Well, I just got home Wed for another stay at the VA Hospital.  13 days this time.  3 in ICU.  I was a mess.  Still the same diabetic foot infection.  Somehow I had picked up a second infection--psuedamonas--a precursor to gangrene.  I went to urgent care with 106.8 temp and throwing up.  My electolytes were so out of wack that I couldn't stand up without falling over. 

I was in ICU to get to bags of blood and my blood sugar would shoot to 500 and then drop to 30.  I don't really remember the first week.  Except that I thought I had had a stroke.  They told me I almost died twice.  Only the Lord pulled me through and I am very grateful.  My Bible study group (50 wonderful ladies) were interceding mightily. 

I am home now, using my wheelchair (minimal wt bearing), on oxygen, and two different antibiotics.

God is so good and merciful!!!

Deb

 

30-Day Meal Plan for People with Diabetes
Day 1

Breakfast

• 2 (four-inch) whole grain pancakes
• 1/2 cup mixed berries
• 2 teaspoons sugar-free maple syrup
• 1 cup fat-free milk

Lunch

• Herbed Chicken Soup with Spring Vegetables  (see recipe below)
• 1 cup tossed salad with 2 tablespoons low-calorie dressing
• 1 (one-ounce) whole grain roll
• 1 small apple

Dinner

• 4 ounces grilled salmon
• 1/2 cup brown rice cooked with low-fat chicken broth
• 1/2 cup cubed cucumber mixed with 1/2 cup cubed tomatoes tossed with 2 teaspoons olive oil and 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 5 roasted asparagus spears
• 1 (one-ounce) slice rye bread

Snacks

• 10 almonds
• 1/2 cup melon cubes tossed with 1 teaspoon lime juice

*********** 

Herb Chicken Soup with Spring Vegetables

 3 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus 1 tablespoon chopped
3 sprigs fresh tarragon, plus 1 tablespoon chopped
3 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1 small onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, sliced
1 stalk celery, sliced
3 long strips lemon zest
4 bone-in chicken breast halves, skin removed (2 1/2 to 3 pounds)
4 cups chicken broth, low-sodium canned or homemade
1 bunch medium asparagus, thick ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch segments
1/3 cup fresh or frozen peas
5 medium shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced

 

Tie the parsley, tarragon, and thyme sprigs and bay leaf together with kitchen twine and put in a large saucepan with the onion, carrot, celery, lemon zest, and chicken breasts. Cover with the broth, bring just to a boil over high heat, skim off any foam that comes to the surface. Adjust the heat to very low and cover. Cook the chicken until firm to the touch, about 20 minutes. Remove the chicken to a platter, when cool enough to handle and pull into large strips; discard the bones.

When ready to serve, add the asparagus, peas, and mushrooms to the broth. Cook until the vegetables are just tender, about 3 to 5 minutes, and remove herb bundle. Return chicken to the broth and warm through.

Divide chicken between 4 large soup bowls and ladle some broth and vegetables into each bowl. Garnish each soup with the chopped parsley and tarragon. Serve.

Copyright 2005 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved.

Nutrition Information
Nutritional Analysis per serving	Calories 269
Fat 4 grams	Saturated Fat 1 gram
Carbohydrates 14 grams	Fiber 5 grams
Protein 47 grams

 

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Hi all!

Things have been crazy with my health lately.  I fractured my foot earlier this year--3 small bones on the top of the arch.  They did not heal.  The bones died.  This left a space for the bones to slip and slide around in.  That led to the bones falling down or telescoping downward and the arch falling.  I now have a rocker bottom on the right foot.  I had just gotten new arch supports and diabetic shoes, but the arch support were from before my arch fell so severely. (Of course there is a name for this--charcot foot--not really reversible)  Take care of your feet ladies!!!

The new shoes caused a blister on the bottom of my foot.  Having diabetic neruopathy, I did not feel it.  Then it got infected.  I spent 8 1/2 in the VA hospital getting antibiotics and after a week at home am on 7 more days of antibiotics.  My blood pressure and blood sugars were a mess too.  They put me on an insulin drip for two days.  I now have to take two kinds of insulin--slow acting and fast acting.  That is 5 shots a day.

One thing I learned was the right diabetic diet, exchanges, and portions. 

1600 Calorie Diabetic Diet

 Breakfast                               

WW Bread-1              

Margerine-1 tsp

 Coffee or Tea                                      

8 oz skim milk             

Or 1/3 c cottage cheese           

Or 6 oz yogurt

 Fruit:    ½ canned, juice or water                      

Or 1 c fresh fruit          

Egg-1                                                  

 Cereal: 1/2 cup

May sub 1 WW Bread                        

Or 1-3” pancake

Or 1 waffle

LUNCH

 WW bread-1

Margerine-1 tsp

Coffee or tea

8 oz skim milk

Or 1/3 cup cottage cheese

Or 6 oz yogurt

Fruit:  ½ cup canned in fruit juice or water

            Or 1 cup fresh

 Green Salad:  no potato or macaroni salad

 Meat:  3 oz

 ½ c potato or 1/3 cup pasta or rice

 Vegetable:  ½ cooked or 1 c fresh

 Dinner

 WW bread-1

Margerine-1 tsp

 Coffee or tea

8 oz skim milk

Or 1/3 cup cottage cheese

Or 6 oz yogurt

 Fruit:  ½ cup canned in fruit juice or water

            Or 1 cup fresh

 Green Salad:  no potato or macaroni salad

 Meat:  3 oz

 ½ c potato or 1/3 cup pasta or rice

 Vegetable:  ½ cooked or 1 c fresh

I eat at regular scheduled times now--8 am, 12 noon, and between 5-6 pm.  No snacking unless there is low blood sugar. 

