Vlasov Assistance Army

 Andrei Vlasov (1901-1946) was a Soviet military commander who rose to prominence during World War II. He initially served in the Red Army and commanded troops during the Battle of Moscow in 1941.

However, in 1942, Vlasov was captured by the Germans during the Battle of Leningrad. While in captivity, he became disillusioned with the Soviet regime and began to collaborate with the Germans, hoping to use their support to overthrow the Soviet government.

Vlasov formed the Committee for the Liberation of the Peoples of Russia in 1943, which aimed to create a new, anti-communist regime in Russia. He also created the Vlasov Assistance Army, a force made up of Soviet prisoners of war who had been captured by the Germans.

Despite initially fighting alongside the Germans against the Soviet Union, Vlasov's ultimate goal was to create an independent Russian army that would fight against both the Germans and the Soviets. However, his efforts were largely unsuccessful, and he was eventually captured by the Soviets in 1945.

Vlasov was tried for treason and executed in 1946. Despite his controversial legacy, he remains a significant figure in Russian history and is often viewed as a symbol of resistance against Soviet oppression.

On becoming diabetic.

 On becoming diabetic.

It's 24 months since I had major surgery in the form of a total pancreatectomy.

Since the operation, I have progressed from using a FreeStyle Libre glucose monitor, and the four times a day use of insulin pens, to using a Dexcom 6 continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and Tandem insulin pump. 

The CGM estimates my blood glucose (BG) level every five minutes and provides that information to the insulin pump. To the best of its ability, the insulin pump (with Control IQ Technology) then regulates, and delivers, the insulin required to maintain my BG at a safe level: neither too high (hyperglycemia) nor too low (hypoglycemia). None the less, as simple as it sounds, there is a good deal of human interaction required.

In most respects the time has been a never-ending experience learning about carbohydrate counting, insulin to carbohydrate ratios, time-in-target, the dawn effect, and a myriad of other factors associated with insulin therapy including changes in the weather.

In that regard, there has been a significant amount of time and energy spent on ordering supplies, submitting claims, keeping records, changing my sensor site (every 10 days) and my infusion site (every 3 days), monitoring BG levels, consulting with CARE centres, and taking corrective action.

While there have been downsides over the months such as sleepless nights, the loss of a longtime friend, and the loss of my brother;  the upsides have been enormous.

June (my constant Inspiration) and I have experienced:

Meeting our first great grandchild Ave Mae, born the fourth of July 2021, to Melissa and our grandson Ryan; and our second great grandchild Hanna Skye, born 15 Jan 2023, to Ashley and our grandson Joshua.

Making memorable trips to Kitchener/Waterloo, Windsor and Chatham, by train and rented car; 

Visiting with friends and family while being graciously hosted by the Joyce, Patillo and Sparks families; 

Spending time with local family and friends;

Interacting, via the internet and phone, with distant family and friends;

Playing the odd game of bridge; 

Walking a lot to help keep my BG levels in check; 

Taking long afternoon naps; 

Watching Netflix, Amazon Prime and Acorn TV in the evening with June; and

Giving thanks for all the prayers and positive encouragement I have received.

In any case, life goes on, there is always something new to learn, and I am truly glad that I am still here.

June and I are hoping to get away to Florida for the month of November although it has entailed getting a spare loaner pump from Tandem and stocking up of sensor/transmitters and infusion sets.

As an end note I would like to relate a confidence building story. When I woke up from one of my naps, my pump signaled that it was having a problem. Upon consulting by phone with the pump's supplier I was told that I required a new pump and that they would have one delivered to me within eight hours. Three hours later the new pump was on our doorstep.

Regards, Jim xoxoxo

2022 Trip to Florida

June and I are back from a stay in Sebring, Florida.

We left home on 28 Nov, arrived back on 4 Dec.

We took five days on secondary roads to get to our destination, and three days on secondary roads and two days on I-81 to get back.

Driving through the countryside was a pleasurable experience

Driving the Interstate was faster, but far from relaxing.

We stayed the month of Nov in half of a duplex while June's cousins Grace and Doug shared the other half. June's cousins Denis and Jim were also nearby and their daughter Sara, her husband Jamie and their two girls were down for a few days.

We made it a point to see many of our friends from years past: John B, Raymond, Georgie, Jo and Daryl, Karen H, Debbie and Tom, Karen and Bob, Phyllis and Mike, Daphne and Eric, Barb and Mickey and, the newly weds, Wendy and Jim.

We had several breakfast meals and a supper at Bob Evans, supper at the Caddy Shack, snacks at Don Hose's and lunch at The Faded Bistro and (of course) the Blue Lagoon.

My blood glucose (BG) was pretty well in range throughout, but high on some of the driving days as there was little opportunity to regulate my insulin dosage between meals or exercise to reduce BG levels.

We had packed sufficient diabetes supplies (and then some) and acquired a loaner insulin pump from Tandem.

All-in-all our experiment in vacationing went well and gives us hope that we can do it again next year.

xoxoxo to all