Getting back to where we left off…
When I saw the number 11.2 as my A1c I will admit that I was scared. This was proof that the type 2 diabetes I had been diagnosed with 13 years ago was out of control. I felt depressed and scared and sad all at the same time. I felt hopeless and lost.
As I thought more about it, I also had another thought: type 2 diabetes does not own me.
What do I mean by that? Read on…
Type 2 diabetes does not own me
Early in my diagnosis with type 2 diabetes, I promised myself that I would never take “ownership” of that label. I have always felt that if we claim something then we own it. I was always adamant with my children and grandchildren, too, that we not “own” the labels placed upon us. If we “own” them, we will use them to define ourselves and keep ourselves down.
I knew that if I started to say things like, “my type 2 diabetes” or things along that line that I would be claiming ownership. I did not and do not want to own this. It feels like a form of giving up.
At the same time, I still have the task of taking care of myself and the complications type 2 diabetes causes. But I will not let it “own” me and I will not “own” it.
Diabetes Education
My visit with the diabetes educator was good. I had worked with her before and we had worked well together then, as well.
She told me that because my numbers for my blood glucose were high that I would need to slowly lower the numbers or the drop would cause a pressure drop in my eyes and I could experience blindness.
Because I have been experiencing a lot of vision problems anyway, I told her that I would do my best to bring the numbers down slowly.
Minnesota Care—the insurance I am currently on—does not cover a lot of things we came to find out.
About a month ago I had to stop taking Trulicity because it was causing my lips to swell up. This is one of the rare side effects of that drug.
We tried to get Ozempic, but the insurance does not cover Ozempic.
We decided to increase the insulin I take up to 60 units at bedtime. I was taking 50 units for a long time.
The next morning my blood sugar reading was at 372. We decided to bump the insulin up to 70 units.
Just take a walk
I began taking 20-30 minute walks once or twice per day when I first learned about my high A1c. Today was day 7. It is getting a bit easier, but my life of basic inactivity over the last three years has done me no favors. My weight has remained fairly stable between 250 and 260 pounds and my blood sugars have been following that same path.
I have already lost 4 pounds just by starting to walk!
That is amazing to me. Another thing that I found amazing was that my morning fasting blood sugar which had been in the high 300s consistently, was 251 this morning! What!
Could taking a daily walk, increasing insulin, and eating just a bit smarter really make over a 100 point difference? The previous morning my blood sugar reading had been 372!
What’s Next?
I have decided to document my journey over the next few months so that I can give an account of what I am doing. What works, what doesn’t, and everything in between.
I will share what I eat and what I do for exercise. I will also share what I learn along the way because what we learn and what we know should not only help us but others as well.
I am hoping that my journey will help others lead a healthier life, too.
I am hoping my knowledge and experience will give hope to those that may be feeling hopeless at this point in their journey.
Finally, I hope that through my story, others will see that type 2 diabetes does not, will not, and cannot own us!
Thank you for visiting my site. I would love to hear your thoughts on this post. Please leave questions or comments below and I will get back to you very soon!
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About the author
Karin Nauber is a professional journalist who has worked in the newspaper business for the past 25 years. She is also a grandmother who, along with her spouse, is raising one of their granddaughters. Karin has nine grandchildren with whom she enjoys spending as much time as possible. Karin also was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 13 years ago and has faced many challenges with the disease. If you would like to contact her, please do so at karin@diabeteshealthnuts.com.
Interesting take on diabetes and I respect you for trying to win. Does this mean you will be able to fully recover from diabetes type-2 and not need insulin anymore? Or would it be a lifetime disease that you can only control to some extent? I surely hope that you will reach a lot of people with the same illness so that you can help and share your experiences with each other. It would be great if this became a kind of forum with questions and answers.
Thank you for your comments and suggestions, Jerry. I love the idea of a forum. I may look into that at some time. I would love for people to help each other because we all know of things that work and don’t work.
I have read and from the research I have done, I believe that type 2 diabetes can be reversed, although lifetime maintenance will be necessary. That may be in the form of what I eat or it may include some medication, but I do believe that it can be done without medication which is my ultimate goal. I know of many people personally that have reversed their condition through proper and healthful eating.
To our health,
Karin 🙂
Thank you for the message of hope you are bringing. I don’t have diabetes but I have seen it in the life of mom and other people close to me. I think the mindset and the attitude plays a big role. I like the fact that you did int see yourself as a victim but you remained in control . You are sure going to conquer this one. Keep going
Thank you for visiting our site. I really appreciate the struggle your mom and other people close to you have suffered as a result of diabetes. I hope that you will share the site with them and that they will find some good and useful information here! I truly do believe that the best way to fight any disease is through information—good information! Thank you again!
To our health,
Karin 🙂
This is a very interesting concept that one does not want to “own” the “labels” that are put on you. I fully agree with you, once you own the label, it is difficult to get rid of it. Amazing that by starting to do daily walking, you managed to bring down your blood sugar levels.
I have a good friend that is managing her type 2 diabetes through diet and she lost weight when she was first diagnosed about five years ago. She has completely cut carbohydrates out of her diet and has found that she can control her blood sugar levels through that, and walking the dogs.
Thank you for visiting our site and for your comments. I am glad your friend is doing so well in managing her type 2 diabetes. I know that walking is one of the keys to combating this condition. That along with proper nutrition. I do disagree with cutting out all carbs from a diet. Carbs are a necessary part of our balanced lives. It is a matter of eating the “right” carbs in the “right” amount that can make a break us! 🙂
Feel free to share my site with your friend.
Thank you again! 🙂
To our health,
Karin 🙂
Thank u for all the information about type 2 diabetes. It is such a horrible condition to have. I think exercise and daily walks are a great way to deal with A1c.
Please take care and do keep sharing. I hope you recover real soon. Will power and strength has a lot to do with getting well too. THIS IDEA OF DOCUMENTING YOUR JOURNEY WILL BE A HUGE HELP TO MANY OTHERS. GOD BLESS YOU.
Regards,
Aps
You are most welcome, Aps! I appreciate your visit to our site and your comments.
I sure do hope that sharing what I learn along my journey will prove helpful. Thank you again!
To our health,
Karin 🙂