An ultrsound? Really?!

Quick update on my liver: I need to go in and get an ultrasound.  My elevated enzyme levels are much better than they were, but they are still slightly elevated.  Dr. Wallace does not think there is anything sinister going on (which, I have to say, I appreciated the vocab use); but just wants to rule everything out for my piece of mind.  I mentioned it was my birthday weekend (infer as you will), and he said that’s fine and as long as I am responsible (duh) won’t affect any of the test results.

Also, I got my time for this weekends’ 5K: 35:47.  Not too shabby, especially considering there were 20,000 people running through a tunnel.  I'm not saying I would have run any faster had I not been playing dodge-person; but again, infer as you will.

P.S.- I have no idea what is going on with the font in this post; it's annoying me though so I apologize.

Updates and a (should-be) shameful story

I went to the doctor this week, and apparently in a ‘honeymoon’ phase of my insulin treatment.  This basically means everything is going as it ideally should. Yay! I will go back at the end of December for a new A1c test.  My weight is also holding steady- phew!  I also saw my general practitioner, Doctor Wallace (to whom I have thusly resisted asking if he likes cheese) and got a flu shot and some blood work for my liver- fingers crossed that everything is well there.  Dr. Wallace would not even speculate on possible causes, but since the liver basically processes everything, even a small cold or infection can cause the results that I got.  Which I asked about, and basically if there is an issue with the liver it increases the output of a certain type of enzyme which they can detect through the blood work. He was not worried- which is one thing that I really love about my doctors… not like those alarmists at the NYU Diabetes Management Center.  Hmph!

On that note, I actually did something really terrible there this week… but it’s kind of a funny story.  I went and saw the nutritionist at the NYU Diabetes Management Center, and the appointment had been set up 3 weeks earlier.  They gave me a card with my appointment time clearly labeled, and I went to the appointment at 2:00 on Monday as scheduled.  Aaaand the door was locked and lights were out.  I stood there for a bit, kind of confused and finally knocked.  The nutritionist comes out, looks at my card and tells me there was an error- our appointment is not until 3:00.  She is in her office alone, typing away- no other patients or other people at all.  I let her know that I am missing work for this, and it’s really not okay that they got the appointment time wrong; she suggests I call the office to let them know I am going to be late, as she can’t see me until 3:00.  !!!  There’s a Borders bookstore across the street, and being around books always soothes me, so I go and hang out there for the next 45 minutes, and am back at the office promptly at 3:00- where I again have to knock on the locked door.  The woman let’s me in, and says she will be with me in a minute as she goes back into her office and leaves me in the waiting room/ reference library.  I’m pretty incensed at this point, having already missed an hour of work.  So… I’m sorry mom, you definitely taught me better; but I was looking at the reference cookbooks and somehow ended up with one in my bag.  Yes, I took a cookbook to compensate for my loss of time.  At least, that is how I am justifying my thievery.  I might repent take it back since I am supposed to go back in November; but honestly the meeting was so useless that I may not even go back.  I mean, she looked at my meticulous food log and has all sorts of questions about what I was eating.  Basic questions: what nutritionist does not know what Hummus is?  I know it does not make it right… but I have to be honest- I don’t really feel that guilty.  (and for the record, they had multiples of this book- which also makes me feel not-so guilty).

Happy Friday!      

So it goes

So, I am reading Slaughterhouse Five for a literature class I am taking this fall.  Every time the main character has a particularly terrible account to share, he ends it with ‘So it goes.’ And not to sound like I’m having a pity party over here, as I am reminded weekly through my volunteer shifts how incredibly incredibly lucky I am (for mental health, insurance, people that love and support me)… but I am having a bit of a ‘So it goes’ week.  My agency lost our biggest account, representing 60%+ of our business.  While I am most likely ‘safe’ for the time being, quite a few of my co-workers will not be; and the mood in the office has definitely taken a hit.  So much for not getting stressed out!  Despite being promised that we would have gas in the building by now, I still do not have a functioning stove.  I sent management an e-mail requesting a $300 deduction from October rent for all of the hassle and the extra expense of eating out and I am waiting to hear back.  I won’t be renewing that lease, which just means I have to find a new apartment in January. AND I want to start taking cello lessons and apparently people in NYC don’t rent cellos! Boo.

Ok, so now that I am done with my little pity party… I’ll focus on the positives.  My friend Alli is setting up a get-together for me next Friday which I am exited about; I am going to see Stars this Friday and Belle and Sebastian next Thursday; I am running a 5K Sunday with my friend Devin and have a game night to go to Saturday with Maria.  I am really excited about my literature class.  I was in two book clubs last year that pretty much fell apart… plus they were somewhat lacking in actual conversation being more focused on the social aspect. My dear niece (ahem!) is looking into the cello situation for me via NYU.  And yes, Kenize; this is what FOMO looks like. J (FOMO: fear of missing out; a condition in which you stay ridiculously busy by accepting all social invitations, and seek additional ones).

