The Diabetes Plume Continues…..
I am in hope people do not see me as being smug or uncaring when I talk about sickness and hope. While I have been around hospital and sickness throughout my whole life I never desire to look down on any persons battles let alone their fight for staying alive. We all are on this ride of life and each of us are individuals and have ways of getting through the fight. It is a fight, don’t forget this. It’s not personal even though it seems, it’s just a flat out attack against our existence in life.
If you’re not a diabetic you probably don’t understand the significance of how this seemingly minor disease is so all encompassing. Of course I do believe God has me right where I am. I have total trust in Him and His plans for me so I gratefully accept my life’s station. As far as being a diabetic for some 31 years, not fun. Is it comparable to chemo or dialysis, no it’s not but then again if I was loosing a limb or becoming blind due to diabetes my attitude possibly could be different.
This disease is about re-training the mind so we have a chance ant health and effects all eating and exercise. I would say for me it’s the key for long term survival. Yes, correct and good control of blood sugar levels is the point of diabetes but there is so much more that must be worked at.
Do I like sweets? No, I love them! This is one of the trickiest parts for me, I really love gummy bears along with many other sweets so what do I do? I don’t label them a taboo or bad but instead I have learned think ahead. How much insulin do I need and can I withstand the need to consume too many. Don’t cut out completely but cut back. Reduce how often & how much and eventually I have found that the craving will become less and less. In truth I haven’t had my favorite little bears for over a year and honestly they are good but not that good!
Recently I’ve noticed I have changed for 2 main reasons. First I have learned that when I splurged my blood sugar is really hard to regain back to a good level. Second, there are other good tasting snacks that reacts very little if any on my sugar levels! Peanut butter on bread, homemade protein shakes & granola bars have become my easy go to snacks. My sugar levels take a very low hit that is totally manageable with a small increase in my insulin injection.
Changing my eating habits is huge for me as in past I easily would eat 10-15 cookies or a giant candy bar with a milk only to find an hour later that I’m feeling sleepy and unable too stay awake. My mind would say, I did the usual amount of insulin but after checking my level I would find a 350 level, ooppps!! . Nowadays I have thankfully learned, moderation and control.
Some 25 years ago when I was first diagnosed I had a friend who was a great man full of faith and loved the Lord. He also battled diabetes but struggled everyday. This disease took one of his toes and eventually his leg. After 10 years of battles his body failed, diabetes so ravaged his body making his life here miserable. we all miss him yet we know he’s with The Lord, no longer in pain and suffering.
For each of us there is no guarantee of a tomorrow here on earth. We want health but that’s not always possible. What is our hope in life and more importantly, where lays our hope?
….one more post on this plume coming soon.
