Type 2 times

Thursday, April 30, 2020

May 2020

My first family MD told me to test my blood sugar twice a day on two different days. I took his advise of testing first thing in the morning on Tuesday and Thursday. My VA Doc changed the second "testing time" to two hours after I finished eating dinner. My three family MDs since 2004 and various VA Docs have agreed with this testing plan.

Kathie is now type 2 as well and is testing on Monday and Thursday. So, I am now testing those days as well.


Day  Date AM    PM

Fri    1  ---   ---   
Sat    2  ---   ---   
Sun    3  ---   ---   
Mon    4  ---   ---   
Tue    5   82   151   
Wed    6  ---   ---   
Thu    7   85   146   
Fri    8  ---   ---   
Sat    9  ---   ---   
Sun   10  ---   ---   
Mon   11  128^*  131   
Tue   12  ---   ---   
Wed   13  ---   ---   
Thu   14   74   135   
Fri   15  ---   ---   
Sat   16  ---   ---   
Sun   17  ---   ---   
Mon   18   62   153

Tue   19  ---   ---   
Wed   20   80^L   ---   
Thu   21   74   133   
Fri   22  ---   ---   
Sat   23  ---   ---   
Sun   24  ---   ---   
Mon   25  ---   ---   
Tue   26   78   123   
Wed   27  ---   ---   
Thu   28   59   ---   
Fri   29  ---   ---   
Sat   30  ---   ---   
Sun   31  ---   ---

^*I woke up with severe indigestion 3 times and took Tums. I aso ended up with leg cramps 4 times. Then, because Kathie is going back to work today, she got up at 7 am and I slept in ti almost 7:15 am! I took my temperature about a half hour after getting out of bed and it was 97.5℉. While this is almost "normal" for me, it is not a "fever".

^LI felt so crappy that I had to check my blood sugar (it was 80). The next morning, I felt fine yet my fasting blood sugar was lower (74). I simply do not understand blood sugar or diabetes!

Monday, March 30, 2020

April 2020


Day  Date AM    PM

Wed    1  ---   ---   
Thu    2   67    92   
Fri    3  ---   ---   
Sat    4  ---   ---   
Sun    5  ---   ---   
Mon    6  ---   ---   
Tue    7   71   139   
Wed    8  ---   ---   
Thu    9   75   143   
Fri   10  ---   ---   
Sat   11  ---   ---   
Sun   12  ---   ---   
Mon   13   81   121 ^v 
Tue   14  ---   ---   
Wed   15  ---   ---   
Thu   16  103   107   
Fri   17  ---   ---   
Sat   18  ---   ---   
Sun   19  ---   ---   
Mon   20   69   129   
Tue   21  ---   ---   
Wed   22  ---   ---   
Thu   23   81   142   
Fri   24  ---   ---   
Sat   25  ---   ---   
Sun   26  ---   ---   
Mon   27   89   117   
Tue   28  ---   ---   
Wed   29  ---   ---   
Thu   30   86   181   
Fri   31  ---   ---

^v Something caused me to vomit about 1:20 am. I felt better immediately and went to sleep quickly.

Monday, March 02, 2020

March 2020


Day  Date AM    PM
Sun    1  ---   ---      
Mon    2   98    74      
Tue    3  ---   ---      
Wed    4  ---   ---      
Thu    5  ---   ---      
Fri    6  ---   ---      
Sat    7  ---   ---      
Sun    8  ---   ---      
Mon    9  ---   ---      
Tue   10  ---   ---      
Wed   11  ---   ---      
Thu   12  ---   ---      
Fri   13  ---   ---      
Sat   14  ---   ---      
Sun   15  ---   ---      
Mon   16  ---   ---      
Tue   17  ---   ---      
Wed   18  ---   ---      
Thu   19  ---   ---      
Fri   20  ---   ---      
Sat   21  ---   ---      
Sun   22  ---   ---      
Mon   23  ---   ---      
Tue   24  ---   ---      
Wed   25  ---   ---      
Thu   26   98   173      
Fri   27  ---   ---      
Sat   28  ---   ---      
Sun   29  ---   ---      
Mon   30   79   138      
Tue   31  ---   ---

While I have been testing routinely, I have not been posting routinely due to surgery on the 10th and simply lacking the energy or motivation to post during both my recovery and while being stuck in the house due to the "self quartine"..

Thursday, February 20, 2020

bladder story 3

Today is the day I went to the hospital to have my kidneys ultrasounded.

I had to get up at 6:30 am and then check my blood sugar (86, I was happy!).

It snowed overnight so I was not thrilled about that. I went outside and immediately realized the snow was dry powder. I just used a broom to brush the snow off. It took longer to do the windshield once I came back outside to go to the hospital.

After waiting several minutes for the defroster to clear off the windshield, I took the windows scrapper and got the windows cleared almost immediately. That took away my last excuse to delaying and I backed out.

Due to the dry snow, I did not have much trouble leaving the cul de sac. Once on the main road, the road was icy and the number of cars was much greater than I had expected. Still, I made it to the hospital without a problem

There was just enough of the lines visible in the hospital parking lot that I parked, reparked and reparked a third time before thinking “screw this” and I went into the hospital.

I went to the required sign in place, read where it said “just write in name” and then filled in the line of info because the person ahead of me did. Oops! The clerk came out of her office and said “just write in your name”. It was too late by the time she spoke…

I was finally called in to see the check in clerk and had to present my driver’s license and Medicare card. I guess they have to check this every time.

I was eventually escorted to the ultra sonde room.

I was positioned on a table, told to pull my shirt up and “no, do not pull your pants down”. I did this.

Then, the technician had me hold my breath while she scanned my right kidney perhaps 10 times. This seems a bit excessive.

She then scanned my left kidney twice. This made the scanning of my right kidney seem excessive. However, she did not invite questions so I decided I would be patient…

The radiologist was going to scan the results today and sent them to Dr. Azzanni, who would decide when and what to say to me. Oh, well, he has the phone numbers and email addresses…

I guess I can only be patient…

Sunday, February 09, 2020

bladder story 2

Urology Visit part II

I thought my Urology Visit was for 10:40 am but started getting the fear it was for 9:40 am. I went to the Urology office and was told it was 10:40. I was happy to return home and watch some TV.

I went back to the Urology Clinic getting there about 10:26 am. I was then sent to wait.

Waiting over, I was weighed, blood pressure and body temperature taken and I started waiting.

Eventually, the Nurse did the temperature and blood pressure check was over and both RN and MD used their portable ultrasound to determine my bladder was much smaller. There was no mention of putting a catheter in.

I suggested the improvement was probably due to me being back on the pills again.

The MD said there was one more thing to check. He told me he wanted an ultrasound of my kidneys. If my kidneys are going bad, then he would recommend enlarging my urethra where it went through my prostate. This would require a procedure “using knives” to increase the size of my urethra there.

Saturday, February 08, 2020

bladder story 1

I went to my Urologist Dr. Faris Sabri Azzouni MD. I expected the usual finger up the ass to check prostate and a prescription refill. Boy, was I ever in for a surprise!

The Nurse asked me what my symptoms were. I told her dribbling after peeing and needing to pee urgently. She had me sit on the bed, pull my pants down and did an ultra sonde scan. Then, she left to speak with the MD.

He talked with me and I told me about having to pee within 3 to 5 minutes after I felt the urge. I also told him about dribbling after peeing. He did an ultra scan (with a handheld device) and told me “your prostate in nosing into your bladder”.

He said my bladder was very stretched out and that was a very bad thing. He wanted to put a catheter in. I talked him into letting me go with a week of pills and he said to come in next Moanday.

When I discussed this with Kathie, I had the realization that an additional week of pills would be futile. I fully expect to be fitted with the damned catheter this coming Moanday.

Kathie told me to just get it done. She also said I needed to get accustomed to the idea of a catheter. She is right!

If the catheter does not work, then Dr. Accouni will go up my urethra with “knives” and widen the urethra where it goes through bladder. I would be unconscious.

Damn right I’ll be out!

There ain’t no fucking way I would be able to lie still under a local while someone is slicing and dicing with knives put up my urethra.

Well, the catheter is intended to let me bladder shrink back to “normal size”.

