Saturday night was out with my wife volunteering at this wonderful event. There was a silent auction, other big ticket items and a 'Fund a Cure' bidding. We worked the registration tables until about 8pm and my wife was extremely happy to meet and greet all the people coming to help the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). We met some really cool people, some more serious than others. Most of them were just plan fun and happy to be there.
After our shift we able to eat and go watch the big ticket items and 'Fund a Cure' portion of the night. It was rather exciting to see. I would say there was at least $200,000 - if not more - raised, and that is not including the silent auction!! It wass a good night all in all. Would I do it again and work the registration table again next year.... yup!
15 May 2011
12 April 2011
17 March 2011
Diabetes 101 and some other stuff too
So I went with my lovely diabetic to a conference this past sunday that the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) was holding. Turns out that her old childhood doctor was giving the talk.
The talk was intriguing enough that I actually listened and learned a few things. After being with a diabetic for a little over 13 years you learn a thing or two or five! Although it was not a complete waste some of it was rather interesting. Such as when he talked about the the different times of insulin that is out there. Now can I tell you what kind my wife is on... um.... no. I have no idea if it is fast acting or whatever, your lucky I know the brand name. He talked for about 45 - 60 minutes about Type 1 diabetes which was really insightful for one that does not have it. He talked about differences between type 1 and 2, aside from the obvious one is 'hooked' on insulin and the other takes a pill a day. Quite an interesting talk overall.
Afterwards my wife talked with her former doctor for a moment and I was introduced. We chatted for a moment about diabetes and how well my wife was doing before someone else came over and started talking with him. So in between sessions we go!
The second talk was about upcoming technologies that the JDRF were fund and research. The most important one that was most interesting was the Artificial Pancreas. This could mean that my wife does not have to regulate insulin. I will let her post about that. The JDRF talked about a few other important happenings that were going on before taking questions about the progress of this important technology.
Well now to the other stuff. My wife woke up at about 4am this morning low and had to almost literally shake me awake to tell me. It is strange I can hear her pump beeping in my sleep but when she needs me to wake up I can't do that. I was awake enough though to make sure she was doing OK. I did check on her when she finally made it back to bed. It was a rough night for her because as much as I hate her beeping and getting low during the night I think she hates it more. I made sure she got up and out of bed before I left for work this morning and made sure she was alright.
The talk was intriguing enough that I actually listened and learned a few things. After being with a diabetic for a little over 13 years you learn a thing or two or five! Although it was not a complete waste some of it was rather interesting. Such as when he talked about the the different times of insulin that is out there. Now can I tell you what kind my wife is on... um.... no. I have no idea if it is fast acting or whatever, your lucky I know the brand name. He talked for about 45 - 60 minutes about Type 1 diabetes which was really insightful for one that does not have it. He talked about differences between type 1 and 2, aside from the obvious one is 'hooked' on insulin and the other takes a pill a day. Quite an interesting talk overall.
Afterwards my wife talked with her former doctor for a moment and I was introduced. We chatted for a moment about diabetes and how well my wife was doing before someone else came over and started talking with him. So in between sessions we go!
The second talk was about upcoming technologies that the JDRF were fund and research. The most important one that was most interesting was the Artificial Pancreas. This could mean that my wife does not have to regulate insulin. I will let her post about that. The JDRF talked about a few other important happenings that were going on before taking questions about the progress of this important technology.
Well now to the other stuff. My wife woke up at about 4am this morning low and had to almost literally shake me awake to tell me. It is strange I can hear her pump beeping in my sleep but when she needs me to wake up I can't do that. I was awake enough though to make sure she was doing OK. I did check on her when she finally made it back to bed. It was a rough night for her because as much as I hate her beeping and getting low during the night I think she hates it more. I made sure she got up and out of bed before I left for work this morning and made sure she was alright.
09 February 2011
Eye Exam
So on Monday we went for the annual eye exam. It was good for the most part, for one who sat in the waiting room. Thank goodness for my iPhone! I was able to be productive at least.
