Doctors Orders

I haven't been crocheting or knitting for about 6 - 8 weeks now. During this time I've developed some weakness in my wrist (on my dominant hand of course) and I have found it difficult to do things like open jars, even ones that have previously been opened.  

I saw my GP today and mentioned it to him. He has told me that I need to use my creative outlet & knit and crochet because he was sure that I plenty of projects I could do to test my wrist to see if that makes a difference. That way he can narrow down the possible cause of the weakness. 

So now I am under doctors orders to craft. You have got to love that!

Diabetes Update

I had my Diabetes Cycle of Care appointments on Thursday. It was time to get my height and weight checked (I hate the scales) and to see which services I might need to utilise and when I had my last checks with the optometrist, dentist, podiatrist, dietitian, diabetes educator, etc. I have found that I need to ask my GP to do the routine blood tests as well. I'm not sure that is a good thing or not. I know doctors get busy but to have to ask for tests to be done. At least he has a brilliant 'bedside' manner and explains things really well that makes up for it.

To be honest I have been feeling, for lack of a better term, burnt out when it comes to my diabetes. I am tired of checking my blood every day. I am tired of watching what I eat all the time. I want that piece of chocolate or that piece of cake when I want it and not just every so often. I don't have the energy to go for walks.
My hip and knees hurt far too often for my liking. I definitely have osteoarthritis in my right knee and I probably have it in my left also. I also have trochanteric bursitis in my left hip/leg. My GP has given me a request form for some x-rays so I shall get that done this coming week. My exercise physiologist has given me some exercises which should help, in his words, strengthen my bum muscles which in turn shall help my knees and hips.

I ended up seeing my diabetes educator yesterday. She said there really wasn't all that much that could be done about being 'burnt out'. That you just need to ride it out. Well that's great advice, NOT. She did however suggest that I see the practise nurse and talk to her about maybe seeing an osteopath and perhaps to even get a mental health plan started. It's worth a try I guess. If I don't look after myself who will look after Mark and the boys with their medical issues.

Hearing Trouble

I went to see my GP Friday afternoon. I needed to get some repeat prescriptions and let him know a couple of annoying things I have noticed over the last few months that I keep forgetting to mention when I see him or one of the other doctors in our clinic.

First of all I mentioned that I sometimes have a whistling in my ear. It's not there all the time but it's annoying. I also have what I refer to as a hum, kind of like the background noise from a computer. It's nearly always there, actually come to think if it, maybe it is always there. I also mentioned that I don't know if Mark and the boys have started mumbling or not but I am finding it difficult to always understand them. That I need to ask them to repeat what they have said or that they need to face me and talk a little louder because I can't hear them.

Marlon checked out my ear. I have lots of psoriasis in there, which I knew, but I also have a bit of inflammation and a not quite right looking ear drum. I have some ear drops now which I need to use three times a day which should help with the inflammation.
I did have a burst ear drum in that same ear when I was in my late teens. I was wondering if that had anything to do with it. It's not all that likely but you never know, right?

I need to go have a hearing test. Lucky me. Fortunately for me there is a place in town that does them so I wont need to travel far. Unfortunately I don't know whether this will be covered by medicare or whether I shall need to pay for the test. I guess I shall find out when I phone for an appointment.

Second thing was I mentioned the pain I was having in my left hip. Mostly when I walk and sometimes when I stand up after sitting down for extended periods of time. After a little poking and prodding, Marlon found the exact spot that hurts. I was told it was highly likely that it's a trochanteric bursitis. Now I need to go have an ultrasound guided steroid injection if it is needed. I am not looking forward to having an injection but if that is what's needed then so be it. Maybe the ultrasound will show that it isn't a bursitis and that will be all. I can still cope with the pain. At least for now anyway.
Fortunately there is now an x-ray place in town (it only opened 2 months ago) so I am able to go there to get it done.