I don’t know what the aftermath will be. I really do not want to have blood moving into the urine and then seeing it come out in the pee bag. That could be a real complication and one I am not looking forward to…

My Father had a prostrate problem but did not tell me anything about this. (I guess not even my Mother could believe I would someday be old enough to suffer this prostate problem.)
Whatever it was, I will have my own path into the darkness…

Monday, February 03, 2020

February 2020


Day  Date AM    PM
Sat    1  ---   ---
Sun    2  ---   ---
Mon    3   95   106^out
Tue    4  ---   ---
Wed    5  ---   ---
Thu    6  ---   ---
Fri    7  ---   ---
Sat    8  ---   ---
Sun    9  ---   ---^{vomitus ergo sum}
Mon   10  ---   ---
Tue   11  128^c  103
Wed   12  ---   ---
Thu   13  106   146

Fri   14  ---   ---
Sat   15  ---   ---
Sun   16  ---   ---
Mon   17  ---   ---
Tue   18   98   131
Wed   19  ---   ---
Thu   20   86   106
Fri   21  ---   ---
Sat   22  ---   ---
Sun   23  ---   ---
Mon   24  ---   ---
Tue   25   74   109
Wed   26  ---   ---
Thu   27  115   103
Fri   28  ---   ---
Sat   29  ---   ---

^outI used my last test stripe this evening. I emailed the VA asking for an early refill of the test stripes and got back a note saying the nurse had sent a note to the doc. I checked and did not find any evidence that a refill had been sent out. I checked with my usual phrmacy but they could not refill it. SO, day after tomorrow I will ask the Dillions' pharmacy if they can refill for a reasonable price (assuming the VA does not come through for me in the meanwhile).

I can hope...
^{vomitus ergo sum}Once again, the gravy probably had too much fat in it...

^cA score this high had to be caused by the Chinese Fud we had last night...

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

January 2020

January 2020

My first family MD told me to test my blood sugar twice a day on two different days. I took his advise of testing first thing in the morning on Tuesday and Thursday. My VA Doc changed the second "testing time" to two hours after I finished eating dinner. My three family MDs since 2004 and various VA Docs have agreed with this testing plan.

Kathie is now type 2 as well and is testing on Monday and Thursday. So, I am now testing those days as well.


Day  Date AM    PM
Wed    1  ---   ---  
Thu    2   85    83^a  
Fri    3  ---   ---  
Sat    4  ---   ---  
Sun    5  ---   ---  
Mon    6  ---   ---  
Tue    7   77   107  
Wed    8  ---   ---  
Thu    9   91^b  120  
Fri   10  ---   ---  
Sat   11  ---   ---  
Sun   12  ---   ---  
Mon   13^c 116   101 vomito ergo sum  
Tue   14  ---   ---  
Wed   15  ---   ---  
Thu   16  129   112  
Fri   17  ---   ---  
Sat   18  ---   ---  
Sun   19  ---   ---  
Mon   20  102   121  
Tue   21  ---   ---  
Wed   22  ---   ---  
Thu   23   96   125  
Fri   24  ---   ---  
Sat   25  ---   ---  
Sun   26  ---   ---  
Mon   27   98    67^d  
Tue   28  ---   ---  
Wed   29  ---   ---  
Thu   30   93   127
Fri   31  ---   ---

^a These are surprisingly low figures. I guess i won't be "going on the needle" any time soon. Also, Kathie got serious and this has lead to me getting serious.

^bIt could have been lower except I ate some dark chocolate around 2:20 am to stave off hunger.

^c Something made me sick and I was vomiting after sleeping for about an hour. Once this was over, I felt fine. I wonder if it was the leftovers that did me?

Given the "scores" I have been getting since Kathie got on board with reducing blood sugar by diet, I sincerely doubt I am due for "the needle" any time soon!

Kathie has suffered high morning scores and lower evening scores. I have varied from high morning scores to low morning scores and I suspect it has to do with what I had for dinner the night before...

^dI have not consumed much carbs today. Also, I am about out of test stripes and can not afford to test again tonight.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

post impeachment reactions

Well, "The Donald" got impeached and I am relieved this little nightmare is over.

So, now it is up to the Senate to perform their sworn duties. (I fear they will not.) Based on Moscow Mitch saying he is "not impartial" makes me think the fix is in.

So, what can "The Donald" do beside whine and bitch on tweeter?

It occurred to me "The Donald" could sue the House to have the Impeachment overturned in court. This does not possible but I did not think "The Donald" could avoid an iron clad law requiring income tax returned to be given to House Committee Chairmen/women if asked for...

It would be an interesting event as I don't think Speaker Pulaski would give in to this kind of reaction.

Monday, December 02, 2019

December 2019

My first MD after I was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic told me to test my blood two days a week. On that day once upon getting out of bed and then 2 hours after "fork down" that evening.

I initially was testing Tuesday and Thursday, mostly because of my rotating watch (work) schedule. Now that Kathie has drifted from pre-diabetic to T2D herself, I am testing on her schedule (Monday and Thursday).


Day       AM    PM 
Sun    1  ---   ---   
Mon    2   86   110   
Tue    3  ---   ---   
Wed    4  ---   ---   
Thu    5  147^{*    97²}   
Fri    6  ---   ---   
Sat    7  ---   ---   
Sun    8  ---   ---   
Mon    9   95   156   
Tue   10  ---   ---   
Wed   11  ---   ---   
Thu   12  120^b  193   
Fri   13  ---   ---   
Sat   14  ---   ---   
Sun   15  ---   ---   
Mon   16   96    78^c   
Tue   17  ---   ---   
Wed   18  ---   ---   
Thu   19   92   139   
Fri   20  ---   ---   
Sat   21  ---   ---   
Sun   22  ---   ---   
Mon   23   84   106   
Tue   24  ---   ---   
Wed   25  ---   ---   
Thu   26   82   121   
Fri   27  ---   ---   
Sat   28  ---   ---   
Sun   29  ---   ---   
Mon   30  113^d   111   
Tue   31  ---   ---

^*I was surprised by a morning score this high! I had a very light dinner last night and kept waking up hungry. Finally, I got out of bed, drank some water and ate some dark chocolate chips.

² My evening "score" is low because I had a salad for lunch and the salmon and broccoli for dinner.

^b I kept waking up hungry and ate a couple of dark chocolate chips; this killed the hunger but apparently jacked my morning "score".
^cThis is a lot lower than I had expected!

^d I kept waking up feeling very hungry and finally ate some dark chocolates. They worked.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

October 2019

My first MD - DR. Hotester - told me to test my blood sugar upon awakening and 2 hours after finishing my evening meal twice a week. I am now doing this Monday and Thursday.



day  date AM    PM
Tue    1  129   2009   
Wed    2  ---   ---   
Thu    3  ---   ---   
Fri    4  ---   ---   
Sat    5  ---   ---   
Sun    6  ---   ---   
Mon    7  ---   ---   
Tue    8   70   130   
Wed    9  ---   ---   
Thu   10   72    84   
Fri   11   73^*   ---   
Sat   12  ---   ---   
Sun   13  ---   ---   
Mon   14  100   175    
Tue   15  ---   ---   
Wed   16  ---   ---   
Thu   17  109²  139   
Fri   18  ---   ---   
Sat   19  ---   ---   
Sun   20  ---   ---   
Mon   21   75   145   
Tue   22  ---   ---   
Wed   23   72   174   
Thu   24  111   166   
Fri   25  ---   ---   
Sat   26  ---   ---   
Sun   27  ---   ---   
Mon   28  ---   ---   
Tue   29  ---   ---   
Wed   30  ---   ---   
Thu   31  ---   ---

^*After a score of 84 the night before, I was curious what my "score" would be the next morning. I didn't feel hunger during the night which puzzled me. I expected my morning "score" to be in the 60s.

I was surprised to find it was 73; this is a low normal "score" for me. Once again, I have to admit I do not understand blood sugar...

² I wonder how this could be so high given we had salmon and asparagus last night.

Thursday, August 15, 2019

an excessively high morning score

I slept solidly all night and not even the morning twilight woke me up. Kathie getting out of bed and going to the head is what got me awake.@@I didn't feel hungry and that earned me I'd be seeing a dosey of a Thursday AM blood sugar score. I did; it was 134 mg/dL!@@Normally, my morning blood score is from just over 70 mg/dO to the 90s.@@I fear it had everything to do with my dinner last night. More to the point, the Apple crisp, piece of chocolate cake and 12 oz (or so) bottle of "real" Coors I had during the Boot Hill Variety Show.@@Simply put, a score of 134 mg/dO is an "on shit" moment for me. For those poor bastards, the long duration type ones (D1T), it is a very low and desirable score. The envy of the few I have reported this score to make me wish to keep my mouth shut in the future!@@@@Now that Kathie is required to test her blood sugar twice a day, twice a week, she has been remarkably reluctant to open her meter box, calibrate it if needful and take the plung! (i.e. Poke her finger and read that blood!@@U think she has cornered herself and will do test one of day one this coming Moanday!@@Actually, having said this, I suspect Kathie will find reasons to chicken out Moanday Morning! (I hope I am wrong.)@@Kathie will be testing her blood upon awakening and "an hour or two after finishing dinner" Mondays and Thursdays. I plan on switching from Tuesday and Thursday to Monday and Thorsday.@@@It could be interesting and I hope we don't get into a "blood levels contest".

Share 'oh shit morning 15 AUG 2019.doc'

Share 'Birthday 68_th.doc'

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Share 'shin infeton early Augut 2019.doc'

Thursday, July 18, 2019

new stuff

I just got 90 days worth of the new stuff (Synjardy XR 10-1000 mg tab) . I am delighted at how fast these drugs got here.

