Thanks for sharing your experiences . . .

[Guest]

Hi Mo, was just thinking about you so thought I would swing by and send you some love M xx

[Justamo]

Hello folks. A goodish day, a visit to the GP this morning who continued the antibiotics that the emergency doctor started on Saturday, and then a little jaunt round town, looking at shops (not my sort of thing at all, but a lovely day and good to be out) and bumping into people we knew. Almost without exception everybody said how well Peter looked. This morning he was 10st ! The awful yellow complexion has faded and despite all the dramas at the weekend he does look a lot better than he did.

It was good for him to see people other than medics or me for a change, and the morning passed very quickly. After lunch he said he was going to watch TV, so I went off to the gym for a swim, and when I got home again he had chopped down a small but invasive lilac tree in the garden. (I had mentioned that I would Have To Get a Man In To See To It). He had enough sense to 'eat some carbs' as he put it, and his blood was fine when he checked it. He felt really well and busy and happy and it was a joy to see.

On 15th September he looked absolutely dreadful, waiting in hospital for an operation that didn't happen, and today he was as happy as Larry (Who was Larry, anyway ?) mucking about with secateurs and wanting to prune things. Pruning Things is normally a Forbidden Activity because he doesn't know when to stop but today he could have razed the entire garden to the ground if he'd wanted to. Well, perhaps not.

What highs and lows there are with PC. At least this forum has taught me to embrace the 'highs' because, although the lows will surely come, the more highs you can remember the better. Bittersweet perhaps, but true.

I hope everyone's days went well, thanks Marmalade for 'dropping by'. Can't wait to hear about the holiday plans.

Love, Mo

[Guest]

Fantastic! So very happy you had a lovely day.

M xx

[Justamo]

A really lovely ordinary day yesterday; Peter felt well, I got to my aquarobics class for the first time in ages, dentist in the afternoon and My Patient was Home Alone and coping beautifully.

He's gone out with a friend today, complete with his 'hypo kit' in a lunch bag, and his supply of insulin for lunchtime. The weather is gorgeous, bright and clear.

I am redundant, and it's a wonderful feeling. I can't believe that Peter only learned about diabetes on 15th September and is now, just a few weeks later, dealing with it. He feels grown up and in control and that's so good for his confidence. Even his blood sugar was OK-ish yesterday, probably because we did more tidying in the garden.

So, for today, everything is good and I'll enjoy it. I don't mean to sound smug when so many of you are struggling with grief and having a bad time, but if you're given a good day you should enjoy it. There might not be too many of them in the future.

And if we hadn't had so many truly awful days recently, a normal day wouldn't feel like cause for celebration. Think I'll take myself out, but perhaps it would be prudent to leave the Visa card at home - too easy to buy expensive nonsenses on a day like this !

Please all have the best day you can.

Love

Mo

Edited October 6, 2016 by Justamo

[WifeampMum]

I couldn't agree more Mo, I also try my best to enjoy the here and now, the ordinary, the little things in life. These have become much more precious since hubby's diagnosis. Enjoy your day!

W&M xx

[Guest]

Brilliant! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

It's been lovely here too but I am a bit ashamed I haven't cut the grass today or done anything much outside apart from a bit of sweeping up.

Enjoy your evening both of you M xx

[Veema]

And I've been on the phone or the computer all day!

You enjoy your good days...I hope you have many, many more.

Vx

[Dandygal76]

Mo, I am disappointed in you! You must go forth with the credit card and treat yourself.. it is all in support of the economy since Brexit you know. The VAT will also go back into the NHS and then help your beloved man and so it is a win-win and then as an aside you may get a nice handbag or something out of all that helpfulness.

I am glad you had a good day yesterday and long may it continue. Dad also finds some form of physical exercise does help with blood sugar levels. xxx

[Proud Wife]

I am so pleased to read you do W&M - lI think we should all live for the day - none of us know what's around the corner.

Hope Patient, Boris and our lovely justamo all doing well. xx

[Justamo]

I'm here, really, just catching up with the posts I've missed over the past couple days while I've been doing extra-curricular activities.

