Thank You Gifts For My Doctors

Some of my doctors are very nice here – some not so – and in all my years in Canada there had been some people in the hospital who have made my life a lot easier and encouraged me when I was having difficulty with my health issues.  And because of them – I have had better control of my health now – but what do you give those doctors who have everything money can buy?  I don’t really want to buy some generic thing just because – so the spouse said some cufflinks in a nice gift box would be a really nice gesture.  So knowing that one of them is leaving the town to start a practice in Halifax – I decided to get him a nice cufflink as a thank you gift and hope that whenever he wears it – he will remember me.

Snacks Suitable For Diabetics

Diabetes suxs!  I know and big time – and when you need a snack – you can’t eat a piece of chocolate or a piece of cookie and I can understand it.  Therefore, I’m constantly searching for snacks that diabetic people like myself can eat and then post it online – so that you know that you can snack on this – without worrying too.

I saw these at Walmart one day and took a look at the ingredients and found that it had very little sugar in the packet of cookies and about 100 calories – this definitely beats have 3 tim bits from Tim Hortons.  So check it out – it was ony $2 at Walmart – and it does stop my craving to snack on something in the late morning and tide me over till lunch time.

Scrubs For My Favorite Nurses

A couple  of years ago, when I had my huge operation to take out my fibroid, the nurses down at the blood transfusion center treated me really well.  I’ve always kept in touch with them and each time I visit the doctors, I would drop in and say hi.  Some are transferred to another department but some are still there and I say these nurses don’t get enough credit.  So last Christmas, I decided to get some discount scrubs from Marcus and not just ordinary ones – some really fun looking scrubs as presents for them all.   They all loved the ones with the owl print and the scrubs sells from $5.99 – so they were really worth getting for these nurses.  I wished more patients would appreciate the good nurses a lot more.

Gestational Diabetes

I was extremely lucky when I had Missy Moo – I didn’t have gestational diabetes – but Mr Moo said – it could be because I couldn’t eat at all without feeling that I needed to puke.  Maybe that was the reason but I was sure happy because Missy Moo was not at risked.

A friend of mine is having a baby soon and a few months ago, she found out that she had gestational diabetes – poor girl!  just when she started to feel better and could eat.   The hospitals and doctors take gestational diabetes very seriously and if you cannot bring your blood sugar level down – they would strongly suggest that you take insulin and that is no fun at all – that’s for sure.  My girlfriend started doing more exercises and also cutting back on carb to have to lower her blood sugar and I think she is doing well with it after the initial shock  but what about those who don’t have as much determination as my friend?

So what else can one do to help with the gestational diabetes if you have one while you are carrying a baby?  try to move around a lot – lots of walking is really good i heard for those with  gestational diabetes – cut off all juices and sugary drinks and definitely cut down on pasta and rice – I know easier said than done and if all else fail – listen to the doctor and take some insulin and you only start off with very low dosage.

Keeping Warm During Winter

My in laws work outside a lot in the winter – they owned a hundred acres land like Winnie the Pooh.  From cutting down trees for wood/fireplace – they also collect maple syrup in the spring.  So this Christmas, we bought him some very good quality overalls as presents because we know he will appreciate it.  Overalls like the one above are great for their hunting expeditions as well.  And while some people wants to keep fashionable while they are outdoors – the above overall looks rather stylish – so no worries about not looking good but if you are an outdoor person – all you should care about is keeping warm and keeping safe.   It was definitely a great buy and the best present for something who wants to keep warm when working.

Spaghetti Squash For Diabetics

Truth be told I didn’t know what Spaghetti squash is – well, not until I learned that by eating Spaghetti squash – you actually cut down on your carb.  But for those who knows me – you know how much I loved my real spaghetti – could eat tons of it – but now I too cut back on them.   But with Spaghetti squash – it is said that it is only 10 % what you would normally eat for your spaghetti and spaghetti squash is pretty good tasting too.

Prepare to be pleasantly surprised when you swap the mildly sweet and nutty flavor of spaghetti squash for regular carb-heavy spaghetti. Packed with vitamins and nutrients — including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, and B vitamins — spaghetti squash is a true power food.

Lower Morning Blood Sugar

So you wake up each morning – worried and wondering what is your blood sugar like this morning -  and even though you didn’t eat anything out of the ordinary last night – your blood sugar is still high.  So what do you do?  or you’ve tried everything – and it’s still high.

While many people were told that what you eat affects your morning blood sugar, it is not always true – in fact new studies showed that it could be your hormones that is causing your blood sugar to go up over night. Because when you sleep – you liver and muscles will tell each other to generate more glucose supply since you are sleeping and not eating at all and since you don’t have enough insulin when you are sleeping – you wake up with high blood sugar in the morning.   Sounds pretty logical to me – what about you?    So what do you do?

Some changes in your lifestyle is needed and so is some medication – talk to your family doctor quickly and they can work with you immediately.  Having said that – losing weight I know does gerat for your blood sugar.  So good luck everyone.

