dent in my napping time.
It is Spring now and I am loving that. I drive to work with the sun coming up on the driver's side as I go to school. I sometimes leave in the afternoon and can open the sunroof. Oh what a joy that is! When you live in a place that snows from October/November to April/May, spring is a welcome sight, sound, and smell. There's nothing quite like fresh blades of green grass and flowers poking up through the formerly frozen ground.
Oh, the card making thing is going swimmingly also. Did I tell you I joined Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator? I was thinking about doing it, decided against it, and then completely changed my mind and did it. Just jumped in with both feet, boom. Now I am making a little bit of money doing something fun that I enjoy. Something besides teaching that is.
Speaking/typing of teaching... today is a half day for the kiddos and so is tomorrow for parent-teacher conferences. I'll be working until sometime around 6 tonight but then leaving early Friday. Then, blissfully, I will be off all next week for vacation. I'm not going anywhere, except for my Tysabri appointment and to the neurologist and a few fun side trips mixed in to work on cards and such. Sleeping in, if Edison allows it, will be fabulous.
So, in a nutshell, this nut is doing okay in spite of all the challenges that life has thrown at me for the last year. I hope you're doing well, too.
In short, which is what I am for those of you who know me in real life, life is just ducky.
My MS Walk team is getting revved up and ready to go for our May 1st walk. We're a small team compared to some but we're mighty in spirit. Right now we are third for team fundraising and I am first for individual fundraising for the Syracuse, NY walk. I'm just thrilled with that even if I am behind compared to last year's amount. I know the economy is tanking and discretionary spending doesn't necessarily include donations to the NMSS. However, I am thankful to all who have been generous in time, spirit, and donations of goods and cold hard cash.
The diabetes thing is a bit of a problem because even though my A1C is dropping it's not because I have made a concerted effort to change things. Since my Dad's death in November I have been a huge slacker in this area. I rarely check my blood sugar weekly, let alone check it twice a day. I am trying to remember all my meds but often forget my Victoza shot in the morning. My other meds give me the "runs" which are oh so pleasant, especially when you already have some bowel and bladder issues due to MS.
I know this is TMI but I have lost more panties due to sudden explosions than I care to count. I just ordered some new ones online to replace the casualties. Now back to your unregularly scheduled program...
So diabetes is something I need to conquer. I can do it, was doing it, until Dad died. Then some things fell apart, like me, and the diabetes thing got lost in the shuffle. I keep telling myself I'll start to take better care of myself and then I don't. Maybe I need to write more about that. Maybe the blog needs to take a diabetes slant for a bit. I mean, I do fancy my eyesight and all my limbs and such. It would be a tragedy to survive and thrive with MS and then go blind or need something amputated in the future.
I also need to start really exercising again. I have been walking in my little apartment to get prepared for our big walk. Last year there was no turn around sign so we kept on walking extra and I absolutely plan against doing that this year. I know where to look now and plan to do three mile minimum (or less, if I can get away with it). I have people at work that tell me they don't walk and I want to tell them that neither do I on a regular, athletic basis. I know I need to but I just don't. Walking after work puts a real dent in my napping time.
It is Spring now and I am loving that. I drive to work with the sun coming up on the driver's side as I go to school. I sometimes leave in the afternoon and can open the sunroof. Oh what a joy that is! When you live in a place that snows from October/November to April/May, spring is a welcome sight, sound, and smell. There's nothing quite like fresh blades of green grass and flowers poking up through the formerly frozen ground.
Oh, the card making thing is going swimmingly also. Did I tell you I joined Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator? I was thinking about doing it, decided against it, and then completely changed my mind and did it. Just jumped in with both feet, boom. Now I am making a little bit of money doing something fun that I enjoy. Something besides teaching that is.
Speaking/typing of teaching... today is a half day for the kiddos and so is tomorrow for parent-teacher conferences. I'll be working until sometime around 6 tonight but then leaving early Friday. Then, blissfully, I will be off all next week for vacation. I'm not going anywhere, except for my Tysabri appointment and to the neurologist and a few fun side trips mixed in to work on cards and such. Sleeping in, if Edison allows it, will be fabulous.
