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Friday, September 28, 2007

Diabetes - Another Update

If you haven't read the post below this, you should. Otherwise you'll be wondering about this one.

As I said to a few of you who've already left comments or emailed, when the going gets tough, the not so tough (that would be me at the moment) heads out to Barnes & Noble for a hot caramel macchiato and a chocolate chip scone with whipped cream. And, of course, some TLC from son Timothy. He took his break while I was there and quickly demonstrated how to do the shots (without the needle of course). It looks much easier than I had envisioned and from what some of you have said it's not too bad.

By the time I came back home, I was feeling much better.

Ray called right before I left. He was relieved the hospital had already phoned so he wouldn't have to try to explain all of it. I was relieved too and was able to tell him about the Monday discharge (if all goes according to plan), the visiting nurse, etc. He hadn't heard that part of it. It was good to hear his voice. He was reassuring me while I was reassuring him.

Anyhow, while I was at B&N, I picked up a couple of mystery novels from the sale table to get me through the weekend. I've done about as much with the house as I can except for minor daily maintenance (how dirty can it get with one person and a very polite cat?). The pictures are hung, the closets (all 2 of them), cupboards, Ray's dresser, and shelves are organized, and I've found places for almost everything.

I even sorted out his tools which I swore I would never do again. How can anyone possibly use 5 or 6 identical claw hammers, one ball peen, and a tack hammer? The only one we'll ever need is the tack hammer. I won't even discuss the screwdrivers, pliers, Allen wrenches, regular wrenches, crescent wrenches, and miscellaneous tools I can't identify but which must serve some purpose, but I can tell from looking at the assortment that we'll have every size except the one Phillips or wrench we need at the moment. It never fails. Too long, too short, too wide, too skinny. We then pick up another cheap set and eventually end up with 40 of them.

And while I'm ranting, why do we need both slot and Phillips? Plus another I don't know the name of but it's funny looking. And of course, in the USA, we have to have both linear and metric. Why can't we join the rest of humanity with our temperatures and measurements?

When he's home and rested, we'll go back through them together. Right now his tools are taking up 4 small toolboxes in the back of the closet; one just for the hammers.

It's feeling much more like home now and will feel even more so when he's back to share it with me.

DIL Melissa (Jim's wife) was working her last day at B&N until after the baby arrives. She's due November 10th and she's been experiencing a little discomfort. Not surprising; she's on her feet all day. I hope she will get some rest while chasing her toddler all over the house.

I'll try to get around to most of you over the weekend. My eyes have been bothering me a little when I stay online too long. Nothing painful but they start closing, even when I don't think I'm sleepy.

Once again, have a good weekend.

14 comments:

The Future Was Yesterday said...

"How can anyone possibly use 5 or 6 identical claw hammers, one ball peen, and a tack hammer?"
One at a time, of course!:) We are in the opposite situation of you and Ray, re space. We rented this huge old (built in 1939) house from an older gentleman, who gave us a very good price in exchange for me doing light routine maintenance. And it is huge! 2,500 sq. ft., and thats only one level. It also has a cavernous basement. We joke about finding old relatives of his in here, that don't know it's been rented, yet.:)

So you'd certainly think that'd be (and it is) more than enough space for my cabinet style and box on top, tool chest. Yet I found her one day, tools just spread all over the place! "What do you use this for?" "Different things, honey." "Well, it looks just like this one. Why do you need two?" "Because they're different, honey." "And why do you need all this other stuff?"

Call me a chauvinist, but there are simply some things in this world that don't interact well when exposed to females, and toolboxes would be one of them!:) I couldn't find anything for two months after she got done straightening things up. We've finally reached a truce; I won't bitch about her two rooms full from top to bottom, of spinning fiber and yarn, if she'll keep her sweet little fingers out of my toolbox!! Trust me on this.:)

Hugs and best wishes to you both.

Bacchus said...

