Dotchi's Diabetes FAQ

If you were directed here, it is because I am tired of explaining this to everyone. I'm not personally mad at anyone, but trying to explain to each and every person is time consuming and I would like to dwell on something other than health issues for just ONE visit! If you happened to stumble across this, read it anyway so you'll understand. If you have a question that is not on here, then feel free to ask and I will add it.

Q: So you're diabetic? What about the kids?

A: Yes, all three of us are diabetic. Miles and I are type 2. Mendel Latham is not really type 1, and not really type 2, he's more of a 1.5 (NP's words).

Q: So you have to take insulin, right?

A: No we do not. Mendel and I are on Byetta, which is a wonder drug for us!

Q: But Byetta is insulin, isn't it?

A: No, Byetta is an insulin mimetic. It basically tells your body when to start and when to stop making insulin. But it isn't insulin.

Q: What kind of diet do you follow then?

A: We follow a lower carbohydrate diet. I stay between 30-40 a day, Miles and Mendel stay between 40 and 50 a day. Sometimes we up our carb intake if needed, but this is our guideline.

Q: OH! So you have to watch the simple carbs?

A: No... we have to watch ALL carbs. We can eat meat, cheese, eggs, raw green leafy veggies and nuts without counting the carbs. After that, we count any carb going into our body.

Q: But you can have fruit because of the complex carbs, right?

A: Sure we can have fruit as long as we count the carbs. A carbohydrate is a carbohydrate and it doesn't matter how simple or complex it is. It is still going to be counted as a carbohydrate when it is eaten.

Q: But you can have the Atkins Shakes and stuff like that, right?

No. They have too many carbs. While I know they are going by "net carbs", there are still 30+ carbs in the drink. They don't just disappear because some professional decided they weren't that important. They are still counted.

Q: Oh my. You must get hungry. How do you handle the hunger?

A: We eat. Plain and simple. Do you think we sit around hungry? No.

Q: You aren't really a diabetic if you aren't on insulin.

A: I'm sorry you feel this way. I am sure all the diabetics who are on metformin or other diabetic meds that are not insulin, will be thrilled to find out that they are no longer considered diabetic b/c they aren't on insulin. I am sure my insurance will love to know this too. And my children are going to enjoy it much more now because they won't have to check their blood sugar 3-6 times a day just because you think we aren't diabetic. I'll call my doctor tomorrow and let her know to cancel my refills on the lancets and strips. Thanks for freeing me!

Q: Do you have a carb counter or book you go by to count the carbs?

A: Yes. I use the Atkins Carb Counting book. Although I can pretty much tell by looking now. I'll try to find the actual name of the book and post it here.

diabetics

>>>Are y'all diabetic? His birthday menu sounds pretty good!<<<

Yes, we are all diabetic. Lil Mendel and I were Byetta for months. Miles is on a controlled diet. The Byetta seems to have helped both Mendel and I. We have stopped taking it completely and as long as we eat a proper diet, we don't have anymore issues with our blood sugar. so I am SO happy about that! We enjoyed his birthday meal! And we look at meals and celebrations in a different light now too. No more munching cookies when we are sad, no more eating dessert with every dinner, etc. It has really helped with a lot of things besides health issues.

 

Dotchi

Ready for Halloween yet?

We're ready for Halloween! Mostly. I have glow in the dark cream for my face, the boys each have a mask that was $3. I bought fake blood and they are going as scary bloody monsters. LOL I am going as a glow in the dark witch. I talked to Nana and we might go to her house for trick or treat and birthday cake. We bought some pumpkins to carve. They were on sale 2/ $1.00!!! What a deal!

 

Tomorrow we'll be stopping by Leslie's grave on the way down to Nana's. She asked if we are sleeping over, but I am not sure. We might. Mendel gets to pick meals for tomorrow since it is his birthday. So here is the menu:

 

Breakfast: chocolate pancake (just 1) with no syrup. But lots of butter! Maple sausage and cheese cubes

 

Lunch: Salad! with cheese, bacon bits and croutons.

 

Dinner: Canadian bacon pizza with another salad!

 

Later: Cake and ice cream at Nana's and 3 SMALL pieces of candy. I can tell I will need to keep a close eye on blood sugars tomorrow to make sure we don't overdo it. I already talked to the boys about portion control, watching the carbs through the day, being careful about the candy they choose and how much they eat, checking blood sugars regularly and what to do if the blood sugar starts to go up. We've done VERY well with our blood sugar, I'd hate to mess it up now. But they seem pretty cool about it.

 

I have to go work on my schedule. I've been keeping up with it pretty good. Not wonderfully awesome... but pretty good. Today I need to clean the yard and porches some more, clean the master bedroom and declutter in the livingroom. I am making progress. Slow progress, but progress none the less.

 

Dotchi

Thank you everyone

Leslie's funeral was yesterday. It was beautiful. I feel a better sense of closure now. I haven't cried all day long. I guess the good sob at her vault helped with that. But now I feel ready to get things done and keep going. It is very hard to put into words how I am feeling right now. I still miss her, think of her a lot, and have a lot on my mind. But, I am ready to face the day and think ahead a few weeks, rather than trying to struggle through today and survive the day so I can go back to bed. I feel better organized again.

Today I am slowly working on the house and getting eBay stuff ready to post tonight. If all goes well, we'll be ready to move by Nov 1st. I'll keep you updated on that.

In Memory of Leslie Susan Bradshaw

Leslie was a very good friend, a devoted mother of 5, a wife, sister and aunt. She loved horses and animals and was planning to start a self sustaining farm. On October 13, 2006, she rode with her friend to drop off her friends children at their dad's house for a visit for the weekend. When they got there, he shot Leslie in the head and then went after Penny. Leslie's plan was to call every 1/2 hour to an hour and if she didn't call back, I was to call for help. I did call for help at 7:35pm. It was too late for Leslie. She was already gone. But Penny and the 4 children were rescued when the sheriff showed up. Penny will recover. She was shot 4 times, cut with a razor knife, hacked with a machete and hit over the head a shovel. He had planned on killing all of them, but the law showed up in time. I feel so bad because Leslie is gone. No words can begin to express how I feel. I just lost my best friend, but I am so relieved that Penny and the kids survived. My heart goes out to Leslie's family, especially her 5 children (ages 4 to 11).

We love you and we'll miss you, Leslie.