Happy Monday

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pat121

pat121

Member Since 2016
A new tech came today (my regular gal/owner is having a biopsy today and so please include Mistie in your prayers).

This tech prefers testing the paw, and I find that MUCH less scarey. His numbers have been from 472 to 390 since THursday, and were at 211 today. I realize it means he's still diabetic, but I love that numbers are responding. Also, she "tapped" his little paw and got enough blood the first time. He was on the counter and off before you knew it.

I'm petrified of the ear thing and hurting him, but that little paw seemed doable. I have a hard time seeing close up, and in order to hold him still, and rub that little ear, I just wasn't sure if I would be able to see to prick him, and I"m alone. She showed me how she does the paw, and I think I could handle that by myself.

Little baby and Mom are happy today
 
First, I AM NOT a morning person, so before now, I am up maybe 15 min before they come at 6:30am (used to be 5:30am, but way too early for me to be alert). I warm his food immediately and put it down for him. When they arrive, she always talks to him a little, and we chat a few minutes (and give him a chance to eat a little bit). We test and then give insulin while she is still holding him.

This morning, he didn't want to eat when we got up (back to 5:45 getting up and he's not an early morning person either). He piddled some and we had to wait for him to eat before testing/dosing. As soon as he walked away, he was tested. Not sure if that little space of time mattered much, but when I forget to test myself before coffee, and do it while drinking my first cup, numbers are higher

Not doing the spread sheet, but only because my head is so full of other stuff, there's no room. However, I am keeping records on paper as to numbers and times. I haven't measured food yet, BUT since he lost 2 lb. in a month before I realized something was really wrong, the Vet just wants him to add weight, and he can eat when he wants for a while. He's also anemic, and so trying not to have to give transfusion.

I am going to get brother to sit here eventually and do the spread sheet thing. And explain it in "dummy" terms to me. I know the spreadsheet will be better all the way around for all that information.
 
Not so happy Tuesday, but it will happen. Not sure what my baby ate yesterday, and maybe it was the FF food and not prescription stuff (out of the "good" stuff), but sugars this morning were 584, as opposed to 211 yesterday. I want this over, and I want him back to normal and no testing (asking for a miracle), BUT he did well today with the pad on his foot. I think I might be able to handle that on my own with a little training. I was told to look for him to have high energy today with those sugars or maybe really lethargic (I go either way with mine, just depending), but this is a totally "chilled" cat, so he's back to his basket by my feet as usual. Whining....
 
I am doing just that. And it's why, after trying to figure out the SS thing, that I am calling it quits FOR TODAY. I am in a weepy mood (from my own sugars and his--I have totally forgotten about my own) and just need to think about something else. He is being checked and I am keeping notes. I go and find him constantly and just make sure he's OK. And, again, I know if others can do the SS and figure out the last steps, I can too. But today, I have had WAY too little sleep to comprehend anything, and so rather than being even more frustrated, I think a day to do something non-taxing. Maybe watching politics!!! lol
 
I myself do not use the Google SS. I find it too slow especially since it works poor on an iPad.
I use Apple's Numbers SS app with one tab for each cats. I also have a Pages document with a line item for each day to write anything useful/abnormal about each of my other animals.
I can access those document from my iPhone and from by computers.
 
Political watching can be good for a laugh and a break. You CAN do this! It is overwhelming for everyone in the beginning. I so understand the fatigue and the wanting to cry. Having a good cry can be very healing. For me that also tends to bring the kitties running in mass to see what is wrong with their Mom and then I hug and kiss and cry all over them, until I laugh, when I think that I'm using them as Kleenex.
I'm a 30 year veteran of cat care. I have taken care of over 600 cats in that time and have dealt with an incredible array of illnesses, injuries and attitudes. This is my first diabetic cat and it tidal waved me initially. The learning curve is huge. Give yourself a chance to take it all in. Breathe, cry and if necessary drink an adult beverage or raid the chocolate or ice cream. Take care of yourself and feel comfortable asking questions here. The people here are great.
P + 13
 
