Re: The Christmas party

[Guest guest]

Hi, Tracie, no, I think C and D are the correct answers, unfortunately.

It's my mission in life <g but serious> to educate people and try to

change things.

Vicki

>

> Hubbie and I discussed what we had witnessed afterwards and tossed

around

> several hypothoses:

>

> A. The people sitting at the table with us were 65+, with most in

their 70's

> and 80's. Can it be that they are not concerned about complications

> developing (if they don't already have some) because they figure they

won't

> live that much longer anyway?

>

> B. They were raised in the Depression Era and perhaps this has

something to

> do with their eating habits? I have noticed that many folks from that

age

> have a tendency to hoard for the future: food, possessions, money.

>

> C. These people are in complete and utter denial, and represent the

majority

> of diabetics in the USA? I see anecdotal evidence for this just from

my own

> observations of family, inlaws, friends and acquaintances.

>

> D. Therefore, as an adjust to " C, " folks who approach their diabetes

> proactively and aggresively are a much smaller minority than we (or I

at

> least) realize? With the exception of the people on the online

support lists

> I belong to, I have not run across anyone else willing or able to make

an

> effort at controlling their diabetes.

>

> Has anyone else noticed this, or are hubbie and I way out in left

field with

> our theories? In light of the Prevention Magazine dessert discussion,

I

> thought this might relate.

>

> Thanks for listening (reading),

>

> Tracie

> Type 2, Diet & Exercise

>

[Guest guest]

cute_wife@... wrote:

>Hubbie and I discussed what we had witnessed afterwards and tossed around

>several hypothoses:

>

>

>C. These people are in complete and utter denial, and represent the majority

>of diabetics in the USA?

>

>D. Therefore, as an adjust to " C, " folks who approach their diabetes

>proactively and aggresively are a much smaller minority than we (or I at

>least) realize?

>

I'll go for C and D with the following additions. Probably the

people on Internet diabetes newsgroups and mailing lists are the most

aggressive. A lot older people aren't comfortable with computers so

they don't troll the net for information and support. If I were one of

those, my whole source of information would be my doctor. My first

doctor didn't tell me to test. She thought it was a frivolous idea, so

she didn't mention it to me. Six months later when I asked her about

testing, she actually laughed. That's why I decided she was incompetent

to give me good care and I had to fire her.

One of the biggest problems is that doctors are not providing

patient education to diabetics, so they don't know what to do. They

think the only thing they need to do is take the pills their doctors

prescribe, and if they do that they think they're doing everything they

can. Many doctors actually refuse to let their patients test or tell

them to test once a day or twice a week. I read an incredible number of

posts from diabetics who requested a prescription for more test strips

and their doctors refused. Too many doctors are just telling their

patient to avoid sugar.

I had a neighbor with whom I became friendly because we were both

diabetic. He was getting his care at County hospital from residents.

The first thing I discovered was that his prescription bottle of

Glucotrol had incorrect instructions on it. This was the original form

of the drug which had taken one half hour before meals. Instructions

said to take twice a day. That's all. So that's what he did, 12 hours

apart. Since he was taking the pills without regard to eating and

eating without regard to taking the pills, he was losing the benefit of

the drug. He swung from hyperglycemic to hypoglycemic as he would take

a pill and then not eat. When I talked to him about testing, he proudly

told me he had several meters, but did not test. He had been given

meters by the hospital on several different visits, but no one had ever

told them what numbers he should be getting on his meter. So a 300 was

as good to him as an 80, since he didn't know what any of them meant.

And as you can imagine the story has an unhappy ending.

When I met him he was having problems with persistent stores on his

feet that would not heal. His doctors were also talking to him about

installing a shunt in his arm for hemodialysis, so it would be healed

and ready to use in a few months when he would be ready for

hemodialysis. About that time he moved to another part of the city, and

we lost touch for the most part. But I run into him at the public

library occasionally. He is out of his wheelchair now from the

amputation of his left leg, and he is learning to walk on his artificial

leg, though he still somewhat wobbly. And he tells me that the kidney

dialysis is OK. He can handle it. And while we never talk about it, I

have doubts about his vision, because he needs bright light and large

magnifying glass to read almost anything.

And then there's my cousin who worries me because he won't even talk

about his diabetes. He recently moved to a new home and had a house

warming party which I attended. someone gave him a gift pack of 37

varieties of hot chocolate mixes. He was delighted, he said, because

hot chocolate is his favorite drink. Later it looked at the ingredients

on the package, you bet, they all had sugar in them.

We are the diabetic elite. We are the ones who are making

ourselves informed and doing what needs to be done. Many have their

heads in the sand, and many others are depending on doctors who are

failing to give them the education they need.

