What was your fasting blood glucose? (full on chat)

[Annb]

Actually, the first one I had 6 months ago was completely pain free. I don't think it was the vaccine itself but how the nurse injected it into my arm.

I have been told in the past that because of my skinny arms it is quite difficult to give me injections - but I have never had one where it felt the needle was drilling through the bone. It was really painful as she administered it and the pain got worse that evening.

That was my experience as well, with the flu jab. Never had a painful jab before but I was pretty sure that it was the way the nurse did it that hurt and maybe bruised my arm. It went away after a day or so though, so no harm done.

 

[ianpspurs]

Yesterday was a good day for me but this poor soul clearly had a nightmare. There are some here who are blessed with the gift of helping others in similar situations. I seem to have so far sailed through all contact with the medical profession unscathed. Just putting it out there, this is unjust and very much not the Advent hope. Best I can do to help is bring the situation to the attention of those who I feel may be able to offer advice: there are some wise old owls on here.

 

[Krystyna23040]

That was my experience as well, with the flu jab. Never had a painful jab before but I was pretty sure that it was the way the nurse did it that hurt and maybe bruised my arm. It went away after a day or so though, so no harm done.

Yes @Annb I agree that the nurse more than likely bruised my arm. It was a tiny bit sore in the morning but now it is absolutely OK

 

[Lamont D]

6.8
17/12/1973.
This was a very long day in my life.

It was the morning of my first day at the car plant. It was assimilation day. To be there at 8am.
I was given a lift by a friend to EA car park by the instructions given.
We were given the usual welcome etc.
Then asked if there was anyone who wanted for any reason to be on the The night shift. The B shift.
I put my hand up. The reason was, because I had a lift in to work from a neighbour.
And was sent home, a fifteen miutes walk, two buses later and two hours later, in bed for an afternoon nap.
My interview a couple of weeks earlier, sticks in my mind by the interviewer. Who was a foreman on that shift, and we crossed paths many, many times, all good. Despite not being in the same department.
Again a lift in to EA car park, my neighbour parked in ED car park at the other side of the factory.
We were given more info, and a big safety warning about, different areas of the plant.
So the biggest part of that introduction, was the theft of car parts, which he described as industrial.
He quoted. If you want it, there is someone who will get it!
There was security, but with around 3000 people going through the gate at end of shift, you see what they were saying?
The walk lasted about twenty minutes, out of the office building, across into the engine build block, over the internal road, into the high massive noisy press shop. An awful lot of huge machines, banging, crunching, it was deafening, the few guys seen working, had on ear defenders, and safety googles, and hard hats.
Even in December it was hot. The impressive pressing machines was outdone by the enormous crane, which delivered the huge rolls of steel. We were told there was an underground working space. The jigs for the pressing machines were around, six feet square and four feet deep.
Through to the body build shops and the flashing, rattling chains and less noisy banging, where all the pressed parts were put together
Into the trim shops and the longer production lines were.
Across one line and we were deposited in front of the forman and leading hands station.
By the way the painted walls was eggshell green, the other cupboards non moving painted areas were dark green. Except the areas that were cordoned off for safety. I was introduced to my foreman, Eddie, and my first leading hand, Brian. Then shown the station I would be working, all the time, weighing up the area and fellow operators, that were busy on the assembly line. Final assembly, which it I remember correctly was from after the marriage line, where the engine were 'married' to the body, and then our section, which was mainly the underside, but had fitting parts above and below such as steering, handbrake, brake lines, exhaust system, and many others. Including brake fluid filling and testing. The car was in a cradle and was at the height of 5ft 8 inches. Why? No idea!
This was before wheel and tyre fitting, and became on road.
Our section has numerous overhead rattling chains, continuous noise, the power tools, banging and screeching, industrial noise. Which in fairness I was used, having worked in a printers shop.
at dinnertime, I couldn't eat, mainly because it was 2.30 in the morning, I wasn't tired, and I wanted to find my neighbour, which I did. As he was through the wall on the soft trim shop.
The shift ended at 7.30 am.
I got to bed around 8.15.
I slept very deeply.
35 and a half years later, I would take early retirement.
And that was seventeen years ago.51 years ago this day.
And cos it was Christmas week, I didn't have to work a week in hand!
I worked shifts for the majority of my years there.
Working four nights a week is far better than five days. More time to spend doing what you wanted.

