My Life and Welcome to It (Old Show, new Meaning)

I was talking to someone the other day who told me about several people who were praying for my health.  Thank you all.  I did think, however, that a better explanation of my situation was needed.  I realized that it is normal day to me, getting there for Mom, and much less so for all others.

I have several problems.  I am not complaining.  I believe in all things working out for good and, though I may not like it, I can see most of the hows and whys of the entire deal.

I had a stroke on May 7, 2010.  It was a hemorrhagic mid-brain stroke.  That means that I had a small blood vessel burst in my brain (from BP too high 250/150 and aggravated by my Blood Sugar at 300).  This stroke caused me to have double vision, my right eye is always dilated and my left eyes is never dilated.  I also have balancing issues which are caused by my neuropathy (next) and my eyes.  I had had diabetes for over a year.

I have neuropathy. That is a condition in which the nerves in an area have bad circulation and, therefore, stop functioning as well or periodically as well.  I have 3 types of neuropathy.  I have neuropathy in my feet, causing numbness and loss of balance and occasional pain.  I do not take medication for the pain as it is short-lived, but intense.

The second area I have neuropathy in is (let’s keep it PG) my male reproduction system.  Nuff said.  Ask me if you want more info.

The third area of my neuropathy is my stomach.  Called Gastro Paresis (stomach stops), this condition comes when the Vegas nerve to your stomach stops or slows down transmitting to your stomach. This, in turn, causes your stomach to digest food slowly or not at all for a period of time.  If it is long enough, the food in your stomach goes rancid, sending a vile taste to my mouth and followed (in about 1 hour) by vomiting, then by diarrhea.  This lasts anywhere from 2-10 hours.  I have some very quick-acting medicine for under my tongue (3-5 minutes) which, if I get it in time, can slow or stop the nausea and prevent (hopefully) the vomiting.  I am told not to stop the diarrhea because the bad food needs to get out of my system and that’s the safest and quickest way.  I am getting better at doing things to help prevent or limit the occurrences of Gastro Paresis.  I have been told there is no cure, though sometimes it stops altogether.  I can help by:

1. limiting my protein intake
2. limiting my sugar intake
3. limiting my fiber intake
4. eating smaller meals
5. drinking an increased (much) amount of liquids

All of the above keep your stomach emptier and allow it to flow better so it stays empty and food won’t spoil.  It has helped greatly.  I spent, literally, years eating much protein and fiber to help my diabetes, so 1 and 3 have been a big change.

I am now on insulin.  We don’t have the dosage exactly right yet, so it goes back an forth on readings.  However, we are getting there.

The good news is that since the stroke retired me (disability) at 51, I am home and can treat it the way it needs treated.  Being single has helped also.  I have a Mother who is getting older and needs my help and I have good friends, my blog, my Word with Friend games, my fiverr writing, my Amazon for the local library, and my video games to keep me occupied and happy.  Yes, yes, I have my cat, too.  She is a toss up as I wouldn’t want to do without her, but she, frequently, gets on my nerves. lol.

The Gastro Paresis has one advantage.  Eating less and having much less choices (say no ice cream or chocolate) has led to a loss of 23 pounds since April, most of it this May-August. It is a bad way to loss weight, right up there with, well, throwing up intentionally.  However, I am working to stop it and keep the pounds off as well.

The Gastro Paresis is not deadly at this stage.  The biggest problem is dehydration.  I had a few bouts in which I could not keep any liquids down for over 6-8 hours and had thrown all mine up, so I had to go to the ER for saline solution in my arm.

Thank you to all who know, who care, who now understand better.  You are all loved.  I am, often, amazed at how many wonderful friends I have here.  It is something I don’t mind being surprised at.

Namaste,

Scott

 

What’s a Little Agreement Among Two People Who Disagree?

I have talked long and hard over the years about diabetes, especially mine.  I have tried the diets, the home cures, the meds, and whatever else seemed to work for some.  I have never seen anyone claim that every single person who does this thing will cure their diabetes.  I don’t really ever expect to.  Diabetes can come from many different directions and head in many others.  Inherited for some, but others seem to just develop it.  Some eat lots of carbs and sweets and get it, while others seem immune to that experience.  Still others, do everything right and still get it, while others eat all they want and don’t get it.

