Friday, February 26, 2010

Crossing the threshold

My doctor gave me bad news this morning. After the latest A1C test results she said it was time to go over the line and officially diagnose me as a type 2 diabetic. It's like being handed a death sentence. I have told two people so far, and both times I have been unable to keep myself from crying.

8 comments:

  1. oh, friend! I'm so sorry you got this bad news, and that it is causing you so much emotion. I don't really know what to say, but wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you, and I know you will find a way to manage this issue, and live a long life. I believe in YOU!

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  2. Oh, Corey. Thank you so much for the kind words and support. I am a bit down today, but I need to pick myself up and fight. I am just so bad at routines that I worry I may not be able to do this. My dad died of complications from diabetes, so I am scared.

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  3. Hang in there, diabetes is a chronic manageable illness. The great majority of people who die or suffer major complications is because they don't follow their doctors advice, stop taking meds and refuse to exercise. In short, a lot of people don't take diabetes seriously.

    I work in a clinic in Philly, my advice to you is to make an appointment as sson as possible with a nutritionist.

    Good nutrition, proper exercise, listening and consulting with your doctor about medication side effects is the key. Good luck.

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  4. It is not a death sentence. You will take your meds, diet and exercise, and follow the advice of your doctor. You can do this, Ingrid. I am with you all the way!

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  5. Ingrid, entiendo que estés en shock, con miedo y rabia. Es normal. Tengo un amigo que faltó al trabajo por una semana luego de su diagnóstico como diabético. Cayó en una depresión profunda en lo que entró en tiempo. Así que no estás sola. Tómate un momento para asimilar la noticia y luego con calma, piensa en tu método de acción. Mi cuñada es nutricionista en Tampa. Si gustas, te envío el teléfono en un mensaje privado por Twitter. Oriéntate mucho porque el conocimiento te va a dar tranquilad. Son muchas las personas que viven vidas productivas con diabetes y estoy segura que tú serás una de ellas. Un abrazo solidario.

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  6. I'm so sorry, Ingrid! I'm thinking of you, and I know you will find a way to manage this illness with strength and success.

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  7. Thank you, everybody. I am trying to give myself some time to internalize this. Part of me is still trying to dismiss the diagnosis, because my fasting blood sugar readings are elevated but not by much. And my A1C result was 6.8, not 8. But my doctor clearly said "6.8 is outside the normal range" and I hated hearing that.

    It is hard to come to terms with the label. It is also hard to get used to change. Today after the girls' sports games we stopped at Walgreen's on the way home and the girls and Gabe got chips or cookies and a drink. I did not partake of that, and ate an orange when I got home. It felt good and bad at the same time.

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  8. Ixia and Kofla, my insurance provider offers telephone consultations with a nutritionist free of charge. I am going to try that for a while to see how it works out.

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