I am thinking we are very blessed in our little town to have so many things close by that we no longer have to travel to the city or to the hospitals in other towns.

Stupid Scalp Psoriasis

I've been having problems with my scalp for a while now (o_O) my stupid ‪psoriasis has been playing up. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with stress or just the fact that it is now winter or maybe it's both.

So far changing my shampoo to a sulfate free one (see photo below) has done nothing to help, at least not yet but I was hoping to see a difference after using it for the past 9 days. Although my hair does look rather shiny (but it did look shiny with my last shampoo).

I now have a script for diprosone lotion, which used to be on the PBS but sadly isn't any more. I am a bit ticked off at the price I had to pay for this medication so it had better work. I recall using it many years ago but I can't remember whether it worked or not.

Is it too much to ask for nice skin? I've lived with this for nearly all of my life. For once I would like something to be 'normal'.

Sulfate free shampoo

Diabetes Check Up

 

Yesterday afternoon I saw my GP. It was time to get the results from all the blood tests that I had done last week and to get my blood pressure checked. He said I only came in to show off because the results all came back "NORMAL".

He took my BP and said 'wow' .. 124/72 (also one of my best readings ever - last time it was 126/70) HbA1c is 5.9 mmol/L (39) which is my BEST ever
Fasting glucose was 5.3 mmol/L (down from 6.3 mmol/L)
Cholesterol is also down and the combined total was 3. He said he wished his level were as good.
Liver, kidney and thyroid functions were normal Vitamin D, blood count, platelets normal

I am sure he mentioned a few other things but I can't remember them. All I know is that all that hard work of calorie counting, exercise and the extra walking has certainly paid off. Not only are things visible on the outside with the inches that I have lost around my waist and the drop in clothing sizes but my insides are doing so much better as well.

I am feeling pretty darned good right now. I even treated myself to a new hairstyle too. I know I deserved this reward. Time to do a happy dance!

A rare photo of me and my new hairdo.

My Baby Has Severe Sleep Apnoea

Angus participated in a sleep study back in October. I was thinking just a few days ago about how he went with it. I was informed when we made the booking that if it was bad that the Professor's office would contact us and we would get an earlier appointment that the one we have in February.

On Tuesday I received a phone call from our Doctors Clinic. The nurse who I spoke with said that the results came in and that Dr F has seen the report. It's not urgent but please come in to discuss the findings. I had already booked myself an appointment for Thursday (yesterday) was it okay for Angus to come and see him then? Sure no problem. Brodz also had an appointment too.

Yesterday the three of us went in to see our G.P. Brodz went first. I knew that Angus wouldn't want his brother to know what was going on. Not until he was ready to talk about it with him in his own time. Once Brodie left the room it was Angus's turn. It turns our my baby has very severe sleep apnoea. It has been recommended that he lose weight (he is a little tubby but certainly not overweight) and that he needs a c-pap machine.

I knew that he had sleep apnoea. After seeing news items on TV and from attending the Diabetes Support Group when someone came in to talk about it with us. I could tell that he had it. Although Angus being a teenager and being as strong-willed as he is you just cannot force him to do anything.

I asked our doctor if , in any way his adnoids may be part of the problem. They may very well be. Dr F. is sending a referral off to an ENT specialist. We were advised that it may take several months to get in to see one as we don'thave private health insurance. He will mention in the referral that Angus has had the sleep study done and what the results were. We will still bee seeing Prof. Sasse in February as planned.

For now I will continue to worry about my baby when he sleeps. I often listen out for his snoring. I worry when I cannot hear it. I am just surprised that if it was severe that we hadn't heard from the Professors office for an earlier appointment.  I guess now we play the waiting game.

Diabetes Check Up

 

I had to see my GP yesterday for a follow up for my Diabetes and a general check-up just to see how I am going. He made me get on the scales. Something I absolutely dread doing. The scales at home had shown that I had lost some weight but only a couple of kilos. In fact over the past month I had lost and gained weight that I was becoming very stressed about it all. In fact I had been in tears about it several times. It was a constant seesaw and I hated it.