DandyGal, you're an absolute disgrace and a very bad influence as my Nanny would have said. First you entice me to strong drink (see page 1 of my posts) and now you demand that I spend plastic money. Next you'll be making me spend plastic money on strong drink, and then we shall all go to hell in a handcart. Hic. Cheers !

The occupational therapy that I devised for My Patient involved driving lots of miles in glorious weather using his car (but I was driving) and then getting mightily thumped up the back at a roundabout. To round things off nicely Peter then slammed the boot lid down on my hand. I whizzed it out of the way (my hand, not the boot lid) but managed to collect some nasty bruises in the process. I had enough presence of mind to remove my wedding ring before it became embedded in my finger and all the while I had to listen to the clot who had driven into us telling me that there was no need to be 'unpleasant' about it.

So, the sore hand is going to get the night off and I'll catch up with all the news tomorrow. And bring you up to date with mine in mind-numbing detail.

I wonder if strong drink works for bruised hands ?

M xx

[Dandygal76]

Mo, I find strong drinks works for most things. Be careful and stay strong. xx

Edited October 9, 2016 by Dandygal76

[Justamo]

We wouldn't dare. You might check up on us . . .

[sandraW]

Justamo,

I for one realise that Boris is not a pussycat, but as for being the most beautiful cat in the world not sure I can give you that one!

Oscar our last cat loved Trevor more than me, probably as when we rescued him, he was long haired and all matted, so slowly over a couple of weeks I had to cut out all the matts and groom him, and he never really forgave me.

I would do while Trevor was away if he needed a cuddle, but as soon as Trevor was back that was me sidelined. When Trevor was feeling unwell after chemo and on the sofa wrapped in his blanket, Oscar would sleep with him usually on his lap. When we got our Shihtzu Missy about a year before Trevor died, Oscar was not impressed! he was used to sharing his life with our previous dog Daisy but a puppy, how dare we! He soon put her in her place though and chose most of the time to just ignore her existence, but when it came to napping on Trevor he just moved up and used to lay on Trevor's chest/shoulder, or draped round his neck, while Missy laid on his knee or legs.

I had to have Oskydosk as we called him put to sleep the July after Trevor died, I bawled and bawled my eyes out at the vets I just couldn't stop, it was rather a long drawn out scenario as his kidneys were failing, and they anesthetic wouldn't work, so I had/wanted to sit with him while he went to sleep before they could give him the drug to euthanize him, I just sobbed and sobbed I cried more then, than when Trevor had died, luckily I knew the vet well so he understood and was really lovely, he even offered to drive me home. So I do understand that your Boris is certainly,not a just pussy cat, he is yours and Peter's, but at the moment he is your comfort, and someone, cause he is like a person, to be there when you need him., take care love sandrax xx

[Justamo]

Of course, pets are family members, especially for those of us who don't really have any family. I remember when my Dad died I coped with everything in a very stoic fashion but two weeks later one of my cats had a heart attack and died right in front of me.

So I wept all the tears I hadn't shed for my Dad. I even acknowledged that I felt like an orphan - at the age of 40+ ! All the stoicism vanished and I sobbed and howled but I wasn't really crying about my cat, I was crying for my Dad and for the way my life was changing. Everything seemed out of control.

These posts sound like the agony column of a Cats Magazine but I am fully aware that I've landed on Planet PC for the duration. I am desperately hanging on to the things I know and love because I am not blind to the fact that the old order will change and I will have to get on with it.

We've had two really good days recently, I'll write about them later on but just at the moment I'm waiting for Peter's car to be taken away and repaired. I may have mentioned than the end of an idyllic day was spoiled by a hefty thump up the back at a roundabout. The guilty party admitted liability immediately, but phoned me later to say that she wasn't sure that it really was her fault . . . . . She's recanted now, and repairs will be underway and a hire car supplied sometime today.

So for non-pet owners out there who think wittering on about cats is trivialising this awful situation, we're not that vapid and silly really - it's just family, that's all.

