Re: Ah the frustration!

March 14, 2005

Bill,

You know, there are lots of people who are looking for that " magic

bullet " to cure all of the bad things in the World. They want to get

better but they are not willing to make the commitment required to cause

it happen. It is not just Diabetes either. These are the same folks who

would drive down a gravel road at 80 mph regardless of the cautions they

have been given about the possibility of losing control of their

vehicle. When they hit the Emergency Room they complain bitterly about

how the County does not keep up the roads and that is what caused the

wreck, not the fact that they were completely out of control.

These are the same people who bemoan the fact that they can not get

ahead in a job but are not willing to show up for work on time and want

to loaf on the job.

As has said, don't be discouraged because you know that the

information you have dispensed is reliable and valid. When I work with

troubled youth I have to take solace in the fact that I may have caused

one young person to make a change for the positive in their life. I can

not help those who do not want to help themselves.

I have discussed a good diet for a Diabetic and been completely ignored

because " but, what about my candy? "

Cy, the Ancient Okie...

Re: Ah the frustration!

bill, i am reading you loud and clear. do not give up as there are some

of

us that value your information. i have learned so much since i have

become

blind that a doctor never took the time to tell me. so maybe you have

saved

someone like me from further complications. that is pretty terrific.

thanks,

karen from canada

Ah the frustration!

>

> You know, there are days when you just wonder why you try so hard to

> educate people on diabetes control, because nothing you say sinks in.

My

> mother, who is 78 and has been diabetic for years, just will NOT

> understand the concept of diabetes management. No matter how many

times I

> tell her not to eat fried food, that's what she eats. No matter that I

> tell her to cut out the white bread, that's what she eats. Part of the

> dynamic is that since she lost her vision, she counts on my dad to do

the

> cooking, but wh

> o did he learn from? My mom. So he carries on the tradition of fried

foods

> and the other bad habits that she's been following for years. I wish I

> could lead her to a healthy happy life but she's just not going to

change.

>

> And then there's a friend of mine whose sister is diabetic and not

> only

> does she not take any kind of diabetic management seriously, she's

> oblivious to the dangers she puts herself at. We can talk to her till

> she's blue in the face but she insists that a blood sugar of 240 one

hour

> after eating is perfectly OK. Of course she's very overweight (350+

> pounds) and eats all the time, eating unhealthy foods at that.

>

> These are just two examples of failing to reach and teach people about

> controlling their diabetes.

>

> And then there's the people I run into at the mall or on the bus who

> STILL

> get told that " drinking a glass of orange juice " or " crackers and OJ "

to

> recover from a low sugar is OK, or " eating a candy bar " to bring your

> sugar up is fine, this because they were told by a doctor, who's

supposed

> to know better. And you try to tell them that's not so, and the

attitude

> is " what do you know, are you a doctor? " All I can say is " No, I'm a

> well-educated diabetic that has learned that not everything a doctor

says

> is t

> rue. "

>

> I'm just venting today. I'm in one of those " why do I bother to preach

> and

> teach " moods. I just hate seeing people suffer and hate it when I

can't

> get through. It's places like this board that have taught me better

than I

> could have ever learned from my doc, and I just feel it's important to

get

> other people on the bandwagon.

>

> Bill Powers

>

March 14, 2005

Cy,

Very well put.

Years ago, I was listening to a public service program on a local radio

station where a doctor made a remark I've always remembered: " We're doctors,

not magicians. People come to us expecting us to fix them up but they won't

help... " Yup, that about sums it up.

Bill

March 14, 2005

Cy,

Very well put.

Years ago, I was listening to a public service program on a local radio

station where a doctor made a remark I've always remembered: " We're doctors,

not magicians. People come to us expecting us to fix them up but they won't

help... " Yup, that about sums it up.

Bill

March 14, 2005

Cy,

Very well put.

Years ago, I was listening to a public service program on a local radio

station where a doctor made a remark I've always remembered: " We're doctors,

not magicians. People come to us expecting us to fix them up but they won't

help... " Yup, that about sums it up.

Bill

March 14, 2005

I can say that with lots of information given I get it all mixed up.

