Diabetes Times 2

Well, it's official, our 14 year-old part-Siamese cat, Blue, is diabetic. I know it's not a contagious condition, but what the hell? Now, I've been diabetic since the end of July, when my surgeon removed my bleeding, tumorous pancreas. Yesterday, we took Blue to the vet for some tests. He's been lethargic, drinking a lot of water and urinating frequently. Kerry thought it might be the result of Mirolax, which the vet suggested to help with his constipation. After looking up Blue's symptoms on the Internet (a great electronic encyclopedia of everything), Kerry concluded he was diabetic, and asked me to take his blood sugar. I used my old meter and test strips (I'm on a pump now), and sure enough, it was nearly 400 MG/dl at one point.

So, we hustled him into the vet yesterday, and the results came back today. Not only is he diabetic, but also he has a basal cell carcinoma on a back toe (we'll have that removed when the diabetes is under control. So, he's on Hill's M/D wet food ($31 for a case of 24 cans), and tonight I start giving him Lantus, 2 units twice a day.

By coincidence, I went to see my endocrinologist today, and after explaining about Blue, he gave me a sample bottle of Lantus; I already have a boxful of syringes I don't need since going on the pump. So, we'll try this for a month. Our vet thinks it's possible that he'll be OK by then and not need continuing insulin. We'll see. Poor Kerry, having to take care of two diabetics in the family.

Anyway, I'm doing fine. My A1C is down to 6.8, my blood pressure is down to 117 over 79, and I'm feeling great. Once the snow and rain stop, I'll be back out cutting wood. And once he's feeling better, Blue will be back taking walks with us.