Love, Mo

[Justamo]

Friday was a good day, apart from having the back of the car rearranged. That's the third time I've mentioned it (It's Peter's only topic of conversation - his car is A Shrine) so I'll shut up about it now.

Glorious weather, so we played hookey and drove for miles across beautiful countryside and ended up in a smug little fishing/ferry village which has got a tad too big for its boots since the Guardian discovered it. The sea was stunning, the little strand was stuffed with restaurant 'experiences' (I consider the price of a burger at £12 quite an experience too) and Peter enjoyed macaroni cheese, only it was called Mac 'n' Cheese and cost twice as much as anywhere else. The place was teeming with well-heeled visitors all busy being experts on the local flora, fauna, hoofa and squawker, and boring the backsides off each other on Country Matters. In contrast were the raincoated pensioners on coach tours, October being the last - and cheapest - tour of the year, covertly sussing out the shops for end of season bargains.

We tootled round the shops, got elbowed out of the way by the aforementioned pensioners, so started a nice leisurely journey home. Altogether a super day except for something that I won't mention at the last roundabout before home.

Saturday was lovely too; Peter did bits and pieces in the garden, I did bits and pieces everywhere else, his bloods were OK, we had nice meals, everything was relaxed - and then he didn't sleep a wink all night. If I don't sleep it doesn't bother me. I just make a cup of tea, put on the telly, watch some appalling drivel, buy something on Amazon (memo: must stop that habit) or read a book. If Peter can't sleep it's a National Emergency. He immediately wakes everybody in the vicinity up to tell them that he can't sleep and tosses and turns theatrically. It cuts no ice with me of course, I'm far too long in the tooth for that, but it did mean that Sunday was grim with him most definitely out of sorts. Tiredness makes him twitchy, and then he dwells on things. On Sunday we had action-replays of the thump-up-the-back all day long, or at least until 3pm when a very nice young lady called from the Other Driver's insurance company to say that they would take care of everything. Even that didn't help much and I think the not sleeping and fretting about the car are really just cover-ups for the situation in which we find ourselves.

Planet PC is weird. "It's life, Jim, but not as we know it". At the moment we're doing an elaborate dance around the subject of PC. I think things will improve this week because we will have the results of the endoscopy ultrasound which should tell us whether or not one of his adrenal glands has been affected. Peter occasionally mentions 'operation' but I keep my mouth shut because I'm against it. He says he is too, but the fact that he mentions it makes me think he hasn't really come to an informed decision yet. We'll see what this week brings.

The friend who takes Peter out sometimes has been diagnosed with cancer himself. Bob lost his son, and then his wife to this plague of cancers and now the poor chap has a growth behind his ear which needs attention so he is having CT scans and biopsies and appointments and prodding and poking - you know the routine.

I'm sounding a bit maudlin now so I'll go and play with my cat. He is in a monumental sulk at the moment. I don't know why, but it will be some imagined slight, and a couple of Dreamies and a game with his mouse will soon put things right again.

Night folks, I'm going to take an early night - I've spent the whole day working quite hard but achieving absolutely nothing. Zilch. Zero. Nada. Nil.

Love, Mo

[Dandygal76]

Hey mo... we all have days like that where nothing seems to get done. Sometimes I feel like I never stop but achieve nothing.

All the cancer stuff does seem to come at once as well. Sorry about your friend being diagnosed as well. I bet their sessions out are full of right old cheer at the moment. No wonder the cat is sulking in amongst all of this.

What day do you get the endoscopy results. Perhaps once these are through it will be easier to have frank conversation. It must be hard because actually you are all waiting as much as anyone at the moment to affirm the route you will taking.

I hope Peter got some better sleep and gave you some peace. So much more I wanted to write but my finger is now killing... apparently I do not type on these phones effectively and should be using my thumbs.. according to the teenager in the house that knows everthing about everything. Xxx

[Justamo]

Peter is grounded. The good news is that he spent the morning at the golf club. The bad news is that he didn't have enough sense to eat anything, so came home (late) for lunch with very low blood sugar. He's got emergency rich tea biscuits, and the golf club sells a range of snacks, but he did it his way.