Imagine my surprise when I get on the scales in his office and find out that I have actually lost 4 kilos since I saw him last month. His scales are much kinder than the ones at home. My GP has advised me not to even bother getting on the scales at home. But of course I will.

Since I was diagnosed back in July 2011 I have now lost just over 23 kilos (50.7 lbs). I guess that means I keep doing what I am doing and see how things go from here. Cross your fingers for me that I am still successful next month when I see him again.

Diabetic Cycle of Care

I had my annual Diabetic Cycle of Care check-up last week. Basically that means you get some blood tests done a few days before your appointment to check things like cholesterol, HbA1c (that's the overall average for your blood glucose levels for the past 3 months), iron level, microalbumin (protein in your urine) and any other test that the doctor/nurse has requested. 

You see the nurse who checks your height, weight, blood pressure and feet. Shortly afterwards you see your GP. My numbers were pretty good. My HbA1c was 6.1 mmol, which for me is pretty much where it normally sits. The only problem, for some reason, I had put on a couple of kilos (about 5 pounds). My GP was NOT impressed. Even though I had lost over 22 kilos (48.5 pounds) since I was first diagnosed with diabetes. Of course you can guess what he said next. Lose some weight. I know it is for my own good that he says things like that BUT if you know me I don't like being told what to do, especially where my weight is concerned. It's like this wall of stubbornness goes up and I want to tell people to butt out. Of course I don't say that but I want to so badly.  

Anyway, I have decided to walk a little bit more. Not as much as my GP wants me to, he said 30 minutes every day, but at least I am moving. I've walked 2 km (1.2 miles) to the shops and back a couple of times this week. My thinking is it's better than sitting on my butt like I usually do most of the time. My GP wants to see me in another three weeks. Let's hope that he will be a little bit happier about me next time he sees me. I guess I shall find out soon enough.

* I just weighed myself and I have lost 1.2 kg (2.64 lb) since I saw my Doctor last week. I will accept a small victory

Stupid Hand

Yesterday I went to see my GP about my hand. It's been 10 weeks since my operation for the carpal tunnel in my left hand. I am still having problems with pain in my hand. I thought that it was time I checked in with him to see if what I am experiencing was 'normal' for the amount of time that has lapsed since my op.

My GP said that I should continue with the exercises that I have been doing. He agreed with me that my hand should be a lot better than it is. He also said that if I am no better in two - three weeks I need to make a follow up appointment with the surgeon. Then, if I am no better in two to three months I need to have the nerve conduction test repeated. If that shows no improvement then I will need to have surgery again.

So for now I will continue with the exercises and do small amounts of crocheting. I'll just stop when my hand starts hurting.

Diabetes Check Ups

Since my GP, Dr F, retired I had to choose a new GP to replace him. There are about 7 doctors in the clinic where I go but only some of them were taking on new patients. They get very, very busy there. Anyway, I chose my replacement. He is actually one of the main partners of this clinic, Dr C. I've gone in with Brodie a few times and he has been excellent with him and how explains things so I chose him as well.

Of course like with any new GP, any good one at least, when I went in to see him Monday morning and said that I needed to get my HbA1c level checked he said that I should go get all of my other check ups done as well if I hadn't had them done already this year. Naturally he also made me get on the scales. The one thing I dread doing all the time. I much prefer his scales than the ones at home. I am at least 1 and a half kilos lighter on his scales.

Surprisingly I managed to get in to see the podiatrist Monday afternoon. Let me first mention that I hate my feet. I have psoriasis in my nails and they just look plain horrible. It's good to know that the podiatrist didn't care. I suppose he sees worse nails than what I have. He even smoothed out the nails for me. It was almost like having a pedicure (~_o). I had all the checks done: pulse, touch etc. I was then told that my feet were fine. He did give me a few tips on keeping them in good condition. No running around barefoot not even indoors (arghh there goes my barefooted summer), clean between the toes with metho to keep them dry and moisturise the feet every day (not between the toes though). He also suggested that I invest in a mirror that I can place on the floor/wall so that I can check the bottom of my feet more easily. If I remember to look for a mirror when I go shopping I'll grab one. Result from podiatrist - ALL GOOD see you in 12 months.