I feel much better already. So it goes isn't all that bad. 

What a week!

What a week! I have overcome my insulin resistance- basically my body had gotten really used to having high blood sugar.  It seems that now I using the medicine quite efficiently: at the beginning I had to use 1 unit of insulin for every 10 grams of good; after seeing repeated low readings post-meals over the past 2 weeks dr. K kept adjusting it down.  I now need only 1 unit per every 30 grams; and even less if I exercise that day!  My vision has also returned to normal- in sum I’m feeling pretty great.

Now, I know I was way too skinny before- scrawny looking in fact.  Hence the increasing number of ‘eating disorder’ queries I was getting from friends and colleagues.  I have to say, I am a little nervous about going to far the other way now though- I’ve gained 10 pounds since my diagnosis! Hopefully that was just my body holding onto calories in a post-starvation environment. Fingers crossed.  I'm trying to stick to Bob Greene's recommendation of 1,700 calories a day since I have to calorie count now anyway... but I'm hungry with that much food! I do meet with the nutritionist on Monday, so hopefully she can tailor some of the guidelines to me.

In other aspects all is well.  I finished a really good book while I was in Florida; and have firm plans to read and relax some more this weekend.  I’m also going to brunch with my favorite NYU student in the world tomorrow- we’re headed uptown to visit Sylvia’s Soul Food restaurant in Harlem: I’m excited.  I *still* don’t have gas to use the stove in my apartment (no one in the building does) and am trying to get the management company  to reduce next month’s rent as a result.  Work is a bit stressful, but I won’t write about that here.  But kids: don’t pursue a career in advertising. It’s a heartbreaking business! 

Back to reality

I got back from Florida yesterday- it was awesome!  I even managed to Slolem (spelling??) ski.  To be honest, I’m not sure if it counts since I was only able to stay up for about 5- seconds max, but I will be able to perfect my technique next May when I’ll be back for Mackenzie’s wedding.

Maintaining a healthy eating schedule can be tough on vacation, but everyone was really supportive with my dietary needs, and had stocked up the house with low- sugar and high-protein foods.  In fact, the issue I had most often was dips in my blood sugar level- which apparently is what happens when you are being very active and waterskiing, swimming and jogging on a regular basis!  The only time my sugar levels spiked was a result of too many Georgia peaches.  I just can’t wrap my head around fruit being something I have to monitor… grrr.  In happy news, peanuts are practically carb-free, and Hot Boiled Peanuts were just as delicious as I remember them to be!  I also got to indulge in Scuppernong grapes.  In short, I got all of my Florida panhandle favorites: hot boiled peanuts, juicy Georgia peaches, tart Scuppernongs; waterskiing and hanging out with the family.  I even got to bring home a beautiful painting Dad did of the Chattanooga! 

Vacay

Nothing too interesting to report for now; and I fly to Florida tomorrow.  Pretty sure my internet access will be limited, so come back next Monday for updates!  I am getting a better gauge of how much insulin to take, and this morning woke up to a nearly ideal level of 104. (goal is 90- 100).  Hopefully I’ll be able to maintain this while on vacation.

Thanks to everyone for sending your love and support- it really means sooo much to me.  I have the best family EVER.

♥

Lolo

Labor day weekend Gluttony

So my plan to lay low this weekend was a fail- and my sugar levels were all over the place this weekend.  On Saturday i went to a picnic- my lovely friend Heather made lentil sloppy joes (she's vegetarian) and chose the recipe because it included a carb count for me- super sweet.  I saw all the delicious food and did fairly well in estimating the amount of insulin I would need- 3 hours later my level was 89, and I was ready to eat again.  However, i went to a BBQ of another friend.  While it was fairly meat-centric, I still had quite a few carbs: more than I accounted for since my reading was at 229 at bedtime! Way too high.  I need to ask the doctor if I can have post-meal insulin in these cases.

Sunday I worked out (yay!) and met up with a friend for brunch and retail therapy.  My Huevos Rancheros ended up NOT having tortillas in them, which was a complete surprise.  I had taken insulin based on that assumption so ended up having to order toast to compensate.  The toast came with an AMAZING lemon-zest butter, so it all worked out. Anyway, I was doing really well on Sunday, and counted things out really carefully but had a pretty bad scare in the evening with a 56 blood sugar level.  I tested again and it was 52.  Obviously I ate a sugary snack and everything was fine- but it was still pretty scary.  something similar happened on Friday- I am still trying to adjust to exactly how a work-out affects my sugar levels.  


