20181117 – Saturday – Victor Harbor

20181117 – Saturday – Victor Harbor.

It is Saturday and I am going to Victor Harbor.  It is a beautiful Sunny day, and everything is a delight!

But I have found something rather interesting under the heading of “changes in my behaviour,” each day.

I used to do things very rapidly. When I was dressing or getting ready to go out, I would put on some garments and intersperse that activity with bits and pieces of housework which I would intermingle with the “dressing” to get everything done quickly. 

Why? Because I can’t bear the trivia, and simply want to “get on the road” as fast as possible.

 Since I have entered the “disabled” class, I hate the fact that I can’t do this any more, that I can’t wiz through my tasks in double quick time.

When I used to travel in my trailer I might make up my mind to “go somewhere,” and right away, I would chuck a few bits of clothing in a bag, a pillow, grab for a fresh pillow slip, search for my shoes, Oh and what about a toothbrush.

Then I would congratulate myself if I managed to get ready for a trip in 15 minutes or so.

But now, when I plan to go away, like today, going to Victor Harbour to meet up with the Gore family, and my friend Darren, everything has changed. 

The changes, because of my “disability” would depress me, because I could no longer do things quickly. 

So I have changed my response and my behaviour.

I start at the couch which I am afraid I litter with cast off clothing every day, until crunch time comes and I must put things away.

I pick up all the clothes that lie discarded there and put them on the seat of my walker and go across to my bed, sit on it, because I can’t stand for long.

Then one by one I hang things up, rather laboriously.

When that is done, I start on my bed. Walk with the walker to one site and pull up the duna and straighten it out on the one side and then with my walker go around to the other side, sit n the seat there and carefully hang up all my discarded clothes in the wardrobe.

My wardrobe is rather special. Peter Roberts made it for me and it takes up one complete wall, but it has no doors on so I can see everything easily and know where  all my clothes are.

Then I go to my desk and gather together all the equipment I am going to need for my trip away. My iPhone and my ipad, my chargers and cords.

I put them in my bag and put the bag on top of the freezer, where I will see it when I want to pack my car.

It is so easy for me to forget something these days.

Then I go to my desk, and find all my diabetes equipment, my measuring implements and my Lantus and Novarapid. That goes in a small esky and on top of the freezer with my bag.

Boiled eggs go in other small esky. I have to take my own feed to Victor with me.

Then to clean up the kitchen, do the dishes, sort out the food, and while I’m there, I eat 1 boiled egg which is all I feel like eating this morning.

Then gather together my toothpaste, toothbrush, Shampoo and sorbeline and such. 

Put some coconut oil on my hair to TRY to stop if from springing upwards and outwards from my head, as it does.

Then out to my car to bring in all the stuff I don’t need and place it in appropriate spots on the verandah where I can find them when I get home.

Then take everything off the freezer, walker load by walker load and put it in the car.

My mental list has everything crossed off and all boxes ticked, and it is off the the garage to fill up with petrol.

My card is declined. Bother! So pay for petrol with card for petrol and then go out to car to transfer some $$ into my utilities card. Go back and pay for the bottles of water and car clean.

Get into car and drive into carwash, and that leaves only one job still not completed. The Grocery shopping.

Grocery shopping is so easy these days. Avocados tomatoes, cucumber, spinach and mushrooms, which have become my staple diet.

Then it is into my car and on my way. GPS has been ordered to take myself to my destination.

Then put one of my Bible disks into my player and I am ready. Readings on that disk are Genesis to Judges.

I have been playing these CDs every day of my life since 1989 when I left Jeff, 29 years now.

And that is why I have such a broad understanding of the Bible which has stood me in good stead in making sense of my life since then.

So my point out of all this is that I used to make myself miserable because of HOW LONG it took me to do anything now I am “disabled.”

And from feeling angry at the TIME it took me to do anything, I now don’t even think about the discomfort of that. I simply just DO what needs to be done, one thing at a time, until everything is done.

That is the only way I can keep my mind straight and be grateful and happy for such a beautiful day as today.

Darren was still messaging me by the time I was leaving. Was I brining food, what time I would be arriving, would I be ok while they were away traversing Granite Island.

I assured him I would find myself a cafe and do some work and be perfectly happy without his company for the day. 

And I would see him that night.

So where have I ended up?  At MacDonalds of course. I have eaten my boiled eggs and salad parked under a tree in Victor and then a COFFEE, large (with milk) but no sugar at Maccas.

Now I am sitting here and working away, and thoroughly enjoying myself.

When I have my iPad in front of me I am never lonely.

Oh and one other thing that was good about my day.

As I got into my car to drive off today, buckled up my seat belt and glanced down in front of me.

I could see my FEET.  My tummy has simply shrunk!! A lot!!

I realised that I felt as if I were young again, as if I were driving to the Parklands on a Saturday afternoon to an afternoon of tennis with the young people of the Adelaide ecclesia (some 62 years ago it would have been). 

I feel so good!

Thank you Darren for being “on my case,” I don’t know what I would do without you.

And so my “new way of life” happenings for yesterday

Darren: Noticed the sausage rolls did’t make it in to your form!

Noticed as well your insulin was right up 4 days ago after the fruit drinks incident.

At least the data is corresponding to what u r eating.

