Ever since 1982 I’ve been afraid of a score that I never wanted to see in my medical records. That was around the year my mother was first diagnosed with Diabetes Type 2 – Adult Onset Diabetes. I’ve shredded most of her medical records – but I scanned one record showing her score the year before her life drastically changed for the worse. She’s been gone for 10 years now. But, I remember going to the doctor visits with her in her later stages of dementia and her score never got better than a 7 even while she was on medications.
1 year before her stroke that caused her dementia, her score was 8.3.
After she had a stroke, her health spiraled downward at a rapid pace. I became her voice at her doctor appointments. And I had lots of questions for her doctor. I was in charge of making sure she had her medications and that she was taking them to help her ‘control’ her diabetes, cholesterol, HTN, and depression.
Fast forward 40 years (holy sh*t, that time has flown by!) from Mom’s original diabetes diagnosis and here I am wondering why physician protocols do not allow for preventative screenings unless a person has risk factors? Isn’t that too late?
Follow the $$$$$$
At my last physical in early 2020, my doctor said I was perfect for my age (love the qualifier). The following year I had bloodwork done and was pleased to know my heart was in extra protective health mode. Since I didn’t have all the risk factors for diabetes, she said I couldn’t just request a test to know what my A1C was. I was CURIOUS and I wanted a baseline dammit.
No luck. She refused to write the order because it wasn’t necessary. Sigh.
Fast forward another year, and Mr. and I took the quest for knowing our scores into our own Amazon.com hands. The package arrived a week or so ago. A rainy Saturday was the perfect day to get-er-done.
I watched the instructional video 2 times. The packaging warns you to make sure you follow the instructions. You only get 4 tests and then you have to throw the meter away. ($$$$$)
I washed my hands, set up the tools of the trade on the table in front of me, poked my finger with the lancet, and ran through the steps as the video played.
Then waited…anxiously, I might add.
5 of the LONGEST 5 minutes I’ve ever experienced (40 years flashing through my mind – will my score be like my mom’s?).
10 seconds is a really long time! Just saying.
10.9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1…
Then I saw the QCOK. (Quality Check OK) Whew. Soon I’ll know!
And then my result appeared on the screen. Whew – nearly half the score of my mom’s and UNDER 5.0!!! NICE!
Mr., after watching me successfully accomplish the procedure and do my victory dance, took to the lancet saddle. I helped him by giving tips on what I would do differently – being the pro, you know.
“Stop giving me tips. I know what I’m doing.” said the man who watched the video and me.
✅
His result.
Dang, a better score than mine. WTH?!
We’re so competitive. We have health goals together to avoid Diabetes! We’re on the right track.
In all honesty, I’m incredibly grateful for our scores, in particular his. In the years between 2008 – 2013, Mr. was pre-diabetic based on his fasting blood glucose. He also had high cholesterol and HTN and was put on medications in 2018 (several of which my mom was on too). He was told to lower salt, increase fiber, decrease fat intake, and consume the standard 300 g carbs per day (aka, the DASH Diet).
When the you-know-what-virus hit the scene in 2020 and the risk factors (diabetes, obesity, elderly, etc.) were shared with the public, we took matters into our own hands (NOTE – we are not professionals and none of this should be construed as medical advice – follow your own path. We do recommend that you do your own research & experiments too) and modified our lifestyle to put ourselves in the low-risk categories, even at our age. We bought our own blood glucose monitor and test strips, pulse-oximeter, ketone strips, and now the A1C test kit. We also made sure we take our Vitamin D, Zinc, C, Fish Oil, Potassium, and Magnesium, and consume plenty of Pink Himalayan Sea Salt, etc.
We’re 2.5 years into our Low-Carb, Healthy Fat (aka, clean-Keto) diet. We’re going strong, maintaining our weight, and Mr. doesn’t take any medications, neither do I. We exercise 30-60 minutes 6-7 days a week and do intermittent fasting 1-2 times per week. I finally have a picture of the little score I’ve always wanted to know. We’re metabolically healthy and not insulin resistant when you look at the scores of our A1Cs. YAY – Go Team Mr. & Mrs.!
After all of that excitement, I was on a roll to know more. Diabetes is a contributing factor to dementia. Since we’re not diabetic according to the A1Cs, are we doing okay mentally? So we then went on to give each other the SLUMS Examination (we did that 6 years ago for a baseline – we both suck at remembering a list of 5 words…) but we could still draw the clock. That’s a key executive function indicator in the brain. That’s another baseline test your physician won’t give you unless you’re experiencing memory loss issues. By then it may be too late. I highly recommend you have a memory skill baseline!
Post Inspiration – Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “a picture from wherever.” When you sit down to write your post, find a picture, whether in a magazine, newspaper, or even product packaging. Write whatever thought or emotion the picture provokes. Enjoy!
