La versión español está después de la versión inglés.
Although I’m not completely convinced, I’ve been told as a result of my latest blood work (at the public health center) that my Diabetes needs serious management. I’ve been on meds for about three years and was told I didn’t need to do anything else. This time, however, the new doctor didn’t like my results and doubled my dosage while putting me on two other meds for supposedly Diabetes-related issues. She made me see the Diabetes counselor immediately, who gave me a lecture on diet and exercise. When I told her about my activity level, she continued the lecture on diet.
Now I know I’m always sharing pictures of the sweets I enjoy (sorry I haven’t shared the actual sweets), but I go for long stretches with no sweets. Plus, I eat a healthy breakfast and lunch every day, and usually a healthy dinner (not a lot of fried food and, rarely, potatoes). I even have to cut out my two or three small beers per week). The specialist told me I wasn’t like most of her patients. An important factor, however, is that both my grandmothers were Diabetic when they were still fairly young.
I’ve been told by another doctor that it’s possible my “numbers” were high simply due to dehydration. However, I drink a minimum of 1.5 liters of water a day, and usually more than twice that. I’ll go back to my private doctor just to check in. She has my history.
I have a lot to learn. So here I sit — eating my usual roasted almonds with a change to sugar-free chocolate (which is surprisingly good). I can no longer drink sweet nectar. In surfer lingo, that means a “pretty woman”. In MY lingo it means “sweet nectar.” Here are some Spanish surfers, over the last three days, who don’t use the phrase. Our poor friends (yesterday’s blog post) have been cruising on these waves.
.
Aunque no estoy completamente convencido, como resultado de mi último análisis de sangre (en el centro de salud pública), me dijeron que mi diabetes necesita un tratamiento serio. He estado tomando medicamentos durante unos tres años y me dijeron que no tenía que hacer nada más. Esta vez, sin embargo, al nuevo médico no le gustaron mis resultados y duplicó mi dosis mientras me recetaba otros dos medicamentos por supuestos problemas relacionados con la diabetes. Ella me hizo ver al consejero de Diabetes de inmediato, quien me dio una conferencia sobre dieta y ejercicio. Cuando le conté sobre mi nivel de actividad, ella continuó la conferencia sobre dieta.
Ahora sé que siempre estoy compartiendo fotos de los dulces que disfruto (lo siento, no he compartido los dulces reales), pero hago largos períodos sin dulces. Además, tomo un desayuno y almuerzo saludable todos los días, y generalmente una cena saludable (no mucha comida frita y, rara vez, papas). Incluso tengo que cortar mis dos o tres cervezas pequeñas por semana. El especialista me dijo que no era como la mayoría de sus pacientes. Sin embargo, un factor importante es que mis dos abuelas eran diabéticas cuando aún eran bastante jóvenes.
Otro médico me dijo que es posible que mis “números” fueran altos simplemente debido a la deshidratación. Sin embargo, bebo un mínimo de 1,5 litros de agua al día, y generalmente más del doble que eso. Volveré a mi doctora privada para confirmar. Ella tiene mi historia.
Tengo mucho de aprender. Así que aquí me siento, comiendo mis almendras tostadas habituales con un cambio a chocolate sin azúcar (que es sorprendentemente bueno). Ya no puedo beber el néctar dulce. En la jerga surfista, “néctar dulce” significa una “comida” o una “mujer bonita.” En MI jerga, “néctar dulce” significa “néctar dulce”. Así que aquí hay algunos surfistas españoles, durante los ultimos días, que no usan la frase. Nuestros pobres amigos (de la entrada de ayer) han estado navegando en estas olas.
Had you been ill at all? When I’m sick my numbers go all over the place. Take care, my friend.
Susan,
Not a problem that I’ve been aware of. I feel worse now as I adjust, I hope, to the new meds!
graceful surfers. I would be barfing my guts out if I had to ride THOSE waves in a boat!
anne marie,
Yeah, I wouldn’t want to be sailing in that surf.
I feel your pain, man! I’ve been unmanaged for almost twenty years now. I’m finally seeing a specialist and a dietician. The trick is counting carbs and portion size. I’m allowed 60g carbs per meal. Unfortunately, I don’t really do meals. I graze all day. So, 45g for bigger meals and 15g for snacking. One Marie Callender’s frozen chicken pot pie kills the snacking! Writing down what I was eating depressed me. I at least found a use for my arm flappy thing. The gave me one of those sensor glucose monitors. Just plug the sensor dohicky thing into the arm flap, and I’m good to go for fourteen days. You can shower with it but you can’t sleep on it (sounds like my marital sex life). Naturally I’m a side sleeper so every fourteen days I have to sleep on the opposite side. Talk about waking up with neck kinds and shoulder cramps! As for sugar free candy (carbs again) beware the effects of overindulging! Boy, this is like scaring a pregnant woman by talking about the horrors of childbirth. Sorry.