Edd

[Guest guest]

they could be any of the choices you posted or they could be all " pumpers " but i

doubt it.

i had a friend that used a pump and she was in her 30's. jennie drove me nuts

because she would eat nothing but sugar!!! funny thing was that she had it all

under control most of the time. she was dx'd as a kid and knew carb counting

real well.

still freaky to hear about those folks! but maybe ball room dancing burns carbs

like crazy and they know it's ok to eat like they do!

jodi

[Guest guest]

Good luck, Carole. Do you have someone to advocate aggressively for

you? If not, try to get someone. Talk to your doctor ahead of time

about glucose IVs and " diabetic diet " . Have him write it in the chart!

Vicki

RE: The Christmas party

> Hi Vicki - I am going to have to have surgery next month and have been

> fretting about it a lot. I have decided that I need a surgeon who

will work

> with 'me'. No glucose in my IV lines and no diabetic diet or I'll

refuse to

> eat.

>

> I want a regular diet so I can pick my own menu within limits for the

> surgery of course. Must admit I am aprehensive about it because of

the

> diabetes.

>

> And your right about the complications - that is why so many folks

have

> them. One thing for sure, I'll go down fighting!!!!!

>

> Carole

> -----Original Message-----

[Guest guest]

Speaking of Christmas parties....I hosted my annual affair...we have such

fun...people start asking me in the summer when the party is!!

We combined the party and a 25th wedding anniversary party for us...we did a

small renew the vows and had wedding cake for dessert and we did do the feed

each other the cake...so some did get in my mouth....but since my doctor was

there...he said it was ok....25th wedding anniversary cake does not count....he

should know right??<grin> And I did have alittle bit of champagne...

We played the game where you bring a gift and draw numbers and steal back and

forth....when it was my time to steal...I would go by the popcorn and the

candy and the fancy hot cocoa mix ....I would just chant.. " boatload of

carbs...boatload of carbs... " as I went by and chose the nice pitcher and bowl

set.....<

grin>

ok....so I am really off topic...I have to talk about something up here next

to Rick...has Susie left yet....I want to go sit where it is not so bumpy....

Ressy

[Guest guest]

Just thought I'd put in my usual 2 cents here. I will be 70 February 3 and

I don't fit in ANY of the categories A, B, or C. In fact, I am very close

to being a fanatic about my diabetes. I already have enough health issues.

I've already had 6 cardiac arrests (beginning October 13, 1993) and many

other problems. Now, the way I look at it, God has a purpose for me still

being here. I still have something to do so I'm going to take the best care

possible of my health so that I can complete my " mission " here on earth.

Another way that I look at it is that I enjoy life so very much that I'm not

going to cut it short by not watching what I eat and drink. I still have

things to do and places to go. My oldest grandson just graduated from

college Saturday. His plan is to go on further with his education and get

his Master's degree. He is a Chemical Engineer. I have all intentions of

being here and going to visit him when he gets that " WONDERFUL JOB " in that

field. His request is for " Tootie's chicken and dumplins " . Yep! I'm going

to go wherever he is and cook them for him. No, I won't eat the dumplins,

but I can certainly eat the chicken. LOL, I was raised in the depression

era and I don't hoard " anything " but I'm inclined to " share

everything " ......including my viewpoints on diabetes.... AND I DON'T EVEN

CHARGE FOR MY ADVICE. I, personally, don't go totally low carb but try to

stay under 50 carbs daily. If I even look like I'm going to fall off the

wagon, my 5 watchdogs, er, I mean children, and all of my grandchildren,

will " yank me back on in a heartbeat " . I have instilled all of these

" jewels of knowledge " in them just in case there is a gene in me that might

be passed on to them. Actually, my diabetes was brought on by the trauma

from the auto accident that I mentioned happening 10 years ago. You know

the old saying, " forewarned is forearmed " . At least half of my friends and

family are " lowcarbing " now.

Now, just for the record, I'm not disagreeing with you about what you have

said. Actually, I don't know one single, solitary soul who is as as

dedicated as me and my " diabetic friends " on these lists. I keep telling my

diabetic friends (who aren't on these lists) but nobody seems to pay

attention. They just continue to go on about their " self destruct " course.

They probably THINK that I'm nuts, but I KNOW that they are on a fast train

to death and destruction from this disease that we all share. The way I

look at it, life is like playing cards. You are dealt a hand and you make

the best of the hand you are dealt. It makes no matter what life gives you,

or what disease or disability you have, you need to read, study, and learn

everything you can to try and win. That's what I'm doing. I'M A WINNER!

