This Just Got Real!

[Bikeman315]

So, there will be a pause in content for a while. Ive landed myself in hospital with an infection. If there is one benefit to having type one diabetes, you tend to get fast tracked through the emergency department. Still, it’s all about waiting, waiting, waiting.

Sorry to hear this “D”. Prayers and good thoughts coming your way for a fast and complete recovery!

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[prestj1]

So, there will be a pause in content for a while. Ive landed myself in hospital with an infection. If there is one benefit to having type one diabetes, you tend to get fast tracked through the emergency department. Still, it’s all about waiting, waiting, waiting.

Speedy recovery DB

 

[DFB5.0]

Finally back home in my happy place, with a happy puppy at my feet and the fabulous Jessie Ware putting on a show for me.........................



I was sent to the emergency department with a letter at 12.30pm yesterday and was thankfully "fast-tracked" into a bed within 90 minutes. As I said, as soon as "diabetic" is mentioned, things tend to happen a bit quicker. My bed was in front of the admin/nurse desk, so I overheard on a number of occasions regarding extended wait periods. There was young mother with her son sitting on the floor of the main entrance to emergency who was there when I arrived and was only shown to a bed at 8pm just before I departed for Acute Care. Another poor sod's triage papers had fallen to the bottom of the rack, they had been waiting 7.5 hours to be seen as a "fast-tracked" patient. In situations like that, I understand why people get so agitated, but at the same time, I also understand that the public health system is under such pressure. I have private health insurance, but in this case, I needed to be seen to immediately, not be referred to a consult and booked for surgery at a later date.

Now the crappy thing about being a diabetic. I have noticed in recent years that it takes ages for cuts and bruises to heal properly. I recently got a heavily infected finger from a simple blister, and that's despite me being ultra careful with it and using appropriate disinfectant to prevent that from happening. The diabetes means I don't have full capacity to fight infection. On this occasion, a simple scratch turned into something major, something oral antibiotics couldn't solve, then required surgical intervention.

I spent the night with no more than 90 minutes collective sleep, in pain and total discomfort. The bed in emergency was comfortable, the bed on the ward was like a plant of plywood. I also need total silence to fall asleep, no chance of that in a hospital. Thankfully, I was put in a quiet room next to the window, I'm good a passing time watching the smallest detail, in this case a steam vent that would cycle from a gentle wafter to a full-on blast.

I was told that I would be first on the surgical list because of my diabetes and the need to fast. When the surgical team arrived, they poked and prodded, then were about to leave as if I wasn't to be the first on the list, I quickly asked how long it would be as "I'm a fasting diabetic". Que a quick shuffle of papers and an orderly arrived two minutes later to take me to theater. Please don't take this the wrong way, I do realise everyone wants to be in and out ASAP, but the dance of sugar levels, insulin, then rising ketones levels (acids that your body makes when it breaks down fat for energy during fasting, which then aggressively increases BGL's), it's as exhausting as the actual surgery itself.

There are two feelings you get with general anesthesia, that lovely sensation of the room starting to go fuzzy as you drift away, then shear annoyance of being woken from such a lovely deep sleep. I went under at about 9am, glancing at the clock as I came around revealed 11am. I then knew it didn't go to plan. What was supposed to be a quick cut-n-shut has turned into me having a drain pump having off my neck for a week, another visit to the hospital tomorrow, then daily visits from the home nurse, then another surgery next Friday to close it all up.

Sorry if this is all too graphic, I tried to be as non-gory as I could, but this is part of my coping mechanism. I'm bummed this is eating into my leave, but sh.t happens. Also, I'm not complaining about the human side of things above. It takes a certain type of person to be a doctor's or nurse, especially within a fast-paced hospital, I couldn't do it. They do their best under extreme situations. I especially appreciate and respect the work nurses do, they make a world of difference to how you feel.

So, I'm out of action for a while now, but I get to sleep in my own bed tonight.

