hi, everyone

I saw the doctor today, at my weekly hospice day care session. Had some blood tests, doctor said my test for diabetes gave high count of blood sugars
and that the district nurses are going to have to visit me at home from tomorrow onwards to monitor levels.

With lung cancer, is it usually type 1 diabetes?

Any advice you can give please.....this has really shaken me up.

Thanks

ellengrace

My husband has extensive SCLC and got diabetes and does injections twice a day and takes pills 3 times a day. My FIL who had cancer also became diabetic and we know 3 other people currently have cancer and also became diabetic. I think something gets mesed up with the body.
Good luck. My husband's is under control, but just requires one more doctor to visit.
Kim

kim

Thank you for your response.....and although I'm sorry to hear your husband has this added complication, it's good to know he has it under control.

The nurses visited me at home this morning, to take the blood sample. I was hoping to have the results this afternoon, but nobody has phoned.

I was a little alarmed yesterday afternoon....the nurse caught up with me as we were all leaving on the hospice bus, and insisted I cancel my plan to have the next test on Friday. I was told I had to be tested at home, the next morning. So from this, and her manner, it appeared to be urgent.

I expect I'll hear from the doctor in the morning.

If I do have diabetes, at least I know I can manage the injections..... I overcame my needle-phobia (with encouragement from my hospice nurses) and have been doing my own tinzaparin jabs for the past three weeks. !

Just have to wait for tomorrow's results.

I hope all is okay...if you should have to do injections and pills and have any questions please feel free to ask...I use to give my FIL his injections when he got diabetes from the cancer and as I mentioned Stan goes thru it daily. He still eats whatever he wants. We emphasized to the doctor his condition and did not want him to not be able to enjoy a small dessert when he wanted one. We don't eat sweet too often but nice to have a treat. He did have to taper it down a bit on the fruit since the sugar content is so high...always a catch to something!
Anyway, keep us posted and hopefully it was just off that one blood test...you never know.
K

Thank you, Kim. I can't tell you how much it means to me to have the offer of support and advice. I have trawled the internet for info about diabetes in cancer patients, and found nothing helpful.

The blood test result was 9.9 and the doctor has ordered a fasting-test for next Thursday morning, at home, so I'm assuming it's not thought to be urgent. That's a relief.

It's good to hear that your husband, Stan, is able to have desserts and to eat whatever he likes. When I was caring for my Mum it gave me real pleasure to see her enjoying her meals, so I can understand your dealing with the doctor and not wanting restrictions on Stan's diet.

Thanks again for your concern....I'll just have to wait for the (dreaded) district nurse to visit next week! I don't dwell on problems uneccessarily, so I'll put this out of my mind and just see what the next results disclose.

ellengrace

Ellengrace,My mom too has had high blood sugars with the cancer. Stress alone can drive blood sugars way up so this is a common problem with many illnesses or even people that are in a hospital with Trauma as the stress of that can do it too. When I am at work and a nurse walks in and says to the patient I have to give you some insulin the responce I hear most often is "Why I am not a diabetic".

If I am not mistaken Type One Diabetes is something you are born with while type 2 is the one that can develope anytime in life.

My mom's blood sugars were way up when she was in the hospital but when she is home they are only on the high side of normal or slightly elevated. Yet about 2 months ago when we met her new GP as the HMO transferred her old GP somewhere else, he mentioned how concerned he was about her blood sugars and told her how over time it can damage organs etc and mom and I shot a look at each other like who cares? I had to wonder at that point does he not know she has terminal lung cancer and is in the final stages of it and what happens ten years from now is not a concern? She did try avoiding sweets during her illness on hopes it would help slow the cancer as there is the theory that sugar just feed the cancer and causes faster growth, but now that she is in hospice care the hospice doctor even said bring on the sweets if that is what she wants to eat.

I haven't gotten to post many replies to you so I have to tell you how great it is to have another person like yourself posting as most of us are just care givers so see things differently and do not really know what it is like for you so you give us that insight, Thanks. Sending lots of prayers your way. Hope you have a nice weekend and no more intruders in your home! ;) JanMarie

Janmarie
Thank you for your response, the advice you gave about stress and increased blood sugar levels in other illnesses or situations is something to bear in mind.
My feelings are that whatever develops, there has to be acceptance.

In an earlier post you told us you had met your Mom's hospice doctor for the first time, and instantly liked him....I smiled to read of him saying "bring on the sweets!" if that's what your Mom wants. I know from my own experience that it was a terrific boost to find the hospice doctors and nurses likeable, approachable and honest. I spent over two weeks as an inpatient at the hospice in October, and I got to know all the staff well....and either I have the sort of face that inspires people to open up or I was (literally) a captive audience but I got to hear all their family news, views and their day-to-day ups and downs !! :) So I feel I'll be among friends, later on.

In the past, I have always been the care-giver in my family. I can relate to so many of the people who share their feelings in their posts...and now that the shoe is on the other foot and I'm the one who is ill, I gain much from their insight, knowledge and advice. I'm grateful.

I do pray for your Mom, for you and your family.

How is your blood sugar??? I was thinking about you and wondering if you got any more answers.
Kim

Hi. My father has type 2, but was diagnosed with dibetes about 20 years ago. Initally it was tough to control, and that was our main concern - what if we cannot get his sugar counts to remain stable? But they changed some of his insulin and gave him a new med (metaformin (sp?)) and he's been able to keep everything where it needs to be.
And although he shouldn't, he can be a junk food junky and does like to sneak sweets.
At first we were giving him lectures on this, but we leave him be...he's becoming more particular with food and sometimes he is not able to eat...so I guess a snack is becoming better then nothing at all....
With little adjustments, it shouldn't be a big worry for you....
Jeanie

Kim and Jeanie

Thank you for your response, it's good to hear from you both.

I don't know the level for the first test.The last blood count was 9.9 and the doctor ordered a fasting test to be taken this Thursday, with the nurses coming to my home. (The district nurses are trying to worm their way in here and I don't want them, not yet!!)

However, I had another call to say I can have the blood-sugar test at my hospice clinic when I go to the day-care unit on Wednesdays.

I'll be happier when I know one way or the other. And , thanks, I'll let you know.

You and your families are in my prayers....and I hope your son feels better soon, Kim.

Hi, everyone.

The fasting-test result was 9.5 so the doctor has confirmed diabetes and prescribed Gliclazide 800mg, taken as half a tablet twice daily.

He wants me to book an appointment with a nutritionalist, and told me to cut out sugars and processed carbs. (That won't be any hardship for me, thankfully!) He explained that dietary restrictions were necessary to reduce complications that diabetics may develop in years to come, and in my case it wouldn't be much of an issue...I told him I already understood that, and am just glad I don't have to do more injections.

I had been having repeated spells of blurred vision, which I had attributed to the side effect of one of my drugs. The doctor tied it in with the diabetes.

I'm now wondering if the medication will resolve the problem.....has anyone experienced improvement in vision after treatment?

Thank you all for your concern. You are in my prayers, and Janmarie and her Mom are very much in my thoughts and prayers.

EllenGrace,Before I hop into bed I have to say you are my new hero here. I read of everything you have been going through and yet you find the strength to post and share with us! Your sharing gives us caretakers a different insite into this journey. You, Pat, Dave and Tom and the others I may be missing at this late hour really are inspirations to all. May god watch over all of you and keep you with us for a long time to come.:) JanMarie