So being on Moroccan time is really making sticking to my workouts challenging. After my dad arrived and we all took jetlag catnaps, we ended up going down to the beach. It's too bad the water is SO polluted or it would be a perfect place for me to practice swimming in open water.
We sat on the beach instead, but by time we got back it was dark and time for dinner. Disappointed that I wasn't even going to get in a walk, I was trying to figure out what sort of strength-type training I could do, using my body as resistance (pushups, crunches, etc.) when I found out we were going for a walk on the "promenade."
Unfortunately, this was a walk where instead of being for exercise was more for socializing and enjoying each other's company. I explained to my dad that when we take a walk with family, it's usually more of a meander.
So my workout today was just a meander down the promenade. Not exactly what I had in mind when I brought my running shoes here.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Frustrated and Confused
So after checking my blood sugar for the past two days, I have ended up more stressed out and confused than anything. I did some research online and ended up with more questions than answers, although I did find out some of the more serious effects of diabetes that I hadn't already known.
I don't know if my testing strips (which expired two years ago) are terribly accurate, but I was hoping they would at least give me an accurate "range." If they are, then I'm worried, because with what I've been eating and doing in terms of walking and activity, then I'm really concerned about diabetes not being a "possible" issue, but being something that's already been occurring. In which case it's a good thing I've already started on this path.
Since I can't very well control what is served to me at meals, I'm trying to choose my portions and which dishes I eat as best I can. I'm also trying not to worry too much as even my naturopath said not to stress out while on vacation and to enjoy myself. Since I'm still working on the whole moderation thing, I'm trying to keep that in mind, knowing that I will probably have to be much more strict when I get home.
I did get in another dusty walk today, only got a little bit lost, but obviously, since I'm back online and updating this, I found my way back.
Now if I could just get to sleep in this heat, I would start feeling better.
I don't know if my testing strips (which expired two years ago) are terribly accurate, but I was hoping they would at least give me an accurate "range." If they are, then I'm worried, because with what I've been eating and doing in terms of walking and activity, then I'm really concerned about diabetes not being a "possible" issue, but being something that's already been occurring. In which case it's a good thing I've already started on this path.
Since I can't very well control what is served to me at meals, I'm trying to choose my portions and which dishes I eat as best I can. I'm also trying not to worry too much as even my naturopath said not to stress out while on vacation and to enjoy myself. Since I'm still working on the whole moderation thing, I'm trying to keep that in mind, knowing that I will probably have to be much more strict when I get home.
I did get in another dusty walk today, only got a little bit lost, but obviously, since I'm back online and updating this, I found my way back.
Now if I could just get to sleep in this heat, I would start feeling better.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Right Into the Groove
We woke up a little late this morning--it was a bit hard for me to get to sleep in all the heat, but not too late considering how tired I was yesterday and the jetlag.
Shortly after getting going in the morning, we made plans to go out with family for shopping. As is usual when we do this, it took ages to actually get going, but instead it was my fault for a change because I hadn't organized anything since arriving and had to do my daughter's hair, among other things.
We walked around for several hours in the shopping area. Not "exercise" so much, but it was tiring in the heat and carrying bags as we did end up doing some shopping.
When we got back, I immediately put on an old pair of shoes (pre-triathlon training shoes that hurt my feet sometimes) and went over to the park (which they call the "forest") and took a 50 minute walk, arriving back just in time for dinner.
I spent much of the walk still fuming about my Kaiser doctor and the way the PA handled the phone conversation. Also, I really missed my HEK friends and the park we usually walk in. I also wished I'd been able to find my walking meters before leaving. I haven't used them much lately, but I was hoping to be able to use them as a comparison.
I got back filthy as the trails are all dirt. Dirt that is a reddish color and the consistency of baking flour. I stepped into the shower and ran the nozzle over my legs and feet and scrubbed until it no longer ran brown down the drain.
Thank goodness I brought my old shoes and don't plan on taking them back home.
Shortly after getting going in the morning, we made plans to go out with family for shopping. As is usual when we do this, it took ages to actually get going, but instead it was my fault for a change because I hadn't organized anything since arriving and had to do my daughter's hair, among other things.
We walked around for several hours in the shopping area. Not "exercise" so much, but it was tiring in the heat and carrying bags as we did end up doing some shopping.
When we got back, I immediately put on an old pair of shoes (pre-triathlon training shoes that hurt my feet sometimes) and went over to the park (which they call the "forest") and took a 50 minute walk, arriving back just in time for dinner.
