12/16 Divorce Diabetes Style - Chester's +3.5=104

[Jaye and Chester]

Well, the break I was waiting for seems to have arrived. What a change from yesterday's numbers. Scary (is there anything about this disease that isn't scary?)

He tested 140 and I waited 30 minutes. Usually don't like to shoot under 180, but I know that's just me and my comfort level. He's at 154 now and demanding his breakfast (and I need to get to work) so I'm feeding him.

Hubby is home all day and has been told to test him every two hours unless his number plunge, then he knows what to do...I hope!


viewtopic.php?f=9&t=32128

 

[Jaye and Chester]

Re: 12/16 ADVICE - Divorce Diabetes Style - Chester's +3.5=1

I'm seriously considering canceling my plans to go to my hometown for four days over Christmas. I'm VERY frustrated about this. Chester got very low again today (66 on the AlphaTrak) and DH (not so much "D" in the DH right now) did give him HC gravy and followed up with food, but decided it "wasn't necessary" to retest him for a couple of hours. I'm steaming about this. Not the least because I typed and bolded the instructions and put them on the fridge for every contingency this morning and he decided to ignore the instructions. Luckily, Chester came back up, but it could have so easily gone the other way.

Tonight I had him test 30 minutes late because of the late breakfast/shot this morning. He made it up to 180 so I felt safe letting him shoot, but reduced it to two drops. I don't know what else to call it...a trace? An eighth of a unit? Basically the plunger rubber is touching the line of the absolute lowest line, no light between the plunger and the line. IF he did it right.

Then, to make matters worse, I looked at the readings he got for my dog at dinnertime...and found that it was an ESTIMATE!!!!! He said he couldn't get any blood so, instead of writing "no reading," he GUESSED!

I don't know what to do about him...is it worse to not try or worse to try but do a bad job at it? And Christmas is only a few days away. I think the screaming and the tears might have impressed upon him that I'm serious about it...and the threats of never forgiving him if I come back to a dead cat because he decided to "guess." All I ask is for four days a year to see my family...and his response is "so don't go."

"Luckily" I have also contracted the flu from my wonderful little middle schoolers so I'll be home tomorrow to test him myself. Sorry, I know I'm ranting...if you would have heard me in person you would have had to cover your ears!

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Let's see....Options....

• The money that would be spent on DH's holiday present will be for a petsitter who will be more reliable than him when it comes to testing and shooting.
• The next time DH is sick, you will treat him with the same level of care and attention he lavishes on Chester and your dog.
• You will estimate the amount of starch you put in his shorts.

I'm sorry Jaye. Some people who should understand, sometimes don't or seem to have an ulterior motive. Maybe your DH doesn't want you to leave for the holiday. Of course, it would be much easier if he said that directly.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Well I know this isn't funny but I have to laugh at Sienne's options. I like #2.

 

[Ann & Tess GA]

I vote for # 3!

 

[Beth & Atlas]

Hi Jaye,

I don't think I've ever posted in your condo before, but your Divorce Diabetes Style headline caught my curiosity. I am so, so sorry your DH is being such an uncaring ....@#$%%^.

But...there are some things going on here that as FD and CD caregivers we sometimes miss. DH can be very much like our four-footed kids. Most felines and canines have the mentality of a two year old and I swear that husbands who feel like they are lacking attention....act that way too. Is it possible he, himself is feeling neglected? That whole two year old attention now Mommy or I'll be bad on purpose? :lol: No answer expected.

I bring this up because, when I had to put Krueger to sleep the day before Thanksgiving...I had overwhelming guilt because I felt at that time. I had lavished so much time & energy on Atlas, that I had missed the biggest love-cat of my life dieing right in front of me. I've come to terms with the fact, I would not have nor would a normal vet visit revealed the tumor growing rapidly in his belly....but the guiltiness was/is still there.

Pokey and testy isn't for everyone. If your husband is having a hard time "getting blood," maybe he needs to be tutored on his testing skills. How often we see newbie's here trying in frustration at something we consider second hand. "Get the test". We all know we sometimes simply can't get the test. I have a PMps missing from the other day. While I don't condone guesstimating, we often tell folks to observe their cat/dog and try again later. The whole picture, not just the numbers.

So Sienne gave you some options. I have a client who has hired me to care for cat for the next 2.5 weeks. Her husband is going to be right there...you'd think...he could do it. Heck it doesn't even involve high detailed care like FD. I ask no questions, just will stop in once a day to feed, water, ear salve and be on my way. Crazy eh?

So yes, a pet sitter is an option. If you go that route ...reservations will be filling fast this weekend for next week and the holiday week. Now things you would do for a pet sitter....

Reduce the dose. Many clients will reduce the dose as they realize nobody will be home if a hypo occurs. Reducing the dose minimizes that occurrence. (Chester's case...no dose?)

Most pet sitters would have no idea how to test anyway. Observe yes, initially start treatment for a hypo...yes. And then they would transport to an ER.

