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Diabetes, life and all that - personal diary


Isn't it ironic that I could tell this story to thousands on this forum but not even to my wife in person!

I just had to share it with someone!


The delicate beauty of a violet growing between the terra cotta steps of our veranda

Pavlos




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I would love to have such beautiful flowers around me, and the beautiful leaves. When my garden is sorted out I want to get a little greenhouse type thing and grow some seeds. The last plant I bought was the one you see in my profile pic. It is a Dhalia... so beautifully formed. I'm considering getting another shed to put next to the one I already have... but as it is a shared garden I can't just do what I like.

It's good to share.
 
Dahlias are spectacularly beautiful. Unfortunately our summers are too hot and dry to really grow them in Nicosia. Up in the mountains where it is cooler they are quite a common site in village gardens


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This thread is so inspiring. It's allowing everyone to come and share their own experiences (good and not so good) with people who will support.

I've had a bit of a rough day today but after a good read (and a good cry) I'm feeling much Better.

Thank you to you for starting this thread and to the others who shared their stories.

Brilliant!



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Somehow today I was inspired to buy the wood to add to my little bird aviary in the garden...a hammer and a few nails later it was all done. It is now almost ready to received the birds. I must get a photo... How do I upload them to the forum?
 
I photographed more than just flowers today

An old car abandoned in the middle of an olive orchard proved an irresistible photographic subject

They shoot horses,....




An apple orchard, the trees all tortured limbs reaching for the sky like a child stretching for a mother's embrace



An elegant silhouette of a tree



Prickly pears growing in front of the seemingly tortured trunk of an olive tree



Olive tree



Sevilla orange tree



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Love the photo of the old car... amazing!
 
After a very active morning walking through fields and photographing flowers - I never realized how much physical effort that would be, muscles were aching in places I did not know I had muscles by the end of it- we had lunch and spent a lazy afternoon in the nearby seaside town of Larnaca.



Lunch was a fish meze at a restaurant by the local fishing harbor. As they serve the day's catch there, usually fish is very fresh and tasty. We were not disappointed.



When you order a meze in a Cyprus restaurant expect to be served a feast of fifteen to twenty different dishes. The dishes, which are shared between the diners on the same table rather than served individually, are not all served at the same time so it makes for a very drawn out meal! Lunch took three hours yesterday! Not sure quite how/when one tests glucose levels in this situation!



Pavlos


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The good news of the day is that my weight has gone down further to 89,0 kg, which means that I have now shed 10kg (22 pounds) over the last three months



Best part of it is that I do not even think of me as being on a diet any more! I just take daily walks and eat sensibly to keep glucose levels under control (they continue to behave, by the way) and the weight seems to be taking care of itself.

Pavlos


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It's my dad's 79th birthday today ....and I do not know what if anything I should do to celebrate it.

Those of you who have been following my story will know that my dad is currently in a home for the elderly where he receives care following a series of strokes, which have left him with limited mobility and severely impaired ability to communicate, as well as fighting depression.

To be honest, I do not know if he is capable of remembering that today is his birthday or whether he would actually prefer not to be reminded about it.

I would love to make a fuss and celebrate his birthday but would that not risking rocking the boat? I do not want to risk making him sad in my attempt to make him happy. Sometimes special occasions when the whole world expects as to be happy are the most depressing of all, if our individual circumstances do not live up to these expectations.

But if I treat today just like any other day, when he is aware that it is his birthday, then I risk having him feel that he has been forgotten.


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It's a difficult one this, I think you are over thinking this, and I think you should make a big fuss of your father on his birthday, I don't know him but I know a lot of people that turn around and say don't make a fuss but secretly they want a fuss made of them. I understand he has medical problems, and this is to be taken in to account.


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If I was in your shoes I would take in some cakes and some of his favorite tipple and even if he does not realize it's his birthday he will enjoy the treats anyway. Have a lovely day with your dad


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You know your dad and what he did for his birthdays when he was well. Did he like a drink or a treat? But since he is a little incapacitated at the moment he might find 'celebrations' a little overwhelming or unnerving.
Having said that, do be sure to acknowledge the occasion and let him know what day it is. Touch is key!
 
Pavlos,
Whether he realizes it is his birthday or not, he will probably appreciate his son coming round to see him and spending a bit of quality time! If you happen to take round some cakes and a tipple then it may not matter to hom whether you are celebrating his birthday or him being your dad!
Enjoy him anyway!
Fergus
 
I am definitely going to go round to see him.

Never was any doubt about that. I do most days, even if some of my visits tend to be brief. One of the advantages of living in a small place like Nicosia, small making such visits practical.

The only question in my mind was whether to treat today as something special or just another day when I happen to visit.

He is a very proud man and in a lot of ways he is not comfortable having people other than the immediate family visiting him when he is unwell.

I think I will take my son along as well. My son is my dad's only grandchild so seeing him is bound to lift his spirits!


Pavlos
Type 2 - Diagnosed 2009; Latest HbA1c 5,3%; Diabetes Medication: metformin 2x850mg; Other medication: Aspirin 75mg, Valsartan 80mg, Rosuvostatin 20mg, Ezetimibe 10mg; Exercise: One hour walk daily, tennis weekly, swimming when warm enough
 
Maybe your son could draw him a birthday card ? That way it's recognised but not too much fuss ? I'm sure he'll just be happy enough spending time with you both.


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mo1905 said:
Maybe your son could draw him a birthday card ? That way it's recognised but not too much fuss ? I'm sure he'll just be happy enough spending time with you both.


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Great idea!

Only problem is my son loathes drawing with a passion quite unusual in a kid his age.

He plays chess competitively, is quite useful playing the piano and is well ahead of his peers when it comes to mathematics but he is absolutely rubbish at anything to do with drawing or painting! And he knows it too, which is probably why he hates it so. Thank God the kindergarten years and early school years, when kids are supposed to draw and color no matter what the lesson, are behind us now!

I will have to think of a suitable bribe, if appealing to his better nature does not work. Either that or a suitable threat.

Or I might just buy a card and get my son to write the wishes. Easier!


Pavlos
Type 2 - Diagnosed 2009; Latest HbA1c 5,3%; Diabetes Medication: metformin 2x850mg; Other medication: Aspirin 75mg, Valsartan 80mg, Rosuvostatin 20mg, Ezetimibe 10mg; Exercise: One hour walk daily, tennis weekly, swimming when warm enough
 
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