I spent much of the walk still fuming about my Kaiser doctor and the way the PA handled the phone conversation. Also, I really missed my HEK friends and the park we usually walk in. I also wished I'd been able to find my walking meters before leaving. I haven't used them much lately, but I was hoping to be able to use them as a comparison.
I got back filthy as the trails are all dirt. Dirt that is a reddish color and the consistency of baking flour. I stepped into the shower and ran the nozzle over my legs and feet and scrubbed until it no longer ran brown down the drain.
Thank goodness I brought my old shoes and don't plan on taking them back home.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Back on Solid Ground
After about 36 hours of traveling, we're finally settled in at my father-in-law's home. I spent much of it miserable for one reason or another, mostly a lack of sleep.
Weirdly, once I got here, I couldn't sleep because of the heat and so got up to go socialize with my in-laws in my pathetic French. It's really fun though because I can tell that my Nintendo DS program has really helped my language skills and I'm actually confident that I can say things and it doesn't take as long for me to articulate them. Of course, I'm still horribly mangling the language, but I feel like I can communicate now.
That or they're just humoring me and smiling and nodding because it's our first day.
I had the brilliant idea of wearing flip flops while traveling. Easy off, easy on for security, comfort on the plane, etc. Great idea except that I never wear them otherwise so I blistered. I was worried they would hurt me on my walk that I planned for the evening just after dinner.
As a sample of how fatigued and unable to think I was at that point (I'd ended up being awake for nearly 60 hours, with only brief catnaps on the plane), let's look at some of the problems with my logic for planning a walk after dinner.
1) It is Ramadan, the Holy month for Muslims, where they fast from sunup to sundown, daily.
2) Iftar, which is the feast that breaks the fast, begins promptly at sunset.
3) Iftar, thus, is dinnertime.
4) Thus, dinnertime begins at sunset, so by time you are done eating, it is dark.
5) There is little or no lighting on the streets around here.
Which means that I could not go on a walk after dinner as I would be stumbling around in the dark either in an unlit forest I am unfamiliar with (where I'd planned to walk) or stumbling around in the near-dark on streets with potholes and drivers who aren't expecting to see someone walking down the street.
Hopefully some sleep will improve my critical thinking and planning skills and I will be more mentally functional tomorrow.
Weirdly, once I got here, I couldn't sleep because of the heat and so got up to go socialize with my in-laws in my pathetic French. It's really fun though because I can tell that my Nintendo DS program has really helped my language skills and I'm actually confident that I can say things and it doesn't take as long for me to articulate them. Of course, I'm still horribly mangling the language, but I feel like I can communicate now.
That or they're just humoring me and smiling and nodding because it's our first day.
I had the brilliant idea of wearing flip flops while traveling. Easy off, easy on for security, comfort on the plane, etc. Great idea except that I never wear them otherwise so I blistered. I was worried they would hurt me on my walk that I planned for the evening just after dinner.
As a sample of how fatigued and unable to think I was at that point (I'd ended up being awake for nearly 60 hours, with only brief catnaps on the plane), let's look at some of the problems with my logic for planning a walk after dinner.
1) It is Ramadan, the Holy month for Muslims, where they fast from sunup to sundown, daily.
2) Iftar, which is the feast that breaks the fast, begins promptly at sunset.
3) Iftar, thus, is dinnertime.
4) Thus, dinnertime begins at sunset, so by time you are done eating, it is dark.
5) There is little or no lighting on the streets around here.
Which means that I could not go on a walk after dinner as I would be stumbling around in the dark either in an unlit forest I am unfamiliar with (where I'd planned to walk) or stumbling around in the near-dark on streets with potholes and drivers who aren't expecting to see someone walking down the street.
Hopefully some sleep will improve my critical thinking and planning skills and I will be more mentally functional tomorrow.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Into the Air
I was right. Zero sleep last night as I started actually putting things into suitcases after midnight and scrambled around until 2:00am, when our airport ride showed up.
When we got there, we found out that the check-in kiosks didn't even open until 4:00 am. That whole thing is a separate set of drama I'll chronicle elsewhere. The short version is that our travel started out with blood, sweat, and tears, and that was before we even got our boarding passes.
Sweat: me, of course, running around packing at the last minute (luggage total: 11 pieces for 3 people).
Tears: My daughter, after she got run over by a luggage cart. The guy couldn't see over his luggage and then SHOVED the cart again when it was stuck on her. My husband grabbed the cart and stopped him.
Blood: At first thought it was my daughter's as it was discovered on her pants post-luggage cart incident, but there was no broken skin. Later discovered my husband's hand was bleeding and he'd been holding her...great, those will be stained.