PS – Are you ever competing with your significant other or your friends when it comes to health? Do you like to complain about your aches and pains? Have you ever asked your doctor for a test out of curiosity and been able to get it done? What health measures have you taken into your own hands? Do you have baseline measurements for memory loss? Did you miss seeing flowers and bunnies in this post?
Mid-reading I had to go check my A1C from my last labwork — 5.4. I guess I’m okay!
Hi Sally – thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. Nice score – keep it there and below and you’ll be able to avoid diabetes!!
Those are great numbers, guys! God bless your mom, Shelley. 🙏🏻
Thanks, John. Yes, even though my mom it gone her life experiences are still teaching us. 🤗😀🥰
Hi – I tried to reply on your blog post…and site couldn’t be found. Here’s what I said, “I love the palm tree silhouettes against that sky! Way to do what you need to do to feel creative on your blog! PS – we’re going to hit 90s this week…close, but not 100s!”
90s are hot, that’s what we have today. As far as I know, this website has had zero downtime since it went live in 2016, sorry about that Shelley.
We have the 90s today. That’s so weird, maybe it was something on my end with my WP login? I’ll keep trying.
90s are acceptable but the humidity makes it tough. I wish that I could offer you some help with your difficulty, Shelley.
Yes, the humidity is intense. And it produced thunder, lightning, and rain.
It’s weird – today the comments worked, so who knows what the problem was!
Good numbers, Shelley! We are non-competitive when it comes to health, but we joke about it.
Thanks, Dan. Love and humor, both good things to have in a marriage 🙂 We always say that those two things will definitely come in handy when one or both of us are in wheelchairs. 😉
Ha! They are the things that hold us together.
Indeed!!
I get my numbers this week.
I hope you and your doctor are pleased with the results, John!
Those look like great numbers. We don’t have diabetes in our family so it never occurred to me to be concerned. Now I’ll have to go check to see if my doctor even does that test. My husband and I aren’t competitive like that but I do resent his ability to eat whatever he wants and not gain an ounce.
Thanks, Janis. Thanks for reading and sharing.
It’s sad that if a person isn’t tested for it, they don’t know their baseline and the only time they will be triggered to find out is if they have visible risk factors or present to the hospital with high blood sugars. It is also sad that some doctors don’t tell you you have diabetes at the pre-diabetes stage. That’s when it is easier to reverse. My dad’s doctor tells him he doesn’t have diabetes, but has now gone into the pre-diabetes stage. The lower the number the better.
If nothing else, it gave Mr. and me a chance to ‘play doctor in real life’. 🤣😂🥼👩🏻⚕️👨🏻⚕️
A great informative post for someone your age 😂
Thanks for the smiles and laughs this morning, Brian! 🤣😆🤣😆🤣🥰
Shelley, you and the Mister are doing great with your eating habits, exercise and health. My mom had age related diabetes and started having mini strokes along with her dementia decline. So, I worry too. I need to change a few eating habits before my next check-up in November, so that no one hears screams from the result of a glucose test gone awry.
Hi Mary – thanks, we’re pleased with our progress. Wisconsin is an easy state to adopt the low-carb, healthy-fat diet. Keep tabs on the carbs and you’ll be well on your way of preventing diabetes and dementia. My mom had vascular dementia too. I’ll be listening for your doctor praising you for your efforts!! PS – 95% chocolate IS permitted the diet too ;-)!
Are you ever competing with your significant other or your friends when it comes to health? Never
Do you like to complain about your aches and pains? No
Have you ever asked your doctor for a test out of curiosity and been able to get it done? Yes I asked, no I didn’t get it
What health measures have you taken into your own hands? Eating a balanced diet, drinking lots of water, not worrying about health issues
Do you have baseline measurements for memory loss? Never heard of such a thing
Did you miss seeing flowers and bunnies in this post? Not sure how they’d have fit into the message here so I’d say NO… not this time.
Hi Ally – I appreciate hearing from you and thank you for answering the questions.
I’d add that your embracing your sense of humor is one of the personal measures that you do daily to live a healthy lifestyle! 🤗😊
Could well be…
😁😂😀😊
Yay for you and Mr. on your healthy habits and healthy lifestyle. As for your questions …
Are you ever competing with your significant other or your friends when it comes to health? Do you like to complain about your aches and pains? Well, the answer to both are the same … no significant other to compare to/challenge and no one to complain to, not even a pet who will listen if I have gripes.
Have you ever asked your doctor for a test out of curiosity and been able to get it done? No, I have not done that but I did ask the allergist to write me a prescription for the old shingles shot back in 2014. I was not old enough to walk in and get the shot, even though I would be paying for it myself (which I did for about $250.00). I recently got the newer shingles shot part 1, which is administered in two doses. The second dose is in July.