So, in a nutshell, this nut is doing okay in spite of all the challenges that life has thrown at me for the last year. I hope you're doing well, too.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Adieu to you, February
My gosh, I have been away for almost the entire month. At least for this last week I have a solid excuse. I have a confirmed case of the flu! I guess I started getting sick last Saturday, slowly but surely and it ballooned until I was a coughing, hacking mess with a nasty fever and other bodily woes.
I had my Tysabri infusion on Tuesday morning even though I felt like a sad sack. We all knew I was sick but I didn't know just how sick I was. I probably should not have had the infusion that day but I just thought I had a bad cold then. I mean, I have MS and I generally don't get sick too often because of that highly functioning immune system.
The question everyone wants to know is did I get the flu shot?
NO!
I always, always, always get the flu shot either at work or at the doctor's office but I just somehow missed it this year. I signed up too late at work to get it and then my Dad died in November and I kind of fell apart for a while.
So I am on Tamiflu and an antibiotic and an inhaler to deal with my chest gunk. This is on top of the plethora of meds I take on a daily basis for MS and diabetes. I am getting tired of pills, but they are making me feel better. Hooray for that.
In other, more delightful, news:
1.) My A1C level has dropped from a 7.5 to a 6.7! This is somehow miraculous because I have NOT been testing my blood sugars regularly and my med regimen has not been all that regimented since my Dad died. (I know it's time to take my life back and test, test, test and watch what I eat and actually start dancing and exercising again.) I think my Dad sprinkled some fairy dust from Heaven into my blood during the draw the other afternoon. There's just no other reasonable and feasible explanation.
2.) I have a new part-time job. I joined Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator after first saying no to it, then pondering it, and finally jumping in with both feet. My first official workshop should be in about 2 weeks, well after I get un-flued! I'm looking forward to it.
3.) My mid-winter break is coming to an end but I am thankful that I have good health insurance, a great doctor, access to decent meds, and time off to recover. Thankfully, (knocking on particle board here) my MS has not acted up.
That's about it for February!
I had my Tysabri infusion on Tuesday morning even though I felt like a sad sack. We all knew I was sick but I didn't know just how sick I was. I probably should not have had the infusion that day but I just thought I had a bad cold then. I mean, I have MS and I generally don't get sick too often because of that highly functioning immune system.
The question everyone wants to know is did I get the flu shot?
NO!
I always, always, always get the flu shot either at work or at the doctor's office but I just somehow missed it this year. I signed up too late at work to get it and then my Dad died in November and I kind of fell apart for a while.
So I am on Tamiflu and an antibiotic and an inhaler to deal with my chest gunk. This is on top of the plethora of meds I take on a daily basis for MS and diabetes. I am getting tired of pills, but they are making me feel better. Hooray for that.
In other, more delightful, news:
1.) My A1C level has dropped from a 7.5 to a 6.7! This is somehow miraculous because I have NOT been testing my blood sugars regularly and my med regimen has not been all that regimented since my Dad died. (I know it's time to take my life back and test, test, test and watch what I eat and actually start dancing and exercising again.) I think my Dad sprinkled some fairy dust from Heaven into my blood during the draw the other afternoon. There's just no other reasonable and feasible explanation.
2.) I have a new part-time job. I joined Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator after first saying no to it, then pondering it, and finally jumping in with both feet. My first official workshop should be in about 2 weeks, well after I get un-flued! I'm looking forward to it.
3.) My mid-winter break is coming to an end but I am thankful that I have good health insurance, a great doctor, access to decent meds, and time off to recover. Thankfully, (knocking on particle board here) my MS has not acted up.
That's about it for February!
Monday, January 3, 2011
First Monday
Today was the first Monday of 2011 and I survived. Yippee!
I made it to work okay, even though the roads were a snowy mess and visibility was quite limited between the dark and the pelting snow. I got to work and my classroom had a minor flood from the ceiling and several tiles were broken and on the floor. Welcome back, Weeble.
After work I came home from some errands and proceeded to do some Just Dance 2. I was having a great time and danced for almost 40 minutes until the phone rang. It turned out to be my college bestie from Maine. After the call ended I did another 15minutes of dancing.
The road to weight loss is paved with minutes of Just Dancing.
I need to get myself motivated and get my diabetes under control. I have not tested my blood sugars in well over a week. I haven't had my Victoza shot in days. I almost never take my Glipizide 30 minutes before I eat; I generally take it as I eat. Sometimes I don't take my two doses of Metformin. The diabetes stuff is just out of control but I don't think my numbers are too bad off. Then again, it's hard to know for sure when I'm not testing.