Today I had lunch with Cecelia & her new roomie: so fun to see her and hear about her NYU transition.  Since I jogged this morning I was careful to make sure I ate enough carbs.  My 2 hour post reading is 109, so it seems like I'm getting better.  I'll be building out my meal plan when I have some downtime in Florida- I'll have it down to a science soon enough. 

Bleah

UUUUUUgh.  I’m not in as great of a mood today.  My eyesight is all kinds of blurry.  I was told to expect this because your eyes kind of adjust to blood sugar levels over time, and now that I am in a normal range my eyes are adjusting.  I can expect this for a few more weeks.  It’s annoying though, because it’s inconsistent.  Sometimes my vision will be super sharp, and sometimes I can’t even focus on anything.  I actually had to take an Advil today since it’s causing some headaches.  Happy for the 3 day weekend and no computer screens.

ALSO, Dr. K just called, and my liver is still showing some inflammation.  I don’t like the sound of that AT ALL.  I know my diet could have been better, but I don’t think I was doing anything so outrageous as to cause myself damage.  I hope.  At my previous visit the doctor says diabetes does not affect the liver.  Between us, I don’t really see how that would be since the liver stores glucose, and I was way over eating sugar (hey! I was starving!).  I have a follow up appointment with my regular physician and with Dr. K- he says it’s nothing to worry about but he understates things.

Hurrican Earl is sending rain this way, I think I’m just going to veg this weekend.  New post on Tuesday.

♥

Doctor Visit

Just got back from Dr. K.  (I asked if I could call him that- it’s easier than Dr. Kinkhabwala.   I am responding really well to insulin, and can begin to incorporate snacks and exercise! I just have to monitor myself to see how my body reacts- everyone does differently- but it’s fantastic news.  I also got a new (fancier) insulin pen that will allow me to administer half units of the medication.  So this morning my breakfast had 35 grams of carbohydrates.  Since I need to take 1 unit of insulin for 10 grams, I had to choose between 3 or 4 units.  Now I can select 3.5.

Onto the numbers: I got the results from my A1c test, which measures how high your sugars have ran over a period of time, a result of 6 or under is normal, even up to 7 is not overly alarming.  Mine was 15, which is ‘extraordinarily high.’  The good doctor reassures me that when the test is conducted again in a few months the levels will be at more normal levels.  I actually really like how non- alarmist my doctor is.  The counselor yesterday had also told me to ask for a glucagon prescription which is good to have on hand in case I pass out from low blood sugar.  That’s how she phrased it.  Dr. K said ‘in case you are unable to assist yourself.’  I like his phrasing better.

Anyway, feeling good today!

In other news though, I still don’t have a working stove- which is obviously compromising my ability to cook! So, I have been eating out more than is ideal.  Well, the news today is that they actually have to break down the wall in my apartment to get at something wrong in with the gas pipes.  I can only imagine the horror I will be going home to tonight.  Ugh!

Diabetes Management- Consultation Meeting

This morning I had my first consultation at the NYU Diabetes Management Center.  I have to say… it was not very helpful.  The person that I met with was very very nice, and sent me off with a bunch of ‘goodies,’ like a back-up blood sugar monitor, and some of the shorter length needles that I like better than what I got at the pharmacy.  However, a lot of the things she said were just going over information that my doctor already provided, such as 1 carb= 15 grams of carbohydrates- but she would not tell me how many carbohydrates I should be eating in a day.  Since I am on insulin management, I adjust the insulin based on how many carbohydrates I eat.  She stressed to eat ‘healthy,’ and while I know the food pyramid- I am still really struggling with figuring out exactly what I should be eating!  The issue is only exacerbated by the fact that my body was craving carbs and sugars in all forms for the past few months- since the energy I should have been getting from that food was unusable without the insulin.  So when my case manager asked what I typically ate, I thought it was a little bit pointless as I know that’s not how I should eat, nor would it be typical had I not had diabetes.  Duh! She also wanted to know what my blood sugar level routine pattern looked like.  I told her I don’t really have a pattern at this point, as I have only had 4 days of monitoring.  Sheesh.  Honestly, I just want to be told what to do since I am feeling ever so slightly overwhelmed; but that’s not my case manager’s problem and I should not be putting it on her.  

Good news is that I have an appointment with a Dietician on the 20th.  That’s the earliest I could get an appointment, and it is almost 3 weeks away.  So I stopped by Borders on my way into work and picked up Bob Greene’s The Best Life Guide to Managing Diabetes, and You Don't Have to be Diabetic to Love This Cookbook.  A little homework for me!