100 things: Health and fitness. #88

[labelleizzy]

Not sure how to make this post coherent. Perhaps a list.

• Test results received late last night/early this morning before I went to bed. Congratulations, it's Diabetes! =(
  
• Congratulations, it's also high LDL cholesterol! (fuck.) At least Triglycerides and HDL were where they're supposed to be.
  
• Good workout today with Tal, and I told her about the blood tests. She is being strict with me, she wants me to up my gym visits to four times per week, to make SURE I do ten to 15 minutes of interval training on the treadmill Every Time I Come In, because cardio is my big challenge. We talked about Metformin and researching my situation (which is both hypothyroid/Hashimoto's and diabetes) and about seriously building my stamina and strength.
  
• as a matter of fact, one thing Tal said deserves its own bullet point. I'm not to use the elliptical anymore for my warmups, I'm to use the treadmill and do the interval work for fifteen minutes because "the elliptical is fine for people who are just starting or who are recovering. You are neither." This pleases me MIGHTILY.
  
• Wonderful to run into wrenb at the gym, we had time for a cup of coffee and a chat that I found very nourishing and therapeutic.
  
• On a related note, my brain weasels are still telling me that DIABETES=DEATH (because my dad had diabetes when he died) so I will encourage EVERYONE to share diabetes success stories if you know any. Stupid damn brain weasels. At least I know they're there, so I can deal with them.
  
• Feeling strong and warm and sore, had a wonderful workout Wednesday and today, and a serious chiseling-out massage yesterday because Danniel is back working at Massage Envy. And he's added some new strokes to his repertoire. And I gave him a double tip yesterday because that was aMAzing, and because I could. Whew, I was flying on endorphins!
  
• I've gotten some links from sarahmichigan re: hypothyroid and I'm working on finding reliable info on diabetes and "eating diabetic".
  
• Doctor's office has me in for three appointments next week: I get a blood sugar monitor and a lesson on how to use it, I am seeing the optometrist or opthalmologist (not sure which) so they can check out my eyeballs and (one assumes) start a baseline, and there's a class on, I think, diabetic nutrition. I'll be busy looking after my health next week, what with extra workouts and everything.
  
• And, since ten things makes a list, I'm going to go find something delicious to have for lunch. And now I know how to balance the plate: 1/2 vegetables, 1/4 protein, 1/4 hopefully complex carbs.
  

Life. Is complicated. I've never been so happy to be unemployed in my LIFE, except when I had the knee surgery and could just spend my time recovering and doing PT.

Honey, eeyore42? I'm sorry I'm not working but I'm glad I can narrow my focus and Deal With This as completely as possible.

Comments

[magenta-girl.livejournal.com]

My grandmother had late onset diabetes and she lived for a long time managing it. She was 90 when she died and it was from a stroke. Also I think she really missed my grandfather who had died maybe 5 year before. But she never had any major diabetes-related issues like stuff with feet or legs.

I am taking Metformin because of PCOS. My acupuncturist gave me a tincture which is supposed to have a similar way of working, but I'm taking both and not just skipping out on the Metformin.

I have a friend with diabetes (I think it is also late onset) and she's doing really well. Also not having any problems with sores or wounds or the like.

[jenny_evergreen]

As I mentioned, my mom was diagnosed and made changes and nipped it in the bud. Diabetes is by no means a death sentence!

[ashmedai.livejournal.com]

Hey, cut that out - diabetes is not a death sentence! That's why there are treatments and nutrition plans, monitoring and so on, so you can keep a handle on it. I think there's a lot to learn and re-structure, and you can do that. I'm sending you good vibes, and I'll be rooting for you.

[tsgeisel.livejournal.com]

My aunt has had adult onset diabetes for many years now. I'm sure a few of your friends are dealing with it already. Hell, think about how long you might have had it, undiagnosed, and yet you're still alive. For that matter I know of at least one person with type-1 diabetes, and she's doing fine.

Diabetes is a lot easier to manager nowadays than a gluten allergy, or any number of other diet-related issues. It means a change in diet, but at least you like to cook.

I've got confidence in you about this.

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :)

Goddam stupid brain weasels.

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

Diabetes success story:

My mom was diagnosed with diabetes several years ago. She has extensive health problems as it is (high blood pressure, heart problems, etc). She thought this would be bad... We have a friend who lost her feet to diabetes BUT only because she didn't bother to treat it at all, she let it go. Still... This scared my mom...

But years later, she's only on metformin. She hasn't progressed to insulin because she doesn't have to. My mom does not exercise, at all. But she monitors her blood sugar and watches what she eats. She works with the doctors, gets regular tests done, and for the most part, her life hasn't changed that drastically. She has a strict diet she follows, but her doctors have told her she can still eat cake on birthdays and enjoy holiday feasts as long as she watched her blood sugar and goes back to eating right later.

