Coffee, Coffee, Coffee!

REPOST from former blog My Type 2 Diabetic Life ©

May 15, 2020

I don’t know about you, but I can’t start my day without my ritual of morning coffee.  It’s my coffee and a protein bar.  Every. Morning.  And I have favorites.  I can’t help it.  Some people are addicted to things like their bazillion calorie frozen margaritas for lunch or dinner, but me?  I have to have my coffee.  If it’s available in an IV, hook me up!

It would be a close race if I was in a coffee drinking competition up against Lorelei Gilmore!  (If you’ve never watched Gilmore Girls, you should!) 

via GIPHY

I get you, Lorelei Gilmore! 

I come from a family of enthusiastic coffee drinkers.  My parents were big coffee drinkers.  My dad drank coffee up until bedtime.  Both of his parents were coffee drinkers.  My dad’s father, “Pa” as we called him, drank his coffee out of a little bowl.  I always thought that was funny.  He drank his coffee like I like mine – with a little sweetener and some cream (stevia & fat free milk, in my case).  He passed away when I was young, but he would let me sneak a sip from his bowl when my parents weren’t looking.  

My mother used to tell me “it will stunt your growth” if I asked for a sip of her coffee when I was a kid.  Her mother, “Grandma” as she was known, drank a LOT of coffee.  Black and super strong.  Her father, “Grandpa” was his moniker,  was never a coffee drinker in my lifetime.  He was a penny-pincher, and the story goes that he declared if coffee became priced over $1.00 a can, then he would never drink another cup.  That price came and went, and he stopped drinking coffee cold turkey.  

So I guess I inherited that love of coffee from most of my family.  I love my Scotty P’s Big Mug Coffee, and my Think Smooth Peanut Butter protein bar.  As the Jonas Brothers sing “We go together… better than birds of a feather, you and me…” 

Image: My Type 2 Diabetic Life © 
Using WordArt.com

Every morning I make my coffee and have my protein bar while I’m getting ready for my day.  Then I have another cup of coffee late morning, and often a cup of decaf after dinner.

I have tried coffee many ways – I’ve tried the Bulletproof method, and it tastes pretty good, but I don’t like the idea of all of the high fats that are consumed in that style of coffee – MCT oil (or coconut oil) and grass fed clarified butter… that was the only way that I’ve ever been able to drink a coffee without some sort of sweetener.  But I just couldn’t get beyond the idea of the high fat, since I am already watching my cholesterol.  

I don’t like the overly sweet fancy versions of coffee you get at some of the fancy coffee shops.  Just the regular drip is my preference.

When I make my coffee, I make a cup of my Scotty P’s Big Mug Coffee, I use a packet of Truvia (stevia), and a splash of ultra-filtered lactose-free, fat-free milk.  

I like the ultra-filtered milk because in an 8 oz serving, it has 13 grams of protein, 6 grams of sugar, 450 mg of calcium, and no lactose – the nutrition facts say that there are 6 carbohydrates in a serving, which is attributed to the sugar content of milk.  

A regular milk 8 oz serving has 8 grams of protein, 12 grams of sugar, 276 mg of calcium, and contains lactose.  There are several brands of ultra-filtered milk.  Many people are familiar with Fair Life, which I have tried before, but I use MooTopia, which is produced by the same corporation, but for a grocery here in our region.

I was worried when I was diagnosed as a Type 2 Diabetic, because I have read in a few places that caffeine could cause blood sugar spikes.  So I was not ready to quit coffee cold turkey.  

I began to purposefully check my blood sugar levels at 30 minute and one hour intervals after having my morning coffee, so that I could make sure I wasn’t sabotaging myself. 

Image: My Type 2 Diabetic Life ©

My waking blood sugar has recently been hovering between 87 – 97 every morning for the past few weeks.  My endocrinologist, Dr. Folb, told me that my fasting blood sugar goal needs to be 105 or below.  Yay!  I’m an over-achiever!

Thirty minutes after drinking my morning coffee and having my protein bar, I have averaged a blood sugar between 118-124.  One hour after drinking my coffee and having my protein bar, my blood sugar has averaged 112-118.  Dr. Folb told me after a meal, it’s ok if my blood sugars get up to 140, and then come back down by the next meal.