In waiting room #1 I think that everyone was wondering why I was not called in at all. A few people looked at me as they went in with their spouse or other family. The first visit is for the diabetic not me. I would imagine that they look at their eyes and ask how they have been and was there anything bothering them or what has changed since the last visit. Well one major thing that has changed is that she is also being seen in the pregnancy clinic at the hospital. So as I sat and watched people come in and out my mind wandered a bit to think what it would be like if something actually happened.
Nothing good came of this thought. I mean I have been slacking on my dish washer duty and keeping up with other minor things. She is the cook in the house and she enjoys it. I really don't think she would be able to deal with chicken or steak with rice and a vegetable every night. But no real ill thoughts she has always been able to have a good eye exam.
So she has now come out to get me for waiting room #2. At least there is a TV with Discovery's 'Life' narrated by Oprah on with the mood set for dilated eyes. Who doesn't like torturing someone with dilated eyes with a bright TV and Oprah. While she was in doctor office #2 I was watching and the room was packed to the gills. I watched cheetahs take down an ostrich and how they had learned that hunting together is a much better than working alone.
After this my wife came out of office #2 and said that they saw something in here eye. It is cotton wool spot. So we then had to wait for a picture to be done of her eye to make sure nothing else was happening, but this is an early sign of retinopathy. The doctor said it could go away or it could stay but wanted to see her again in 8 months to check it.
So about 45 minutes goes by and the room is slowly becoming empty with Oprah still telling us about wild animals and invertebrate. My wife goes with the doctor and gets the 3 minute picture done and we are set to go.
Then we were off.... to lunch. :)
In waiting room #1 I think that everyone was wondering why I was not called in at all. A few people looked at me as they went in with their spouse or other family. The first visit is for the diabetic not me. I would imagine that they look at their eyes and ask how they have been and was there anything bothering them or what has changed since the last visit. Well one major thing that has changed is that she is also being seen in the pregnancy clinic at the hospital. So as I sat and watched people come in and out my mind wandered a bit to think what it would be like if something actually happened.
Nothing good came of this thought. I mean I have been slacking on my dish washer duty and keeping up with other minor things. She is the cook in the house and she enjoys it. I really don't think she would be able to deal with chicken or steak with rice and a vegetable every night. But no real ill thoughts she has always been able to have a good eye exam.
So she has now come out to get me for waiting room #2. At least there is a TV with Discovery's 'Life' narrated by Oprah on with the mood set for dilated eyes. Who doesn't like torturing someone with dilated eyes with a bright TV and Oprah. While she was in doctor office #2 I was watching and the room was packed to the gills. I watched cheetahs take down an ostrich and how they had learned that hunting together is a much better than working alone.
After this my wife came out of office #2 and said that they saw something in here eye. It is cotton wool spot. So we then had to wait for a picture to be done of her eye to make sure nothing else was happening, but this is an early sign of retinopathy. The doctor said it could go away or it could stay but wanted to see her again in 8 months to check it.
So about 45 minutes goes by and the room is slowly becoming empty with Oprah still telling us about wild animals and invertebrate. My wife goes with the doctor and gets the 3 minute picture done and we are set to go.
Then we were off.... to lunch. :)
11 January 2011
5AM Wake Up Call!
The other morning at about 5AM I was awoken to a smack to the chest and ‘Honey can you get me some juice? I am low.’ It took me a moment to get my sorry butt out of bed but I finally did.
The strange thing is I did it all half asleep. So I get up trip over the basket of cloths and fumble my way out to the kitchen. I have to turn on the light in the kitchenette and let me tell you it was BRIGHT! Wincing I find a cup and turn off the light. I then stumble across the kitchen to the island and pour some Apple Juice – and for those on weight watchers that is 45 POINTS for 4oz! Commence freaking out. I managed not to spill any on my way back in to the room and gave the cup to her.
--
This was my own doing because I told my wife to wake me up when she is low during the night. Being the concerned hubby that I am wants to be able to help her or make sure she crawls back into bed. It is more for my piece of mind I think than hers because she is more than willing to get up at a blood sugar of 40 or as low as 30!! I, however, do not approve of this practice just because if she falls or (worst case) has an episode on the kitchen floor.
So I am happy to have her wake me up. It makes for a funny story later.
