My Shoulder, My Shoulder

Well, this morning my right shoulder when out or whatever it does. 

I've never really had a Dr. see it because it usually gets back into place on it's own if I just let it hang down.

But let me tell you when you move it wrong it's a horrible pain!!

It took me a half hour to get dressed this morning.

I know to "dress the affected arm first".

But it still took forever.

It isn't right yet and it's almost noon.

It's hard getting anything done here because it's my right arm and I'm not good at all with my left!

Of course you can hurt your shoulder at any age so I guess this isn't just about getting old.

It's making me appreciate the rehab that stroke patients have to go through!

Yep, It's Always Something!!!

Shirley

It's That Upper Respiratory Thing

Yes, I got it almost two weeks ago!
(Not the flu thank goodness)
Just the "common cold and cough"

All is finally getting better except the cough which I think will hang on for awhile.

I'm tired of being sick and tired!!

I was just about to do the pool thing at the rec. center when I got sick, so no fitness classes no nothin'!

Yes, I got a bathing suit!!

That's a whole other story : ))

I'm going to go out to the store for a few things today as I don't think I'm contagious as much anymore.

However the sound of my cough could probably clear an aisle at Walmart!

(I'll try my best not to cough when I'm there!)

Anyway, that is why it's been so long between posts.

I wasn't feeling like doing anything!!

I hadn't had a cold/cough for about 15 years before this one!!

Maybe I was just due.

Hope you guys stay well.

Shirley

These Bedtime Snacks Help You Sleep!

There was an article in my hometown newspaper today that just goes perfectly with my previous blog about sleep!

And right up my alley too!

Bedtime snacks!

I always have to have one before bed!

I'm not makin' this stuff up!

This is according to the National Sleep Foundation:

Changes in sleep patterns are a part of the aging process.

Many people experience difficulty falling asleep and then staying asleep as we get older.

Here's the good news.

There are certain snack foods that may help to improve quality of sleep!

AARP notes that the following are a handful of snack foods that promote better sleep.

•  Almonds:

Magnesium is a mineral with muscle relaxing properties, and almonds contain enough magnesium to help you get a better night's sleep.

A small amount of almonds before bedtimes may be enough to make falling and staying asleep easier.

•  Bananas

Much like almonds, bananas provide a substantial amount of magnesium.  

Bananas also contain the amino acid tryptophan, which many people relate to that sleepy feeling after that Thanksgiving turkey dinner!

A banana shortly before bed might be just what you need to fall and stay asleep.

 •  Cheese and crackers

Cheese and crackers contain tryptophan and some carbohydrates which can induce a better night's sleep and help you fall asleep sooner.

•  Cherries

Cherries contain the sleep hormone melatonin.

AARP notes that people who drank tart cherry juice on a regular basis fell asleep more quickly and slept longer and better than participants who did not.

•  Walnuts

Walnuts, like cherries contain melatonin which contributes to better sleep.

•  Peanut butter

Another snacking item loaded with tryptophan.

Spread some on a some carbohydrate like a piece of toast and sleep better!!

•  Hummus

The main ingredient in hummus is chickpeas, which are loaded with tryptophan, folate and vitamin B6.  Folate has proven especially helpful to older men and women who need help regulating sleep patterns while B6 helps the body regulate it's clock!

So there you have it!

Many men and women experience difficulty sleeping as they age.  But the right foods may just help combat such problems and help men and women get a more adequate night's sleep.

I'm all for that.

What about you!!

Shirley

The Healing Power of Sleep

There has been more and more studies on the importance of good quality sleep lately.

They are finding out just how very important it is!

About 3 months ago I got an app for my iPhone called Sleep Cycle alarm clock.

It is quite fascinating what goes on when you're sleeping.

Your mind is quite active and the right quality of sleep is doing really good things for your body.

Here is the link and believe me it's worth the 99 cents!!!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sleep-cycle-alarm-clock/id320606217?mt=8

and

http://www.sleepcycle.com/howitworks.html

I also found an excellent book about sleep by Mary O'Brien, MD

You can get it on Amazon.

As I get older, I seem to be having more trouble sleeping or staying asleep.

So I've done quite a bit of reading about the importance of sleep.

They have discovered that you definitely need at least 7-8 hours of sleep.

There are plenty of people that don't get that and say they are just fine on 5 hours.

