Monthly Archives: July 2009

Rediscovering My Diabetes

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The problem with knowing exactly what to do but NOT doing it. Yes, we all have gone through that. Sometimes it doesn’t matter that much, some other times it matters a LOT. Like when you have diabetes.

I’ve lived with the condition all my life, not because I’m a Type 1, but because I grew up with a diabetic father and a paranoid mother. Maybe I’m exaggerating about the paranoia; maybe she just knew very well what I seem to forget so often: diabetes is serious business.

When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes I felt like there was no surprise there; with the genetics, a history of weight issues and bad eating habits. Somehow I knew it was coming and I resigned myself to the fact that I was going to be a diabetic no matter what. The problem is that most of the time I don’t remember I have diabetes, and I think it’s OK to keep an A1C of 6,2%. Worst of all, I rely on that A1C result every 4-6 months to convince myself that I’m the right track. Truth is, I don’t remember when was the last time I pricked my finger to do a blood glucose test.

I preach too much about diabetes, and I show myself as a know-it-all. I know quite a lot about the condition. I know all about the consequences of being out of control. I know all the physiology and what high blood glucose levels do. I know I could have a part of my body amputated, go into kidney failure, go blind, have a heart attack, etc. I also know how to manage it and I can repeat to a T what I’ve learned in my diabetes education sessions, reading books and sharing my experience in diabetes communities. But what good is knowledge if I don’t apply it?

Sometimes I think it’s because I’m just not afraid to die. I assume that complications of diabetes will do to me what they did to my father, taking him to the other side without a warning. But then I’m just blind to the past because my dad had retinopathy and neuropathy and we had scares more often than not. One day he stopped breathing, he died… because he was a diabetic. He did great for the most part, and I wish he had all the resources I have now to keep his blood sugars in control. But even if he was a disciplined person, he still died; and so I wonder “Why bother?” — That is just wrong.

I don’t think I see myself like I should. As a diabetic who can have a fulfilling life and shouldn’t live with shame because of her condition. But I also as a person who must introduce important routines in her daily activities, name it blood glucose testing, exercising, watching carbohydrate intake closely and responsibly. It all sounds so simple here… try doing it!

I suppose I have to stand in front of a mirror every morning and remind myself that I have to take care of this body and be aware of my diabetes. I may be 34 years old, but I still behave like an irresponsible kid sometimes. It doesn’t make me less of a person to admit I have diabetes, and that I really have to forget abusing milkshakes at 3 p.m.

When I joined TuDiabetes.com, I did it because I needed motivation. However I’m not there often enough to share experiences and actually learn something from other members. And then I was asked if I wanted to become and Ambassador for the Diabetes Hands Foundation in the Kansas City Area. While honored, I was also ashamed of my poor management and control. For how can I be some kind of spokesperson if I don’t practice what I preach?

I come to this realization (which is not rocket science) every single time I see the diabetes community working hard. But I never stick to my purpose and objective to make a good diabetes management part of my life once and for all. It’s extremely hard to admit it, especially for type 2′s who don’t depend on an insulin pump. Pricking my fingers twice a day may not be fun, but it’ll save me more than one headache in the future. And eating well will not only benefit my blood glucose levels but also my waist line. So why don’t I do it already, right?

While guilt is what makes us do certain things sometimes, it should never be a motivation for people with diabetes. Yes, I’m fat. And yes, my blood glucose levels will improve with weight loss. But I recently learned that there are other things that should be considered when talking about type 2 diabetes. Fortunately I have a doctor who is optimist and kind, and who never gives me the “What are we going to do about your weight… tsk, tsk” talk. I suppose she knows I’m someone who’s smart enough. Would I like her to be more aggressive or mean? No, thanks. I don’t need a drill sergeant; I just need good motivation. And what greater motivation there is than the promise of a wonderful life next to the people you love?

So my plan is already rolling. From visiting my endocrinologist in the next 3 weeks, to scheduling an eye exam. Eating is already being taken care of, but I need more exercise. But the most important thing is to be close to those who, like me, have to live with diabetes and care enough to show the world they are doing something about it.

Can’t make it to BlogHer?

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For those of us who aren’t joining the debauchery at the BlogHer Conference this year, a local blogger decided we should get together and toast ourselves here in KC!

So Thursday, July 23rd, at the Peanut in Overland Park – 127th & Metcalf, 6 to 9 or so. Feel free to forward the invitation to other blogger friends who may want to come!

Health, Taxes and Soda

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There seems to be much talk about Barack Obama’s government plan for a health care reform. What has caught my attention are actually two, obviously, Republican TV ads I’ve seen on CNN.

One talks about taxes on things like soda and juices; it claims that America doesn’t need government health care, and that people should just try to have a healthier lifestyle. After all, sodas are good for your health and they make you happy, so why tax them?

