[Diabetes-talk] New Member Introduction

Mon Dec 14 03:12:13 UTC 2009

This is a fantastic message filled with love, respect, and the tension there 
sometimes is between the two.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Shelton" <rshelton1 at gmail.com>
To: "'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'" <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2009 3:55 PM
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] New Member Introduction


> Thanks.  This is definitely something I need to figure out.  We've been
> really lucky so far, but I know that I can take responsibility and handle
> this.  Linda is quite protective (for lack of a better word) in wanting to
> manage her condition independently.  We have always divided our
> responsibilities that way.  I've made the pay checks and she's managed the
> house, kids, and everything else.  Now we are coming to the time when I 
> need
> to step up.
>
> K C suggested I share what I know about how Linda manages her sugar, and
> also where I am in my own knowledge and skills.  Fair enough.
>
> Linda is insulin dependent and insulin resistant which means she needs to
> take a lot -- something north of 60 units per day.  Most of this is Lantus
> taken at night, the remainder Humalog taken during the day to correct. 
> She
> tests several times a day and has gotten fairly good at detecting ups and
> downs -- at least she can tell when it's time to test.  I don't know the
> brand of her glucometer, but I can use it to test her sugar; of course, I
> can't read it.  We're getting the PV -- I suspect that I'll get to 
> practice
> using it on myself, not a problem.
>
> All of Linda's serious low incidents have happened at night.  As I said, 
> she
> can head them off fine if she's awake.  I seem to know when she's going 
> low.
> I've awakened to Linda being in a cold sweat, and got her up and righted.
> Friday night was just a whole lot worse, maybe because I didn't wake up in
> time to catch her while she could still help me.   Once she goes past a
> certain point, she's completely incapable of helping me at all, but
> fortunately, she can swallow liquids.  I've always had emergency juice
> stashed away, but for some reason, it wasn't there Friday night.  I looked
> high and low, but the best I could do was some chocolate which doesn't 
> have
> much sugar.  I'm not sure she would have been able to drink anything under
> these circumstances anyway.
>
> The paramedics had squeeze tubes of glucose concentrate, and that worked
> great.  I've already ordered a supply from our mail order pharmacy.  I 
> think
> getting comfortable using the meter, and having a proven, certain 
> emergency
> sugar source, will go a long ways toward solving our problems.
>
> Poor baby, when she goes low, she's pretty obstinate.  Even when she 
> catches
> it herself, it's like she goes into slow motion.  Like I said, I just have
> to step up and take responsibility while respecting her wishes to be
> independent.  Not sure I'm making the best of sense here, and not sure I
> really provided the right information.
>
> Thanks,
>
> --Robert
>
> "A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm,
> thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to
> others. It is a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with
> bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity."
> --Jimmy Carter
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Paul & Paula Jordan
> Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2009 12:27 PM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] New Member Introduction
>
> Hi Robert:  I am a diabetic with a totally blind spouse, and I'm not sure
> what her reactions would be in an emergency.  I'm not sure how she'd feel
> about testing me, nor am I sure how I would feel either.  I know that when 
> I
> test, I can tell how much blood I've got, but I'm not sure what she'd do.
> I have mentioned your situation, and I think she'll probably share some of
> her ideas later.
> Hang in, and I hope and trust we can get you some help soon.
>
> Paul
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Robert Shelton
> Sent: Saturday, December 12, 2009 10:04 PM
> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Diabetes-talk] New Member Introduction
>
> Hi.  My wife (sighted) is a diabetic and I'm a total.  Linda was diagnosed
> almost 10 years ago, and is heavily insulin-dependent.  We've been 
> muddling
> through - maybe half a dozen incidents of heavy insulin shock over ten
> years, and I've always been able to handle things, but last night was
> different. I wound up calling 911.  What I'm looking for is how a blind
> person can best be prepared to handle emergencies with a diabetic partner.
> I looked at the list archives but didn't see a search function.  I've got
> emergency sugar stashed away, but I need to make sure I can read her blood
> sugar without depending on Linda - surely there are solutions for this. 
> If
> anyone has suggestions, I'd be more than grateful.
>
>
>
> Best regards,
>
>
>
> --Robert
>
> "...and you fill your cup with whatever bitter brew you're drinking, and 
> you
> spend your life diggig' coal from the bottom of your grave."
>
> --Patty Loveless "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive"
>
>
>
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