Not enough sleep has long term effects.

There are some bad effects of sleep deprivation.  Even just not getting the correct amount of sleep over a period of time.

These are some of the negative effects that can happen:

Heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, headaches, depression, memory problems, cognitive disfunction, moodiness, weakened immune system, high blood pressure, and of course cold and flu.

Amazing right!!

When you are sleeping, the brain is actually quite active.

It is healing itself!   

Detoxifying.  

The human growth hormone and melatonin which play a big role in tissue recovery and immunity are produced during sleep.

By the way, light from your TV or phone etc, used at bedtime can stop that production of melatonin and give you a restless night's sleep.

Every living thing sleeps in some way.  (Even earthworms!!!!!)

Sleep is necessary for life.

Developing a sleep routine is very important for a good quality night's sleep.

There is a whole lot of information online about sleep.

Also information about dreaming.

Here are just a couple.

http://sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/what-happens-when-you-sleep

http://www.upmc.com/services/pulmonology/sleep-medicine/resources/pages/during-sleep.aspx

http://time.com/3326565/the-power-of-sleep/

Information about dreaming:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sleeping-angels/200905/why-we-dream-and-what-happens-when-we-do

http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/wellness/a1884/9-things-you-didnt-know-about-dreams-110657/

http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-importance-of-rem-sleep-dreaming/00019773

TV, computers, iPhones etc. emit blue light which tricks the brain into thinking it's daytime.

http://chriskresser.com/how-artificial-light-is-wrecking-your-sleep-and-what-to-do-about-it

So . . . . shut off your TV and other electronic devices and go to sleep in a darkened room!

Good night!!

Shirley

Coconut oil

All the wonderful benefits of coconut oil!

And my recipe for a fantastic cup of coffee!

Click on "My Main Blog" there to the right top, in the sidebar, to see the new post.

or here's the link:

http://shirleys-world.blogspot.com/2015/01/why-i-love-coconut-oil.html

Thanks!

Shirley

Update on Dermatology Visits

This sun bathing is not good!!

(and neither was that perm!!!)

When my husband Jack was alive, we had a house down in FL.  

It was on Anna Maria Is. on the Gulf, just across the street from the water!

I sold it after Jack died about 7-8 years ago.

We went down there sometimes a month at a time and back then, it was thought that it was really good looking to have a dark tan.

We were either on the beach or on the boat. IN THE SUN!

Now days, I look at people strangely that are really tan!!

It's not "in" anymore.

Mainly because of the education on the sun and skin cancer.

You never heard about that back when I was young!!

We slathered on oil to fry even darker!

I think the worst sunburn I ever had however was when I was in my early 30's and my two girl friends and I went to the Bahamas!

It was after my divorce from my first husband and was actually my first time flying!

Anyway, it was a short vacation package so we thought we had to get as tanned as we could in a very short time.

I looked like a boiled lobster!!

I could barely stand to wear clothes.

It was not attractive!

I learned a lot from that however!

But still didn't stay out of the sun, I just didn't use oil!

The real sun damage to you skin comes years later.

It starts showing up as just age spots, if you're lucky, or as skin cancer.

I, of course should have gone to the dermatologist a long time ago but waited till I thought I really could have a problem!!

And yes, all the "things" they removed and biopsied were either basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma.

Now more follow up treatments have to be done.

Bummer!

So, just saying, if your one who liked to tan or you see anything weird on your skin, go get a yearly dermatology exam.

I know, it's easy to just ignore, but don't be like me!

Shirley

Anxiety and Aging

Until recently, it was thought that anxiety decreased with age.  However, mental health experts are altering their views.  

Aging brings added stress and anxiety because of increasing health problems, loses of loved ones, and other major life changes that build up as you get older.

The smallest things or thoughts can start anxiety and worry; sometimes, just life in general.

I know, my life has changed considerably.  I used to hardly worry at all.  

I had children and was working in a high stress job in the ER as a nurse never knowing what there was coming though the ER doors, you'd think those things would cause more anxiety and worry.

My mother, worried a lot, even when she was younger.

My anxiety and worry has definitely gotten worse in the past few years.

And with glitches in my health, my anxiety has sometimes hit the roof!

There's a lot of fears that are related to aging.  Fears of instability and falling causing debilitating injury.  Fears related to money issues, being victimized, being dependent on others and just feeling alone are a few.

