Blah
I don’t have any photos to share in this entry. I haven’t been feeling very well over the last few weeks (off and on).
The doctor called with the results of my Glucose Tolerance Test and I’m pre-diabetic. I suspected these results as I’ve had some symptoms over the past 6 months which have concerned me.
My father had type 2 diabetes which he was able to manage by diet and exercise, and when I told the doctor that I’ve had certain symptoms recently, and there was a family history, he ordered the tests.
The good thing is that pre-diabetes does not have to lead to diabetes. With adequate exercise, weight loss, and wise food choices, it can be reversed. I started eating healthy (and cutting calories) three days ago, but I haven’t been feeling well enough to jump into an exercise program yet.
I don’t know what has been making me feel so terrible, and sinus headaches and nausea are no fun at all. I spent all day yesterday in bed with a painful headache and upset stomach. Steve was on night shift, and I think I fell asleep at 7pm and slept on and off until 10am this morning. He’s off for the next couple of days, so I’ll be getting the TLC, he’s so good at giving.
Next week, I am scheduled for a stress test. This is because I’ve been having heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and infrequently some chest pain when I overexert. I have asthma, so this could be behind it. I had an EKG and it was normal, but I wasn’t doing anything strenuous, so they’re going to monitor me on a treadmill. I don’t get any chest pains when I’m in dance class, even though I work hard for that 1.5 hours. The doctor said that’s a good sign.
All of this could be hormonal (the joys of being a middle-aged woman), but better to be safe than sorry. In the meantime, I’m learning all I can about healthier cooking, even though I hate to cook. I need to make changes in the way Steve and I eat, and you really can’t eat healthy unless you prepare food from scratch. Pre-packaged and pre-processed foods (for the most part) are not the best choices if you want to be healthy.
Steve is borderline hypertensive, and has high cholesterol - and we both need to take off the weight we’ve gained since moving to Alaska. There are a good amount of people here with extra padding, so I’m going to blame the cold winter. We need the insulation! OK… maybe not as much as we currently have.
I found this article (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9048817/) that ranks the states in the US by the percentage of overweight population, and more then 25% of AK is overweight. Alaska’s not alone with our percentage of overweight folks. Where does your home state rank?
Anyway… that’s what’s going on with me, health wise. I’m glad that Steve is on the same wavelength I am in regards to healthier eating. It will make things much easier if he’s not pigging out on junk food and taunting me with the things I shouldn’t eat. Doing this together will be beneficial for both of us.
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NOVEMBER GRATITUDE
November 11th - Remembering our Veterans: Today I am grateful for those who have served, and are serving, in our armed forces. In my thoughts this Veterans Days are those in my family who served: my dad (Air Force - Korea), Steve (Army - Gulf War and OIF), and Brandon and Becky (Marines - OIF)
May you find a quiet moment this Veteran’s day to reflect on our many blessings…
…freedom, family, friendship, liberty and love…
…and remember those who sacrificed for the peace and security of all.
November 12th: Today I am thankful for modern conveniences and amenities. Indoor plumbing is a big plus, especially living in a place where some folks still use, and will always use, outhouses. Being able to walk barefoot from the bedroom to the bathroom, rather than pulling on a coat and boots is one modern convenience I wouldn’t want to live without.
Being able to take a shower in my own home, rather than driving to a nearby laundromat or shower house, is a real luxury when I remember some local friends who don’t have a shower in their home.
Being able to turn a knob and warm up an oven for cooking, is another modern convenience I am thankful for. I don’t have to chop wood and feed a fire, or a wood stove, in order to prepare meals. The microwave is another modern convenience that I would find it hard to live without.
Having an energy efficient home, with a hard working furnace, can be costly, but it’s a luxury too. I’ve become spoiled by only having to adjust a thermostat, rather than spending hours in my yard chopping wood to feed a wood stove to heat my home. There are people who live here, who do this on a regular basis - and some of those folks are in their 60s and 70s and even older. Hardy folks, indeed! I admire them for their strength and stamina.