I'll have to see how it works.

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

16 July 2019. AM 68 (Tuesday)

Share '16 July 2019.doc'

Thursday, July 11, 2019

my drugs effective 11 July 2019

Deleted: metormin
pioglitazone/Actos*
Added: Synjardy XR 10-1000 mg tab

Morning

D aspirin 81 mg
P Synjardy XR 10-1000 mg tab
V clopidogrel bisulfate 75 mg tab
C Januia 100mg
D lisinopril 20 mg
D metoprolol tartrate 12.5 mg (split) ...
V mometasone furoate inhalation power (pink)
D Ranitidine 150 mg tab

Evening

V atorvastati calcium 40 mg (½ tab)
P glibizide 10 mg tab
D metoprolol tartrate 12.5 mg (split)
D Ranitidine 150 mg
P Finaseride 5mg tab

INDOMETHACIN 50MG CAP

P tamsulosin 0.4mg ("pee" pill)
V Asmanex Twisthaler - Mometasone Furoate 220 mcg Oral
V Proventil inhaler

P Tamsulon 0.4 mg
O Mucinex Expectorant
O Fexofenadine Hydrochloride

D vitamin D-3 2000 IU (with the pills Kathie adds.)

C CVS
D Dillions
P Clinic Pharmacy
V VA
O Over The Counter

My MDs:

Faris Sabri Azzouni, MD (urinology)

Mahmud Ul Majeed, MD (Internal Medicine)

Rick Roenfeldt, OD (eyes)

Dana Howerton, APN (VA Clinic Dodge City Kansas)

Abid Mallidck, MD ( VA heart MD)

Jose C. Velasco Di Domenico, MD, Oncology

^*This drug deleted since it was causing me to gain weight.

Tuesday, July 02, 2019

July 2019

July 2019

My first MD told me to test my blood sugar twice a day, two days a week.

I choose Tuesday and Thursday.

AM is immediately after getting out of bed.

PM is two hours after "fork down" at the end of my evening meal.


Day  Date AM    PM
Mon    1  ---   ---   
Tue    2   62    91   
Wed    3   66   ---⁶⁶   
Thu    4   99   160   
Fri    5  ---   ---   
Sat    6  ---   ---   
Sun    7  ---   ---   
Mon    8  ---   ---   
Tue    9   63   225   
Wed   10  ---   ---   
Thu   11   91   199^#   
Fri   12   76   168^PS
Sat   13  ---   ---   
Sun   14  ---   ---   
Mon   15  ---   ---   
Tue   16  ---   ---   
Wed   17  ---   ---   
Thu   18   94   108   
Fri   19  ---   ---   
Sat   20  ---   ---   
Sun   21  ---   ---   
Mon   22  ---   ---   
Tue   23  ---   ---   
Wed   24  ---   ---   
Thu   25  ---   ---   
Fri   26  ---   ---   
Sat   27  ---   ---   
Sun   28  ---   ---   
Mon   29  ---   ---   
Tue   30  ---   ---   
Wed   31  ---   ---

⁶⁶I am getting blood work done this morning and took this opportunity to cross check my meter with the clinic tests. It will be interesting to see how the results turn out.

^#I am on my first day of the new treatment routine. I no longer use metformin or Actos. I use a new medicine"Synjardy XR 10-1000 mg tab". An evening score of 199 is not a great starting score given how little I actually ate!

^PSThis new drug appears to be working. I sent in a prescription to CVS Caemart so I am hopeful of getting 90 days of pills for $80!

Tuesday, June 04, 2019

June 2019

June 2019

My first MD told me to test my blood sugar twice a day, two days a week.
I choose Tuesday and Thursday.
AM is immediately after getting out of bed.
PM is two hours after "fork down" at the end of my evening meal.

Date      AM    PM
Sat    1  ---   ---     
Sun    2  ---   ---     
Mon    3  103^*   ---     
Tue    4  106   126     
Wed    5  ---   ---     
Thu    6  ---   ---     
Fri    7   89   120^L     
Sat    8  ---   ---     
Sun    9  ---   ---     
Mon   10  ---   ---   I slept without waking until almost sunrise.   
Tue   11  ---   ---^T  Woke and kept dosing, not sleeping for a couple of hours.    
Wed   12   76    88   Dozing about 3:30AM till 5:30AM. Felt no hunger. Hypoglycemia?     
Thu   13  ---   ---   Periods of insomnia  
Fri   14  ---   ---   Slept great till about 6:30AM. Peed and back to bed and sleep.  
Sat   15  ---   ---   Some insomnia but went back to sleep.  
Sun   16  ---   ---   Slept solid till around 5AM and dozed.  
Mon   17  ---   ---   Strange dreams  
Tue   18   80   126   Up twice to pee and then up at 6:30 am  
Wed   19  ---   ---     
Thu   20  102   117   Vomited around 1 am. took Tums and slept solidly afterwards  
Fri   21  ---   ---     
Sat   22  ---   ---     
Sun   23  ---   ---     
Mon   24  ---   ---     
Tue   25  ---   ---     
Wed   26  ---   ---     
Thu   27  ---   ---     
Fri   28  ---   ---     
Sat   29  ---   ---     
Sun   30  ---   ---     
Mon   31  ---   ---

^* I felt crappy and decided to check my blood sugar.

^LI took these readings on a Friday as we went to a Lions Club for dinner. With meal ending about 6:40 pm and getting home around 9:20 PM, this was more than 2 hours so I did not take my blood sugar reading on a Thursday as is my custom.

^T Accu-Chek Aviva Control liquid

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

May 2019

May 2019

My first MD told me to test my blood sugar twice a day, two days a week.
I choose Tuesday and Thursday.
AM is immediately after getting out of bed.
PM is two hours after "fork down" at the end of my evening meal.

Day  Date  AM    PM


Wed    1  ---   ---  
Thu    2   87    73  
Fri    3  ---   ---  
Sat    4  ---   ---  
Sun    5  ---   ---  
Mon    6  ---   ---  
Tue    7   94   185 
Wed    8  ---   ---  
Thu    9   97   182

Fri   10  ---   ---  
Sat   11  ---   ---  
Sun   12  ---   ---  
Mon   13  ---   ---  
Tue   14  -80   131  
Wed   15  ---   ---  
Thu   16   86   203
Fri   17  ---   ---  
Sat   18  ---   ---  
Sun   19  ---   ---  
Mon   20  ---   ---  
Tue   21   94   108 
Wed   22  ---   ---  
Thu   23  -83   136

Fri   24  ---   ---  
Sat   25  ---   ---  
Sun   26  ---   ---  
Mon   27  ---   ---  
Tue   28  ---   ---  
Wed   29  ---   ---  
Thu   30  ---   ---  
Fri   31  ---   ---

Monday, April 15, 2019

lessons learnt from my brother's death

On 10 December 2009, about 1:10 am, my youngest brother Charles Andrew Bell died of heart failure. He was 44 years, one month old and had been a juvenile onset type 1 since he was about 14. (This should have spurred me to learn everything I could about Diabetes then and not after my MD called me on the phone and said "Mr. Bell, you're a diabetic" on 7 May 2004.)

My brother Jim, who lived fairly close to Charlie, called me at 3:12 am to pass the news. Ironically, this was just before my alarm was to go off (at 3:15 am) and I thought the phone was my alarm clock...

Charlie died without a will and had refused to give Jim a Power of Attorney several days earlier. This meant that Charlie's corpse was in the Hospital Morgue.

Jim had a lawyer friend create paper work declaring Jim to be Charlie's "Successor" (not "Executor"). Then, he had our other brother (JJ) and I sign the paperwork agreeing to this, get the paperwork notarized and fax it back.

Jim had Charlie's corpse moved to the Funeral Home that had "served" our parent's and several family friends (his choice sounded fine to me). We discussed cremation versus embalming and subsequent burial in emails and we all agreed to cremation. This required Jim to send us forms to be filled out, notarized and faxed back. (It was an easy choice: have you compared the costs of both?)

Jim then negotiated the Memorial Service date with the Minister, JJ and I. This was more than just a "the brothers will decide"; our wives and Jim's kids all had their opinions.

We submitted ideas for songs to be played at the Memorial Service and appropriate Bible Verses (reading my verses was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Charlie was 14 years younger than me and I wasn't supposed to be burying him; he was supposed to be burying me decades from now!)

Then, it got to be much more of a pain in the ass for Jim. He had to go through all of Charlie's bills to find out who he owed money to. One creditor refused to tell Jim the total size of the debt without Charlie's written permission; I guess that didn't understand what "he's dead" meant? When Jim stated the amount given on this creditor's bill (around $400), they blurted out "oh, he actually owes us $8,000!"

