Monday, November 10, 2014

Birthday Countdown: Day 4 ~ The First Big Step Back To Health

Yesterday, I went in for my quarterly appointment with my endocrinologist. My mom and I have the same doctor so we always go in at the same time. We are both Diabetic and share the same thyroid problems.  I was scared to show my doctor the results of my HBA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin) test. After three months on the new medication, my blood results did not change. I was still at a 9.8. (normal values are 4.5-6.30).

My endocrinologist, Dr. Theresa Marie Faller was worried about my results. She said if my blood sugar is always that high, I would be seeing kidney, liver and heart changes. I don't want that. I want to be healthy. She took a random blood sugar test. I was at 391. Unlike my 76 year old mother, my blood profile was a mess. My doctor is giving me until January to see improvement. She doubled the dosage of my medication. She wanted me to lose weight. She wanted me to sleep longer hours and stay away from stress. She wanted me to start an exercise program. 

Good-bye rice. Good-bye white bread. Good-bye artificial juices. Those things I can do. Double the medication means double the expense. I can do that too. I would just have to give up on some guilty pleasures to have enough to buy the medicines. Exercise plan? I am going to buy myself a hula hoop. I will walk home instead of taking the tricycle. I will get myself a good pair of running shoes on my birthday. Something more comfortable to use while doing my walking. 

Birthday wish... Uhmm...calling the attention of my daughter... can you get this pair for me? 
Longer sleep hours and stay away from stress? Good luck to me. I can't do that. I have a crazy shift job which starts at 2am. I have to run a household. I have to put up with worrying for everybody else but me. 

I am going to need all the encouragement and support that I need from today until January. I need to lose at least 20 pounds. It is going to be will be a steep uphill climb to achieve this. With the proper mindset, I will do this. I CAN DO THIS.

My doctor's words stuck to my mind. She said, "If you want to be as active and healthy as your mother when you get to be that age, YOU SHOULD START MAKING CHANGES NOW."

And so today, 4 days before my birthday, I am taking the first big step back to health.

2 comments:

  1. Hello Ellen. Your doctor was right and though I believe that you will overcome all this, lessening the stress that go along your work load will help greatly in regulating your blood sugar. That was the reason I resigned at my previous company of more than seven years. When I have learned and felt that the unreasonable and strict metrics plus the constant change of scheds without prior notice was affecting my peace of mind, I decided to resign. I now work for a company that have weekends off and less stressful working conditions. In a few years I might resign and work from home. That would also mean more time with my love ones, for exercise and finally regular sleeping hours.

    I pray that you have more and healthier years to come.

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    1. Hi Sarah! It is nice that a fellow call center worker feels the same way as me. I think what they want to hire are immortals! Beings who do not know of illness, have no families, and have no social life. I am giving myself two or three more years in this industry and I am calling it quits. There are so many work from home opportunities and we are more than qualified for those jobs. Wouldn't it be nice to work in your pajamas?

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