When my life is over.....you can bet your bottom dollar that I have squeezed

every bit of happiness out of it and given every ounce of strength to living

and loving those others with whom I've been in contact. I've told my family

that when it's all over I want them to CELEBRATE my life......not mourn my

death.

Sorry about the long post.

Tootie

The Terrible

A. The people sitting at the table with us were 65+, with most in their

70's

and 80's. Can it be that they are not concerned about complications

developing (if they don't already have some) because they figure they

won't

live that much longer anyway?

B. They were raised in the Depression Era and perhaps this has something

to

do with their eating habits? I have noticed that many folks from that age

have a tendency to hoard for the future: food, possessions, money.

C. These people are in complete and utter denial, and represent the

majority

of diabetics in the USA? I see anecdotal evidence for this just from my

own

observations of family, inlaws, friends and acquaintances.

D. Therefore, as an adjust to " C, " folks who approach their diabetes

proactively and aggresively are a much smaller minority than we (or I at

least) realize? With the exception of the people on the online support

lists

I belong to, I have not run across anyone else willing or able to make an

effort at controlling their diabetes.

[Guest guest]

Wise words, Tootie...and my philosophy too.

I'm another one of those " make lemonade out of lemons " people, smile.

Just realized...on this day six years ago I got my [totally unexpected,

totally shocking] diabetes diagnosis.

Vicki, LADA type 1 diagnosed 1997, UL and Humalog insulin and lotsa

testing, no complications.

<<

The way I

look at it, life is like playing cards. You are dealt a hand and you

make

the best of the hand you are dealt. It makes no matter what life gives

you,

or what disease or disability you have, you need to read, study, and

learn

everything you can to try and win. That's what I'm doing. I'M A

WINNER!

When my life is over.....you can bet your bottom dollar that I have

squeezed

every bit of happiness out of it and given every ounce of strength to

living

and loving those others with whom I've been in contact.

[Guest guest]

I think Derrik made good points with what he said about his wife's

surgery. Sounds like she needed glucose.

Sometimes the fresh glucose is needed for the cells to properly

utilize it. In such instances the net effect could be a lowering of

the BG. And when you have been traumatized starving the cells would

probably not be good.

If you can talk to the doctor ahead of time. The last time my

daughter was hospitalized (not diabetes related) she was not home so

did not have her regular doctor. The doctor overseeing the diabetes

did not seem to even know there were different kinds of insulin and

the nursing personel was no better. And this was a large hospital in

a large city. I could write a book about such.

I hope everything goes well with you.

Betty

> Betty - thank you for your well wishes. After reading 's post

about

> BGs going up to 350, I think I'll just refuse the surgery. LOL -

wish I

> could. And yes, I do plan to have someone there with me as much as

> possible. I think everyone going into the hospital should have

someone stay

> with them whether they are diabetic or not.

>

> That is a sad state that our hospitals have come to. I am in

Nevada and did

> not get a flu shot in time so I have more concerns about being in a

hospital

> now. Maybe I'll just postpone the surgery for a month or two.

>

> I didn't understand your comment about the glucose. If I already

run high,

message have been removed]

[Guest guest]

That's something else I forgot about. When I was taken to the ER at

0430 I told them NO glucose. They had no problem with that and just

gave me saline.

AJ

Carole Schmidt wrote:

> Hi Vicki - I am going to have to have surgery next month and have been

> fretting about it a lot. I have decided that I need a surgeon who

> will work

> with 'me'. No glucose in my IV lines and no diabetic diet or I'll

> refuse to

> eat.

[Guest guest]

I'll be interested to know what that translates to on your trays.

Please be sure and let us know.

AJ

Bruce A. wrote:

> I've discussed with all my doctors that if I'm admitted to the

> hospital, they're to put LOW CARB rather than DIABETIC on my dietary

> orders.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Tracie, no, I think C and D are the correct answers, unfortunately.

> It's my mission in life <g but serious> to educate people and try to

> change things.

> Vicki>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The people I run across (family, friends, acquaintances) don't seem to want to

be educated. They just want the doctor to give them a pill and pretend

everything is hunky-dory. I ask what type of meds they are taking or insulin

they're using, and they don't know. I ask if they're testing their BG

levels, and they don't, even if they have a meter. Or, if they do test, a

reading under 200 is to them carte blanche to eat whatever, whenever, such as

wolf down 6 donuts and wash it all down with egg nog. (Something my

Brother-In-Law did yesterday.) Then they whine about how they feel bad!!

It's enough to make me want to tear my hair out! I guess all I can do is set

a good example by my own actions and words.

Tracie

Type 2, D & E