How Type 2 Diabetes Changed My Life Forever
On February 13, 2012, life as I once knew it was over.
I was watching an episode of House, ironically, and suddenly I felt as if I was falling out of an airplane at 30,000 feet.
There was no warning.
I honestly thought I was going to faint.
My heart was racing and I could not catch my breath.
I jumped up off of the couch and ran into the kitchen.
There was no rhyme or reason why I did that.
I attribute that to sheer panic.
My wife called 9-1-1, and I was transported to the hospital where doctors discovered my blood sugar level was over 400! They were able to bring it down to 259, which is still extremely high.
I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, and my lifelong battle with this progressive blood disease began that night.
I have lived with Type 2 Diabetes for over a year, and it hasn't conquered me.
It will not conquer me.
I own this disease, and I am in control.
Type 2 Diabetes, the most common form, is considered non-insulin dependent Diabetes.
The body does not produce enough insulin or it cannot use the insulin well enough.
As a result glucose can't get into the body's cells, but instead it builds up in the blood.
Diabetes affects the pancreas, eyes, hands, feet, kidneys, and heart.
It knows no boundaries, so it is critically important to visit your primary care doctor, Ophthalmologist, Endocrinologist and Podiatrist on a regular basis.
I had no idea what to expect, who to talk to, or what to eat when I was initially diagnosed with Diabetes.
I visited my Primary Care physician, and he recommended that my wife and I take a six week course educating us about the disease.
It was the best class I have ever taken! The education that I received from that class was priceless.
Prior to taking the Diabetes class my blood sugar was dropping to dangerous levels.
How could my blood sugar levels be low, when I have a disease where blood sugar levels are commonly too high? When my wife and I met with the hospital nurse for a pre-assessment, and she looked at my daily menu, she gave me my answer.
I wasn't eating enough carbohydrates, but I would not have known this beforehand.
The body breaks carbohydrates into sugar, and this sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream.
The sugars are then delivered to cells throughout the body in a normal person without Diabetes.
However, as previously mentioned, Diabetics store that sugar in their blood.
The body is not able to transport the sugar throughout the cells.
If I don't eat enough carbohydrates, then my body doesn't produce enough sugar.
If I eat too many carbohydrates, the body produces and stores too much sugar.
It's like walking a tightrope, maintaining a delicate balance.
My doctors prescribed medicines for me following the diagnosis, but as time has progressed I have been able to control this Diabetes without medications.
I am not a walker or jogger, so adding exercise to my daily routine was a challenge.
I now exercise at least five times per week.
Diabetics are sensitive to extreme cold and hot, so when the weather is extreme I use the treadmill for my walking.
I have learned to listen to my body since I was diagnosed with Diabetes.
It didn't happen right away, but over time I was able to recognize the symptoms of low and high blood sugar levels.
I keep glucose tablets on hand in case my blood sugar drops too low, and I know if my blood sugar it too high I have to exercise in order to lower it.
There are certain trigger foods which raise my blood sugar.
I have learned which foods to avoid.
As I wrote before, it's a delicate balance.
There is rarely a day that goes by where I feel really good, physically, that is.
I understand that I cannot run away from Type 2 Diabetes.
There is no cure for it.
This disease doesn't heal like Influenza or the common cold.
It is a daily battle! My goal is to get control over this, before it gets control over me.
I think, so far, I'm winning the battle.
Knowledge, awareness, consistency, regular checkups and caution are three keys to winning this battle.
I am fighting for my life, and so far I am winning the battle.
I won't get too comfortable, though, because I know every day is an adventure when you're battling this disease.
I was watching an episode of House, ironically, and suddenly I felt as if I was falling out of an airplane at 30,000 feet.
There was no warning.
I honestly thought I was going to faint.
My heart was racing and I could not catch my breath.
I jumped up off of the couch and ran into the kitchen.
There was no rhyme or reason why I did that.
I attribute that to sheer panic.
My wife called 9-1-1, and I was transported to the hospital where doctors discovered my blood sugar level was over 400! They were able to bring it down to 259, which is still extremely high.
I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, and my lifelong battle with this progressive blood disease began that night.
I have lived with Type 2 Diabetes for over a year, and it hasn't conquered me.
It will not conquer me.
I own this disease, and I am in control.
Type 2 Diabetes, the most common form, is considered non-insulin dependent Diabetes.
The body does not produce enough insulin or it cannot use the insulin well enough.
As a result glucose can't get into the body's cells, but instead it builds up in the blood.
Diabetes affects the pancreas, eyes, hands, feet, kidneys, and heart.
It knows no boundaries, so it is critically important to visit your primary care doctor, Ophthalmologist, Endocrinologist and Podiatrist on a regular basis.
I had no idea what to expect, who to talk to, or what to eat when I was initially diagnosed with Diabetes.
I visited my Primary Care physician, and he recommended that my wife and I take a six week course educating us about the disease.
It was the best class I have ever taken! The education that I received from that class was priceless.
Prior to taking the Diabetes class my blood sugar was dropping to dangerous levels.
How could my blood sugar levels be low, when I have a disease where blood sugar levels are commonly too high? When my wife and I met with the hospital nurse for a pre-assessment, and she looked at my daily menu, she gave me my answer.
I wasn't eating enough carbohydrates, but I would not have known this beforehand.
The body breaks carbohydrates into sugar, and this sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream.
The sugars are then delivered to cells throughout the body in a normal person without Diabetes.
However, as previously mentioned, Diabetics store that sugar in their blood.
The body is not able to transport the sugar throughout the cells.
If I don't eat enough carbohydrates, then my body doesn't produce enough sugar.
If I eat too many carbohydrates, the body produces and stores too much sugar.
It's like walking a tightrope, maintaining a delicate balance.
My doctors prescribed medicines for me following the diagnosis, but as time has progressed I have been able to control this Diabetes without medications.
I am not a walker or jogger, so adding exercise to my daily routine was a challenge.
I now exercise at least five times per week.
Diabetics are sensitive to extreme cold and hot, so when the weather is extreme I use the treadmill for my walking.
I have learned to listen to my body since I was diagnosed with Diabetes.
It didn't happen right away, but over time I was able to recognize the symptoms of low and high blood sugar levels.
I keep glucose tablets on hand in case my blood sugar drops too low, and I know if my blood sugar it too high I have to exercise in order to lower it.
There are certain trigger foods which raise my blood sugar.
I have learned which foods to avoid.
As I wrote before, it's a delicate balance.
There is rarely a day that goes by where I feel really good, physically, that is.
I understand that I cannot run away from Type 2 Diabetes.
There is no cure for it.
This disease doesn't heal like Influenza or the common cold.
It is a daily battle! My goal is to get control over this, before it gets control over me.
I think, so far, I'm winning the battle.
Knowledge, awareness, consistency, regular checkups and caution are three keys to winning this battle.
I am fighting for my life, and so far I am winning the battle.
I won't get too comfortable, though, because I know every day is an adventure when you're battling this disease.
