August 16, 2013

• Doctor Day

  TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

  Today was my normal doctors appointment and I felt it should go well.  I found out I have lost 20 lbs. since January and that was a good thing.  I WAS 162 lbs. but today I weighed in at 141.  That explains why my new pants that I bought a size smaller were not small enough and I had to buy a belt to keep them where they were supposed to be.  BUT....and this is a biggie.....even though I have been watching what I'm eating and trying to keep a balanced diet, my A1C was just horrible!  It was up to 11.2 which is like having a daily sugar count of 250-300.  The doctor said that it probably means that my poor pancreas is tired and not producing as much insulin as before.  He added a new pill (glyburide) to go along with my two metformin tablets.  I used to take glyburide years ago and have no memory of when that changed.  Hey!  I'm an old person now and my memory fails me on occasion.
  

  Anyway, I will take them for the next three months and, if my A1C test doesn't turn out better, we are going to discuss the pros and cons of using one of the new insulin shots.  ***Shudder**  However, now it comes in the form of a pen that doesn't require refrigeration and you can use it just once a day.  Much easier than the old way that required a vial of refrigerated insulin and hypos.  That would be scary with Chewlee around and her determined curiosity.  I can't think of anything worse than having to keep hypodermic needles around with her here almost daily.  She's very nosy.   
  

  He urged me to keep bottles of the Glucerna shakes to use rather than skip a meal so I picked up some to try.  Not all of those type of supplements are palatable.  I haven't tried any yet but will probably try it for breakfast tomorrow.  We shall see how that works for me.  I also bought some 5 grain bread and another dark grain bread that has apples in it.  I can cut a slice and toast it to eat along with drinking the Glucerna.
  

  No Chewlee today because her mother sprained her ankle and can't walk (or drive!).  I swear, her exercise classes are killing her.  This is the second time it's happened.  She needs to lay off that for a while or find a better coach.  This one is hurting her.  Anyway, I may drive over there tomorrow if the Princess still isn't fit to go to work and keep her for the day.  It'll help out the Princess and give the Beast something to do.  He was talking about taking some new pictures of her and I think Chewlee will like dressing up for those and doing her hair in different styles. 
  

  Baron is not himself and we aren't sure why.  He's lost interest in damn near everything and won't even climb in the Beast's lap.  Even Dennis noticed Baron's demeanor.  He's not even interested in his food and we even added his favorite veggies.  The Beast stopped the medication from the vet but we will get him into the vet tomorrow come hell or high water!  I'm worried sick about what might be wrong with him.  He's too good a dog for this to happen. 
  

  It was cooler today, thank goodness but it was overcast and looked stormy.  So far there's been no rain but it WAS raining in Birmingham the radio said.  It's only 66 now with a low of 62 degrees expected.  We have a 50% chance of a storm tomorrow so it will be another day we won't be able to do anything outside.
  

  Dennis and Di are pretty much packed up and ready for their trip to Houston.  Dennis says he will keep us informed, especially since the Beast suffers from the same form of cancer but in his bladder and not his kidneys (so far).  Of course, if they remove the kidney on Dennis, the Beast won't even consider anything but what he's going through now since it allows him to keep his bladder (so far).
  

  Love you all.  Hope you are having some decent weather.  If not, you are not suffering alone (if that makes a difference).  Be good.  Drive safely. 
  

  • 10:11 pm
  • 2 Comments