I am thankful for electricity, and lighting, especially as winter darkness descends. While candlelight or kerosene lamps might sound romantic, I don’t think they would be bright enough to stave off my winter blues.
Modern conveniences are truly luxuries. If we were to lose our electricity, we’d have no lights, no running water (our well pump would cease), no heat, and nothing to cook on.
Those who live without are the smart ones. They would survive if the power went out. I guess I’m not as strong as they are. I really love my luxuries.
November 13th: Today I am thankful for fabulous friends, who are extremely knowledgeable about so many things, and a huge encouragement to me as I learn to make healthy changes and choices in my life. (I wrote this down, after talking to some good friends about my recent blood work and starting a healthier eating program. They referred me to excellent websites with info about the Glycemic Index, healthy cooking for a picky eater, and more.)
November 14th: Today I am grateful for my sons, especially when they call me just to chat.
A lot of times, when the kids are grown and out on their own, parents find themselves as the initiator of phone calls, emails, text messages, etc - especially if the kids don’t live in the same geographic area - or time zone.
That’s how it is most of the time for me and my sons, so when one of them calls me first, it’s always a joy. (As long as they’re not calling for money! LOL) Today, Brandon called me just to chat. We spent about 45 minutes on the phone, and at times on our respective computers, exchanging YouTube video links, and talking about movies, his schooling, music, and so on. It was really a lot of fun and his phone call made my day.
I also love that Chris called me recently to tell me about an online site where he has uploaded almost every single music CD in his vast collection. He’s given me my own login and password so I can go there and download tunes. Chris loves all kinds of music, and I can often find a lot of the classic rock and hair band music I listened to when I was younger. He also has some rather obscure music that I get the opportunity to check it out and download if I want.
I wish they lived closer so I could be a part of their everyday lives, but I’m also very grateful that they still take the time to call, email, and text me. Sometimes it’s just to say I love you, but I don’t need anything more than that.
November 15th: Today I am thankful for a husband who gives the best face massages to relieve sinus pressure and ease my headache. I wish I had more to be grateful for, but I don’t feel very well. I’m thankful he’s here to give me TLC, even if he has to go to work in a few hours. (I felt really lousy yesterday)
November 16th: Today I am thankful for sunshine on cold winter days, tree branches that sparkle in the light, wildlife footprints in my yard, the birds coming to my feeders, and a steaming mug of hot cocoa.
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I spent the weekend socializing with friends, and had a wonderful time. Steve was working night shift, and I was glad for the opportunity to get out of the house for a few hours, rather than sitting home feeling lonely. On Friday night, I met a couple of friends at Badger Den. We shared some laughs, had a couple of drinks, and then cautiously made our way home in -18F cold.
The inside of my car windows were frosted over, and I only had a small opening to see out of. Thank goodness I live close by, or I would have spent a long time in that parking lot while my car warmed up to melt the frost!
On Saturday night, I met the same group, along with additional Alaska Living members at Ivory Jacks. We met for dinner, and then stayed to watch Hobo Jim perform. It was an entertaining performance and the crowd sang along with many of the songs. I had a really good time.
Here’s a photo that the waitress took of some of us. The rest of the group had already gone home by the time we thought to get a photo!
In the photo above L to R: Gip and Carmen, Jim and Morgan standing behind me, and Lori.
We also met Denise for the first time. Denise arrived in Alaska in August, and emailed me several years ago to ask me some questions about living in Alaska. I responded, but didn’t hear back from her (they were planning their move and it took them a couple of years to get things squared away). She found my original response in her email inbox and wrote to let me know that she, her husband, her son, and eight Siberian Huskies(!) made it. They came to AK from FL too (Orlando area).
After receiving her email, I sent her the link to the Alaska Living Group, and she joined us for our meetup. I hope we didn’t scare her too much, with our extreme exuberance and loud voices and laughter. She seemed to hold her own quite well, and we look forward to having her at future get-togethers.