Then separate flights to New York and a very confusing change over at JFK. And I have to complain about this here. They have very few signs anywhere and thank goodness I could speak English to ask for instructions, and I had to do so three different times because it wasn't clear where I should go (I was directed outside to a "sidewalk" that was about 18" wide with potholes that then stopped and I had to walk on the street to get to another terminal--later found out there was a monorail, so why didn't they direct me to that?!)
Anyway, reconnected with the rest of the family at JFK, minutes before boarding.
The only sleep I got was on the floor at JFK.
When we got there, we found out that the check-in kiosks didn't even open until 4:00 am. That whole thing is a separate set of drama I'll chronicle elsewhere. The short version is that our travel started out with blood, sweat, and tears, and that was before we even got our boarding passes.
Sweat: me, of course, running around packing at the last minute (luggage total: 11 pieces for 3 people).
Tears: My daughter, after she got run over by a luggage cart. The guy couldn't see over his luggage and then SHOVED the cart again when it was stuck on her. My husband grabbed the cart and stopped him.
Blood: At first thought it was my daughter's as it was discovered on her pants post-luggage cart incident, but there was no broken skin. Later discovered my husband's hand was bleeding and he'd been holding her...great, those will be stained.
Then separate flights to New York and a very confusing change over at JFK. And I have to complain about this here. They have very few signs anywhere and thank goodness I could speak English to ask for instructions, and I had to do so three different times because it wasn't clear where I should go (I was directed outside to a "sidewalk" that was about 18" wide with potholes that then stopped and I had to walk on the street to get to another terminal--later found out there was a monorail, so why didn't they direct me to that?!)
Anyway, reconnected with the rest of the family at JFK, minutes before boarding.
The only sleep I got was on the floor at JFK.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Not On Any Track
Woke up at 10:30 this morning to the doorbell. I was sleeping in intentionally--getting ready for our trip and knowing I probably wouldn't sleep again (at least, not in a bed) until Sunday night. Oh well. It was a client I hadn't seen in two years, in desperate need of a massage.
Despite all the things on my to-do list, I booked him an appointment at 3:00.
I then began running around packing. Our house was already a disaster, so finding things was even harder than normal. It took me, no kidding, nearly two hours to find a specific piece of luggage that I wanted for the trip. I found it in a place that 1) I had walked by or stood next to a minimum of 10 times already, 2) when I put it there I remember thinking "the cats won't be able to pee on this here!", and 3) in plain sight.
I didn't even get to start packing. As usual, I was finishing up laundry, getting things together, trying to take care of a variety of last-minute details, and then giving a massage.
I ran errands, including picking up extra catfood and buying last-minute gifts.
Despite how exhausted I was, I didn't even start packing by midnight, and I know I'm not going to get to go to bed tonight before leaving.
Despite all the things on my to-do list, I booked him an appointment at 3:00.
I then began running around packing. Our house was already a disaster, so finding things was even harder than normal. It took me, no kidding, nearly two hours to find a specific piece of luggage that I wanted for the trip. I found it in a place that 1) I had walked by or stood next to a minimum of 10 times already, 2) when I put it there I remember thinking "the cats won't be able to pee on this here!", and 3) in plain sight.
I didn't even get to start packing. As usual, I was finishing up laundry, getting things together, trying to take care of a variety of last-minute details, and then giving a massage.
I ran errands, including picking up extra catfood and buying last-minute gifts.
Despite how exhausted I was, I didn't even start packing by midnight, and I know I'm not going to get to go to bed tonight before leaving.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Hadn't Realized It Has Been So Long...
...since I posted on here.
Fortunately, I have at least been busy, in all aspects of my life, and keeping up with "training" too. Training in quotes because I'm still more in weight loss mode of training than in preparation for a triathlon, but at least more active than I was before I started this whole thing.
Finally visited my naturopath awhile back and spoke to her about mercury poisoning as well as the other issues I'm having (aside my back). For example, the relatively little levels of exercise that seem to put me straight into heat exhaustion and the headaches that turn my stomach inside out and make me useless.
I had to go and get a bunch of bloodwork done, which after quite a bit of phone tag with Kaiser, was approved. Ironically, in the middle of that with me, my dad was complaining that it was easier and took less time to replace his lost driver's license at the DMV that it was to get an appointment to talk to his Kaiser doctor. Apparently I'm not alone in the craziness.
Today I got a call from the medical assistant for my doctor. Now, as history, I actually went in to them well over a year ago with my back issues. When I hadn't gotten off of the narcotic painkillers immediately, I had to go in for a visit to make sure I wasn't a drug addict. Federal law and all. I told them then that I didn't want to be on the painkillers, but that I couldn't function (meaning do things like lean over in the morning to put on my underpants) without significant pain. Furthermore, I figured some of my back issues are probably weight-related but that exercise hurt so much that I couldn't do enough to affect my weight. I.e., where I was when I started this blog.
