An Honest Post
I’ve been struggling with this for two days, wondering if I should post about it or just leave it be. So here we go…
I’m diabetic.
For months now, my vision has been progressively deteriorating, I’ve been having dizzy spells, drinking a LOT of water, numbness in my feet, etc. Wednesday I got the test results back from the doctor and he confirmed it. It’s in the early stages right now and he assures me it can be controlled with a healthy diet, exercise and medication, which is comforting.
My Mother has it so it runs in the family, and I’m at that age where I have to start thinking about such things (38), but that stuff isn’t real until it actually happens to you.
Anyway, I have to talk with some people and read up a lot more about the condition. It’s common and lots of literature is readily available - but I still feel like a ton of bricks has fallen on me; bricks I’ll remove one by one until I get used to the fact that I’ll have this condition for the rest of my life.
This confusion is also affecting other people, like family, friends and a few others. I’ve also made a few enemies lately who really shouldn’t be.
What else could possibly happen?
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February 17th, 2006 at 11:03 pm
Paul,
I have several friends who are facing the same obstacle and are doing well. I also have a mother-in-law whi isn’t doing well with her diabetes.
The key is the diet and exercise part of the equation.
You HAVE to follow the parameters and not let it get you down.
The guys who are doing well all stay within the lines. The lines are your friends.
My mother-in-law will not eat right and she will not exercise and she’s losing the battle.
It all depends on your ability to be happy within the lines.
She thinks she’s being punished by not being able to eat certain things. My friends are just glad to be able to eat and that makes it easier to stay within the lines.
Holler if we can help.
Another frieds has learned his wife has MS and their kids are around 7,5 and 2. There’s always another person whose view is worse than yours, so keep your head up and be positive about life.
That’s ” The Secret “.
February 17th, 2006 at 11:12 pm
Hi Mike, thanks a ton for the encouragement. I’ve done a lot of research with other people who have it and for most it’s a wake-up call. They’re healthier now than they’ve ever been because of the improvements in their eating and exercise habits. That’s what I’m headed for
February 17th, 2006 at 11:17 pm
I hope and we pray that you’re headed for that and a pile-o-dough, as well.
Stay away from the Captain and Coke and get that granola and steamed milk going and get on that treadmill my friend
February 17th, 2006 at 11:29 pm
Hey Paul,
I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic just three weeks ago. I too had symptoms, had them checked out, and found that my blood sugar was right on the cusp of diabetes, my blood pressure was sky high, my cholesterol was through the roof, and my triglycerides were just plain ugly.
It has bee a great wake-up call, and I’ve totally overhauled my diet, and gotten back to hitting the weight bench, etc.
There’s one great benefit though…if you’re like me you probably hadn’t really noticed just how cruddy you were starting to feel, because it really just creeps up on you. Anyways, just a few weeks on my new regimen has made a world of difference in how I feel phyically – it’s like night and day.
You’ll get there quick too, if you’re serious about it. We’re both at that age where you just can’t slide by without a bit of effort (I’m 37 next Friday.)
Anyways, it’s a bit scary, but I’ve never been more motivated to treat my body as a temple.
Fridays are my splurge day though…I just brought home a big ol’ slice of cheesecake. That’s my reward for another week well done.
Cathing it early makes all the difference.
Take care of yourself, brother
–Cary
p.s. here was my post about it:
http://www.cancer-news-watch.com/2006/01/24/caregiver-care-for-thy-self/
March 1st, 2006 at 1:26 pm
Hey Paul,
I’m sorry I’m just now finding this entry. It truly breaks my heart to read about it and I pray you keep yourself well.
Discovering I have diabetes in one of my worst fears in life - pretty much everyone in my family has diabetes and it really is scary. I worry about my father constantly to make sure he’s eating properly.
But I can also attest to the fact that it can be maintained and controlled if you commit to it.
It is a lifestyle change, definitely a scary one, but be thankful that you caught it early and are still here to share you presence with the world :).
**hugs**
~Teli
March 2nd, 2006 at 2:30 pm
Hey everyone, I’d just like to say thanks for all your reassurance. It’s great to know such good people, whom I’ve never even met but can honestly call friends.
Wow!
I got back from grocery shopping a while ago. I walked to the store and walked back with like - 4 bags of stuff. Yep, exercise
And who needs sugary junk and fatty stuff when there’s soooo much healthy stuff to buy??
Anyway, thats enough talk about menial tasks…
And Teli, thanks for the kind words and **hugs** Right back atchya!
March 5th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
Hi Paul,
I just found this site while searching for something else altogether so I don’t know you.
My mother has had Type II diabetes for about 15 years and has been pretty much “non compliant” the whole way through and therefore on injected insulin etc.
My neighbour is too, and while he’s still a pretty big chap he’s compliant, has lost weight and has it all sussed. The medication is minimal and life is great.
If you follow the advice diabetes will be part of your life, but won’t define your life.
The irony is my fit and supposedly healthy father dropped dead at 46 - he smoked. Atleast diabetes doesn’t do that.
March 20th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
I’m just now catching up on all of your posts, and was sad to read the news. But you sound like you’re doing great, which is nice to hear!!
Old friends are still good friends, so feel free to call/email anytime! I’ve missed hearing from you while we were both busy this past year
Lynn