The strange thing is I did it all half asleep. So I get up trip over the basket of cloths and fumble my way out to the kitchen. I have to turn on the light in the kitchenette and let me tell you it was BRIGHT! Wincing I find a cup and turn off the light. I then stumble across the kitchen to the island and pour some Apple Juice – and for those on weight watchers that is 45 POINTS for 4oz! Commence freaking out. I managed not to spill any on my way back in to the room and gave the cup to her.
--
This was my own doing because I told my wife to wake me up when she is low during the night. Being the concerned hubby that I am wants to be able to help her or make sure she crawls back into bed. It is more for my piece of mind I think than hers because she is more than willing to get up at a blood sugar of 40 or as low as 30!! I, however, do not approve of this practice just because if she falls or (worst case) has an episode on the kitchen floor.
So I am happy to have her wake me up. It makes for a funny story later.
04 January 2011
After a Holiday and a blissful vacation!
We went to my parent’s part and had a fantastic time and got through one more party the next day without a hitch!
Christmas Day was wonderful until that night around 11:30p. That’s right another trip to the ER.
Back in the waiting room my wife read from her new gadget – the Barnes and Nobles Nook E-Reader. She was saying by Tuesday what a great present it was and who knew it would get so much use! We were brought into the ER where the nurse talked with us about the infection. She almost waited to check it and get cultures until she saw it; she was promptly back to do this.
Well the next few hours’ doctors came in and out checking in on their new patient. The doctors were awesome and laughing with each other either from pure exhaustion or by having too much coffee. They asked who I was and my wife without missing a beat said I was some stranger that followed her in. They looked at me and I said she was cute and asked her if she would marry me. This got a great rise out of them – they got it. I was over tired and struggling to stay awake. Yes I almost fell asleep and yes I did set off the paper towel dispenser. It got a good chuckle from everyone. By 3:30a we knew she was being admitted to the hospital. The nurse then ushered me out, with instance from my wife, to go home and get some rest. So starts the week of vacation.
Sunday it snowed for the better part of the day and I was unable to get to the hospital.
Monday I was able to get over and play a few winning rounds of Gin Rummy – thank you drugs for your help! My father drove me in and I spent the afternoon with her. She slept a good portion of the time and I am sure I drifted in and out. The doctors came in and out asking the same questions. ‘How’s the infection – pain?’ My favorite was ‘How are you feeling’; I wanted to say she is fine. She wants to spend more time with her doctors than me. HA! I was able to hitch a ride home with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. After they dropped me off I found that the door was frozen a bit. I romped with door for a few moments then got in; but not before I rang the bell for my landlord to let me in. OY! That was a fun day.
Tuesday and Wednesday I was finally able to get the car out and drive in myself to see my wife. We played more card games and I had lunch/dinner with her. I walked down to the café to get food to bring up. Let me tell ya… slim pickings after 5p. The doctors were less frequent these two days because either I missed them or they were busy elsewhere trying to figure out my enigma wife.
It was quite amusing when one of the Infectious Disease (I.D.) doctors came in to question my wife about the situation for the first time. By the questions that she asked it was apparent she was not the actual ‘Dr. House’. She talked with my wife for about twenty minutes or so before leaving to talk with her boss. I promptly claimed my seat which the original I.D. doctor did not like one bit. She kind of paced shooting me looks. Oh well husband gets the chair and the doctors get to stand. This led to medication changes and time changes for my wife. They would check in several more times through the week to see how she was doing.
The nurses were pleasant at least. They introduced themselves and talked to both of us about whatever they were doing.
Thursday was another off day for me. Not only was I exhausted but I felt a cold creeping up on me and elected to stay home instead of getting her sicker. Not that it was possible with all the medicines she was on. We talked throughout the day and kept each other updated about what was going on. She was to have an MRI that was scheduled for Wednesday and got pushed back to that night around 10:30p. She called right before she was to go down to tell me and called when she got back up because of the pain. I am sure this is hard with a cellulitis infection that hurts like being burnt with a hot poker.