I’m sure Denise will have plenty of tales to tell about her first winter in AK, as she and her family are living in a waterless cabin. I do believe she’s unpacked the camp potty, rather than running to the outhouse in -25F. When she swaps her thin FL blood for thick AK blood, the run to the outhouse won’t be so painful.
Until next time…
Susan,
Sorry to hear that you haven’t been feeling well. Here’s hoping everything goes well and you are 100% soon. Well wishes and prayers should have you back to yourself in no time as you are very important to so many of us. I just wonder how many people have you on their gratitude list. I know I do.
Best wishes always,
Charlene
By the way, Tennessee doesn’t score well on the “fat list”. I guess it is that good old southern cooking and the Coca Cola plant.
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Thank you for the well health wishes, Charlene. I’m slowly but surely learning how to eat better and I’m trying to make good changes in my life. It’s amazing how much extra care goes into life when you’re older.
I can certainly see how that good old southern cooking would put Tennessee on the fat list. I miss some of that awesome food we used to enjoy when we lived in GA and NC.
Take care,
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Charlene — November 16, 2009 @ 3:42 pm
Hope all the rest of your tests come back good. Getting old suck.:-P I’m not your age yet, and I swear my body has totally revolted since my last baby. LOL
I’ve heard our state is um #1 on the fat list, not sure if we still are…and I can guarantee you it wasn’t because of my family! LOL My toddler is the only one remotely “big” for his age and I’m sure he’ll out grow it like my others have. Hubby weighs the same as he did when we got married surprisingly enough.
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 11:34 am
You’re lucky that your family is trim and doesn’t have to worry about weight. I’ve struggled with my weight my entire life, and it gets so much harder when you’re older!
I’m glad I had the blood work done now so I can make the necessary changes to get healthier before things are irreversible.
Be well!
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Tracy — November 16, 2009 @ 7:36 pm
Susan - I feel you about the middle age “what is happening to my health?” period, I too turn 50 in a couple of months. I learned that I had Type 2 diabetics 2 years ago, but with excercise and one low dose pill I have it well managed. My feet are starting to hurt when I run, especially hills and my cholestral level is high. It seems I was boasting a couple of years ago that I don’t take any pills - now with my health changes (not just diabetics but some mental health issues) I take a handful of colorful pills! Ugh!! I now have to really work on eating healthy - that is hard for me.
Hope you feel better soon!
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 11:36 am
It sure isn’t fun to get old and find out all these things about our health, but it’s good we can at least make some good changes to impact our health before things get too far out of hand.
Eating healthy is hard for me too, because I am so picky and the foods I like to eat are the ones that aren’t the best for me.
I’m glad you’re managing your diabetes. Getting old stinks!
Hugs,
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by LIz — November 17, 2009 @ 4:52 am
Susan Please get better You and Steve have a really
great trip coming up next month to Vegas From experience You can not enjoy yourself when you are not doing too well Susan How do I want to put it I am
really sorry that you are a Diabetic I know a lot of people that does have diabetes My sister and brother-in-law both has it Medication 2 times a day Sugar blood cound every morning (with the needle)to draw
blood I’m sure you know what I’m talking about
Please Susan Get Better Take care of your self
From both Shirley and my thoughts and Prayers are with
you and Steve Also Our Love too John and Shirley
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
November 17th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Hi John and Shirley. Fortunately I don’t have full-fledged diabetes. I am ‘pre-diabetic’ which means if I don’t change my eating habits and exercise more (and take off some weight), I could develop type II diabetes - which my dad had. It’s best to be diagnosed with this BEFORE you become diabetic, as it can be reversed if caught early enough. That’s my goal!
I don’t want to have to test my blood sugar each day or take shots, because I am not a big fan of needles, and I hate having my finger pricked. I know there are less painful ways of doing it nowadays, but I’m going to do my best to prevent it from manisfesting! It won’t be easy, but I have to do it. I have no choice!
Thank you for your care and concern - and love!