If you are younger, there is no way you can fully understand these feelings.

You can't just stop worrying or stop being anxious.

I'm truly blessed and am so much more fortunate than some but still I have these anxieties.  Feeling on edge most of the time is not pleasant.

I've recently read up on Generalized Anxiety Disorder.(GAD)

Everyone feels these things once in awhile.

If you have 3-4 of these symptoms that last over 6 months, it could be GAD.

•Depression

•Impaired sleep

•Problems concentrating

•Problems with memory and attention

•Agitation

•Restlessness

•Fatigue

•Muscle tension

All these can lead to limiting your daily activities and social interactions.

Increased isolation.

Losing interest in hobbies and pleasurable pastimes.

Reluctance to leave home.

Loss of self worth.

This all sounds "depressing", right!

I'm looking into ways to get more involved outside the home.

There's also treatments for GAD that don't involve medications.

There's a lot of good articles on line.

I'm going to read up on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

and maybe see a therapist.

I don't want to end up being a hermit in my house with my dogs, my cats and my chickens!!!

Let me hear from anyone having similar problems.

I know you're out there.

Us oldsters have to stick together!!!

Here are just a few of the links to go to for more information:

http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad

http://www.gmhfonline.org/gmhf/consumer/factsheets/anxietyoldradult.html

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/579825

There's many more if you Google "Anxiety with aging" or something similar.

Shirley

  

That Scary Word

I went to the dermatology doctor again today to get results on the "thing" I had removed from my scalp last week.

Unfortunately it was basal cell carcinoma.

Now I will have to see the surgeon and have more tissue removed till they get clear edges.

It will be done under a local anesthetic on Dec. 1st.

I'm hoping that it doesn't involve shaving too much of my hair!!

I need it.

It's winter!!!

The Trillium Center is quite a place.  You can look it up on FB or their webpage.

I also had a complete dermatology body exam today.

That is interesting!

The doctor looks at every inch of your body that has skin on it with his big magnifying glasses!

I had 3 more things removed today!

I'm at the age that back when we were younger, we sun-bathed!

I laid out on the beach with oil on!!  Just frying and getting as tan as I could.

That was before all the sun precautions that there are now.

I have a lot of sun damage.

All those age spots . . . . Yep, gifts of the sun!

Time to pay up I guess!

Shirley

Imagination Running Wild

My imagination is so strong.

And it usually isn't imaging the best senario for things!!

Why is that??

Am I that negative??

Well, here's the most recent one.

I've had a growth on my scalp, under my hair for years.  Like it started at least 6-7 years ago.

This past year it has grown in size significantly and become painful.

My hair covered it, so it was easy to keep a secret.  Only my hairdresser had seen it!!

Why did I keep it a secret?  Well, because I was afraid it was something awful and I kept putting off showing the doctor.

I know he would've yelled at me for not showing him sooner.

I just avoided the whole thing and buried my head!

Dumb?  Yes!
Especially when you're a nurse!

Well, I finally admitted to myself that something had to be done.

I imagined that it was cancer and had probably invaded the skull, now giving me bone and brain cancer!

That's what imagination can do for you!!

I stressed so much about the appointment that was scheduled for today that I got a cold sore.

Stress induced!

I signed into the Dermatology clinic at 10:30am.

Saw the doctor who said,

"Oh, we'll just take that off right here and now."

He's pretty sure it is benign and it was removed with a local anesthetic in about 3 minutes!!!

Years of worry!!!

Fixed in 3 minutes.

No I don't have a picture of it because it was really horrible looking.

But it's all gone.

Sigh!!!!!

I go back next week for a whole Derm exam because I have moles and age spots and all those great aging things!

There's a lesson here somewhere!!!!!!

Shirley 

The Emotional Stages of Diagnosis in Diabetes

I read an article in "DiabetesForecast"  (It's free and is put out by the Diabetes Assoc.)  

It was about stages of emotional changes after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 

or pre-diabetes.

I think I have almost gone through them all pretty quickly!!

It states it pretty clear in this article too.

http://www.diabetescarecommunity.ca/ArticleDetails.aspx?ArticleId=185

The stages turn out to be the same as the stages of grief.

