Beware the hot water bottle!

I was quite surprised to learn after I had been diagnosed with diabetes that I should now avoid a number of seemingly harmless things, like hot water bottles, foot spas and socks with seams. The problem with these things is that, even with only mild neuropathy, your feet may not be able to detect whether they are being damaged either by heat or by a blister caused by a seam in the sock. Should a wound pass unnoticed and become infected, this could well be the first stage of problems that may, in the worst cases, lad to ulceration and possibly gangrene. Scary stuff indeed! Although I don’t have any neuropathy as far as I’m aware, having had my feet thoroughly checked over by a podiatrist, I have to check my feet each day so that I can be sure of catching any potential problem before it can go too far. Just another little reminder each day that I have diabetes, as if I’m ever likely to forget!


Beware the hot water bottle
That you use to warm up your toes!
For your nerves may not let you know it’s too hot,
And it might just be best if they froze!

Beware the humble foot spa
For it has hidden dangers you see!
You might boil your feet in the excessive heat,
So learn to live life foot spa free!

Beware of the socks that have seams!
They may rub your feet the wrong way,
If a blister’s neglected then it may get infected,
So go seamless with socks I would say!

These things that may once have seemed harmless,
Are things that you now must reject.
Look after your feet and protect them from heat,
And treat them with utmost respect!

The Straight and Narrow

This is a picture of my glucose journey over the past thirty days. The vertical lines represent the high points and low points of my blood glucose levels each day, and the undulating horizontal line represents the trend of my levels over the period of the graph. The aim is to keep that line within the yellow band – this represents ‘normal’ blood glucose levels, the kind that are experienced by people who don’t have diabetes. The thin red line is the level below which I would be hypoglycaemic, meaning my brain would not be getting sufficient glucose from my blood to function properly – too far below this line and I would end up in diabetic coma if not treated quickly enough. Above the yellow band represents high blood glucose levels – again, I must try not to have too many readings in this area, as too high a level of glucose in the blood can lead to the many complications of diabetes: eye and kidney disease, neuropathy (nerve) disease, and loss of limbs due to microvascular disease and bacterial infection.

So, as you can see, I must try to travel through my life keeping my levels as much as possible in that narrow yellow band, which represents a range of between 4.0 and 7.0 mmol/l (approximately 70 and 125 mg/dl). I have had levels as low as 1.9 mmol/l and, at diagnosis, as high as 37 mmol/l. Thankfully, though, since I began treatment, the great majority of my levels have been within range. It can be a very tricky thing to manage at times as there are so many variables contributing to that level – food eaten, activity levels, temperature, mood, fear, anxiety, happiness, stress, illness – you get the idea! But I must avoid travelling too often on the higher path, and restrict my excursions that take me wildly off-track if I am to give myself the best chance of a long, healthy and happy life.

Monday November 2nd, 2009
Distance
3.67 miles
Time
36’ 05”
Calories
434
Blood glucose before (1.5 hour)
7.2
Blood glucose after
7.9


The glucose journey that you follow
Is flanked by walls you should not cross.
Dark diversions, should you falter,
May bring pain and may bring loss.

Hard, it may be, to be faithful
When temptations lie ahead,
But don’t deny yourself all pleasures,
Remember, you’re a long time dead!

Tiny steps and tiny changes
Keep you on the narrow road,
Nuts and seeded bread and pulses
Lighten your glycaemic load.

Lassitude will not reward you –
Keep the feared-of things at bay,
Raise your heart rate and be active,
Walk the path an hour each day.

Who knows what future lies before us?
It may be good, with good control,
So live life on the Straight and Narrow,
A healthy heart and healthy soul!

The Podiatrist Who Tickled My Toes

Podiatry, or chiropody as it used to be called – not sure of the difference! – is an important aspect of diabetic care. The feet are particularly vulnerable to microvascular damage from elevated blood sugar levels, so it’s important to have them checked regularly by professionals. The treatment usually involves a variety of procedures: checking for visual signs of damage, checking the pulses to ensure a good blood supply, and checking for nerve damage by gently pricking the soles and toes to look for any lack of sensation.

My feet are very important to me, as a runner, so I make sure I never miss my appointments!




The podiatrist who tickled my toes
Didn’t do it because it was fun.
She did it because it was part of her job
To ensure that I keep every one!

The podiatrist who played with my feet
Didn’t do it to give me a thrill.
She did it to keep each appendage complete,
For I want to have TWO boots to fill!

The podiatrist who pressed on my foot
Didn’t do it to cause me alarm.
She did it to test that each pulse was correct,
In order to keep me from harm.

The podiatrist who said ‘Close your eyes’
Didn’t do it, whilst wielding a pin,
Intending to give me a birthday surprise,
But to say where the pin had gone in!

So I’m thankful to her for her skill,
And the attention she paid to my feet –
Let’s make it quite clear, for at least once a year,
The tickling of feet is a treat!