2014- Not a Banner Year for Me

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gmwolford

Lifer
Jul 26, 2012
1,355
5
WV, USA
So, I've been MIA again for a while, more health problems. I'll tell you, 2014 has been a not so hot year for me from the get-go! From the flu, to summer colds, multiple problems (and new pairs) with my braces, and a couple of spills have taken their toll on me. And to add to it if recently found out I'm a diabetic - for over a year but the ex-doctor failed to mention that to me. So I've been having lots of symptoms from uncontrolled diabetes, too. Luckily, those should resolve themselves with time now that I'm getting a handle on it. I've started a new blog journaling about this new path, as I did when I first found out I can CES, because it's therapeutic. If you're interested you can read more there:

gregwolford.wordpress.com
I really hope things settle back down soon as I miss being active on the forums and blogs.

 

numbersix

Lifer
Jul 27, 2012
5,449
63
Sorry to hear it Greg, but good to see you posting again. Hope your new path helps you get back into the game.

 

gmwolford

Lifer
Jul 26, 2012
1,355
5
WV, USA
Thank you, gents. I hope that know that I know why I was feeling so awful and having blurry vision and things I can take control of it. It sure is a lot to take in though, I gotta admit.

 

papipeguy

Lifer
Jul 31, 2010
15,777
40
Bethlehem, Pa.
Good to hear from you. It sounds like things are taking a turn for the better; I hope so as you've been through a lot. Be strong and stay positive.

 

mso489

Lifer
Feb 21, 2013
41,211
60,638
Greg, Since May, my wife has been going through surgeries, physical rehab, and other trials, and I'm her caretaker,

which is full time. Also I am fending off diabetes, but still not high enough AC1 to be diagnosed. It's a whole new regime,

since I have never been one to snack, and now it's required. Sounds like you have been through the mill. I hope the

rest of 2014, and 2015 are especially gentle with you. I hope you can grab the good times as they occur, despite it

all.

 

agnosticpipe

Lifer
Nov 3, 2013
3,412
3,832
In the sticks in Mississippi
Hey Greg, nice to hear from you again. Read your blog, and it looks like you've had a bit to deal with in the last few months. It's too bad you had to find out about your diabetes the way you did, but at least you caught it in time before it could do more damage. I too have had diabetes for the last 7 years. It came as a shock to me too because I didn't seem to have any symptoms. Routine blood work finally caught an abnormally high glucose level that was too long after a meal to be considered OK. I went through what you're going through, but have gotten a good handle on it now. For the first couple of years, my A1C kept going up slowly no matter what I did, so I had to take more medicine each time. The Doc finally told me that what would help most was to lose weight. He said not to watch sugars, and carbs like I had been doing, but start counting calories, getting down to about 1500 a day, and get some regular exercise. Well, I did it, and went from 231 lbs. to 195 lbs. in 5 months. Now my A1C is below 6 for the first time in years, and I take half the meds I was taking, and feel better too!
As for the Reli-On meter from Walmart, I have been using it for a long time with good results, but a few years ago switched to the Reli-On Micro, as it takes less blood to test and I find that a plus! I think the strips might be a little more expensive, but not that much.
Good luck with the on-going battle, and take comfort with your pipe and the support you'll get here. :puffy:

 

gmwolford

Lifer
Jul 26, 2012
1,355
5
WV, USA
Thanks for all of the encouraging words, gents' I appreciate them all.
@agnosticpipe
The Doc finally told me that what would help most was to lose weight. He said not to watch sugars, and carbs like I had been doing, but start counting calories, getting down to about 1500 a day, and get some regular exercise. Well, I did it, and went from 231 lbs. to 195 lbs. in 5 months. Now my A1C is below 6 for the first time in years, and I take half the meds I was taking, and feel better too!

I'm trying to get more exercise but my CES limits how much and what I can do. My neurosurgeon advised me to go to Walmart, the grocery store, anyplace that has people nearby in case I have a fall, and that has flat, solid, even surfaces to walk on, to minimize the chance of that happening.

As for the Reli-On meter from Walmart, I have been using it for a long time with good results, but a few years ago switched to the Reli-On Micro, as it takes less blood to test and I find that a plus! I think the strips might be a little more expensive, but not that much.

I'' have to check that one out, too. The Prime does take more blood than the Contour, one thing I dislike about it, so I'd be very interested in one that takes less and may be a bit easier to get the sample "wicked in" on as well.
@trailboss

Quite a journey Greg, and quite a story.

Thanks for reading and commenting on the post, Charlie.

I am not being overdramatic, that really is the way it all played out...I say all this not to derail your thread but to let others know that you really have to be on top of these issues, and as spouses, we really need to be vocal advocates for each other.