A little at a time is better for me.

I get bits and peaces in the wrong spots.

I am sure as the months go by I will understand it much more but until then

I can only do one step at a time.

I will never give everything up,

but learn how to eat it in small amounts.

A plus is happening for me,

my husband is seeing that I am loosing weight and he wants to try what I am

doing to see if the same thing will happen.

For me this is a huge plus.

I will ask questions and it will help when we can do this together.

At this time he isn't a diabetic but it sure is a huge lift where you want

to keep trying when you know your husband in my case is behind me.

Where I don't have to stand alone.

Thank you.

--Dar

--Every Saint has a Past,

Every Sinner has a Future

Ah the frustration!

>

>>

>> You know, there are days when you just wonder why you try so hard to

>> educate people on diabetes control, because nothing you say sinks in.

> My

>> mother, who is 78 and has been diabetic for years, just will NOT

>> understand the concept of diabetes management. No matter how many

> times I

>> tell her not to eat fried food, that's what she eats. No matter that I

>

>> tell her to cut out the white bread, that's what she eats. Part of the

>

>> dynamic is that since she lost her vision, she counts on my dad to do

> the

>> cooking, but wh

>> o did he learn from? My mom. So he carries on the tradition of fried

> foods

>> and the other bad habits that she's been following for years. I wish I

>

>> could lead her to a healthy happy life but she's just not going to

> change.

>>

>> And then there's a friend of mine whose sister is diabetic and not

>> only

>> does she not take any kind of diabetic management seriously, she's

>> oblivious to the dangers she puts herself at. We can talk to her till

>> she's blue in the face but she insists that a blood sugar of 240 one

> hour

>> after eating is perfectly OK. Of course she's very overweight (350+

>> pounds) and eats all the time, eating unhealthy foods at that.

>>

>> These are just two examples of failing to reach and teach people about

>> controlling their diabetes.

>>

>> And then there's the people I run into at the mall or on the bus who

>> STILL

>> get told that " drinking a glass of orange juice " or " crackers and OJ "

> to

>> recover from a low sugar is OK, or " eating a candy bar " to bring your

>> sugar up is fine, this because they were told by a doctor, who's

> supposed

>> to know better. And you try to tell them that's not so, and the

> attitude

>> is " what do you know, are you a doctor? " All I can say is " No, I'm a

>> well-educated diabetic that has learned that not everything a doctor

> says

>> is t

>> rue. "

>>

>> I'm just venting today. I'm in one of those " why do I bother to preach

>

>> and

>> teach " moods. I just hate seeing people suffer and hate it when I

> can't

>> get through. It's places like this board that have taught me better

> than I

>> could have ever learned from my doc, and I just feel it's important to

> get

>> other people on the bandwagon.

>>

>> Bill Powers

>>

March 14, 2005

I can say that with lots of information given I get it all mixed up.

A little at a time is better for me.

I get bits and peaces in the wrong spots.

I am sure as the months go by I will understand it much more but until then

I can only do one step at a time.

I will never give everything up,

but learn how to eat it in small amounts.

A plus is happening for me,

my husband is seeing that I am loosing weight and he wants to try what I am

doing to see if the same thing will happen.

For me this is a huge plus.

I will ask questions and it will help when we can do this together.

At this time he isn't a diabetic but it sure is a huge lift where you want

to keep trying when you know your husband in my case is behind me.

Where I don't have to stand alone.

Thank you.

--Dar

--Every Saint has a Past,

Every Sinner has a Future

Ah the frustration!

>

>>

>> You know, there are days when you just wonder why you try so hard to

>> educate people on diabetes control, because nothing you say sinks in.

> My

>> mother, who is 78 and has been diabetic for years, just will NOT

>> understand the concept of diabetes management. No matter how many

> times I

>> tell her not to eat fried food, that's what she eats. No matter that I

>

>> tell her to cut out the white bread, that's what she eats. Part of the

>

>> dynamic is that since she lost her vision, she counts on my dad to do

> the

>> cooking, but wh

>> o did he learn from? My mom. So he carries on the tradition of fried

> foods

>> and the other bad habits that she's been following for years. I wish I

>

>> could lead her to a healthy happy life but she's just not going to

> change.

