Category Archives: Diabetic

Five Month Post Op

28 Saturday Sep 2024

Posted by in bariatric-surgery, Diabetic, diet, Pets, Retirement, Weight Loss

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On September 24th I weighed 206.6 lbs, down 54 lbs since April and down 75 lbs since January. Things are still progressing, slow, but still progressing. I’m averaging about 10 lbs a month. It’s been five months since I’ve had any sugary drinks or sweets. I do, however, drink what I call yellow-capped Milo’s tea. It’s sweetened with Splenda I think. The money I’ve saved just by not buying the soft drinks, Little Debby cakes has helped. Also, not having to take all the extra meds has reduced my pharmacy bill greatly.

Since my surgery, my breathing has improved 100 percent. I guess my lungs were being compressed by my stomach and since the repair, I can tell the difference. I’ve been trying to walk about an hour each day. This boot does make it more difficult though. I had to make an appointment with my orthopedic doctor the other day because my left foot’s ankle had swollen. I immediately contacted my doctor and made an appointment. I was so worried that I was about to go through the same thing with my left foot that I went through on my right. It was just an aggravated tendon, and he made some adjustments to my shoe insert.

I had lunch with some of the guys that I used to work with before I retired the other day. It was good to see them. When I was signed in one of my co-workers asked what I did with the rest of my body? None of them had seen me in over two years or before COVID-19 hit.

I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to vote for the picture of my cat Clyde. He made it to the semi-finals and didn’t make the cut. Clyde has been sort of puny as of late. He spent four days at the vet trying to get rid of a UTI. We hated to have to leave him because he does not do well being boarded. We did go and visit with him every day just so that he wouldn’t think that we had abandoned him. It was really tough seeing him on that last day because all he wanted to do was find an escape route. I’m glad to have him home again with us. I know he’s nearly 20 years old and I know he won’t be with us too much longer. Every day with him is a blessing. It will be hard when he does cross that rainbow bridge.

Four Month Post Op

24 Saturday Aug 2024

Posted by in bariatric-surgery, Diabetic, diet, Disability, Leukemia, Retirement, Weight Loss

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July 24th 2024 226lbs
August 24th 216 lbs

Lost ten pounds this month. Everything is progressing nicely. The doctor wants me to lose thirty more pounds. If this keeps going the way they have, that should take another three months. I’m in no hurry. Just as long as I lose what I need to lose to get my BMI to a healthy range.

I go to my orthopedic Dr on Monday. I should know more when I get this boot off and in a regular shoe. Hope it will be in the next six weeks or so. The first thing I’m going to do is get my kayak out and go fishing.

Happy Birthday To Me!!

16 Friday Aug 2024

Posted by in Diabetic, diet, Weight Loss

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I turned 61 years old yesterday, August 15th. Several years ago, I would have never guessed I’d live to this age. With all the health issues that I had plus being nearly 200 lbs overweight, I didn’t have a lot going for me health-wise. Now that I’ve lost nearly 150 lbs and increased my lifespan by several years, I hope.

I saw my surgeon last week and she’s impressed with the weight loss. She wants me to lose another thirty pounds and then we’ll start talking about maintaining the weight. I’ve slowed down on the weight loss, about a pound a week. I still weigh myself every day and sometimes it gets discouraging but I know I’m losing inches as well. My wife bought me a new belt. The old one wrapped around me about halfway. I’m going to keep it to remind myself never to turn back.

I saw my primary care doctor and we talked about my last labwork. My A1c went from 8.2 to 5.5. My Creatinine levels continue to drop, now at 1.52. I’m no longer in the danger zone of kidney failure. I’m still at stage 3a kidney failure but they’re no longer talking dialisys. All my cholesterol levels are good. There were more green on this last report than red. I haven’t seen these numbers in quite some time.

Simi Annual Checkup

09 Friday Aug 2024

Posted by in bariatric-surgery, Diabetic, diet, Weight Loss

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I had my lab work done for my simi annual check up last Monday. The results are in. There were at least thirty tests performed on the blood work but there are only two that really concern me, Creatinine levels and A1c.

