Diabetes Lottery

Thanksgiving From A Diabetic's Point Of View.

I'm so happy.  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I have a lot to be thankful for.  I have a wonderful wife. I have the two greatest kids in the world.  My diabetes is completely under control.   I look good (if I do say so myself), I feel good, things are... well, good.

Last year - not so much.  I mean, I had the same wife and the same kids, but the looking and feeling - not so much.  

I had just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.  I felt like crap.  I tipped the scales at 254 pounds. And to be honest, I looked like ten pounds of sausage in a five pound casing.  But the thing that bothered me the most was that I was diagnosed with diabetes right before Thanksgiving.  

There are two things in the world that I love to do more than anything else: eat and hunt. Thanksgiving is the greatest day in the world for guys like me.  I would eat like I was going to the electric chair, and the next morning I would leave with my father and my cousin and head to the mountains of Pennsylvania for a week of deer hunting.  

And now what was I to do?  I mean - I could still eat and hunt, but not like I wanted to.  I wanted turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, rolls and butter, way too much alcohol, and top it all off with pumpkin pie!  When we go hunting, we really enjoy cooking bacon and egg sandwiches on top of the mountain at lunchtime on our scouting days.  And now that was all behind me, right?

Wrong.

Living with diabetes is all about choices.  Make the right choices, and put in the necessary work, and its really fairly easy to control.

Take Thanksgiving dinner for example.  Now I know that we should watch our portions, and eat only the right things, and for the most part, I do.  But come on now.  We're talking about Thanksgiving!  Here's what I do.  I'll have my turkey, my mashed potatoes (did I say gravy?), my sweet potatoes, stuffing, a roll and butter, a drink or two, and I'll top it all off with pumpkin pie!  The difference between the way I eat now, and the way I used to eat, is that tomorrow I'll have one plateful.  I'm not going to measure anything.  And don't get it wrong - I'm going to eat too much. Remember though - IT'S ONE DAY.  You're A1C is measured over ninety days.  Tomorrow isn't going to hurt you one bit.  As long as you remember one of Uncle Bob's rules - DON'T BE STUPID!

Don't eat yourself into a diabetic coma.  Exercise some restraint.  Enjoy a healthy portion of whatever it is you see on that table tomorrow.  If you like it - eat it.  Don't deprive yourself.  On Friday, just get back to doing the right things again.  

Try this.  Tomorrow is your day off.  Don't exercise at all.  Eat as I have described.  And DON'T CHECK YOUR BLOOD SUGAR. On Friday, get back on schedule.  Make sure you eat properly, and hit the gym or whatever it is that you do for exercise.  Friday night before dinner, check your sugar. I'll bet you see no significant difference, and most importantly, you will have treated yourself, and satiated the need we all have to splurge every now and then.

I'm still having my bacon and egg sandwiches too (just whole grain bread please). 

Four Months In And Whipping My Diabetes

In March of 2010, I went for my four month check-up with Dr. Jim.  It was strange – I was actually looking forward to it!  I took my seat in the waiting room and awaited the call to the scales.

“Mr. Abernethy, you can come back now.”

As I stepped onto the scales, the nurse adjusted the sliding weights on top.  She put the large counter-weight to 200. 

C’mon lady, give me some credit here.

After a few more adjustments, the weigh in was complete.  194.  That’s right - I said 194. Want me to say it again?  194!  In four months I had lost 60 pounds.  Fifteen pounds a month.  Three and three quarter pounds a week.  Half a pound per day.  And I wasn’t on a diet!  At least I didn’t feel like I was on a diet.  Granted, I was watching what I ate, and I was making much better choices, but I was never hungry.  As a matter of fact I was eating more food, more often than I had ever eaten in the past – it was just the right food.

Today was going to be a good Dr.’s visit!

Dr. Jim walked into the room a few minutes later with a rather large grin on his face.  “WOW, LOOK AT YOU!”  I think he was shocked.  “Bob,” he said “this is unbelievable.  Since November you have gone from 254 to 194, your A1C has gone from 13.5 to 7.5, your bloodwork is awesome, and you look great.  I told you we had this covered, but to be honest, I am amazed that you seem to have this under control so quickly.”