As soon as I get my new shoes and my foot is healed, I will be out walking again.  It is do or die time for me.  This is my life and I am not willing to let diabetes win and kill me.  I plan to fight back and am glad to have some tools to help me.  So here is to exercise which I always saw as a punishment, but now view as a privilege, and eating right.  And keeping my eyes on the the Lord to lead and guilde me along the path to good health.

 

 

 

Hi everyone!  Sorry I haven't blogged in so long.  I have been having quite a time with my foot.  I learned in Dec that the bones did not heal.  They died.  3 small bones on the top of the foot across from the cupoid bone.  The space has filled with calcium deposits.  I still have alot of swelling and pain. 

I did get a pr of diabetic sneakers.  They have greater depth to have room for the swelling.  Plus the laces are stretchy.  You just slip them on and velcro one strap.  I have progressed from having to have help getting dressed to being able to get dressed and get my socks on (alot of contorting) by myself. 

I am still using my wheelchair for church.  The choice is a long long walk to the elevator or facing 12 steps.  Other than that I walk and use electiric scooters at the store.

My daughter, Jenny, had an MRI on her back.  She has ruptured discs from T1 to S1.  Right now, it is not too painful.  She had a bad fibro flare up over Christmas and was miserable.  She has admiited to me that , "It is sure is easier to walk with the Lord!!"  She has found a home group from the church.  Also she is volunteering for a group called LEAD.  (leadership, education, adventure, and  diversity)  They reach out to "at risk"  teens.  Jen is developing an outreach to homeless teens.  They are real happy to have her joining the team. 

We had a very quiet and simple Christmas.  Hope you all enjoyed friends and family.  Happy new year to you all.  A big hello to Candyfoote too!!

I have been cleaning out bookshelves, the bottom of the china closet, desk and dresser drawers.  I had some help to rearrange my living room.  Took them about 15 minutes.  Would have taken me several days.  Bless them Lord. 

Thanksgiving Menu

• Turkey
• Potatoes and gravy
• Stuffing (2 kinds)
• Baked sweet ptatoes
• Green bean caserole
• Rolls and homemade strawvberry jam
• Lettuce salad
• Deviled eggs
• Rolled up tortilla sandwhiches
• Whole pickled beets
• Relish Plate--carrots, celery, cucs, radishes, pickles, olives, olives, and more olives!!!
• 2 kinds of dips and assorted crackers
• Snickerdoodles, choc chip, and peanut butter cookis
• Pumpkin and choc pie
• SF choc pudding and cool whip.

We are expecting between 12-16 people. We will eat buffet style.  Everyone is bringing a few items and will come early to help finish the cooking.  I have Christmas music on and we are getting snowmen out to decorate.  I have about 150.  But will only be getting the large ones out this year.  It is too much work to put them all away.  I left them out until Valentine's day this year.

My foot is getting better, slowly. I got my wheelchair and am using it to go to church and other outihgs.  i ride the Ride Source van (door to door service) and my husband comes along as my attendant--to push.  It has been a very humbling experience to have to always rely on someone else.  I think maybe the the Lord is using this to remind me to rely on Him more. I have an appt for an xray on the 20th. 

 My daughter had an MRI on her back last night.  She had nightmares all night of being in that machine.  She is very claustrophobic. We will have some results for her in a few days.  Deb

 

 

Last Sunday my daughter, Jenny, who is 29 rededicated her life to Jesus.  She has started going to Jubilee church with a girlfriend.  She has been away from the Lord since she was 13.  I am overjoyed and so relieved.  THANK YOU JESUS!!!  This was HIS kiros timing.  I am so grateful to the Lord. 

Deb

I get my wheelchair tomorrow.  Now I will be able to go to church.  There are too many steps and too much walking.  I am trying to do all the dr asks, but not being allowed to walk much is for the pits. 

Today we clebrated three birthdays:  Donna, my stepmom, Linda, my sister, and Uncle John Davis.  My daughter turned 29 earlier this month and my best friend tuned 50ish again.  Her hair is a beautiful silvery white.  She just went from hair down her back to a short pixie shag.  She looks 15 years younger.

Deb

 

Hi all.  Went to the VA Hospital yesterday.  I had a CT scan on my feet.  Then off to see the Podiatrist.  I have 3 shattered bones on the top of my foot above the arch.  Surgery will not help---Yeah!!  I will be in a walking boot for 6-14 weeks  and using a wheelchair.  UGH!! 