 

[VB50GT]

Look after yourself DFB - I'm sure there would be plenty of kind people down there willing to take your car for a spin every now and then while you have your feet up...

 

[DFB5.0]

Look after yourself DFB - I'm sure there would be plenty of kind people down there willing to take your car for a spin every now and then while you have your feet up...

Seems to be a popular suggestion...................................that I'm not really keen on.

 

[Deano1978]

Get well DFB5.0

 

[Stevefreestyle]

Finally back home in my happy place, with a happy puppy at my feet and the fabulous Jessie Ware putting on a show for me.........................



I was sent to the emergency department with a letter at 12.30pm yesterday and was thankfully "fast-tracked" into a bed within 90 minutes. As I said, as soon as "diabetic" is mentioned, things tend to happen a bit quicker. My bed was in front of the admin/nurse desk, so I overheard on a number of occasions regarding extended wait periods. There was young mother with her son sitting on the floor of the main entrance to emergency who was there when I arrived and was only shown to a bed at 8pm just before I departed for Acute Care. Another poor sod's triage papers had fallen to the bottom of the rack, they had been waiting 7.5 hours to be seen as a "fast-tracked" patient. In situations like that, I understand why people get so agitated, but at the same time, I also understand that the public health system is under such pressure. I have private health insurance, but in this case, I needed to be seen to immediately, not be referred to a consult and booked for surgery at a later date.

Now the crappy thing about being a diabetic. I have noticed in recent years that it takes ages for cuts and bruises to heal properly. I recently got a heavily infected finger from a simple blister, and that's despite me being ultra careful with it and using appropriate disinfectant to prevent that from happening. The diabetes means I don't have full capacity to fight infection. On this occasion, a simple scratch turned into something major, something oral antibiotics couldn't solve, then required surgical intervention.

I spent the night with no more than 90 minutes collective sleep, in pain and total discomfort. The bed in emergency was comfortable, the bed on the ward was like a plant of plywood. I also need total silence to fall asleep, no chance of that in a hospital. Thankfully, I was put in a quiet room next to the window, I'm good a passing time watching the smallest detail, in this case a steam vent that would cycle from a gentle wafter to a full-on blast.

I was told that I would be first on the surgical list because of my diabetes and the need to fast. When the surgical team arrived, they poked and prodded, then were about to leave as if I wasn't to be the first on the list, I quickly asked how long it would be as "I'm a fasting diabetic". Que a quick shuffle of papers and an orderly arrived two minutes later to take me to theater. Please don't take this the wrong way, I do realise everyone wants to be in and out ASAP, but the dance of sugar levels, insulin, then rising ketones levels (acids that your body makes when it breaks down fat for energy during fasting, which then aggressively increases BGL's), it's as exhausting as the actual surgery itself.

There are two feelings you get with general anesthesia, that lovely sensation of the room starting to go fuzzy as you drift away, then shear annoyance of being woken from such a lovely deep sleep. I went under at about 9am, glancing at the clock as I came around revealed 11am. I then knew it didn't go to plan. What was supposed to be a quick cut-n-shut has turned into me having a drain pump having off my neck for a week, another visit to the hospital tomorrow, then daily visits from the home nurse, then another surgery next Friday to close it all up.

Sorry if this is all too graphic, I tried to be as non-gory as I could, but this is part of my coping mechanism. I'm bummed this is eating into my leave, but sh.t happens. Also, I'm not complaining about the human side of things above. It takes a certain type of person to be a doctor's or nurse, especially within a fast-paced hospital, I couldn't do it. They do their best under extreme situations. I especially appreciate and respect the work nurses do, they make a world of difference to how you feel.

So, I'm out of action for a while now, but I get to sleep in my own bed tonight.

The very best of luck with it DFB, I can empathise as I have also recently had the less than desirable experience of Hospital life, starting with 19 yes 19 hours in Triage - after I was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and with advanced Jaundice - which also opened to door to the new world of type 1 Diabetes, as you eloquently describe. Get well soon and enjoy the new Mustang!

