Oct 26, 2010

This Too Shall Pass

I cannot believe 10 days have passed since my last post.  I've been trying to read and having trouble concentrating.  Distractions are all around me.  For one thing, I have not been feeling very well.  I had some tests for dizziness that proved fruitless.  Don't get me wrong, I am grateful nothing out of sorts was found however,  I am a bit cranky from all the time & effort it has taken.

I'm tracking my blood pressure now and trying to incorporate recording it along with my daily blood glucose levels and food history.  Alas, I have a rebel side to my personality that I lovingly refer to as 'Addiction Annie'  (I identified and named her a couple of years ago when I was taking Martha Beck Life Coach Training.  I created a clip art of her.  However, the file was lost when the computer it was on crashed.  I may have it backed up on a disk somewhere but Annie's photo is not the point of today's blog).

Annie is running around here making a fuss about all the record keeping I am working on.  I get distracted, and unfocused and have even forgotten to take a dose of medication here or there.  Taking the medication later in the day throws everything off.  I get frustrated, and that raises my sugar levels causing more exhasperation. So I bought one of those pill boxes my mother used to have to keep track of her medication doses.  Please!  Have we come to that?  The first day I started to use it, I took my morning doses directly from the prescription bottles but also put a morning dose in the box marked Friday a.m.  By noontime, I could not remember if I'd taken the morning dose or not.  Fortunately, my husband Vin witnessed me taking the pills with my breakfast.  My question is, if I'm having trouble keeping track of a few pills a day now what will come of me when I get even older? 

My little friend "Annie" runs around me, worrying and exclaiming the whole thing is useless, useless here me?  You will never get this right!  Let's just go back the way things were last year when we didn't pay attention to anything.  It was so much easier then." 
Over the weekend that just passed, I realized Annie needed my attention. Like a toddler who is having a tantrum needs firm guidance and a nap, Annie needed to be picked up, calmed, rocked and put to bed. Annie has calmed down. Thankfully, I am calmer too.
I’m hoping a little more R & R will help me feel like I am getting things back under control. A feeling of serenity peeked over my shoulder this evening and I found a few neat things on the web. I came across a site owned by Health Coach and Natural Foods Personal Chef, Mindy Kannon - Chew Your Rope

Oct 15, 2010

Spread The Word

I placed postcards and flyers in an envelope with the following letter because I want to spread the word about TuDiabetes.org  TheTuDiabetes.org website is dedicated to connecting people touched by diabetes.

November 14 is World Diabetes Day.  Awareness is a step in the direction of finding a solution to the epidemic proportions of our people (young and not so young) who are being diagnosed with this disease every day.

I did not take it seriously until I myself was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes last April.  It came upon me without warning other than close family members have it.  I have avoided bleached flours and sugars most days of my adult life.  I was certain I'd avoid the daily blood monitoring too.  Alas, I was wrong about that.
 
I have Type 2 Diabetes.  My body makes insulin only it doesn't make enough or the kind that my body needs to deal with the body breaking down carbohydrates that I eat.  Carbs - you know the white flour and sugary stuff or the baked stuff or how about the fruits and some vegetable stuff too? 

Another valuable website is one by Riva Greenberg, an author and Diabetes Educator.  Riva is dedicated to spreading the word about diabetes too.  Please check into her web site at http://www.diabetesstories.com/ where you will find access to a plethora of information.

Diabetes is not about eating sugar or not eating sugar.  It is not to be blamed on the people who are genetically predisposed to contracting it.  It is a complex medical issue that is not well understood. For me, diabetes became an opportunity to learn a great deal more than I thought I already knew and an opportunity for me to share what I learn with others.  Please feel free to copy my letter as a template for you if you find that you would like to pass information along to any of your medical team or for any other reason(s).  All my best to you and thank you for stopping by! 

October 13, 2010

To My Medical Team,

Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding Self-Management of my Type 2 Diabetes.

I wanted to fill you in briefly. I am feeling well and enjoying a 35 plus pound weight loss. I aim to lose at least 30 more in coming year.

My latest A1C is 6.1. I will get a copy of the blood work and forward it to you if you would like.

I have a suggestion for improving the education program for your diabetic patients. In my research, I came across a wonderful educational website and have taken the liberty to enclose some brochures for you to pass on to patients. I have committed to spread the word about this free tool and wanted to pass info along hoping you will look into it and spread the word. The site is invaluable in community, blogs, information and generally a very supportive environment. I have written a blog and taken the liberty to enclose a copy to toot my own horn.

I trust this finds you well; I look forward to hearing from you again and hope that you find the TuDiabetes.org website useful for your patients.

Yours faithfully,
Denise