diabetes type 2

We have been married almost 33 years when she died in ICU. I had a tortuous decision to pull the plug or otherwise. I put it off to get a week while her family and others arrived at say good-bye. In addition, i had to think of our daughter who was going to lose her mother soon. She was a great Christian who never complained during all this tortuous period of life, but now I had to make a decision. Finally, i decided to do it but it was the hardest decision I ever made. My whole being was wracked with uncontrollable grief. I couldn't stop crying. Now I want to share some helpful tips for diabetes and other diseases I learned during this time of caring for her. I hope you can be helped by them. - adult onset diabetes

Get hold of a fax machine or computer and inquire your physician for fax number or current email address. I used a fax machine. Nowadays you can get them at thrift stores etc., and may not have to purchase one new. Make notes of how you feel each day, your blood sugar levels at different times of the day etc, if your diabetes is out of control or even if it is under control. You can use a piece of paper to write briefly what is going on together with you, like blood pressure levels too. Another tip to use when your diabetes is tough to regulate is always to ask your medical professional for more test strip each day so that you can monitor your blood better. Sometimes they only give you two or three per day and that is not enough if you are out of control. Five or six each day should help you monitor you sugar levels better. Take your blood sugar levels at different times in the daytime and so the doctor can see precisely what is happening. Also take note of whatever you eat and show it to your doctor or dietitian to allow them to assist you in making corrections. There is lots to find out and sometimes very little time and energy to absorb all the information.

Make a template of how you will set it up each and every time similar to this:

Date Time BP Sugar Count How You Feel Briefly Observations of the body

You can put your own titles in since you need them, Use your sugar meter to obtain the reading each time and record it in the sheet. Put down briefly your feelings and then any abnormal things that you will be feeling at the time or in the daytime uncommon. Put down any observations the thing is of your body like rashes, etc. Don't get into detail because the sheet is not really big enough. If it is serious then call your doctor, but otherwise just write down these observations and what you feel so the doctor will know what you are going through between appointments. He only sees, otherwise, on that day how you are until you give him a record of what is going on otherwise. If you are not too critical you can wait until each appointment to give it to him but otherwise fax it in once a week or so.

If you are taking care of a relative or someone else, ask the doctor to tell you when it is appropriate to call an ambulance so you don't waste money for nothing. I did so this several times during my wife's care due to equipment malfunction and often due to panic like on weekends when no help was available.

Perhaps try to find an insurance that includes a nurse available or a service like this in your neighborhood. If your doctor responds to calls at off-hours in a timely manner, find out.

Speak to the hospital dietitian about alternate ways to prepare food on your own or perhaps your patient to lessen the salt or sugar. Remember things with white flour in them will turn to sugar within your body, and this includes breads, pastries, and plenty of other things. Create a practice of reading labels and learn as much as you can in regards to what is within the foods you buy. Also learn as much regarding the illness you might be helping with to help you make wise choices. If your doctor doesn't respond well to your requests, look for a different one who does. You sometimes have to be forceful when dealing with the medical community, but not in a violent way of course. You might be the only one who cares about you or perhaps your patient, so keep asking them questions until you have the answers you will need and understand. If you need to, treat people you deal with in a kind manner to begin with unless they are giving you trouble, then get more assertive.

Remember they may be under lots of pressure too, and also you are certainly not their only patient. They probably have hundreds to handle, so be compassionate to them too.

One doctor my partner had made her wait over 90 minutes most of the time we went there. It was not good for her condition of fluid retention, therefore we changed doctors and got a lot better one. Stand up for yourself or your patient, but don't be overbearing. Change doctors or whatever if things continue to be bad for you or your patient when you need help. Anger is not really planning to help your trouble. If the staff isn't responding to you, talk to your doctor. If you don't feel you are getting the care you need, or the caring from him, talk to him also.

Keep a notebook of the things that you learn so you don't have to attempt to remember everything. Have a look at everything you have questions about with your doctor. By knowing more, he will appreciate your wanting to learn and you will be able to communicate better. Keep learning. Keep asking them questions. Take note of the questions and answers in your notebook so you don't keep asking the identical questions. Be patient and kind around you can when you are on the learning journey. I wish a healthy journey too. - adult onset diabetes