As a reminder, when I started this, if I walked to the end of the block and back, I would have to lie down for awhile to deal with the pain. So yes, losing weight would probably help my back and when I mentioned this to the doctor, I got kind of a nod, but that was it.
I finally got in to see the physiatrist, who told me the same things all the other doctors have told me, with the exception of "you should try Pilates." Which I would love to do, if I had access, money, and childcare, so I will look into it. Anyway, when I got in to the physiatrist, they weighed me, as they do at all Kaiser visits. According to my last weigh-in from Kaiser, I'm down 12 pounds.
So I was a little surprised and annoyed at the phone call I got from the Physician's assistant. Basically, I was informed that all of my tests were normal with the exception of blood sugar, which showed up as "Level 3" which is "very concerning" because it means I am "prediabetic."
The PA then gave me a third-degree lecture on losing weight and changing my diet and starting a regular exercise program. When she paused for breath, I informed her that I had started a new exercise program in May, made fairly significant lifestyle changes that included diet and that I have already lost weight, and that since I had gestational diabetes, I am familiar with what I need to do.
The lecture continued, with her informing me that this is "extremely serious" and that I should consider seeing a nutritionist, and that I need to exercise a MINIMUM of 30 minutes, five times a day.
At which point I interrupted. "FIVE times a DAY?! Shouldn't that be a week?"
She said, "Oh, let me look...yes...the doctor wrote five times a day...hmmm...that does seem like a lot...maybe you are right...a week sounds more normal, but that is what the doctor wrote."
I told her that I was already exercising regularly, that I would continue, that I have changed my diet significantly (for the most part--I have my moments, but not like before), that I still had my blood sugar testing kit from pregnancy and that I could start tracking what I'm eating and doing and what my levels are so that I could make adjustments as needed.
At which point, the PA said, "The doctor didn't say to do that."
So I asked her, "Well, wouldn't it make sense for me to keep an eye on my blood sugar to make sure I'm doing okay?"
She repeated, "The doctor did NOT tell you to do that and I need to be clear on this. She did NOT tell you to test your blood sugar."
At which point I wanted to know what the harm was and she just repeated that the doctor hadn't told me to test.
THEN the PA told me to "check back in three months to see how it's going and if we need to, we'll refer you to a nutritionist then."
At this point I was so disgusted I gave up arguing, thanked her (I'm not sure why), and hung up.
I was SO ANGRY when I got off the phone.
Basically, they ignored me for a year. I made changes on my own and have started showing results. When a different doctor ordered tests, they were suddenly FREAKED OUT over one number enough to call and lecture me, telling me to make changes that I had already implemented and neglecting to notice the already-dropping weight on my chart.
THEN when I hopped right on board, agreeing that this is serious, I need to be responsible for my health, and volunteering to go the extra mile (testing blood sugar), I was told that my doctor didn't tell me to do that.
What the heck?
From my gestational diabetes during pregnancy, I know it is serious, and from the little bit of reading I've done, diabetes (or "prediabetes") isn't something to be taken lightly at all. The ramifications of long-term high blood sugar are significant, so waiting three months to "see how it goes" seems like the dumbest advice a doctor could give.
I think I'm done being "polite" to my doctor.
This is just icing on the cake of having an appointment canceled AFTER I've already arrived to it, having a different appointment take over an hour for two minutes of time with the doctor, having the doctor "refer" me to a physiatrist but then 1) not process the actual referral and then 2) question it when two months later I asked what the heck was going on. Now I get lectured and then when I jump on board to make changes am told not to do that much and "see how it goes."
Have I ever mentioned that this doctor can't make my patellar reflex trigger? On my hyper-sensitive knees that had reconstructive surgery?
I asked if I could switch doctors in the network, but since I don't know anyone who sees them, I could end up with someone even worse. I can't imagine that, but then I couldn't imagine this bologna either.
Fortunately, I have at least been busy, in all aspects of my life, and keeping up with "training" too. Training in quotes because I'm still more in weight loss mode of training than in preparation for a triathlon, but at least more active than I was before I started this whole thing.
Finally visited my naturopath awhile back and spoke to her about mercury poisoning as well as the other issues I'm having (aside my back). For example, the relatively little levels of exercise that seem to put me straight into heat exhaustion and the headaches that turn my stomach inside out and make me useless.