Stressless Christmas

I had a pretty much stressless Christmas this year  – why?  because I found a place that took care of all my gifts – including the ones for the spouse.  So whenever some said they can’t find any gifts for husband anywhere – I show them where I get my gifts for the spouse.  Plenty of goodies to choose from and which husband can resist all these lovely chocolate right?  well, mine loved his chocolate best – I had a pretty much stress-less Christmas and from now onwards – you know where I’m getting HIS gifts.

Electronic Massage Pads

So I’ve had my electronic massage pad for about 2 years now – and someone asked me if it was good.  I can truthfully answer that it is at times good but at other times not so.  I used it whenever I feel that I’m bloated or when I feel very tired in the evenings but lately I’ve also woken up with a very sore back – now whether it is related to the electronic massage pad or not – I really cannot tell.   So yes, do buy it but also don’t use it as much as I do.

New Outlook For The New Year

Yes !  a new outlook for the new year for my health and to start off the new year – we are heading to our cottage to re-decorate with some rustic log furniture that we had bought last month.   The cottage will be used for our weekend getaway once a month – or whenever we get chance  – especially during the summer.  We are finally closing the cottage down for the winter and will be running it in the spring.  We feel that by using more of the cottage – it would relieve our stress and make us do things together instead of just going on the computer always.  Rustic log furniture are great because it gives us so much warmth in our life and we feel like we are living harmoniously.   The rustic log furniture blend into our cottage so well – we just loved it.

Non-Starchy Veggies For Diabetic

So I just learned that eating veggies is not enough for a diabetic – you have to eat and choose non starchy veggies.  Why?  because they contain fewer calories and less carbs per serving.  So what are non starchy veggies?  broccoli and green beans are an example of non starchy veggies and if you are having your meals -  you are asked to consider to take more veggies than meat.  Also you can take veggies for a snack – now that really sucks right?  pretty much – oh well!

Holiday Parties For The Diabetic

So it’s that time of the year again and you get invited to all sorts of parties but most party times starts late because they need to wait till everyone is off work and give them time to freshen up.  So as a diabetic – what do you do?  do you skips your meals and eat a big meal at your holiday parties or do you eat your meal and then eat some more at your holiday parties?  it’s easy to do both because if you don’t eat – you would feel queasy and if you don’t eat at your holiday parties – your hosts may think that you are being a stuck up or worst a party popper.

So what do diabetics like myself do ?  i try and eat something really light and then when I am at the party – I eat light again.  I keep my drinking to the minimum and nurse my drinks as long as I can – and if the host insist on pushing drinks to me – I would just change a glass and make it look like it’s a new glass all over again. And yes diabetic can go for parties too and have fun during the holiday season.

Province Will Not Fund Insulin Pumps

The Liberal Caucus has had a private member’s bill on the order paper since 2008 to get the Province to fund insulin pumps. Neither the previous nor current government has even bothered to call the bill. Here is coverage from the government’s most recent refusal to fund these vital pumps.

Zach Churchchill – MLA

I read on the Chronicle Herald about how the province said they had no money to fund those with Type 1 diabetes – about $6000 for the insulin pumps to keep them alive – this is just so sad.   The cost cannot be justified according to the Deputy Health Minister – Mcnamara *rolling my eyes*

I have Type 2 diabetes and a few years ago – my family doctor insisted on putting me on the needles too – I had flatly refused and asked for a second opinion.  Had I been one of those who are dependent on the insulin – I would be devastated to have to fork out $6000 for the machine.  Now if I had a kid who needed the insulin – and don’t have the device – I would be worried to death as to when they might need the needle and not have it in hand.

I think it is incredibly selfish of the Province not to support the funding for the insulin pumps for these young kids especially – since they suffer a lot more than adults.  I seriously hope they would consider it – especially for the younger kids before 15 – but of course that’s just my opinion.  But I believed it can be done – especially when I hear about the amount the province is spending on parties during Christmas.

Exercising With A Yo-yo

Missy Moo asked for a yo yo for Christmas – because she had just seen some of her classmates doing all sorts of tricks with it during gym.    Apparently, you not only can do tricks with a yo yo – you can also exercise with it – and then co-ordinate your movements.  I told Missy Moo that she should be careful – in case, she swings the yoyo  into her face or worst someone else’s face.  In which she replied in a matter of factly way – that they will be trained by an older student on how to maneuver the sassy moves – just like any routine – or dancing she might be learning.   Now isn’t it something ?  I used to love playing with a yoyo – when i was a kid – walking the dog and making them swing inside a triangle but now the kids even have more tricks to do with the yoyo – so yes !  we are getting it for her – maybe she will have something to do at the store – instead of telling us she is bored all the time.

Losing Weight Smart And Easy

As a diabetic – we all know that losing weight is the right way to go – but it sure isn’t easy right?  I can understand  – working – looking after a kid/kids – and housework – we sometimes don’t even have time to take a bath – usually a quick shower is all the time we can afford – so how can one find time for losing weight.