What health measures have you taken into your own hands? I began a walking regimen in 2011 and enjoy it, but it still does compensate for the “too-much sitting during the day for work and in the evening catching up on social media and with blogging, etc.
Do you have baseline measurements for memory loss? No, I have not.
Did you miss seeing flowers and bunnies in this post? Yes, I have an affinity for both, but we have to learn facts about our health as well. Thank you for sharing the info Shelley.
Hi Linda – thank you for taking the time to share your answers. I enjoy hearing from you. I often consider how I’d feel on this health journey if I were alone, so I’m thankful to hear your perspective. I think I’d talk to animals, but won’t ever get a dog again, it was too hard to say goodbye to Copper who often listened to me. I’m guessing that a squirrel or two would lend you an ear with complaints if you share some peanuts. 😉
Way to do what you wanted with your allergist and the shingles shot. My best friend works for a doctor’s office that will run any test a person wants for a fee. That’s a nice option that I/we may consider.
You’re so wise to walk and stay active. Especially when we work from home like you and I do.
I knew you’d miss the bunnies and flowers :-). Sometimes I just have to share other thoughts – thanks for reading and considering my thoughts.
That’s a good idea to go to that doctor’s office then Shelley. I was thinking maybe CVS with their minute clinic may do some tests. I see it advertised all the time. I wanted that shingles shot after seeing what my neighbor went through – I know it’s not contagious, but she really suffered then and until she died. I got the new-and-improved shingles shot last month, but it only lasts five years. I eat boring but healthy, but not enough leafy greens as I worry about salmonella and listeria and stopped buying greens when I lost my canary in 2016. The walking is good – the sitting is bad and I don’t have enough plugs and places where I could move the Windows 10 laptop to even try it at night by standing. Either no outlets for plugs, no space, or not good enough light. Had I known I’d be doing this at-home gig this long, I would have invested in office furniture and a better set-up.
Sorry to hear about your neighbor. Mr. had shingles when he was in college – he tells me it is very painful. It is fairly common to have flare-ups when a person ages. I’m glad you found a way to protect yourself. Some sources say that frozen veggies are just as good for you as they are frozen at their peak. I know you worry about the power going out too. I’m all about eating whole foods instead of supplements, but there are some good red/green supplements if you can’t get the fresh foods. Hopefully you’ll be able to go to the farmer’s market to get some fresh veggies during the summer months!
I hear ya on the sitting. I alternate between sitting and standing – I couldn’t just do either one all day long.
I wish you could rearrange your workspaces too. You do well to work with what you have until you can retire. 🙂
Yes, I’ve lost food over the years. I am getting a generator sometime this Summer – I ordered it in late March/early April, but due to the supply chain issues, I’m still waiting, hopefully to be installed before Winter.. It was a big purchase for me and I will crack into long-term investments to do it, but I am such a weather worrier and the weather is so erratic, that I worry for frozen pipes and also loss of food as well, not to mention myself as I have nowhere to go to stay with someone and a gas-powered portable generator is not an option.. I could get more frozen veggies and fruit then.
I have to find a solution as I am sore from sitting and don’t want sciatica like mom had for years.
Congrats on your generator to give you some peace of mind about power outages and the ability to store some fresh food.
I hope you do find a solution so you don’t get sciatica. Take lots of stretching breaks!
I was worried especially for Winter Shelley and I told them I’d like it in place by Winter, though Summer, with its volatile weather, it would have been nice too. I wish I’d decided last year to at least get in the queue as they’re backed up due to supply chain shortages.
I really am noticing it, especially one side by late in the day, but at least I found a good solution with my arm by elevating the laptop and using a wireless keyboard. But too many hours sitting in front of a computer – I get that.
With the heat this week, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you don’t lose power. Hopefully you’ll have it all in place before winter.
You’re likely leaning too much to that side. Get up and stretch more each day!!
They’ve not called for severe weather yet thankfully, but you know it will be a humdinger storm if it happens and to be without power in 98 degrees. Yikes! Would have to go to the basement I guess.
I got a lot of walking in this weekend and not as much sitting, plus worked out in the yard a little today, but it put me even more behind in Reader and I keep nodding off … too much time outside wore me out! Can’t be age – no – can’t be age. 🙂
I’m done with the poor predictions of the weather. It’s just as accurate to step outside and decide for myself. LOL. We’ll be in the basement too if our power goes out and the heat outside is in the 90s again!