Get it together Weeble before some real damage is done! You can do this, girl.
I see my therapist on Wednesday afternoon and that is another step in the right direction.
My MS symptoms are under better control today also.
All in all, today wasn't bad for the first Monday back to work after vacation.
I made it to work okay, even though the roads were a snowy mess and visibility was quite limited between the dark and the pelting snow. I got to work and my classroom had a minor flood from the ceiling and several tiles were broken and on the floor. Welcome back, Weeble.
After work I came home from some errands and proceeded to do some Just Dance 2. I was having a great time and danced for almost 40 minutes until the phone rang. It turned out to be my college bestie from Maine. After the call ended I did another 15minutes of dancing.
The road to weight loss is paved with minutes of Just Dancing.
I need to get myself motivated and get my diabetes under control. I have not tested my blood sugars in well over a week. I haven't had my Victoza shot in days. I almost never take my Glipizide 30 minutes before I eat; I generally take it as I eat. Sometimes I don't take my two doses of Metformin. The diabetes stuff is just out of control but I don't think my numbers are too bad off. Then again, it's hard to know for sure when I'm not testing.
Get it together Weeble before some real damage is done! You can do this, girl.
I see my therapist on Wednesday afternoon and that is another step in the right direction.
My MS symptoms are under better control today also.
All in all, today wasn't bad for the first Monday back to work after vacation.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Weekend
Saturday came and I did destinkify myself and manage to do some stuff around the house: laundry and working on some envelopes for Christmas cards. I even made it over to my mom's to go to church and then out for dinner. I also did some Just Dance 2 after I arrived back home.
The major snow stayed away for the day.
Today, Sunday, I slept the day away. I also read a little and watched some TV. Other than that, I pretty much did nothing. I picked up the crafting stuff and kind of put it away; okay, I really just bagged it up and put it on the other couch but that's away enough for now.
My mom went out and bought a live tree for Christmas all by herself today. I'm pretty impressed with that. It's making me think about a real tree instead of my old stand-by artificial one. Either way I think I am tempting fate because Edison climbed that tree a LOT last year. He's a lot bigger now and I think he can topple the whole thing over.
No major snow again today. I'm thankful for that and no snow on the week's horizon either, although I do love a good snow day.
I need to really start checking my blood sugars twice a day every day. I have been very lackadaisical about that. I am fairly good at taking my meds even if they do upset my stomach and give me the runs. Sorry for that visual. I'm almost to the point of taking everything every day but I do take a lot of meds for the MS, depression, and diabetes. Sometimes it just seems like too much and I want to just barf because everything going down my throat is pills, pills, pills.
On the bright side, I just heard from a friend I had lost contact with a few years back. So here's to you PK for a phone call that made my evening. It's so good to be back in touch again. Take care of you and that pneumonia!
Now it's time for more pills to get myself ready for bedtime. I hope everyone had a pleasant Thanksgiving and enjoyed time with family and friends.
The major snow stayed away for the day.
Today, Sunday, I slept the day away. I also read a little and watched some TV. Other than that, I pretty much did nothing. I picked up the crafting stuff and kind of put it away; okay, I really just bagged it up and put it on the other couch but that's away enough for now.
My mom went out and bought a live tree for Christmas all by herself today. I'm pretty impressed with that. It's making me think about a real tree instead of my old stand-by artificial one. Either way I think I am tempting fate because Edison climbed that tree a LOT last year. He's a lot bigger now and I think he can topple the whole thing over.
No major snow again today. I'm thankful for that and no snow on the week's horizon either, although I do love a good snow day.
I need to really start checking my blood sugars twice a day every day. I have been very lackadaisical about that. I am fairly good at taking my meds even if they do upset my stomach and give me the runs. Sorry for that visual. I'm almost to the point of taking everything every day but I do take a lot of meds for the MS, depression, and diabetes. Sometimes it just seems like too much and I want to just barf because everything going down my throat is pills, pills, pills.
On the bright side, I just heard from a friend I had lost contact with a few years back. So here's to you PK for a phone call that made my evening. It's so good to be back in touch again. Take care of you and that pneumonia!
