It's fall. The leaves are falling and the shadows are growing longer. I look back on the Summer and it seems that it was a short one. I've been neglecting this blog partly because of time spent analyzing the events of the summer of 2015.
Because of a spring that was cooler and wetter than normal our garden was a dud. The tomatoes cracked and rotted; the ones that survived lacked that good, tart flavor I look forward to every summer. The okra was stunted. We did harvest some good green beans and potatoes. We'll try again next year.
In early June I went to the doctor for my yearly wellness exam and was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I immediately went on a carb counting diet, bought a blood sugar tester and started using it religiously. I'm trying to get more exercise. I was able to bring my body mass index down from 35 to 32.5, I keep my blood glucose level within normal range, I've lost 23 pounds and my blood pressure is normal. The doctor is pleased with my progress. I feel better however I do miss those donuts, mashed potatoes, and biscuits.
At the end of June I had another surgery for a basal cell carcinoma on my nose. This is the second surgery in 4 years. This one was on the opposite side as the other one. The surgery required the removal of more tissue than the last time. I don't know how I let that slip up on me. So, now I have to see my dermatologist 3 times a year instead of just once.
My 46 year old nephew died. His death is under police investigation. That's all I can say about that right now.
And last but not least I turned 70 this summer. I don't see that as a negative life event, in fact I'm grateful for the years I've spent on this planet and the people that I've spent them with. But it has me turned toward contemplating the time of my departure. So I've been doing a lot of spiritual/metaphysical/philosophical ruminating to prepare myself for that final and irrevocable loss of consciousness. Please don't think I'm being morbid. I know, like every human being before me, that I only have so many days allotted to me and that I may have 20+ years to enjoy. I just want to make sure they are fruitful ones.
3 comments:
I think it's a logical way to think and I do the same at 72. Good that you got a handle on the physical things you can do. I bought a blood glucose testing kit when I had a higher glucose level than i liked although it wasn't pre-diabetic. Still, i also brought it down to farther from the concern level. Just smart
Welcome to the 70's! I got to this milestone some 5 and 1/2 years, ago. Strangely enough, the most recent birthday, age 75, has been the only important milestone among all the ones that came before...maybe the one at age 16 was almost as important as that was when I finally had a drivers license.
At the age of 75 I became much more introspective. At ages 73 and 74 I started making the plans for my departure by setting up a trust and doing some reading about the final days. We have not made a trip to the Neptune Society yet; that's to set up our cremation wishes. We must do that this year. Without fail!
Do read the book 'Being Mortal'. We're passing the book around to all of our children. They need to read it.
I'm glad to hear you're making progress on the physical side. It's hard work and you deserve a lot of praise for it. It took me close to a year to lose the 55 pounds and it's still difficult to pass up a donut or a bowl of ice cream.
I haven't been able to go to the gym recently because of pain issues but this latest drug may be the answer. I really miss the 3 times a week of exercise....1.5 hours three time a week. It doesn't sound like much but it can become as addictive as...a donut!
You seem to be handling the diabetes quite well. After a year of being on the severely restricted carb intake, my weight has dropped as well as my glucose levels, but I am so bored with eating meat and salads. Like you, I miss biscuits, real bread, and all the other "white" stuff. Sweets were never my problem, but now I seem to crave them, and Jell-o gets old very quickly. I have reached a plateau with weight loss, which is disheartening, but I'm lucky to have cut my insulin by half.
I also hated walking every day. Now when I miss it, I don't feel quite as well.
Keep up your good diet and exercise!
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