She's actually doing better after a few years on the medicine. She notices less problems with her blood sugar when she does indulge.

It can be managed and isn't a death sentence. It runs in my family, and I've seen more people live successfully with it than not. You're obviously conscientious of your health, so you'll manage just fine.

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

okay. The more cognitive recalibration I can do, the better off I am.

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

Intellectually, I know it's not.
but because some asshole late-shift nurses found my dad after his passing, I just... *shudder*
They took the tubes and things out but left his eyes open.

Wish I hadn't seen it. Him.

Brain knows certain things are true but the horror response... I'll get through it.

I am not him. Not, not not.

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

thanks for the good vibes and for the rooting. It definitely helps.

Turn turn turn... to every season, turn turn turn...

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

thanks for the story. That is actually a big help. I have to rescript my brain into "these are also diabetes stories, just as valid as the one you observed with dad... choose one that works better for you, have a different result than he had."

I can do this.

[ashmedai.livejournal.com]

I think many people develop health problems because they neglect the instructions, because it changes their lives so much. A friend's brother has diabetes, and he's being totally careless about it, but I imagine it's hard. Please do as the doctors advise, OK? Everything will be alright!

*hugs*

[a-kosmos.livejournal.com]

At our old house, we had a fiesty elderly neighbor (in her 80s) who had been diabetic for a very long time. She lived on her own and had an active life that involved blowing the leaves out of her driveway pretty early in the mornings. She also had a really active social life and was really engaged in life.

[a-kosmos.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry that you had to go through that experience. It sounds really traumatic on top of how terrible losing your dad must have been.

[ecosopher.livejournal.com]

I told you about my dad, right? And he's great.

I will bet that after you've met with the different doctors next week and got more practical advice on daily changes you will be able to make, it will be a bit less Diabetes=Death and more 'Pff. I can do this!'

[aelfie.livejournal.com]

Mom's had it for about 10 years....no problems.

FIL's had it for a few...still kickin' it (although his is a War injury...was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam) he's so busy...he never visits! =)

[serendipity17.livejournal.com]

Will you need to limit general carbs or sugars specifically?

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

To be honest I am still waiting to hear about this. IDK yet, which of course adds to the uncertainty. Bleah.

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

No problems is good. I'll bear your mom in mind as a potential resource.
Thanks.

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Initial reactions are always so much more dramatic.
I've already dealt with scarier maintenance techniques for a previous experience...

Sure. Yes.

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

I fully intend to be feisty and elderly, myself, so...!

*grin* thanks.

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

I plan not only on doing what the doctors say for this part of the equation but also asking to fine tune the hypothyroid problem. The two work together, or against.

I have a lot to learn.

[a-kosmos.livejournal.com]

Mrs. Bowles was fantastic! A great example of someone to emulate. We had a 4 foot tall chain link fence between the houses and the Bear had gotten a Rottweiler puppy the year before we started dating. He grew up with Mrs. Bowles and she used to sneak little treats to him, even when he was a giant Rottweiler, and sometimes he would put his paws on the fence and she would let him lick her face. Not many people would do that. ;-)

[aelfie.livejournal.com]

I don't think she's on insulin yet either...recently got put on Metformin...(I think)....and she lost 20lbs...

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

Thanks. April is rough, because my little brother died of cancer April 15 2007, and my dad died April 28, 1994.

Impossible for it to have been 20 years since dad died, but there it is.

I think that is part of the reaction to the diabetes diagnosis. Even when I'm not thinking about it, my bones KNOW it's April. I'm having what Shadow Unit calls an ECR... Emotionally Complex Response.

[a-kosmos.livejournal.com]

Oh wow! Aprils have got to be crazy difficult for you. Like T.S. Eliot said, "April is the cruelest month."

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

Other years it has totally snuck up on me but I've been thinking about it for months now.

[a-kosmos.livejournal.com]

Maybe next year you can think about ways to be extra kind to yourself... and to treat yourself especially kindly? Of course it's never to late to start.

[sarahmichigan.livejournal.com]

You know, even though it's scary, getting more information empowers you to take control and steer your own course. Hang in there!

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

Yup. That's exactly what I'm hoping for.

[inflectionpoint.livejournal.com]

I'm curious but what makes cardio a challenge for you?

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

Two things, basically. I'm dreadfully out of practice since the time once upon a time when I used to dance 2-3 times every week, so I need to build the habit again.

And two, I am lots bigger than I used to be. Granted I'm also lots *firmer* than I have been, but yeah, I jiggle when I jog. And sometimes the brain weasels try to make something of that.

Mostly I don't let them.