Sparkle said:
Political watching can be good for a laugh and a break. You CAN do this! It is overwhelming for everyone in the beginning. I so understand the fatigue and the wanting to cry. Having a good cry can be very healing. For me that also tends to bring the kitties running in mass to see what is wrong with their Mom and then I hug and kiss and cry all over them, until I laugh, when I think that I'm using them as Kleenex.
I'm a 30 year veteran of cat care. I have taken care of over 600 cats in that time and have dealt with an incredible array of illnesses, injuries and attitudes. This is my first diabetic cat and it tidal waved me initially. The learning curve is huge. Give yourself a chance to take it all in. Breathe, cry and if necessary drink an adult beverage or raid the chocolate or ice cream. Take care of yourself and feel comfortable asking questions here. The people here are great.
P + 13
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@Sparkle You always give the best advice!!! :):):)

Pat, don't let it overwhelm you. You can do this! And it gets easier as it goes, and as you develop new routines and habits. I'm not a morning person, either, but have resigned myself to having to become one *sigh*. But it is so worth the trade-off for keeping my sugar baby safe and healthy! The spreadsheet intimidated me horribly when I first joined (I'm not a techie, or a numbers person, either!); trust me, it's nowhere near as bad as it seems, lol, and now I don't know what I would do without it! It's very easy to use, just get someone to help you get it set up and give you a quick rundown of what the rows and columns mean. After that, you will find that it is basically self-explanatory. You will do fine with it!

You have a great, positive attitude, and that's exactly what you need for this sugar dance! Keep up the good work!

Lucy :bighug:
 
Sparkle said:
Political watching can be good for a laugh and a break. You CAN do this! It is overwhelming for everyone in the beginning. I so understand the fatigue and the wanting to cry. Having a good cry can be very healing. For me that also tends to bring the kitties running in mass to see what is wrong with their Mom and then I hug and kiss and cry all over them, until I laugh, when I think that I'm using them as Kleenex.
I'm a 30 year veteran of cat care. I have taken care of over 600 cats in that time and have dealt with an incredible array of illnesses, injuries and attitudes. This is my first diabetic cat and it tidal waved me initially. The learning curve is huge. Give yourself a chance to take it all in. Breathe, cry and if necessary drink an adult beverage or raid the chocolate or ice cream. Take care of yourself and feel comfortable asking questions here. The people here are great.
P + 13
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I invested in triple sec today. Had the vodka, cran juice and limes already. I think a cosmo is in my future, but just mentally and physically wiped out today. I tell self it's been just a week, and right now, just the shock and emotions. And knowing I will likely not be able to sleep late again, because he needs his insulin. The good is that once I have him controlled, I may take a trip back to Virginia and have the caregiver/tech come and do it. I trust her, and she would never do a "no show" and risk something happening to him. I am going to get brave enough soon to test his paws, and might even use my own tester rather than trying to prick myself. Just not mentally ready for that today. Can't stop crying.
 
Squalliesmom said:
@Sparkle You always give the best advice!!! :):):)

Pat, don't let it overwhelm you. You can do this! And it gets easier as it goes, and as you develop new routines and habits. I'm not a morning person, either, but have resigned myself to having to become one *sigh*. But it is so worth the trade-off for keeping my sugar baby safe and healthy! The spreadsheet intimidated me horribly when I first joined (I'm not a techie, or a numbers person, either!); trust me, it's nowhere near as bad as it seems, lol, and now I don't know what I would do without it! It's very easy to use, just get someone to help you get it set up and give you a quick rundown of what the rows and columns mean. After that, you will find that it is basically self-explanatory. You will do fine with it!

You have a great, positive attitude, and that's exactly what you need for this sugar dance! Keep up the good work!

Lucy :bighug:
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I'm a numbers person, but just not the terms (+3) or whatever. It will happen. I just really needed a break today, and my body and brain is aching. lol I do plan on listening carefully to doctor tomorrow and doing what he says. And for a bit longer, the techs will be here testing him. Not cheap, but it's what has to be. He will get what he needs.
 
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