I went to see the Optometrist on Tuesday. Adam was a bit surprised to see me so soon. I explained that my new GP wanted to be up to date on all of diabetes checks so I needed to come in earlier than expected. No problem. Adam thought it was a good idea that Dr C wanted to know. Anyway, after many drops in the eyes, a brief read from the charts with and without the glasses on, a couple of photos of my eyes and the removal of two misbehaving eyelashes that were growing towards the eye I have another ALL GOOD report and we will see you in 18 months because you are doing the right things and controlling your BGL's.

I love hearing such good things from my Diabetes health team. It means I am on the right track. Let's hope that my GP thinks the same thing when he gets all the reports.

Stupid Carpal Tunnel

I just got back from seeing my GP a little while ago. Just a routine visit to organise blood tests etc to monitor my BGL and thyroid function. While I was there I did mention how my right arm, due to the carpal tunnel (which I have in both wrists) seems to ache more and more lately. I also mentioned how I need to wear a wrist brace more often these days to help with the ache and the pins and needles. BIG mistake! I now have a referral for a surgeon.

Last time I saw this particular surgeon (back in 2009) he said to try using a wrist brace and see if that helps because he didn't want to operate unless I was unable to do my usual day to day activities. The wrist braces have helped a lot (I have one for each wrist) however they seem to be losing their effectiveness. You know what that means don't you?? Surgery!! I probably wont be able to crochet or knit for a while after the op. NOT a good thing :'(  I don't know how I will cope without being able to crochet. It keeps me sane. I guess I need to make sure I do lots and lots of crocheting before surgery so I get my 'fix'

I phoned the surgeons office but they are closed for the day so I will need to phone them in the morning. I wonder how long it will take to get an appointment to see him? I also wonder how long I will be on the waiting list at the hospital before the surgery is actually done. I'm not sure that I want it done too quickly but then again maybe it's better to get it over and done with, right?

Hypothyroidism & Tennis Elbow

I went to see my GP last Thursday. I had made my appointment the previous week and I almost cancelled it (well postponed) because I was sick. I know roll your eyes. Not going to see the doctor because you're sick is a silly thing, right?

Anyway, the reason for my visit was due to a blood test that I had done in June. Apparently my thyroid hormones weren't playing nice. My doctor and I had briefly spoken about it when I saw him soon after I had my last series of blood tests done. At the time he said let's just repeat the bloods in two months. I went back today to say that two months are up are we going to repeat the test? He took a much closer look at the results this time. He even showed me the computer screen so that I could see them. There were results from three separate blood tests that I have had done this year. He even drew a diagram of my thyroid and explained the hormones that it produces along with the pituitary gland. To cut a long story short it turns out that I have Hypothyroidism (an under-active thyroid).

Dr F. was quite laid back about it really. I now have more medication to take and I need to have another blood test in 2 - 3 weeks. Lucky me huh! I can't understand why he didn't do something about it earlier really if there was a problem. Hypothyroidism can be a bad thing.

I also mentioned my arm was still hurting but not the original complaint I had with my shoulder. So after more prodding and poking, with me wincing in pain, I get told some really long name of what I have that ends with "is" or "itis" not that I remember.  Dr. F then showed me a diagram after a google search to show me what the muscles looked like. I then see the name tennis elbow by one of the photos. So yay me! I have another label to add to my growing list of ailments.

I definitely need a new body. This one is wearing out.

