Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Really, really quick update



I've only got a few minutes before I head out to my therapy session, but I wanted to post here. I saw the endocrinologist today ~ she's just the nicest person. We've worked out a schedule over the next month to get me up to full dosage on metoformin (the generic of glucophage) which should not only help me with the Diabetes, but the hormonal imbalances, excess hair growth & help me to lose some weight. I also got a free meter to check my glucose levels once a day about 2 hours after a meal. I need to keep my numbers under 140.


I also need to go on a low glycemic index diet & work my way up to walking 5 times a week (yes, Lori, you read that right...we'll be walking more!). My question here is...besides the books I've ordered from Amazon on the low glycemic index diet...is anyone else out there in my limited readership do a diet like this & know any tried & true recipes you can share with me? This is all brand new to me & I'm a little overwhelmed. Skip also has diabetes, but we've never really gotten into this full swing & I could sure use some ideas & encouragement. Thanks in advance!


More to come in a few days...after my cousin's wedding.......will keep you posted....

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Hello out there......



OK...so I've been pretty lax about posting here lately, but I've honestly been busy. I didn't want to post just for the sake of posting & have my blog end up sounding like the ramblings of a 4 year old.


Work has been a little slow on the customer front over the past couple of days ~ I blame that on people being on vacation ~ but busy in getting orders done & deliveries put away. I've also had several doctors appointments over the past month or so. I mentioned in a post a while ago that I had a colonoscopy, but now I've also had an endoscopy (done by the same gastroentorologist ~ sp?) & also a gastric emptying study (ordered by that same doc because she wanted to see why my stomach wasn't emptying as fast as it should). The gastric emptying study was done in nucleur radiology at a local hospital ~ I had to eat the worst scrambled egg sandwich (dry,with no salt, pepper, anything) that was "laced" with whatever nucleur crap was in it. I guess I'm glowing on the inside now! No results from that yet, as it was only done this past Wednesday.


As for my visit to an endocrinologist, I had an OGTT (oral glucose tolerence test) done a few weeks ago. I loved this doctor, she was super nice. I'm seeing her for various hormonal things (obviously). Some of the blood work came back with no surpises for me ~ I have polycystic ovarian syndrome & 2 of the male hormone tests are slightly elevated (DHEA-S & testosterone). At my next office visit this week, we'll discuss potential ways to decrease the effects of these hormones & hopefully decrease the excess hair growth (chin, upper lip, & slight chest hair). There was, however, a surprise in other results. The OGTT revealed normal fasting glucose levels, but a very elevated 2 hour glucose level (they take fasting blood first, have you drink some highly concentrated sugar stuff, & then take your blood again at the 1 & 2 hour marks), which confirms the diagnosis of Diabetes Type 2. She says that my Diabetes is very mild (normal reference range is 4.0-6.0% & controlled Diabetes is 6.0-8.0% when doing an HA1c test ~ mine was 6.2%) & can probably be controlled with diet & exercise. It's good to know that it's mild, but it scares me a bit.


So..........now I wait for this Wednesday & see what exactly she has to say about medications & diet. I also wait to see what the gastroentorologist says from all her tests & my stupid chronic diarrhea. I've started walking ~ although only a little ~ I went out twice this past week with my friend Lori & walked for roughly an 45 minutes or an hour. It may not be much, but it's very hilly around here & you have to start somewhere. Thanks to Lori for giving me the motivation to get out there those 2 evenings!


I'm going to a cousin's daughter's wedding this coming Saturday in Villanova, PA (the reception is about 35 minutes away in Wilmington, DE). It's black tie "invited" (must be new wording ~ I've heard "black tie," "black tie requested," "black tie optional" but not "invited). My mom, her husband, & my aunt & uncle will be there, too. Staying overnight Saturday night since it's not local ~ it'll be nice to be away for 36 hours. It's just too bad that Skip won't be joining me. I had RSVP'd that he would (& I feel horrible that he's not at the last minute), but he's getting over the shingles & also wants to open the store that day. I was really looking forward to getting away with him & seeing him in a tux! Oh well............
Hope all is well with all of you out there!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Is it just me.......

Is it just me, or is there something inherently wrong with this ad? Does this border on child pornography or something? I'm curious as to what everyone else thinks...