Blood sugar check 1 hour after last drink of coffee.

Image: My Type 2 Diabetic Life ©

I’ve not gained any weight back, and my blood sugars have remained in the ranges that my endocrinologist has set for me.  So luckily, I am able to continue drinking my coffee.  

My afternoon and evening coffees are averaging the same numbers.  I’ve asked other Type 2 diabetics what their experiences with coffee are.  I’ve gotten a range of responses.  Some are like me, and it doesn’t affect their blood sugars.  Others have said that they get serious spikes in their blood sugar after just one cup of coffee.  

The most important thing that I would tell another Type 2 Diabetic is to talk to your endocrinologist, and ask them first. Like any food or beverage that you put into your body, always check your blood sugar.  I am always watching what I eat and drink, and checking my blood sugars – if there’s a spike, then I’m all over it like Nancy Drew, being the detective to find out what spiked my sugars, so that it doesn’t happen again.

Let me hear from you in the comments.  If you’re a Type 2 Diabetic, please tell me (in the comment section here) your thoughts on drinking coffee.  

• Does it spike your sugars?  
• How long have you been a coffee drinker?  
• Could you stop drinking it if your doctor told you that you had to stop?  

I’m curious.  

And for those of you who are not diabetic, what are your thoughts on drinking coffee?  I’ve read studies that suggest that if you drink several cups of coffee a day, that it can possibly prevent diabetes.  Obviously, not my case… but I would still love to hear from you in the comments section. 

Thanks for stopping by to read my blog.  I hope that you’ll subscribe – top right corner of the page if on a desktop, and bottom of the post if using a mobile device.  

In the meantime, continue with your social distancing, live well, and be well!   

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

My lab results are back!

 REPOST from former blog My Type 2 Diabetic Life ©

May 2, 2020

After my appointment with Dr. Folb on April 13th, I got a call the next day about my lab results.  She told me that she would mail a copy of the full results, so that I could look at them.  

The good thing, she told me, was that the copy she would be mailing me would have not only the current results, but the previous results, so that we can begin to see where my body is going. 

My lab results are in!
Image: My Type 2 Diabetic Life © 

When I have bloodwork, Dr. Folb has told me there's no need to fast.  She wants to see where I am on a normal day – and most people don't fast all the time, so she wants to see what my levels are when I am myself.  

Last week I got the much anticipated letter in the mail with my lab results.  I was nervous and excited to open them.  So here are my results:

Tested	Result 1/17/20	Result 4/13/20	Range
Glucose	99	97	60-100 mg/dL
Hgb A1C	6.2	5.6	5.4 (Dr. Folb’s goal for me)
Blood Sugar	126	107	105 fasting  140 after meal (Dr. Folb’s goal for me)
Total Cholesterol	186	192	140-200 mg/dL
Triglycerides	186	210	<150 mg/dL
HDL (good)	34	36	>40 mg/dL
LDL (bad)	115	114	60-130 mg/dL

My Type 2 Diabetic Life ©

There were many other test results, but these are the areas where we focused our conversation when I went for my visit on April 13th.  

On the bottom of the results, Dr. Folb wrote me a note that said:

“Jan here are some copies of labs.  Great job… See you in July. L Folb”

That was so exciting to receive.  First of all, I had NEVER had a doctor to write me a personal note like that for my lab work.  Not even a nurse.  

But to have my doctor call me a couple of days after the appointment and tell me my labs, then mail me a copy with a personal note acknowledging my hard work – it really did validate that I am working hard, and I’m all in when it comes to healing my body. 

This all started with a visit to an internal medicine doctor on November 13, 2019, when my A1C results were 8.1 – and 5 months later, I am 5.6. 

So even though some of my results might not be perfect or in a “normal” range, Dr. Folb was very encouraging.  Most importantly – my Type 2 Diabetes is now under control with diet and exercise!  

I will be a Type 2 Diabetic for the rest of my life – but now I have to continue to watch my diet, and to exercise.  Both of which are key factors in not relapsing back into out of control diabetes.  

I told Dr. Folb that I was concerned about the HDL not being where it should be.  She told me that hopefully as I continue to exercise and eat clean, that hopefully that could return to normal levels – I’m close… just not there yet.  