Now it's time for more pills to get myself ready for bedtime. I hope everyone had a pleasant Thanksgiving and enjoyed time with family and friends.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
A little bit fraudulent
I posted my A1C and glucose levels yesterday. They're much better than I thought they would be and I am delighted about that. But I must come clean...
Sometimes, often times, I take my blood sugar when I know it will be low so I can record it. I have been a little bit fraudulent with my readings therefore but I am overall doing much better than I ever thought, as evidenced by the A1C. You can't fake that as it is the the last three months worth of readings averaged out.
So here I am trying to cut down on my carbs at night and starting on a new diabetes med called Victoza. Victoza is a daily shot, not insulin, but another new med that works with the pancreas. I am no longer on Actos and I have been on this new med for a little over a week now. It has a side effect of weight loss and I think I am eating less on it, even though I have been dealing with major hormones the last few days. Losing weight and pulling lower numbers at all times would be a great thing for me to do.
I am also slowly getting back into using my Wii. I have been dancing and boxing a few days a week. Way better than my doing nothing. I still need to lose about ten pounds to get back to my lower weight (and then keep going from there).
Work is going well even with one stressful class. I seem to be doing okay with the major change in grades and learning all 100+ kiddos. I am healthy and happy and thriving even with the new obstacles.
I guess I'll keep on keeping on!
Sometimes, often times, I take my blood sugar when I know it will be low so I can record it. I have been a little bit fraudulent with my readings therefore but I am overall doing much better than I ever thought, as evidenced by the A1C. You can't fake that as it is the the last three months worth of readings averaged out.
So here I am trying to cut down on my carbs at night and starting on a new diabetes med called Victoza. Victoza is a daily shot, not insulin, but another new med that works with the pancreas. I am no longer on Actos and I have been on this new med for a little over a week now. It has a side effect of weight loss and I think I am eating less on it, even though I have been dealing with major hormones the last few days. Losing weight and pulling lower numbers at all times would be a great thing for me to do.
I am also slowly getting back into using my Wii. I have been dancing and boxing a few days a week. Way better than my doing nothing. I still need to lose about ten pounds to get back to my lower weight (and then keep going from there).
Work is going well even with one stressful class. I seem to be doing okay with the major change in grades and learning all 100+ kiddos. I am healthy and happy and thriving even with the new obstacles.
I guess I'll keep on keeping on!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Good news
New A1C results are in: went from a 10.2 to a 7.5 in less than three months and an average glucose of 300 to 162. I am super pleased with those numbers; they're better than I thought they would be!
Also, my eighth period class was tolerable today and I am now free to relax and enjoy the next three days off from work. Woot woot!
Lunch out and some shopping tomorrow with BJM to spend time together and to give her her presents. I hope she likes them. :)
Also, my eighth period class was tolerable today and I am now free to relax and enjoy the next three days off from work. Woot woot!
Lunch out and some shopping tomorrow with BJM to spend time together and to give her her presents. I hope she likes them. :)
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Fatigue
I took yesterday off from blogging because of my crazy fatigue from going back to work. I had a great nap after I came home from work. I survived the first week back, just 39 more weeks to go! LOL
I was so tired today that I slept past nine in the morning and took two naps. This going-back-to-work thing takes a lot of energy. I am taking my Provigil to keep me awake and alert and that helps during the day. My blood sugars have been great for lunch and breakfast but I feel like I am carbo loading at dinner time. I'm not eating enough during the day so when I get home I am starving and eat everything in sight. Okay, not everything but my choices are not always the best.
I go to see my primary care provider this week, the next week is my Tysabri infusion, and the next week is an appointment with the diabetes nurse educator for the second time. I'll be at the neurologist's two weeks after the DNE. I'm making the rounds of all my health care providers so I should be in top top shape in a month or so!
I'll be starting the Victoza when I go to see the DNE at the end of the month. The daily shot doesn't bother me, especially after being on Copaxone. I just don't want to be on insulin unless I absolutely have to be and right now I don't think that is the right avenue for me.
I have not exercised formally for three days now. My back spasms are getting better, fewer and farther in between. I do have a new Wii game that just arrived today. It's the Gold's Gym Dance Workout. It has lots of the dances from Zumba on it so maybe I'll get more booty and hip shaking when I do it.
Tomorrow I have to firm up my plans for the next week at work. Monday through Wednesday I teach English Language Arts and Thursday and Friday are Math days. I play math games daily during 9th period on a rotating basis with different classes. I think I may start a novel on Monday.