No, not derailing or being over-dramatic, IMO. We definitely have to be our own, best advocate for ourselves and our loved ones. Not only are medical personnel only human and very capable of making (honest) mistakes, but some are overwhelmed and under staffed, some are negligent, and some are under-trained in both my opinion and experience.

 

gmwolford

Lifer
Jul 26, 2012
1,355
5
WV, USA
@mso489

Also I am fending off diabetes, but still not high enough AC1 to be diagnosed.

Opinions vary on this but in my reading, which has been pretty extensive the last month, a diagnosis of "pre-diabetes" really mean "you are an early stage diabetic" and need to do everything a diabetic needs to do to minimize the impact of the progression of the disease and its nasty potential complications. Here is a blog post that gives you an idea of what I mean; there are many more out there, too, that I've seen so this is not an isolated thought.

It's a whole new regime,since I have never been one to snack, and now it's required.

Oh man, I can really empathize with you here! If I forget, I'm learning, that my body will tell me about it - and not in a real pleasant way either. :(

 

mcitinner1

Lifer
Apr 5, 2014
4,043
25
Missouri
Hey Greg good to meet you. I just googled CES and all it gave me was 'Consumer Electronics Show'. My wife has been insulin dependent for 24 years now. Her diet keeps me in line too. She has always been close to 130 lbs at 5'7".
tinner, Stan

 

gmwolford

Lifer
Jul 26, 2012
1,355
5
WV, USA
Hey Greg good to meet you. I just googled CES and all it gave me was 'Consumer Electronics Show'. My wife has been insulin dependent for 24 years now. Her diet keeps me in line too. She has always been close to 130 lbs at 5'7".
tinner, Stan

Sorry, I should've been clearer. CES is short for Cauda Equina Syndrome. In my case, it left my legs useless from just below the knee down, requiring me to wear braces on both legs, and both legs are (mostly) numb. I also have chronic back pain and arthritis in my back and, basically, no disk material left in any of my lumbar region from L-3 through S-1 if memory serves me.

 

agnosticpipe

Lifer
Nov 3, 2013
3,412
3,832
In the sticks in Mississippi
Hey Greg, I too didn't know what CES was, but now that you've explained it, I can see how getting some exercise could be a problem. And I wasn't trying to say you needed to lose weight, I just wanted to let you know what worked for me. Truth be told I probably lost most of my weight from change in diet, not so much exercise. I walked on a treadmill I got as I live in the country, and walking outside on the gravel road can be challenging. I had to watch TV while walking on the treadmill because it's so dang boring. But you're trying to deal with more than one problem, which I'm sure is rough, but you seem to be meeting it head on. All I can say is keep on keeping on, and I'll be looking forward to reading your posts in the future. :clap:

 

gmwolford

Lifer
Jul 26, 2012
1,355
5
WV, USA
Hey Greg, I too didn't know what CES was, but now that you've explained it, I can see how getting some exercise could be a problem. And I wasn't trying to say you needed to lose weight, I just wanted to let you know what worked for me. Truth be told I probably lost most of my weight from change in diet, not so much exercise. I walked on a treadmill I got as I live in the country, and walking outside on the gravel road can be challenging. I had to watch TV while walking on the treadmill because it's so dang boring. But you're trying to deal with more than one problem, which I'm sure is rough, but you seem to be meeting it head on. All I can say is keep on keeping on, and I'll be looking forward to reading your posts in the future.

I do need to loose weight! LOL
I hope my reply didn't come across as "harsh" or anything; I certainly didn't intend it that way. I often for who/where knows about my other problem and I reckon I might accidentally be "short" at times in my answers. I apologize for that.

 

fnord

Lifer
Dec 28, 2011
2,746
8
Topeka, KS
Greg:
I'm so sorry to hear how rough it's been for you, pal. But this weight issue, for diabetics, is crucial. Counting calories sucks and it annoys me tremendously how few we actually need everyday to sustain life. (Truth be told, nobody needs ice cream every day but once you hit your weight goal and the diabetes is managed a child's cone once every couple of weeks really tastes spectacular!)
Your CES can prevent challenges in the physical activity arena but your doctor should be able to help you find a therapist who can work on a plan for you. Walking in well visited stores with wide aisles is perfect for you. Just pace yourself, okay?
It's good to see you posting and if you need some pipe projects to work on, please let me know. I can send several your way.
Here's to a strong finish in 2014 and an infinitely better 2015, friend.
Fnord

 

lordnoble

Lifer
Jul 13, 2010
2,677
16
Glad to see you back, Greg! I'll be sending good vibes your way. Glad to see you're on the mend.
-Jason

 
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