Hello Sandy! Part 3

October 30th - 11:30 am

We can hear chain saws in the distance, so crews are out working. According to the local radio station, the local utility says that it could be a week to ten days before full power is restored to the county.  Oh joy.

5:00 pm - Just got back home
We went out to see if we could find so gas & survey the damage. Drove down to the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey, got gas, and drove down to Paramus.

Drove back up Route 17 in NJ.  Power on in some areas, off in others.  When we got gas on the GSP, we drove right up to the pump.  On Route 17, the gas stations that were open had really long lines.

We stopped at an Olive Garden, but the wait for a table was at least two hours, so we left and drove up the road some more. Went to a place called the Mason Jar in Ramsey, NJ.  The wait was only a half an hour, so we waited.

After lunch, we drove across Route 202 in NJ, to Route 59 back here in NY.  Drove down Route 59, around downed trees and power lines.  Found an open Radio Shack, so we bought some extra batteries.

Drove back home, around more downed trees and power lines, hoping that the lights would be back on, but no luck.  So we wait.

Almost forgot about our portable DVD player.  Watched a John Denver concert DVD before I went to bed.  Not that I've been able to sleep much.  It's too damn quiet!!

To be continued....

Hello Sandy! Part 2

Tuesday October 30th - 8:30 am - Still no power in the apartment, but the lights are on in the hallway.

Went for a walk to see what things looked like in the neighborhood.  Not as much damage as I expected.  A few branches down, but not too bad.

The traffic light on the corner was out, so it was a game of four way chicken.  Looked up and down Route 59, one of the main roads through the county, and saw no lights on in any of the stores, but no trees or power lines down.

Talked to the building porter, who said that some apartments have full power, some have some power, and some, like us, have no power.  Just peachy.

One of the most frustrating things is not being able to get through to Mom and Aunt Carol, and my sister Billie.  The cell phone is useless, but the land line is working.

10:30 am:
Mom was finally able to get through to us.  She and Aunt Carol, who live in Toms River, NJ, only lost power for an hour and a half.  Thank God, because Aunt Carol relies on oxygen 24/7.  They had several portable tanks that would have lasted for a few days, but I'm glad they didn't have to use them.

I was able to get through to Billie, at last.  She's without power since last night too.  Her motor scooter got knocked over by the wind.  Hopefully it's not damaged too bad.  Billie's land line doesn't work, but her cell phone does.

All of the stray cats that I feed out the window have been around this morning, so they all made it through the storm okay.  Thank you Saint Francis.

I'm worried about the food in the fridge and freezer, but I'm more worried about Jimmy's and my insulin.  We are making sure not to open the fridge too often, in an effort to keep stuff as cold as possible for as long as possible.

Hello Sandy! Part 1

This is my diary of Hurricane Sandy and her aftermath.  It is admittedly rambling, and disjointed, but that is how I felt during those hours, so it fits.

Power blipped a couple of times between 6:30 and 7:00 pm Monday night, October 29th.  At one point, we had power in some areas of the apartment, but none on other areas.  At around 7:06 pm, power went out completely in the apartment.  Checked out in the hallway, and the lights were on.  Weird.

Wind was wicked.  Top speed of 75 miles an hour were recorded in the county.  The rain never got that bad.

A few large branches fell from one of the trees on the front lawn.  The branches blocked part of the street, until the super and a couple of helpers moved them out of the way, and onto the lawn.

Spent the night listening to the radio, and playing games on my Kindle.

New Meter. UGH!!

My wonderful health insurance company has decided to change what glucose meters that it covers, so I had to get a new one.  It was free, but that's not the point.  I've been doing blood sugar tests with both meters until I run out of test strips for the old meter.  The readings are anywhere from 5 to 30 points different, with the new meter always giving me lower readings.  Now what do I do?  Crapola!!!

Recommendations

I have two movies and two books to recommend.


Movie #1:  The Avengers.  It is awesome!!


Movie #2:  Dark Shadows.  Johnny Depp is at his campy best.


Book # 1:  A Night To Remember by Walter Lord.  Amazing actual accounts of the sinking of the Titanic.


Book #2:  Dropped Names" Famous Men And Women As I knew Them by Frank Langella.  A very interesting read.


I now have over 300 books on my Kindle, over 100 of them are cook books.  LOL!!

Changes again

Wow.  I can't believe that it's been over a week since I last posted.  The blood sugar has been good.  I've had a couple of low episodes, but nothing like before.  I saw the nutritionist on Wednesday, and she's made a couple of changes.  I'm taking less of the slow acting insulin (27 units instead of 30), and I have to write down what I eat at each meal.  I also have to check my blood sugar before I go to bed. She wants me to eat more vegetables with my meals.  That shouldn't be a problem.  I can eat celery and/or carrots with breakfast, and I usually have a salad with lunch and dinner.

