Sunday, September 26, 2010

A1c update

I forgot to post this earlier.  I did go to my scheduled doctor visit on Wednesday after having a blood draw on Tuesday in the doctor's office (miscommunication; no order at the hospital, but I didn't get called in to sub).  To my shock and delight, but A1c went from 6.4 to 6.3!  WOOHOO!  I'm loving it!  (cue McD's jingle)  My doctor is thrilled!  His goal is to keep me under 6.5, though he understands my desire to shoot for non-diabetic numbers.  Since I'm only 40 years old, the tighter control I have now means the easier it will be for me as I get older.  Getting older is the goal, right?  My fasting was at 120.  Good, but could be better.

I'm proud of what I've done but I still strive for better.  I'm not perfect, nor do I try to be.  (Ok, I try to appear as a perfectly organized mom of five, but in all honesty I'm not.)  Here's rooting for all of us striving to do better, and here's praying for a cure.

Countdown to Step Out

Less than a week away for our local Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes!  I'm excited that I've already passed my total from last year!  Even more exciting is that my eight year old asked to join me as a virtual walker to raise money, too!  Wow!  I'm so proud of her!

She made a goal of $200.  She would love to reach that goal, but even more important to her (remember she's eight) is to raise $100 before the event so she can get a t-shirt.  She is still $60 from that goal.  If anyone would like to help make an eight year old girl very happy, please click here.

If you would like to donate to my page, please click here.  Feel free to find a walk closer to home and create your own team.  You can also join an existing team.  If you can't attend a local event, consider registering as a virtual walker.  We'd love to have you as a member of our team!

Friday, September 24, 2010

Why me?

Yesterday, I received the October 2010 issue of Diabetes Forecast.  On the front cover I see:
How many times have we asked ourselves, "Why me?"  Not just diabetics, but anyone dealing with any type of medical condition, heartache, or even just life.  Many times there isn't an answer though.  We're always wanting answers.  Short, concise answers that easily explain the mystery of life.

When it comes to diabetes, most people don't point fingers when someone is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.  It's not that person's fault that their pancreas doesn't produce insulin.  However when it comes to Type 2, there are always fingers pointing.  "You got diabetes because you're overweight."  "You ate too much sugar/candy."  "You don't exercise."  "You're just old and fat."  So how do you explain a woman in her late 30s who watched what she ate, exercised, and was only about 20 lbs overweight becoming a Type 2 diabetic?  Talk about a big "WHY ME?" 

So why do I think I have diabetes?  What do I tell people when they start to point fingers?  Well, my typical response is, "Sometimes genetics sucks!"  Sometimes!  I love my family and where I came from.  I don't blame my genetics, per se, but use them to explain.  It's not my mother's fault or my grandfather's fault for my genetics, though I'm grateful for my hazel eyes.  These are the cards I'm dealt.  It's nobody's fault.

Often time crisis is what pulls us together. A common cause can help people work together with others they might have never met before.  I have gotten to know a wonderful woman named Kerri through her blog (www.sixuntilme.com) about Type 1 diabetes.  Earlier this year she gave birth to her first child.  I love hearing about her life and struggles as a mother and Type 1.  She encourages me!  I have also gotten to know some people at the ADA.  Staff comes and goes, but talking to these people, even if just via phone or email, has given me encouragement.  Yes, some have lost their battle, but the pass their strength on and make us more determined than ever to continue their fight.  Yes, we will find a cure and we will do this together!  That is my "Why me?"

Monday, September 20, 2010

It's been too long

I just realized that I haven't posted to this blog all month.  How sad is that!  I don't know how many people actually read my blog (though my purpose of this was mainly for my own ramblings), but I feel guilty for not posting lately.

Let's see...  since my first subbing assignment (which was fun), I've had a few more.  The first one was for the jr/sr high librarian.  Since then I've had 3rd grade special ed program assistant (teacher's aide), K-3 art, 2nd grade special ed teacher, and K-3 PE.  I'm having a lot of fun so far.  Today I didn't sub for the public school though I did sub for a coworker at the Y.  Also fun!

On the diabetes front, I'm scheduled to have a physical on Wednesday though I might have to reschedule.  I did make arrangements to get my blood work done at the hospital since the doctor's office doesn't open until after 8:30 am.  If I'm called in to sub, there's no way I could work out an in office blood test.  I think I'll go ahead and get my blood drawn tomorrow morning even if I have to reschedule the actual physical.  I'm a little scared what my A1c will be since I haven't had the tight control and amount of exercise that I want.  I'm guessing my A1c will be 6.5 or 6.6 - Anyone willing to guess?  My highest has been 6.9 and lowest 6.2, but when I was 6.2 I had nice tight control of my numbers and I was going to the Y every day, sometimes twice a day.

Exercise update: I have signed up for two classes this session: water aerobics and Tai Chi.  Water aerobics is M-F at 9am.  I work at the Y two of those mornings and last week I subbed the other three days, so I wasn't able to make it to that class.  I also skipped Tai Chi these first two classes.  The first one, I was dealing with post-cholecystectomy syndrome and had to stay home.  Last week, I was dealing with procrastination.  My friend asked me to sew her daughter's girl scout badges on her sash.  Of course I waited until the day of her first meeting of the year (I was supposed to have it done before her last meeting of last school year).  I'm hoping to make it this week, though I might have to leave early.  Something is better than nothing!

A friend and I have signed up for a "river to river" challenge.  It's a virtual walk of 168 miles between two rivers.  It starts today and we have 12 weeks to walk the distance.  I'm also participating in another walking challenge with our health department where teams see how many steps they can take each week. Pedometers were supplied to everyone participating, which I found a nice treat.  I think it's great that these two challenges have some overlap so I (hopefully) will be twice as motivated!

Next session, I might sign up for an evening class so I can avoid the excuse that I had to work. LOL