I'm back...sort of

Well, summer is about over and I think we are through the roughest part. Background for those of you who don't know who the heck I am. I was pretty active on this forum until this past spring. My oldest son was diagnosed with tongue cancer. He had to have about half his tongue removed and rebuilt, and then undergo radiation and chemotherapy. Right before this happened his girlfriend of 7 years with whom he had lived for 5 broke up with him and asked him to move out. So after the surgery and before all the treatments he moved in with us. So for the last couple of months I have been taking care of him. Thankfully, he finished everything last week. Radiation was everyday but the weekends for the last six weeks. In a week or 2 he should start feeling a bit better. It's been rough, but because he's young and in good health he weathered it better than a lot of people do. Now it's wait and see for the next few years. But he's here now and that's what is important. And to top things off, our first grandchild was born in the middle of all this. Whew!!! What a summer. Kind of a good news, bad news type of time for us.

And as happens with mom's, I took care of everyone but me. Which is why I am back. I so love the support here. And, believe me, I need it now. Since my son can't eat anything but pureed foods and Ensure right now, I have concentrated on feeding him and letting my food needs go to you know where in a handbasket. My confession....my blood sugar reading was 264 this morning. I haven't taken a reading in weeks, eaten out of stress and not been consistent about my meds. So it's back on the horse for me. I have to remember that I need to be around if my son needs me again in the future. I really appreciate all of you folks here. And even though I haven't been posting, I have been reading. And I am ready to be active here again. Feels like coming home.

Karen

Thanks, Lanie. It's good to be back. Looking forward to getting back on track. My son has been an inspiration to me. If he can get by on the food he has had to stomach, then I can do it, too. He definitely has become my hero! Now, to try some of those roasted veggies I've been reading about. Yum!!!

Karen

I'm so glad to see you're back. I've missed your posts. I think about you every time I make those wonderful parmesan zucchini sticks you posted about last summer (and I've had a great zucchini harvest)

I'm glad your son is going to be okay. Too bad about the girlfriend. I'm sure there's a special girl out there for him.  And congrats on your new grandbaby!

sandy

(((((Karen))))),

You certainly have plenty going on! Sending prayers for your son & the new grandbaby as well.

I have some ideas that may help you. First, make a grocery list of what you should be having. Be sure to include some special treats like sugar free popcicles, a can of peanuts, lots of eggs and some fresh veggies. And don't forget the sliced cheese for the microwave. I also like to include some deli turkey slices (the cheap ones in the meat case), diced ham, block motzarella or colby, sugar free yogurt, olive oil... all my special stuff that makes my low carb life delicious.

Walk away from the house for 5 to 10 minutes and then walk back. Look at the things that are growing and following nature's plans. Relax your mind before you go back into the fray. If you are feeling like you can't leave your son alone, remember that if he were in the hospital it would take at least 10 minutes for a nurse to answer his call light, right?

To lower your stress levels practice diaphramic breathing. Take a deep breath, using your tummy muscles, not raising your shoulders. Your abdomen should be moving out and in. Breathe deep, hold for a second and blow out through pursed lips. Do this slowly and gently for a minute or two. This lowers your stress, drops your blood pressure and raises the oxygen level in your blood, giving you more energy.

Remember we all care about you and what you are going through. Come back often and we'll do what we can to help you.