I don't miss it!

 

[Lamont D]

While asking questions re mums condition, an overly acute fixation with money is very common .

I did come to the conclusion it's part of the regression back to earlier times.

Perhaps when money WAS harder to find.

Best description I had is that memories are like a pile of eggs.

The disease randomly takes away some if the top row of eggs

And gradually moves on down to the next layer when layer one is depleted

Made a lot of sense why mum didn't know me or dad yet kept asking about people who had long since passed .

For mum, that was where she was in her life.
Back at 50, 40, 30, 20’s.

There is some suggestion that carers should address THAT time frame to encourage engagement .

As in discussions about items of that era, music or films.

Can't see it does any harm & likely better going with the flow than causing more confusion by constantly correcting a loved ones view of the world....


And trust me, I feel your pain, I well remember how annoying that was.

Love and best wishes to you both
Even if you're ala Gweneth @ sliding doors slightly on the time frame, you're still sharing this Xmas time together.

And sadly that's not always a given.

Seize the moments, as I know you do.

We pass this way only once.

I don't think on first glance that I was expecting this post.
it is like opening a letter or such and finding out that yes, I knew I was more or less right, but not as m much as was in the letter. It makes sense.
does it?
of course the interpretation can be different but it does sum it up very well @jjraak.
I thank you for the thought and the clarity.of understanding what I am going through and the ever, may I say, the silly question, that is asked.

I am gathering films and programmes that is good to watch for her. For instance....Shirley Valentine...... Scrooged...... Cool Runnings etc.

And it does divert attention from Mrs L, from the thinking about other times. Too many examples lately.

The only other critique.......
Is not so much in front of me, cos I expect it, most of the time, but in front of the kids and grandkids. I know one of my son's gets extremely upset, and he himself needs time to get through it.
but it does hurt...... In many ways.
And, cos Mrs L doesn't realise it. Mrs L is unaware of it, and would not like it, if Mrs L did.
does that make sense?

kitchen duties are shouting at me.
I thank you lot for your candour and your putting up with my blatherings.
@jjraak it is indeed so very pleasant to learn of others p!lights in this area.
And I'm still learning.
Best wishes.

 

[Lamont D]

Flu and covid jabs (at last) tomorrow at home.
Yay!
Will have to get up early to clean the front room, not that it needs it, but you know where I'm coming from?

 

[alf_Josiah]

Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen.

Blood sugars this morning were 5.7 , what they are now I care not.

Mrs J is talking at me, shame really, my listening head is switched off.
The trick is not to nod or indicate any sort of agreement.

As our ex colonists say “ have a nice day “

 

[jjraak]

I don't think on first glance that I was expecting this post.
it is like opening a letter or such and finding out that yes, I knew I was more or less right, but not as m much as was in the letter. It makes sense.
does it?
of course the interpretation can be different but it does sum it up very well @jjraak.
I thank you for the thought and the clarity.of understanding what I am going through and the ever, may I say, the silly question, that is asked.

I am gathering films and programmes that is good to watch for her. For instance....Shirley Valentine...... Scrooged...... Cool Runnings etc.

And it does divert attention from Mrs L, from the thinking about other times. Too many examples lately.

