The randomness of me

OK, it has been a while, but I have been busy busy busy.

First the Islet stuff.

The doctors took me off my morning and lunch insulin, so I am just going with the dinner Humalog, and bedtime N. Seems to be working very nicely - and I always have the option of talking a little insulin if I feel like having a larger meal. Good flexability.

Had some problems with diarrhea last week or so, and it turns out that we tried to take the CellCept in 2 doses a day instead of 4, and that was the culprit. So back to 4 times a day for that!! No problem for me.

I see Dr. Shapiro next Tuesday morning. I have not seen him since early August, so it should be interesting to hear what he has to say, but I doubt it will be different than what the rest of the Doctors are telling me.

OK, now on to the rest.

I am talking Ballroom Dancing with Sarah, and for the most part enjoying it. Sometimes it gets a bit frustrating when your feet do not quite do what your mind tells them to, but its all part of the process. It is good exercise for sure!

Sarah got some pedometers for us last week. In order to have a healthy active lifestyle, a person is supposed to take about 10000 steps a day. I have been averaging anywhere between 8000 and 12000 for the most part, but yesterday racked up 15000 steps!

We need to get our butts in gear for the business plan, as it is not moving along very quickly at all. Tonight I am going to give it a good start though.

Spent Thanksgiving at my Dad's last weekend. Sarah and I had such a blast, and boy were we fed well!

Off to work now!!

But there is always next weekend!

Yesterday we went to a potluck that Sarah's old lab co-workers put on, and I had a really great time, despite not knowing anyone. It used to be that I was uncomfortable in those situations, but not at all.

Today we slept in, then made lunch, and walked down to Fort Edmonton - to see what we could see as far as the set goes. There was nothing to see at all, but we tried!

After that we went to West Ed, and went to see a movie, the Constant Gardener, which was awesome!! Highly recommended! So overall, a nice relaxing day, lots of fun, and some good quality time together!

Tomorrow - bloodwork in the AM, and back to work! Night!

I guess it is a smart thing to stay home and rest. I took Wednesday off work, and hung out here, and by today I feel all better! Mental note for next time!

Still finishing up my speech for next Tuesday night. Starting to get a little stressed, but bottom line is I know what I am talking about. Pretty much just my story.

Sarah and I went to a seminar last night, and learned much. The topic is secret though. Email me and ask and I may tell.

Mission now is dinner, laundry, cleaning, and speech writing, in that order. Tommorow we are going to another pot luck, and I think Sarah and I will bake an apple crumble together.

Well a new test is here. I feel sick. It was only a matter of when for this hurdle to arrive, and it seems to be here now.

My throat is sore, I have an earache and a bit of a headache too.

I called Dolores my nurse this afternoon, and here is the plan.

Take temperature (mine was 36.7 - normal). As long as it is OK, I will be too. If it is high (above 37.4) then proceed to emergency, to get care ASAP.

For now thank goodness my temperature is fine. I think though that I will call in sick to work tomorrow unless I have no symptoms, and err on the side of caution.

Am I worried? Yes I am a bit.
Do I know what to do? Yes I do, and that gives me piece of mind.

Well the weekend is done and over, and it was pretty fun.

Friday I took Sarah to Culina, a nice little restaurant in Edmonton, and it was fabulous! Much fun was had. I even tried the Salmon that she ordered! It was actually quite good!

Saturday we had a little potluck for Holly, one of Sarah's friends (birthday). There was sooo much food, but it was pretty darn good! Lots left over though.

Sunday - didn't do too much. I worked on my speech and my article that I have on the go for a while, and then listened to the new Diabetes radio show on CJCA, which sounded pretty good. My interview about my support group was not on last night, but I am sure will get to air soon.

Today is my 2 month 'anniversary' of my transplant. As I am sure you know if you have been reading my posts, things are going very well. 12 pills a day seems like a small price to pay! 6 or 7 units of insulin is not a big deal either! I have zero side effects, I have more energy then ever (OK except for today!) and it is impossible to appreciate how good my life is, unless you have done a similar turn around.

Well let's sum up the week shall we??

On Tuesday I went to clinic, and finally saw Dr Ryan for the 1st time, and he is happy with how things are going. We had a very serious talk about a second transplant - all the pros and cons, but in the end I decided (and he agreed) that I do not really need another one right now.

I am happy taking 1 or3 units of Insulin, and I am thrilled with my sugar results (my last Hemoglobin A1C was 6.6% - which is 'normal'). I have no side effects from the meds, and I see no need to complicate matters right now unless things start becoming less then optimal. It has now been 45 days since the transplant. As far as I am concerned, life is great!

Yesterday Sarah and I signed up for ballroom dancing lessons at the University of Alberta. So every Thursday night until January I will have my dancing shoes on, trying to be graceful and all that! It will be good exercise, and much fun I think!

Tonight I am taking Sarah somewhere for a surprise! (I cannot say more yet in case she reads it!) We are bound to have a good time!

Well back to work for another short week, thanks to Labour Day!

I have clinic tomorrow morning at 8:50, and also need to have bloodwork done as well, so I pretty much have to leave my house at 630 - to make sure I am there early, as there is usually a pretty mental line up on Tuesdays after the long weekend.

Should be interesting in Clinic tomorrow to hear what they say. Tomorrow is my 8 week mark, so I am 2/3 of the way through my most critical time. I am having my A1C done tomorrow, and cannot wait to see what it is. I am so pleased with how it is all working out.

Life is good - no, life is great!

Well another summer is past us for the most part. I know September is technically summer, but it feels more like fall, with the back to school and all that.

My islets are still doing well, I feel better and better with every passing day. I do get a higher reading every so often, like just now I was 11.3, but I think that is because I ate breakfast late, and had a wee low blood sugar - even though I never tested. A bit of a rebound I guess. The true test will be in a couple hours to see if it comes back down - and I am sure it will. The doctors told me not to sweat the occasional higer sugar, but that is easier to say then done - but I do know what caused this one for sure.

Going in a bit to kick my sister and her husband out of the house for the better part of the afternoon and early evening - as I think they both need a bit of a break from Nathan. Uncle Jason (and Sarah) to the rescue!

Should get the pictures from Jasper back soon, and will post them when I get them posted.

Well we have returned from Jasper late last night, and Sarah and I had a great time!

Some Highlights:

Columbia Icefields - Sarah's 1st time there
Athabasca and Sunwapta Falls
Horseshoe Lake - Sarah jumped into the 2 C water!
On the beach at Lake Edith
Horseback Riding - my 1st time!
Canoeing on Pyramid Lake
Old Fort Point
Picnic Lunches

I will post pictures after I get them developed....

The place we stayed was great, the weather was beautiful, the company was perfect.