Progress

January 25, 2013 was the day I will never forget.  I received a phone call that saved my life.  Okay, maybe it didn't save my life, but it definitely changed my life.  A couple weeks ago I went to the doctor to have a physical.  It had been a two years since my last physical, so I decided it was once again time.  While there we decided we would do a full panel work up on my blood.  After the appointment I walked over to the lab and had them take my blood. 

Two days later I received a call from my doctor's office.  It was then that I was told I had Diabetes.  This really didn't came as a surprise, as I knew I had many of the symptoms.  However, it was a slap in the face and did come as a rather rude awakening.

I scheduled a follow-up appointment with my doctor.  As I first sat down with him he told me my sugars were at 197 and that my A1C was 8.  I stared at him with a blank look, these numbers meant nothing to me.  Which meant, I needed to start asking questions.  How high is 197?  What should it be?  And this A1C (or was it AC1?) how bad is an 8?  My doctor was very patient with me and explained what the normal sugar range is and then he told me that the A1C should not be more than 7.  (Apparently it used to be 6.5 but now they want it at 7)  Anyway, we decided to start shooting for that 6.5 and we kept discussing.  We decided how we were going to attack this disease and what I needed to do.  We want to get my sugar down below 120 and keep it there.  Which meant I need to change my eating habits, lose weight and start exercising.  I discovered when diabetes education classes are being taught and I scheduled an appointment with another gentleman that was going to help start me on this path.  I know this is just the initial steps and I have a tough row to hoe in front of me.  But I am confident we can fight this and get my sugar levels under control.

I always knew diabetes was a tough disease to fight, but I never realized just how truly deadly it can be.    Blindness, amputations, heart disease are all just a tip of the ice berg.  So, here is my plea to each of you, take care of yourself!  Get regular check ups with your doctor, including having your blood tested fairly regularly.  Here are the three questions my doctor asked me as we decided to test for it.  #1.  Is there any instances of diabetes in your family?  #2.  Do you make frequent trips to the restroom to urinate?  #3.  Are you often tired or feel run down?  I answered yes to all three.  If you see yourself in these questions and you have not been checked for a while, isn't it time?