She said that it could also be just genetic and I may not be able to ever get it back to that “normal” range.  But overall, my total cholesterol levels are much better than they have been in the past.  

I am very ready for this COVID19 stuff to end.  I’m ready for the gym to open back up so that we can get back to our workout routine.   It’s time to get back to normal – but at the same time, I am a little nervous.  

I do know that a healthy body is more able to fight off illness than an unhealthy one – so I’m looking forward to going back to the gym soon!

Thanks for stopping by to read my blog.  I hope that you’ll subscribe – top right corner of the page if on a desktop, and bottom of the post if using a mobile device.  

In the meantime, continue with your social distancing, live well, and be well!   

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

Follow Up Visits & Covid19 Weirdness

REPOST from former blog My Type 2 Diabetic Life ©

April 14, 2020

Super Endocrinologist, Dr. Leah Folb! 
After this brief picture, we went back
to our Social Distancing!
Image: My Type 2 Diabetic Life © 

Yesterday I had a follow up visit with my awesome endocrinologist, and my super supportive amazing husband accompanied me to my appointment.

I had some anxiety about the appointment, because of all that has been going on with the COVID19virus scare.  We are still under  “Stay at Home”  and “Social Distancing” orders in Houston, Texas.  

We’re only supposed to get out for essential needs like groceries and supplies, doctor visits, and exercise (while still maintaining six feet of social distancing).   I have been very concerned about coming into contact with anyone who could be infected with COVID19 – whether they were aware or not.  I know that as a Type 2 Diabetic, that I am at risk.

The drive from our home in the suburbs, to the doctor’s office near the Texas Medical Center, was very pleasant.  We left our house at 9am, and the traffic on the freeway was extremely light – it felt like a Sunday morning. We made it to the office in about 30 minutes.  

The drive was pleasant, and as we exited the freeway, we drove past NRG Stadium where the Houston Texans play football.  The signs that usually direct event traffic were directing potential COVID19 patients to one of the virus testing site and temporary field hospital that has been erected outside of one of the event buildings.  

That was very strange, because the last event there was the famous Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR), which was cancelled mid rodeo because of the virus.  Some of Houston’s first COVID19 cases were attributed to someone attending one of the HLSR events – the BBQ Cookoff.    

We love going to the HLSR and hearing the concerts.  It was a favorite time of the year, when we lived in the Medical Center area.  The Trail Ride even passed our house one year on their way to the rodeo event area at the stadium.  That was so exciting and unique to watch. 

And of course, my husband and I both grew up with Go Texan Day. Dressing up like a cowboy or cowgirl are cherished childhood memories of every native Houstonian, and is also enjoyed by the adults! (Everyone loves a “jean day” at work!)

I love the area of Houston where my doctor’s office is located.  I lived not far from the office both as a child, and as an adult, so it’s very familiar and brings back all the good feels.  

Beautiful drive to the doctor, near Rice University.
Image: My Type 2 Diabetic Life ©

We drove alongside the bedroom community of West University Place, and through one of my favorite shopping areas - Rice Village.

The drive in town was very peaceful, with all the old trees that created a green canopy of new spring leaves over the street.  

Prior to my appointment, the doctor’s office called to confirm my appointment, and told me that patients would have temperatures checked before being allowed to take the elevators to their doctor’s offices.  

I was also told that each patient was allowed only one support person to accompany them to an appointment and to wear a mask to the appointment.  (Not that it made any difference for me, because I only have my husband who would go with me – we are empty nesters.)

We had already been wearing masks for a couple of weeks when going out, so it was a relief to know that everyone at the doctor’s office would be complying with the federal and local recommendations to wear masks in public.

Got temped before being allowed to enter the elevator.
Image: My Type 2 Diabetic Life ©

Sure enough, when we arrived at the appointment, as soon as we walked in the door, there was a table set up with a person to take our temperatures.  

We were asked if we had any fever, cough, or breathing problems.  Once we were temped and were able to answer no to the questions, then we were given a nifty yellow wrist band, and allowed to go up the elevator to the doctor's office.

