Reality Strikes

The title which I’ve given this series is ‘My Diabetic Journey’. It’s something I’ve used for my reference as it seems to describe what is happening to me very well.

It’s a journey of discovery, gradual change in diet and habits, weight loss, return to fitness, managing the necessary tests and appointments and tracking my progress in all of this.

On diagnosis, my blood sugar levels were thankfully relatively low, so it was clear from the outset that it should be possible for me to control this through diet and without medication. In doing this, I am hoping that I will prevent the need for medication for a long time and hopefully throughout the remainder of my life. That is my aim and the reason I’m taking the matter so seriously.

Having decided to make the lifestyle changes outlined in my previous blog and putting them into practice. The next thing to happen was an appointment with the diabetic nurse at our Doctor’s surgery.

This took place within a relatively short time.  The nurse gave me more information about diabetes and its potential consequences. She confirmed that the things I’m doing are the right things to do, but also highlighted the need to ensure that these changes are maintained. She was very pleasant, helpful and knowledgeable about the subject.

She recorded on my notes the food I had eaten the previous day and acknowledged this was good. She also asked the usual lifestyle questions - smoking, drinking, sleep etc. All of which I was able to respond in the desired way. Something, I didn’t highlight in the last blog was that I’ve stopped drinking any alcohol at the moment, which I hope will help me get things under control. I’ve never been a serious drinker of alcohol, but even social drinking or drinking to relax has been stopped at the moment.

When she'd gone through my notes, I then received checks on my blood pressure and foot sensations and she looked at the general condition of my feet, (which is one of the high-risk areas for diabetics as the feet and hands can become numb, which is a symptom of the condition progressing). These tests were I’m pleased to report fine. My Doctor had booked me in for 2 more blood tests - my cholesterol and prostate levels. The nurse offered to take them, to save me visiting the blood clinic. I accepted this without hesitation as it also meant that these would be tested much sooner. Whilst she was doing this, I asked if my blood sugar levels could be retested, but this was unfortunately a ‘no’ as they are only tested 3 monthly in this area. This was disappointing, but more about that in my next blog. She also told me I should have an appointment with an Optician for a 'retinopathy test.’ I hadn’t heard of this, and no one had been in touch about an appointment. I was advised to wait another few weeks and if I hear nothing to get back in touch with the surgery. The appointment was very helpful, but also a little concerning as it brought home to me the potential dangers of the condition.

I’ve spoken about the life changes I’ve made to help my overall physical health. But, I’ve also made some other changes which I hope will benefit me - mentally and emotionally. There have been a few of these:-

• Blog - one of the first things I decided to do, when this all began, was to restart my blog. This has been something which I’ve done on several occasions, but regretfully have never really kept it up (except during Covid lockdowns). When I was diagnosed, I felt that a blog highlighting my journey as a newly diagnosed diabetic might help someone and that it would also be good to share for my well-being.

• Journalling - I have started to journal each evening, to help track my progress. What I’m doing is basic journalling, nothing sophisticated, just writing down the key things that have happened throughout the day. It’s proving to be quite therapeutic and enjoyable. I have maintained this for almost a full month now.

• Reading - Margaret has always found reading an enjoyable pastime. I haven’t. But to relax without scrolling the screen of my phone and watching more and more TV, I have committed myself to the small target of reading at least 10 pages per day. I’ve set up a ‘reading record book’, in which I record the pages of any books I’ve read each day. This is working well and I am pleased to say, that I’m currently enjoying reading.

• Fountain Pens - this is an unusual change. I’ve always had an interest in ‘fountain pens’ and ‘proper ink’. For the past few years, my habit has been to record things digitally - phone, iPad etc. But, I’ve decided to take a step back from this and return to using pen and ink for some of the things I do. This has also been a really enjoyable thing to do and in some ways a release from ‘all things digital.’

Life Goes On

Whilst, I’d rather not have had my Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis, it has encouraged me to re-evaluate and change my lifestyle and interests. I’m finding this to be a positive thing. I do miss some of the foods, I enjoyed, but I have accepted that I needed to change and am delighted with the progress I’ve been making. In summary:-

Reality has struck, but it’s not all negative!