Health change in wife.

[JoAnn]

DH has had diabetes for many (20-25 years), but never had it really under control. He has always been a big eater (farm family), and always felt he 'had it under control'. Along with the diabetes, he also had high blood pressure, but, again, 'felt that was sort of' under control too. With both, he told the doctors he did exercises, but he didn't...his was working in the garden and walking slowly with the dog.

A few years ago he was referred to a Nephrologist because his kidney function was going down hill. We were referred to a diabetic class at the hospital. They were excellent and went over every ones meds and told the people exactly how they worked and when the best time to take them was. Diets and exercise was stressed as being VERY important to maintaining both diseases.

So he has to juggle a Diabetic diet and a cardiac diet, but is doing it very well. He can eat almost anything he wants, but in moderation, and is very restricted on how much liquid he can drink a day (kidney diet). The kidney diet is much more restrictive, because of all the things that the kidneys do for us.

If you are not sure of all the problems that diabetes can cause...blindness, loss of limbs, kidney failure...READ UP ON IT. YES I am trying to scare you...I would not wish kidney failure on anyone and it is a growing problem because of the way "we" eat any more. And more and more patients are showing up in dialysis units.

Diabetes & high blood pressure are two of the leading causes of kidney failure, which can lead to dialysis. DH goes 3 times a week for about 2-3 hours each time. Arrangements have to be made ahead of time for treatments when you travel. And that can be done IF the units have the room. He has had to go as far as 45 miles one way when he goes hunting in South Dakota, with our son driving. So, please do what the doctors tell you.

Sorry this is long and scary, but hopefully someone will read this and it will help.

[Beaglemom3]

All good posts and great testimonials especially looking beyond DM II itself and seeing what other target organ damage can result.

Be compliant, lose the weight, watch the calories, carbs, fats, stay active, montior your blood sugars & A1Cs and B/P...............be well.

Beags R.N., M.S.N, A.N.P.-C (former diabetic educator- way back when....)

[bezerk]

So sorry to hear of this ill fortune with wife' shealth, but do as th eother posters said , especially beaglemom3 and well you a=can still have a life and vacation. I too am struggling with an illness, but I plan to do all I have to, to be well informed and well to vacation once again and live a long, healthy life....God bless, give you strength and health.

[Hoc]

Originally Posted by Joe L

This is not a life threatening disease.

That's not true. It is both life threatening and gets progressively worse over time, even if controlled with exercise and diet. But it can be controlled for a long time with exercise and diet alone if you catch it early enough and are very diligent afterward.

[bezerk]

Originally Posted by Hoc

That's not true. It is both life threatening and gets progressively worse over time, even if controlled with exercise and diet. But it can be controlled for a long time with exercise and diet alone if you catch it early enough and are very diligent afterward.

Sorry for all the typos in my post. This is a progressive disease that can be life threatening especially if not controlled.

Possibly you took my post incorrectly as I am dealing with a life threatening disease thus my reference to long, healthy life etc. I happen to have breast cancer and is new for me since end of April, am dealing with it all and do plan to follow all docs advise and become well informed of my illness as all who have an illness should do.

Diabetes is a disease that should definately be looked upon as an illness to become informed about.

[GrayFal]

Originally Posted by bezerk

Possibly you took my post incorrectly as I am dealing with a life threatening disease thus my reference to long, healthy life etc.

Diabetes is a disease that should definitely be looked upon as an illness to become informed about.

Bezerk, Hoc was referencing/quoting Joe L's comment that DM is not life threatening , not your comment or your current illness.

There is a lot of good and helpful info in this thread - DM is controllable but MUST be taken seriously as it can lead to MANY bad complications.
The educational information is out there and readily available - you just have to avail yourself to it and 'tow the line'

GrayFal RN

[iconnections]

There are so many nurses in this thread with good advise. I hope that Don's wife will do OK with the new regime of exercising and eating more healthy food. It should help the OP too.

Pam, how are you feeling? If you are posting in the Lotto thread , then I assume you are having a good day but when I don't see you there, then I wonder. Stay strong as it should get better.

We have a friend in Oregon who was really doing poorly but when I called her the other day, she sounded so much better. I could hear it in her voice. She is on new medication and it made all the difference in the world plus her markers went way down. They seem to come out with new drugs constantly and she is done with chemotherapy. When will you be through?