Oh how life has changed now that vacation is over! It's a good, positive change though and I'm glad to be productive and busy again.
Happy weekend everybody. :)
I was so tired today that I slept past nine in the morning and took two naps. This going-back-to-work thing takes a lot of energy. I am taking my Provigil to keep me awake and alert and that helps during the day. My blood sugars have been great for lunch and breakfast but I feel like I am carbo loading at dinner time. I'm not eating enough during the day so when I get home I am starving and eat everything in sight. Okay, not everything but my choices are not always the best.
I go to see my primary care provider this week, the next week is my Tysabri infusion, and the next week is an appointment with the diabetes nurse educator for the second time. I'll be at the neurologist's two weeks after the DNE. I'm making the rounds of all my health care providers so I should be in top top shape in a month or so!
I'll be starting the Victoza when I go to see the DNE at the end of the month. The daily shot doesn't bother me, especially after being on Copaxone. I just don't want to be on insulin unless I absolutely have to be and right now I don't think that is the right avenue for me.
I have not exercised formally for three days now. My back spasms are getting better, fewer and farther in between. I do have a new Wii game that just arrived today. It's the Gold's Gym Dance Workout. It has lots of the dances from Zumba on it so maybe I'll get more booty and hip shaking when I do it.
Tomorrow I have to firm up my plans for the next week at work. Monday through Wednesday I teach English Language Arts and Thursday and Friday are Math days. I play math games daily during 9th period on a rotating basis with different classes. I think I may start a novel on Monday.
Oh how life has changed now that vacation is over! It's a good, positive change though and I'm glad to be productive and busy again.
Happy weekend everybody. :)
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Updates
I finally got to speak with the diabetes nurse educator this evening. We agreed that I should stop the Actos due to the weight gain (15 pounds). I will be starting a new medication called Victoza which is a daily shot, but it is not insulin. One of the side effects is weight LOSS (yippee!). I won't start that until the end of the month when I go back to see the diabetes nurse educator in person.
School went well, better than I probably expected. I made it through the day and no one got lost between all the switching for classes. Tomorrow we do some real work and that will separate the wheat from the chaff. I'm hoping that my enthusiasm will help to motivate everyone else to at least attempt the math problems I'll be tossing their way.
I also slept through the night again, until 4 a.m. Then I was up and puttering around on Facebook before I did my Zumba and Just Dance. It's nice to get the exercise done before work even though I have had lots of energy afterwards. The Provigil is definitely doing its job in keeping me awake and alert.
That's it for now. Night all!
School went well, better than I probably expected. I made it through the day and no one got lost between all the switching for classes. Tomorrow we do some real work and that will separate the wheat from the chaff. I'm hoping that my enthusiasm will help to motivate everyone else to at least attempt the math problems I'll be tossing their way.
I also slept through the night again, until 4 a.m. Then I was up and puttering around on Facebook before I did my Zumba and Just Dance. It's nice to get the exercise done before work even though I have had lots of energy afterwards. The Provigil is definitely doing its job in keeping me awake and alert.
That's it for now. Night all!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Back to school
Okay, I went to work today for some meetings in the morning and then I worked in my classroom. It looks good in there after many, many hours of hard labor. I think I am ready for tomorrow when the kiddos come. I have my ninety dollars of copies made, flash cards, and lots of stuff to talk about for our forty-two minute periods.
I'm nervous but excited too. I hope to sleep through the night again (like last night!) and wake up with the same eagerness as today. I'll be taking my Provigil in the morning, eating a light breakfast and hoping I make it to lunch okay without my sugar dropping through the floor.
I also need to call the diabetes nurse educator again because we didn't connect today. My weight gain needs to be discussed *and* dealt with. I'm working really hard to get my diabetes under control and it's frustrating to see my weight balloon like crazy when my eating habits are improving so much.
That's it for now. Here's hoping I can share some more enthusiasm tomorrow...
I'm nervous but excited too. I hope to sleep through the night again (like last night!) and wake up with the same eagerness as today. I'll be taking my Provigil in the morning, eating a light breakfast and hoping I make it to lunch okay without my sugar dropping through the floor.
I also need to call the diabetes nurse educator again because we didn't connect today. My weight gain needs to be discussed *and* dealt with. I'm working really hard to get my diabetes under control and it's frustrating to see my weight balloon like crazy when my eating habits are improving so much.
