I hope this is the last time I write about my medical issues on this blog. For those of you who groan with the realization that you're about to read about people's doctor visits, I assure you, there will be cards in this post. Don't worry, this won't hurt a bit.
Regular readers here may know I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes three months ago and was pretty devastated by the news, as someone who had been in relatively good health for a number of years.
Since then, I have wandered around in a haze, receiving an abundance of information from a variety of sources, realizing I can't possibly process all of the information, recognizing that some of it was making me crazy, and settling on a plan that worked for me.
Diabetes is an overwhelming disease, and I'm convinced its most effective weapon is confusion.
Fortunately, according to my nutritionist, I have cut through the confusion in record time.
Those who are diabetic, or know someone who is, are probably aware of the A1C test, which measures the percentage of glycated hemoglobin in your blood over a three-month period. In very basic terms, if your percentage goes over a certain number, you're at risk for diabetic complications. If it's between that number and another number, you're pre-diabetic. If it's below a certain number, you're considered someone without diabetes.
I received the results of my A1C test today. According to the test, I do not have diabetes.
Yay for me.
This happened in three months, which my nutritionist says is "phenomenal." My doctor hadn't seen the results of the test when I saw her, but she apparently was so impressed with what I was doing she doesn't want to see me for six months.
So, what have I been doing?
I'm only writing this because it's a little different from the norm.
They gave me diabetes medication. I didn't take it. It's sitting unopened in the medicine cabinet.
I was raised to use natural remedies before relying on pills. I decided to give it a shot. If it didn't work, I'd take the medication. So I rehauled my diet. Carbohydrates slashed. Sugar almost eliminated. Portion size downsized. I started an exercise plan. It's really nothing intense, pretty basic -- as I am not an exercise freak. I added a bunch of supplements with names that make my doctor's eyes glaze over. But with the combination of diet, exercise and supplements, I dropped weight easily.
It got so easy that it got a little scary for awhile, both for me and my caretakers. But then the weight leveled off and everyone is in high-five mode. I weigh as much as I did in high school. The looks and questions I've received at work or from others that know me are priceless -- and kind of annoying for someone who doesn't like the public attention. But I realized that people are so lost when it comes to their diets that when they see someone who's lost weight, it's like a miracle to them.
It's not a miracle. It's simple. Get through the first month or two, and you're golden.
I realize that I'll have to deal with this for the rest of my life, and I may have to change things in years to come. Diabetes is a progressive disease. But as the nutritionist says, a huge percentage of us will get diabetes at some point or another if we gain weight or don't watch what we eat. So why not start now? She says I've figured out something in three months that's taken some of her other patients years to figure out. That makes me feel good.
OK, I've written way too long about this, and I promised cards.
Up top, you noticed that Ben Oglivie was very happy for my news.
Here are all of his friends:
Most of them are happy to hear I'm doing well, too, although Skip Lockwood seems to want to mull the news over. But he makes up for Chaney, who's a little TOO happy.
All of these cards arrived from Robert of $30 a Week Habit. Robert is the first person to take advantage of my new 1977 Topps want list. And as a thank you, there is a trade package destined for him and ready to be sent tomorrow.
Here are two goofy bodyless Kershaws. Now if my news didn't make you smile, these certainly did. Even with all the floating heads floating around lately, they're still a hoot.
One of these came from Chris at Nachos Grande, who is constantly pulling Kershaw items. The other is from Brian at Play at the Plate.
Another Play at the Plate card, just in time for Allen & Ginter season. Billingsley isn't smiling at my news, probably because he's still trying to figure out what a release point is.
My fear with ol' Chad is that he will be dealt to the Royals or Twins and suddenly figure out what he hasn't been able to figure out for six years and became absolutely dominating. But I don't know if I can stand watching the guy stuck in neutral year after year anymore.
OK, that wasn't happy.
This is a happy post!
What a strange world. Baseball makes me sad and eating my vegetables makes me happy.
Nope, I'm definitely not a kid anymore.
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