Now, the book “Dying to Be Me” states that it is our pushing our perfection and our nearly unlimited powers inside ourselves that cause us to get large scale diseases like stroke, diabetes, cancer. and others.  I am inclined to agree as the more deeply I delve into this arena of spirituality, the better I seem to feel and get.  As of right now, as I have accepted that I am special (as are we all) and nearly unlimited in what I can do (as are you, too) my body has changed deeply.  My blood pressure is way down even below normal; my sugar has dropped, my memory is returning; I have less and less trouble with my double vision; and I haven’t had so much as a cold in several years.  Not saying my health is perfect, nor am I saying that I have all this mastered.  Not at all, but I am saying, when I stop and take a good stock look at myself, I am much better person than I was several years ago.

You can scoff and laugh, throw up your hands and mark me a faker, liar, or whatever.  I am just noticing that this old world, that I was so angry at, has become beautiful again, and it more so than it was.  I am, well, happy.  I don’t run up hillsides proclaiming it (maybe I should).  I just try hard to help others when I can in my own little ways.  Know what I find out?  Most people are more comfortable with being miserable than being told that they can change it.  They are living in a world where they are comfortable enough that they won’t dare change.

Think about it like this:  if I told you that you can have mostly anything your heart truly desires (down deep inside), you would not believe me.  You, especially, wouldn’t believe me if I told you that you don’t have to work for it; you don’t have to be worn out and sacrifice to get there.  I have proved it enough to myself to dedicate my life to this pursuit, yet, even I fall short of it.  I fail a lot at it.  But, as I keep looking at it, the more I do over the long run, the better it has gotten.  It has been when I fought it and tried to push myself through it that it didn’t work at all.  We learn from life; I know we do because all things work out in the end.  I know we, often, may not see the end as we go along, but it’s there.  So, I keep trying and reading and thinking and believing…in myself and in the Law of Attraction, in quantum physics and in this unlimited, nearly unbelievable power we have been given from God.

As usual, this is not what I sat down to write and may have to change my title.  We will see.  This all came from a discussion within myself.  I have realized that by fighting my diabetic doctor on this front of taking Insulin once at night to balance things out, I am just causing myself to think about the bad effects more and more.  Sure, I have a good part of the medical world who agrees with me.  I will find that just because I am thinking about it.  Sure, I will hear the horror stories about taking insulin, same reason.  But, in the end, I am working against what I say is right for me and good for me and not using my unlimited powers.

So, I have decided to try not focusing on my diabetes so much.  Instead, I started realizing that it is a blessing, at this moment.  A blessing because, if I had not been diagnosed with it, I would have continued to pour in sweets and starches and gotten so overweight I would suffer from clogged arteries (cholesterol normal now), heart attacks (heart is very healthy now), and so many other problems.  I don’t have those because I was told I have diabetes.  I believe I can work toward not having diabetes if I see if as an aid to a path that I don’t need as much help on.  I am better at dieting and thinking and even will power.

So, my next visit I am going to work more with my diabetic physician.  I will compromise.  I have an idea and will present it to him.  We will see.

Now, you want something to really think about?  How about if I had diabetes and ate too much and problems with doctors and all of this just so I could write this post and help one person begin to see the things I am now seeing?  Think about that…need more help?  I have 3 books you really should read.  There are others, but these 3 will really provoke you and start you thinking.  And, I am here – bookman23@comcast.net

Books:  1) Conversations With God by Neale Donald Walsh

2) Dying to Be Me by Anita Moorjani

3) E Squared by Pam Grout

Namaste,

Scott

Someone Call a Doctor!

Well, actually, someone already did, several times.  January 2018, I went to St V hospital in Anderson to have my right hip replaced.  I had been trying for about two years to successfully have the surgery.  Around two years ago, it was scheduled for July  26, 2016.  On July 25, my father passed away.  I cancelled the surgery.  I tried again a few months later, but, due to stress from Dad’s death and my sister’s diagnosis with cancer, I became ill with gastro paresis.  This persisted until, actually, July of 2017, when my doctor and I finally figured it out (I will let him have some of the credit.  I did all the research and he agreed).  With the monthly session of V and D (sick at both ends) gone, I got my sugar back down to a strong 6.8 (below 8.0 for surgery) and we tried setting it up again.  In the midst of this I managed to badly burn my hand and had to deal with that.  On my last appointment with a GP doctor, for a final check, he reran an A1C and it came out to 8.3.  Surgery was postponed again.  This time, just for about a month.  I had to see a diabetic specialist and we discussed my diet and possible medical solutions.