Charlie had used his car title on for a loan and we had to pay off that loan to get title back in order for Jim to sell Charlie's car. He had borrowed from his life insurance so that was rather anemic.

Charlie shared an apartment with a friend. We agree the roommate could have any of Charlie's worldly goods that he wanted (save for the car). Jim put what was left in his garage and Jim, JJ, my wife and I went through these items deciding who would take what and what would go to Good Will or the garbage. I still have a big box of his stuff in my Father-in-Law's garage and will have to arrange to retrieve it later...

Years ago, at a family get together, I was told that I'd become a "Cautionary Tale". My nephew and niece was told "Uncle Mike" stories and admonished not to "be like Uncle Mike". There were some stories I didn't remember and some I didn't want to remember. There were some lessons to be learned from my brother.

Having written this list, I realize that I haven't done 1, 3 and 4 because I think my wife will outlive me. I haven't done 5 because it is a hassle and because I'm not sure I care if these accounts become orphans.

lessons learnt from my brother's death
lessons learnt from my brother's death,Charles Andrew Bell,cremation,will,need to tell heir beneficiary or inheritor or recipient,Successor not Executor

fin

Tuesday, April 02, 2019

April 2019

April 2019

My first MD told me to test my blood sugar twice a day, two days a week.
I choose Tuesday and Thursday.
AM is immediately after getting out of bed.
PM is two hours after "fork down" at the end of my evening meal.

Day  Date  AM    PM


Mon    1  ---   ---   
Tue    2   83   157   
Wed    3  ---   ---   
Thu    4  133   ---^oops   
Fri    5  ---   ---   
Sat    6  ---   ---   
Sun    7  ---   ---   
Mon    8  ---   ---   
Tue    9  116   103^low   
Wed   10   70   ---   
Thu   11   67    78   
Fri   12  ---   ---   
Sat   13  ---   ---   
Sun   14  ---   ---   
Mon   15  ---   ---   
Tue   16   61    96^#   
Wed   17  ---   ---   
Thu   18   96   186   
Fri   19  ---   ---   
Sat   20  ---   ---   
Sun   21  ---   ---   
Mon   22  ---   ---   
Tue   23   97   151   
Wed   24  ---   ---   
Thu   25   84   255⁸⁴   
Fri   26  ---   ---   
Sat   27  ---   ---   
Sun   28  ---   ---   
Mon   29  ---   ---   
Tue   30   80   160

^oops Someone forgot to take his evening pills last night.
We went to the Lions dinner and by the time we got home, I had forgotten about
checking my blood.

^lowDespite an evening score of 103, I did not feel hungry last night. However, several times I did during the night I woke up feeling very hungry. I decided not to go east some dark chocolate since I wanted to see what my morning score would be. It is evident that "morning bloom" brought my blood sugar back up to 70.

^#I like these numbers but have to wonder if the meter is running low. However, there have been days where I simply don't eat much...

⁸⁴I got out of bed around 3 am to take a pee. I had to brace myself while peeing to keep from falling over. I then sat on the toilet until I stop feeling weak and was able to stand up. I went to the kitchen, ate some dark chocolate, drank some water and sent back to bed. I felt various forms of crappy until I fell asleep. I was not surprised to have a morning reading of 84!

I was gobsmacked by the evening score of 255...

Later, I realized I'd forgotten to take my evening pills. SHIT!

Friday, March 15, 2019

curious where my new type 2 diabetics prescription is...

Earlier, I was told by my new MD that he was replacing Actos with something else. He had to ask Blue Cross/Blue Shield for permission to prescribe this new drug. This new drug permission kept not coming in.

Well, it finally came in and I showed a copy of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield letter to Paul Krammer (the pharmacist) and he forwarded a request to my new MD for a prescription. Nothing happened.

I had to see my new MD a couple of day later about a different matter and he said he'd not gotten this note. Actually, he thought his prescription had gone through. (He was wrong.)

Yesterday, a took a copy of the BC/BS letter to his nurse and dropped it off.

Today, Paul told me he had not gotten a prescription. The nurse made the mistake of coming by me when I asked her if anyting had been done about the letter. She said she had given my MD"s nurse the note. (I watched her do this.)

I could not get more Actos as insurance will not start paying until 3 April. By 3 April, I should be on the new drug with this bullshit a forgotten "hiccup"., I hope!

Thursday, February 28, 2019

March 2019

March 2019 My first MD told me to test my blood sugar twice a day, two days a week.

I choose Tuesday and Thursday.

AM is immediately after getting out of bed.

PM is two hours after "fork down" at the end of my evening meal.

Day  Date  AM    PM


Fri   1   ---   ---  
Sat   2   ---   ---  
Sun   3   ---   ---  
Mon   4   ---   ---  
Tue   5   80   143  before dinner 64^low
Wed   6   ---   ---  
Thu   7   79    90  V
Fri   8   ---   ---  
Sat   9   ---   ---  
Sun   10  ---   ---  
Mon   11  ---   ---  
Tue   12   91   228^low                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Wed   13  ---   ---  
Thu   14   76   140  
Fri   15  ---   ---  
Sat   16  ---   ---¹⁶  
Sun   17  ---   ---  
Mon   18  ---   ---  
Tue   19  111   158  
Wed   20  ---   ---  
Thu   21  ---   ---  
Fri   22  ---   ---  
Sat   23  ---   ---  
Sun   24  ---   ---  
Mon   25  ---   ---  
Tue   26  ---   ---  
Wed   27  ---   ---  
Thu   28  ---   ---  
Fri   29  ---   ---  
Sat   30  ---   ---

^low I was feeling weak, light headed and hungry and checked y blood sugar. It was 64 just before dinner. Damn!

"V"

signifies "vomit" after I had slept for 1 to 2 hours (roughly).

^l^owI woke up around 5 am feeling weak. I took a leak and felt so weak I had to sit down to recover before going to the kitchen. I ate three tablespoons of cottage cheese and then could not find the peanut butter. I did see an unopened box of Girl Scout shortbread cookies and ate a couple. then, I ate a couple of pieces dark chocolate I went back to bed and felt the hunger quickly diminish. I slept solid until Kathie woke me up.

¹⁶I woke up feeling sick and ended up vomiting. This was painful and lead to pain in my throat below my chin. I took three painkillers and that eventually killed the pain. I then had a very hard time getting out of be at 7am to go to work.

< h r > line break

Monday, February 25, 2019

medications change

Taken off Actos due to side effects. These include weight gain and water retention.

The irony is the MD who took me off the Actos is the same MD as who put me on Actos. I am tentatively on another drug that includes something else and metformin.

Now, I will have to see if insurance will cover this new drug...

Here is my future status.

Tetanus shot

Tetanus shot today (25 February 2019)

Thursday, February 14, 2019

note regarding recent House actions...

There was a single news report about a house committee investigating drug prices. The CEOs of the major manufactures refused to attend. So, why don't the new house member issue subpoenas? 
 
For that matter, why isn't this featured on the evening news?

Saturday, February 02, 2019

February 2019

February 2019 My first MD told me to test my blood sugar twice a day, two days a week.

I choose Tuesday and Thursday.

AM is immediately after getting out of bed.

PM is two hours after "fork down" at the end of my evening meal.

Day  Date  AM    PM


Fri    1  ---   ---  
Sat    2  --- 80 90^80-90 
Sun    3  ---   ---  
Mon    4  ---   ---^4th  116/62
Tue    5  ---   ---⁵  I misplaced my meter but found it in late evening.
Wed    6   56    75  
Thu    7   81   129   
Fri    8  ---   ---  
Sat    9  ---   ---  
Sun   10  ---   ---  
Mon   11  ---   ---  
Tue   12   76   144  
Wed   13  ---   ---  
Thu   14   80   127  
Fri   15  ---   ---  
Sat   16  ---   ---  
Sun   17  ---   ---  
Mon   18  ---   ---  
Tue   19   60   100  
Wed   20  ---   ---  
Thu   21   80   203  
Fri   22  ---   ---  
Sat   23  ---   ---  
Sun   24  ---   ---  
Mon   25  ---   ---  
Tue   26   63   173  
Wed   27  ---   ---  
Thu   28  101   125

^80-90I was feeling weak and a bit dizzy so I sampled some chocolate fudge at work. I checked my blood sugar when I got home and it was quite low at 80! Two hours after dinner, it was 90.
_________________________________________________________________________________
^4thWhen I woke up around 2:20 am on 4 February 2019, and wandered into the bathroom to urinate, I noticed I felt weak and then hungry. I had to sit down. While I was sitting there, Jackie (elder cat) came in to eat and I realized they were low on food, so I opened a bag of cat fud and feed them.

Then, I realized that feeling weak and hungry probably was a sign of hypoglycemia so I went to the kitchen. I felt dizzy and had to lean against the walls since I feared I was going to lose my balance. At the freezer,.I ate a small amount of frozen dark chocolate (which hays been in there for some time!). This was a nice hit. The problem is a quick relief probably meant a quicker return to hypoglycemia.