Big doings tonight!

The shelter where Billie & I volunteer is having their annual fundraiser tonight.  Someone donated tickets, so for the first time, we get to go.  I'm really looking forward to it.  I'm going to have to take a nap sometime this afternoon.

At least the sun's out

No rain today, but it's gonna be a chilly one.


Blood sugar was 89, so we're starting the day off good.

Gray day

Went to see our friend, singer/songwriter Danny Quinn perform yesterday afternoon.  It was a great show, as always.


Blood sugar this morning was 88.  Kewl beans!  I did have to take a glucose tablet before lunch yesterday, but the low episodes are fewer than they were.

Damp day

I'm feeling really stiff due to cold damp weather, but my blood sugar was 85 this morning, so that's good.  I had a high of 160 yesterday, but I was a bit of a bad girl.

So far so good

Blood sugar this morning was 92.  Had a reading of 63 before lunch yesterday, but I didn't feel too bad.  The new regimen seems to be working.

Day Two

Blood sugar was 81 this morning.  My high yesterday was 132, two hours after lunch.  No low sugar episodes.  I can live with that.  Blood sugar two hours after breakfast, 109.  Very nice.

Day one

First day on the new regimen.  Blood sugar this morning was 89.  So far so good.

Compromise

The endocrinologist finally called back.  She wants to try cutting the oral meds in half and see what that does.  I'll still be taking the slow acting insulin at night.  If I'm still having low sugar episodes, we'll talk again. I'll give it a week.

Waiting is a bitch

I left a message for the doctor almost 2 hours ago, now it's just a waiting game.   Cue the Jeopardy theme music.

That's it!

Another low sugar morning.  I'm calling the doctor and telling her that I want to go back to slow acting insulin in the morning, and fast acting insulin before meals.

UGH!

I'm paying for doing too much yesterday.  I feel like crap.  Woke up to low blood sugar, and a nasty headache.  Jimmy has a appointment to see if he can get new orthotics today, so I can't take a nap until we get back.

Busy day

Bestest bud Billie was off from work today, so we had a hang out together day.  After breakfast, Walmart, BJ's, back to Walmart, Wendy's, and then home again, I'm pooped.

UGH!

It's been a rough couple of days.  Jimmy's back is really bad, so he's totally miserable.  Both of us have had our blood sugar all over the place.  Add to that we've both felt like crap.  How is your weekend going?

Love this!!

http://FunnyOrDie.com/m/6qpz

Too low again

Woke up at 5:46 with a blood sugar of 57.  A glucose tablet and a Glucerna shake later, and I was okay.  Woke up again at around 8 to blood sugar of 90.  Much better.


Had two more low episodes yesterday, besides the one at 5 am.  I'm running out of glucose tablets!  UGH!

Rough night

I was up at 5 am with a low sugar episode.  I didn't need my meter to tell me it was low, I could feel it.  Took 2 glucose tablets and felt better, but sugar was still low when I woke up around 9.  Had to take another glucose tablet.


I've been having a lot of low sugar episodes since the doctor put me on the oral medication and switched the slow acting insulin from morning til night.  I think a call to the office is in order.

Kitties!!

For the first time since my hospital stay, I will be covering my shift at PetsMart, taking care of the kitties S.T.A.R.T. II has for adoption.  We have fewer cats than usual because we had a couple of adoptions over the weekend.  I'm kind of glad that we don't have a full house.  I can take it easy my first day back.


Had to take a glucose tablet this morning due to another low reading (60).  I hate that feeling.  UGH!

Too low!

Sugar is 52 this morning, so I had to take some glucose to raise it.

Kewl Beans!

Thanks to our new wireless router, I'm posting on our TV. How neat is that?

Low this morning

Blood sugar is 72 this morning.  I should feel a bit wonky, but I don't.  Maybe I'm not awake enough yet.


Reading before bed was 142, but I had ice cream after dinner.

Dinner's ready!

Blood sugar is 82.  That's darn good!  Took my medication.  If feels strange not taking insulin before meals.  oh well.

Good morning!

Blood sugar is 87 this morning.  Last night before bed, it was 185, but we went out to dinner and I had a decadent dessert and a glass of Bailey's on the rocks, so 185 actually isn't too bad.

New reading shedule

I had to check my sugar a couple of hours after finishing breakfast today. It's 98, so that's very good.

Good reading this morning

Blood sugar is 97 this morning.  I did remember to take the slow acting insulin before bed last night.  It's strange not taking any insulin in the morning.  I have to take my oral meds this morning, and before dinner.

Good evening

Blood sugar is 106.  Took the last dose of fast acting insulin.  I start on oral meds tomorrow.  Have to remember to take the slow acting insulin before I go to bed.