A Pain In The Buttocks, Well It's Really In My Shoulder

image from google

I went and saw my GP yesterday afternoon. I now have an 'official' diagnosis. Well, I had a diagnosis before but this has definitely been confirmed now that I've had an ultrasound. Dr F. (my GP) even gave me a print out of the radiologists report.  I have a partial thickness incomplete tear of the supraspinitis tendon with associated subacromial bursal thickening causing impingement. In other words it is PAINFUL but thankfully not all the time.

For now we are just going with pain management. I have a different pain medication, tramadol, which I have never taken before so I only took one capsule last night after tea. It didn't seem to help all that much so I will try two some time later today. At least this hasn't affected my head like panadeine forte does. Codeine always makes me feel light headed and pays havoc with my system if I take them for long periods of time. I usually just put up with the pain for as long as I can. I reckon I rattle with the amount of medication I take anyway without taking any extra.

Dr. F said that he would refer me to an orthopaedic surgeon if I wanted to. I may go that road if things don't improve. The bad news is that it may take up to two years before my shoulder is back to 'normal'. I am crossing my fingers, toes, eyes and anything else that I can cross and hoping that it will not take that long. It's already been six months since I initially hurt my arm. I don't want another 18 months of this.

Wish me luck in a speedy recovery!

My Dang Shoulder

I had an ultrasound done on my right shoulder on Thursday afternoon. Twisting and turning my arm about so that the technician could get a good picture of my shoulder and the muscles was a big pain but I knew it had to be done. The technician would occasionally ask if it hurt doing a particular movement. It did but I just dealt with it. Not that she could say all that much but she did confirm that I have definitely torn a tendon. I kind of knew that already because of the sounds I heard coming from my shoulder a few times. It sort of sounded like paper ripping.

Now that I have had the scan done I've made another appointment to see my GP. As far as I can tell, not that I have researched anything at this stage, I may have two options. The first being pain management and the second would most likely be an operation to reattach the tendons. Pain management has been working so far but to be honest I am so over it. Simple things like driving, picking things up, reaching for stuff can bring me to tears. Thank goodness I am still able to knit and crochet without too much pain. I would go insane if I couldn't do either of those.

The Eyes Have It

This past week I have been having problems with my right eye. Nothing serious (well I don't think it is - it's been weepy and itchy & on Thursday it started swelling) but I went to the doctor to get it checked out. Get this. Our Doctors Clinic has 8 doctors working there. My GP however is on holiday until the middle of June. Knowing Dr. F he's probably visiting family in Europe.

I phoned the clinic on Wednesday but I was unable to see anyone until late Friday morning. I know that all of the doctors there work part time and with it almost being winter I guess they're pretty busy.

Anyway I saw a doctor yesterday, Dr. T. I've never seen him before and he was really nice and helpful although his accent made it a little difficult to understand him. I had to concentrate when he was speaking. Nothing against him he was just very softly spoken. After he put on some gloves, shone the light in my eye and had a look he gave me some antibiotic ointment to use for the next 4-5 days. He told me that he was a bit concerned about the lump/swelling that had formed, that it may be an infection of some kind & that if the ointment doesn't work he wants me back there next week. Oh and get this I had to rest my eye. How on earth does someone rest their eye? I can't not read, crochet or watch TV. Do I just close it while I try and do my regular activities or do I cover it with an eye patch and pretend to be a pirate arggghhhh?

Dr T said he was concerned about the swelling. Should I worry or do I just take it in my stride? I wasn't terribly worried before but eyes are really important aren't they. In fact if I had a choice I would rather have my sight and lose my hearing. Although I think that my hearing is slowly going. Living with a hearing impaired person means that the TV is turned up just that little bit louder & over time I have found that makes a difference to your own hearing.

So my dear internet friends, if you had a choice would you prefer to lose your sight or your hearing? I would love to know (~_o)

It's Happy Dance Time

I am so happy I could burst! Well maybe not burst but I am very happy that everything is going so well for me right now.

I've had lots of visits with my health care team this past week and every single one of them has made me smile and feel pretty darned good about myself.