>>

>> And then there's a friend of mine whose sister is diabetic and not

>> only

>> does she not take any kind of diabetic management seriously, she's

>> oblivious to the dangers she puts herself at. We can talk to her till

>> she's blue in the face but she insists that a blood sugar of 240 one

> hour

>> after eating is perfectly OK. Of course she's very overweight (350+

>> pounds) and eats all the time, eating unhealthy foods at that.

>>

>> These are just two examples of failing to reach and teach people about

>> controlling their diabetes.

>>

>> And then there's the people I run into at the mall or on the bus who

>> STILL

>> get told that " drinking a glass of orange juice " or " crackers and OJ "

> to

>> recover from a low sugar is OK, or " eating a candy bar " to bring your

>> sugar up is fine, this because they were told by a doctor, who's

> supposed

>> to know better. And you try to tell them that's not so, and the

> attitude

>> is " what do you know, are you a doctor? " All I can say is " No, I'm a

>> well-educated diabetic that has learned that not everything a doctor

> says

>> is t

>> rue. "

>>

>> I'm just venting today. I'm in one of those " why do I bother to preach

>

>> and

>> teach " moods. I just hate seeing people suffer and hate it when I

> can't

>> get through. It's places like this board that have taught me better

> than I

>> could have ever learned from my doc, and I just feel it's important to

> get

>> other people on the bandwagon.

>>

>> Bill Powers

>>

March 14, 2005

I can say that with lots of information given I get it all mixed up.

A little at a time is better for me.

I get bits and peaces in the wrong spots.

I am sure as the months go by I will understand it much more but until then

I can only do one step at a time.

I will never give everything up,

but learn how to eat it in small amounts.

A plus is happening for me,

my husband is seeing that I am loosing weight and he wants to try what I am

doing to see if the same thing will happen.

For me this is a huge plus.

I will ask questions and it will help when we can do this together.

At this time he isn't a diabetic but it sure is a huge lift where you want

to keep trying when you know your husband in my case is behind me.

Where I don't have to stand alone.

Thank you.

--Dar

--Every Saint has a Past,

Every Sinner has a Future

Ah the frustration!

>

>>

>> You know, there are days when you just wonder why you try so hard to

>> educate people on diabetes control, because nothing you say sinks in.

> My

>> mother, who is 78 and has been diabetic for years, just will NOT

>> understand the concept of diabetes management. No matter how many

> times I

>> tell her not to eat fried food, that's what she eats. No matter that I

>

>> tell her to cut out the white bread, that's what she eats. Part of the

>

>> dynamic is that since she lost her vision, she counts on my dad to do

> the

>> cooking, but wh

>> o did he learn from? My mom. So he carries on the tradition of fried

> foods

>> and the other bad habits that she's been following for years. I wish I

>

>> could lead her to a healthy happy life but she's just not going to

> change.

>>

>> And then there's a friend of mine whose sister is diabetic and not

>> only

>> does she not take any kind of diabetic management seriously, she's

>> oblivious to the dangers she puts herself at. We can talk to her till

>> she's blue in the face but she insists that a blood sugar of 240 one

> hour

>> after eating is perfectly OK. Of course she's very overweight (350+

>> pounds) and eats all the time, eating unhealthy foods at that.

>>

>> These are just two examples of failing to reach and teach people about

>> controlling their diabetes.

>>

>> And then there's the people I run into at the mall or on the bus who

>> STILL

>> get told that " drinking a glass of orange juice " or " crackers and OJ "

> to

>> recover from a low sugar is OK, or " eating a candy bar " to bring your

>> sugar up is fine, this because they were told by a doctor, who's

> supposed

>> to know better. And you try to tell them that's not so, and the

> attitude

>> is " what do you know, are you a doctor? " All I can say is " No, I'm a

>> well-educated diabetic that has learned that not everything a doctor

> says

>> is t

>> rue. "

>>

>> I'm just venting today. I'm in one of those " why do I bother to preach

>

>> and

>> teach " moods. I just hate seeing people suffer and hate it when I

> can't

>> get through. It's places like this board that have taught me better

> than I

>> could have ever learned from my doc, and I just feel it's important to

> get

>> other people on the bandwagon.