Not bad!

Blood sugar was 124 before lunch.  Pretty good considering I didn't take any Lantus this morning.

New rules!

Blood sugar is 148 this morning, but I had cookies and milk before bed last night.  


The endocrinologist is changing my meds and my routine.


Starting tonight, I'm going to be taking the slow acting insulin at night, instead of in the morning.


Starting tomorrow, instead of taking the fast acting insulin before each meal, I'll be taking an oral med before breakfast and dinner.


I'm also going to be testing my blood sugar after meals once a day, alternating meals.


We'll see how that works out.

No lunch, only dinner

We were so busy running around today that we never got lunch.  Blood sugar before dinner was 124, so it was insulin before dinner at Olive Garden.

Morning!

Blood sugar is 114, so it's a double shot of insulin this morning.  Have an appointment to see the endocrinologist this afternoon.  So looking forward to that...NOT!

Wendy's for dinner

Blood sugar was 136, so I needed some insulin with my # 1 Combo (no cheese, mayo, or ketchup, with a side salad and a diet coke).  Tested my blood sugar and injected the insulin in the middle of the food court.  If anyone had a problem with it, too bad.

Lunch anyone?

Blood sugar is 106.  Good reading , but I still need insulin.

Can't wake up this morning

Sugar is 124, so it's insulin times two this morning.  Yawn...  Wish I could wake up.

Supper!

103 before dinner.  Almost, but not quite low enough to skip the insulin.  So close!!!

No lunch, just a snack

Blood sugar is 131, so I'll take some insulin before I snack down.

Yawn.....

Blood sugar is 149 this morning, so double insulin again.  I really need to get up earlier, but it's easier said than done.

Dinner's ready!

Sugar was 175, so I needed extra insulin before dinner.  I had some fruit a couple of hours ago, so it wasn't unexpected.

Ready for lunch?

Sugar is 114, so I need some insulin.

Not so good morning

Blood sugar is 144, and I feel lousy this morning.  I'll have to take both insulins before breakfast.

Time for dinner

128 means insulin before dinner.

Lunch!

Blood sugar is 149, so it's insulin time.

Morning so soon

Reading is 128, so it's a double dose of insulin before breakfast.

Boo!

172 before dinner, so I need extra insulin now.

Yay!

Reading is 85, so no insulin before lunch!  Love it!

Good morning

Slept late again this morning.  It's weird.  I'm sleeping longer at night, but feel worse in the morning.


Blood sugar is 124, so it's both types of insulin this morning.

Too high again

159.  I know why.  I had some orange juice while Jimmy & I were shopping.  A little extra insulin is in order.

Too high!

Blood sugar is 160, so it's a little extra insulin before lunch.

UGH!

The super was supposed to come in to finish working on the leak he started working on today.  He was supposed to be here at 11:30.  I called him at noon, and was told that he had to work on a problem in an apartment on the 5th floor and wouldn't get to us until tomorrow.  If we'd known that earlier, I could have gone with Jimmy to PT and we could have gone shopping before his other doctor's appointment at 3:30.  Now we have to wait until after the 3:30 appointment.  Crap!

Interesting Book

I'm reading a very weird book.


It's called, "Titanic 2012 - Curse of RMS Titanic," written by Robert W. Walker.


The premise is that the Titanic was deliberately sunk by her crew to save humanity from a strange life form that had been unearthed when coal miners were digging for coal to stoke the ship's engines.


The book shifts between 1912 and 2012.


It's a very cool read.

Good reading this morning

Blood sugar was 98 before breakfast, so no fast acting insulin, just the long acting stuff.

Insulin again

124, so it's insulin before dinner.

No insulin with before lunch!

A reading of 94 means I get to eat lunch without any insulin.  Yay!

Over slept

Didn't get up until 9 o'clock.  That's almost 2 hours later than usual.  Blood sugar was 123, so I took both types of insulin this morning.


I feel like crap.  If the super wasn't coming to work on a leak in the spare bedroom, I'd consider going back to bed.

Dinner time

Blood sugar is 110, so it's time for some insulin.

Shouldn't have had that bagel!

Blood sugar is 178, so I actually need a little extra insulin before lunch.  It's the first time in a while that I've needed extra.

Morning!

134 this morning, so please pass the insulin.

Insulin please

Blood sugar is 124, so it's insulin before dinner.

No insulin before lunch

Blood sugar is 91, so I get to eat lunch without the insulin appetizer.

Morning already?

Reading was 115, so it's insulin time again.

Dinner time!

Sugar was 134, so I took some insulin before I ate.

Lunch reading

97 before lunch, so no fast acting insulin.  I'm liking these readings.

The new TV is here!!

Out with the old

  
In with the new

Way cool!!