I made myself a single slice peanut butter sandwich and drank some water.

Feeling suddenly weak, I checked my blood sugar around 4 pm and it was 98. ________________________________________________________________________________
^5thA couple of hours after going to bed, I woke up belching and knew I was about to start vomiting. So, I went to the Hall Bathroom, bend over the toilet and said "OK stomach, do your worst!". Nothing happened so I put my finger down my throat twice. After vomiting twice, I was horrified when my breathing froze and I was not breathing.

I did not have the inhaler near me but was able to consciously force myself to breath. I then went to the kitchen, used the inhaler and felt my breathing return to normal.

This was a horrifying event!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, January 01, 2019

January 2019

My first MD told me to test my blood sugar twice a day, two days a week. I choose Tuesday and Thursday.

AM is immediately after getting out of bed.
PM is two hours after "fork down" at the end of my evening meal.

Day  Date  AM    PM
Tue    1   71   105   PM  130/68   
Wed    2  ---   --- 
Thu    3   74   171  
Fri    4  ---   ---   
Sat    5  ---   ---  V  
Sun    6  ---   ---  72 
Mon    7  ---   ---   
Tue    8   84   137   
Wed    9  ---   ---   
Thu   10   97   133   
Fri   11  ---   ---   
Sat   12  ---   ---   
Sun   13  ---   ---   
Mon   14  ---   ---   
Tue   15   76    79   
Wed   16   76   117   
Thu   17   74   122   
Fri   18  ---   ---   
Sat   19  ---   ---   
Sun   20  ---   --- V  
Mon   21  ---   ---   
Tue   22   62   127 ^*  
Wed   23  ---   ---   
Thu   24  106   101   
Fri   25  ---   ---   
Sat   26  ---   ---   
Sun   27  ---   ---   
Mon   28  ---   ---   
Tue   29  110   147   
Wed   30  ---   ---   
Thu   31  112   162

V - I vomited a couple of hours after going to bed.

72 - I was feeling very hungry and jittery so I checked my blood sugar; it was 72.

^* I am wondering if the meter is reading low. I strongly suspect it is not...

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

test apparachick

apparachick trest

Friday, November 23, 2018

I am a biology lab experiment

Several months ago, my then MD (Dr. Azzi) said my blood sugar was a little too good and was worried that it was just too low for my own good. So he took me off the 5 mg glipizide. I was taking this twice a day. He put me on Artos.

Now, my A1C has gone from 7.0- to 8.1 and my new MD is pissed at me., Said new MD has put me back on 10 mg glipizide once a day (my choice). I bought the glipzide this afternoon and have already taken my first dose. It should be interesting to see just what comes of this.

The good news is he didn't use the "I" word (insulin).

I also confess I lost the bubble in August when my blood sugsar meter went tits up. I told the VA and they gave me the telephone number of a place to called., That place sent me an envelop to mail in my broken meter. They also sent some calibration liquids and test stripes for calibration. I have been frozen and have not acted on testing this new meter. I will handle this come Sunday.

Saturday, August 04, 2018

email to Governor Colyer

Diabetics are horribly aware that the cost of insulin keeps going up without any logical reason for this.

Nevada enacted a law that strongly regulates the cost of insulin. This law reportedly is keeping the cost of insulin from ballooning in Nevada.

Speaking for the roughly 9% of Kansas people who are diabetics (as I am), I strongly urge you to have this Nevada law researched and then enacted and enforced in Kansas! We are tax paying family folk who have better use of our money than to feed the greed of pharm companies.

I look forward to you and your staff working to protect the diabetics of Kansas!

Wednesday, August 01, 2018

August 2018


Day  Date AM    PM
Wed    1  ---   113¹  
Thu    2  126   165  
Fri    3  ---   ---  
Sat    4  ---   ---  
Sun    5  ---   ---  
Mon    6  ---   ---  
Tue    7  ---   ---  
Wed    8  ---   ---  
Thu    9  170   187  
Fri   10  ---   ---  
Sat   11  ---   ---  
Sun   12  ---   ---  
Mon   13  ---   ---  
Tue   14  ---   ---  
Wed   15  ---   ---  
Thu   16  ---   ---  
Fri   17  ---   ---  
Sat   18  ---   ---  
Sun   19  ---   ---  
Mon   20  ---   ---  
Tue   21  ---   ---  
Wed   22  ---   ---  
Thu   23  ---   ---  
Fri   24  ---   ---  
Sat   25  ---   ---  
Sun   26  ---   ---  
Mon   27  ---   ---  
Tue   28  ---   ---  
Wed   29  ---   ---  
Thu   30  ---   ---  
Fri   31  ---   ---

¹ I replaced a dead battery and tested my blood sugar 2 hours after dinner to make sure the meter was good.

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Dewey Decimal Code for food diary

Sam Shepley looked up some possible DDC codes for the book version of my July 2018 food blog. These are:

920.71 Individual biography of men (my choice)

641.563 Diabetes Mellitus - cooking for (Sam's choice)

The winner is: 641l563 - Sam's choice

He did really good in finding me this choice!

Sunday, July 01, 2018

July 2018


Day  Date AM    PM
Sun    1  ---   ---   
Mon    2  246^noon262   
Tue    3  ---   ---   
Wed    4  ---   ---   
Thu    5  137   135²  
Fri    6  ---   ---³ 
Sat    7  ---   ---   
Sun    8  ---   ---   
Mon    9  ---   ---   
Tue   10  112   172

Wed   11  ---   ---   
Thu   12  102   164   
Fri   13  102⁴   ---   
Sat   14  ---   ---   
Sun   15  ---   ---   
Mon   16  ---   230²³⁰ Mid aafernoon sugar test in fears of hypoglycemia.  
Tue   17  150   179   
Wed   18  ---   ---   
Thu   19  172¹⁷²157   
Fri   20  ---   --- 
Sat   21  ---   ---   
Sun   22  ---   ---   
Mon   23  ---   ---   
Tue   24  162   243<sup><b>7</b></sup>   
Wed   25  ---   ---   
Thu   26  ---   ---   
Fri   27  ---   ---   
Sat   28  ---   ---   
Sun   29  ---   ---   
Mon   30  ---   ---   
Tue   31  ---   ---

^noonI am beginning to despair when I see blood sugar readings this high...

²After dinner, I spent much of the night feeling nauseated and fearing that I was going to vomit. I didn't. My evening score of 135 came after I had felt nauseated post dinner.

³ About an hour after going to bed, the familiar :"fixing to vomit" signals came up so I immediately went to the bathroom and vomited. I then went back to bed and having spared myself hours of misery, went back to sleep fairly quickly,

⁴I wondered if my my sugar would be back closer to where it should be today and it actually was.

²³⁰A test I took in mid afternoon from fears of hypoglycemia

¹⁷²I was horrified to find my AM score was 172! I need to see an endo to get straight!
My evening score was 157. This blood business is more puzzling thian usual.

⁷I admit defeat! My morning scores are almost 100 point too high and the evening scores are 60 - 70 points too high. I despair. Fortunately, the VA will get insulin and needles for me cheap.

On the other hand, I am going to switch to Artos (in the morning) and replace the glipisize.

Friday, June 29, 2018

excessively high blood sugar levels

Lately, my blood sugar levels have been way too high.

AM 129 26 June 2018 should be under 100
PM 238 26 June 2018 should be under 190
AM 149 28 June 2018 should be under 100
PM 230 28 June 2018 should be under 100
AM 134 29 June 2018 should be under 190

It came to a head last night when I had a very low carb dinner of

left over steak
about a quarter of a leftover baked potatoe
half a roll with butter and grape jelly
large amount of boiled broccoli with some butter added for flavour
glass of cold water

and yet my "2 hours post putting the fork down" reading was 230!

I could only conclude that I had fucked up my pill distribution last week.

Then, I remembered I had read the list off of my Kindle since I did not have a printed list. Also, since I did not know how to invoke notepad on this new computer, I could not do my usual checkoff on notepad. (I've since fixed this.) And in my cats running around and yes I fucked up the pill layout. Next week, I suppose I will just have to have the kitchen table cleaned off before distribution and will do the pill layout there.

I ended up going to bed thinking about this matter and this morning, I visually examined my morning pills and realized I had left out the Januvia.

I will check for Januvia tomorrow morning and the remaining days until this batch of pills is used up.