The only other critique.......
Is not so much in front of me, cos I expect it, most of the time, but in front of the kids and grandkids. I know one of my son's gets extremely upset, and he himself needs time to get through it.
but it does hurt...... In many ways.
And, cos Mrs L doesn't realise it. Mrs L is unaware of it, and would not like it, if Mrs L did.
does that make sense?

kitchen duties are shouting at me.
I thank you lot for your candour and your putting up with my blatherings.
@jjraak it is indeed so very pleasant to learn of others p!lights in this area.
And I'm still learning.
Best wishes.

It seems such a crude method of emojis here.

What I wanted to give was an " I understand , your so right, it absolutely sucks "

A hug barely touches the sides of what you're going through ...I tip my hat to you, sir.

No one gets how heartbreaking this until they've been there.
sat in a world full of people yet still very much alone,
Sucking it up day after day, hoping tomorrow is a little better.

And even when it's not, salvaging whatever moments of joy there is, and getting back up tomorrow to do it all again....gladly .

I like the movies idea...terrific stuff.
Entertaining Mrs L on a level you know she'll appreciate ...top man.

As for family ..mmhhm

I doubt there's any way to insulate them from the hurt.

But if I may.....

They're in the pool admittedly but are able to hang on to the sides even though they might struggle occasionally.

You.... You're in the middle of the stream
Hanging onto to Mrs L, waves lashing over you both at times, trying to stop you both going over the edge of the waterfall.

With respect you don't have the time or the strength to swim over and help them, if you want to keep that grip on the rocks and a firm hold on Mrs L

They got to look after themselves for now.

Sorry if that sounds hard.

But it's the truth.
They need to see that too.

 

[Lamont D]

It is very much similar to the advice given if an emergency situation arises on an aeroplane.
Put your mask on first before helping anyone else.
Mrs L has a knack of finding the touchpaper, to undermine the conversation that is comparable to what she beleives is true. It is not.
Money comes into it, but trust is worse. Because Mrs L is totally convinced, it can never be easy to interpret any answer that will convince her.
And one time, saying a form of yes dear. It is upstairs, then you turn your back, and Mrs L is upstairs!
A dog with a bone is a fine analogy.
All you can do is carry on, do the best you can and don't take it too hard on yourself.

 

[Annb]

It seems such a crude method of emojis here.

What I wanted to give was an " I understand , your so right, it absolutely sucks "

A hug barely touches the sides of what you're going through ...I tip my hat to you, sir.

No one gets how heartbreaking this until they've been there.
sat in a world full of people yet still very much alone,
Sucking it up day after day, hoping tomorrow is a little better.

And even when it's not, salvaging whatever moments of joy there is, and getting back up tomorrow to do it all again....gladly .

I like the movies idea...terrific stuff.
Entertaining Mrs L on a level you know she'll appreciate ...top man.

As for family ..mmhhm

I doubt there's any way to insulate them from the hurt.

But if I may.....

They're in the pool admittedly but are able to hang on to the sides even though they might struggle occasionally.

You.... You're in the middle of the stream
Hanging onto to Mrs L, waves lashing over you both at times, trying to stop you both going over the edge of the waterfall.

With respect you don't have the time or the strength to swim over and help them, if you want to keep that grip on the rocks and a firm hold on Mrs L

They got to look after themselves for now.

Sorry if that sounds hard.

But it's the truth.
They need to see that too.

It does hurt, so much, when the one you love and have spent your life with become different people. I was lucky in that both my sons understood what was happening and coped pretty well. The ones who didn't cope well were his sisters. They just couldn't understand why he had reverted to the little boy they grew up with. It was the same with my father. The one who didn't understand and was seriously hurt, was his youngest brother. We all, living with him, did understand. Tom was one of us then but we didn't think of him going the same way. Perhaps that experience helped our boys when he did. They were the rocks that I clung to. My big fear is going the same way myself.

It does sound hard to be obliged to concentrate your attention on the sufferer, but that concentration is necessary, to the exclusion of all else. The family will suffer with you, but they will cope and they will emerge from the experience stronger and with a deeper understanding.