Friday! What can be said about it? Nothing I was in again before noon and hoping to take her home for the New Year. The resident came in and talked about discharging her but she needed to consult several other people before that could happen. Way to get someone’s hopes up! We sat and chatted for a little while then the covering doctor came in to say that she was to be discharged and the nurse would be in shortly to give us the papers. She wanted to get up and start packing everything. We got most everything together, me doing the chunk of the work but that is ok! A half hour later the nurse came in gave my wife the discharge packet and the nurse secured us a wheel chair. I don’t think we left the hospital fast enough. The nurse asked if there was anything else she could do for us before we left. Just in my fashion I asked if she could help with this insulin dependency she has. She looked at me, wife rolling eyes and me giggling she said it was possible within the next five years. We ended up talking about advances in Type I treatments like the artificial pancreas and other such devices. She did laugh after the fact though.
Well I went to grab the car and Ambulances were in the patient drop off/pick up spot. This made me rather mad because my wife can barely walk and there was snow everywhere. So that is what I complained about all the way home.
---
Well, this was especially difficult for me because it was the first time that this sort of this happened while being married. It also felt like some people, as much as I appreciate the gesture, wanted to be there rather than me. I felt a like they thought I could not take care of her. It put me out a little bit and more determined that I could do this and they do not have to worry as much.
I guess I felt helpless and it made me mad; also the fact that I could not get over there every day that she was in the hospital. It was weird not having her at home for the week. I would wake up expecting her there and she was not. Another thing that she knows about is my love for the hospital and doctors – or lack thereof! Not my favorite place to be and I feel that had a part to play with me not being there every day. It made me feel bad and I was the one apologizing this time, sometimes several times during a phone call. It makes one feel a little insignificant when you don’t take part in one’s health like my wife does. But that is a choice I made and I am going to stick with it.
Last week was a tough week for both of us as it was our vacation week and let me tell you I am glad it is behind us. I feel a little more prepared for what could come next - maybe.
Christmas Day was wonderful until that night around 11:30p. That’s right another trip to the ER.
Back in the waiting room my wife read from her new gadget – the Barnes and Nobles Nook E-Reader. She was saying by Tuesday what a great present it was and who knew it would get so much use! We were brought into the ER where the nurse talked with us about the infection. She almost waited to check it and get cultures until she saw it; she was promptly back to do this.
Well the next few hours’ doctors came in and out checking in on their new patient. The doctors were awesome and laughing with each other either from pure exhaustion or by having too much coffee. They asked who I was and my wife without missing a beat said I was some stranger that followed her in. They looked at me and I said she was cute and asked her if she would marry me. This got a great rise out of them – they got it. I was over tired and struggling to stay awake. Yes I almost fell asleep and yes I did set off the paper towel dispenser. It got a good chuckle from everyone. By 3:30a we knew she was being admitted to the hospital. The nurse then ushered me out, with instance from my wife, to go home and get some rest. So starts the week of vacation.
Sunday it snowed for the better part of the day and I was unable to get to the hospital.
Monday I was able to get over and play a few winning rounds of Gin Rummy – thank you drugs for your help! My father drove me in and I spent the afternoon with her. She slept a good portion of the time and I am sure I drifted in and out. The doctors came in and out asking the same questions. ‘How’s the infection – pain?’ My favorite was ‘How are you feeling’; I wanted to say she is fine. She wants to spend more time with her doctors than me. HA! I was able to hitch a ride home with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. After they dropped me off I found that the door was frozen a bit. I romped with door for a few moments then got in; but not before I rang the bell for my landlord to let me in. OY! That was a fun day.
Tuesday and Wednesday I was finally able to get the car out and drive in myself to see my wife. We played more card games and I had lunch/dinner with her. I walked down to the café to get food to bring up. Let me tell ya… slim pickings after 5p. The doctors were less frequent these two days because either I missed them or they were busy elsewhere trying to figure out my enigma wife.
It was quite amusing when one of the Infectious Disease (I.D.) doctors came in to question my wife about the situation for the first time. By the questions that she asked it was apparent she was not the actual ‘Dr. House’. She talked with my wife for about twenty minutes or so before leaving to talk with her boss. I promptly claimed my seat which the original I.D. doctor did not like one bit. She kind of paced shooting me looks. Oh well husband gets the chair and the doctors get to stand. This led to medication changes and time changes for my wife. They would check in several more times through the week to see how she was doing.
