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.