20181120 – Tuesday – Swimming

 

20181120 – Tuesday – Swimming

I usually go swimming Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but this morning, on Tuesday, I went swimmig instead.

I also got there rather late about 9.15.  

I discovered that today is the day all the “Minda’s” were there. 

Minda is a term that was coined in my childhood days.

Minda is a tract of land at Brighton which was bought by the government to care for all the disabled young people who could not look after themselves and were too much for their family to handle.

The word became generalised to cover the many different kinds of disability that occurred among these unfortunate children.

However, nobody seems to have told these children that they are “unfortunate”. I have never seen a happier bunch of people anywhere.

Of course, they are no longer children. 

I recognise their faces AS children, but now many of them must be in their 60s and maybe even their 70s.

They were cared for by “carers” and were given work at Bedford Industires, which was set up to provide a sheltered workshop for these children to find employment and to earn their pocket money.

As I child myself, I often met up with them on trams and buses.

They would board with lots of laughter and hilarity and all troop down to find themselves seats at the back of the bus or train or tram.

They seemed the happiest of people.

They lived in their own world, their own community, and it was a community in the true sense of the word.

I think of Anna T who belongs to the Cumberland ecclesia. 

She was a “Downs Syndrome” baby, and she was adopted by every member of the Cumberland ecclesia and I am sure, never realised there was anything “different” about here.

It is the same with all the residents in the various “houses” around the property where they live.

I see them every day as they troop down to the cafe and buy their little treats and eat companionably with each other at the tables inside and out at the Cafe.

The motto of the cafe is that it is “Inclusive” and what that means is that we the non-disabled are the ones who are most likely to be the “outsiders” at the cafe and are permitted to share the facilities if we are kind and caring towards the disabled.

This means for me that I can eat my packed lunch at a table in full view and only buy a green tea at under $5. 

It means I have my “office” for as use as long as I like in the “minda’s” territory.

And here they were all today at the Aquatic Centre with their carers and they were having great fun.

Often they looked quite “normal” but when they got out of the water, I could see that they were both physically disabled and mentally disabled but somehow in the water it didn’t show.

The carers often gathered their charges into groups of three and four to they could talk to other carers.

Some were even good swimmers. There were two middle aged men who were twins and they could swim up and down the lanes with strong and effective strokes.

When one of the carers wanted one of the lane markers to be lifted up for his charge to go underneath, these two disabled men lifted the marker about two feet upwards in the air. They were very strong and so willing to be of help.

I thought of these  disabled children when they were born.

How their parents must have felt so shocked to find that their newborn was not “OK” and that they would have years of caring ahead of them.

They would have suffered such sorrow and grief while they were getting used to the idea of a disabled child.

And then how careless we can be with our “good health.” 

How, for instance, did I let my health deteriorate so badly.

Why didn’t I value it more.

God warns us. He tells us that our bodies are the temple of the Lord, and if you think of your body in that way, how foolish are we if we let it deteriorate in such an uncaring way.

Ah, I have to be almost 80 before I learn these lessons of life.

But I do appreciate my body now, and even in these, the latter years of my life, I will try to do better.

So that I can give Good service to God, and not half-hearted, tired and exhausted service to him in those days, of however long, that I CAN serve him.

And so my new way of living for Monday

 

Darren: Ok, all sounds good, just want to see you working out your insulin levels now to get between 4 & 7.

Fay: I will keep that in mind.

Have finished swimming 

11 am breakfast fish, avo, tomato, celery, nectarine.

The pool was filled with Minda’s this morning.

15.2 sugar level 

10 units Lantus

10 units Novarapid

Darren: Have u measured again within and hour to see how far it came down and if you needed more?

1.18 pm at 15.5 sugar level

10 units Novarapid

Darren: Can u measure again in 30?

Need to find out what number of units u need to get down to 7.

Fay: 10 units Lantus

OK.

11.0 sugar level.