Now, Dr. Jim may say this to all of his patients, but I don’t think so.  I think my progress was extraordinary.  But don’t get it confused – I worked at it.  Everyday. 

I have a disease that is debilitating.  A disease that is crippling.  A disease that will take your eyesight, cause you to have a stroke, or a heart attack.  And it may do all of these things to me.  But it won’t be easy.  I’ll fight this disease everyday, all day long.  It won’t beat me without a fight.  It’s all about attitude.

“Jim” I said, “When you called me to tell me I had diabetes, you sounded a little ominous.  You told me you had bad news.  Since that day, I have regained my life.  I feel better, I look better, I have renewed energy, I’m more confident, and happier than I can remember.  I have a tremendous feeling of accomplishment.  From now on, when you have to tell a patient they are diabetic, I suggest you say – CONGRATULATIONS, YOU’VE HIT THE DIABETES LOTTERY!”

He looked at me like I was nuts, but I meant it.  Diabetes has changed my life forever.  But I know that if I remain diligent, I will be running around coaching lacrosse with my grandchildren someday.  And if that isn’t like hitting the lottery, I’d like to know what is?

 

Don't Jerk The Tangles!

My oldest son worked as a waiter at a retirement community in High School.  It was a wonderful job, and he met a lot of very interesting people.  Last spring, they had a dinner for the graduating seniors that worked there and their families.  My wife and I were fortunate enough to attend.

The speaker that evening was a resident of the facility.  His name was Bill Jones.  He was almost 90 years old, and had been a Baptist Bishop.  Very obviously southern, his drawl was soothing and his demeanor was calming.  If you saw him you would have guessed him to be in his late 60’s.  Impeccably dressed and amazingly spry, he shared with us some of his ‘life lessons’, because “that’s what us old folks are supposed to do”.

Mr. Jones was a young minister in the 1950’s in a very busy parish in the suburbs of St. Louis.  One day he was particularly busy, and completely flustered.  He was running around his office frantically.  He said to his secretary, “Mary Alice, I don’t know what I am going to do.  I have three meetings today, I have to visit one of our parishioners in the hospital, I have a funeral at 11:00, and a wedding at 4:00.  How will I get it all done?”

Mary Alice replied, “Bill Jones, when I was a young girl in parochial school, I had to take sewing class.  I had the hardest time with that class.  I tried and I tried, but I just couldn’t get it.  One day I had a particularly large mess of thread in my hands that I was trying to unravel.  Sister Margaret came over to me, put her hand on my shoulder and said, 'Mary Alice – don’t jerk the tangles'.  And that would be my advice to you Bill Jones – DON’T JERK THE TANGLES.”

I will never forget hearing that inspiring story.  In our lives we so often find ourselves buried in problems.  Watch what you eat.  Exercise.  Work.  Raise a family. And there is only 24 hours in a day!  How can we possibly get it all done?

In the grand scheme of things, it will all get done.  Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow.  But if we keep focused on our goal, and work diligently – it will all get done.  When you start feeling overwhelmed just relax, take a deep breath, and remember Mary Alice.

 

Diabetes Education Complete - For Now...

Last class.  

Over the previous three weeks I had really learned a lot.  I was actually going to miss these meetings. Seeing the progress that others had made, hearing the problems that they were having, and listening to their questions and how the instructors advised them, all helped me understand what I was going through, and made me feel that we were a team - fighting a common enemy.

At the last class we discussed the difficulties (or lack thereof), of eating out.  At this point I felt I had a pretty good grasp of carb counting, but there were still things I learned that surprised me. Obviously, the numbers I will give you here are approximate, because every restaurant is different, but they will give you a good idea of what you are up against.

Breakfast:

What is the best choice of the following:

4-5'" bagel            Large muffin            English muffin breakfast sandwich            3" frosted donut

Ready for this?

The bagel has 70 g. carbs.  The muffin has 80 g. carbs.    The sandwich has 30 g. carbs.  The donut has 35 g. carbs.

The best choice of these four would be the sandwich, with the donut coming in a close second. Ronald McDonald should be proud.  I was surprised to see this initially, but think about it.  The only carbs in an english muffin breakfast sandwich is in the english muffin.  Eggs, cheese, and meat are all protein.