Sunday, June 24, 2018

pills 5 mg glipizide evenings

Morning

D aspirin 81 mg
V clopidogrel bisulfate 75 mg tab
D glipizide 5 mg (new in December 2017)
C Januia 100mg
D lisinopril 20 mg
D metformin 1000 mg
D metoprolol tartrate 12.5 mg (split)
V mometasone furoate inhalation power (pink)
D Ranitidine 150 mg tab

Close mornings

Open evenings

Evening

V atorvastati calcium 40 mg (½ tab)
D glipizide 5 mg
D metformin 1000 mg
D metoprolol tartrate 12.5 mg (split)
D Ranitidine 150 mg
P Finaseride 5mg tab

P tamsulosin 0.4mg ("pee" pill)
V Asmanex Twisthaler - Mometasone Furoate 220 mcg Oral
V Proventil inhaler

P Tamsulon 0.4 mg
O Mucinex Expectorant
O Fexofenadine Hydrochloride

D vitamin D-3 2000 IU (ith the pills Kathie adds.)

C CVS
D Dillions
P Clinic Pharmacy
V VA
O Over The Counter

My MDs:

Gerald Albert, MD PhD (urinology)

Nassif Azzi, MD (Nephrology/Internal Medicine)

Steven Cobble, OD (eyes)

Dana Howerton, APN (VA Clinic Dodge City Kansas)

Abid Mallidck, MD ( VA heart MD)

Jose C. Velasco Di Domenico, MD, Oncology (sadly, this is new...)

Monday, June 11, 2018

diabetic events on the 10th

There was nothing of interest, as far as I could tell, related to diabetes. So, this will be the last report until something of interest occurs. (I am lazy when it comes to writing at times.)

Saturday, June 09, 2018

horrible night (vomiting and cramps) on 8-9 June 2018

In the spirit of an expanded set of reporting daily diabetic related events, I submit this first report. I have started it just before dinner. Let me just day I had an unpleasant night.

First, I got up about an hour after going t6o bed. I couldn’t believe how much I had to piss. This was just an annoyance.

Next, I got up to pee again at about 2:30 am. Actually, I had been burping and feeling nauseated for nearly a half hour and wasn’t surprised when I started throwing up after I peed. I vomited several times and this was not pleasant; still, it was not as unpleasant as earlier vomiting this year. I sat on the toilet and wished I had something to read. Still, I didn’t feel like reading so I went back to bed.

This was not unexpected as I had eaten left over steak for dinner. (The steak came from “Prime on the Nine”. It was very tasty but very expensive and greasy. Late night vomiting was presaged by how I felt after eating only part of the steak. I knew it was coming…)

An alternative hypotheses could be that I had drank two gin-n-tonic after eating the somewhat greasy left over steak. This would have filled my stomach and I know my stomach empties too damn slowly...

Kathie slept through this and I didn’t mention the vomiting until the afternoon.

My third departure from bed was when both of feet cramped. I squirmed and my feet uncramped. Then, my right foot cramped. Finally both legs form the knees down locked up in very painful cramps. I sat up in bed and had the hassle of getting both my feet – especially my left foot – into my crocs. I then stumped my way into the nearest backroom, hoping to walk off the cramp.

It did not work.

So, I pissed while rocking back and forth hoping my cramps would go away. I lost control of the urine stream a time or two. Finally, both feet settled down and I walked to the hallway bathroom to drink some water. This helped.

The rest of the night was uneventful and I had trouble getting out of bed.

Expanded daily "diabetic" reporting

I was reading one of those "how to improve your A1C scores" slide collections on face book and found I should be keeping a diary on events pertaining to my diabetics. So, since this morning was a booming start, I decided to start expanded reporting.

This will be side-by-side with my food blog.

Tuesday, June 05, 2018

June 2018


Day  Date AM    PM
Fri    1  ---   ---      
Sat    2  ---   ---      
Sun    3  ---   ---      
Mon    4  ---   ---      
Tue    5  148¹   120²   
Wed    6  ---   ---      
Thu    7   97   119³      
Fri    8  ---   ---      
Sat    9  ---   ---      
Sun   10  ---   ---      
Mon   11  ---   ---      
Tue   12  103⁴  155      
Wed   13  ---   ---      
Thu   14  102   187      
Fri   15  ---   ---      
Sat   16  ---   ---      
Sun   17  ---   ---      
Mon   18  ---   ---      
Tue   19  104   193      
Wed   20  ---   ---      
Thu   21  103   193      
Fri   22  ---   ---      
Sat   23  ---   --- forgot to take evening pills     
Sun   24  ---   ---      
Mon   25  ---   ---      
Tue   26  129   238      
Wed   27  ---   ---      
Thu   28  149   230      
Fri   29  134   175⁵      
Sat   30  ---   ---      
Sun   31  ---   ---

¹ I suffered from diarrhea last night and suspect this caused my blood sugar to be so high first thing the morning of the 5th.
² Experience has shown that a high morning sky will precede a relatively low evening score.
³ I decided to start keeping a diary of my days with emphasis on diabetic events. My first "event" was a rough night. ⁴I suspect I might have a minor urology problem as it took forever to start peeing at 2:20 am and was slow at 6:43 am.

⁵It occurred to me that I had screwed up pill distribution. When I surveyed my pills, I found the Januvia missing in the morning pills and the 5mg glibizide missing in the evening pills. I will have to correct this on a daily basis.

Monday, May 07, 2018

my diabetic history to date

Today is the 14^th Anniversary of when my MD called me and said “Mr. Bell, you are a diabetic!”

(I knew there was a reason I bought some strawberries last week and didn’t break them out, from the refrigerator, until earlier this evening. I also was just a bit puzzled why I had to buy some dark chocolate chips this afternoon.)

My MD sounded a bit shocked when he told me. You see, I had my fasting blood work done that morning and the lab results were not back. So, we waltzed through the annual physical starting with “there probably are no problems in your blood work”. He was happy with my having lost weight, was walking on the treadmill and “eating better”.

I left and went to work that afternoon. At work, I got that phone call and he said “Mr. Bell, you are a diabetic”!

I freaked out a bit.

My Father, a type 1, had died of congestive heart failure. He was also missing his left from the knee down and his surgeons were whideling on his right foot. My then youngest brother was a juvenile onset type 1. He was working on losing his left leg as well.

I went back to my MD’s office the coming Monday (10 May 2004) and rolled into our second medicalsession.

“I don’t want to lose my legs!” I don’t think I sounded hysterical…

“You’re not going to lose your legs!” That calmed me down.

I then got a prescription for a morning 500 mg metformin pill and a prescription for a blood test meter ($85 for the meter) and about $10 for 50 test stripes.

Neither his nurse or I had any experience at using blood sugar meters. We kept adjusting the needle depth and I stabbed myself 16 times before my MD walked in and showed us how to set the lancelet.

Beyond that, my “diabetic experience” has not be much fun.

There have been times when I just blew the measures I was initially taking to control my blood sugar. It is strange gto look back and wonder why I had gotten so tired and had quit. Right now, I hope I am in a hopeful phase of trying to save my ass.

Maybe I need to circle back around to getting dietary information and trying again to do better eating. What have I to lose?

Wednesday, May 02, 2018

May 2018 blood sugar results

My required blood sugar reading.


Date      AM    PM

Tue   1   93   197   
Wed   2  ---   ---   
Thu   3  128   123   
Fri   4  ---   ---  131^U
Sat   5  ---   ---   
Sun   6  ---   ---   
Mon   7  ---   ---   
Tue   8   92   138   
Wed   9  ---   ---   
Thu   10  77   173   
Fri   11  ---   ---   
Sat   12  ---   ---   
Sun   13  ---   ---  V^v
Mon   14  ---   ---   
Tue   15  ---   ---   
Wed   16  ---   ---   
Thu   17  ---   ---   
Fri   18   99   125   
Sat   19  ---   ---   
Sun   20  ---   ---   
Mon   21  ---   ---   
Tue   22   93   131   
Wed   23  ---   ---   
Thu   24  ---   ---   
Fri   25  ---   ---   
Sat   26  ---   ---   
Sun   27  ---   ---   
Mon   28  ---   ---   
Tue   29  ---   ---   
Wed   30  ---   ---   
Thu   31  ---   ---

The AM reading is taken right after I get out of bed in the morning.
The PM reading is taken 2 hours after "fork down" at the end of my evening meal.

^UAt 4:11 pm, I felt tired, hungry and out of sorts. So, I checked my blood sugar at 4:11 PM. It was 131! This is an amount that should not jack my A1C and could help me in the future.

Either way, the hunger has a feeling of nausea and is unpleasant! I don't like it!
^vThis is either "vomito ergo sum" or a "Vir Coto Moment".

Londo Mollari: "Vir, we are not biologically equipped to handle fast food."

Vir Cotto: "I know. I know. But it tastes so great going down. Coming up again, it's not so terrific, but-"

Babylon 5: Mediations of the Abyss (#5.14)" (1998)

Sunday, April 01, 2018

April 2018 blood test results

I test my blood sugar level upon getting out of bed Tuesdays and Thursdays and 2 hours after "putting down my fork" after my evening meal. Since I am not "on the needle" (using insulin), these tests are simply advisory; being on pills, there is nothing I can adjust.