Love you both,
Susan
[Reply]
John&Shirley Strauser Reply:
November 19th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Susan I must have Type 1 of Diabetes I only have to take 1 pill a day and only stick my finger just 2 to 3
times a week After 1 month I go back to be checked over again to see what my blood sugar count is As long as I leave the heavy sweets a lone Get my rest
as needed As long as I do what I’m suppose to do and don’t do what I’m not suppose to do I’ll come out of this Okay I guess I can Pray real hard
PLease take care Also stay warm from what I have read
about the weather is up there
Love to you both John and Shirley
[Reply]
Comment by John&Shirley Strauser — November 17, 2009 @ 11:53 am
Hi - I just started having all of the same problems myself and I am the same age as you. I’ll bet there are a lot of us in this position.
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Hi Laura,
I suppose I should be thankful that the doctor was willing to do the blood work for me, so that I could find all of this out now, before it gets worse. I’m trying so hard to change my diet and eat more healthy, but I’m so picky (and I hate to cook!) so it’s going to be a lot of hard work.
Good luck to you and your health!
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Laura Mowry — November 17, 2009 @ 12:44 pm
Hi Susan!
So glad you were able to catch the pre-diabetes early! I recently had a lot of blood work done after finding out my 37 yr. old sister is in full blown menopause! (I am 35) Anyway, they thought she may have a pituitary tumor so they did an MRI and said yes she does, but then did another MRI with a stronger machine and found out she has no tumor at all!
My blood tests were fine, except my FSH level was high and I have high cholestrol. I don’t eat fast food so I was kind of surprised to hear it was high, but it does run in my family. I have changed my diet also to eating less red meat, I have always eaten lots of fruit and vegetables though. I am now trying to do the ‘Mediterranean Diet’. I also had an MRI done after my sister had the first one and my results were normal.
It is great that Steve is so supportive and a great TLC giver. Hope you are feeling better soon!
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Hi Heidi,
I’m surprised that you have high cholesterol without eating bad foods. I’ve never had an issue with cholesterol and I’ve eaten less healthy foods than Steve - and he DOES have an issue with high cholesterol! I suppose the way our body metabolizes what goes into it makes some people susceptible. *shrugs* I’m just glad I found out all of this stuff early enough to try to make changes. It’s not going to be easy, but I’m going to do what I can.
I have a stress test on Monday. I’m not looking forward to that, as I have exercise induced asthma and I’m worried I won’t be able to breathe!
Take care!
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Heidi (Las Vegas, NV.) — November 20, 2009 @ 7:28 am
Hi Susan,
I hope you are feeling much better now. I was diagnosed with Type 2 several years ago and have controlled it with one pill and diet. I found it easier than I expected to change from those great PA Dutch menus to grilled or broiled or baked fish and chicken. I’ve never much liked green salads, but have discovered ways to make them interesting and delicious and I’ve found that low-fat and fat-free stuff isn’t all that bad if you snazz it up with some spices and herbs. It seemed really daunting at first, but is almost automatic now. Now, if I could just make the exercise part that easy . . .
Linda
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:03 am
Hi Linda, and thanks for commenting. Steve just had blood work and his also came back as borderline pre-diabetic, so therefore we BOTH have to change our eating habits. This is good, because if he didn’t have any problems, it would be very hard for me to make changes. The exercise part is the hardest part for me. I am so unmotivated in winter!
I’m not a big fan of greens, but I do like a good romaine salad from time to time. It’s just so hard to get fresh produce up here - especially in the winter months. And if I don’t eat the salad when I’m craving it, I generally won’t make one just because there’s lettuce in the fridge.
Last night we baked chicken in the oven, rather than pan frying it. It was good, and it’s a start. I’ve been researching recipes to find things that not only are good for us (and which I’ll eat) but which are easy to prepare too. I was amazed at how many great websites there are that can help with planning menus and food choices.
Ah, the joys of getting old! NOT!
Take care,
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Linda — November 21, 2009 @ 10:19 am