So really a pet sitter is not a better option. But, some of the things you would do for your pet sitter...why not do for your husband and his clumsy testing skills. Reduce the dose for the 4 days you will be gone.

 

[Jaye and Chester]

Thanks for your response, Blue.

I think part of my frustration last night was having the flu after a draining four days and coming home to all the testing issues.

He tries, and he LOVES the animals (all 12 of them) and will willingly put three or four in carriers and haul them to the vet on a moment's notice, and the e-vet, too, in the middle of the night, so I'm being way too harsh on him. But it is frustrating that he just can't seem to get what he's supposed to do and winging it isn't an option.

I have a pet sitter coming each day to give fluids to two of my other cats, but I check Chester and Robbie (my dog) so often that the sitter would have to live here...and hubby is home, so that's not an option. He has this weekend to redeem himself. We'll see.

 

[Tena and Curry(GA)]

I vote for #3 of Sienne's options....with EXTRA starch.

Jaye...Hope you get to feeling better.

Paws crossed for whatever you decide for your trip home.

 

[kryskat]

Having been in somewhat similar circumstances before - I vote for Sienne's #3 - but I'd toss in some cayenne pepper while you're at it Just to keep him on his - er - toes...

 

[Deb & Spot]

I do have to say that Chester is looking good at his +3.5, so that is a good thing, isn't it!
I'm very sorry you feel like poo and are feeling frustrated with you D?H at the moment. I hope you get things worked out so that you can visit your family during the holidays. I guess taking Chester would be out of the question? That could be another option. I will vote for Sienne's option #2 & #3...why not give a double whammy, if the occasion arises????

 

[Nina and KB]

((( Jaye ))) My DH always says "he's fine" and thinks I test way too much. And trying to keep shot times consistent to within 15-20 minutes? I must be some kind of OCD nutcase.

We do what we can, and try to impress upon other care workers the importance of this or that, but sometimes it's one day, one number, one shot. Maybe while you're gone he should shoot a reduced dose so you won't worry as much. It's upsetting to lose momentum but you'll get him back on track.

P.S. The D in DH can stand for things other than Dear, you won't be the first to spin the wheel on that one. : )

 

[Jaye and Chester]

P.S. The D in DH can stand for things other than Dear, you won't be the first to spin the wheel on that one. : )

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I thought about taking Chester, but the stress of the car ride (9 hours one way) and the uncertainty of the weather en route, plus I'm not really sure where I'm staying. I'm thinking it's probably with a sister who has a nice but BIG dog who hasn't been exposed to kitties. I'd be a nervous wreck bringing him into an uncontrolled environment during the holidays. No, Hubby is the best choice...hopefully I made an impression on him last night.

He actually asked a question this morning... "Low means too much insulin, then...not that he doesn't have enough." Granted, we've discussed this thousands of times before but it shows he's at least thinking, right?

 

[mybuddybinks]

oh, my, DH...i'd go "commando" for awhile if i were you...you may be in a bit of discomfort if you don't!

hi, jaye! hoping you're feeling better...and i love your subject line!

it's nice to have folks you can laugh with during trying times, isn't it?

 

[Pamela and Lightning]

((( Jaye ))) My DH always says "he's fine" and thinks I test way too much. And trying to keep shot times consistent to within 15-20 minutes? I must be some kind of OCD nutcase.

My BF says the EXACT same thing Nina!!! He thinks I over test and I told him that in one particular situation a few weeks ago, if I hadn't "over" tested (2 hours after he did) then we wouldn't have known Lightning dropped to 39 and needed attention!! He was acting "fine" but that doesn't mean he doesn't need my help! Is it just a man thing maybe? Women are just more prone to taking care of things a "certain" way and being particular about stuff....

Jaye, sorry you are sick and hope you feel better soon! I find that once I start putting on the waterworks (which really doesn't take much when I shutter to think about what could happen to my sweet Lightning Bug) and saying things like "I don't know what I'd do if I came home to a dead cat", that my BF starts listening a little better and REALLY realizes that this is a big deal and requires attention. So hopefully your DH will figure out that this means alot to you and needs to take this just a bit more seriously...and then you can rest easy that the animals will be in good hands when you are gone.

 

[Jaye and Chester]

That "he looks fine" phrase drives me crazy! As if he can look inside his veins and calculate the BG with his eyes!

I explained that Chester's pancreas is trying to work and that what was fine yesterday might not be fine today or in an hour from now. This is a really crucial time for Chester. He swears that he'll be more diligent. He's doing much better with some of the critters. I've "turned over" the responsibility of medicating our FIV cat to him and he's been diligent on that (interferon 1X daily and Miralax 2X daily). I don't think he doesn't care...I'm sure he does. He just doesn't understand and that is a guy thing, I think.

He cleans and scoops all the litterboxes twice daily (at least) and changes all the waters once a day (in our house, that's quite a task). I should be more forgiving...but Chester is too important to risk.