Thursday, February 9, 2012

Hi everyone

Well, it's been awhile and although not much has happened, there are a few things that are changing.  since my last post, I have had a lot of time to put some thoughts together about my future. Something has happened in my life that has me looking at a life change. I don't want to drag this out into a real long post. Recently some things were happening to me that caused me to make a visit to the VA clinic in Anchorage. I had blurred vision, vision was like a telephoto lens going in and out and excessive drinking of fluids. When I saw the doctor, he said I needed to be admitted to the emergency ward right away where they had to stick an IV into each arm. Turns out, I had a Diabetic Attack. They tested my blood sugar and it was over 450. At that moment, I could have gone into a Diabetic coma. Anyway, I am fine now and I need to make more visits to the doctor to determine if I am a Type 1 or Type 2. He feels I will stay a Type 2 if I take all the meds he gave me and I follow a strict diet. If I keep a healthy lifestyle, I can eliminate the Type 2. Type 2 is what they call pre Diabetes. So, I am putting my plans of returning to the Bush on hold so that I can buy the necessary healthy foods to speed up my recovery. I wasn't sure if I should share this with everyone but, maybe this will give insight to others that, this can happen to anyone and maybe we should take care of our bodies better. I will keep posting, thanks.

22 comments:

Susan Stevenson said...

You take care of yourself, John. That's the most important thing. I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic (type 2) and I changed my diet and I'm getting more exercise and my numbers are getting better.

Good luck to you! Be well.

Bushrat John said...

Thanks Susan, it will be interesting changing my eating habits and exercising more. I will start by splitting wood tomorrow. I sure will miss those greasey foods, lol. Did you notice the new photos at the top? Taken in my yard.

Penny said...

Love, love, LOVE those photos! Especially the last one. What unusual and entertaining shots. Also, sorry to hear about your health troubles, but good to hear you can do something about them. I was just thinking maybe this was one reason your move back to the bush was delayed and you were having some confusion, etc.--so that you could get to the hospital easily when you started to wane like that. That must have been at least a little frightening. Good luck with everything.

Bushrat John said...

Hi Penny, the eye focusing was the scariest. Glad you like the photos. I am going to spend more time taking photos.

becky3086 said...

Glad to hear everything turned out alright. It is a good thing you were close enough to get medical help. I need to lose some weight myself and we do like our bacon and sausage, lol, but I seldom fry anything, only once in a while. My mother had diabetes for a long time, I thought it would be hard for her to change her diet but she had no problem with it. She baked a lot of her meat and kept real good track of her portions.
I too love your pictures especially of the spruce hens. Looks like a bird that would be good slowly baked :)

tea4too0 said...

Hey John, Like Susan and now you, I too am type 2. Changing diet and exercising have helped so much. It was scary at first, but now I am the master, lol. I still cheat on my diet every great once in awhile, but now I only eat 1 piece of cake, instead of the whole thing! Winter time is harder and I have been laid off work so getting exercise is a bit more of a challenge. You take care, John. Try not to worry too much about things, and take your meds. Read up on it, but do not overwelm yourself with toooooooo much info.
It will take just a short time to adjust, but it is so very doable.
I really enjoy your photos, it so good to see a part of the country from a native's view.
T

Bushrat John said...

Hi Becky and Tea, I guess, I'm not the only one who is up. Lol. I appreciate the nice comments, means I'm in good company. You two are to funny. Actually, I have a couple hens and rabbits in the freezer. One rabbit is thawing out right now for baking.

Anonymous said...

John
Glad to hear you were able to catch it when you did. You said earlier that you had to go to the VA in Anchorage because they couldn't do lab work at the Wasilla clinic..?? I recently got back into the VA system through the Wasilla office and I go in next week to the Wasilla office to get my lab work done.. You might want to look into transferring and save a few miles of traveling.
before I retired for the 4th and final time, I usually had 2 or 3 fried eggs and moose sausage with toast and lots of coffee for my work day breakfast. I gave that up and went to eating a bowl or two of oatmeal for breakfast now. Did wonders for my cholesterol. Altho sometimes I backslide and go down to IHOP For one of their Sr Citizen breakfasts.. Take Care John

Bushrat John said...