The other commercial portrays a supposedly Canadian woman saying that she had to come to the U.S. to get treated for a brain tumor. Otherwise she would’ve died at the mercy of the Canadian government because the health care system is not good up there.

Here’s what I think about it all, and it’s my biased opinion, of course. I come from countries where I’ve had both private and government health care plans; and I believe that while people should have the right to choose because they can afford it, there also should be a chance for EVERYBODY to have access to health services. That’s when governments, like it or not, play an important role.

State health care in Colombia is very far from being perfect; in fact it can drive you completely crazy at times, but in some ways it guarantees that every Colombian gets treatment when needed, without having to worry about a humongous hospital bill. Bureaucracy is the daily bread, but that’s story for another day. The point is, there is health care for everyone.

On the other hand, for those of us who are blessed, there is also the opportunity to have private health insurance that allows us to choose where we want to go and who we want to see. Pre-Paid Medicine organizations (as they’re called) give you a complete list of professionals in different areas, and you just pick like from a menu in a restaurant. Co-pays work the same as here in the U.S., and services are a little bit faster, but there’s still the same bureaucracy. Problem is, not everybody can afford it.

Then there’s Canada, with its government health care, that we both love and hate like everything else in this world. We may pay upfront in taxes, but that means that when there’s a hospital visit, a diagnostic exam or a doctor consultation, we don’t have to open our wallet. We also get good prices in medications. However, good luck finding a specialist without a referral, and arm yourself with patience when it comes to certain procedures. But it really isn’t THAT bad. I choose to believe that patients who need prompt care do get it. I did.

During the 7 years I lived in Canada, I always had access to doctors, hospitals, exams, labs. And my health was well taken care of even if the system was a little bit slow. But when I understood that nothing in life is perfect, I knew I was lucky to be in a country where I could have health insurance and it didn’t matter if I had a job or not, if I had the money or not. Tax money worked. Canadians love to complain about health care sometimes, but let’s face it… we like it like that.

So now I see people flipping out because the Obama administration wants to offer health care for everyone. God forbid the poor have access to good hospitals! OK. I’m probably exaggerating a tad here. But telling me that we don’t need government health care but a healthier life style? That drinking cheap soda is going to help matters when it comes to fair treatment for every patient in America? You’ve gotta be kidding me. We can definitely improve our quality of life, but avoiding tax in soda wouldn’t make any difference.

And yes, I would LOVE to keep my private insurance because I’m blessed enough to be able to afford it. But I also would like to see a health care system where people don’t need to beg for Medicare and Medicaid to cover their most basic needs sometimes. I would like people to be treated equally when they are sick, regardless of their social status or income. After all, doesn’t the constitution say that life is an unalienable right? Let’s start making sure everyone gets to keep theirs going.

All the things I want to do!

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Some days I wake up and I feel like saving the world. Other days I want to save myself. I think about making one of those life lists many people are so fond of. I think about all the things I haven’t done and I want to do it all. Then I stop myself thinking about mundane things such as money… Meh! And then I realize that many of the things I want to do I can start doing them locally and on a low budget. The problem is, I don’t know where to start.

My husband and I have been talking more and more about becoming vegetarians. I personally think I would be OK if I can eat fish, so make me a Pescetarian (yes, such term exists). And I think we’re leaning more and more towards it, for many reasons, mostly health-wise, but also the moral dilemma of eating animals. I can throw the whole biological issue in, talking about how our digestive system is not really designed for meat and all that… But oh well, you can read about it somewhere in the Internet. Now I’m researching, going through books on Amazon and figuring out what is the next step. I don’t want to give up meat to end up filling the gaps with unhealthy stuff, and most of all I want to see if giving up some things in my diet will improve my blood glucose levels. It’s certainly and adventure, and I don’t want to be overwhelmed by it.

Another thing I want to do is becoming more conscious about the impact I have on the planet. I used to be this person obsessed with recycling, but I don’t think I’ve ever taken the time to really make an effort to reduce my waste, and I’m certainly NOT the poster child for good decisions when it comes to managing my resources. But I believe thinking about it is the first step, and there is this global awareness going on that makes me want to act. I call myself a tree-hugger because I’m concerned for the future of Earth, but I really should try harder, and I’m going to.

And declutter… I have to! I have the feeling this month will be the time to do it. There are so many things I simply don’t need! I remember when I moved to the U.S., I felt so light, there was so little baggage, there were just the basics. And now I look at my drawers, my closets, my bags and I wonder where all this stuff came from. It’s hard to breathe when you there is so much clutter around.

Once I start making conscious decisions about my own health and my way of living, then I will be able to move forward to other things. But for now, this will do. And I’m feeling excited.