Lunch:

Lunch is lunch.  A sandwich, a salad - I don't think I need to explain this to you.  

Dinner Entrees:

Asian:          Stay away from the rice and noodles and you're good.  One cup of fried rice has 50 g. carbs.  A half cup would be better.

Indian:        Indian food is your friend.  Low carb baby!

Italian:        Italian food is not as friendly.  Imagine that!  Fettucini Alfredo, Lasagna, Ziti - Carbs, carbs, carbs.  How 'bout 60-70 g. each!  That's 4-4 1/2 carb choices right there.  And who in the world can eat Italian food without bread?  No one, that's who.  But don't get  your panties in a wad. Chicken or veal parmigiana, sauce on the side with a little whole wheat pasta has 30 g.  

Mexican:    The carbs are in the tortillas.  Remember that and you'll be fine.

Pizza:           Personal pizza - regular crust - 111 g. carbs!  A slice of thin crust - 20 g.  See the             difference?  Two slices of thin crust aren't going to kill you.  Use your head.

Nachos:      This'll make you happy!  Nachos with cheese only have 30 g. carbs!  Of course the serving size is 6-8 chips.  Oh well....

Dessert:    Cake is bad.  Cheesecake is better.  Fruit pie is bad.  Pumpkin or custard pie is better.  Ice cream (1/2 cup) is fine.  It's simple really.

Now you should have a general understanding about eating out.  It's all about choices.  My mother asks me all of the time, "Can you eat that?"  Yes I can.  I'll say it again.  It's all about choices.  If I'm at my favorite restaurant and I know they have the best apple pie in the world, I'll have a salad for dinner.  If I have a craving for pizza, I'll have a slice or two (thin crust of course) and skip dessert.  This isn't that hard folks.  Don't deprive yourself.  You'll feel bitter and binge later. Everything in moderation.  People told me that for 45 years, and these folks made me realize it in four weeks.  I thank them for that.

 

And now for the time I was waiting for!  The weigh-out!  I couldn't believe I was looking forward to getting on a scale!  C'mon - get out the bullhorn.  

It was eight weeks since I had been diagnosed.  And the winner is.....

ME!  

In eight weeks, I had gone from 254 pounds to 210 pounds.  My blood pressure was never bad -110/77 was my average.  Today, my blood pressure was 92/68!  Evidently diet and exercise really are good for you.  The thing that made me most proud though was that my entire class lost almost 80 pounds - and I lost 44 of them.  Over the top as usual...

Fool Me Once, Shame On You. Fool Me Twice And I Must Be An Idiot.

Today I thought I would take a break from recounting my story at diabetes education class to tell you some of the mistakes I made.  I'm not bragging, but if there is a mistake to be made, I'll make it. Possibly you will benefit from my mistakes, and not make them yourself.  

Mistake #1:  

I love food.  All kinds of food.  But I'm not a sweets kind of guy.  Well, not really anyway.  I couldn't tell you when I ate my last candy bar, but I'm a big fan of dessert.  Cake, pie, cookies, ice cream, I love them all.  Ok, maybe I am a sweets kind of guy.  So I had to figure out a way around this carbohydrate thingy, because I really didn't want to give up dessert. 

As we learned in my earlier post, "Continuing Education",  you are permitted 225 grams of carbohydrates per day.  HMMMM, 225 grams.  How can I... EUREKA!  As usual, if I think about a problem long enough, I can figure out a way around it.  It all seemed very simple really.  If I didn't eat any carbs for lunch, and I didn't eat any, carbs for my afternoon snack, I could save them up and have dessert after dinner! C'mon now.  You have to admit it.  That makes perfect sense, right? After all 225 grams is 225 grams.  

WRONG!  Although you can eat 225 grams of carbs per day, you CAN'T eat them all at once.  This causes a spike in your blood sugar, and the goal is to keep your blood sugar at the appropriate levels, with the least amount of spikes possible.  You need to eat carbs and protein together throughout the day to achieve this.  Post dinner BG - 290.  What a moron.