Hi John, did you make it out to your cabin? I just found out that Wasilla is doing labs and already transferred to Wasilla. I have an appt. on the 17th.

Anonymous said...

John
Yes I took my Alsation with me to the cabin. She wasn't too excited about riding in the enclosed kennel, but she likes to go everywhere with me. Plus there are all the new/different sights and sounds to explore. The River trails this year are about the best I can recall.. Yesterday as I prepared to head back to town it was 17 Above at the cabin; When I got to the spruce pole with the thermometer on it, just below Yentna Station, it was Zero on the River; Didn't notice what it was at the Deshka Landing but as we rolled through the Houston area the hwy was really sloppy. When I parked at home and began unloading it was 40 ABOVE... All within about a 45 mile radius... Glad you got fixed up with the Wasilla VA. The people tht I've dealt with there are very nice...(so far). John

Bushrat John said...

Hey John, glad you got up there and back safe. I suppose I wouuldn't like being cooped up in a kennel either. I sure wished I could have gone with ya.

Anonymous said...

John
Glad to hear you got hooked up with the Wasilla VA.. that'll save you 100 mi round trip. and the people there seem to be real nice... friendly...
I want to go back out to the cabin soon.. because I want to put up the game camera.. having trouble programing it.. need a 12 yr old grandson to help me with it... I'd really like a picture of the grizzly sow that keeps pushing on the cabin door to get in (again) . Last spring we didn't get a picture of the Bear, but got some photos of a cow moose having twins - right in front of the cabin.. I'll give you a call ahead of time, maybe we can get together.. I need to get out more... I've noticed that Levi's have a tendency to shrink up in the winter time.. Probably a side effect of global warming...??? John

CottonLady said...

Well, my goodness, John, you do like excitement, don't you?! So glad they got you fixed up in a hurry. I woulda thunk that all your snow shoveling would count as exercise! Glad you are doing better. It is something treatable and though we don't like diets, if one feels better, it is worth it.
I also really enjoy your photos. Love the little hens. Nice photo out your window. I have an orange moon rising out my window right now. Really pretty. I will look forward to more of your pictures.
Take care..blessings!

Bushrat John said...

Hi Cotton, it was getting a little boring anyways. I like those photo opts. when they come along. I really liked the photo of the sky. An orange moon? Don't they call that a Harvest Moon?

Bushrat John said...

Thanks John, it's not just Levis, lol. I would like to take that trip with ya, let me know.

Carol G said...

P.S. I LOVE your new pics!

Carol

SusieQT said...

John- make sure you get to see a dietician as part of your appointments. They will really help you figure out what and when (also very important!) you should eat. I found that I could eat a little more carbs if I ate a lot of protein, but still keep track of those carbs. It's an adjustment but once you get the hang of it, no big deal. Plus, you'll be amazed at how much better you feel!

Bushrat John said...

Hi Susie, thanks for the advice, my doctor has it all under control. He is setting everything up.

Anonymous said...

Haven't heard from you for a while..hope everything is good. Diabetes is becoming very common. Not that it helps you any to know that but....

Just checking in to see how your doing...

Wash

Bushrat John said...

Hi Wash, thanks for checking in. I have been pretty busy. With the longer days and warm temps. I have been clearing the snow from my property by hand and working on some projects. I will get to the library soon. Take care.

CottonLady said...

Hi, John,
Just popping in to see how you are. I'll bet you're getting plenty of exercise if you're moving all that snow by hand!!
Take care...and be careful.
Blessings!

Bushrat John said...

Hi Cotton, thanks for checking . I'm doing fine. Sorry for not posting, just lazy and a little depressed, probably cabin fever. I will post soon. Take care.