Now, I am not a person who swallows pills very well.  I had several incidents with food and such when I was younger and it just doesn’t work for me.  So, one of the new medications wasn’t going to work. The other was almost $350 a month.  I worked with the company to get coupons for that medicine.  Finally, the specialist approved my blood readings and diet and we were on for surgery.  Then, the diabetic specialist decided I should go on insulin for a couple of weeks before the surgery and after until my sugar was back to normal.  The insulin was a long-acting and a one-for-each-meal type.  The long-acting was about $600 a a month and the short-acting was around $150.  I ended up buying 1/2 Rx for each and using it before, then after for about 1 week.

What I have noticed is that my sugar levels are higher now than when I was on insulin than when I was on the older medicines.  I will attribute some to pain, but I am just wondering…

So, my temp solution is to remain as it is until the pain stops, reschedule the return appointment until after I am allowed to drive, so I can go to Planet Fitness and exercise for a couple of weeks and see what that does.  Am I being ridiculous?

I ask you…

Namaste,

Scott

An Aggravation and an Internal Solution

Most of us have had to deal with those dreaded sales calls or the self-imposed service calls.

They are not fun, no matter what.  I have no real racial prejudice, however, when the service or sales call comes from a foreigner who speaks little of your native language, the aggravation factor goes up exponentially with each passing moment.

I had such a call this morning.  Seeing the humor in it helped me to center myself and find some solace, so I thought I would share said humor with you (in brief).

I am diabetic.  I use a meter for measuring my glucose levels.  I am preparing for surgery and, over the past couple of weeks, those readings have been more than simply a “check myself” reading.  The doctor is using them to determine my pre-op meds.  So, when I get up in the morning, fresh, and take a reading of 150 (normal 90-120), I get concerned.  When I wait 2 minutes and take it again and get 95, I become less concerned about my health and more about my meter accuracy.  15% is normal so, at 95, that would be around 80-105.   So, after research and finding out I have a great meter brand, very accurate, I call the number on the back of the meter.

I get “Vicky”.

“Hi, my name is veekie.  How can I help you?”  Deep Spanish accent.

I explain and she begins  to take my information.  She gets my name, my address, and phone.

“Do you have an the meter solution?” (I have to guess just a bit at the words “meter” and “solution”.

“No.”

“Okay. Just a minute…”  “Ok, you say you don’t have the meter solution?”

“That’s correct.”

“Well, you have to have the meter solution…”

“I don’t have it.  It has been over 2 years.”

“I understand, but you need the meter solution…so I will need to send you a bottle.”

“Will there be a cost.?”

“No, it is free.”

“Ok.”

“Now, do you have the meter with you?”

“Yes, it is right here.”

“Would you please tell me what kind of meter it is?”

(I have already told her twice, but do so again)

“Thank you.  Now, do you have the meter solution?”

“No.  I do not have it?” (I thought we had established this)

“Okay,  Do you have the bottle of strips?”  (I really had trouble with “bottle” but we figured it out)

“Okay, here it is.”

“Would you tell me….” (serial, lot, etc…)

I begin to read…I get to the letters J and J, finish and she replies…

“so …G as in ‘George’, G as in ‘George’…”

“No, J as in …”

“Oh, sorry, J as in ‘Jim, J as in ‘J’…”

“Corrrect.”

“Now, do you have an account with us?”

“I am not sure.”

“Let me check…I see one with the same name. What is your address?”

I tell her…

Yes, same address.  Let me add that here…

I am thinking, (if it’s the same, why do you have to add it?)

“Okay, now do you have the meter solution?”

(OMG!  I am gonna scream)

“No, it has been too long, over 2 years.”

“Okay, now how long have you had the meter?”

(I am looking around for the Candid Camera)

“Um, it’s been, at least, 2 years.”