Mistake #2:

People who write instructional pamphlets or textbooks should bear in mind that there are people like me in the world.  When I started my diabetes class, we were told that it was very important to check and record our blood sugar levels regularly.  We were given a very nice sheet to fill in the results.  The instructions were as follows:  "In the space provided below, list all foods, drinks, portions sizes and exercise.  Be sure to also record the time of each blood glucose (BG) reading and meal or snack." There were spots to fill in you BG levels for fist thing in the morning, two hrs. after breakfast, pre-lunch, two hours after lunch, pre-dinner, two hours after dinner, pre-exercise, post-exercise, and bedtime.  That's nine blanks per day.  

At the end of week one I had pricked my fingers 63 times.  Over the top as usual.  I had used up an entire month's worth of test strips in one week.  No one explained to me they were looking for an overview of my BG during the week.  You need to test at different times during the day.  Today you might want to test first thing in the morning, after lunch, and at bedtime.  Tomorrow you might want to test after breakfast, before dinner, and after exercise.  But you do not, and I repeat - DO NOT have to test yourself 63 times a week.

Look - there were 63 blanks - what would you do?  I had to type with a pencil the whole next week.  

Mistake #3:

As we have discussed, carbohydrates are the enemy.  As diabetics, we need to limit the amount of carbs we eat.  Well, if some carbs are acceptable, no carbs must be better, right?  Rather than ask, I decided to run my own experiment.  Week three - no carbs.  

Since I wasn't eating any carbs at all, my liver decided to help me out by dumping it's sugar reserves at night.  Thoughtful little booger.  My BG was actually higher when I didn't eat any carbs than when I ate the recommended allowances!  Imagine that.  These folks really do know what they are talking about.  Don't deprive yourself.  Everything in moderation.

I'm not trying to insinuate that you are as anal-retentive, over-the top, or hard headed as I am, but I hope that sharing these tips will keep you from making the same mistakes I made.  And please don't get me wrong, this is just a sampling of the things I have done wrong so far.  I'll keep you posted...

Have you made any mistakes in treating your diabetes?  Let me know.  God knows I need all the help I can get!

Burn Baby, Burn

The next topic covered in class was exercise.  Well, maybe not exercise - more like physical activity.  That was a good way to put it because I HATE EXERCISING!

To lose weight, as much as I hate to say it, you have to do two things.  Cut your caloric intake, and increase your physical activity.  But here's the dirty little secret.  Your body burns calories all day long - even when you are sleeping!  How many calories?  That depends on your metabolism.  Genetics, weight, age, height and other factors influence your metabolic rate.  

Do you know who I have always hated the most?  The person who can just eat and eat and never gain a pound.  I now understand that I really don't hate that person, I'm jealous of their metabolism.  My metabolism must work from 12 to 1 every day and take an hour off for lunch!

Anyway...

According to "A Moment Of Science," produced by Indiana University, your body burns about 12 calories per pound, per day.  Therefore, if you weigh in at 200 lbs. your body should burn roughly 2400 calories per day.  AT REST!  Sleep all day - 2400 calories.  Really?  Really. What I'm telling you is that if you weigh 200 lbs. and you eat 2400 calories per day, and don't lift a finger, you shouldn't gain any weight, because just by continuing to breathe, you will burn off the 2400 calories.

Wow Bob, that's intriguing! 

I know, right?  Here's the second dirty little secret.  A pound of muscle burns roughly 40 calories per day at rest.  A pound of fat burns 3.  Wanna boost your metabolism?  Add muscle. Your body will obviously burn FAR more calories if you replace the fat with muscle.  When you start your exercise program, make sure you include resistance training.  This will add muscle, which in turn will burn more calories, which will make your life easier!

Now let's think about this.  When I was first diagnosed with Type II diabetes, I weighed in at 254 lbs.  My body burned roughly 3000 calories per day (254 pounds x 12 calories per pound per day).  AT REST!  I should have been able to eat 3000 calories per day without gaining any weight. In order to lose a pound of fat, you have to burn about 3500 calories.  So if I had just cut my caloric intake to 2500 calories per day, and didn't lift a finger, I would have lost 1 pound a week. (-500 calories a day x 7 days= 3500 calories.) Cool.

