[Diabetes-Talk] Latest update from me

[doula.jarboe at gmail.com]

Hi Terri,

     Sounds like you are doing your best to make good changes for managing
your Diabetes.  Making life style changes are always challenging, try to
take things one day at a time.  I understand your communication frustrations
with your Endo.  My Endo who I had for 30 some odd years retired a couple of
years ago.  And I've struggled switching to someone I don't really know, and
am still building a relationship with.  You said that you access your
medical records online.  Does that system also have a way for communicating
with your doctors?  I know for me, my doctors do pretty well communicating
with me through the health portal that I use.  I've also discovered that
talking with the Diabetes educator who works with my endo is more
responsive, and knows how to get what I need more directly to my endo.  I
deal with a number of pain issues myself, so understand how exercising is
challenging.  With exercise, listen to your body, and don't push yourself
too hard.  Building up slowly will get your body used to exercising.  I know
for me if I can stick with my routine, my body gets used to the exercise,
and it actually starts feeling good.  But it takes time to get your body
into shape and to that point.  Do your best to stick with it.  I'm not going
to recommend recipes, because I'm not just Diabetic, I also have other
medical conditions that impact my diet and make it more strict.  I seem to
remember that you don't do a lot of cooking.  And when I'm not up to
cooking, we get Lean cuisine frozen meals.  If you do any grocery shopping
online or with an app, you should be able to read the nutrition information
for each frozen meal.  I used My Fitness Pal for a little while, and they
had some of the Lean cuisine meal info on there as well.  Or if you are
using a shopper's assistant, they can also read to you the nutritional info
off the box.  Hope these ideas help, and good job for what you have already
achieved.
Warmly,
Doula

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Terri
Stimmel via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 3:18 AM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Terri Stimmel <icecreamlover76 at outlook.com>
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Latest update from me

Hello everyone,


I hope all of you are well. I just wanted to give you all a quick update on
myself, and my progress.


This past Tuesday I went to see my diabetes specialist. I usually see 
him every 3 months.

However, due to the virus, I hadn't seen him since January. I did have a 
phone conversation in April. But physically being able to go to the 
doctor is so much better in my opinion.


Anyway, my A1C went from 8.2, to 7.6. I'm glad to see it lowered. This 
pleases me very much. My doctor said that this is the lowest it's ever been.

However, I didn't think this was accurate. I had thought at one time it 
had been even lower. So I looked at my health records online. My 
thinking was right. Back in 2016, at one point my A1C was, 5.6. In all 
honesty, I don't know what the hell I did to get it that low. But 
apparently I did it.


I would love to get my A1C that low again. But I don't feel it's 
possible. I don't eat well, and I know it. I want to eat better than I 
do. But there are several things that keep this from happening. It's a 
huge struggle for me. I have cut different things out, which I feel has 
helped a lot. I am also trying to eat smaller portions. Which I also 
feel helps a great deal.


However, when it comes to this area of my life, it's a huge struggle for me.


Also, I am still struggling with rather or not I want to switch doctors. 
I have been with my current doctor for about 6 years. But there are 
things I just don't like.


For instance, they can sometimes be difficult to get hold of over the 
phone. I don't know why this is. I've called them at times, and won't 
get a call back. Other times, it's busy for long periods. Or they just 
seem kind of unfriendly, and not so helpful.


But they are really good at making sure I know how to use my insulin 
pens, if something is switched. So that's a plus.


But also it's the doctor. I think he is one of the leading doctors in my 
area. when I speak to other doctors in regards to who my diabetes 
specialist is, everyone seems to know of him. But I find it difficult to 
communicate with him. He usually seems in a good mood, and is pleasant.

However, when I tried telling him that I started exercising every day, 
and that it was going well, I expected more of a response than what I 
got. He just said, ok, and continued typing at the computer. This was 
really a let down for me. while I didn't expect him to get all excited, 
I was maybe hoping he'd say that was great, or good job. Something like 
that anyway. I didn't need the praise from him. I just wanted some 
acknowledgment that he could see I really was trying to make progress. 
So this was a sad moment for me, in a way.

There are other things. But this gives you all an idea as to what I am 
dealing with. I don't know what the right decision might be. I 
definitely need to think on it a bit more, before making a decision. If 
I choose to go through Mercy, then most of my medical records will all 
be in one place. That's something I really like, and that's appealing to me.


As I mentioned earlier, I have started exercising. It's not much at all. 
But I've gone from not exercising at all, to making an effort. I 
purchased one of those peddalers you sit on the floor. I don't know 
exactly what they are called. I've heard different things. Right now, 
it's just set at resistance level 1, and I can only manage to ride it 
for 5 minutes at a time. But that's a start. eventually I want to 
increase this time. But I will have to work up to that. I pedal every 
day, once a day.


Also, I can't remember if I have asked this before. So if I have, I do 
apologize.

But are there some websites, or Apps I could use, to find some yummy, 
but diabetic friendly recipes to try out?

I do want to work on eating better. But I do enjoy food. I can't be 
someone who just eats to eat, because it's what needs to happen. I'm not 
trying to insult anyone who might live this way. To each his own, and I 
try to respect differing views.

But for me, I can't just eat, because it's something that needs to be 
done. But I know even though I really do enjoy food, I need to try to 
find other alternative ways to enjoy food, that's just a bit more healthier.


Well I hope all of this has made some sense. Please ask questions if you 
have them. And thank you to those of you who might take the time to read 
this. It's very much appreciated.


Terri


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