The only other one you really need to be concerned about just now, is yourself. Your loved one is dependent on your continuing health. You are in this together. The partnership carries on, now and maybe forever, and you have to get through it together - even though one of you has more understanding of the situation than the other.

 

[jjraak]

Sorry for the pain all that must have caused you, @Annb .

How fortunate to have the boys to lean on .

Of course none are immune from the pain, but it's the primary partner that bears the heaviest burden.

I like how you laid that out so clearly
Very nicely put indeed .

 

[Annb]

6.5 at 06.00 today. Deliberately went to bed late and managed to sleep, off and on, for 5 hours.

Today is the day for my cleaner to come so will be tidying up as far as possible before she comes. This will be her last visit before Christmas so I can give her the presents I have for her and her children - that will free up some space in my bedroom, so will help to tidy up a bit. There's still a pile on my bedroom chair though, of presents for the family.

Anyone would think I go for extravagant Christmases, which I don't. Christmas is a celebration but I don't dress the house up at all these days. Never did, very much anyway with an old-fashioned Scottish husband who never really understood why us southerners went over the top at Christmas. Now that it's just Neil and me, we don't do it at all - Neil, like his Dad - just doesn't see the point.

 

[dunelm]

Good morning everyone on a very blustery day here in the dark and dangerous north. 5.5 this a.m. I have not really caught up but freely offer hugs to those who are going through difficult times. Writing things down may be of good consolation. @Lamont D the movies are a grand idea - the familiar, music from the past, photographs, familiar things. Your absolute care, love and determinism shine through. Each day, a battle won.
Girl in The Bubble has been with us for a couple of days now as her dad has some lurgie and doesn’t want the wee girl getting it. Her long covid little body is easily damaged. No idea what we, or even I are/is doing today. Supermarkets full of over the top excess stamped with use by dates that expire too early for intended useage - unless of course you are partying early. Oh well, we are content to wait until next week. Tuesday maybe and see what’s left on the shelves - roast elf perhaps . Might go for a wander into town through the woods - trees are wonderful for calming the mind. Art bit - I’m being a bit lazy at present. No mind. Hope your day is kind to you, as kind as you can make it. I best make some koffy and selfishly use my time to do a bit of reading. Video call with my mother later today.

 

[ianpspurs]

Morning all from a drear morninged December in Suffolk. No shock just the perfect backdrop to seriously afflict any who suffer from SAD. I was unsure about the seriousness of that until I worked with someone badly affected. @dunelm thank you for sharing another wonderful piece of art, not lazy possibly just following your Muse or Yeats' Circus animals. The best I feel I can add to this thread just now is to offer sympathy and where wanted prayers for the humility, bravery to be honest, wisdom, deep love and advice shared, however painfully, over the last two days by @jjraak @Lamont D and @Annb. Total respect to you all.

 

[gennepher]

Very north of the border festive

Thank you @dunelm

 

[gennepher]

Good morning everyone on a spectacularly quiet start to the day here in the dark and dangerous north. 5.4 this a.m. and we are off! We have changed a vehicle - The Girl In The Bubble’s trike cum grandad powered push chair vehicle has been outgrown so we got her fitted for a bike at the bike recycling shop on Friday. Optional extras were fitted in the form of outrigger wheels and for the princely sum of £22 was collected yesterday. It will do her for a couple of years and then we will hand it back and get a bigger one. Every penny spent twice and saving the planet at the same time. It’s challenge time - how to prepare a smashing three course Christmas lunch for 6 people using an air fryers, a slow cooker and an induction hob? Sandwiches is it then - but not just any sandwiches, Waitrose do a Christmas merry club’mas sandwich - see what they did there? We can toast them in the air fryer. Well, that was easy; prawn cocktail crisps to start, the magic toasted sarnie and a packet of Christmas pudding flavoured crisps to finish. Should be OK, we have managed with less when camping and it’s all a bit of fun. Joking aside, I need to make a plan - veg prep the day before and parboil some King Edwards - I think that they have the most fibre of the spud species. The rest is just juggling. Art bit, a lazy boat. Hope you day is a Tuesday, I shall finish my koffy and get ready for a wander into town.

