I'm glad that you are getting those tests over with...
Does that mean that your chest/ribs are finally feeling better?

Kay

My biggest problem is the arm monitor goes so tight on the arm that
it hurts my arm and the pain causes pain, and anxiety goes up or
whatever that is. So it causes my blood pressure to raise. Or it
wont read the blood pressure, so it has to start or be taken again.

Luckily I can monitor and retake at a different time. But another
part of this problem is thanks to the lymph nodes out of right
arm I can only take out of left arm and that is the problem its
always been harder to read out of that arm.

Donna

I don't remember if I told everyone about the dog fight the neighbor
had last night. It was right before I went to get Derrick from Track
practice. THis year he is just helping with practice pretty much.
They found him a bowling partner. But anyway, the two dogs that
live across the street that are pretty mean were not on the leashes
like there supposed to be. I knew something was up because my
dog, and Derrick's dog Doby were both really loud and barking up
a storm. Should have known why, but didn't think. Doby was really
getting into the theme. But he has been attacked by a big dog and is
skittish with big ones. But the neighbors dog got attacked, he is a
german shepard, and the lady down there got attacked, her husband
had his gun and shot it trying to protect his wife and dog. The dogs
ran I heard the lady that owns the dogs, screaming I'm trying to get
them. But if you can't control them, don't let them lose in my opinion.
Then her boyfriend was driving around trying to find them. And she
was yelling I'm trying to get them, with the neighbor talking to cops on
the phone. Some kid out in the street telling the neighbor guy were the
one went. I'm thinking and yelling tell that kid to get inside. The lady yells
the dog wont hurt anyone. I said, I didn't say that I said get that kid
inside period. The guy told the kid to go inside, because he did.

But gosh, why the heck are you letting kids stay outside when your dangerous dog is being chased down. Even when your own kids aren't always safe with
them.

Ugh, what a bit of excitement I didn't need.

Donna

Donna,



What mayhem and chaos. Such a mess.



Good to hear that the kid DID go inside.


M

Donna,


You do a good job of taking care of yourself.


You can work out a system that works for you.

You are doing so many things. But please find way to do the sugar
readings. Where do you keep the machine? Is it in a handy place?


M

wow. how scary

I think you need to order one with a larger arm cuff, or order a separate larger arm cuff. The aides/medical assistants may be too lazy to grab the right size, or may not be aware that they are using the wrong size. Sometimes you may be on the border between one cuff and another, but it can make a big difference- not only can a too small cuff cause discomfort, but it can cause inaccurate (high) readings.

You will have to measure your arm to be sure you have the correct size. Usually there are directions for doing so. I would try the Moron site.

I really hope that doing this makes a big difference for you. Right now taking your BP sounds like torture

The situation with the dogs sounds just awful!

I hope that the poor lady and dog who got attacked will be okay

You are right that those dogs need to be on leashes, and thank God that little kid finally went inside!


Of course Mari is right about testing your sugars and putting the testing equipment in a safe place. This is too important to neglect

Yes I know about the sugar equipment. I was doing well and
then I misplaced the equipment. I'll start looking for it again.
I know about were it is. Just need to mainly find the machine,
or go buy another one. Probably will get another machine,
after I locate all the other things, the lancets, and the strips.
I'm pretty sure I know where those are at. Just not exactly
sure of the machine. Part of the problem is I can't always
get the blood to come out of the finger when I do the stick
so it takes two or three sticks. And that is so upsetting.

Its such a weird thing. But its part of me and life. I know
its not anything I'm doing wrong, I double checked with the
nurse at the doctor's office a few years ago that I trust to
help me with that. So I just have to prep my finger more
so I do. But it still doesn't like to come out again.

At least I'm not limited to which fingers I can use, or haven't
been. That would not make it easy.
Donna

ps, thanks for the different sizes on the monitor, I didn't know
that they had those. But the girl did use the biggest they had.
But I can buy a bigger one. If so I'll find the best one for me

Did the RN show you to push up from the base of the fingertip until it's reddish to get a better blood supply up there before trying to stick your finger?

Also, still at the top but more towards the side of your finger, close (but not too close) to your nail is also a good place to stick. It doesn't feel nice, but you usually only have to stick it once, so it's a good trade-off. I would milk blood up there first, too just to be safe...

Keeping your hands as soft as possible by applying lotion regularly will help prevent them toughening up too much and making it harder to get good sticks.

The more often you do it, the more you will find what works best for you, and it will get easier