The nurses were pleasant at least. They introduced themselves and talked to both of us about whatever they were doing.
Thursday was another off day for me. Not only was I exhausted but I felt a cold creeping up on me and elected to stay home instead of getting her sicker. Not that it was possible with all the medicines she was on. We talked throughout the day and kept each other updated about what was going on. She was to have an MRI that was scheduled for Wednesday and got pushed back to that night around 10:30p. She called right before she was to go down to tell me and called when she got back up because of the pain. I am sure this is hard with a cellulitis infection that hurts like being burnt with a hot poker.
Friday! What can be said about it? Nothing I was in again before noon and hoping to take her home for the New Year. The resident came in and talked about discharging her but she needed to consult several other people before that could happen. Way to get someone’s hopes up! We sat and chatted for a little while then the covering doctor came in to say that she was to be discharged and the nurse would be in shortly to give us the papers. She wanted to get up and start packing everything. We got most everything together, me doing the chunk of the work but that is ok! A half hour later the nurse came in gave my wife the discharge packet and the nurse secured us a wheel chair. I don’t think we left the hospital fast enough. The nurse asked if there was anything else she could do for us before we left. Just in my fashion I asked if she could help with this insulin dependency she has. She looked at me, wife rolling eyes and me giggling she said it was possible within the next five years. We ended up talking about advances in Type I treatments like the artificial pancreas and other such devices. She did laugh after the fact though.
Well I went to grab the car and Ambulances were in the patient drop off/pick up spot. This made me rather mad because my wife can barely walk and there was snow everywhere. So that is what I complained about all the way home.
---
Well, this was especially difficult for me because it was the first time that this sort of this happened while being married. It also felt like some people, as much as I appreciate the gesture, wanted to be there rather than me. I felt a like they thought I could not take care of her. It put me out a little bit and more determined that I could do this and they do not have to worry as much.
I guess I felt helpless and it made me mad; also the fact that I could not get over there every day that she was in the hospital. It was weird not having her at home for the week. I would wake up expecting her there and she was not. Another thing that she knows about is my love for the hospital and doctors – or lack thereof! Not my favorite place to be and I feel that had a part to play with me not being there every day. It made me feel bad and I was the one apologizing this time, sometimes several times during a phone call. It makes one feel a little insignificant when you don’t take part in one’s health like my wife does. But that is a choice I made and I am going to stick with it.
Last week was a tough week for both of us as it was our vacation week and let me tell you I am glad it is behind us. I feel a little more prepared for what could come next - maybe.
03 January 2011
How To Deal When Your Husband Thinks You're a Hypochondriac
I hear it a lot, mainly from my husband - "You need to stop, You're being a hypochondriac." And the truth is, sometimes I am. But, and I say this with sadness, I do have every right to be. Now that I am older and have lived with diabetes for almost 24 years, it's become all too easy to see my disease with clarity and how it does, and will, impact my life. If I need an MRI I have to ask if there will be contrast - I have to think about my kidneys, you know. Is the flu shot ready yet for the season? I can't afford to be sick. Did I make my eye appointment for the year yet? If I miss one of those, next year it might be too late to catch the retinopathy.
These are the questins and kind of things I have dealt with practically all of my life. I have been fortunate to have a very loving, supportive and understanding family but now that I am older, I realize that doesn't always mean I will be healthy forever. Case and Point - Cellulitis.
Cellulitis and I have always had a difficult relationship. I first added that word to my vocabulary in 1997. After a spider-bite on my hand, I quickly developed an angry, red and painful rash that refused to be tamed. After a few visits to the Emergency Room, I was finally admitted for almost a week. Thankfully, the infection cleared up and I was on my way. That wouldn't be my last encounter though.
Over the next 10 years, I went on to develop another 9 infections - always in one of my feet and never for any apparent reason. And luck for me, a reason has never been found. If I had a crack in my skin, I would be told that was its "Point of Entry". If my skin was without cracks or breakdown, I was told maybe this was my "complication of choice", thanks to my diabetes. Always painful, never an answer.
