1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

So I'm about to lose my right foot.

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by TJandGENESIS, Jan 1, 2008.

  1. tleonhar

    tleonhar Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2005
    1,541
    34
    0
    Location:
    Belle Plaine, MN
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The A1C of 7.9 looks quite good, my wife keeps hers in the 7.5 to 8.0 range. I believe 6.8 is suppose to be the normal level. My wife's diabetes Dr. says she is not too concerned about trying to hit the 6.8 because that at that level, you often run the risk of an "insulin reaction" if you guess wrong at a meal and over bolus with the pump.
     
    1 person likes this.
  2. TJandGENESIS

    TJandGENESIS Are We Having Fun Yet?

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2005
    5,299
    47
    0
    Location:
    ★Lewisville, part of the Metroplex, Dallas, in the
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    I went to see a oral surgeon today, and because I had cancer once, (oral, and no, never smoked) and now have diabetes, the six remaining 'good' teeth in the upper part of my mouth, have to be removed. Something about the teeth being weakened.
    SO, I get to have implants put in, to the tune of: $12,000!

    And me with no insurance. I just love this disease!

    Again. This is the warning thread so you can avoid the HFCS, or excessive sugar, or you too may end up like me or worse.
     
  3. mojo

    mojo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2006
    4,519
    390
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Thailand should be about $2400
    BTW Dentists commonly overcharge like unscrupulous car mechanics.
    I have a dentist now who inherited his office from his grandfather and father.
    No overhead and his diagnosis is ZERO $.
    Where every other dentist says I need $thousands in deep cleanings every year and gum surgery and a special guard to wear while Im sleeping and a special toothbrush that costs $$$$.
    My dentist says my teeth will last my lifetime.

     
  4. TJandGENESIS

    TJandGENESIS Are We Having Fun Yet?

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2005
    5,299
    47
    0
    Location:
    ★Lewisville, part of the Metroplex, Dallas, in the
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Yeah, but flying, staying, all that cost abut Thailand, plus, going there and not being able to eat after, well...

    Personally, I think a lot of what I am paying for is questionable. Which is fueled by my general distrust to the ones who are saying it.
     
  5. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2004
    15,140
    611
    0
    Location:
    South Puget Sound, WA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Nissan LEAF
    Model:
    Persona
    i know a co-worker who considered implants as well. she needed minimum 4 recommended 6 for full uppers. at $2500 each. insurance covers nothing but basics (consult, checkup, etc) so with or without insurance, it cost ya. she will probably go with dentures. to pull her remaining teeth ( like 10 or so, not sure how many. only half are bad, but infection will cause the others to fail sooner than later) is $2000 and dentures $3000 (this includes temps for up to a year until mouth completely heals).... her cost, 50%...so even with insurance, she is paying a pretty good chunk of money
     
    1 person likes this.
  6. TJandGENESIS

    TJandGENESIS Are We Having Fun Yet?

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2005
    5,299
    47
    0
    Location:
    ★Lewisville, part of the Metroplex, Dallas, in the
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    I did manage to get a 10% discount with them today. And on Wednesday, I go in for the first of three laser treatments to stop my left eye from going blind.
     
  7. TJandGENESIS

    TJandGENESIS Are We Having Fun Yet?

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2005
    5,299
    47
    0
    Location:
    ★Lewisville, part of the Metroplex, Dallas, in the
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    SO, I'm back from the eye doc, and I can't see out of my left eye, well, to the left. As in, just like he said, the peripheral vision is gone forever.

    The immediate effect is a bit shocking. Things for instance that you take for granted to seeing, like in my case as I sit here typing, is my Vista machine to my left, is no longer there. Unless I turn my head.

    And let me tell you campers something; 500 laser shots (the whole 1200 is broken up), is no fun. In fact, at first you feel sort of nauseous, like you are at a disco and the strobe light is hitting you as you are already drunk. Does that make sense?

    You get into a rhythm though, and the next thing you know, you are done and you see nothing but red for a bit. THEN you see how your peripheral is gone, and then you suddenly get hit with the fact that while not blind, you are now 'legally' blind (still can drive a car, but my night vision is also now going to suffer, so we will see how driving at night will be). The doc says that should be bearable.

    I am sitting here typing without looking, because my left eye is way crazy dilated. SO if the spelling is off, I apologize.
     