After many years of my A1c being 10+ or higher and 7.2 the lowest, I’m very pleased to announce that my A1c is down to 5.5. According to this report, I’m not even prediabetic any more. I’ll let the doctors decide when I see him on Monday.

My Creatinine levels are still dropping. My last labs from my oncologist three months ago showed my Creatinine was at 1.78. Today’s results showed them to be at 1.52. Still in class 3a kidney failure but it’s getting better.

Three Month Post Surgery Update

25 Thursday Jul 2024

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It’s now been three months since my gastric bypass. Since April, I’ve lost 35 pounds. Since the first picture was taken in 2003, 135 pounds. I’m now on 7.5mg of Mounjaro which has been a big help in losing weight. It’s also been a big help with controlling my blood sugar. My sugar still spikes but it comes down without having to take any insulin. I go to my GP in two weeks and I’ll do the blood work to see how good it’s been. I haven’t had a soda in three months, or sweets in four months and to be honest, I don’t really miss either one.

I’m still in my boot and I hope, according to my orthopedic doctor, in three months I’ll be able to get rid of it and go to a regular shoe with special inserts. There will be a list of do’s and don’ts that I’ll have to follow and I will follow that list to a T.

Update: May 26th One Month Post-op

26 Sunday May 2024

Posted by in bariatric-surgery, Boy Scouts, Cancer, Diabetic, diet, Disability, Leukemia, Weight Loss

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Thursday, May 24th was one month since my gastric bypass surgery. I’ve lost 35 pounds. I’m eating way less than before surgery which is to be expected. So far, I’ve not experienced any sickness.

The doctor has taken me off of all my insulin and put me on mounjuro. (Sp) It’s a once per week injection of 2.5 mg for 4 weeks. I’m not sure if they’re going to up the dosage after that or not.

If I’m still in my boot and not in a cast, I’m planning on going to Summer camp with the Boy Scouts. There is no way I can hobble around the campgrounds in this boot so I’ve purchased a used mobility scooter. I had to drive 3.5 hours one-way to get it. I just couldn’t pass up the good deal. I’ll find other uses for it I’m sure.

This Boot is Made for Walking

18 Saturday May 2024

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I’m sure I’m not the only one to have to go through the experience of trying to walk in one of these Crow Boots but let me tell you, it’s not for the weak.  I drove myself to a men’s Bible study this morning. I walked to my truck, took the boot off and put on a tennis shoe. Once at the church I replaced the shoe with the boot. With the cane in hand, I walked to the outdoor pavilion where the Bible study was held. I made it fine but this low iron condition I have didn’t make it any easier. I had visions of doing a lot of different things once I was able to walk but I’m just so fatigued. Hopefully I’ll get an iron infusion next week. That should help with the tiredness.

My boot is made of hard plastic with foam inside. It’s made of two pieces. My foot goes into the main bottom piece and the top layer snaps in place and is held together with three Velcro straps. I’m told that I have to wear it all day with the exception of taking a shower and sleeping. Should I be driving? Probably not, but, I’ve had it with my wife’s driving.

I’m really not sure just how long I’ll be in this boot but from what the doctor said I could be in this boot at least 14 months. It’s not bad considering I could be dealing with an amputated foot.

Update April 22nd, 2024

22 Monday Apr 2024

Posted by in bariatric-surgery, Cancer, Diabetic, diet, Weight Loss

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My gastric bypass surgery is this Wednesday, April 24th. It was originally scheduled for last Wednesday but COVID hit. I am having waves of emotion. One minute I’m excited the next, I’m nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. But, all the benefits outweigh the negatives. I think my wife is more nervous than I am. Granted, I know this will be a life-changing experience with a new diet and a new way of looking at my life. An extended life I might add.

Stay tuned for more updates.

February 16th Update

16 Friday Feb 2024

Posted by in Cancer, Diabetic, Disability, Weight Loss

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Sporting a new cast, but the latest x-rays reveal my foot is in bad shape. The bones have become brittle and deteriorated, with multiple fractures and breaks. However, the good news is that they can save my foot, though it will take up to 18 months and require special shoes afterwards. I have to be really careful as to not damage my left foot as the bones have become brittle as well.