Darren: Ok, so which was the quick release insulin?

Fay: Should I take any more insulin.

Novarapid.

Darren: I would try 10 more and do that test again in 30 minutes.

Fay: 10 Novarapid

3.18 pm at 6.8 sugar level.

Darren: Ok, that’s great. 

OK, so what’s the math here?

U were at 5 and to get to 7 it took 20 units of Novarapid?

Fay: I took 20 of Lantus and 30 of Novarapid.

Darren: OK, but Lazarus is slow releasing, so I am assuming the novarapid had the most effect

Fay: Now I have eaten piece of Salmon, tomato, avo and celery.

Darren: But the Lantus will hopefully now keep u low.

Fay:Yes

Darren: Keep monitoring and checking.

Fay: OK

Darren: This is the level we are now looking to maintain.

Hopefully over time with less and less insulin.

Fay: Yes, hopefully.

I have been in bed ad dreaming the whole afternoon.

Darren: OK that’s good.

How much insulin have you taken today?

Fay: I have a confession to make.

I woke up thinking about food but dimply longing not for protein, and fats and vegetables but Fruit.

Before I had properly woken up I had eaten a banana, a nectarine and a piece of salmon left over from lunch.

And it felt so good!

I felt like Aaron when he said “out jumped this calf”!!

You are going to be so angry with me.

Because my sugar level is so low (for me) I think my body was telling me “u need sweetness!”

10 units of Lantus and 30 units of Novarapid is what I have taken today.

R U speaking to me, Darren?

I told u the truth Darren.

Darren; lol, u and fruit!!

Fay: Ah, I am glad you r talking to me.

You get so disappointed in me.

Darren: Your body is, as you have said, not used to the lower levels, hence the reason why we now need to stat working getting your body and system used to and prepare for it.

Now, next time, though, you need to resist the sugar binge on fruit.

Have you measured your levels?

Fay: I will soon. 

7.07 pm at 9.1 sugar level

7.57 pm at 9.3 sugar level.

Coconut water, 2 eggs, avocado, mustard to flavour, and another cup of Coconut milk.

11. 00 pm at 17.4 sugar level

20 units Lantus

20 units Novarapid

I reckon it is the coconut water that caused the spike.

I had 2 small cups.

2.51 am at 9.7 sugar level

3.58 am at 8.7 sugar level

9.58 am at 8.9 sugar level

20 units of Lantus

20 of Novarapid.

Darren: Is that the same coconut water Jeff gave y you the other week?

If yes, then yes it will be as well as the fruit you ate.

https://longevitybox.net/82-year-old-woman-with-dementia-gets-her-memory-back-after-changing-her-diet-2/?fbclid=IwAR3h3pmQ0Ej1ilxb9hUITgzyBw8wYhykcs80t0upXR9cIe3Ra5XKmPxZ4io

Fay: 7.40 am at 6.00 sugar level

Darren, I read this article and noted the following:

“A change in diet, which was comprised of high amounts of blueberries and walnuts, has proven to have had a strong impact on Sylvia’s condition that her recipes are now being shared by the Alzheimer’s Society.

“Sylvia also began incorporating other health foods, including broccoli, kale, spinach, sunflower seeds, green tea, oats, sweet potatoes and even dark chocolate with a high percentage of cacoa. All of these foods are known to be beneficial for brain health.”

When can I eat these? Breakfast, lunch, dinner?

Obviously I can’t eat them all at breakfast?

I feel my diet needs to include these foods in lunch and dinner?

What is the reason for your insistence on only at Breakfast?

Weight is 96.4 kg

Darren: Note, berries was the only fruit mentioned. 

These are really low on sugar and high in anti-oxidants.

Hence the reason I keep telling you to eat belies, but you don’t listen to me.

The article mentioned nothing about this woman being diabetic or overweight, so her body will naturally be able to have more fruit than you.

Also, every other food hon there outside of the oats, is what i have been telling you to eat anyway.