Aw – take a nap and rest after all of that outside activity. It is just fresh air that’s getting you relaxed – it’s NOT age 😉
Wait til 4th of July weekend and the holiday is on a Monday so lots of people will be off – they will be shooting off firecrackers every night until 1:00 a.m. (long past the suggested time to stop). I’ve come home from walking on/around that holiday and had a nap in the afternoon.
Funny you mention fireworks – I heard someone shooting them off in the middle of the day yesterday. WTH?! I’m thankful that last year there were less of those in our neighborhood and that Copper was deaf – he slept through the holiday without a problem. All the other years when he could hear he was terrified of them and storms.
I hope your neighborhood is less interested in them this year too!
We’ve had them every night since before Memorial Day and worse on weekends. This weekend we have a classic cruise event which goes along the main street in my city, which street is seven houses away. It is a one-day event, but they started tonight – all I hear, even now when it’s dark is cars zooming up and down my street, plus burning rubber and they have musical horns and other things. They always start the night before the cruise. So, that and the fireworks. It’s going to rain on Sunday, so they won’t be out – a few stragglers are out again Sunday morning. It is good Copper wasn’t hearing them – I have a friend who had to give her dog tranquilizers (from the vet) to calm him down every time there was a thunderstorm – this was for years. I hope the neighborhood has no money for them this year. 🙂
We have a music fest close by so many people who may be shooting off fireworks are at the fest listening to music and getting mighty wet – it’s pouring down rain right now. This time of summer is challenging for pets.
I hope your neighborhood is more quiet than normal.
They didn’t cancel the music fest? One time they stopped the Jazz Fest downtown as it was lightning so badly. I heard some people talking about the police coming with bullhorns to shut it down last night – today it goes 11;00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. – no fireworks, but different bands all day and fair-type vendors. Fireworks in the hood likely by 10:00 p.m. – it is getting pretty dry out as there was no rain.
The music fest goes on – they may pause it when weather indicates lightning, but I’ve never been there to really know for sure what they do. I have seen pictures of the mudfests the weather has created over the years. People can do the craziest things there. They do keep on going so it must be fun.
Our fireworks are scheduled for Saturday before the 4th. So that means there will be people shooting them off Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. 🤔🤨😆
Like Woodstock – from what I’ve read they had a big rain, like torrential rain and it was held in a farmer’s field, so everyone sheltered in makeshift tents or under ponchos.
I think that’s what it’s like at our Festival grounds. I’ll let those who enjoy that go there! 🙂
Agreed!
I was prediabetic for years and finally A1C went just over the line. I started on Metformin 18 months ago and and for some reason it is Locke it completely balanced my system. Never felt better. a wonderful thing
Hi Chris – I rescued your comment from my SPAM folder. Not sure why it would’ve gone there. I’m glad you’re feeling great and that you’re exercising. Way to stay intuned with your body!
Oh you people who have the willpower to do what’s good for you! IDK if I’m jealous or in disbelief! These days I generally only complain to my BFF about my aches and pains and other health issues and I generally don’t compete with any one in that area.
After recently visiting some other friends I have known but not been close to for quite a while, I came away grateful that so far I have avoided what ails them, much of it genetic or otherwise beyond their control to prevent, mainly rheumatic in origin, like RA, which I know can be the cause of a lot of other problems, some of it also age related.
Dad passed too soon essentially from complications of his Type 2 diabetes. Mom passed recently after a stroke and a fall and possibly dementia as well. I thought she was sort of a hypochondriac who also could or would not do much beyond meds to maintain her health. So far I’m not interested in taking a lot of tests not recommended by a doctor, but since my daughter is close to becoming one I think I’ll just rely on her guidance in the future.
Yes I did miss the bunny pix! I think that comes close to answering all your questions.
Hi Sue! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Jen would be proud of you for pondering your own actions and desires for what is best for you. I don’t know much about her.
Sorry to hear about your parents. My mom’s health and now my dad’s early stages of Alzheimers precipitated my desire to learn and trial alternative diets to prevent all those nasty diseases that are preventable with diet. I do know that Mr. and I had to challenge EVERYTHING we thought we knew about diet and health that our respective physicians were telling us or not telling us to do. If only they weren’t driven or required to do what big Pharma/Insurance tells them to do to treat all the nasties like diabetes, HTN, cholesterol, etc. Congrats to your daughter. She will find out soon enough what obstacles the doctors who go into the field want to do for their patients yet have to do what they’re paid to do instead. I definitely tell everyone to do their own research. Read the side-effects on medications don’t just take things on face value. You might just find that you’re up for discovering you do have the power to change your health outcomes with diet alone as a starting point.
I hope you come back again soon to see more bunny photos. I’ve fallen in love with the little tikes and now they’re big enough to want them to move on to someone else’s yard to do their dirty deeds! An empty bunny nest makes the flowers bloom 😉
Thanks again for stopping by!