Got a wrist band before being allowed to
enter the elevator.
Image: My Type 2 Diabetic Life ©

To protect well patients who have appointments, a satellite clinic has been set up on one of the upper floors, with separate parking and entrance areas, so that there is no contact between potential COVID19 patients and well patients.  

They also made it clear that patients must call ahead to screen for the satellite clinic – no walk-ins allowed.  

The appointment with my endocrinologist was so great and encouraging.  It’s so very important that you like your doctor and are able to build a positive rapport together.  Dr. Leah Folb is, beyond measure, the BEST doctor that I have ever had in my life.  She is positive and kind, while at the same time being very honest.  

She started off by asking how I had been feeling.  We talked about my weight (I’ve lost 27 lbs in the past five months).  She asked what I was doing to help lose the weight.  I told her that we have been being much more cognizant of what we are eating – no sugar, very low carb, high protein.  I told her my biggest struggle in the beginning was my sweet tooth.  

Dr. Folb then asked how did I compensate for that – I told her that I eat fresh fruit,  nuts, and I even told her about my favorite protein bar that I have for breakfast with my coffee – the Think peanut butter protein bar ( zero sugar, 20 grams of protein, and 21 carbs).  And I also told Dr. Folb that we’ve started eating smaller portions. 

She included my amazing husband in the conversation, as well. He was able to help remind me of some of the things that we have been doing to lose weight and get healthy. It’s good to have someone to help recall, as well as have an extra set of ears to help remember what we discussed in the visit, once we get home.   

We talked about how we have been working out at the gym by our house five days a week – but we also discussed the fact that since the virus started, the gym has been closed.  She encouraged me to at least do some daily walks to get moving.  Dr. Folb said that I’m doing all the right things to lose weight, and said that the exercise is what will help keep the glucose and A1C levels down.  She looked at my recent glucose levels on my Dario app, and said that she is pleased.  

Dr. Folb also explained to me how diabetics are at risk if they get the COVID19 virus.  She told me that the symptoms can be worse if a diabetic has uncontrolled diabetes because the body’s immune system is already compromised in how it responds to infections, due to inflammation already present as a result of poorly managed diabetes.  

While trying to fight a virus like COVID19, inflammation can increase from the virus, and the immune system can begin to attack the body itself.  

At this point, Dr. Folb said that my Type 2 diabetes appears to be well managed with my diet and exercise, and for now, I do not need any diabetes medications!!  Yay!!!  

She said she is very curious to see the new results of my bloodwork.  I am super curious, myself!!  She said that she thinks my A1C will be lowered, as well as my lipids (triglycerides and cholesterol). We are hoping to get my A1C down to around 5.4 – which will become my new “normal.” 

She did mention that my thyroid medication could be a little high, so that level was also checked – and if needed, she will adjust that medication. 

My blood pressure was great!  117/65!  (Or maybe 63 – I didn’t write that result down, and I should have).  It hasn’t been that good in a very long time.  

I asked Dr. Folb at this point, what my high and low thresholds should be for my glucose levels.  She told me that she would like to see my fasting glucose levels to hover around 105, and my after-meals level to be around 140.

Dr. Folb did mention something that I have been reading about, and I’m glad that she did say it to confirm that my research is correct, and that is the fact that I have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.  My diagnosis will never go away.  It is important for me to be careful about what I eat, and to continue exercising, in order to maintain a controlled disease.

My visit with her was almost 40 minutes.  Most doctors see you 10-15 minutes and then shuffle you out the door and go on to their next patient.  This visit with Dr. Folb left me encouraged, energized, and feeling self-confidant!  The lifestyle changes that my husband and I have made have been absolutely POSITIVE!  

I am excited to get the results of yesterday’s bloodwork sometime later this week.  Hoping and praying that the results are as positive and encouraging as the rest of the visit. 

Needles don’t scare me! Time for some
bloodwork so we can find out how I’m doing.  
Image: My Type 2 Diabetic Life ©

I go back to visit Dr. Folb in July, and I’m really looking forward to it.  I know it sounds crazy to be excited to go to the doctor, but I am.  

Once I get my results, I’ll write a new post to update you.

Thanks for stopping by to read my blog.  I hope that you’ll subscribe – top right corner of the page if on a desktop, and bottom of the post if using a mobile device.  