That's it for now. Here's hoping I can share some more enthusiasm tomorrow...
Friday, September 3, 2010
Blank
What to write about, what to write about? I'm a little blank on a specific topic although I will admit that I am mad at myself for doing some pre-marathon carb loading without a marathon in sight.
My blood sugar numbers were phenomenal yesterday. Then this morning I went shopping at 4 a.m. I was picking out some delicious looking tomatoes when I saw the biggest glazed donut. Ever.
And then I walked over and bagged it to take home and eat.
That's not even the worst of it. I also bought potato chips, buy one get one free. What in Hades was I thinking? I am a food addict and I had just bought my drugs for the day. My carb hit came quick and fast when I got home. In went the donut, in went potato chips. Up went my glucose.
Stupid, stupid, stupid move.
I am so disappointed in myself for throwing the previous day's hard work right out the door. And it was hard work as I really limited my carbs and made conscious choices to eat more protein. This diabetes thing is not easy. I thought I would have it licked by now. I stopped eating dinner out almost all the time, cut out the frappes, and even stopped the Dunkin' Donut runs. I am working out about 5 days a week. I have started cooking more healthy meals in my crock pot. I have to watch each thing I put in my mouth.
Some days the numbers are great and some days they stink.
I need to keep at this and not let my mind go blank when I make food choices. I do not want to be on insulin. I want to get this diabetes under my control. I cannot control my MS but I can put forth 100% effort to do everything I can to beat back diabetes.
My blood sugar numbers were phenomenal yesterday. Then this morning I went shopping at 4 a.m. I was picking out some delicious looking tomatoes when I saw the biggest glazed donut. Ever.
And then I walked over and bagged it to take home and eat.
That's not even the worst of it. I also bought potato chips, buy one get one free. What in Hades was I thinking? I am a food addict and I had just bought my drugs for the day. My carb hit came quick and fast when I got home. In went the donut, in went potato chips. Up went my glucose.
Stupid, stupid, stupid move.
I am so disappointed in myself for throwing the previous day's hard work right out the door. And it was hard work as I really limited my carbs and made conscious choices to eat more protein. This diabetes thing is not easy. I thought I would have it licked by now. I stopped eating dinner out almost all the time, cut out the frappes, and even stopped the Dunkin' Donut runs. I am working out about 5 days a week. I have started cooking more healthy meals in my crock pot. I have to watch each thing I put in my mouth.
Some days the numbers are great and some days they stink.
I need to keep at this and not let my mind go blank when I make food choices. I do not want to be on insulin. I want to get this diabetes under my control. I cannot control my MS but I can put forth 100% effort to do everything I can to beat back diabetes.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Something revolutionary
I just learned something new, something life-changing from my friend BJM tonight. They apparently make these things called liners for crock pots aka slow cookers!
Who knew?
Not me and now I am giddy with anticipation at purchasing them and, even better, using them in my crock pot. Those of you who are my FB pals know I use the crock pot a lot, usually at least 2-3 times a week. That's a lot for a single gal who eschews making her own dinner.
Now I can clean even less than I already do! Woohoo...
In other news my diabetes nurse educator has told me that my glucose levels have to get low and stay low or she is putting me on insulin in a few weeks. I absolutely don't want that so I have taken my bagel out of my morning line-up. I am convinced that I can get my numbers down lower and I will accomplish this come Hades or high water from Hurricane Earl.
I am also almost done with my classroom. I have emptied all my boxes and all the boxes I inherited from my friend who has retired. Now I just have to sort through some more stuff and put it away. My SMART board is up and my computer is now attached to my printer in my room. I have my homeroom list and I'm delighted to say that I have several students from last year in my first class. I still need to actually plan what I am going to teach the first week but procrastination is the mother of invention or something like that.
I think I may actually spoil myself and go to the movies twice this long weekend. I am interested in George Clooney (who isn't?) and his new thriller along with Drew Barrymore's romantic comedy.
I am also considering joining a gym! We have a Planet Fitness opening up in October in my little town and they have a great joining offer. I'd like to get some ideas about training my portly little body (yes, I know that was an oxymoron). I love my Zumba but I know weight training is also important in keeping bones healthy and strong. Cross training wouldn't hurt my bod either.
