why not testing for Harry

[Guest guest]

Hi Harry,

I do not understand your reaction to Bill's message. Nothing he said is

controversial. Bill is just suggesting that be proactive and to use

this opportunity to help himself before it is too late. Please clarify.

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Some times I say and do things just to get some people to wake up. I know

how delusional minds work, and pointing it out gets the attention of such

individuals. Bill's message was excellent, and right on in his advice.

This had nothing to do with Bill, but it did get the attention of some on

this message thread. Just because you paid attention to it does not means

you are delusional, but others may still be. They forget we are the

experts. They think their medical doctor is the only one who really knows.

Of course you probably don't know any body like this? See what I mean.

why not testing for Harry

> Hi Harry,

>

> I do not understand your reaction to Bill's message. Nothing he said is

> controversial. Bill is just suggesting that be proactive and to use

> this opportunity to help himself before it is too late. Please clarify.

>

> Ruth

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Harry,

I understand what you're getting at now. It just didn't come across that

way. Your point is well put about delusional people.

Ruth

Re: why not testing for Harry

Some times I say and do things just to get some people to wake up. I know

how delusional minds work, and pointing it out gets the attention of such

individuals. Bill's message was excellent, and right on in his advice.

This had nothing to do with Bill, but it did get the attention of some on

this message thread. Just because you paid attention to it does not means

you are delusional, but others may still be. They forget we are the

experts. They think their medical doctor is the only one who really knows.

Of course you probably don't know any body like this? See what I mean.

why not testing for Harry

> Hi Harry,

>

> I do not understand your reaction to Bill's message. Nothing he said

> is controversial. Bill is just suggesting that be proactive and

> to use this opportunity to help himself before it is too late. Please

clarify.

>

> Ruth

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Harry,

I'll tell you what's so sad is how many people I run into who are afraid to

be assertive to their doc and how many will just take a doc at his word

without question, figuring he should know what he's talking about. The

reality check is that most docs only know what they learned in school years

ago and it's augmented by what little they piece together over the years

through pharmaceutical reps. They mean well but they get caught up in this

" I'm the doctor, I know what's best " syndrome and forget we're not a bunch

of text book problems that can be written off with a pat answer. My mom is

like that, expecting a doc to fix her up with a prescription for a pill and

send her on her way, so that she never has to actually do anything herself

to get better, and she never will be. I tell her over and over that you are

the boss not the doctor, you are the only one who really knows your body and

what you need the doc for is to help you better understand what your body is

saying to you and how to treat it, not how the problem should be handled in

some textbook environment. I have often felt the best doctor to treat

someone's problem is the one who's had that diagnosis himself or herself.

Believe me, if a doc became diabetic the whole definition and treatment of

it would take on a great new meaning to him, just as it would if he were

blinded and having to actually grasp with blindness. The best thing any of

us can do is take charge of our own care, and while we can't expect a magic

salvo, we want and demand the best treatment we can find, if not from one

doctor then from another who " gets it. " When we as a whole wake up and leave

the deadwood doctors behind, we shall have a healthier society as a whole.

It's just unfortunate too many of them are no better than snake oil

salesmen, peddling only what they're familiar with to try and treat the

problem, soft of. Oh I could go on and on but I think you get what I'm

saying.

Simply, we're our own body's boss, and it IS up to us to listen to our

bodies, up to us to find the right doctor who'll work with us as a team, and

follow through until we see that we're getting better, then do something

about it so we stay that way.

I can tell you this: In the last 4-5 years since my diagnosis of diabetes,

finding out about this board has been the single best thing I did, and I am

a lot healthier now than I was at the " onset " because of it. I took a

proactive stand as did my doctor, and together we've been winning the

battle, so far. I can also say that looking at my readings every day is kind

of a reward for me. I can see when I've done well and when I've blown it,

and when I do good I'm really happy about it, when I've blown it I have only

me to blame and forge on to do better next time. I continue to learn more

and more each day, because believe me, I will do what I can to stay healthy

and beat the odds.

Bill Powers

[Guest guest]

Ruthm I think I got his point, too. Although, I do think it

was a bit misplaced.

I am not a passive participant in my medical care. Have

never been. In this case, however, granted the biggest case

of my life so far, I am starting at nowhere as far as

information goes. She said do this for a month and let's

talk. I think I can give her 30 days and assume she knows

enough that I won't die in that time. In that time, though,

I am learning all I can so that I can be an active member of

my care team. I certainly consider lists like this a part

of that team, too, and am darned grateful for it for the

information, experiences, and support.