Sounds like a fun filled festive season ...
Great Art bit @dunelm

 

[gennepher]

Good morning everyone on a very blustery day here in the dark and dangerous north. 5.5 this a.m. I have not really caught up but freely offer hugs to those who are going through difficult times. Writing things down may be of good consolation. @Lamont D the movies are a grand idea - the familiar, music from the past, photographs, familiar things. Your absolute care, love and determinism shine through. Each day, a battle won.
Girl in The Bubble has been with us for a couple of days now as her dad has some lurgie and doesn’t want the wee girl getting it. Her long covid little body is easily damaged. No idea what we, or even I are/is doing today. Supermarkets full of over the top excess stamped with use by dates that expire too early for intended useage - unless of course you are partying early. Oh well, we are content to wait until next week. Tuesday maybe and see what’s left on the shelves - roast elf perhaps . Might go for a wander into town through the woods - trees are wonderful for calming the mind. Art bit - I’m being a bit lazy at present. No mind. Hope your day is kind to you, as kind as you can make it. I best make some koffy and selfishly use my time to do a bit of reading. Video call with my mother later today.

As I am on my own I just make sure I have all the basic fresh foods and stuff. I don't really need any more.

It is great that you have those Woods to walk through....

Another brilliant art bit @dunelm

 

[gennepher]

Fbg yesterday morning 6.9

I came home yesterday from my appointment at the eye hospital absolutely drop dead exhausted.
It was not a good day from beginning to end. It was nearly a 12-hour day. A lot of driving in heavy traffic and at night time because my my appointment over ran a lot. Trying to get out of Liverpool was murder. I know the roads I've been driving in Liverpool since the 1980s, but the going home traffic was completely savage.

I will write more later I just want to carry on sleeping I've been sleeping the last 12 hours.

No wildlife video because I've been sleeping.

A creative... I thought there was not going to be one for yesterday... But then I remembered. I had stopped in a shop on the way back to the car. It sold crystals and lots of odds and ends of stuff. I needed a break before I got back to the car. I was picking up some crystal bracelets, and I took photographs of them so that I would know the name of them when I got home. I wasn't trying to take good photographs (they are not!) it was just a memory thing for the name of the crystals. The lady whose shop it was, came up to me and said would you like to sit down for a bit, I'll make you a tea, a coffee, a hot chocolate... I said tea, and she made me a piping hot mug of beautiful tea. It was so welcome, I just sat there for an hour because I needed to take some time out after my long bad experience at the eye hospital.

Have your best day. My day is going to include a lot of sleeping and winding down....

 

[dunelm]

Morning all from a drear morninged December in Suffolk. No shock just the perfect backdrop to seriously afflict any who suffer from SAD. I was unsure about the seriousness of that until I worked with someone badly affected. @dunelm thank you for sharing another wonderful piece of art, not lazy possibly just following your Muse or Yeats' Circus animals. The best I feel I can add to this thread just now is to offer sympathy and where wanted prayers for the, humility, bravery to be honest, wisdom, deep love and advice shared, however painfully, over the last two days by @jjraak @Lamont D and @Annb. Total respect to you all.

Thank you @ianpspurs and for that reminder of the intertwining of life and art.

 

[dunelm]

As I am on my own I just make sure I have all the basic fresh foods and stuff. I don't really need any more.

It is great that you have those Woods to walk through....

Another brilliant art bit @dunelm

Thank you @gennepher for your kind words. Fresh food - that’s the key. I don’t think anything covered in breadcrumbs and arranged gayly in an over the top plastic box will appear on our shopping list nor maple syrup or pomegranate molasses despite what Jamie Oliver and his gargantuan chums blathers on about.