Last week I saw my GP and organised to get my usual 3 monthly blood test. To check things like my HbA1c, cholesterol, iron levels and a few other things that I can't remember right now.
While I was there I mentioned that I had read how it's recommended that diabetics get the flu shot each year. I asked him considering that I feel pretty healthy most of the time and rarely get colds if I even needed it. To which he replied it wouldn't hurt. There I was thinking he would give me a script to fill and come back to get the jab. Boy was I wrong. He said he would be back in a second and the next thing I knew he was filling a syringe and said give me your arm! That'll teach me to mention flu shot & diabetes in the same sentence (+_+)

I went and got my blood test done on Thursday morning hoping that the results would be in this morning when I went to see my Diabetes Educator. They were actually in on Friday and my dietitian, who visits the same surgery as my GP, was able to check the results for me. I was thrilled to see that my HbA1c was 5.9 mmol (the same as it was in January) and that my overall cholesterol level was 3.5. My iron levels were down but still within normal range. Apparently that's something to watch as you get older and head towards that thing called menopause.

Anyway as I was saying I saw my Dietitian, Kerry. She was very pleased with how things are going & that I have continued to lose weight. She said I am obviously doing a good job with my BGL's and to keep up the good work. Kerry told me that she doesn't want to see me until October unless I feel the need to see her before then.

This morning I saw my Diabetes Educator, Karen. She asked me how I thought I was going with my diabetes. So I told her about the two HbA1c tests that I've had since I last saw her & how both levels were 5.9. She was very happy for me & gave me a high 5. When I first met Karen she wanted me to aim for 6.2 for my A1c.
I told Karen that I had lost over 20 kilos. I think she wanted to see that for herself so I got on the scales. Another high 5! Karen then said I have made her day with all of my successes.
We spoke briefly about various check-ups that I will need in the next few months or so. Like my feet and eyes. Some other test that's needed that I can't think of right now (I know I'm an air head for forgetting). Karen then said that since everything is going so well for me that I don't need to come and see her for 12 months unless I had some questions.

How good is all that? All these appointments and everything is fantastic! All of my health care team is happy with what I am doing. All my hard work is paying off big time! I feel so good about myself that I want to splurge and go shopping! I haven't done it yet. I'm waiting for that feeling to pass. I don't think my budget could handle it if I went on a shopping spree no matter how much I want to spoil myself.

Dermatologist Review

I had a review with my Dermatologist on Wednesday. It's hard to believe that its been 6 months since I last saw him. Its a good thing I made an appointment for when I did as he is finishing up working at the local hospital. He told me that he has been coming up here on a regular basis for 50 years and had decided to call it quits. Although he will still be working at his Berwick office for a while longer. Not to be mean or anything but he is at that age where he looks like he should be retiring. He's no spring chicken after all. He looks like he's in his 70's.

He was sort of impressed with my skin but not, if that makes sense. He was impressed that I had been able to go for 6 months without seeing him but saddened by the fact that my psoriasis was coming back. Me well I was impressed that he listened to me and actually took on board what I was saying about my skin and what lotions & potions he had prescribed in the past and which ones I felt worked best or not. Anyway I walked away with a prescription for some stinky tar based lotion which my poor chemist will have to make up when he isn't busy. I think they are grateful when I leave the script and tell them that I will be back in two days to collect it. It give them time to make it up then.

Remind me to take a photo of this 'potion' so I can show you how colourful it is. Just be thankful that you don't have to smell the stuff lol although you do get used to it after a while.

He said I don't need to go back and see him unless I need to (for scripts or flare ups). I guess that's a good thing. I didn't tell him that my GP is willing to prescribe the lotions & potions just as long as I get a printout from the chemist. I'm thinking I might do that in future. Anything that helps me avoid suburbia is a good thing. I don't fancy driving in the busy suburbs of outer Melbourne unless I absolutely have to.