Now it becomes a struggle of separating the glitter from the

gold. I find that in nearly everything I use. Expert

articles are only as useful as they apply to your

circumstance; mailing lists are only as useful as the

information you get from them any one person can use.

I am a little anxious to get back to my next appointment to

use what I know so far to find out our treatment options and

goals. If they are not in line with where I want to be,

then a change will be in order, and I know she would be the

first to agree with me on that. As I said, her willingness

to involve the patient in his own care is one of the reasons

I have confidence in her. This month is meant as a time to

allow my body to settle down and the diagnosis to settle in,

I suppose you could consider it. I have started my part of

the care team by changing eating and exercise habbits and

reaching out to educate myself. As Becker says, we have to

become the chairman of our own health team.

SS

why not testing for Harry

Hi Harry,

I do not understand your reaction to Bill's message.

Nothing he said is

controversial. Bill is just suggesting that be

proactive and to use

this opportunity to help himself before it is too late.

Please clarify.

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Whether my point is misplaced or notthe the important thing is you seem to

have gotten it. Congratulations! Now keep us posted on your progress or

lack of it. With that sugar meter and your ability to count carbs, I think

you now have even a better chance of reaching your goal within the next year

or two. Here is a thumbs up to you and wishing you well.

In my opinion the greatest good is knowledge, and the greatest evil is

ignorance By the way this is not an original quote. I believe some Greek

philosopher like Socrates or Aristotle said it a couple thousands or so of

years ago.

why not testing for Harry

>

> Hi Harry,

>

> I do not understand your reaction to Bill's message.

> Nothing he said is

> controversial. Bill is just suggesting that be

> proactive and to use

> this opportunity to help himself before it is too late.

> Please clarify.

>

> Ruth

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Absolutely, Bill! The doc I co-teach the diabetic education class with was

having problems with his BGS because his endo did not have him on the right

medications. I finally persuaded him to see someone else; he did and is now

under good control. So even some endos don't know what they are doing.

Re: why not testing for Harry

Harry,

I'll tell you what's so sad is how many people I run into who are afraid to

be assertive to their doc and how many will just take a doc at his word

without question, figuring he should know what he's talking about. The

reality check is that most docs only know what they learned in school years

ago and it's augmented by what little they piece together over the years

through pharmaceutical reps. They mean well but they get caught up in this

" I'm the doctor, I know what's best " syndrome and forget we're not a bunch

of text book problems that can be written off with a pat answer. My mom is

like that, expecting a doc to fix her up with a prescription for a pill and

send her on her way, so that she never has to actually do anything herself

to get better, and she never will be. I tell her over and over that you are

the boss not the doctor, you are the only one who really knows your body and

what you need the doc for is to help you better understand what your body is

saying to you and how to treat it, not how the problem should be handled in

some textbook environment. I have often felt the best doctor to treat

someone's problem is the one who's had that diagnosis himself or herself.

Believe me, if a doc became diabetic the whole definition and treatment of

it would take on a great new meaning to him, just as it would if he were

blinded and having to actually grasp with blindness. The best thing any of

us can do is take charge of our own care, and while we can't expect a magic

salvo, we want and demand the best treatment we can find, if not from one

doctor then from another who " gets it. " When we as a whole wake up and leave

the deadwood doctors behind, we shall have a healthier society as a whole.

It's just unfortunate too many of them are no better than snake oil

salesmen, peddling only what they're familiar with to try and treat the

problem, soft of. Oh I could go on and on but I think you get what I'm

saying.

Simply, we're our own body's boss, and it IS up to us to listen to our

bodies, up to us to find the right doctor who'll work with us as a team, and

follow through until we see that we're getting better, then do something

about it so we stay that way.

I can tell you this: In the last 4-5 years since my diagnosis of diabetes,

finding out about this board has been the single best thing I did, and I am

a lot healthier now than I was at the " onset " because of it. I took a

proactive stand as did my doctor, and together we've been winning the

battle, so far. I can also say that looking at my readings every day is kind

of a reward for me. I can see when I've done well and when I've blown it,

and when I do good I'm really happy about it, when I've blown it I have only

me to blame and forge on to do better next time. I continue to learn more

and more each day, because believe me, I will do what I can to stay healthy

and beat the odds.

Bill Powers