sugar levels

Take a deep breath hon.
Take a deep breath hon. You do realize a lot of this stuff you cannot control, right? I know that when diabetics are stressed or ill, it can be very difficult to regulate their sugar. I thought that 119 was good, btw?

Its hard to keep track of all the meds for sure. I had a pad I had to write everything down, feedings, water, meds, kept track of calories, and I still screwed up, so don't feel badly.

As far as water and hydration goes, I was putting tons of water through my peg, and trying to get extra potassium, and I still was dehydrated, struggled with low potassium and needed IV fluids.

You need to cut yourself some slack. You are there for him and you are doing all you can. That is all you can do.

You do need to take care of yourself too. Come here any time to vent.

Praying for both of you.

sweetblood22 said:

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I'm not organized
and trying to keep all the pills and such straight was very tough for me. Find something that works with your strengths - the caregiver package I got from ACS mentioned various record sheets (might be on their site somewhere) but I decided to create my own (PM me with an email and I'll send you my spreadsheet - you'd want to change it to fit your own drugs and eating routine, but it's an example). I'd update each night, as we were changing his drugs every few days for a while, and I not only put the time for each drug, but had space for comments (any reactions noticed, how he felt, if we took it late by mistake, etc.). That was major - it helped us identify the two antinausea drugs that worked when nothing else would (we'd tried them each separately with a bit of success, according to the record, so I proposed combining them). I'd print them out in the morning and put them in the binder that we took to radiation every day.

We had a dry-erase board, where I just wrote the drug/treatment times - no details, as those were in the sheet. The board just reminded both of us to check the sheet and do something (it also allowed our kids to help keep track).

I also would pre-load the pills in a pill-keeper - I used a 7-day one and put tape on the lids of each day to indicate a time of day (if we'd had more than 7 pill-times a day - it happened sometimes - I added a 2-compartment keeper). I'd load when I was sharpest - generally when we got home from radiation; Doug could then take his pills if I was asleep and I stopped having nightmares about mixing them up.

The binder that we kept the records in also had some pocket pages, where we put any prescriptions or orders we received. All of this organization meant that we kept the f-ups down to about 1 a week, and it was usually not that bad.

It's all pretty overwhelming - I was more a cry-in-the-bathroom type rather than scream-in-the-yard, but I can still assure you that I got through this and you will too. Consider checking out the Caregivers board - lots of sane, wise people there who helped me a lot.

Hondo said:

Hi Sue

Don’t give up, as a caregiver you are needed more then ever and especially right now. What you are going through and feeling is normal as cancer leaves us all in a predicament that seams so overwhelming we feel like running away. I suggest checking in on cancer support groups in your area; get to know people who are going through the same thing as you. The support group will give you the help you need to maintain your sanity as you deal with this day by day.

My caregiver and I have been there three times and with out her I would have giving up and died years ago. You husband is the same way, right now he needs you more then you know. Also it is OK to vent, so vent all you need we are all here for you. I you like I will add you to my pray list, as there is power and healing in prayer.

Wishing you the both the best.

Hondo

"You could be my wingman"
Or as in the movie, "I could be yours". You're doing everything right. You can't get any better as you are already in the caregiver zone. It will get better!

Hi Sue
I have been there and know how stressful it can be to care for a loved one. Even though I am a retired RN, I still had difficulty dealing with everything. Give your self credit. From what you have told me you are doing a great job. Please feel free to vent anytime. We totally get it. Karen

Blood Sugar
I can't add much. Dr. Mary, Sweet, Hondo et.al. have good ideas. I have Type II Diabetes and last year when I was going through radiation my numbers were all over the map (not quite as high as your hubbies). I usually have it under good control, but not when this stress is on the body. I recently had a neck dissection and while in the hospital I was given insulin. Maybe you might check the American Diabetes Associaton website to see if there is any information. I saw something on the MD Anderson Cancer site. I need to research more as I start radiation again. Do you have a doctor that is taking care of the diabetes? (I live in a small town and have not found a doctor that I like yet for the diabetes).