If you had told me three months ago that I would be talking about Emergency Rich Tea Biscuits I would have thought you had been at the cooking sherry.

I washed my car this morning and left the hose out in case Peter wanted to clean his. And he did. And then he found another 30 energetic things to do so by five o'clock he was having a hypo. I have been trying not to fuss round him, and let him look after himself, but he just won't do it. It's like having an irresponsible teenager with attitude. I can't get too stroppy, but I'm only too aware of what could happen if he has a hypo alone, and perhaps in the car.

The most happy-making sight in the world right now is seeing Peter washing his car and whistling. The most terrifying sight is watching him weave an unsteady path back to the house, hose abandoned, trying to find the front door. It's almost like teaching a five year-old its road drill and then sending it out to a busy intersection to get on with it.

If I continue to nag he'll get fed up. If I don't nag he might end up unconscious. There must be a happy medium somewhere and I'm hunting for it. Of course, he's spent 84 and a half years being more or less normal, and only one month being diabetic, so perhaps I'm expecting too much too soon. Maybe I should ask his DN* to Have A Word.

Perhaps I'll just sleep on it and have a brainwave tomorrow.

Take care,

Love Mo.

*Diabetes Nurse. Please keep up at the back.

Edited October 13, 2016 by Justamo

[Proud Wife]

Hello Mo

Not a lot makes me laugh these days but you certainly do! You are so funny and how you can maintain a sense of humour during these terribly testing times is testament to your strength of character. My reference to Boris the puddycat btw was very affectionate and respectful, I would not dare offend him or put him into another strop! You are not wittering on at all, even though I don't own a pet, they are indeed a member of the family, whether they have feathers, fur or scales. Hopefully not all 3.

Just a word on the emergency rich tea, would Peter not find it easier to have some glucose tablets in his pocket? I bought some orange flavoured fizzy tasting ones from Tesco a while back and with my super sweet tooth (great when you have diabetes) I hope for a hypo so I can suck on a few!!

Hope the patient is doing well today, the nurse in command of all and Boris are doing okay. Dare I ask as to the condition of the car's bottom? Repairable I hope?

Much love funny (in a nice way) special lady xxx

[Guest]

Darling Mo,

What a tonic you are for us and what a dance your man is leading you! He is very naughty but I suspect that is one of the things that attracted you to him in the first place. I doubt you would be happy with a yes man.

I think they are all rebellious and why not? They could sit in a chair and bemoan their predicament or just do whatever they like whenever they like and if they can't do it now when can they? It's not much fun for the carer but you can see the rationale that says well what is the worst that can happen? I do understand about the car and you may have to have a chat about that because it's not just him at risk…

Keep smiling Mo and allowing us to share your adventures. We know that underneath it is scary as hell but you are doing a grand job. Take a breath, listen to the lovely sound of him whistling and get some rest when you can.

I wish you an enjoyable evening and a restful night, big hugs, M xx

[Proud Wife]

Thanks M, I had forgotten to mention about the driving too. My Endocrinologist has told me your blood glucose must be at least 5 to drive. That's easy to remember if you chant a few times, 5 to drive, 5 to drive. Peter should really test his blood before he gets behind the wheel as he is susceptible to hypos. If he doesn't and heaven forbid he has a hypo whilst driving and an accident occurs, I fear the insurance company may well refuse to pay out. I keep a spare monitor in the dash board just in case.

Actually whilst typing this, I've just remember we had to seek confirmation from our GP that hubby was fit to drive and send it to the DVLA in light of the medication he was taking (not age or diabetes). Is Peter on insulin - apologies if you've already mentioned but my brain is like a sieve but if he is, that alone needs to be reported to the DVLA I think.

Sorry to be the bearer of such gloom and doom

[Justamo]

Thanks PW, I've reminded him several times to do the DVLA thing and to tell his insurance company. I even pointed out that if the Silly Cow who hit us up the back had challenged us we would have had to go through his own insurance and any claim would have been rejected. This advice is received in stony silence and then becomes the subject of a one-way argument. (I refuse to join in and there's only so long that you can argue with yourself).