In the meantime, stay six feet away from everyone, wash your hands, live well, and be well!   

What’s for dinner? Where’s the TP? COVID19, & Masks

REPOST from former blog My Type 2 Diabetic Life ©

March 29, 2020

Empty Shelves in Houston, Texas grocery stores!
Image: My Type 2 Diabetic Life ©

I would guess that over the past three weeks, that America has cooked more at HOME, than has been done in the past 25 years.  It is so bizarre to go into the grocery stores and see empty shelves.  There has been NO toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, or paper plates in my area of Houston for three weeks now!

I looked into my pantry and found protein bars and protein cookies (both low carb, and sugar free), almonds, walnuts, cashews, dried cranberries, fresh ground peanut butter, low carb blue corn tortilla chips, tomato sauce, green beans mushrooms, whole kernel white corn, pinto beans, 3 pounds of onions, tahini, cacao powder, raw honey, rolled oats, steel cut oats, rice cakes, whole wheat crackers, whole wheat bread rounds, whole wheat pasta, brown rice, white corn tortillas, spices, canola oil, pop corn, collagen powder, and PB Fit Sugar Free powder, fresh bananas, and apples.  

My favorite coffee!  Scotty P's!
Image: My Type 2 Diabetic Life ©

Oh, and I almost forgot to say that I am well stocked on COFFEE!  I can drink coffee like a Gilmore Girl any day of the week!  My favorite coffee is Scotty P's Big Mug Coffee.  I could drink that stuff all day long!  I do still push my water all day, but when I wake up, the first thing I do after I get out of the shower is drink my coffee.   

My refrigerator and freezer have a healthy fare inside — fat free milk, eggs, fresh tomatoes, and carrots, Spinach, feta cheese, fresh parmesan cheese,  frozen fruit like bananas, blueberries, and strawberries, along with tilapia, ground turkey, turkey burger patties, chicken breasts, butternut squash, and riced cauliflower, to name a few items.

So I think we are ok, and have enough healthy foods to sustain us for a while.  But I am so emotionally exhausted that I am almost to the point that I don’t even feel like cooking.  I know we have to cook to eat, and normally it’s something that I enjoy doing, but for the past few days, it has felt like a horribly dreaded CHORE.  I’m guessing it is because of all of the stress of having to quarantine for the past two weeks.  

When this first started three weeks ago, we weren’t yet under a quarantine.  The second week it was “recommended” to stay at home, and now we are under mandator “Stay at home.  Work safe” order by our county judge, unless you are an essential worker – my sweet husband is a buyer for Whole Foods, so he has to go to work five days a week.  (Which scares me – I woke up having a panic attack two nights ago because I am fearful for him to get out during this pandemic.)  

So tonight I asked my husband what he wanted for dinner.  He didn’t care.  Anything will be fine.  Face palm.  I need an idea.  I finally decided to quickly throw together some Texas chili.  Here’s what I did:

Sautéed two medium onions in a little olive oil, took them out and set them aside.  Then I browned a pound of ground turkey.  When it was done, I threw the onions back in, threw in some chili powder, paprika, minced garlic, chicken broth, a pinch of salt and pepper, and a can of pinto beans (rinsed).  Then I let it simmer for 20 minutes and there was dinner.  

I ate half my bowl – which wasn’t much anyway – and gave the rest to my husband, because I just have no appetite.  He’s saving it for a “snack” later on tonight.  I’ve lost several pounds since this all started. And my glucose levels have been up and down. It’s not because I’m eating poorly, but I think because I’m forgetting to eat, or too anxious to eat.  

So apparently my liver is dumping glucose into my bloodstream, and since my issue is being insulin resistant, my body isn’t processing it.  But then sometimes I start feeling very shaky, and test my glucoseand it is really low.  Wednesday it crashed and went all the way down to 60 – that is low for me.  I think this week I need to put reminders in my phone for when to have a small snack, and when to eat lunch, etc.  Anyone have any suggestions of what you do to maintain your levels?  

The other issue at hand is making sure that when I DO have to go out – whether it be to get supplies, to take my 85 year old mother supplies, or when my husband has to go to work – I need to make sure that we are protecting ourselves, as well as sanitizing as much as possible when we come home.  I’ve always been a fanatic about washing hands, but I have NEVER in my life washed my hands as much as I have in the past six weeks.  I’m trying to put lotion on every time that I wash, to keep them from drying out!  I feel like I have alligator hands right now, they are so dry!