Now that you understand that your body burns calories at rest, you should realize that everything else you do is exercise!  EVERYTHING!  Rocking in a rocking chair, walking, shopping, cleaning, doing laundry - all burn additional calories. You've been exercising all of your life and didn't even know it!

Uncle Bob tip time:  To lose weight, burn more than you take in.

The solution really is that simple.  I didn't say easy - I said simple.  It's a decision.  A decision to push yourself away form the table sooner.  A decision to eat right.  A decision to be more active.  A decision to change your life. 

Cut the calories.  You don't have to starve yourself.  Just decrease you calories by 20%.  No big deal. 

Cut the carbs.  Less bread, less potatoes and pasta. Make dessert an apple with peanut butter.  

Be more active.  Take a walk, wash your car, cut your grass, take the stairs.  

Promise yourself you will do this.  Don't say you will 'try' to do it, because that means there is a possibility you won't.  Promise yourself you WILL do it.  And I promise you - you won't regret it!

To Drink Or Not To Drink? THAT Is The Question!

After last week's post, I was asked a VERY important question, and I think it should be addressed immediately.  The question posed was:  What about alcohol?

It's funny that I was asked that question, because (of course) I asked the same thing.  Here is what I was told.

Carbohydrate contents:

12 oz. Beer - 15 grams

12 oz. Light Beer - ~ 7.5 grams

1 oz. Liqueur - 15 grams

3 1/2 oz. Dessert Wine (Sherry) - ~15 grams

5 oz. Dry Red or White Wine - negligible

1 1/2 oz. Distilled Spirits - 0 grams.

WHAT???!!!  Did I hear that right?  Beer has carbs.  Light beer has carbs. Liqueur has carbs. Dessert wines have carbs.  Red and white wine have a little bit.  But whiskey?  Bourbon, gin, vodka, rum - ZERO????   YEEEHAAAA!  Booker's Manhattan here I come!

Not quite so fast cowboy.  It is true that distilled spirits have zero carbs, and we all know that carbs are the enemy.  The problem is - distilled spirits actually LOWER your blood sugar.

At this point in the discussion, my brain was going so fast I was hoping no one would notice the wisps of smoke coming from my ears.  

Wow - I think she just said that I can cure my high blood sugar by drinking bourbon!  My blood sugar will be 0 by Saturday afternoon!

Here's the deal.  If you are a diabetic (hyperglycemic), you need to lower and control your blood sugar.  But not TOO low (less than 70 mg/dL).  If your sugar goes too low, (hypoglycemic) you run the risk of passing out, going into a seizure, a coma, or even death.  Drinking too much alcohol could cause your blood sugar to go too low.

I know what you're thinking.  Drinking too much can cause me to pass out?  Thanks for the tip Sherlock!  I thought that was the goal.

I can deal with the passing out part.  Been there, done that. It's the seizures, coma and death part that worries me.  Are diabetics more susceptible to the more negative outcomes of over-imbibing  than non-diabetics?  The teacher didn't say.  But let's just use our heads here.  If you are taking meds to help lower your blood sugar, and drinking alcohol in excess, I think it's safe to assume your risk is greater.  And please notice I said 'in excess'.  Over the last eleven months I have certainly not been a saint.  I have had cocktails on more than one occasion.  Just not in excess.  

The other thing you need to know are the warning signs of low blood sugar.  Diabetics know the signs of high blood sugar all too well.  But I can assure you, I've never been the low blood sugar type, and had no idea what the symptoms were.  When our teacher told us the symptoms, I realized that I have a lot of them on a daily basis.

The symptoms of low blood sugar are:

Sweaty or clammy

Irritability

Weak, lightheaded or shaky

Confusion and Hunger

Well that pretty much sums up how I felt after every night of drinking I've ever had.  

If you are diabetic, you need to pay closer attention to what your body is telling you.  If you have any of these feelings, you should test your glucose.  That is, of course, assuming that you are weird enough to carry your meter and test strips out for a night on the town.  (I would love to tell you that I am, but that would be a lie.)  If you have any of these feelings, you need to treat yourself for hypoglycemia.  How do you do that Bob?  Glad you asked.