Day       AM    PM
Sun    1  ---   ---   
Mon    2  ---   ---   
Tue    3  109¹  163   
Wed    4  ---   ---   
Thu    5  119   126   
Fri    6  ---   ---   
Sat    7  ---   ---   
Sun    8  ---   ---   
Mon    9  ---   ---   
Tue   10   72   162   
Wed   11  ---   ---   
Thu   12  109   150   
Fri   13  ---   ---   
Sat   14  ---   ---   
Sun   15² ---   ---
Mon   16³ ---   ---   
Tue   17  123   266   
Wed   18  ---   ---   
Thu   19  108   188   
Fri   20  ---   ---   
Sat   21  ---   ---   
Sun   22  ---   ---   
Mon   23  ---   ---   
Tue   24   91   121   
Wed   25  ---   ---   
Thu   26   92   ---   
Fri   27  ---   ---   
Sat   28  ---   ---   
Sun   29  ---   ---   
Mon   30  ---   ---   
Tue   31  ---   ---

¹I kept waking up feeling hungry. I refused to get a snack because I wanted to see how low the night sugar could go. I did not expect something as high as 109. I should have gotten that snack...

²About an hour after going to bed, I awoke gurgling up spit. I finally realized this was the precursor to vomiting and so I went to the hall way bath room, stuck my finger down my throat and vomited several times. I felt much better afterwards...

³I was surprised when I vomited a couple of hours after going to bed. (sigh)

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

March 2018

I test my blood sugar level upon getting out of bed Tuesdays and Thursdays and 2 hours after "putting down my fork" after my evening meal. Since I am not "on the needle" (using insulin), these tests are simply advisory; being on pills, there is nothing I can adjust.

March 2018


Day       AM    PM
Thu   1   111   114 
Fri   2   ---   --- 
Sat   3   ---   --- 
Sun   4   ---   --- 
Mon   5   ---   --- 
Tue   6    89   105¹ 
Wed   7   ---   --- 
Thu   8   108   159 
Fri   9   ---   --- 
Sat   10  ---   --- 
Sun   11  ---   --- 
Mon   12  ---   --- 
Tue   13   84   94/95² 
Wed   14   74³  --- 
Thu   15  117   --- 
Fri   16  ---   --- 
Sat   17  ---   --- 
Sun   18  ---   --- 
Mon   19  ---   --- 
Tue   20   69⁴  133 
Wed   21   92⁵   --- vomiting 
Thu   22  101   244 
Fri   23  ---   ---  vomiting⁶
Sat   24  ---   --- 
Sun   25  ---   --- 
Mon   26  ---   --- 
Tue   27  118   141 
Wed   28  ---   --- 
Thu   29  104   100 
Fri   30  ---   --- 
Sat   31  ---   169⁷

AM is a blood test done immediately after I get out of bed (well, after I pee) and PM is the evening blood test done two hours after I lay the fork down at the end of my evening meal.

¹ I had a very light dinner.

² I was shocked by the first evening score (94) and immediately tested again and ended up with basically the same score (95).

³ After an evening score of 95 last night, I had to check my AM reading. I awoke feeling alert and tested immediately. I had dropped to 74.

I suspect that I am now in a period of lower blood sugar levels (I hope!) but will have to wait to either April or May to go to the VA for blood testing. (They may call...)

I know I am scheduled to visit my MD on 17 July 2018. There is sadly plenty of time for fluctuations in my scores...

⁴This is my lowest AM score this month! I had a small dinner last night...

⁵My dinner lead to me vomiting about an hour after going to bed. I then had a very hard time getting out of bed this morning. My blood sugar reading was higher than days in which I had no trouble getting out of bed. Perhaps hypoglycemia is not such a consistent reason for this and it might be simply insomnia?

⁶ This was the most unpleasant episode of vomiting I have had lately.

⁷I tested my blood sugar 2 hours after finishing dinner, even if it was not a "testing night", because I had eaten a large dinner.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

bitching 3

Morning

D aspirin 81 mg
V clopidogrel bisulfate 75 mg tab
D glipizide 5 mg (new in December 2017)
C Januia 100mg
D lisinopril 20 mg...buy more...
D metformin 1000 mg...buy more...
D metoprolol tartrate 12.5 mg (split) ...buy more...
V mometasone furoate inhalation power (pink)
D R anitidine 150 mg tab

Close mornings

Open evenings

Evening

V atorvastati calcium 40 mg (½ tab)
D metformin 1000 mg
D metoprolol tartrate 12.5 mg (split)
D Ranitidine 150 mg
P Finaseride 5mg tab

P tamsulosin 0.4mg ("pee" pill)
V Asmanex Twisthaler - Mometasone Furoate 220 mcg Oral
V Proventil inhaler

P Tamsulon 0.4 mg
O Mucinex Expectorant
O Fexofenadine Hydrochloride

D vitamin D-3 2000 IU (ith the pills Kathie adds.)

C CVS
D Dillions
P Clinic Pharmacy
V VA
O Over The Counter

My MDs:

Gerald Albert, MD PhD (urinology)

Nassif Azzi, MD (Nephrology/Internal Medicine)

Steven Cobble, OD (eyes)

Dana Howerton, APN (VA Clinic Dodge City Kansas)

Abid Mallidck, MD ( VA heart MD)

Jose C. Velasco Di Domenico, MD, Oncology (sadly, this is new...)

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

February 2018


Date      AM    PM

Thu    1  107   112¹ 
Fri    2  ---   --- 
Sat    3  ---   --- 
Sun    4  ---   --- 
Mon    5  ---   --- 
Tue    6   98   132 
Wed    7  ---   --- 
Thu    8   92   150 
Fri    9  ---   --- 
Sat   10  ---   --- 
Sun   11  ---   --- 
Mon   12  ---   --- 
Tue   13  145   104 
Wed   14  ---   --- 
Thu   15  ---   --- 
Fri   16  172   177

Sat   17  ---   --- 
Sun   18  ---   --- 
Mon   19  108   --- 
Tue   20  127   --- 
Wed   21  ---   --- 
Thu   22  111   269² 
Fri   23  ---   --- 
Sat   24  ---   --- 
Sun   25  ---   --- 
Mon   26  ---   --- 
Tue   27   76³  109 
Wed   28  ---   ---

AM is a blood test done immediately after I get out of bed (well, after I pee) and PM is the evening blood test done two hours after I lay the fork down at the end of my evening meal.

^{1 The morning "score" on 1 February (107) is a touch higher than what I would like to see. The evening "score" (112) is massively lower than what I had expected! I have the feeling that my upcoming A1Cs might be a touch lower than they usually are and that I will be safe from "the needle" (insulin) for a while longer!}
^{I said "A1Cs" (plural) rather than A1C (singular) as I am getting blood work at both the family MD and the VA in a couple of weeks. (Many things change. When the VA Doc learned that I had blood work done at the clinic, the VA cancelled their blood work. Given the A1C would not have changed much, this was a wise decision...}

² I had a rich dinner and forgot to take my pills until over an hour after starting dinner. We went out to dinner in our annual celebration of getting our income taxes paid off. Where the fuck was our Income Tax cut? We got screwed!
³ I went back to taking 5 mg glipizide in the evening as well as 5 mg in the morning. We had salmon last night. So, it appears that one or both lead to a rather low morning score on the 27^th: 76.

Saturday, January 20, 2018

test message 20 January 2018

mikebell3

Monday, January 15, 2018

Share 'type_2_reflections_on.doc'

Tuesday, January 09, 2018

January 2018 blood resujlts

Day       AM    PM

Mon    1  ---   ---   
Tue    2  138   121
Wed    3  ---   ---   
Thu    4   97   250   
Fri    5  ---   ---   
Sat    6  ---   ---   
Sun    7  ---   ---   
Mon    8  ---   ---   
Tue    9   93   130   
Wed   10  ---   ---   
Thu   11  111   140   
Fri   12  ---   ---   
Sat   13  ---   ---   
Sun   14  ---   ---   
Mon   15  ---   ---
Tue   16 126    133   
Wed   17  ---   ---   
Thu   18  ---   ---¹   
Fri   19  ---   ---   
Sat   20  ---   ---   
Sun   21  149   120   
Mon   22  ---   ---   
Tue   23  114   129   
Wed   24  ---   ---   
Thu   25  118   148   
Fri   26  ---   ---   
Sat   27  ---   ---   
Sun   28  ---   ---   
Mon   29  ---   ---   
Tue   30   90   162   
Wed   31  ---   ---

AM is a blood test done immediately after I get out of bed (well, after I pee) and PM is the evening blood test done two hours after I lay the fork down at the end of my evening meal.
¹ I took part in the 2018 Lions Pancake Feast. I ate before 5 pm on the 18th and 19th but didn't get home till after 8 pm. This being more than 3 hours, I could not do the 2 hour test. I probably could have taken my test gear in but keeping up with the batter mixing was more important.

