Thursday, October 12, 2006

A Look Back

Last November my A1C was 12.5. I rarely checked my blood sugar. When I say “rarely” I am talking maybe once a month. I would just take my prescribed doses of insulin and that was it. I was living like a non-diabetic for most of the day except for the shots I would take. I would “shoot up” and forget about my disease.

When I saw that 12.5 I knew I had to change my ways or I would end up a blind, limbless being regretting all the mistakes I had made. If I was even still alive.

I switched doctors and by December my A1C had dropped to a 10!

I wanted to learn more about my disease so I searched for info on Diabetes online. I started listening to a Podcast called Diabetic Feed (which I miss dearly) and heard about this blog called Six Until Me. I was not a blog reader at all. I had heard of blogging but did not really get into it at all.

I decided to check it out and when I did, I found a bunch of links that lead me to different blogs. After reading all these accounts of diabetic adventures, pitfalls, and struggles I realized that I was not alone and that there was this great community that I could be apart of. A community that would accept me even with all of my mistakes and crap!

I started this blog in January and since then my life has never been the same.

By May my A1C had dropped to a 7.9 which was awesome! In June I started on an Insulin Pump (Master P) and was checking my BG 8-12 times a day.

Over 6 weeks ago I stopped smoking and have been completely smoke free since. (And still going strong by the way)

Last week I finally did some blood work I have not made the time for.

My A1C is 7.6 now.

Happy? Yeah I am. I guess I should be happier since it is still on the way down. I was just hoping for this miraculous drop right to the ADA goal of 6.5 or something. I am too hard on myself I guess. When I see all that has been accomplished in less than a year I see that I am on the right path.

You know what? I may not be where I want to be but I see that I can make some changes in my life. I see that it is possible to change bad habits and take on new good ones.

I read what I typed and I am proud of myself. I should be.

This is not easy.

17 comments:

Melissa said...

Way to go! I think 7.6 is very good considering! Like you said, you're too hard on yourself. It's all about moving in the right direction. Keep moving!

Kerri. said...

Ah George, I miss Diabetic Feed, too. But I talk to Christel and John pretty often, so they are still kicking around. :) I've been trying to convince her to revive the podcast. Maybe if she's innundated with emails ... *evil laugh*

Congratulations on your terrific A1c and all of your hard work. You're not alone, my friend. You never were.

And you never will be again.

Sarah said...

George, Congrats on the quitting smoking thing! It only gets easier from here with no smoking! I quit smoking almost two years ago, January 11, 2005. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do and the fact that it was so stinking terrible and hard is enough to keep me from ever smoking again! Also, congrats on the a1c! You are doing awesome!

Penny Ratzlaff said...

I'm proud of you too, George. You've done a wonderful job!!!

Annie said...

You have every reason to be proud. I know I am. Diabetes is tough - it takes a lot of time, work and courage to mange it daily. But you do it.

I have blood tests this weekend myself. Hopefully, my A1c is below 7.0 - as it was in April of this year. I want to have a baby...

Minnesota Nice said...

You have done a 360 degree turnaround in a few months.
What strength and courage that took. Yeah, you deserve the name Super George.

Vivian said...

I concur, You shall from here forward be known as Super George. That list of accomplishments is AWESOME! You are an inspiration to all of us, D or no D. Thanks for sharing.

Scott K. Johnson said...

Super George G-Money!!! Yeah man!

Dude - you have come SO FAR in such a short time! I am so very proud of you!

An inspiration to me and many others here - and a real role model for others out there that are like you were back then.

You totally rock man. Heck, I think a party is in order!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the A1C Super George! That is an amazing drop in such a short period of time.
I was a 12.6 when I was diagnosed 3 years ago and 6.5 at my last visit, but my endo wants it lower. I have an appt. Monday so we will see. I say GIVE ME A BREAK!
Speaking of big drops and lower numbers, check out my latest update!! :)

Major Bedhead said...

Dood! That's awesome. You should be proud of yourself. I'm proud of you - I think that's an incredible accomplishment. What a turnaround from 10 months ago.

Anonymous said...

I am so PROUD of you. You have been doing such a great job!! I sure that you have been an inspiration to many (even me). keep up all your hard work!! Love you lots!!
Lisa

Anne Findlay said...

Congrat's George. Very impressive work! 7.6 is a tremendous improvement and you will only improve further with your motivation. I bet you feel better with better BG's and quitting smoking, too. Yay! :)

caramaena said...

Yes, you should be very proud of yourself. It's a huge drop and you've obviously put in a very big effort to look after yourself.

Congrats on being smoke free as well - another big achievement!

Anonymous said...

George!! You did it!! You are my hero. It gives me hope that I can get 'off the smokes' too.

Congratulations on you great A1c.

Christine said...

Wow! You have come so far! Major congrats!

BetterCell said...

George....You are a great example of leavingg the Darkness and coming into the Light. The Rewards are better including of course being in charge of your Destiny. Anyone who takes responsibility for his Life shows maturity, courage and wisdom.

Kelsey said...

George! 7.6 is awesome... so this turnaround has all been in the last year?! That's amazing. You should be very proud of yourself. Plus, that kind of progress in a year must be very motivating to keep going lower and lower!!

Congrats again!