Remember the "Routine 15".  If you feel that your glucose is low, you should test your glucose, but whether you've tested or not, eat or drink 15 grams of carbs.  A half of a regular soda, a half cup of orange juice, a cup of milk, or two or three hard candies will do the trick.  In fifteen minutes, you should test again. If you are still low, take in another 15 grams.  If you do this three times, and you are still low, you should call your doctor or 911.  This is not the time to fool around.

Here's one of what I will refer to as 'Uncle Bob's Rules of Thumb':  

Don't be stupid.  

If I am invited to have cocktails, I'm in - every time.  There was a day when I could settle in with a nice bottle of bourbon and spend the evening.  As Stevie Ray Vaughn used to say, "livin' life by the drop."  But that was yesterday. Today it is much more important to me to be healthy.  A couple of cocktails  and then just sit around and laugh at the people who are way too intoxicated.  It's actually quite enjoyable.

So, kids...  What have we learned today?

The world has not ended.  You can still enjoy cocktails... just don't be stupid and you'll be fine.  

I'm tired of typing now.  Think I'll have a drink...  

Continuing Education...

Now that I had a better understanding of what diabetes is, I wanted to know how to treat it.  (And by treat it, I mean beat it into submission.)  

Understand this.  I was obese.  I didn't become obese because of a thyroid or other medical condition.  The two things that caused my obesity were food and lack of exercise.  Period.  Of course, at the time, I didn't really consider myself obese.  I knew I was overweight, I knew I wasn't chiseled from marble, but I certainly didn't consider myself obese.  When I look back at pictures from only a year ago, I could vomit.  I'm not sure obese is a strong enough word.  'Tub of lard' comes to mind.  I'm actually embarrassed that I was so fat, but thankful that I allowed myself (on rare occasions) to be photographed.  Quite the motivator.  I promise you now - I will NEVER look like that again!

I tell you this to show you my state of mind at the time.  Losing weight was not my top priority.  I just wanted to take care of this diabetes thing.

We were given a meal plan in class.  It is a very simple plan, and I have been following it for 11 months now.  Diabetic or not, you should follow it too. It was titled, "The 2000 Calorie Basic Meal Plan".  Here's the gist of it.  The plan (notice I didn't say diet) breaks your intake into three groups: carbs, protein, and fat. You are permitted 225 grams of carbs, 125 grams of protein, and 67 grams of fat per day.  Don't panic. There are no scales necessary.

I'll make it simple for you.  Cut and paste this.  This is the secret. 

Breakfast:  3 carb choices (45 grams),  2 servings of protein (2 ounces), and 1 serving of fat.

Lunch:  2-3 carb choices (30-45 grams), 3 servings of protein (3 ounces), and 1 serving of fat.

Dinner:  2-3 carb choices (30-45 grams), 3 servings protein (3 ounces), and 1 serving of fat.

Between breakfast and lunch, between lunch and dinner, and between dinner and bedtime, you should have a snack.  The snack should consist of 1 carb choice, and 1 protein.

Now - what does that mean? Examples:

A carb choice is 15 grams of carbohydrate.  To give you an idea, a slice of bread has ~15 grams of carbs. One-half of a hamburger bun has ~15 grams of carbs.  White, wheat, rye, whole grain - doesn't make a difference.  You should, of course, opt for whole grains as they are easier for your body to process, and better for your heart, but for carb purposes, they are all equal.

A protein serving is 1 ounce.  A slice of lunch meat, a slice of bacon, and a tablespoon of peanut butter are all 1 ounce.

A fat choice could be the oil on your salad, or the butter on your bread.

These are just examples.  Most all foods have nutritional labels.  You do have to read the labels, and believe me, you'll be a pro at this in no time.

For illustrative purposes, your closed fist is about 1 cup.  Your palm is about 3 ounces.  Your thumb is about 2 tablespoons.  Your thumb tip is about 1 teaspoon.  A handful is about 1/4 cup.

Now, here is a sample meal plan for a typical day:

Breakfast:    2 slices of toast (30 g carbs), 1 teaspoon of margarine (1 fat), 2 scrambled eggs (protein).

Snack:    4 Triscuits (30 g carbs), 1 tablespoon peanut butter (protein).

Lunch:    2 slices bread (30 g carbs), 3 slices lean lunch meat (protein), salad with vinaigrette.