Agree?

Fay: Yes, I did agree, but to have the variety of fruit you can’t eat them all at one meal. 

So if I could eat berries at one meal, and strawberries at another, and maybe a piece of apple at another meal and a slice of mango at another, that would please me very much.

And coconut water only 1/4 cup at a time.

I think it is about small quantities,but having variety in my meals.

Darren: the Coconut water you have has as much sugar as coke.

Unless you can get one that has 5 grams of sugar or less per 100 grams then absolutely NOT!!!

I don’t know how many times I can have the same conversation, u are diabetic and insulin resistant.

Until you can come off your insulin you have to keep sugars, including fruit, to an absolute minimum.

Fay: I ca’t just throw it out but will make sure he gets a different kind next time.

Darren: Yes, u can just throw it out!! Recycle it or give it back.

If he gave you cans of coke would you keep those and drink them??

Fay: I has 5.8 grams per hundred.

Darren: Can you send me a picture of the label.

What you send me the other day had 13.

Fay: I already send. You a picture.

OK, I will throw it out.

Darren: Is it the same as when you sent 4 days ago?

Fay: Darren I have a mind, I think about things.

I can’t just be passive.

Darren: And Ihate getting in loops and having the same discussion over and over and over!!

Fay: I am thinking it is all about balance.

Small quantities of everything.

Well if y ou are going to deal with REAL people, you might need to.

It is POSSIBLE that you could be wrong.

Not probable, but possible.

I do  appreciate you VERY MUCH, but you know that a person will only do what they believe in. 

At present, I BELIEVE that a LITTLE fruit each meal is ok.

How do. You FEEL about that?

Are u going to cast me off if I try this out and test it for a while?

If the figures show it is wrong, then we will both know.

Breakfast 2 boiled eggs, 1 avocado, small tomato, cu cumber, few blueberries, and green tea.

Darren: I think you should take the next two weeks to test your theory.

U have your digital form set up and y ou know how to do the testing to see what works.

So how about you take the next two weeks, no tips from me, give your food portions and types, a mix based on what you think?

Test 30 minutes after each meal and you need to take enough insulin to keep between 4 and 7,so take insulin and test again within 30 mins to see if its at the right level, if not, take more.

Let’s see what the results look like at the end of the two weeks.

Fay: Ok, I will, but today I haven’t eased because have gone straight to INC.

Darren: Why aren’t you taking your insulin and measure int tool with you?

Fay: So much to think of and carry.

I am nothing like u, so disciplined!!

I am an ENFP! It is a curse, but that is how it is.  

I am a “jack of all trades, and master of none” and a “hater of rules and regulations.”

Remember, that is WHY you love me, because I am NOT like u.

Darren: Well then, maybe we are best to part ways here, to not get into more arguments.

You have been going long enough, you know what to do.

Fay: I will miss you, if that’s what you do, Darren

Darren: It is not what I am doing, it is your choice.

Fay: Ok

Darren: Have a think about it, decide if you still want me along for this journey of yours, or if you want to continue by yourself.

If you want me then, we follow the plan that has been set out from the start.

If. You don’t feel that’s right for you, then no problems.

Fay: Of course I want u, but I can’t commit not to eat fruit, Darren.

Because I believe it is GOOD for me and necessary in my diet in spite of my diabetes.

I will just take a little more insulin to cover the spikes. 

It is not FAIR to make me make a choice between u and FRUIT!!

I am on this journey, with or without u, but I have so enjoyed your assistance.

It will be so lonely without u.

If after the fortnight I am convinced you are right and I am wrong, I will  apologise.

I could have just eaten the fruit and not recorded it, but I cate for u way too much to lie to you.

See u in a fortnight, God willing!

Darren: well, I look forward to seeing y our data i a fortnight.

Make sure it is as accurate as possible.

Measurements 30 minutes after food and insulin enough to keep between 4 and 7.

See u in a fortnight.

Fay: OK.