Most of the time though, a round of Cephalexin was enought to clear things up and I would be right as rain after a week. This time though, was different. After being Cellulitis-free for the last three years, I developed a very strange and sudden cellulitis infection on the skin over my knee in November. I did nothing to cause it, nor was there any apparent point of entry. Nevertheless, it was there. After two rounds of Cephalexin, it seemed to clear up and I was on my way.
Last Friday, though, it reared its head again in an ugly way, which leads me to now - on bedrest and blogging. I will let my husband tell the rest of the story, since this blog is about our life from his perspective as a diabetic-adjacent.
However, the one thing I learned from this experience is that no matter how much my husband calls me a hypochondriac, I know my body in a way that every diabetic should. And it's a way that lets me know when something is wrong and to ignore it would be to turn my back on myself and my health.
The problem isn't that I am too much of a hypochondriac - the problem is that my husband isn't enough of one. I am sure that after a few more years of "adjacentness" that will change, though.
I have had the last 24 years to live in my emotions and to sort out my feelings about who I am and what life means for me. And I have been lucky to have my husband as a part of my life for the last 13 years. Now that we have been married for three years though, he has been exposed on a much higher level to what living with a diabetic means.
He said he was ready for it, andI believe that he thought he was. However, since marrying, our life has been the opposite of a picnic and I feel badly about what that has meant for him. Sleepless nights, lots of worrying and the realization that living with this disease is even more intense than he might have imagined. I am thankful for him daily and know he wouldn't trade our life together, but I also know that he has no way to process his feelings about becoming "Diabetic-Adjacent". I hope that, through blogging, he might come to meet others in his position and that maybe by talking about our life experiences together, we can reach others in the same position and help them feel like they are not alone.
These are the questins and kind of things I have dealt with practically all of my life. I have been fortunate to have a very loving, supportive and understanding family but now that I am older, I realize that doesn't always mean I will be healthy forever. Case and Point - Cellulitis.
Cellulitis and I have always had a difficult relationship. I first added that word to my vocabulary in 1997. After a spider-bite on my hand, I quickly developed an angry, red and painful rash that refused to be tamed. After a few visits to the Emergency Room, I was finally admitted for almost a week. Thankfully, the infection cleared up and I was on my way. That wouldn't be my last encounter though.
Over the next 10 years, I went on to develop another 9 infections - always in one of my feet and never for any apparent reason. And luck for me, a reason has never been found. If I had a crack in my skin, I would be told that was its "Point of Entry". If my skin was without cracks or breakdown, I was told maybe this was my "complication of choice", thanks to my diabetes. Always painful, never an answer.
Most of the time though, a round of Cephalexin was enought to clear things up and I would be right as rain after a week. This time though, was different. After being Cellulitis-free for the last three years, I developed a very strange and sudden cellulitis infection on the skin over my knee in November. I did nothing to cause it, nor was there any apparent point of entry. Nevertheless, it was there. After two rounds of Cephalexin, it seemed to clear up and I was on my way.
Last Friday, though, it reared its head again in an ugly way, which leads me to now - on bedrest and blogging. I will let my husband tell the rest of the story, since this blog is about our life from his perspective as a diabetic-adjacent.
However, the one thing I learned from this experience is that no matter how much my husband calls me a hypochondriac, I know my body in a way that every diabetic should. And it's a way that lets me know when something is wrong and to ignore it would be to turn my back on myself and my health.
The problem isn't that I am too much of a hypochondriac - the problem is that my husband isn't enough of one. I am sure that after a few more years of "adjacentness" that will change, though.
I have had the last 24 years to live in my emotions and to sort out my feelings about who I am and what life means for me. And I have been lucky to have my husband as a part of my life for the last 13 years. Now that we have been married for three years though, he has been exposed on a much higher level to what living with a diabetic means.
He said he was ready for it, andI believe that he thought he was. However, since marrying, our life has been the opposite of a picnic and I feel badly about what that has meant for him. Sleepless nights, lots of worrying and the realization that living with this disease is even more intense than he might have imagined. I am thankful for him daily and know he wouldn't trade our life together, but I also know that he has no way to process his feelings about becoming "Diabetic-Adjacent". I hope that, through blogging, he might come to meet others in his position and that maybe by talking about our life experiences together, we can reach others in the same position and help them feel like they are not alone.
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