16.4 sugar level

10 units of Novarapid

10 units of Lantus

Hey! I’ve only just got home! NOW  I am going to write everything up!!!!

Breakfast which was at 9.45 am 

2 eggs, cucumber, spinach, avo, tomato.

Lunch which was at 1 pm was sausage out of the sausage rolls!!! curried eggs, tomato, lettuce, olives and meat (ham).

And one THIN slice of watermelon.

And this won’t appear in my form until tomorrow morning!!

So it should correspond.

You just enjoy bossing me round. I’m doing my best.

I’m just about to cook dinner and it will be all ‘kosher’ so I will have completed another GOOD day!

You should be pleased with me!!

And I’m not taking very much insulin.

Darren: You have been taking 50 units to 60 for the last few weeks.

Levels have been getting better in the morning but have been creeping back up to 15 and 16s in the afternoon.

Check your levels again in the next 30 mins I suggest.. If they are not down to around 10ish then u may need to take some more.

Darren sent me a photo and it read 

“This too shall pass. It might pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass!!”

Fay: Oh, thank u so much Darren! You are so kind!!

Darren: I was referring this to me, not you, Fay.

8.51 pm at 14.1 sugar level

10 units Lantus 10 units Novarapid.

See I have taken extra insulin to bring sugar levels down.

OK, forgiven.

Have just posted review of Ladies in Black. Did you read it?

Bed time 9.21.

12.13 am at 3.4 sugar level!!!!!

I took TOO MUCH insulin.

Now I am having a HYPO.

Got to find some sweet stuff to eat feather quickly now.

I ate 1/2 banana, 12 grapes.

Then I couldn’t stop so ate some nuts.

Have overpowering desire to eat more nuts, but I stopped myself and went back to bed.

Watched Netflix for a while

This will stuff me up for tomorrow and now my sugar levels will really spike if it goes like other hypos.

Will be interesting to see.

2.50 am at 9.9 sugar level

6.08 am at 13.3 sugar level

10 units of Novarapid

Wake u p at 6.08 am.

Saturday’s d17th November  2018.

Darren: How r y our sugar levels now?

https;//journal.crossfit.com/article/dull-cecil

Good article.

Fay: 13.3 sugar level at 8.34 am.

Darren: It would seem it did to sway too bad to the other direction.

AT 3.3 if you just had had a couple of grapes the u would have been in the normal range which is great.

Just don’t think you are used to being that low though. 

Fay: Yes, not too bad because I ate fruit not glucose – ie jelly beans that they tell you to take.

I feel ok as well, today, whereas before my whole day would have been a write off!

Any lower and I would be unconscious.

Remember that time that you found me after I had been 2 1/2 hours unconscious?

Darren: I found you somewhere? Or I rang u?

Fay: I had just woken up after being 2 1/2 hours unconscious.

I rang you but didn’t remember why I d rung you.

You came rushing around and found me in bed fully dressed for work, but my duna was soaked as if someone had tried the hose on me.

And I wasn’t coherent.

I had nothing sweet to eat in the fridge and all you could find was a couple of muffins and I ate those and eventually came to my senses.

Darren: Yeah, right. Was this back in Big Byte days?

Fay; Yes, Darren, when I lived around the corner from u – I had that 5 br house there, and we had an office set up in the side of the house.

In the big family room.

We have had a number of different offices over that time and different CDs working for us. Surely you remember?

Darren: Ahh. Long time ago.

Fay: It would have been in 2005 or 6 I reckon.

I had Judy G living with me and that weird girl a relative of Colin S.  You HAVE to remember that??

Darren: No idea, I do remember Judy G though.

Anyway, So u have felt fine today?

Fay: You were just a kid then, you would have been about 15-16 years old and ONLY interested in yourself!!

Darren: I think if you get to around 3 again then next time just 3-6 grapes should bring u back up to 4 or 5 which is normal range.

Fay: Yes, I am just about 29 leave for Victor.

Darren: And yes, still only think of myself and still just a kid!!

Weren’t you coming tonight?

We are walking around the island all today.

You are more than welcome but might find it difficult with your knees??

Fay: Yes, it would, but when u are hypo you have a great urge to eat and eat. Very hard to stop.

Darren: I can understand that. 

Well, good experience for next time.

Also , have u almost used up the grapes?

We are getting rid of those from the fruits n the house, remember?

Fay: Yes, I remember!

I will develop more self-control over time, I hope.

Darren; At least the memory is intact then.

What time do you plan on arriving?

Fay: 1 1/2 hours from now.

If you are not there I will find a cafe.

Darren: Everyone’s just starting to have breakfast.

Are you bringing up food for today?

I have only coordinated for diner at 7 tonight.

Fay: Yes I am completely ok.

You don’t hav to worry about me.

I have plenty of food for whole day. Dodn’t need u guys at all.

Just do whatever you are doing.

I will find a cafe to work in

I just need a bed for tonight.

Darren: OK great.

I just had a 45 minute nap on the couch.

Was so nice.

Don’t do that often.

Fay: I bed you don’t.

I thought of u all walking around Granite Island and remembered what that used to be like on such a beautiful day!

I reckon I will be able to do that NEXT year. 

I feel so good today!

Darren: I reckon u will too.

Fay: I feel like Hezekiah being given another 15 years to live.

And like Daniel who refused the kings meat and asked just for vegetables!!