  8. Dipena

    Dipena Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2008
    1,567
    68
    0
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
     
    1 person likes this.
  9. TJandGENESIS

    TJandGENESIS Are We Having Fun Yet?

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2005
    5,299
    47
    0
    Location:
    ★Lewisville, part of the Metroplex, Dallas, in the
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Now, if that is right, I don't know what to say about my spelling, as I use a spell check every post! :D
     
  10. TJandGENESIS

    TJandGENESIS Are We Having Fun Yet?

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2005
    5,299
    47
    0
    Location:
    ★Lewisville, part of the Metroplex, Dallas, in the
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    I may not be able to see my doctor on Tuesday, because I am stone cold broke. It sucks. And I'm almost out of the insulin. I got to warn you all that think diabetes is easy, fun, and cheap: It ain't none of those things.
     
  11. tleonhar

    tleonhar Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2005
    1,541
    34
    0
    Location:
    Belle Plaine, MN
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I couldn't agree more TJ! My wife an I have been dealing with hers for about 21 years now and easy or cheap are two words you NEVER associate with diabetes. Thankfully she keeps hers well under control, no complications yet. Keep up the good fight, you know we are all pulling for you.
     
    1 person likes this.
  12. TJandGENESIS

    TJandGENESIS Are We Having Fun Yet?

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2005
    5,299
    47
    0
    Location:
    ★Lewisville, part of the Metroplex, Dallas, in the
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Thanks! I don't know if I mentioned it, but if I didn't, the doc at the wound center said my right leg is 'healed' but I still have to keep a bandage on it for another week, to make sure the skin is all grown on safely. So yeah to that. And the wound on the toe next to the grand toe on the left foot is coming along. Almost 70% done. My right eye had laser surgery last Wednesday, to hopefully keep it from getting worse and blind, and my left eye later today I go in for the second visit and 500 more laser shots to it. This eye has no peripheral vision now, and I'm told it will get worse, along with my night vision getting worse. THIS is happening already. Makes driving at night so much more fun. I don't do that much anymore.

    Oh, and am still scheduled to have oral surgery to remove the remaining teeth I have in the upper part of my mouth, (loss due to the diabetes) and a permanent denture put up in there, attached to implants.

    I think soon that I will be done with it all for now. Right? Oy. I have to say: Again, and again, avoid this fun filled disease. You will be glad you did.
     
  13. apriusfan

    apriusfan New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2007
    6,050
    205
    0
    Location:
    S.F. Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    It sounds like you were able to dodge 2 bullets between your foot and leg. It is unfortunate about the teeth and your vision.

    Hopefully no further issues occur.
     
    1 person likes this.
  14. markderail

    markderail I do 45 mins @ 3200 PSI

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2006
    2,260
    163
    18
    Location:
    Pierrefonds (Montreal) Quebec Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    TJ, you've inspired me. I'm on the crusade:

    40 years old with 40 pounds to lose.

    Started the SmartForLife cookie diet four weeks ago, and have lost 11 pounds so far, down from 217 (5' 10").

    My wife (today marks 20th year of marriage!) wonders why my sudden urge to change my diet to healthier, and lose the flab. Having *two* uncles that are overweight and adult diabetes, then YOUR stories !!!

    One of my uncles got the eye problem, scared the beejesus out of him.

    So something good is coming out of this. I've also convinced a coworker who's 10 years my senior, to also diet along with me.

    Money wise...my contribution is coming. Waiting for my pay, I get paid monthly.
     
    1 person likes this.
  15. TJandGENESIS

    TJandGENESIS Are We Having Fun Yet?

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2005
    5,299
    47
    0
    Location:
    ★Lewisville, part of the Metroplex, Dallas, in the
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Wow, well, happy anniversary first off. THAT is inspiring to me. (17 years for my wife and I).

    Today went in for the second of what I think is three laser treatments to the left eye. I can still drive, although I notice I turn my head Terminator like to the left more now that the peripheral is gone. I had 502 shots put in the eye today. The doc says I am getting good at this. Now there is a skill I don't want anyone to have to get.

    It's costing me $2500 a treatment. I am not posting that to brag or to beg. I am posting that to warn of the cost. And I don't have insurance to pay for it, so it's all cash on the table. ALTHOUGH< If you do have to ever get this, and you do have to pay cash, make sure you ask for a discount. You will be surprised that the doctor will give one (10% in this case) for cash. I suspect it's because they don't have to deal with insurance.