Ignore this ramble. Listen to Debra 🙂
How did I miss the fact that you’re diabetic? I’m sorry! I feel like I should have known that. Please take good care of yourself!
Hugs xx ❤
Jennifer,
I never mentioned it before. I’m being so good!
Deedles,
I definitely won’t overindulge. I have a small strip of the sugar-free chocolate as a treat. I’ve also been great in restaurants, which really isn’t a huge problem for me anyway. And Jerry is again being creative in the kitchen. Instead of rice, the other night he made “cauliflower rice” and it was so much more delicious! I’m not to the point of daily monitoring and it’s still even possible this is all about dehydration. I have great faith in the doctor who told me that (and my former internist). But it doesn’t hurt to eat super healthy!
Deedles,
Listening to Debra doesn’t mean ignoring you!
This is a surprise to hear. Sometimes we are a slave to our DNA/genes no matter how active and careful we are.
Both Ron and I have been active/fit all our lives and watched what we did and didn’t eat most of the time. In the last 10 years we have both had heart attacks. Go figure. But in both our families there is a heart disease history. We pick up from there and move on.
The fact that you are very active on a regular basis and that you don’t smoke puts you on the good end of the spectrum. Now with a tweak here and tweak there you will be fine. ‘They’ say that one/everyone ought to drink liquids till our pee/urine is crystal clear with no yellow tinge.
And getting that second opinion from your regular doctor wouldn’t hurt one bit.
I could spend hours watching surfers do their thing! Well I guess I have!!….since I live in a surfing area.
Great photos.
Jim,
Genetics!!! Still more to find out anyway. Those surfers are so much fun to watch. And I’m amazed by their patience. All that waiting for a good wave and so many false starts. Athletic and Zen.
My brother had diabetes for many years, not always following the appropriate regimes……so after only finding out he had this condition (20 years later) I never understood so many decisions he made in life(one of which he never told me). His diabetes was only part of demise (sorry to say this) but it contributed to his shortened life span. Yes we had a GM with diabetes but the part that irks me the most was his inability to “LISTEN” to others who know more and care.
So with that said I know you will LISTEN and LEARN and continue on with your magical life.
Correct!
BTW, Surf’s Up definitely ~ those waves are unreal!!
Ron,
Several of my mother’s siblings were diabetic but only one didn’t take care of herself. I was shocked at her dietary habits. She had neuropathy and a gazillion other maladies. And yet she just died at the age of 89.
Sit down, young man, and listen to your Auntie Debra. Diabetes is a progressive, not a static, condition. Your meds (metformin?) and regime will be continually adjusted as you age. I assume the 2 new meds are a statin for cholesterol and something for high blood pressure. That’s standard issue for diabetics because our higher risk factors for heart attack/stroke are the same as for someone who’s already suffered one. If you’re a Type 2 diabetic long enough, you will most likely end up on insulin as well. After 30 years, I’m on two types.
But do not despair! Although it’s a progressive disease, good management is key and can stave off the worst side-effects indefinitely. That’s the whole name of the game. Staving things off. As my specialist always says, “A controlled diabetic is a healthy diabetic.”
Hugs to you! Get a second opinion, but rigorous diabetic management is always the best advice.
Auntie Debra,
Thanks for all this. I’m on Januvia. Cholesterol couldn’t be more perfect. Slightly high uric acid. I am being saintly and will see another doctor soon to confirm everything. My former internist agreed with my nephew, (my favorite doctor in the world) that my numbers point more to dehydration. I wonder how much water I can drink! Of all my diabetic extended family, only one was ever on insulin, and she didn’t do anything right except dry between her toes! So no surprise.
Terrible for sailing….. perfect for surfers!!!! That last one is right in the position I need him too!
Mistress Maddie
Oh, all the buns of steel shots I ended up with. That would be for a different kind of blog! Something much sexier… like yours!
I like my surfers out of their wet suits.
Listen to the doctors, but also see your private doctor.
Also, listen to Debra.
Bob,
I agree with you on all counts.
I love it when they try to give me the lecture on exercise and I am like.. yeah, I average run/walking 5km per day, sometimes I do a 10km, sometimes a 15.. and their eyes widen. 🙂
Snoskred,
That part can be frustrating. This nurse was exceptional, but I think she’s so used to people who don’t do what their told, don’t take things seriously enough, or aren’t truthful about their lifestyles. She did seem to finally get me.
Eat well, stay active, and enjoy life. Don’t let the number and the doctors take the joy out of your time here on earth.
David:
Good advice. And the truth is, it’s not a struggle to do the right things.
Damn, a life without sweets – that sucks!
Cheapchick:
Well, there are still sugar-free sweets that are now very good… as long as I don’t get carried away. But I have a feeling I’ll be able to do indulge more than I’ve been told. The next doctor visit will tell.