I had to go and get a bunch of bloodwork done, which after quite a bit of phone tag with Kaiser, was approved. Ironically, in the middle of that with me, my dad was complaining that it was easier and took less time to replace his lost driver's license at the DMV that it was to get an appointment to talk to his Kaiser doctor. Apparently I'm not alone in the craziness.
Today I got a call from the medical assistant for my doctor. Now, as history, I actually went in to them well over a year ago with my back issues. When I hadn't gotten off of the narcotic painkillers immediately, I had to go in for a visit to make sure I wasn't a drug addict. Federal law and all. I told them then that I didn't want to be on the painkillers, but that I couldn't function (meaning do things like lean over in the morning to put on my underpants) without significant pain. Furthermore, I figured some of my back issues are probably weight-related but that exercise hurt so much that I couldn't do enough to affect my weight. I.e., where I was when I started this blog.
As a reminder, when I started this, if I walked to the end of the block and back, I would have to lie down for awhile to deal with the pain. So yes, losing weight would probably help my back and when I mentioned this to the doctor, I got kind of a nod, but that was it.
I finally got in to see the physiatrist, who told me the same things all the other doctors have told me, with the exception of "you should try Pilates." Which I would love to do, if I had access, money, and childcare, so I will look into it. Anyway, when I got in to the physiatrist, they weighed me, as they do at all Kaiser visits. According to my last weigh-in from Kaiser, I'm down 12 pounds.
So I was a little surprised and annoyed at the phone call I got from the Physician's assistant. Basically, I was informed that all of my tests were normal with the exception of blood sugar, which showed up as "Level 3" which is "very concerning" because it means I am "prediabetic."
The PA then gave me a third-degree lecture on losing weight and changing my diet and starting a regular exercise program. When she paused for breath, I informed her that I had started a new exercise program in May, made fairly significant lifestyle changes that included diet and that I have already lost weight, and that since I had gestational diabetes, I am familiar with what I need to do.
The lecture continued, with her informing me that this is "extremely serious" and that I should consider seeing a nutritionist, and that I need to exercise a MINIMUM of 30 minutes, five times a day.
At which point I interrupted. "FIVE times a DAY?! Shouldn't that be a week?"
She said, "Oh, let me look...yes...the doctor wrote five times a day...hmmm...that does seem like a lot...maybe you are right...a week sounds more normal, but that is what the doctor wrote."
I told her that I was already exercising regularly, that I would continue, that I have changed my diet significantly (for the most part--I have my moments, but not like before), that I still had my blood sugar testing kit from pregnancy and that I could start tracking what I'm eating and doing and what my levels are so that I could make adjustments as needed.
At which point, the PA said, "The doctor didn't say to do that."
So I asked her, "Well, wouldn't it make sense for me to keep an eye on my blood sugar to make sure I'm doing okay?"
She repeated, "The doctor did NOT tell you to do that and I need to be clear on this. She did NOT tell you to test your blood sugar."
At which point I wanted to know what the harm was and she just repeated that the doctor hadn't told me to test.
THEN the PA told me to "check back in three months to see how it's going and if we need to, we'll refer you to a nutritionist then."
At this point I was so disgusted I gave up arguing, thanked her (I'm not sure why), and hung up.
I was SO ANGRY when I got off the phone.
Basically, they ignored me for a year. I made changes on my own and have started showing results. When a different doctor ordered tests, they were suddenly FREAKED OUT over one number enough to call and lecture me, telling me to make changes that I had already implemented and neglecting to notice the already-dropping weight on my chart.
THEN when I hopped right on board, agreeing that this is serious, I need to be responsible for my health, and volunteering to go the extra mile (testing blood sugar), I was told that my doctor didn't tell me to do that.
What the heck?
From my gestational diabetes during pregnancy, I know it is serious, and from the little bit of reading I've done, diabetes (or "prediabetes") isn't something to be taken lightly at all. The ramifications of long-term high blood sugar are significant, so waiting three months to "see how it goes" seems like the dumbest advice a doctor could give.
I think I'm done being "polite" to my doctor.
This is just icing on the cake of having an appointment canceled AFTER I've already arrived to it, having a different appointment take over an hour for two minutes of time with the doctor, having the doctor "refer" me to a physiatrist but then 1) not process the actual referral and then 2) question it when two months later I asked what the heck was going on. Now I get lectured and then when I jump on board to make changes am told not to do that much and "see how it goes."
Have I ever mentioned that this doctor can't make my patellar reflex trigger? On my hyper-sensitive knees that had reconstructive surgery?
I asked if I could switch doctors in the network, but since I don't know anyone who sees them, I could end up with someone even worse. I can't imagine that, but then I couldn't imagine this bologna either.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