What are you doing to make sure you’re washing for the full 20 seconds or more?  I started out singing Happy Birthday, but that got old, and I would lose track of what verse that I was on.  (I know… short song.  How do you lose track of the verse?  But my mind wanders…)  Then I started singing some other pop songs.  I now have decided that I need to work on my scripture memorization.  

As a kid, I learned a lot of scriptures, and now I’m going through and finding some of my favorites to recite.  This week, I have been saying The Lord’s Prayer while washing my hands.  And it’s not just rote memorization this time – I feel really thoughtful when saying it, and it has deep meaning in my heart – I’m really worried about this virus.  This coming week, I’m going to focus on some of the Psalms.  I think they will bring peacefulness.

Here are some of the masks that I made.
Image: My Type 2 Diabetic Life ©

When I go out, I have been concerned about being exposed to someone who may have the COVID19 virus.  Of course, like everyone else, I could not find ANY protective masks anywhere.  So what did I do? Like many others, I decided to make my own masks.  

I did some research on whether or not it would even help.  I found mixed opinions.  But I decided that something was better than nothing – and that is a direct quote that I heard on the news from a physician.  I just want to be able to cover my face when out, and at the very least, it will serve as a reminder to not touch my face.    So I cut 6 x 9 inch squares of tightly woven cotton, and used three pieces to make my masks.  And I happened to have some elastic, which now cannot be found ANYWHERE, so I used that for the ear loops.  

Here’s a link to the video tutorial that I used. 

Video: Deaconess

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  And here’s a pic of us wearing our masks.
  Image: My Type 2 Diabetic Life ©

  Here are some of the masks that I made.
  Image: My Type 2 Diabetic Life ©

  
  
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I’ve been told that we look like a couple of ninjas!  We’re fighting COVID19, so I guess it fits.

I also sprayed the outer side of our masks with several coats of Scotch Guard, and we also use a different mask each time we go out.  Since the masks are fabric, I am able to wash them to sanitize them.  And I know I already said this, but I have to say again — I just want to be able to cover my face when I do have to go out to get necessities.    

People look at me like I am crazy when I go out, but I don’t care.  I’m trying to do what I can to be healthy.   I know that as a Type 2 Diabetic, I am at risk if I get the virus.  So I am doing everything that I can do to stay healthy, so that I have a strong immune system.  

Thanks for stopping by to read my blog.  I hope that you’ll subscribe – top right corner of this page.  In the meantime, WASH YOUR HANDS, stay well, live well, and be well!   

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

Type 2 Diabetes, Stress, and COVID-19

 REPOST from former blog My Type 2 Diabetic Life ©

March 12, 2020

Image:  CDC

I have always had a sort of high anxiety personality.  I might not show it on the outside – because I am very stoic, but inside my brain is always running, running, and the anxiety builds.  My mind just won't stop, and I obsess over what I am worried about.  

The past three weeks have brought on the stress.  This new COVID-19 (Corona Virus) has been all in the news, with cases in the US growing on a daily basis.  It’s on TV, it’s on the radio, it’s on Google News, it’s ALL on social media.  Everywhere you turn, there’s COVID-19.  There are currently 13 cases in my metro area.

Trying to do my regular grocery shopping, and there’s no toilet paper, no hand soap, no isopropyl alcohol.  I had to go on a scavenger hunt to multiple stores to find alcohol swabs for when I prick my finger to test my glucose.  

This COVID-19 thing has me worried for several reasons.  I have an 85 year old mother who has congestive heart failure and Alzheimer’s.  I worry about another family member with a compromised immune system, and I’m worried about myself being diabetic.  I can’t afford to get sick, because I have to help care for my mother – even though she is in an assisted living community, I still have to take things to her frequently, as well as take her to her doctor appointments and other places.  And I’m also worried about what if they start banning visits to the facility, except for medical personnel.  I’m in Houston (Harris County), Texas – the 4th largest city in the US.  There has already been a state of emergency put into effect for the City of Houston.  The press conference said no visitors are allowed in to skilled nursing centers or rehab facilities.  What if that is extended to my mother’s assisted living?  I think I would really go into high gear stress if that happens.

