Cinderella Turned Into A Pumpkin at Midnight . . .
March 26th, 2008 at 10:46 am by Dee O'Neil Andrews
. . . I turn into a pumpkin at 10!
Well - it looks like my life of partying constantly day and night is over, y'all. Shucks!
But I'm doing better and am managing this new life style a bit better the past few days, so all is not lost.
I saw my cardiologist yesterday and felt better after I did. I told him that I've been a diabetic for 38 years and have always been what they call a "brittle" diabetic because my blood sugars are very volatile and hard to keep in a good range.
I said that so far, my blood pressures have been the very same way. I've been checking them endlessly the past 10 days and every time I check them, even if two or three times in a row, they are all over the place. I've been really discouraged.
He reassured me in several ways, first telling me that for one thing, the store bought blood pressure machines really only work well in certain ranges and can't be counted on if one's blood pressure goes over about 175 or 180 (and mine do) or below a certain reading. I already knew about the low end because my blood pressures had been getting so low that the machine wouldn't read them and I was getting error messages.
He also said this was going to be a trial and error process and that I was going to have to wing it in trying to keep my blood pressures at a good level during the day and evening. He only gave me a couple of hard and fast "rules," which include the fact that I am not to take any of this medication past 5 p.m. because the medicine is dangerous if taken later in causing my night time blood pressures to be way too high.
He also told me not to even take it at 5 p.m. if I was going to be home and going to bed at 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. I told him that I had already figured out, though, that the medicine wears off at night around 10:30 or 11 p.m. because the other night about 10:45 p.m. I was trying to fix my coffee pot for the next morning when my blood pressure dropped really low to to the point I could no longer function. I just had to go straight to bed (with Tom helping me) until another day.
He did say that if I need a longer day (like I will if I am going to fly out to see my mom), I can take my first dose a lot earlier and then take the medicine (as he prescribed) four hours apart, but again, not after 5 p.m. So, I was happy to hear that.
I asked him what I could do if I wanted to stay up later at night, like if we were gone somewhere to visit friends, etc, and were out late. He said that I could take my morning dose (which is twice the amount as the rest of the day) at 5 p.m., but no later, and that that should help me be able to stay up a bit longer.
I told him I'd been feeling really overwhelmed by all of this on top of being diabetic and all, but he reassured me that I was doing well and that it would all work out for me. I pray so and want to tell you all that your prayers and well wishes have been a God send for me in this stressful time.
I'm seeing the doctor again in two weeks to go over my night time lying down blood pressures after the 5 p.m. medicines (which I will only be taking if my systolic BP is under 150) to see where I am. Then, I hope to be able to get the go ahead for flying out to see my mom and all.
Yesterday and today I'm feeling well and am spending my morning this morning with God, as I like to do. I blogged about that a few weeks ago and feel that is what sustains me.
I hope that y'all are having a good day. I'm going to spend my afternoon working on my wind vane story for the writing contest and look forward to doing so. Tomorrow or Friday I will share with you my second piece of writing that I want to enter into the writing contest. Then - I think I may post a couple more pieces for y'all to choose between to enter as my third piece of writing. What do you think about that? Let you all be the judges of my work about which is best for a writing contest. That will give you something positive to do to help me out!
I need to go for now. Thanks so much for dropping by and visiting with me for a while. I treasure your friendship!
Cheers & Blessings to you all today! Much love, Dee
That sounds like fun! Looking forward to it. Glad you are beginning to feel more in control. At least when you have those lows and highs you now know what is going on and that ought to make dealing with it on an emotional level a bit better. Thanks for keeping us posted. :o)
Here’s a West Cocoa, “That’s what I’m talking about,” for your good news. Take it one day at a time Dee.
Sounds like this doctor is very encouraging and supportive. You sound much more positive and upbeat today. I look forward to reading your other stories. Hang in there and you will be on your way to see your Mom before you know it! Blessings!
Gotta love a doctor who basically says, “Just play around with the meds and see what happens!” I’m glad you got some encouragement and I appreciated our conversation yesterday … what you are going through is very much a mirror of life as we get older. You take one day, play around with it to see what works, pray a lot, and take what comes.
I am so glad that you are on the upswing!!
I am so glad your doctor is taking the time to work closely with you to find the right schedule and meds for you daily. May you continue to feel better each day. Prayers still go up on your behalf. In His Love.
You are one smart lady to be able to remember all that!
If it were me, I’d have to take a tape recorder with me to the doctor’s visits!! You ARE going to make it, Dee. God’s blessings to you, and I am praying with and for you.
Blessings to you Dee..
hugs
donna