(This is me)  

1.  Denial:  They must've mixed me up with someone else!  I'm thin and                                                        fairly active and I'm not overly thirsty or peeing all the time!!!

2.  Anger:  Well, damn, why did this happen now!  I'm just getting over my                                                   belly problems and dealing with back and arthritis problems!  It's                                                 not fair! 

3.  Bargaining:  OK, I'll watch my diet a little.  If I do good, maybe this will                                                        just go away.  If I just eat this much now, maybe I can have                                                        all that cake and ice cream later before bed!

 4.  Depression:  This is what I've got to do???  Watch what I eat all the time!                                                         Eating was a big pleasure of mine and I love carbs!                                                                     This isn't fair.  I'm 72 and deserve to enjoy my life.  

                          Poor me, poor me.                                                           

 5.  Acceptance:  (I'm working on this one!)  I can do it.  I'll be healthier.

                                                       Things I've found out so far:
•Body size and weight is only one of the predisposing factors in Diabetes Type 2.
Genes can play a factor too.  Oh, I have that!
•Exercise helps your body use excess sugar in your blood.
•Pre-diabetes is just diabetes caught very early.
•If you do something about it right away you have a better chance of avoiding any bad       complications of the disease.  And I don't want them!
•Count and limit carbs in each meal, not so much to count the grand total for the day.
•Start monitoring your blood sugar to find out what foods and how much would make you have a spike.  Keep a food and blood meter journal.  Record how you feel physically and mentally, etc.
•Your primary doctor basically, at this stage, orders blood work, tells you about it and writes Rx's if needed.  Other than that, you're pretty much on your own to track down info.  I have to say that my doctor brought in a dietician/nutritionist that was also diabetic to give a talk.  That was very helpful.

So here I am trying to make my way though this and other ailments I haven't mentioned in this post.  Aging can be the pits sometimes but I'm probably, now, not that different from other 72 year olds.  Just the names of ailments change!!

Shirley

Diabetes and Other Assorted Problems

My first blog about diabetes was written a few days ago.
It is on my regular main blog here:
http://shirleys-world.blogspot.com/  

I think I figured out how to start a separate blog so this is sort of a test.

I didn't want to write about health problems on my regular blog as I know it's sort of boring for people to read it if they don't have the same problems.
So this blog will be about numerous health issues and aging but mainly diabetes type 2.
I would like to hear from anyone with the same condition and about their everyday experiences with it.
I'm new at this diabetes thing and was only diagnosed about three months ago.
So I'm not writing this blog as any kind of an expert.
I'm and RN but retired a long time ago
I'm 72!

Here is my first blog I wrote a few days ago.

http://shirleys-world.blogspot.com/2014/08/its-always-something-diabetes.html
Here is a copy of that post.

They call it Pre-Diabetes
I found out a couple months ago that I'm what they are calling "pre-diabetic".

Since then I've found out that it just means that the diabetes was detected in an early phase.

I always thought to myself that I would never be surprised if I got it as it is in my genes on my mother's side.  My aunt and my grandmother both had type 2 diabetes.

But, you know, I am sort of surprised.  Mostly because I've always been thin and pretty active.

Obviously, that doesn't always matter!

I didn't have the signs I always associated with diabetes; thirst and frequent urination.

But I did have other signs that I tried to ignore.

Fatigue, hunger, tingling in hands and feet and at times, blurred vision!
Since I knew I was and probably have always been, addicted to sweets, I started counting carbs!
That is very hard for me, let me tell you.
The only way I could do it successfully is to write down every morsel that I eat and the carb. content.
After 2 months, it became a little easier and I am aware of the carb grams in many things that I eat.
I try to keep it under 180 per day but it was hard.  I want to make it below 150.
Now I read that that's the wrong way to do it.  You can't play around with the count so you end up at a certain number.  You can't eat nothing for lunch and save the grams for a big bedtime snack.  NUTS!
It's better to eat at an even level all day.
I'm also learning how the glycemic index of things comes into play.
This past week I've started testing my numbers with finger sticks and a meter.

This is a hell of a lot to learn and change at 72!  That's for sure.
I denied it at first, then was angry and now I'm rather depressed the more I read!!
But I'm always HUNGRY!!!!

Please, I'd appreciate any thoughts and help from you people in my blogging world that have type 2.
My A1c was 6.2 by the way.

I'll be writing more shortly.

Shirley