I won't let him drive my car until this situation is resolved to my satisfaction; there's not much I can do about him driving his own car without a real confrontation and I don't want to rock his boat at the moment. A mild rock of his boat could turn into a tsunami if he has an accident and he'll have to face up to it sooner or later. He's got a smart bag with meter and hypo kit but leaves it behind. Deliberately ? I'm not too sure.

We had a letter from his surgeon today with an appointment for the end of the month, so we'll see his GP on Monday to see if he knows what the biopsy and endoscopy ultrasound results are. He's feeling a bit touchy in consequence, so I'll not raise the driving thing again until tomorrow. I might even ask his DN to be the bad cop and speak to him about it.

It's not a subject that can be postponed much longer and I will have to address it by the weekend. His licence has to be renewed every three years because of his age so it's not going to be a major disruption, just an extra but of reporting to do.

Bloody PC. Grrrrr.

Love, Mo

[Justamo]

I would like to share with you that it is stupid o'clock in the morning and My Patient has just woken us all (Boris and me) up by singing loudly because, quote, "I thought it would bring me a cup of tea" unquote.

It brought the tea OK. He's lucky he's drinking it and not wearing it.

[Justamo]

You know, it's just come to me. Peter is handling diabetes like a small boy who goes to school for the first time and is then astonished when he has to go back again tomorrow.

He'll pander to my silly little whims about bloods and meters and needles, but hasn't accepted that it's for ever and ever, amen. If he wakes up feeling 'good' then his diabetes routine fades into the background and ceases to be important. So I'll have to rain on his parade every single day.

Despite the ups and downs of our lives at present I'm so thankful that he isn't a Career Patient determined to get every possible illness and wallow in every obscure symptom. I've known somebody like that and they were a pain in the derrière.

So I'll continue to nag and cajole my reluctant pin cushion into looking after himself. And when he won't I'll continue to do it for him. We are still only in the honeymoon stage of PC and no doubt I'll be wishing these days back again in a few month's time.

Enjoy your day, I've got an appointment with the washing machine and a date with the dentist.

Love, Mo

PS: Proud Wife, I did buy some dextrose sweets (recommended by the pharmacist) to dot about in strategic spots all around our lives - cars, my handbag, in the hallway, on bedside tables, but realised that they were being treated like packets of Polo mints and were disappearing at a rate of knots and explained some of the swooping blood sugar results. Hence the Emergency Rich Tea Biscuits which are actually Belvita Breakfast Biscuits and are meant for when he takes some unexpected exercise. He also has bottles of sugary pop dotted about too. The Emergency biscuits might just as well be potted geraniums for all the good they are doing but I will persevere . . .

PPS - sorry, Proud Wife, you asked about the car and Boris's bottom. Or it might have been the car's bottom. Both are fine. The car is going in for major surgery once they gave got all the parts, and Boris is purring as I type because he thinks that I don't know that he's been fed.

[Justamo]

I gave Peter and Boris a short talk entitled 'The DVLA and Their Rules', backed up by a very firm e-mail from our DN* along the lines of '.....DVLA Rules are not an optional extra, they are THE LAW'. I also proffered the despised little executive black lunch bag containing everything necessary for a well-equipped diabetic's survival. It was returned to me along with two short words.

So now I am being held personally responsible for the rule which prevents hypo drivers from careering along motorways at 90mph and being incapable of controlling their vehicles. Brexit is probably my fault, as is the weather and the fact that Scotland continue to fail spectacularly when playing international football.

Boris, however, thinks I am wonderful, so at least one of the men in my life still loves me. The other one will just have to deal with it I'm afraid.

Now I know how Craig Revel-Horwood feels every Saturday night.

Take care everybody,

Love, Mo

*DN = Diabetes Nurse. Please keep UP.

[Guest]

Oh dear, hope you don't take it to heart. It must be a bit of a blow for him on top of everything else, and for you of course. Chin up Mo xx