Coffee and mornings ...

Rick had his appointment at the Dialysis Center yesterday. 
He is doing so much better on his blood sugars - averaging 75 to 150 in the mornings. Dr. Greenwell is very well pleased. =) And has now lowered his evening insulin to 25 units. Still a shot, but less. And it has given Rick a bit of hope that if he continues to do well, that he can get off at least the evening shot all together. Dr. Greenwell said for us to keep doing what we are doing, and as the weather cools down, to add at least one walk a day. 
Rick has some congestion - Dr. Greenwell gave him antibiotics for that. But he also said that he thinks the biggest problem with the congestion is the almost 20 pounds added weight - due to "salt water" swelling. Dr upped Rick's Lasix to 80 mg morning and night for a week. He talked to Rick about the importance of getting this fluid off of him quickly, but safely. And that with even 5 pounds off he will be feeling MUCH better. 

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The one thing that we have done for Rick's blood sugars is ... to take him off of all artificial sweeteners. We went over everything with Dr. Greenwell yesterday. And after seeing the results of the last 4 weeks - Dr. Greenwell told us to keep on doing what we are doing. In fact, he said he thought it was the smartest thing we have done!!! 
I did a lot of research - mainly thru Mayo Clinic and WebMD - before we even tried this. But like Rick said, the blood sugar numbers were already so high, and nothing else seemed to be working - so yeah, we will try it for a month or so. 
He doesn't like unsweet tea very much, so now when I make a gallon of tea for him, I add 1 cup Sugar and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. He only drinks 2-3 glasses a day, with a meal. Between meals, he drinks water. 
The first week we saw no change at all in his blood sugar. Not higher, not lower. But the second week - wow! The numbers started coming down from the 200-300 range, quickly. Got to 179, then 165, then 155!!! The beginning of the 3rd week, 109!!! I called the doctor's office!!! I didn't know whether to give him the insulin or not. Dr. Greenwell laughed at me - but I told him I knew what to do if his sugar was high, or not controlled at all. These new numbers were something totally NEW and foreign to me!!! In a good way -- but still!!! 
And since that 3rd week, the numbers have STAYED consistently lower. Yesterday it was 75 ... the highest we have seen in the mornings was 165 - and that was after eating too late the night before. 
Dr. Greenwell said that he is well pleased, but not surprised. He told us that he has been doing a lot of reading and researching, too. And that he is finding this to be working in more and more diabetic patients. That the body doesn't know how to process the artificial sweeteners, nor does the body know what to do with the chemicals that are included in them. He said that this research is turning the diabetic world upside down ... but in a good way. 

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I had my blood drawn yesterday morning for medication review and updates. Then find out that because I do not have insurance or Medicare, that I can no longer see my doctor. ??? Because I am on the Indigent Care program thru our hospital, or a self-pay patient ... the Medical Clinic in Sulphur Springs will no longer see me. No notice, nothing. 
I called the other clinic that I was referred to this morning. First appointment will be September 9. My question to her -- what about the medications I am on, but are out of refills on? I have been told to not miss a dose, nor to allow them to run out ... hence the appointment tomorrow at the clinic with the doctor. ??? I was told that I could walk in after 2 pm tomorrow and wait. I will be seen, but will be a work-in. Sigh. 
Lord, help us to deal with Obamacare!!! 

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I feel much like the bird in this picture. Hanging on but not with a lot of hope. Can't get my wings to fly from where I am, but nowhere good to go if I let go!!!  
Lord God of heaven and earth and all - please, catch me if I fall!!!

I know that God is God, and i am not. So thankful for that!!! 
I also know that God is the God of angel armies - and He walks beside me - thankful for that, too!!! 

Our needs are greater sometimes than my faith. Still think that if the money was in the bank I would have greater faith!!! (Course, Rick says then it would be sight not faith - but I keep arguing with both him and God! Neither one agrees, but what do they know?!? LOL)

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Time to get to the day ... much on the "to-do" list ... and not much umption to do any of it. 
Would rather curl up in my comfortable recliner, under the cold AC, with my prayer quilt held tight about me ... and just simply breathe in and breathe out. 
However, there are things that must be done that won't get done with me not doing them ... 

I pray for each one who may read these words - that your day is blessed, that you realize the blessings in your life, that your troubles may be few, your burdens may be light. And above all - enjoy that cup of coffee!!! LOL 

Love each one of you!!! 

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