Well, you don’t have to set your goal too high or go combat style with your losing weight program  – a little at a time – is the way to go.  And yes, you have to make time for yourself and your health.  Work is important, so is the kids and housework and also the spouse – i can understand it – but one has gotta make time for yourself and your health and it’s not too late.

So make time for yourself – 30 mins a day is all it takes – you can make 30 mins just for yourself – don’t worry about the spouse needing the tv to watch a show or play a game, you deserve that half hour with the wii fit and aerobics.  Don’t feel bad about making time for yourself and get enough rest every day.

I Wanna Sue My Doctor

I’m sure you’ve heard people telling you this more than once in your lifetime – and just because doctors has malpractice insurance – it really doesn’t mean that he doesn’t mind getting sued.  I know very little about suing my doctors – because usually i get over it – after I’m upset with it for a while.  Just like the last time I was admitted to the hospital and the doctor insisted that i had a bowel obstruction – and I knew it was food poisoning.  And another time – a doctor said I had appendicitis but in fact it was something else.  So of course, my appendicitis were taken out but it was rupturing or anything – but a cut was a cut right?  yes ! i was mad – but no i didn’t sue the doctor after all – they symptoms were there.  But I can understand if someone had died – and it was a mistake by the doctor – yes – I’m sure someone would have sued for malpractice.  There are a lot of times I don’t feel that my previous doctors had made the right diagnosis – but not every patient is like myself – so yes!  some insist on suing the doctor for the slightest reason – so yes! i’ve heard many times from friends and co-workers – that they want to sue their doctors.

I Don’t Wanna Eat

It’s true – I’m usually don’t want to eat – but if I don’t eat something after a few hours – my head starts to hurt or my hands starts to shake.  I often wonder why too – because really I don’t want to eat – not until I read an article online about the diabetic medication that I’m taking can cause my sugar to get low – therefore I have all these symptoms – that makes me have a need to eat something.   As strange as it may sound – check with your doctor – if you are feeling queasy after not eating for a few hours.  Don’t be shy to ask your doctors questions – because if you don’t ask you never know – and for the longest time I had been feeling really bad that I’m eating so much – or feel like I’m eating so much.

Chronic Stress

What is chronic stress?  and how do one know if you have chronic stress? well, according to the doctors – chronic stress is when one is stress with emotional problems and at a prolong time.  It is when the person suffering from it – feels that he or she has no control over it.  Chronic stress if not treated because it involves a certain release of chemical in your system thus causing mental health issues.

People with chronic stress always feels that they are losing control – they are short of breathe when they are faced with a situation  – even with lateness.  Some of the signs to look out for with chronic stress people is when they are losing a lot of hair all of a sudden, have a lot of mouth sores  – heart problems, IBS – or someone who is burping a lot or farting alot – someone who has vaginal infection all the time, skin problems or  when one finds it hard to breathe at times.  So if you notice your spouse having such system or even yourself – be honest about it and please seek help.

Keeping Healthy During Winter

Winter is definitely here – we’ve had rain – the wind and the snow – and it’s getting colder every day and nights are longer now.  I tell Missy Moo to keep warm -when she is at school or outdoors and when she is indoors – I try to heat up the room that we are in warm.  The only problem I have keeping her warm is in the store.  You see – to heat the store – it will cost us an arm and a leg – heat and oil is very expensive here and we don’t get a rebate like the ones that ct electricity gives out to the good people in Connecticut because we are a business.  But we have to keep somewhat warm – and if I can have it – I will leave the store temperature up at 25 degree Celsius the entire time we are at the store but of course that is not possible as the bill will definitely kill us.

So how does one keep healthy – without overpaying the power bill or oil bill?  layers – yes! you heard right in layers – I dress Missy Moo and myself up in layers – that way if we are cold we can put on another layer and if we are hot take off one.  All of Missy Moo’s pants has fleece lining – now that would definitely keep her a lot warmer than her friends.  Unfortunately, adults can’t get that kinda pants – else I would too.  How are you keeping healthy during Winter?  share your tips please.

Fight Fatigue

I kid you not – I’m fighting fatigue and I don’t even know why I feel so tired every day – it’s like I’m not getting a lot done and I’m dozing off !  What the hell right??!!!???  As I am writing this – I’m yawning  and it’s not like I don’t get enough sleep – and it seems like the longer hours I sleep – the more tired I become – so what’s wrong with me!

Is it the food that I’m eating?  is it because I’m not doing enough exercise?  or is it because I’m not getting a lot of fresh air?  what is the cause of fatigue I asked my doctor.  And according to her – it could be stress, exercises, food or even health problems.  So I’m beginning my fight with fatigue by doing a different exercise.

I’m going to go back to my 7 hrs of sleep a day – because 8 hrs seems to cause some trouble for me.  And now that I’m taking yoga – I’m going to do some relaxing breathing exercises as well when I’m at work about 10 – 20 mins every day.   I’m going to cut down on my coffee by drinking only 1 cup a day instead of 2 – and I’m not going to take any sweets like my cream puff anymore.   I will also up my vitamins – to see if it will help.  So from today onwards – I’m going to try this for 2 weeks and see if I am still feeling fatigue.