[BoardGirl]

[quote=bezerk;331519]Possibly you took my post incorrectly as I am dealing with a life threatening disease thus my reference to long, healthy life etc. I happen to have breast cancer and is new for me since end of April, am dealing with it all and do plan to follow all docs advise and become well informed of my illness as all who have an illness should do. QUOTE]

I am so sorry! We have a LOT of breast cancer survivors here at work. You are so right - become educated, do what you are supposed to do.

I'll be thinking of you.

[vintner]

My wife, Kim, has been really studing the whole issue, learning foods and portions (which should help with her weight) and is doing a good job to test and record the results. She is on a few types of medications and is seeing the test results get better.

Exercise is going to be an issue.

[bezerk]

Originally Posted by GrayFal

Bezerk, Hoc was referencing/quoting Joe L's comment that DM is not life threatening , not your comment or your current illness.

There is a lot of good and helpful info in this thread - DM is controllable but MUST be taken seriously as it can lead to MANY bad complications.
The educational information is out there and readily available - you just have to avail yourself to it and 'tow the line'

GrayFal RN

Oh ok Grayfal....I just did not want to offend anyone. I agree DM is controllable but definately must be taken seriously and does many times lead to many complications if not controlled.

Bezerk RN

Originally Posted by iconnections

There are so many nurses in this thread with good advise. I hope that Don's wife will do OK with the new regime of exercising and eating more healthy food. It should help the OP too.

Pam, how are you feeling? If you are posting in the Lotto thread , then I assume you are having a good day but when I don't see you there, then I wonder. Stay strong as it should get better.

We have a friend in Oregon who was really doing poorly but when I called her the other day, she sounded so much better. I could hear it in her voice. She is on new medication and it made all the difference in the world plus her markers went way down. They seem to come out with new drugs constantly and she is done with chemotherapy. When will you be through?

I am doing okay, following all my doctors orders and well I have a whole team...more than I ever wanted LOL. You kind of tend to go thru good and bad physical and emotional days....I am at least I think at an acceptance stage and doing all I can to make this as tolerable as it can be....I plan to be a survivor and advocate, so I have to be very positive as often as I can....I am undergoing chemo now....I have had a total of 3 treatments/cycles, 14 days apart with one more of that drug and then 12 more of another drug 21 days apart. There is some discrepancy on if my treatment will remain as is, as I had fewer treatments but had bad response to first treatment so they had to change venues d/t possibility of heart issues, so thus they are still contemplated actual drugs and numbers, so for now I am just counting the first drug, and that leaves one more of thsoe on July 14 and then I'll go from there. I do have to say, the surgery and all else involved has been nothing in comparison to chemo...ugh and double ugh....no one should ever have to go thru this horror. Pray for a cure for all cancer!!! Now as opposed to later with less side effects. Anyway I am doing okay, and having ore good than bad days I guess, and cannot wait till I can once again vacation......I do so miss my vacations, that was my fun in life I guess... This has all been a learning curve and well a journey to say the least...but I am hanging in there and love when I feel well enough to post and talk with my friends on TS forums....you have all been so very supportive to me, in vacations, timeshares and now illness, my cyber family!!!

[quote=BoardGirl;331593]

Originally Posted by bezerk

Possibly you took my post incorrectly as I am dealing with a life threatening disease thus my reference to long, healthy life etc. I happen to have breast cancer and is new for me since end of April, am dealing with it all and do plan to follow all docs advise and become well informed of my illness as all who have an illness should do. QUOTE]

I am so sorry! We have a LOT of breast cancer survivors here at work. You are so right - become educated, do what you are supposed to do.

I'll be thinking of you.

Thanks for your thoughts. Glad to hear lot of breast cancer survivors at your work...that is awesome. I have a good prognosis, and am getting more education than a person should ever need LOL. They tell me I am already a survivor, as of April 28, when I was told it was cancer and did not drop dead of a heart attack at that.... I look forward to being done with chemo and moving on to being an advocate and survivor for a long time to come...and a VACATION in a TIMESHARE!!!!

Originally Posted by vintner

My wife, Kim, has been really studing the whole issue, learning foods and portions (which should help with her weight) and is doing a good job to test and record the results. She is on a few types of medications and is seeing the test results get better.

Exercise is going to be an issue.

Glad to hear your wife is studying and learning.. that is great. Any exercise is good, walking, etc... just get moving...as much as is possible....I wish your wife and you only the best....and learn all you can about this illness. Maybe even find some online support groups if that is your thing....many times they have lots of ideas and tricks and all to help you out....Best wishes for good health......positive and healing thoughts being sent your way!!