I've had to learn how to do shots when my mother visits here. I never thought I'd be able to do it , since I have a huge fear of needles, but it really is easier than I thought it would be. She has to rotate hers in different spots to avoid bruising, etc..

I'm glad that he is sounding better and will be home soon.

Merle said...

Dear Ann ~~ I am so sorry you and Ray have this added problem, but it will very soon be easy for you. At least he should be so much better with the bypass and diabetes under control and happily you will have lots years together.
Thank you so much for your lovely comments on my blogger get-
together.We had a great time and you would have been a very welcome fifth. That is the only problem with blogging - you get to know people and would like to be there to help at times and to meet one another.You have a special place in my heart, my friend. Courage, and much love. Merle.

Janice Seagraves said...

Hi Ann,

And he has diabetes too?

I'm so sorry when it rains it storms.

My step-grandmother had diabetes and had to have insulin shots that my mom had to learn to give. My mom didn't know if she could do it because she didn't want to hurt her, but she did do it.

I suspect that Ray had the age onset diabetes that my other (read blood) grandmother had, but she could control it with diet and just took a pill and she lived to be 94.

Janice~

Gina said...

Sorry about the diabetes diagnosis, but if he already tends to eat that direction, it shouldn't be too hard for him, hopefully.

I had to self-inject for my gestational diabetes, and it is nerve-wracking the first time you do it, but after that it gets to be just another thing in the routine.

Hoping for a smooth Monday release!

ancient one said...

Rest, Read, and Enjoy your weekend. Hey and do some sleeping too. Things will start moving along when Ray gets home and you two can get a regular routine established.

Gawdess said...

What you say about tools is so freaking true!
sounds nice that your house is set up.
Take care.

Tammy said...

OK...caught up here and want to reassure you on the shots. I had never given one in my life until this past January when my Hubby needed one a day in his belly for his heart. It was easier than I thought but I do have to say I was relieved when I did not have to do it anymore.

Just remember the old saw "God doesn't give us any more than we can handle" because it is true!

Diabetes can sneak up on you and this is a wakeup call to me to start taking better care of myself...

Love & hugs to you today!

Unknown said...

It sounds as if you’re having a very busy weekend, Ann!

Blessings to you—and to Ray.

Andrea said...

book huh, k I have a ton that I realized I dont need on my shelves as I have already read them three or four times. I will start to send those slowly in the mail as well. Then after you can pass them on to where ever you want. There is nothing as wonderful as a good book!

Shrink Wrapped Scream said...

Oh, I am so sorry to learn of Ray's diabetes. The only good thing to come out of this, is how much better he will feel once the insulin levels are correctly established. my kid sis' has type one (insulin dependent) diabetes too - it plays hell with her mood swings. On the up side, You'll notice a much less tired, hyper, snappy man when he gets back home, I promise! ((hugs))

Gary said...

I'm sorry for Ray and have to say, that I don't drop by nearly enough, but think of you. You're one of my heroes - you love and you love and you love...

Wonderful photos of the kids - Elcie has the most beautiful smile.

If you email me a post address I'll send you something to read in those moments when you need to be somewhere else for a while. Something of a mystery...

Jo said...

Ann, I'm with Gary. You're one of my heroes. What strength you have, and you manage to be cheerful throughout it. It must be those hot caramel macchiatos and chocolate chip scones with whipped cream...! That would do it for me too.

Keep on truckin'. You're amazing!

Cheers,
Josie

Anonymous said...

Yes, the shots aren't so bad. Of course, I learned on animals and not people, but it's pretty much the same technique except you usually don't have to worry about people trying to bite you. Usually. Anyway, my mom takes shots for her Rheumatoid Arthritis and I've done them for her before, and my dad does them for her and she sometimes gives them to herself. Pretty soon it's just another daily thing.

I can see where it's frustrating only now getting this diagnosis, but at least it's a HUGE step in the right direction. Hang in there, Ann.

Oh, and... You can never have too many tools! Or books. Or photographs.