I guess that's enough for now. Night all!
Weebs
Who knew?
Not me and now I am giddy with anticipation at purchasing them and, even better, using them in my crock pot. Those of you who are my FB pals know I use the crock pot a lot, usually at least 2-3 times a week. That's a lot for a single gal who eschews making her own dinner.
Now I can clean even less than I already do! Woohoo...
In other news my diabetes nurse educator has told me that my glucose levels have to get low and stay low or she is putting me on insulin in a few weeks. I absolutely don't want that so I have taken my bagel out of my morning line-up. I am convinced that I can get my numbers down lower and I will accomplish this come Hades or high water from Hurricane Earl.
I am also almost done with my classroom. I have emptied all my boxes and all the boxes I inherited from my friend who has retired. Now I just have to sort through some more stuff and put it away. My SMART board is up and my computer is now attached to my printer in my room. I have my homeroom list and I'm delighted to say that I have several students from last year in my first class. I still need to actually plan what I am going to teach the first week but procrastination is the mother of invention or something like that.
I think I may actually spoil myself and go to the movies twice this long weekend. I am interested in George Clooney (who isn't?) and his new thriller along with Drew Barrymore's romantic comedy.
I am also considering joining a gym! We have a Planet Fitness opening up in October in my little town and they have a great joining offer. I'd like to get some ideas about training my portly little body (yes, I know that was an oxymoron). I love my Zumba but I know weight training is also important in keeping bones healthy and strong. Cross training wouldn't hurt my bod either.
I guess that's enough for now. Night all!
Weebs
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
More
We know too much of a good thing is just still too much and therefore not really a good thing. Lately I have been having issues with too much, specifically my weight and my blood sugar. My glucose levels are slowly coming down but are still not in the normal range. I know this is because I am still enjoying a one-sided, unrequited love affair with carbs. Specifically, bagels and cookies from Dunkin' Donuts.
They, however, are basically through with me.
Most days I drive to DD before dawn has cracked to buy a bagel with strawberry cream cheese and a cookie or two. Then I come home and eat them in front of the TV. I am not eating them consciously like Geneen Roth recommends. I am not eating in silence and enjoying the food. I am inhaling it and waiting for the sugar rush to hit.
I am craving carbs like there is no tomorrow, as if each meal is the last one on this planet. This is not a good thing. Some people eat a bagel like this every day and are fine. I'm more of a junkie, biding my time to the next carb fix.
I have to stop and refocus on what Roth has suggested in her books. It's time to eat slowly, without distractions. Time to taste the food and savor it. Plus, I am having big time weight issues.
My weight is up nine pounds in less than 2 weeks. I'm not quite sure how that is possible. A bagel a day and maybe a cookie do not add up to that much poundage. I know I need to get in more fruits and veggies. I know my intestinal tract is rather sluggish and it's not my period.
So I did a little Zumba today and the other day. I had a big salad for lunch. I bought some bagels from the store to stop the DD runs so that means no more cookies. I am still only getting a small frappe once a week. I no longer order out every other night. McDonald's is a place I go for salad instead of burgers.
But I still crave more, more carbs, more sweets. I have curtailed my diet a lot from all the crap I was eating before. Then again I was thinner when I was eating all that crap because the sugar was just running through me.
I need to ask myself what I am trying to fix with food. There's some messy stuff hidden there that needs to be dealt with. I need to do this soon before I go back to work, which is part of the issue. I'm still nervous but doing better because I know I still have weeks left before we start up again. I know I can do this.
I have to do this. My body needs me to get it healthy. I'd like to get off some of this medication. I'd like to start the scale moving in the right direction again. I want to buy smaller clothes. I miss my button-fly jeans!
Time to spend more time eating consciously and looking at the messy stuff.
They, however, are basically through with me.
Most days I drive to DD before dawn has cracked to buy a bagel with strawberry cream cheese and a cookie or two. Then I come home and eat them in front of the TV. I am not eating them consciously like Geneen Roth recommends. I am not eating in silence and enjoying the food. I am inhaling it and waiting for the sugar rush to hit.
I am craving carbs like there is no tomorrow, as if each meal is the last one on this planet. This is not a good thing. Some people eat a bagel like this every day and are fine. I'm more of a junkie, biding my time to the next carb fix.
