Friday, July 19, 2013

Traveling with Diabetes

Since I was diagnosed in January, I haven't eaten out a whole lot.  Mostly because I can't have any sugar, bread, rice, pasta or potatoes.  I also have to be very careful what kind of fruit I eat as well, dammit.
 
The biggest problem seems to be a side effect of the meds I'm taking.  The smell of cooking meat makes me ill.  It doesn't matter what it is...bacon, pork, steak...I can't walk past the deli of my grocery store (where they roast and fry chicken) without wanting to retch. 
 
I guess the upside to that is that it's easy to keep the weight off.  I'm now on the low side of normal for my height.  In fact, my doctor wants me to lose MORE so that I'm on the low low side of normal.
 
I said, "you have GOT to be sh*tting me!"  Alas, no.  Supposedly it will help the diabetes, because I'm on the brink of needing insulin vs. the pills that I'm taking. 
 
But where is it going to come from?
 
Seriously, there ain't nothing left.  I have absolutely no fat on my legs, my butt, my hips or my stomach.  Well, there's probably about 10 pounds of excess skin all over, but that will take about a year to go back as much as it's going to go back.  And he isn't willing to count that.
 
The only thing I have left is boobs.  I'm a C-cup for the first time since I was 12.  If I lose any more weight, it's all going to come from there.  Then I'll have two empty sacks I can toss over my shoulders and wear like a mink stole.
 
Hubby and I went to a ski resort for a conference he had to attend.  I got to have some time alone sans kids and dogs which was wonderful.  I brought some food in a cooler that I'm allowed to eat, just in case I had trouble finding something suitable.
 
Anyhoodie, there's a big outlet complex nearby that I was excited to visit, because at that point, I only had 2 pairs of pants that fit and 3 tops.  For the first time in a very very long time, I'm able to wear regular sizes.
 
I ate breakfast at about 7am and headed off.  You can't park in the complex, so there is a lot of walking involved.  I shopped at a few places, bought a couple of fabulous outfits, and walked around for about 3 and a half hours, not really being aware of the time.
 
I went back to the hotel around 1, and as I was walking down the hall to my room, suddenly I face-planted myself and flailed around on the floor.  There was no strength in my legs whatsoever.  WTF?
 
Got myself to my room, and realized I was suddenly starting to feel really ill.  I had also cut my hand somehow and was bleeding all over this nice upholstered chair.  Gah!  I took my blood sugar and it was 70.  Holy crap!
 
After I got something to eat and stopped the bleeding, I grabbed a washcloth and scrubbed the seat cushion on the chair.  Figured that if I didn't get it all out, I could always flip the cushion.
 
I did it experimentally and yikes!  It looked like someone had sacrificed a chicken on the other side.  There was a brown/red splotch the size of a salad plate with spatter.  Did somebody get murdered in there?  And this was supposed to be such a nice place!  ;-) 
 
I scrubbed harder and got all the blood out.  Unless of course, CSI came looking.
 
It is really HARD to find stuff to eat when you're on the road.  I ended up eating practically nothing but soup and salad the whole trip.  But now I have a couple of pieces of candy in the car just in case my blood sugar drops again.
 
So much to learn...

5 comments:

Kim Wombles said...

I'd say welcome to the club, but the diabetes club is not one you would want anyone to be a part of. Lows suck big time. I've been diabetic for 12 years, been on insulin, got the weight down and controlled the diabetes by diet, then had to start on meds last year. Been through a bunch, now on victoza and metformin. Upset stomach and other less pleasant side effects continue.

I hope it gets easier for you. Hugs.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you made it through that experience with little lasting trauma--now get a stash of food in your glove compartment/purse STAT!

Joanna Jenkins said...

Whoa! That face plant is not good and the bleeding- Yikes.

Sorry for the problems and the learning curve. I know it's not easy and traveling makes it even harder.

Hang in there, ATM, and enjoy the shopping :-)

xo jj

Chris H said...

I was 'diagnosed' some months ago too.
I am still eating carbs and fruit... in MODERATION.
I have not lost much weight due to the diabetes.
Just lost it being a bit more mindful of PORTION SIZES.
I hope you can get your balances right so you don't face plant again!

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