>>

>> Bill Powers

>>

March 14, 2005

it can be frustrating bill when folks won't listen. What I found myself

doing is talking about me, rather than talking to them. This way, they are

not defensive and listen. For example, I ride to work every day with a type

2 diabetic/her a1c is 6.3. I tell her what I had for breakfast, how many

carb grams were in the meal, and what my two hour post meal will be. I tell

her what I eat at restaurants which shows her how to substitute carbs with

veggies. I also tell her I eat glucose tablets since 1 tablet raises my

sugar about 20 points. This way, she is learning without me telling her what

she needs to do. I am just always telling her what I do, why it works, and

so on. I think it is working. She is gaining so much information from me

doing this that it is great. The other day, she told me I have learned so

much from you... more than a doctor has ever told me.

Is she practising any of it? Nope. However, she now has the knowledge to use

it when ever she wants to.

To me, that is key, imparting the knowledge so when complications do start

to surface, they know what to do.

So, my advice? Talk about you all the time to your mom and dad. What you

eat, why you eat it, the results, and so on. Even have meals with them and

tell them no thanks on the starches that will slaughter my two hour post

meal test. Take your sugar 2 hours past eating in front of them and show

them what it is. If possible, take your moms and show it to them and so on.

Look for ways to use yourself to instruct others rather than telling them

what they are doing wrong. This might work.

Regards,

Re: Ah the frustration!

>

> Cy,

>

> Very well put.

>

> Years ago, I was listening to a public service program on a local radio

> station where a doctor made a remark I've always remembered: " We're

> doctors,

> not magicians. People come to us expecting us to fix them up but they

> won't

> help... " Yup, that about sums it up.

>

> Bill

>

March 14, 2005

nicely put , I enjoyed reading your inspirational letter, and I agree

with you.

I know how Bill feels. I tried to help a new diabetic only last year, and

he would rather have his alcoholic drink and didn't want to know. He can't

accept his diabetes.

Rowe.

Ah the frustration!

>

> >

> > You know, there are days when you just wonder why you try so hard to

> > educate people on diabetes control, because nothing you say sinks in. My

> > mother, who is 78 and has been diabetic for years, just will NOT

> > understand the concept of diabetes management. No matter how many times

I

> > tell her not to eat fried food, that's what she eats. No matter that I

> > tell her to cut out the white bread, that's what she eats. Part of the

> > dynamic is that since she lost her vision, she counts on my dad to do

the

> > cooking, but wh

> > o did he learn from? My mom. So he carries on the tradition of fried

foods

> > and the other bad habits that she's been following for years. I wish I

> > could lead her to a healthy happy life but she's just not going to

change.

> >

> > And then there's a friend of mine whose sister is diabetic and not only

> > does she not take any kind of diabetic management seriously, she's

> > oblivious to the dangers she puts herself at. We can talk to her till

> > she's blue in the face but she insists that a blood sugar of 240 one

hour

> > after eating is perfectly OK. Of course she's very overweight (350+

> > pounds) and eats all the time, eating unhealthy foods at that.

> >

> > These are just two examples of failing to reach and teach people about

> > controlling their diabetes.

> >

> > And then there's the people I run into at the mall or on the bus who

STILL

> > get told that " drinking a glass of orange juice " or " crackers and OJ " to

> > recover from a low sugar is OK, or " eating a candy bar " to bring your

> > sugar up is fine, this because they were told by a doctor, who's

supposed

> > to know better. And you try to tell them that's not so, and the attitude

> > is " what do you know, are you a doctor? " All I can say is " No, I'm a

> > well-educated diabetic that has learned that not everything a doctor

says

> > is t

> > rue. "

> >

> > I'm just venting today. I'm in one of those " why do I bother to preach

and

> > teach " moods. I just hate seeing people suffer and hate it when I can't

> > get through. It's places like this board that have taught me better than

I

> > could have ever learned from my doc, and I just feel it's important to

get

> > other people on the bandwagon.