I am praying for accelerated osetocyte (bone cell) growth.  As the cells form the bone gets bigger until the fragments are touching each other and fill the space they should.  Of course, they won't be shaped exactly the same as the orginal broken bone so the fluidity will not be the same.  And there will probably be some ongoing arthritis.    It will be so nice to walk relatively normal again. 

Thanks to all who have prayed.  Don't stop now!! 

Deb

Bible study this morning.  Worship and prayer time was wonderful.  I have been attending this study for the last 15 years.  These ladies are precious.  This fall we are studying spiritual warfare--a refresher course.

My foot is still bothering me (fx) quite a bit.  Will have the CT scan next week.  I did some research on the internet--Charcot fx-- diabetics are prone to this as they age.  Nasty stuff.  I have been walking on a fx foot since May.  With decreased sensation due to diabetic neuropathy, the pain was masked in the beginning.  Then it was thought to be a neuropathy problem.  After that they thought it was plantar fascitis. Finally, the pain was 12/10 and they took x-rays.  Wearing the walking boot does help--but this is the pits.

Home for lunch and a nap.  Have a great day!  Deb

"You are My battle-ax and weapons of war: For with you I will break the nation in pieces; With you I will destroy kingdoms;  Jeremiah 51:20 (NKJV)

For me, this verse has to do with spiritual warfare and intercessory prayer.  I am so humbled that the Lord allows me to pray and intercede for this nation and others.  I am never sure where the adventure with the Lord will take me during my prayer time.  Sometimes it is Uganda or Mozambique, or a small native settlement in Canada, or a specific people group.  And sometimes it is my mobile home park and my own family. 

I love to worship.  Worship and warfare go together like toast and jam. My best time to pray is from 1130 PM-2 AM.  All is quiet and there are no interuptions from family.  When is your best quiet time.  I am not a morning person, as you can tell.

I went to the Podiatrist at the Roseburg VA Hospital.  They found I have a fx R foot.  Not a stress fx, but my bones are collapsing like a bridge.  They say it is a crushing accident, although I have not been stepped on or smooshed.  I am in a big black boot.  I go for a CT scan on the 18th and they will decide if I will need surgery.  This has been going on since May and they have finally begun to figure it out.  Please keep me in your prayers.
 
Also I saw Dr Mark Bradley, Endocrinology Chief and he started me on an additional dose of glucophage in am.  It dropped my BS from 300s to 130s.  I am soooo pleased!!  I believe the stress with Daniel (during panic attacks) and chronic pain of my foot was really messing things up.

Thank you  to patintenn, blessedmomof10, and countrygalu for tyour warm welcome. 

My best friend, Leslie, was just diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis).  We have been friends for 25 years.  We were college roommates.  She helped me raise my daughter.  She married my husband's roommate.  She was the first person I led to the Lord. 

When they thought she had had a stroke, I was devastaed.  I had to get alone with the Lord and pray.  Finally, it came down to this:  If you choose to take her home Lord, I will still serve you and praise you as my King.  But in the meantime, I am going to pray, praise, intercede, and do warfare prayer over her, and speak Life not death over her.  It turns out the things that were happening to her were all MS related.  Good to know she was going to survive!!!  I am so glad to have her still with us. 

But I tend to be an empathizer.  When another friend had cancer, I became very depressed.  But the Lord showed me that I was "carrying" that depression for her and waring over her, so she could make it through the treatment easier.  I have already recognized this is true for my friend Les too. 

I also found out yesterday that my 23 yo niece who was raped by her father at age 4 has always believed that I was disgusted with her for it.  Her preception was totally wrong.  So that was a double whammy day.  I will be spending all of Monday with Aubrey, as she is driving me to the Roseburg VA Hospital for a couple of appts. I am hoping to be able to talk to her about it.  If not, I will send her a card. 

So please pray for these two, and put them on your church prayer chains.  Many thanks and God's blessings upon each of you.       Deb

Hello everyone

I am 51, married 23 years in Dec, one daughter 29.  I love the Lord.  I am an intercessor and love to pray.  I have always dreamed of living on a homestead in the country.  At present, we live in a mobile home park.  We garden in containers.  I have a granddog--Maryjane, a 50 lb black lab, 7 years old.  We also have 3 cats who rule the roost.

I am diabetic.  Last year I had a staph infection in my L leg for 9 months.  At one point they thought they might have to amputate.  I recovered from that with the Lord's help.  Now I have plantar fascitis (torn tendon in the bottom of foot) in my other foot.  I am going to get checked this week to see if I also have a stress fracture.  I was walking for exercise, but that is out for now.  I have lost 32 lbs and have a long way to go to reach optimum health.  But I will get there.

I love to read and study the Word.  I also love cookbooks and Helen Stiener Rice.  My favorite movies are Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, and the Sarah: Plain and Tall trilogy. I also love the Waltons.

I enjoy reading all of your blogs.  You are all so busy and seem to get so much accomplished each day.  I look forward to meeting you all.

 

Deb