I have to stop and refocus on what Roth has suggested in her books. It's time to eat slowly, without distractions. Time to taste the food and savor it. Plus, I am having big time weight issues.
My weight is up nine pounds in less than 2 weeks. I'm not quite sure how that is possible. A bagel a day and maybe a cookie do not add up to that much poundage. I know I need to get in more fruits and veggies. I know my intestinal tract is rather sluggish and it's not my period.
So I did a little Zumba today and the other day. I had a big salad for lunch. I bought some bagels from the store to stop the DD runs so that means no more cookies. I am still only getting a small frappe once a week. I no longer order out every other night. McDonald's is a place I go for salad instead of burgers.
But I still crave more, more carbs, more sweets. I have curtailed my diet a lot from all the crap I was eating before. Then again I was thinner when I was eating all that crap because the sugar was just running through me.
I need to ask myself what I am trying to fix with food. There's some messy stuff hidden there that needs to be dealt with. I need to do this soon before I go back to work, which is part of the issue. I'm still nervous but doing better because I know I still have weeks left before we start up again. I know I can do this.
I have to do this. My body needs me to get it healthy. I'd like to get off some of this medication. I'd like to start the scale moving in the right direction again. I want to buy smaller clothes. I miss my button-fly jeans!
Time to spend more time eating consciously and looking at the messy stuff.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Inner peace and outer calm
Last night I talked with one of my best pals from college. Lola told me that I get crazy and nervous every year at this time. She built me up and made me laugh about my classroom worries. I went to bed and had a school dream but a good one. I don't remember what it was about but I woke up feeling utterly peaceful and positive about the new year.
Then I cleaned my sink this morning and there's something about scrubbing away the smudges with Comet that makes the whole world seem right. After that I cleaned the toilet, filled up a tire with low pressure, and now I am going to do the dishes that have piled up. Accomplishing small chores like these set my feng shui free to do its thing. There's something about cleaning up your space that helps to clean up your life.
I also ate cleaner today and my blood sugar was much better for it. I even felt better by eating healthier.
All around I am going to give myself an A+ for the day.
Then I cleaned my sink this morning and there's something about scrubbing away the smudges with Comet that makes the whole world seem right. After that I cleaned the toilet, filled up a tire with low pressure, and now I am going to do the dishes that have piled up. Accomplishing small chores like these set my feng shui free to do its thing. There's something about cleaning up your space that helps to clean up your life.
I also ate cleaner today and my blood sugar was much better for it. I even felt better by eating healthier.
All around I am going to give myself an A+ for the day.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Bits
I had two great glucose readings today, both in the 160's. Could a girl ask for anything more?
Sure she can!
I also put together my new steam mop and used it in my bathroom tonight. The floor looks great, so much cleaner than it did before. I miss my cleaning lady bunches but I am starting to get a little domestic here now that I love my ORECK vacuum and my steam mop.
I spent thirty minutes working out this afternoon to the Biggest Loser DVD. I felt a kazillion times better after working out. The sweat and those endorphins make me feel like a real human instead of a big old lump. I need to remind myself to move it while I still can. It also helps with the diabetes.
Today I read my Momentum magazine from the National MS Society. I consider myself lucky right now because I am rarely inconvenienced by multiple sclerosis. It won't always be that way though. I have no idea when a flare will happen or when I will progress and it is most certain that there will be some progression some day. As long as I can walk and exercise and move freely I need to remember to celebrate my body by doing those things more often.
I'm a lucky girl even with MS and diabetes.
Sure she can!
I also put together my new steam mop and used it in my bathroom tonight. The floor looks great, so much cleaner than it did before. I miss my cleaning lady bunches but I am starting to get a little domestic here now that I love my ORECK vacuum and my steam mop.
I spent thirty minutes working out this afternoon to the Biggest Loser DVD. I felt a kazillion times better after working out. The sweat and those endorphins make me feel like a real human instead of a big old lump. I need to remind myself to move it while I still can. It also helps with the diabetes.
Today I read my Momentum magazine from the National MS Society. I consider myself lucky right now because I am rarely inconvenienced by multiple sclerosis. It won't always be that way though. I have no idea when a flare will happen or when I will progress and it is most certain that there will be some progression some day. As long as I can walk and exercise and move freely I need to remember to celebrate my body by doing those things more often.
I'm a lucky girl even with MS and diabetes.
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