    Anyway. Thanks for letting me know I inspired someone; that makes me pleased. Again, if possible to avoid this highly avoidable disease, then by all means, avoid it.
     
  16. TJandGENESIS

    TJandGENESIS Are We Having Fun Yet?

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2005
    5,299
    47
    0
    Location:
    ★Lewisville, part of the Metroplex, Dallas, in the
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    I got the last of the laser treatments to my left eye today. 1256 shots in all. And now my left eye? Can't 'see' letters with it anymore, as in, if you cover your right eye, look at a chart with letters on it, like in a optometrist office, I see the box around the letters, but not the letters. Block my left eye, and every thing is fine. SO, hard to explain, but I guess you can say my right eye is doing all the work now.

    It's weird to explain all of that. I wonder how it sounds to you who read this.
     
  17. TJandGENESIS

    TJandGENESIS Are We Having Fun Yet?

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2005
    5,299
    47
    0
    Location:
    ★Lewisville, part of the Metroplex, Dallas, in the
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Here, I thought about it:

    My doctor explained it to me, as it’s the rest of my peripheral vision is gone. Now, I thought that peripheral vision was just to the side; no, he said, there is more to it then that. Did you know, Peripheral vision is a part of vision that occurs outside the very center of gaze? It is. There is a broad set of non-central points in the field of view that is included in the notion of peripheral vision. "Far peripheral" vision exists at the edges of the field of view, "mid-peripheral" vision exists in the middle of the field of view, and "near-peripheral", sometimes referred to as "paracentral" vision, exists adjacent to the center of gaze.

    And thus, why I can see the block around the letters on the chart, but not the letters inside the chart, with my right eye closed and my left eye open. It was quite the revelation to me.

    Here is what they did: First they checked for glaucoma (still don’t have it), then they had me put a cover of my left eye, and asked me to read the letters, and I was fine. THEN, I had to cover the right eye, and just like that, the very same letters I had no problem reading with the right eye, I could not see with the left eye. Like I said, just the block around the letters; if it was in the center, it was gone. I can still drive, which is good. But I guess my right eye is now doing the bulk of the work. As I type here, I am seeing everything on the screen nice and clear. I just closed my right eye, and the center of the screen just goes ‘white’ and I see the words to the left and right of that center.

    Does that explain it better?
     
  18. MarinJohn

    MarinJohn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2004
    3,945
    304
    0
    TJ as you stated, OY.
     
    1 person likes this.
  19. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2004
    15,140
    611
    0
    Location:
    South Puget Sound, WA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Nissan LEAF
    Model:
    Persona
    ya loss of vision is bad. basically you are looking at like tunnel vision where your field of vision goes from a healthy 210-220 º field to as little as 30º. iow, only the very focus of your vision is clear. the rest is there but so distorted and blurry, to be worthless.

    my SO is a financial counselor/patient advocate for the oncology dept at local hospital. she basically makes sure that her patients get their full medical benefits from the insurance company which is critical since most of the procedures she deals with are on the same cost level as a new Prius.

    one of the things she helps the customers do is referrals on reducing their assets (usually means transferring everything to spouse and getting divorced to so the surviving spouse is not left destitute) so they can qualify for free medical.

    the job she does is quite simply heartbreaking. the people she deals with are in their last year of life or the spouse. so many of these people worked so hard to get what they have, just to die penniless.

    one couple who decided not to get divorced because they thought they would have enough. he retired machinist from Boeing (they have THE BEST retirement benefits of any company i have ever seen) she a semi-retired nurse from Providence. (same place SO works)

    they blew thru a half million in savings, house, CD's etc. he ended up hanging on longer than expected, so maybe it was a good thing?? who knows what another 6 months is worth. but now they are on charity care, she is healthy, relatively young, still in her 50's, will most likely have to go back to working full time since she has nothing left. they are living with their daughter right now and are about $200,000 in debt.

    all that happened in just over a years time.
     
  20. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2007
    10,664
    567
    0
    Location:
    Adelaide South Australia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Good to read about the leg and foot coming along TJ, shame about the choppers but a good thing that it can be fixed to a degree. The eye damage is a worry and I wish you all the best with that.

    Well I better go do some excersise, I'm very over weight and my mum has type 2 diabetes. :eek: