Salt is A Deadly Weapon

photo by Charles Earl

The doctor told me something good; she said that she would give me a referral to the Diabetes Community Education Centre of Ottawa (see adjacent link) and someone would contact me to set up a consultation. They have dieticians, nurses and kinesiologists. This was reassuring to me. Charles and I have had to deal with a lot of stuff, like many of you, I’m sure, but even during my health crisis we weren’t alone. Aside from amazing friends, the medical staff at the General was exceptionally caring and helpful. I always feel less afraid and alone when I have help and support. I need that in this case very much. I’m trying not to be daunted or overwhelmed.

Today I was out trying to figure out a few things that I might be able to eat that wouldn’t cause a blockage but were low in carbs and sugar and sodium. I was in my local grocery store randomly reading ingredients lists and acting shocked at the amount of sodium in everything when my cell phone rang. It was the referral, a very kind and patient dietician. I abandoned the two items in my cart: apples, raspberries, and stepped outside to talk to her. I turned the corner and sat on one of those yellow plastic containers filled with salt to keep folks from slipping on icy sidewalks. And unfortunately salt is one of the things I’m supposed to enjoy only in moderation. I enjoyed our conversation above the salty box, once I could hear her over the traffic. And the salt was delicious.

She listened to my story (see previous entry) and invited me to attend a group workshop (which I’m not quite sure exactly what it’s about, but I said yes, because m y rule in dealing with health matters is to say yes to as many things that the medical profession suggests, if I can. I need to be open and I need to learn.

She also set up an individual consultation with her over Zoom. Both appointments are on Zoom, which I also find reassuring. We’re still dealing with a pandemic here, despite the magical thinking of politicians. So I have my appointments. I enjoyed a little almond butter on apples, and things are moving forward.

Comments

Holding Pattern

I am one month away from my next A1C test. I am trying my best not to feel too hopeful that I will have a blood sugar level below 7.0, the target my doctor set for my not having to go on medication. I try to bear in mind what she said: that my 9.5 result in March means it is pretty likely I will require some assistance in the form of medication, but fuck oh fuck oh fuck, I do not want to have to take anything. My brief fling with blood pressure medication was awful. The unsteadiness I felt all the time prevented me from doing as much physical activity as I wanted/needed: not only to lower my A1C level, but also because it makes me feel better now to do a lot of physical activity. I am at the end of the extra FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors we purchased after I tried the Libre 1 and Libre 2 sensors for free. While the trial versions seemed great and taught me a lot about how to manage my diabetes, the purchased versions were awful. Compared with the One Touch glucose monitor, which requires

Dancing to Unsweetened Jams

Yesterday I had my follow up appointment with my regular doctor about my diabetes diagnosis. Today I had the follow up blood tests at the DinoCare (actually Dynacare, but I couldn’t resist) lab that the temp doc wouldn’t let me have when I saw her back on March 29. My regular doctor also prescribed blood pressure meds. I’ve been monitoring my blood pressure with a wrist cuff since I am not able to use the regular arm cuff without my blood pressure going sky high. But even with feeling more comfortable with the wrist cuff, I still get hypertension 1 and sometimes 2 numbers, so I need to lower it. Tomorrow I’m starting PERINDOPRIL, which may have me fainting from low blood pressure and vomiting. Hey, let’s hope not. Don’t read the side effect stuff on the web. The pharmacist said well, you have to take it , right? So yeah. As long as the symptoms are minor, I’ll be ok. ?! The supremely kind and helpful staff of the Community Diabetes Education Program Ottawa (CDEPO) rigged me up wit

ongoing dizzy tizzy

the 4g of Perindopril Erbumine blood pressure medication the doctor put me on was making me too dizzy to be able to take my daily walks without shortening them severely. the doctor halved the dosage a week ago and I’m still experiencing the dizziness when I walk and also in the shower. it’s very frustrating along with being petrifying because I’m terrified I’ll fall. I’ve tested both my blood pressure and blood sugar levels when I’ve felt like this and they haven’t been out of range. I’ve tried taking the meds before breakfast and before dinner. Still dizzy. I feel like my attempts to lower my A1C levels are being sabotaged. today I had a bit of a cry when I was sitting outside on a bench in the sun. I love walking and the weather is beautiful. I want to be outside and enjoy the day. Instead I’m home and feeling like I’m not doing everything I can to manage my diabetes. I told my darling husband who has been walking with me after work when he gets home, holding my hand. He will do

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