Friday, January 20, 2017

Rant - Working With People

Rant
Beware!
This is a rant
I went in to the lab. Again.
No, I don't expect to be remembered.
I do expect to be treated professionally and if I say "Hi", please respond.
If you don't like your job, please look for another job.
If you don't like people, PLEASE look for another job.
You have been at the lab for years and are still the same.
The "OMG, you are disrupting my day" attitude.
No smile. No eye contact.
Not a single word other than "which arm."
I try. I smile.
Today said, "Sorry you get the hard vein since we just did the easy one."
No acknowledgement.
I usually give the benefit of the doubt - bad day, I don't know what you are going through, had a fight with someone, car blew up
BUT
When you act the same every time I come in
(Or my daughter when she lived here)
I silently hope for anyone to help me but you.
😔




Monday, January 16, 2017

Being A Diabetes Advocate

2017 Resolution
I just got a chance to practice my 3rd resolution: Stick up for me by being a diabetes advocate. My own advocate. At the doctor's office.  My new blood work showed an increase in my A1c to 6.0 from 5.7. My glucose was 106 mg/dL when I first got up and after working out (30 minutes on Precor), getting ready and only have a glass of water, two hours later my glucose was at... drum roll ...97!  Really? I was hoping for a lower number. He, my doctor, wasn't happy with the increase but not overly upset either. I took out my log and my phone showing how my fasting glucose numbers rarely drop below 90 mg/dL and are usually 95-105 mg/dL and he agreed to order a different blood tests that would tell us if I am insulin resistant or not making enough. Treatment will differ and he agreed knowing what was going on would help in deciding the next step. I spoke up, with numbers to back me up. He listened. Off to the lab!
Speak up. Have numbers. SHOW what is happening or not happening. Explain how you are serious about getting numbers under control so your future isn't full of complications. Hopefully, your team will want to help. BUT if you are not happy with your provider, find another!



Friday, January 13, 2017

Numbers Numbers Numbers

I have learned diabetes is all about numbers. 
A1c
 the average glucose in the blood stream over 2-3 months.  
Glucose number
mg/dL is tested with a meter at home and tells you the
amount of glucose in the blood stream at that moment. 
Carbohydrates
 counting carbs is recommended as the total carbs 
determine the effect on your blood sugar.
Exercise
 150 minutes a week is recommended.
I made this chart using information from SHealth.
I have my phone with S Health and the weeks I logged information there.
2017 resolution: Stand up for me and I am hoping this information will help my doctor and I come up with a new and better plan.
Wish me luck!!

Numbers Numbers Numbers




Monday, January 9, 2017

Logging Food and Glucose Number

Here I wrote down what I ate, carbs, and glucose numbers. Old school. On lined paper. Today I did my dinner on S Health. I am taking both to my doctor.  I rarely fall under 100 unless I don't eat or work out until I am exhausted. Even with working out I might drop to low 90s but quite often the number barely changes.
Guess that is the next testing day - how exercise changes (or doesn't change) my glucose numbers.
How do you log food and numbers?
Paper or program? Why?
I would love to know!



Paper Log

Phone Log




Friday, January 6, 2017

How to Keep 2017 Resolutions

Last month I wrote about not having a routine and how my diabetes management had fallen short.
http://www.villainoustype2.com/2016/12/moving-or-what-happened-to-my-routine.html
That was 2016, now it is 2017 and I am going to make a few changes.
What changes and how do I plan to keep them?
2017 Resolution

First:
 I need to plan to have different routines, one for home where it is cold and one for the motorhome parked where it is warm.  I will write a blueprint for each so I can follow it, changing my optimistic plan as needed with what reality allows
Second:
I will get back in the habit of logging food and blood glucose in S Health. I read where putting a new habit with an established habit helps you keep it so I added "Log food/test" with my Take Medicine reminder in my phone. Hopefully getting nagged will help.
Third:
I am my best advocate, according to leading diabetes websites. I have to speak up, fighting for the best care I know I deserve. I know what happens when diabetes is left marginally treated and I do not want that future for me.  Speaking up is hard but I am getting better.
Fourth:
Although not on the list, I want to find others who feel like I do. The struggle is real and support is vital, especially when the support understands we are all different and diabetes treats us that way too.

How about you? Are you making plans or resolutions? What are you doing to be successful?