You may ask yourself what does a picture of belts have to do with a food blog - I will explain. This has been a life altering month for me. After much consideration and personal reflection, I've decided to share my experience through this blog. I consider myself a private person but feel that sharing my experience and gained knowledge might help someone else. Even if I can help one person.
The Back Story
The weekend prior to Halloween, I had guests visiting from out of town. A few days before their arrival, I noticed a inflammation on my left foot but didn't think much of it. After three days of touring around Boston and New England, I discovered what I though was a bruise on my foot. My guests left early on Sunday and I spent the day on the coach "nursing" my foot. I thought “I'll just go see my doctor in the morning.” Monday, I called my doctor and got an appointment later that morning. After removing my shoe and sock, my doctor took one look at my foot leaned forward, reaching out and putting his hand on my shoulder he exclaimed "this is serious" and "you could lose your foot!" My mind went into overdrive trying to process what I heard. He told me to go immediately to the ER and he would call ahead. Arriving at the ER they admitted me and put me on IV antibiotics. I spent the next three days in the hospital fighting the infection.
While in the hospital my doctors ran a battery of tests. They discovered my glucose levels were in the 300's. For those who don't know, a normal glucose level is between 70 and 120. The attending doctor informed me that I had diabetes. The news shook me to the core. As I processed this information I realized diabetes may have contributed to the infection in my foot.
Fast forward a month I've learned a lot! I've learned what is important in my life, and who is important to me in this situation. You quickly learn who your friends are and realize they are better than your own family. It's been a humbling experience to realize at 52 that I like everyone else am mortal. I've been fortunate in my 52 years. I've never spent a night in the hospital, never broke a bone, had a serious infection nor had any life threatening situations. I received amazing care from all medical staff in the hospital. It truly is a calling to be a nurse as they have so many patients to take care of and somehow manage to make it through an eight-hour shift. I received such great care from my endocrinology team including my RN who specializes in diabetes, and my dietician. I've learned so much in a few weeks. I've been assigned to a wound team at the wound center at Beth Israel in Plymouth. This team has taken on the responsibility to get my wound healed. It's come a long way but I fear there are a few more weeks ahead of me.
My friends have been so helpful. One who is a vegan herself, has been so inspirational. She has visited me many times, brought me food, done errands, shared her wealth of knowledge with diet and nutrition, and has just been there for me. Many others have kept in contact with me which I realize now means so much when you're on the receiving end. For a time, I felt housebound - felt like I was getting cabin fever. I've managed to work from home and had opportunities to dedicate time to projects I would not be unable to do with daily interruptions. I work for a great company and for an a wonderful boss. She has supported me through all of this.
My blog is going to change a bit going forward. In the past my focus has been on many great meals that I've enjoyed at many restaurants. I will continue to share positive experience in the future. But my focus today has been on nutrition. I feel I've done a 180 on my eating habits. I don’t miss the burgers, pizza and the like. I am more focused on finding new healthy options for my diet and adding my own creativity. In the future, I will share what I learn and my experiences as a diabetic. If all goes as I hope, I will be able to keep this disease in check, perhaps reduce or even eliminate the need for some medicines.
I should note that I've been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. Unlike Type I, my body continues to produce normal amounts of insulin. My body has become insulin resistant. I now take oral medications to help keep my glucose in check. I've been successful at getting my glucose down to normal levels. My endocrinology team feels that with time and reintroduction of exercise, my need for medication should be reduced or possibly eliminated. I will always have to watch my carbohydrate intake for the rest of my life. My goal is to manage things through diet and exercise and to minimize my medication needs.
So why the picture of belts! No I didn't forget about the picture. Since I've been discharged from the hospital I've managed to lose about 20 pounds and a few inches off my waste. These belts are too big and will be donated to charity. I don't want to keep them, in fact every time I lose weight, I pan to donate cloths to charity so I don't have a "life raft."
I hope anyone who is diagnosed with diabetes or thinks they may have it consults with their doctor and works with an endocrinology team. They say that diabetes is a silent killer. It sure is, if I didn't get the infection in my foot, who knows where I would be in six months or a year. I consider this a second chance; a wakeup call and a blessing.
If you’re still reading, thank you! As I mentioned earlier, the focus of my blog is changing. I will continue to post my progress on this new chapter in my life.
On a final note for this posting, my mother always said “If you have your health, you have everything!” Her words echo in my mind these days. We take good health for granted until we are faced with uncertainty or a prognosis with a disease. Thankfully I have one that I can manage.
