Diabetes Decor

I'm stealing a topic from a fellow blogger because I think it's important.  I truly wish I had thought about this years ago.....but subconsciously I have been moving in this direction for the past 2 years.  Considering all of hubby's medical conditions (open heart surgery, spinal fusion surgery, foot surgeries, gout surgeries)....I am slowly "decorating" our home for diabetes.

Let me explain.

We gave up our king size bed in exchange for 2 twin sized adjustable beds.  After surgery, he was able to lift himself up out of bed by using the hydraulics on the bed and I did not physically have to assist him.  More independence for him, less strain on my back.

We have a small party fridge and microwave in his closet in the MBR.  He keeps his insulin and snacks there.  I can get to them in a minute.  Better than running downstairs in the middle of the night and risk breaking my neck....or his.

A huge 2' x 3' medicine cabinet on the wall in the bathroom filled with everything you can think of for open wounds, wound care, skin care, rashes, allergies, and so much more.  This does not count the shelves of drugs for colds and flus, or his RX meds.  Separate shelves and bins in his closet for all of his insulin test strips, needles, etc.

Hospital type bed trays that wheel under both beds to hold meds and other necessities that he needs multiple times a day.

Light weight corning ware in the kitchen because he has parkinson's and tends to drop things.   Because they are so light, he can easily handle them.  Gave up my wonderful china and stoneware - just too heavy for him.  Paper plates, cups and bowls for everyday use as they are even easier for him to use.

Bathroom on the main floor - added those over the toilet shelves to hide toiletries that he uses on the main level.  Pray that no one ever opens those doors!  Seriously, where/how do you hide adult depends???

My decorative items now include a lot of boxes. Very pretty.  No one would ever know they are anything but decorative. But they store loads of supplies, meds, depends, needles, etc....in a nice way.  :o)

Febreeze air fresheners - the plug in types - in every room - to camoflauge the smells and odors.  My sis says they do help.

The entry closet that should house coats now houses crutches, walkers, canes and the closet in the utility room is where I store the toilet seat lifts and bars.

I never ever thought my life would revolve to this, but it has.  And when you need so much stuff, you have to have a way to store it and still make your home a home, not a hospital.

I did chuck everything in the master bath and buy everything white.  I found it's easier to use bleach to get out stains and you don't have to worry about it fading colors if everything is white.  Who knew I would actually like a totally white bath?  Not just towels and washcloths, toothpaste holders and soap holder, but white wicker stands and shelves, white baskets and boxes.  It actually looks nice and it's pretty easy to keep it all clean and white.

We sold most of our lamps and now have ott-lites or similar types that bend and go over the sofa so he can see to read wherever he sits.  Not as attractive as decorative lamps....but really much more functional.

In our living room, we have 2 full size sofas and 2 recliners.  He can go from a recliner to the sofa, from sitting to lying, as his pain increases and decreases.  That leaves the other recliner for me and the other sofa for guests.  My kitchen chairs are in the basement and rolling student type chairs are at the table because he says they are easier for him to get in and out of.  I'm getting ready to put the wood chairs back because there are just some things I won't sacrifice!

One whole kitchen cabinet is filled with stuff that he needs on the main level during the day as he can no longer run up and down the stairs multiple times a day, and I'm not going to do it for him.

The grill was moved right beside the back door with a chair next to it.  Disrupts the flow on the back deck, but makes it easier for him to do the grilling.  Besides, we never eat outside anymore so who needs to get to the patio table?  :o)

Wondering if anyone else has done diabetes decor in their homes.

DW

Add one, minus one.....

We have a new blogger.  JoannD.    Just check on the right side of my blog.  She asked a question on my post yesterday, but she blogged the topic, so go there and answer her.

And did we lose "new to this" or is her blog just down?  I can't seem to connect.  I always worry when someone disappears!

But I also know how hard it is to write about this.  It's hard enough to live the ups and downs of living with a diabetic.....let alone take the time and find the emotional strength to write about it.  There are days when I can't write.  There are times when I have to walk away from everything.  But there are also days when I NEED to write my feelings down.

So here are my tips for blogging about this:

1. Don't force yourself to write.  Let it come naturally.
2.  If you need to leave for awhile, think nothing of it.  It's your blog - handle it the way you want.
3.  If you need to spill your guts, just do it!
4.  Don't worry if no one ever leaves a comment.  Write for you.  Write to document your life.  To keep a record of what happens.  Write as though you are writing to yourself, for yourself.
5.  If you get negative comments, hit the delete button and don't give it a second thought.  There are a lot of idiots out there.  No one can understand what you are going through except you.
6.  When you start out, start slow.  Don't try to tell the whole story all at once. Just write about what's important at the moment.  The rest will come over time.
7.  Don't argue with others. Don't argue with yourself.  It's not an argument, it's a documentary.
8.  More than anything else, write what's on your mind.  Good or bad. Happy or sad.

DW

Another calm before another storm.

That's how it goes and I have learned to go with the flow. He actually did the grocery shopping today. I think that's the second time in our marriage. I had a genealogy meeting today and told him I couldn't get them.

Going to be a busy fun week. My sis is coming back and we want to play with dichroic glass in the kiln, do some shopping and she wants me to help her with her eBay. I continue to sell and downsize and am feeling so good about that. I still haven't found the strength to do hardworking this summer. Maybe next week.

For now, all is well. Mostly. Still have the fruity smell. He is still running too high.

Dw