Good morning

Blood sugar is 127 this morning, so I'll be taking both types of insulin before breakfast.


The new TV is coming some time between 11 am and 3 pm.  I'm really excited.  Gonna spend part of the morning disconnecting the old set from the cable and surround sound system, and moving some stuff around so they'll have room to work, and get the old set out the door.

Need some insulin tonight

108 before dinner, so it's back to the fast acting insulin.

Time for lunch

Blood sugar was 98, so again, no fast acting insulin.  Went to Chili's for lunch.  Had a 6 oz sirloin steak.  OMG, it was so good.

Low again

78 before breakfast, so no fast acting insulin this morning.  I'm only taking the long acting stuff.

Decision time

Blood sugar was 88 before dinner.  I had a low sugar crash this afternoon, so I've decided to stop using insulin before meals if my blood sugar reading is under 100.  I'm going to try it for a couple of days and see what happens to my numbers.


We bought a new TV for the living room.  It'll be delivered Saturday, and more importantly, they will be taking the old set away.  It weighs over 400 pounds, so I wish them luck.

Lunch

Blood sugar was 90 before lunch.  Very nice.

Good new, bad news

Good news, my blood sugar is 115.  Bad news, the TV in the living room died.  Oh well.

More like it

114 before dinner.  :-)

Too Low

72 before lunch.  Need to eat something quick!

Bravo!

And not one Republican is involved.  No surprise there.

Excellent!

90 before breakfast.  Oh yeah!

Back on track

111 before dinner.  Very good.

Almost too low

85 before lunch.  Feeling a bit shaky.  Think I'll have a glass of soda with lunch.

All right!

111 before breakfast.  Boo-ya!!

Crash!

113 before dinner, and a 79 low sugar crash a little while ago.

A little better

123 before lunch.  It'll do.

Still wonky

131 before breakfast.  Oh well.

Oops!

145 before dinner.  I did have some popcorn a couple of hours ago.  Hmmm.....

Much better

96 before lunch.  I'm very happy with that.

Grrrrrr!

Back up to 140 this morning.  Crapola!!

Still good

Blood sugar was 118 again before dinner.  I am a much happier camper!

Woo Hoo!

96 baby!  That's what I'm talkin' about!!

Happy dance!

Blood sugar was 118 this morning.  That's much more like it!

Hazaa!!

Blood sugar before dinner was 108!!  YAY!!!

Love this!

Hope this works.

Not good

Blood sugar was 140 before breakfast, and 180 before lunch!!  I can't get to see the endocrinologist until April 3rd, so I may have to see if I can get in to see my PCP.  Double crap!

That's more like it

Blood sugar was 116 before dinner.  That's much more like it.  I think I may have figured out what was different when I had the high readings.  I haven't been drinking as much water the past couple of days.  I've had a lot today.  We'll see what my reading is in the morning.

Better

Blood sugar is 123 before lunch.  Better, but there is still room for improvement.

UGH! Again!

133 before dinner last night, and 158 before breakfast this morning.  I'm really beginning to wonder if the good readings were accurate.

It's getting higher

151 before lunch.  Crap!!  Took a couple of extra units of insulin.  I was doing so well.....

This morning's reading

Blood sugar is 136 this morning.  Better than 145, but not 116.  I wonder if I'm coming down with something.

Still not right

My blood sugar before dinner was 134.  This is really annoying.  I guess I'll see what the reading is in the morning before I get really ticked off.

A little better

My blood sugar before lunch was 126.  That's better than this morning, but not as good as I'd like.  I'll have to keep an eye on it, and see if I can get it down more.

UGH! This is so frustrating!

After being 118 before lunch and 113 before dinner yesterday, my blood is back up to 145 this morning!


What am I doing wrong?


Maybe I'll try drinking Glucerna shakes as snacks a couple of hours after meals, and see if that makes a difference.


I took two extra units of Novolog this morning too.


Hopefully that will help, like it did yesterday.

That's much better

I just checked my blood sugar before lunch and it's down to 118.


That's much more like it.


I guess the extra insulin I took before breakfast worked.


That's a relief.

Hmmmm....

Last night and this morning my blood sugar was in the 140's.


This is a lot higher than it has been for the past week.


I gave myself a little extra insulin before breakfast.


Hopefully that will help.


I'll let you know when I take my reading before lunch.

So much to report, so little time

These past few weeks have been a bit of an adventure.  January 29th saw my husband Jimmy having knee replacement surgery.  February 11th through the 16th saw me in the hospital fighting a urinary tract infection and a diabetic episode (my blood sugar was over 600!).


I will at some point, write a detailed blog about what happened, but for now, I will just say that thanks to insulin, my blood sugar is under control (112 this morning).


That is something I never want to go through again.