Snack:      4 cups of popcorn (30 g carbs).

Dinner:    3/4 cup mashed white potatoes, 1 cup steamed carrots (30 g carbs) 3 ounces roast turkey                      (protein), 1 teaspoon margarine (fat).

Snack:    1 small apple (30 g carbs) and 2 tablespoons peanut butter (protein)

Are you kidding me?  That's more food than I ate, when I ate like it was my job!  

This is just a sample meal plan.  I'll get more in depth in the near future, but for now just use the guide and read the labels.  You'll be surprised how easy and interesting this can be.  And in two weeks, it'll be second nature.  If I can do it - ANYONE can do it!

P.S. - Did anyone watch 'The Event' on Monday night?  I'm not sure if I liked it or hated it.  I was on the edge of my seat until the last 15 seconds, and then...

What did you think?

Hi Ho, Hi Ho...

You know - it's funny.  

I like to educate myself.  I practically have my pre-med degree from WebMD U., I read everything printed about diabetes, and consider myself quite astute in the study of the human spirit, but I HATE school.  It's kind of like my doctor's office phobia.  Today was no different.

That nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach reminded me of so many first days of school.  The only difference was that today I would begin learning about how to control my diabetes.  "If this class includes algebra, there's no way I'll pass" I thought as I pulled into the parking lot twenty minutes early.  

As the classroom began to fill with 'students' I was amazed at the diversity.  I assumed that I would be in a class filled with what was (in my mind) the stereotypical diabetic.  First lesson learned.  There is no stereotypical diabetic.  My class looked more like NATO that a bunch of diabetics.  Fat, thin, short, tall, moms, dads, twenty-somethings, seventy-somethings, couch potatoes, athletes - we were all there. (I fit into at least four of the categories.)

Our instructor, Trish, was a pleasant young lady, probably in her early thirties, who was also a diabetic. She gave us all a name tag (ugh), and then called us up for the weigh-in (UGH).  Although she was slender now, I assume that she was obese at some point in her life as she knew how to properly execute the weigh-in.  We went to the back of the room, one at a time, and mounted the scale.  When she had obtained the correct weight she wrote it down on our chart.  She then turned the chart around so we could see the number.  No announcement, no fanfare, no bullhorn.  Cool.

I was never a bad student, but I always had a problem with school - I had this feeling that my time would be better spent somewhere else. The topic of today's class was 'What IS diabetes'.  "Here comes that feeling again.  I already know what diabetes is.  Can we please hurry this along?"

Thankfully, we didn't.  Here is how Trish explained things:

When you have diabetes, it means that your blood glucose (sugar) levels are too high.  Much of the food that we eat is turned into glucose when it is digested.  The glucose is carried by your bloodstream to your cells and it is used for energy.

Your pancreas makes insulin.  Insulin is like a doorman.  When the glucose tries to enter your cells, it can't get in by itself.  The doorman (insulin) has to open the door for it.

If you pancreas doesn't make enough insulin, or if your cells 'resist' the insulin, the glucose can't enter your cells.  The glucose just hangs around in your bloodstream.  This is when your blood glucose levels go up.

That is diabetes.

Hmmm.  So it is starting to sound like all my years of debauchery didn't bring this on.

There are three types of diabetes: Type I, Type II, and Gestational.  My experience is limited to type II, so that is what I am going to focus on here.

Type II diabetics can't properly use insulin.  Our bodies 'resist' insulin.  Our little pancreas's just work themselves to death producing insulin that our bodies then resist. 

Ingrates.

Anyway, our pancreas gets tired of doing all this work for nothing and slows down production.  That is why many type II diabetics need to take diabetes meds, and/or insulin injections - to help out the pancreas.

Wow!  I thought I knew what diabetes was.  After doing some work sheets, q&a, and discussion, class number one was over. That nervous feeling was gone.  I had learned a lot.  And believe it or not, I was looking forward to next week!

P.S. - Thanks to Dianne Salerni (Diannesalerni.blogspot.com) for the great interview!  If you haven't done so, please check it out.  Also, thanks to all of you who have left such wonderful comments.  I am truly humbled.   

Interview today with author Dianne Salerni (my cousin). Check it out at :www.diannesalerni.blogspot.com