Health Update

I had a check up with my GP this morning. He had asked me to come and see him 4 weeks after I started taking Diabex. It has actually been 5 weeks but that's only because he was away last week.

I showed Dr. F the program I have installed, OnTrack, on my phone that I use to record all of my blood glucose levels, weight, blood pressure etc. He loved the program so much that he looked to see if he could get it for his iphone. He couldn't find that one, it is for Android, but he did find another one that he said he may look into.

After checking out my BGL's recorded on my phone and getting me on the scales. Yes the scales, which I no longer hate because the numbers are going down!!! I have lost 6 kilos (about 12 lb) since being diagnosed with diabetes. Dr. F is absolutely rapt with how well I am going.He said that I am doing a fantastic job. I never tire of hearing those words! Although sometimes I feel like I am behaving so much that it is making me sick. Not sick as in ill just sick & tired of being so good.

I also asked Dr. F to fill in a form for VicRoads notifying them that I now have diabetes. Basically its to cover my butt if I have an accident so no one can say I was irresponsible and state that I didn't declare my illness. I need one of these forms filled out once every 3 years. Lucky me.

Since things are going so well he doesn't need to see my until the end of September when my HbA1c test is due to be repeated. Well unless something crops up before then. Although I do have an appointment on Friday with the dietitian. I don't think I have any questions for her at this stage and I don't really know if this appointment is truly necessary but I will go any way.  But for now things are going well and I am being a good girl :P

It's Official

I promised that I would give an update on my Doctors appointment this week in regards to the Glucose Tolerance Test I had done a couple of weeks ago. Well I saw my GP about 45 minutes ago. It's official, I am now a diabetic.

I have no idea what that entails at the moment. My Mum was a diabetic as was my brother Wayne. Considering Mum passed away over 10 years ago I don't remember everything that she needed to do & I never really saw Wayne so I have no clue what he did either.

My doctor suggested told me that I needed to get one of those glucose machine thingys (sorry my mind has drawn a blank at the moment) and suggested that I shop around to get one at a reasonable price. They aren't that expensive as I have checked them out at our local chemist. A glucometer? (still drawing a blank here).
He also recommended that I join the Diabetes Association. Apparently I can get discounts with some equipment like the strips and possibly other services.

I did speak with my Dad on Sunday telling him that I needed to see my GP today to get the results of my GTT. The first thing he said, without even skipping a beat, is why what have YOU been eating? Sheesh, make it hard on me Dad. I was hoping to get some sympathy and reassurance from you. I didn't expect him to be quite so harsh. I don't think it matters what I ate. There were many risk factors stacking up against me anyway it was just a matter of time.
I'll be phoning him shortly to tell him the 'news'. I hope he is a bit more supportive this time.

I have an appointment with the Practise Nurse for next Wednesday afternoon (it was the earliest I could get in to see her plus it gives medicare time to set up whatever it needs to set up), I'm not sure what her job will be in my new health plan. She might be the diabetes educator, who knows. I guess I will find out next week.

I guess for now I do some research and find out what I need to do & shop around for one of those monitors.

Ouch! Gosh Darn It!

Far out that hurts! I am almost in tears :( I hurt my back about 20 minutes ago. Fudge! Fudge! Fudge! Gosh now I know how Mark feels when his back plays up! Golly Gosh! I was just reaching over the counter in the kitchen to make myself a late breakfast when I had this searing pain in the middle of my back. My goodness I've not felt anything quite like that in a long time. It even hurts to sit here let alone breathe! I am so proud of myself for not even swearing! Fudge!

Its a good thing I already had a doctors appointment for this afternoon to get some prescriptions that I am running low on. Now I have an even better reason to see him! Far out Brussel Sprout!

I just hope & pray that my back improves before Christmas Eve. I have so much to do that day. I guess if this had to happen I am just glad that it happened early in the week rather than later. I hope the paracetamol I took helps soon. I'm going to go try and get comfy.