Saturday, September 23, 2006
Jigsaw puzzles & Education
Amy felt pretty good today, we went to St. Vinny’s and picked up a few jigsaw puzzles for her to do, looked at some children’s books and then headed back home. A short, but nice little outing. I know it may sound strange, but I love to go shopping (grocery & Christmas) with her, but only if it’s just the two of us. I simply love her company. There may be long minutes where I don’t say a word, but Amy will be chatting idly on…I love that. For the past couple of days, she’s noticed that her stomach feels hard/firm to the touch and looks some what distended. I would say that we’re a little concerned, but that’s really because we have no idea what is causing it. It’s a good thing she sees her oncologist this Monday when she can inquire about it.
I met with a Diabetic Educator last night. For two hours I answered questions, listened to the educator explain what the disease is and even asked a few questions of my own. I learned about maintenance, risk factors, diet and setting goals. She started the session with an unexpected question…she asked me what my first thought was when I leaned of my diagnosis. I was sort of shocked…taken a-back actually by her question. Not because I didn’t know the answer…oh, I very well knew the answer…but rather how in the first question, she could cut to the very epicenter of my deepest fear. At the notification of my disease, my mind was instantly transported back to May of 2000, to my mother’s deathbed. She too had Diabetes; she was diagnosed at 39 years of age and died of Calciphylaxis which was either brought on or was acerbated by her Diabetes at the age of 66. I can still vividly see her in her bed, moaning and weeping from the excruciating pain. They had to keep her on such a high dose of morphine that she never quite gained consciousness and the sight of the huge open sores on her legs that continued to grow and never healed is forever burned into my memory. That was what went through my mind; her beautiful life…her horrific death…our common disease. I know just because my mother had Calciphylaxis, doesn’t mean that I’ll contract it, but that is what went through my thoughts.
I will praise your name oh Lord, I will sing of your goodness all day long. For there is none as great as you and none worthy of my worship but You.
This is Amy's story as seen and told by me – V
I met with a Diabetic Educator last night. For two hours I answered questions, listened to the educator explain what the disease is and even asked a few questions of my own. I learned about maintenance, risk factors, diet and setting goals. She started the session with an unexpected question…she asked me what my first thought was when I leaned of my diagnosis. I was sort of shocked…taken a-back actually by her question. Not because I didn’t know the answer…oh, I very well knew the answer…but rather how in the first question, she could cut to the very epicenter of my deepest fear. At the notification of my disease, my mind was instantly transported back to May of 2000, to my mother’s deathbed. She too had Diabetes; she was diagnosed at 39 years of age and died of Calciphylaxis which was either brought on or was acerbated by her Diabetes at the age of 66. I can still vividly see her in her bed, moaning and weeping from the excruciating pain. They had to keep her on such a high dose of morphine that she never quite gained consciousness and the sight of the huge open sores on her legs that continued to grow and never healed is forever burned into my memory. That was what went through my mind; her beautiful life…her horrific death…our common disease. I know just because my mother had Calciphylaxis, doesn’t mean that I’ll contract it, but that is what went through my thoughts.
I will praise your name oh Lord, I will sing of your goodness all day long. For there is none as great as you and none worthy of my worship but You.
This is Amy's story as seen and told by me – V
# posted by Vince @ 10:25 PM 