> >

> > Bill Powers

> >

March 14, 2005

nicely put , I enjoyed reading your inspirational letter, and I agree

with you.

I know how Bill feels. I tried to help a new diabetic only last year, and

he would rather have his alcoholic drink and didn't want to know. He can't

accept his diabetes.

Rowe.

Ah the frustration!

>

> >

> > You know, there are days when you just wonder why you try so hard to

> > educate people on diabetes control, because nothing you say sinks in. My

> > mother, who is 78 and has been diabetic for years, just will NOT

> > understand the concept of diabetes management. No matter how many times

I

> > tell her not to eat fried food, that's what she eats. No matter that I

> > tell her to cut out the white bread, that's what she eats. Part of the

> > dynamic is that since she lost her vision, she counts on my dad to do

the

> > cooking, but wh

> > o did he learn from? My mom. So he carries on the tradition of fried

foods

> > and the other bad habits that she's been following for years. I wish I

> > could lead her to a healthy happy life but she's just not going to

change.

> >

> > And then there's a friend of mine whose sister is diabetic and not only

> > does she not take any kind of diabetic management seriously, she's

> > oblivious to the dangers she puts herself at. We can talk to her till

> > she's blue in the face but she insists that a blood sugar of 240 one

hour

> > after eating is perfectly OK. Of course she's very overweight (350+

> > pounds) and eats all the time, eating unhealthy foods at that.

> >

> > These are just two examples of failing to reach and teach people about

> > controlling their diabetes.

> >

> > And then there's the people I run into at the mall or on the bus who

STILL

> > get told that " drinking a glass of orange juice " or " crackers and OJ " to

> > recover from a low sugar is OK, or " eating a candy bar " to bring your

> > sugar up is fine, this because they were told by a doctor, who's

supposed

> > to know better. And you try to tell them that's not so, and the attitude

> > is " what do you know, are you a doctor? " All I can say is " No, I'm a

> > well-educated diabetic that has learned that not everything a doctor

says

> > is t

> > rue. "

> >

> > I'm just venting today. I'm in one of those " why do I bother to preach

and

> > teach " moods. I just hate seeing people suffer and hate it when I can't

> > get through. It's places like this board that have taught me better than

I

> > could have ever learned from my doc, and I just feel it's important to

get

> > other people on the bandwagon.

> >

> > Bill Powers

> >

March 14, 2005

Very good advice !

Yes using your own example to help others is better than any " preaching " you

could muster.

Bill

March 14, 2005

Very good advice !

Yes using your own example to help others is better than any " preaching " you

could muster.

Bill

March 14, 2005

,

Some people still subscribe to the myth that " if I don't tell the doctor, he

won't know, and if he doesn't know, it won't hurt me. " My mom practiced that

for years and now she's stuck with diabetes, RP, kidney problems, colon

problems, arthritis, and gastric problems. She drank and smoked a lot in her

lifetime and now at 78 her body is paying her back for a lifetime of abuse.

Still, she could feel somewhat better if she could really grasp the diabetes

info I've passed on to her but I think she still has that old addage that if

she sweeps it under the rug by not dealing with it, it'll just go away by

itself. If only life were that simple!

Years ago when my dad was alive, I tried to get him to quit eating fried

foods because he'd had so many strokes and he had a high cholesterol of 485.

Despite all that, he continued to have biscuits and gravy and fried chicken

daily. Nothing sank in. After 20 minor strokes he had one major one and he's

finally at peace in another place. He just didn't or couldn't listen. I know

it's not my fault but it still hurts that he suffered for his own lack of

being proactive to better treat his medical conditions. What a shame.

But just as I had to do with the Christian radio ministry I was in years

ago, I savor the victory of the one person I reach as being worth more than

the many I can't touch. While wishing I could reach them all, at least by

helping one person, I've done my job.

OK, so much for my melodramatic speech for today. Turn off the mike and

bring up the theme music now....Oh that's right, we're not on the air, what

was I thinking????

Mister Bill

March 14, 2005