“So, I will put 3 years.”

“Fine.”

“I need to put in an order to send you the meter solution so we can test.  It will arrive in about 3-5 days.”

“Ok.”

“Can I put you on hold for a moment while I place your order?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you.”  (Wonderfully poor music begins to play…)

(I pet my cat and remind myself that all is fine; everything is perfect; this doesn’t matter…I begin to smile)

“Okay, sir.  Did I tell you that the order would arrive in 3-5 ‘Business” days?”

“Yes.” (I was not going to pick on her.  I knew it wouldn’t arrive on a Sunday)

“Good. Now, if I can just put you on hold for another minute, while I put in your order for the meter solution?”

“Yes, that’s fine.” (WTH was she doing on the last hold?)

(I pet my cat some more and decide to blog about this call)

“Okay, sir.  Your order for the meter solution will arrive in 3-5 business days. ”

“Thank you.  Is there anything else…” (I hear silence on the line)

“Are you still there?”  (line is silent)

I hang up.

_______________________

Hope you enjoyed my short trip to hell.

Namaste,

Scott

A Day of Miracles

I had something happen this morning, then there were two things.  I didn’t think about them too much until I started thinking about Pam Grout and the LoA (Law of Attraction).  So, let me set this up correctly.

I have been dealing with a diabetic specialist.  He is good and friendly and looking out for me, but, unfortunately – I can’t swallow large pills – we had to disagree on my treatment for one medication and I couldn’t afford the other at this moment.  So, I imagined that he and his office were not very happy with me.

Also, I have been waiting on my CPAP device replacement materials for awhile and, knowing it is a Medicare-assisted service, I expected problems.

Okay, setup done.

Yesterday, I received my CPAP items.  I couldn’t really open them until late in the evening, at which time I discovered that -out of 5 itmes- I could only use 1 of them.  I sighed and knew I would be calling them tomorrow (Sunday).  Also, on Sunday, I was to fax the 1st two weeks of my glucose meter readings to the diabetic specialists.

Okay, so the setup wasn’t quite done.

This morning I dreaded having to deal with the CPAP people just because.  In my mind, I am saying, “I don’t want to do this.”  Now, I said this to myself most of the evening before.  So, actually, the phone woke me up (I was sleeping in, as per normal).  I looked at the caller ID and it was a pharmaceutical company and I almost didn’t pick it up.  Not really sure why I did.  The woman on the phone told me she was from the CPAP warehouse and that their manager had, for “some” reason flagged my order as incorrect and they had to call me!  I let them know he was right and we got it all taken care of in about 20 minutes.  They told me to put a return number on the package, seal it, and Fed-ex would be there to pick it up in 1-5 business days.  1-5!  I didn’t want to wait that long.  I told them I would take it to the Fed-ex mailing location about 10 miles away if I could do it today.  She put me on hold and came back to tell me that if I would leave it where it was dropped off (on my porch), the Fed-ex person would pick it up for me!  Didn’t even have to leave my house.

Then I went to FAX the glucose readings and finally decided my printer would scan but not fax.  I worked longer and then realized that there was an email address on the form.  I did the email and…it failed.  I tried it two more times and it failed.  I was upset because, now, I would have to call the office and, most likely, they would tell me I had to bring it in to them.  I called expecting a miserable conversation.  Instead, the receptionist simply said to try this email address.  I thanked her, hung up, and tried it!  Worked first time!

Two problems down before 11am.

I will also mention that I had been trying to connect my pc to my new tv as a monitor as it is bigger.  I tried for over an hour last night.  This morning, I got a little more dedicated to it and searched better and researched better.  What I found was I needed a $10 part from Amazon to make it work…ordered and arriving in a couple of days!  Basically, 3 problems solved before noon!  I normally sleep until 1pm, so wow!  LoA!  I love you.  Can’t wait to up the ante and push through the next level…

Reading a book entitled “Dying to be Me: My journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing” by Anita Moorjani.  This book is impacting me tremendously.  Wayne Dyer recommends it and I think he is great.  She dies from cancer, goes to the “afterlife”, comes back, and is healed within days.  Yes, I definitely want to read this.

Enjoy your day.  I am enjoying mine.

Namaste,

Scott