Well, so far, my diabetes has gotten better, but my sugar readings still are not where they should be. Before, my morning readings were around 188, now they are near 135.  My second reading the day has been great, with a new low of 87 yesterday! That makes me feel like I am doing something right. I will give the new dose of medicine a few more days then contact the doctor. I can tell I have lost weight, which is really good. Someone even commented on it today.

I bought some sugar free cookies the other day. I figured out how many are in a serving and put a serving in a snack bag for snacks. This way, I can pick up a bag and know that is what I can eat. Smart? Otherwise, I would just take a handful from the bag. Funny thing, one of the kinds I bought was sugar free sugar wafers! Go figure! They taste fine to me, but my daughter said they tasted funny. That’s what she gets for getting into my stuff!

But, that is about it for me and my diabetes of late.

Well, Christopher graduated from high school on May 29, and then on June 11, left for boot camp. Yesterday I received a box with all his stuff in it: pants, shirt, book, paperwork. Thank goodness, no underwear!

Before he left, I tried to spend quality time with him. I hope he thought it was a good use of time. Then, the night before he left, I had a surprise party for him with some of his close friends. I expected him to clean up before he left and finish his projects he started, but he didn’t. I’m not too happy about that.

Now, I am trying to decide if I will go to his graduation from boot camp. It will cost quite a bit of money. Nothing is cheap, it seems.

Meaghan’s car was totalled. A guy ran a stop sign and hit her front passenger side. Insurance totalled it. He had insurance, which is good, but whenever his people have tried to call him to get his side of the story (he was ticketed, admitted to cop it was his fault), they are told he isn’t home, won’t take a message, and when she says who she is, hangs up on them. Way to go.

We found Meaghan a new car Saturday. It is a 2006 Saturn coupe. Fully loaded. It is nice. I would trade my car for it! Now, she has increased car payments. But, she has a very nice car, indeed.

As of May, I am a diabetic. The dreaded diagnosis.  It hasn’t been as hard on me as I thought it would be, though. Maybe some background info would help.

My father was diagnosed as a diabetic before I was born. He controlled it with medication, but after retirement, had to switch to insulin. To me, it seems his health was never good after that. He took care of himself. He was a postman in Chicago where they walked their routes. Exercise he did. He watched what he ate, cut sweets out completely. He was far from over weight. He weighed about 130 pounds at 5′6″. But, the circulation in his legs was awful. At one time, they thought they would have to amputate his foot, but instead did angioplasty on his leg. Over the years, he had more angioplasty and bypasses on each leg. When I got married, he was unable to walk me down the aisle. Instead, he walked me from the front pew to the alter. When I was pregnant with my son, he had to have his right leg amputated, and a year or so later, his left. The last years of his life were spent in a wheelchair or bed. Not the life I would want to lead.

So, I knew my whole life, there was a good chance I would get it. One brother and one sister are diabetic. Being overweight, I knew it would come. Last year, when the doctor tested my blood sugar, it was pre-diabetic, but not too high. Close to normal. This year, he did blood work, and my blood sugar level was over 180. He wanted it re-tested and did the A1C as well. My blood sugar was 180 something and my A1C was 8.2. I am now a diabetic. He prescribed Metformin and wanted me to attend a diabetic class.

The diabetic class was wonderful. It explained about diabetes, how it effects your whole body, and goes over diet. The diet part isn’t as bad as you would think. You can eat almost anything. But, you must count carbs. For me, I have to give up cokes, cakes, ice cream and french fries, for sure. So, I am eatting more healthy now. I have lost some weight, which is good. They suggest you fill half your plate with vegetables. Of course, you still have to look at the carb count. But it is very easy. I have now started looking at restaurant menus online. There is a website called calorieking.com that will help you figure out carbs.

My sugar levels are not where they should be, but getting there. The doctor increased my metformin but I broke out in a rash. So, he changed it to glubiride/metformin combo pill. It is getting there.

So, I will try to keep posting about my diabetes. Mabye it can help someone else. I am NOT an expert. But, I am learning. And, if you have any helpful advice for me, please feel free to post.