Re: New to list - Sherry

January 11, 2006

In a message dated 1/11/2006 10:55:50 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

sdwade@... writes:

I really don't know much about diabetes. I'm worried, I'm scared, etc....

I'm sure you all understand. I didn't know my father that well, so I didn't

learn much about it from him. I looked the med up on the internet and found

that

it's given to those with type 2 diabetes, is that correct? If any of you

can tell me anything, give advice, tell me what you've learned, I'd really

appreciate it.

Hi Sherry,

The first thing you will learn about diabetes is that it is not " a one size

fits all " . We all eat differently, we exercise differently. Some control

diabetes with meds and/or insulin while others can control with sensible eating

and exercise.

I know you are worried and scared, but remember diabetes is not a death

sentence as long as you take care of yourself and keep your bg's (blood glucose)

as close to normal as possible. Your doctor will set goals for you. I've

never thought of diabetes as being " the end of the world " but thought of it as

a beginning to a long and healthy life. Your attitude will play a big role

in controlling diabetes.

Call your doctor and ask him/her to schedule you for a diabetes education

class. They will help you to work out a food plan, an exercise plan. You may

have to modify the food plan, but getting one for guidelines is necessary.

They can also answer questions about testing.

As you have questions, write them down so that you can discuss them with

your doctor and/or diabetes educator.

There is a lot of information available, don't read so much that you become

overwhelmed. You did not get diabetes overnight, it will take some time to

get it back in control. Just take one day at a time. Do the best you can and

that is all that is expected.

hugs

Eunice

January 11, 2006

In a message dated 1/11/2006 4:16:07 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

sdwade@... writes:

I have been wondering that if once diagnosed with diabetes, does that mean

your a diabetic for life or could it change?

Hi Sherry,

Once your dad was diagnosed with diabetes, did he take care of himself or

continue in his old habits?

Once you have diabetes, you will always have diabetes, but you can still

live a normal life and have a long and healthy life.

hugs

Eunice

January 11, 2006

Hi Eunice,

Thank you for writing.....

I never had a weight problem in my life. Five years ago this March, I started

gaining weight and haven't stopped. I am extremely over weight. I only weighted

about 130 pounds at the time and was always a small person. My thyroids went out

of whack and ever since, when they get off, I put on anywhere from 5-15 pounds.

They have to up the dosage as they just did this week.

I know you say that diabetes is not a death sentence and I totally agree, but

when I met my dad, he was NOT a diabetic. He died 15 years later from diabetes.

He was only 66 years old.

I'm still waiting to hear the results of my glucose intolerance test that I had

done on Wednesday. I did ask about seeing a diabetic dietician while speaking

with a nurse at my doctors office today, but she said to wait to do anything

until the results are back. But they did put me on Metformin.

I have been wondering that if once diagnosed with diabetes, does that mean your

a diabetic for life or could it change?

Thanks for writing.

Sherry and The Snow Angels

Biscuit, Peppy, Piper, Abby and Sugar

http://www.picturetrail.com/gabluebird

January 12, 2006

--- Sherry wrote:

.. . .

> I know you say that diabetes is not a death sentence

> and I totally agree, but when I met my dad, he was

> NOT a diabetic. He died 15 years later from diabetes.

.. . .

Basicly it comes down to who's in charge. If you're in

charge, you'll have a pretty good chance of living a

normal life, but if you let diatebes be in charge, your

time on this planet is numbered.

> . . .

> I have been wondering that if once diagnosed with

> diabetes, does that mean your a diabetic for life

> . . .

Yes

Drew

T2 since '91

January 12, 2006

Well.... I have conquered many physical obstacles since birth and I will not let

this one get me down! I just need to learn about it and change my lifestyle.

That's what I don't know how to do, yet.

Sherry and The Snow Angels

Biscuit, Peppy, Piper, Abby and Sugar

http://www.picturetrail.com/gabluebird

Re: New to list - Sherry

Basicly it comes down to who's in charge. If you're in

charge, you'll have a pretty good chance of living a

normal life, but if you let diatebes be in charge, your

time on this planet is numbered.

> . . .

> I have been wondering that if once diagnosed with

> diabetes, does that mean your a diabetic for life

> . . .

Yes

Drew

T2 since '91

January 12, 2006

Sherry, last fall I sat down and made a very real list of the foods

hubby & I typically consume. No joke, there were lots of pizzas, big

macs, fries, & meatball subs on the list, but I won't tell who's is

who, lol. After that I went to www.fitwatch.com and restaurant

websites and started finding calorie, carb, and fat counts. Then

www.mypyramid.gov has a program where you can input your stats to get

a listing of suggested food groups/calories/nutrients per day. Lol, it

was an eye-opener.

The list we made came in handy for us because it showed us exactly how

much we were consuming and gave us starting points to modify what we

eat. My hubby eats out often during the day with business lunches and

such. One thing that helped him was me going to each place he

regularly eats and finding foods that would fit into the healthy

eating program. For example, a triple cheese & biggy frie would not

cut it from 's but I did find for him a grilled chicken sandwich

without sauce and small chili was perfect for him -- he doesn't eat

salads. As well, instead of that Big Mac I love, I can now get a

grilled chicken sandwich without the mayo and side salad or even a

happy meal if I'm craving some cheeseburgers & fries. It still isn't

the healthiest, but FAR healthier than a big mac. We also found that

hubby can choose a foot long turkey sand without mayo and baked lays

at subway for a fraction of the count of a meatball sub.

Exercise is another biggy. I Saturday I walked 3.3 mi and Sunday I

only walked 2.6, but I haven't walked since, I have 2 sick kids home.

So I'm not gonna beat myself up & quit that I haven't been able to

walk for a few days. I want to walk for a lifestyle fitness

opportunity, so it might mean not making it to the track for even a

month like last month, but I'm still doing better over the course of

the year, in that I've consistently stayed with it. A year a go a mile

would have nearly killed me, now I'm shooting for a 4mi walk flat-out

hauling it tomorrow. I can do 2 mi in nearly the same time 1 mi took

me the first time I walked it.

You might not even feel you can go that far to change everything you

eat, but you might be able to change one meal out of the day or make a

goal that you won't eat after 8pm anymore or you will not snack

between meals or you will make your previous potato chips or ham &

cheese sandwich for a " snack " become a small box of raisins or a cup

of grapes & oz of fatfree cheese. For me, feeling I have to do it all

at once is way too overwhelming. I want this to be a lifestyle change,

not a crash diet. Each day is hectic enough, so I try not to worry too

much about future days but do the best I can for today.

HTH,

Debi

January 12, 2006

Hi Debi, Thank you for the web sites. I will check them out today. I think I

need to see a diabetic dietician. They won't set me up with one until they get

the results back from the glucose intolerance test. They don't even want me to

check my own sugar! But I know how and have been doing it for the past week or

so. I learned a few years back but would only check in once in a blue moon at

fasting.

I've tried that fat free cheese and didn't care for it. This is going to be

really hard because I know my husband will not eat the things that I should eat.

Thanks!