Lush In June

Last month's lush flowers have faded and this month's crop is still magnificent.
This picket fence is waiting for me to photograph it over the weekend. I believe there are hydrangea's on this property now. I will post new photo as soon as I can.

On Monday afternoon I headed up to New Haven to meet my sister. We went to supper at Longhorns a steakhouse and then headed onto I95 for our Cape Cod vacation where it was hotter than I expected it to be.

Cynthia and I arrived near 1 a.m. on Tuesday morning. It was a good time to drive except for a few grueling spots where construction routed us off road. In the dark with the work crew lights blaring at us, the road was hard to see. I was grateful not to be behind the wheel! We stopped in Hyannis for a break but headed right back onto route six to get 'home'. All was quiet in the lot. Someone was using our parking space so we unloaded in front and then Cynthia parked the car off to the side.

When I opened the door to the condo I was not ready for the blast of heat and humidity that hit me in the face. The high temperatures with humidity levels of 87% sent my body's thermostat into a state of flux. The condo was as hot as any attic I remember being in. We waited a long while for the place to cool down some before trying to get to sleep. My sister didn't seem to mind the heat as much as I did but then, she doesn't have air conditioning at her home and I use it all the time. I couldn't bear to go upstairs to the bedroom so I slept fitfully on the couch with a fan going until dawn when I woke up.

My sister and I had fun on the Provincetown Trolley Ride on Wednesday until I started to feel sick. I wasn't sure if I was dizzy from too much heat, or sun, or if my sugar level was wrong. It was unsettling and when I found that food, water and shade did not help me I headed home to rest. I was not hungry at dinner time and it was difficult to come up with a meal that would both nourish me without making me feel sicker. I had a light supper of yogurt and fruit.  My blood glucose level was at 113.  A good number yet I felt unwell.  I have started to recognize signs when my sugar levels are not 'higher' than usual.  Pre-diagnosis, I wonder how many times I fed a 'normal' range sugar level with high carbohydrate foods?

Blood Glucose 123 - the beginning

First thing every morning, I wash my hands and test the blood glucose level to see what has happened in the night.  Being new to diabetes care, I often have more questions than answers.  After the number shows up on the face of the monitor with a beep, I write it down on my food /glucose record.  Then  I am able to determine what to have for breakfast. 
I test the blood a minimum of twice each day and have been monitoring blood glucose levels for 60 days so far.  I do so first thing in the morning, which usually records the highest numbers with rare exceptions.  Also, I take the medicine Metformin twice a day.

During this learning period, the blood glucose numbers have stayed close to or within the guidelines the diabetes educator told me to watch for. I saw the doctor yesterday for a follow-up visit and scheduled the next blood test for the A1C levels - a "gold standard" for monitoring how my diabetes management is really coming along. 

Daily exercise, monitoring levels, eating the recommended foods all play important roll in managing my Type 2.  I walk a minimum of 30 minutes more than five times a week, whether I want to or not.  I say no thank you to seconds.  I eat at home more than I eat out because it is easier that way and I weigh and measure the foods I eat.  Since I saw the doctor last (6 weeks ago)  I lost a disappointing 3 pounds.  I try not to become discouraged.  I also try not to obsess over all the numbers -- but it is a challenge.  I did not find it helpful yesterday when the doctor said to me, "I want you to lose weight."  I looked at her and tried to be open minded and sound polite as I told her, "I've lost more than 10 percent of my body weight in recent months, I am doing all that is suggested, and the weight is coming off, but slowly - it was much easier when I was younger." At this point I was looking to see if Jillian was going to pop out from behind a curtain and start yelling for me to get going.

I headed to the doctor visit with a positive attitude, feeling great about the work I have accomplished and determined to learn more about making the changes I need to make.   I came home from that doctor visit discouraged. This is not how I want to feel after visiting with a member of my self-care team.  I was exhausted last night- is there a connection?  I woke up tired, fell back to sleep and find that my sugar level is lower today than it has been since I began testing it.  Coincidence? I haven't a clue.

Today's gift:  I have been consistent with taking care of my health, I exercise, I eat right, I don't take Geritol, (sorry I could not resist sharing that flashback from the old 60's television commercial).   I take care of business ventures, I am working on photography, and find great blessings in it all.  I will focus on that and see what next month's A1C test reveals.

Hanging out at the dock on the bay...

May 31 2010

May 31 2010

Daily Gifts

Sunday was another lovely day! We were swarmed by a band of giant mosquitos on our walk. Watch out folks! Vin forgot his cap and guess who had to save the day by swatting the critters off his head? Oh the sacrifices I am willing to make for the man I love!!!

Weekend gifts - a seashore rock in a shade of misty green & red, from a woman wishing us peace-fresh striped bass from a fisherman-weekend with 2 dear friends frm Jax FL Calls from our daughters just to sy "I ♥ U - 11 more to our church family, glorious weather & I got to hit Vinny in the head. Grace is God's free gift ... I say thank you & AMEN

Monday gifts - 45 minute walk to town and back, not falling down when I twisted my ankle where the pavement ended and the sandy ground began, I told myself "Run Niecie, Run" -- phew and then there was the delicious iced coffee from the Wired Puppy. Oh, perfect weather, &  & calls from our girls.

Tuesday's gift -- I walked with neighbor while she walked her dogs.  Next, a four mile walk - took myself out to lunch at Lobster Pot -- Iced Coffee from Wired puppy -- photos taken... came home, chatted with neighbors, elevated foot with ice -- oh the ankle is swollen now.. but I feel GREAT!

Doorbell rang - I got up to answer it - my neighbor was standing there with about 2 pounds of striped bass he caught at the beach an hour earlier - fish is pan ready.. I LOVE this place!!!

Wednesday - Neighbor invited me to join her on Saturday morning if I was interested in working with her at the Library Book Sale.  The P-Town Library has a monthly fundraiser - I saw it as a good opportunity to get involved in the community.