Sunday, January 25, 2009

Nose-to-nose with the big "D"

Elvis the cat isn't the only one in the Saintly household facing a change.

St. Pat has the big "D" -- diabetes. She's doing the finger prick and glucose check every morning, and taking medication.

It's the type 2 diabetes that can be controlled largely through diet and exercise, and losing weight, which I'm doing.

I'm guessing I've had it for a few years. I hadn't had a real physical in a good dozen years.

Something hadn't been right with me for a while, and it was getting worse. That virus that was going may have spiked it up -- I was sick from the middle of November until after the first of the year.

The doctor sent me off to a lab for some tests, and her office called me a few days after I got them. I was to go get another blood test right away. A follow-up doctor's appointment was already scheduled for me. There was no "Will this date work for you." Just "Get in here."

So, there I was, and here I am.

It could have been the big "C" or something I couldn't do anything about. I can do something about this. It's God's way of dealing with me.

You see, I had been praying for God to help me in my struggle to lose weight and get healthier. I believe this was his wake-up call, to spur me into action.

My blood sugar has been dropping steadily the past 10 days, though it's not quite yet to where it should be. Patience. I'm losing weight and working myself back into regular exercise.

And working to remember to take the medication. That's the hard part - I'm not used to taking prescriptions, just a vitamin when I think of it. But I have to be on a regular schedule with medications and foods.

I was in a Catch-22 -- the more fatigued you feel, the less you want to exercise, and the less you exercise, the more fatigued you become.

Extreme fatigue is one of the symptoms of diabetes.

The diet hasn't been bad. It's a healthy one -- leaner proteins, lots of healthy vegetables -- complex carbohydrates -- and simple ones here and there. I'm dropping weight.

No, Padre Mickey!!! I'm not going to start eating a steady diet of steak tartare! I don't care if raw meat cured Sra. Chompita's metabolic problems!!

I've been curing my chocoholic tendencies by eating a piece of sugar-free dark chocolate now and then, and sometimes, sugar-free chocolate ice cream for dessert.

And I feel a lot better than I have in a good while.

Thank you, Lord, for not putting me in the belly of a whale.

Thank you for looking after me, and getting me to the doctor, even when I didn't want to go. Thank you for the medical advances that are helping me and so many others.

Thank you for getting me on the road to better health.

11 comments:

Fran said...

I have often seen you in at the comments at MP's and elsewhere and read about this at MP's today.

Here to send thoughts and wishes of prayers and healing your way. What a good outlook you have - the steak tartare piece included. Yeech.

God bless!

Jay Phillippi said...

My last check up put me in the pre-diabetic category and my doctor has pushed me into the lose weight, exercise and better diet pathway as well. The hope is that we'll catch it before it gets worse.

The good news is that it is possible and it feels wonderful. I've dropped almost 30 pounds with another 25 to go and I look and feel so much better.

Hang in there.
Peace
JP

Frair John said...

My Dad claims that he's never felt better since he was told he had eveloped the Big D. he's eating better and feeling much more energetic.

You're in my prayers.

Wormwood's Doxy said...

Pat! Somehow your blog didn't make it into my reader! I'm so glad MP alerted us to your news...

I'm glad you are getting good medical treatment and complying. My grandmother is insulin-dependent and is NOT very compliant. It's extremely worrisome...

Prayers for you, my friend.

Pax,
Doxy

Ann said...

Prayers and thanks that this was discovered and you are on the way to health again.

Padre Mickey said...

I'm pre-diabetic, so I've been eating lots of raw fruit and vegetables, and I've cut out all the processed sugar from my diet. I tried the sugar-free diabetic stuff, but that fake sugar stuff makes ya fat, so I've stopped eating that stuff. I try to walk every morning

I tried eating brown rice but I can't stand it. So I try to limit my rice intake to once a week.

My prayers are with you, St. Pat.

Saint Pat said...

Thanks, everyone, and thanks to MP. I haven't been able to open up the MP's site ("Of Course I Could Be Wrong") - There seems to be some kind of issue either with my browser or the Mac. I haven't been ignoring you, Mad Priest!

Thanks for the sharing and good thoughts, again, everyone.

Jane R said...

All the best to you, Pat. I'm with you in the middle-aged daily efforts toward a healthy life with vegetables and whole grains and walks! And I understand about the too tired to exercise cycle. I pray for you that you have courage, energy, and good health, and with you I give thanks! Sweet +Maya Pavlova (who seems to have none of these problems and keeps her girlish figure, eating organic cat food and leaping around the house and taking her naps) joins me in sending warm greetings.

sharecropper said...

And, thank you, Lord, for putting St. Pat near us and with us...especially since the belly of a whale is not on the diabetic diet.

Janis Bland said...

{{Pat}} Godspeed on regaining your health!

I have a follow up appointment tomorrow with years. I've been exhausted and in pain for about a year. We'll see.

Saint Pat said...

Juanuchis, I'm praying things go well and the doctor does the right thing for you.

May healing pour over you, in you and through you. May you be refreshed in body, mind and spirit. For that which affects our bodies affects our minds and spirits, too.

Christ, hold Juanuchis close to your side as she walks this path. Comfort her and guide her. Continue your ministry of healing in her. Guide those who will help Juanuchis, too.

Amen.