This stress is keeping me from sleeping well, which I know is also affecting me, and can contribute to insulin resistance and even thyroid issues (which is also a concern for me).  I spoke with my Dario Coach today (I use a Dario meter, and subscribe to one of their plans which gives me access to a diabetes coach – I can get info faster than calling my doctor, and it helps me to decide if I need to call my doctor, as well.)  He confirmed what I have been reading about – that stress raises my glucose levels.  I’ve had recent high (for me) levels of 143 mg, 133 mg, 123 mg, 140 mg, 129 mg, and 121mg.  I’m drinking water like crazy, and I still have high readings.  And just having a high reading is stressful.

I know that the stress can trigger cortisol, which could eventually leave me with more belly fat – the deep visceral fat cells that are difficult to get rid of.  I’ve worked so hard to lose 23 lbs, and I don’t want to gain it back.  I know that stress can also lead to insulin resistance, because the cortisol makes it hard for my pancreas to make insulin.  It contributes to high blood pressure – which, thank goodness, has been under control with my blood pressure medication.  It’s all just a vicious circle that leads back to stress.  

When COVID-19 cases began popping up in my area, I immediately began to determine what I needed to do to protect myself and my family.  I read up on the CDC website, as well as the American Diabetic Association website.  COVID-19 is a serious threat to the US, and I need to to know how I should react and prepare.  You can click HERE to go directly to the link on their page on COVID-19.

Here’s what I did:

• I checked all of my diabetic supplies to make sure that I had everything and had enough – 
  • Glucose meter, lancets, test strips, and alcohol swabs 
• I have all my medical info available for my husband, and have fully filled prescriptions
• We grocery shopped and got all the things that I am allowed to eat – and we stocked up on frozen veggies and such, in case we get quarantined.  (Fresh veggies last only so long, so I wanted to make sure we had veggies in the freezer, too.)
• We pretty much drink only water and coffee.  So we have stocked up on our 5 gallon jugs of water, and lots of k-cups!
• I am a soap hoarder, so I already had many bottles of hand soap in the cabinets for washing our hands
• My doctor’s office sent out protocol on how to contact them should I get sick – different from their regular protocol.  So I have that info handy.
• I did stock up on ibuprofen and  acetaminophen, as well as Benadryl.  

• We are practicing social distancing – mainly staying at home as much as we can and steering clear of sick folks and crowds, trying not to touch our faces — of course, now that they say this, EVERYTHING tickles or itches my face and and makes me want to scratch or touch my face.   
• Common sense stuff like washing our hands frequently, cleaning surfaces that we use a lot (already do these things anyway!), and when in public, always using an antibacterial wipe to clean our hands after touching common surfaces that others have touched.  I am already a germaphobe, so cleaning knobs, faucets, counter tops, etc is second nature. 

And on the hand washing, just a little side note.  I got tired of singing Happy Birthday twice, so I looked up some other songs that I thought would be fun to sing.   Here are the ones that I came up with: 

Hand washing songs!
Image: My Type 2 Diabetic Life © 2020

• I already clean my cell phone daily — I spray it with isopropyl alcohol and wipe it down.
• We definitely are not traveling anywhere right now, so flying or going to a city where there are other known COVID-19 cases is not something we will be doing.

As for COVID-19 symptoms, my doctor’s office said if we get any of the following to self-isolate and then call their office:

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Shortness of breath

My doctor’s office also said in their message to make sure to stay well hydrated, check my glucose levels often, and if my glucose levels rise too high, to call them.  

So besides the things above, what am I going to do to try and lower my stress levels?  I’m thinking that I need to binge watch something fun, like Gilmore Girls, House Hunters International, or maybe some comedies.  Maybe it’s time for me to go through some closets and clean them out, throw some things out, make some boxes of items for donations.  And fingers crossed, this won’t last too long.  

I’m still working on a different post, but the COVID-19 topic seemed to be timely and important.  

Thanks for stopping by to read my blog.  I hope that you’ll subscribe – top right corner of this page.  In the meantime, stay well, live well, and be well! 

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