 

[N1T3MRE]

Rest up and stay safe......nothing wrong with sitting in car and setting up system

 

[DFB5.0]

Rest up and stay safe......nothing wrong with sitting in car and setting up system

Do you think its evil that I was thinking of firing it up via FordPass from my hospital bed to freak out the people in my household?

 

[N1T3MRE]

DO IT!! Then remote rev ....sigh, only downside to manual

 

[Stevefreestyle]

Do you think its evil that I was thinking of firing it up via FordPass from my hospital bed to freak out the people in my household?

YES ! Just do it !!!

 

[DFB5.0]

The very best of luck with it DFB, I can empathise as I have also recently had the less than desirable experience of Hospital life, starting with 19 yes 19 hours in Triage - after I was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and with advanced Jaundice - which also opened to door to the new world of type 1 Diabetes, as you eloquently describe. Get well soon and enjoy the new Mustang!

I'm so sorry to hear that, not good at all and I hope they caught it early. Actually, I was thinking of you the other day and your hospital "resort" stay.

I've had Type 1 since I was 6 years old, so over 31 years now. Let me say, T1 diabetes management has progressed a long way since then, so while it might be a huge adjustment, trust me, it's far easier than it used to be. Can you imagine trying to give a 6-year-old twice daily injections with a huge syringe, not the pumps or little pens we use now. Or the massive anvil lance used to test BGL's? Now its sensor based. Or the old brick BGL meters that would take ages to deliver a reading and required a large sample to work properly.





I'd also say take care of your mental health, diabetes can be quite impactful on this, its a 24/7 weight on your mind and something that only a diabetic will truly understand. So, you are not alone if this is dragging you down and its something to bring up with your doctor, or feel free to reach out to me, I'd be happy to chat.

Take care.

 

[DFB5.0]

DO IT!! Then remote rev ....sigh, only downside to manual

Would you believe that they gave us the line-lock and drift brake, but for whatever reason, they deemed remote rev too anti-social for the Australian Mustang's.

 

[Stevefreestyle]

I'm so sorry to hear that, not good at all and I hope they caught it early. Actually, I was thinking of you the other day and your hospital "resort" stay.

I've had Type 1 since I was 6 years old, so over 31 years now. Let me say, T1 diabetes management has progressed a long way since then, so while it might be a huge adjustment, trust me, it's far easier than it used to be. Can you imagine trying to give a 6-year-old twice daily injections with a huge syringe, not the pumps or little pens we use now. Or the massive anvil lance used to test BGL's? Now its sensor based. Or the old brick BGL meters that would take ages to deliver a reading and required a large sample to work properly.




I'd also say take care of your mental health, diabetes can be quite impactful on this, its a 24/7 weight on your mind and something that only a diabetic will truly understand. So, you are not alone if this is dragging you down and its something to bring up with your doctor, or feel free to reach out to me, I'd be happy to chat.

Take care.

Thanks for the kind words and most welcome offer to chat DBF, it did occur to me how different it would have been to those enduring Type 1 in the pre modern Insulin Pen days, and to start at age 6 is almost unimaginable, and a credit to you for getting through.

Keep smiling ! Cheers mate

 

[5.0ALM]

Rest up and stay safe......nothing wrong with sitting in car and setting up system

I would second this Deyon.

Being my first Mustang, I'm not sure how much of the Sync 3 GUI carries forward to the S650's Sync 4, and becoming a "jump start" with terminology, menu structures and general navigation.

I was getting incredibly frustrated with the center screen last week during a drive - not the time for familiarisation. I was almost at the point of cracking the shits, and pulling over, but it was peak hour traffic and just wanted to get home !

Figured it out after a 10 minute session in the garage.
I thought I was comfortable with the navigation and finding things last week, but nope.
This is a car that definitely needs some dedicated garage time.

Get well soon.

And you too @Stevefreestyle

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