Sunday, December 31, 2017

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Friday, December 29, 2017

test

mikebell3 test

sugar

Sugar (sigh)

Yesterday, my morning blood sugar was high and my evening sugar was it's now customary high level. maybe i should start eatting the more proper diet. That is, half a plate of veggies, quarter of a plate each of starch and meat.

The real problem is likely picking the vegetables of choice. O! Joy...

Sugar (sigh)

The real problem is likely picking the vegetables of choice. O! Joy...

Tuesday, December 05, 2017

meter history

I was diagnosed at a type 2 diabetic on Friday 7 May 2004.

I was directed to buy my first blood meter on Monday 10 May 2004. I have forgotten what brand it was but it cost be $85. The test stripes were (I think) about $15 for 50. This was damned expensive.

The unit was clunky and required a lot of blood. I was able to test off my forearm because I was afraid of testing off a finger. (Now, I always test off the side of a finger on my left hand.)

The second and third meters were much cheaper.

About 2014, my third meter disappeared. The pharmacist told me to download a coupon and he would be able to give me a free meter in exchange for this coupon. I did so and all was good!

About a week ago, I had my semi-annual VA physical and gave my meter to the VA Nurse so she could download the test results. They did not have programmes to down load this information. So, they gave me a free meter.

This is my first usage of the meter the VA Doc gave me. My old meter was maybe three years old. I've read that meters should be replaced every years and I have never done this! I will be getting my test stripes and lancets from the VA through the regular consumable replacement system.-

Thursday, November 30, 2017

December 2017 blood results

Day       AM    PM

Fri    1  ---   ---  
Sat    2  ---   ---  
Sun    3   83   ---  
Mon    4  ---   ---  
Tue    5   83   171

Wed    6  ---   ---  
Thu    7   93   122  
Fri    8  ---   ---  
Sat    9  ---   ---  
Sun   10  ---   ---  
Mon   11  ---   ---  
Tue   12  110   177  
Wed   13  ---   ---  
Thu   14  129   134  
Fri   15  ---   ---  
Sat   16  ---   ---  
Sun   17  ---   ---  
Mon   18  ---   ---  
Tue   19  119   106  
Wed   20  ---   ---  
Thu   21  ---   ---  
Fri   22  115   206  note evening meal
Sat   23  ---   ---  
Sun   24  ---   ---  
Mon   25  ---   ---  
Tue   26  133   195  
Wed   27  ---   ---  
Thu   28  145   173  
Fri   29  ---   ---  
Sat   30  ---   ---  
Sun   31  ---   ---

AM refers to blood tests taken when I get out of bed.
PM refers to blood test taken two hours after I finish my evening meal.

This is my first usage of the meter the VA Doc gave me. My old meter was maybe three years old. I've read that meters should be replaced every years and I have never done this! I will be getting my test stripes and lancets from the VA through the regular consumable replacement system.

Thursday, November 02, 2017

November 2017

Day      AM     PM
___
Wed    1  ---   ---  
Thu    2  103   163 
Fri    3  ---   ---  
Sat    4  ---   ---  
Sun    5  ---   ---  
Mon    6  ---   ---  
Tue    7   89   171  
Wed    8  ---   ---  
Thu    9  ---   ---  
Fri   10  127   171  
Sat   11  ---   ---  
Sun   12  ---   ---  
Mon   13  ---   ---  
Tue   14  108   167 
Wed   15  ---   ---  
Thu   16  108   209  
Fri   17  ---   ---  
Sat   18  ---   ---  
Sun   19  ---   ---  
Mon   20  ---   ---  
Tue   21   99   103  
Wed   22  ---   ---  
Thu   23  119   164  
Fri   24  ---   ---  
Sat   25  ---   ---  
Sun   26  ---   ---  
Mon   27  102---   ---  
Tue   28  ---   ---  
Wed   29  ---   ---  
Thu   30   77   ---

AM results are taken right after I get out of bed.
PM results are taken 2 hours after I finish my evening meal.

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

¡fucking blood sugar!

I had a small dinner last might (about one and a quarter slices of pizza). I fear I would have vomited had I tried eating any more of this pizza. I had some left over mashed potatoes before going to bed.

I did not wake up feeling hungry during the night. I woke up feeling just fine and wondered what surprise my blood sugar would give me. I got a shock as it was:

¡72!

Seventy fucking two! It has not been that low in a long time.

¡I hate fucking blood sugar!

I can't predict it, I can't fucking comprehend why it changes.

Oh, well, perhaps this will push off the needle...

Friday, October 27, 2017

my fucked up blood sugar numbers and despair

Given the fucked up and wildly erratic blood sugar numbers I've had lately, I am giving into despair. I talked with a medical doctor at a health faire a couple of weeks ago and he told me about two weekly shots I could take that enable my current pills to work much better. (I wish I had written their names down.) Also, it would help keep me "off the needle" much longer...

There is a veil of self-imposed secrecy over diabetes and maintained by diabetes. I was taught by my parents that telling folks about my medical problems is the worst way to gain attention. Practical experience has taught me that outsiders don't give a shit and don't want to hear about your medical problems. (Sometimes, even your own family does not want to hear of them.)

So, I simply do not mention my diabetes, past heart surgery (stents), asthma, and visits to my oncologist. This ain't none of their (outsiders) business and they (outsiders) want to keep it that way!

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

10 October 2017

_____Breakfast:

slice of leftover "Texas Toast" with honey and then
bowl of Jimmy Dean
- sausage,
  - pork sausage!
- scrambled egg and
- potatoe breakfast
two big cups of coffee

________Lunch:

_______Dinner:

Pre-Bed Snack:

Monday, October 02, 2017

October 2017 blood results

October 2017 Blood Sugar

Day  Date AM    PM

Sun    1  ---   ---   
Mon    2  ---   ---   
Tue    3  141   177   
Wed    4  ---   ---   
Thu    5  126   199   
Fri    6  ---   ---   
Sat    7  ---   ---   
Sun    8  ---   ---   
Mon    9  ---   ---   
Tue   10  124   233  
Wed   11  ---   ---   
Thu   12  144   169  
Fri   13  ---   ---   
Sat   14  ---   ---   
Sun   15  ---   ---   
Mon   16  ---   ---   
Tue   17   98   201   
Wed   18  ---   ---   
Thu   19   86   165   
Fri   20  ---   ---   
Sat   21  ---   ---   
Sun   22  ---   ---   
Mon   23  ---   ---   
Tue   24  142   105   
Wed   25  ---   ---   
Thu   26  140   247   
Fri   27  ---   ---   
Sat   28  ---   ---   
Sun   29  ---   ---   
Mon   30  ---   ---   
Tue   31  ---   ---  

AM is immediately after I got out of bed.
PM was taken 2 hours after I finished dinner.
Results that are too damn high for some reason.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

another try at this app

test at using this app

Thursday, September 14, 2017

strange blood

My morning reading was 164! My evening score was 148!

I have been fighting a cold with massive post nasal drip and coughing. Last night, I sat in the living room on a recliner coughing, gagging, blowing my nose and still trying to fall asleep. I kept coughing up literal mouthfuls of thin phlegm. This lead to me vomiting. An hour or so later, I ended up vomiting again. I turned off the lamp, on the table next to me, and finally fell asleep.

Kathie woke up about 5:30 am and told me to come back to bed. I did and actually slept till about 7:40 am.

Then, I took my morning blood sugar reading and got the 164! Shit!

My evening, two hours past "fork down" score, was 148. Go figure! I can not understand this blood sugar crap!

Thursday, September 07, 2017

September 2017

___
___
Day       AM    PM
Fri    1  ---   ---  
Sat    2  ---   ---  
Sun    3  ---   ---  
Mon    4  ---   ---  
Tue    5   86   164  
Wed    6  ---   ---  
Thu    7  104   114¹
Fri    8   74²   ---  
Sat    9  ---   ---  
Sun   10  ---   ---  
Mon   11  ---   ---  
Tue   12  ---   ---  
Wed   13  ---   ---  
Thu   14  ---   ---  
Fri   15  ---   ---  
Sat   16  ---   ---  
Sun   17  ---   ---  
Mon   18  ---   ---  
Tue   19  ---   ---  
Wed   20  ---   ---  
Thu   21  ---   ---  
Fri   22  ---   ---  
Sat   23  ---   ---  
Sun   24  ---   ---  
Mon   25  ---   ---  
Tue   26  ---   ---  
Wed   27  ---   ---  
Thu   28  ---   ---  
Fri   29  ---   ---  
Sat   30  ---   ---  
Sun   31  ---   ---  
___
___

¹ I mowed the yard after dinner and this may have lowered my "score".
² I was stuck in the bedroom last night because we had to keep our kitten away from food and water after 7 pm. We had to leave food and water out for the other cat during the night. So, having forgotten to bring food with me, I kept waking up during the night feeling hungry. My late evening score was 114 and overnight fasting lead to the 74 this morning.