[Diabetes-talk] Good News?

Wed Sep 2 21:22:06 UTC 2015

Hi Everett!
Oh how I loved reading your post. Congrats and bravo for you. When I was
first diagnosed at age 34, for the first couple of years my A1C ran between
13 and 16 no matter what I seemed to do. NPH insulin just didn't obsorb
consistently and no amount of fiddling seemed to sort me out. Within two
months on a pump, I had my A1C down to 7 to 8 range, where I seem to spend a
lot of time. I seem to go from being really on top of things to phases of
burn out, then back at it again, then burn out. So what I really like here
is that ability to be, well, human, knowing that sometimes it's okay to ride
the ups and downs with a supportive group. The sanity for me is exercise. I
feel really weird if I don't walk at least an hour a day. 
My biggest struggle right now is blood testing. My callouses are really a
problem and the swollen fingers from rheumatoid arthritis don't help much.
But as you said, just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. <grin> Oh wait!
Striving! <laughing!
So go for it, all of us!
Veronica

"Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on
iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club. 
To learn more, visit:
http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
                Veronica Elsea, Owner
Laurel Creek Music Designs
Santa Cruz, California
Phone: 831-429-6407

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Mike Freeman via Diabetes-talk
Sent: Wednesday, September 02, 2015 12:55 PM
To: 'Everett Gavel'; 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Mike Freeman
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-talk] Good News?

Hey Everett! Bravo, my man! Glad your attitude adjustment is working! Keep
it up!

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Everett Gavel via Diabetes-talk
Sent: Wednesday, September 02, 2015 11:56 AM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Everett Gavel
Subject: [Diabetes-talk] Good News?

Hello All,

I just realized that, while I've recently begun sharing a little more about
my personal situation with my diabetes publicly on some 'blind diabetic' 
lists, I've yet to share it here on my original and most favorite, most
read, bestest list of them all for blind diabetics. Please forgive me for
that.

I do have some good news to share. Good for me, at least. A week or two ago,
my doc told me my a1c was 8.0. Now, that may not be all that great, but try
to understand, I'm pretty sure it's not been that low, personally, since I
was a young teenager, and possibly even before that.

I got diabetes when I was 10, and all through my teens and 20's, and I'll
admit, even into my 30's truly, I was as stupid, er, stubborn as they come. 
At least in regards to my diabetes. I pretty much ignored it as much as I
could without bringing on a quick death. About all I did for the first
couple of decades (I'm 45 now) was to take my insulin once and for a while
twice a day. That's it.

I never cared what my a1c was on those 3-month appointments I sometimes kept
with my docs. But a few years ago I started smartening up a bit. 
Little by little I tried taking better care of my diabetes. I finally gave
in and got a Medtronic pump about 1.5 years ago.

Today, I can say I finally made the mental switch and gave into the need,
the smarter choice, to actually monitor my glucose levels regularly. 
Nowadays, if I don't test at least 4 times a day, I feel wierd. Maybe it's
some kind of guilt or something, I don't know. But I *like* that it feels
wrong to not test at least 4 times a day, these days.

So, all that being rambled on about, while I realize it may be along the
lines of too little too late, I'm hoping for the other cliche to be more
true, where it says, better late than never. 
;-)

So my BS levels are 8.0. Well, okay, my 'BS' (and
sarcasm) levels are often far higher than that, but, my blood sugar levels
are now most often under 200, and for me, that's great. For decades, my
average has been between 300 & 400 when I'd test it. I've been clocked more
times than I can count, back in the day when the Joslin Diabetes Center was
where I went for my 3-month check ups as a teen, at over 700. These days, I
can't seem to find a monitor that doesn't quit counting around 599 or 600,
seems like. But I don't test em out like that too much anymore either, so
who knows? I'm glad I can say I don't know that for sure, actually.

Anyway, I'm newly inspired by my 8.0 a1c. In 3 months, my new goal is 7.0.
I'm not just counting carbs and taking insulin to cover, now. It's a
challenge, and I love a good challenge. So I'm actually (gasp) paying
attention to what I'm eating, and not just counting carbs. I'm actually
focusing on, go figure, EATING BETTER.

So, I just wanted to share my small bit of good news and new inspiration.
You all, here, have been inspiring to me over the years, and I truly
appreciate all that you share.

Strive On!
Everett
In Colorado Springs, USA

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