Friday, January 07, 2011

Passed a milepost!

Went to his cardiologists today and he passed with flying colors. Had a new EKG and no problems. What a sigh of relief!!!

He also "graduated" from wound care. We don't have to go back. The incision on his ankle where they took the vein out for bypass surgery has finally healed! Another big yeah!

Love it when there's good news!

Plus, he got a parking spot right up front at the clinic! Gotta make you smile! LOL!

DW

Thursday, January 06, 2011

Nesting

They say that pregnant women "nest" right before they deliver. I remember doing that. Cleaning up a storm, getting our "nest" ready for the new little birdie.

I realized this week that I'm "nesting". I'm cleaning, sorting, and organizing, getting ready for his surgery and 8 months of recovery. Funny - I didn't know that's what I was doing - but it hit me like a lightening bold. Little things. I put a bench inside the front door, so he can sit and rest. I put a wheeled student type chair right inside his office door. I put another one in the bathroom. Today, I hung shelves in the utility room and brought the tool we use the most in from the garage and put them on the shelves.

I think I'm getting ready for limited mobility in the next 8 months. And while I don't have any way of knowing what it will be like, I think somehow, instinctively, I was getting ready. Now that it hit me what I'm doing - it's sort of funny.

He is really apprehensive about the operations. So we have been talking a lot. His cortisone has worn completley off and he is pretty much in pain full time. I really hope this works. I understand that if it doesn't, the only solution is another surgery.

I also noticed that I am retreating into my protective shell. turning down invitiations. Not inviting people over. Not going to meetings. My way of coping? So I invited another couple to dinner and movies this weekend. I agreed to go to a meeting with a group I belong to. Going to try to accept more invitations. Sometimes, I think I'm just not able to deal with everything and I start to shut down, then something wakes me up and I'm just fine.

Tomorrow we visit his cardiologist. He gets and EKG and an echocardiogram. Sure hope they come back ok!

DW

Monday, January 03, 2011

Surviving December

Sure sounds like a great movie title! LOL!!! But we made it! Janaury 3 and we have survived it all! Yeah us! LOL!!!

Lilly, I want to apologize to you. I did say Lynn and meant Lilly and I now have the link to your blog over on the side. So there are 4 of us posting the honest truth about what it's like being married to a diabetic. I find the similarities and the differences all so interesting. I'm still amazed at the number of diabetics who are at some stage of denial as to what is really going on in their bodies. I think my hubby is relying on me more and more to tell him what is going on. He doesn't seem to actually notice declines in body functions and I seem to be inately alert to the slightest change. And then my sister pops in and is overwhelmed by his decline and I realize just how much I miss.

This week is the "parkinsons" type shakes. He can no longer cut his own food. And that is sad. I'm sure it is from the neuropathy. When there are no nerves, how can you feel that you have a fork and knife in your hands? He has lost most of his grip due to carpel tunnel. But again, I believe that's tied to neuropathy as well.

I noticed just today that even simple things like filling his pill box are becoming difficult Hard to hit the bin with the pill when you are shaking as bad as he does Seems to be worse when he is tired, but getting to be pretty bad all of the time.

Did our second blood bank visit today. Things are moving right along. I think the big hurdle is getting a release from this cardiologist to do the spinal fusion. I woke up today with such a complete peace about the whole process Not worried any longer. Just putting it all into God's hands and going to make the best of whatever the outcome is.

Here's hoping we all have a positive year. By supporting each other, we can make the road a little bit easier to travel!

DW