I should add that for the first time since my birthday I wore a UofM hat and sweater--- Our B-ball team is ranked!!

A Long Day

t Hello, I had one of my big social days today, Iwent with Barb to Ann Arbor to see 1 of my 47 or so doctors. We left early because the roads were terrible, only to get to the hospital clinic, to be told that he was at the clinic in Livonia.I talked to a nurse yesterday and she said my doctor was still in New York, but would be THERE today. When I originally made the appt. it was at the hospital! then while I was getting alot of grief, another patient showed up there for the same doctor! We ended up both at Livonia and seen later.With the roads and traffic, it turned into an all day affair. I have to see this "Gastroenterologist" there because they put a Gastric-pacemaker in me 6-7 years ago, so no one here wants to deal with me. As expected, he wants to do more tests,which are probably a good idea--but sometimes I wonder if they do some things because I have good insurance! I wonder if guinea pigs or rats ever feel pressured! Anyway we are still getting ready for Christmas so happy holidays to all.
Bud & Max

BVud for Govenor-2010

I'd probably be President right now if I hadn't been in the hospital so long--it makes it hard to campaign. it would still be historic, the first diabetic president. There would be alot of people in wahington looking for new jobs. Not just replacing people, but totally abolishing a whole bunch of jobs! Secretary of State, I don't think so. I don't need a liason to tell other countries what we will or won't do or tolerate. I know a few young accountants who know what a budget is and not to spend more than you have. Bailout isn't in my dictionary and until we get out of Iraq, the 10 billion a month we are spending comes out of the money they make from their oil. Four years is a long way off, so I'll just get my feet wet being governor for a couple years. I'm also thinking of moving the Capital to Colorado and changing the National Anthym to "Rockie Mountain High" Far Out! Gotta go for now---Bye

Random Ramblings

I guess I should add a little bit to my Blog. I never used the computer until this summer, after my 3rd visit to the hospital ( all told I was in there almost 4 and a half out of 5 months) a therapist asked if I wanted to try using the computer. I had been consioered disabled for years mostly all related to my diabetes and have significant dexterity issues with my left arm and leg. Basically no one wanted to take the time to teach me, so the wonderful ( and cute) therapist got me started--and the rest is history! I know I have alot to learn, but now I have a bunch of willing helpers close by. Sometimes I still don't think of myself as a 55 year old father of 3 and Grampa to 6 (with number 7 on the way ).One thing I learned from fatherhood was a ton of respect for my Mom and Dad for all the Terror I put them through, after Juevenile Diabetes struck me at age 13. After seeing me sick with ketoacidosis, infections, being told to worry about my eyes, feet, gastrointestinal problems, etc, and what had to be the worst of all--become comatose due an insulin reaction. Most of mtne were in the early morning when they would try to wake me and I would be very confused and they ( usually 3-5 family members ) would try as hard as possible to get me to swallow orange juice with spoonfulls of sugar mixed in. Most often this would work, but if I had been in low blood sugar too long, I would become totally comatose and they had to call my doctor who would have to drive 7 miles to our farm and stick a huge needle in my vein and push agreat big syringe of sterile water full of glucose into me. This was before EMT's and ambulances went out in the country plus the nearest one was over 20 miles away. A humorus note was one of my sisters wouldn't have made it as a diabetic. To give an idea, one time my doc pulled out the needle and told her to come over to him, then handed her the needle andtold her to set it on the table. She got it to the table, but then my doc had to get out the smelling salts, as she had passed out. But trying to imagine what this was like for my parents, now that I have kids of my own is unimaginable. Fortunately they don't feel my diabetes is related to a genetic trait, but to an immune disorder. These reactions only happened a few times a year but all were life threatening without quick treatment. I should also note that my family had already lost a brother/son at the age of 8--11 years earlier. All diabetics are somewhat egotistical-- they have to be and even more when young. for 5 years, I was terrified that Iwould have a reaction at school and be teased about being weird or strange. I tried to not let people know I had a " Disease" I hope someday to see Mom and Dad again if only to tell them I'm sorry, I'm so thankfull and how much I Love them!
I have to go right now, but when I come back, let me tell you about my grandkids!!!!

Beginning

Hello, I'm Bud, but my first name is really Halsey Jr. I was to be called Bud at birth, so I wasn't aware that I was Halsey until 1st grade. As of January 6 I will have had type 1 diabetes for 42 years and I still have my vision, my kidneys and both arms and legs and plan on keeping it that way. I'm as handsome as can be plus many years ago was voted wittiest in my class.