So I've been riding the diabetes rollercoaster lately. It's difficult to face this, because I've pretty much been smooth and steady ever since my diagnosis in 2004. Without a doubt, God has given me the courage and peace to face this that I never would have had on my own. Not only that, I am so grateful that the insulin has worked over the years. I don't ever want to take that for granted.
I also believe that He gave me this meticulous personality partly so I could handle the micromanaging that you have to do with this disease. And it's been very freeing to NOT have to micromanage it as much in recent years. I've been in a pretty good groove... getting excellent results on my blood tests (A1Cs)... and really only checking my blood sugar once at night, to make sure I was low enough to have dessert.
My latest A1C, taken a few weeks ago, was 6.3. Good, but not great. The target is under 6.5, but I had been consistently under 6 for years. Then this last week happened. Our vacation that never was. The closet shelf collapses. Amelia gets sick. We're up all night with her. The 283 you see above is from Wednesday afternoon... after I got home from work. My stress level was through the roof, and I had felt awful all morning. I apologize to anyone who I came in contact with that day! 283 is a shocking number, because I'm supposed to be between 70 and 140. I'm ALWAYS between 70 and 140.
Now I've been checking continuously throughout each day, just like when I was diagnosed. Sure enough, my morning blood sugar has been in the mid-100s. It should be under 120. So I've been raising my dose of Lantus (24-hour insulin), unit by unit, each day. The goal is to get that morning number under 120. If I can do that, that should be the key. I can always fine-tune the adjustments to my eating and short-term insulin if I need to.
So it looks like I'm starting in on a new chapter here. Time to micromanage a bit more. Time to de-stress, for sure. I think my body just reached a breaking point or something. Diabetes is not something to mess around with, and I'm not going to let it get out of control.
Oh, and I'm going to start going to a new doctor in October. I'm tired of leaving messages for nurses who never respond. I need real medical care, not an office that's too busy for me.
New chapter... gonna get this figured out. God is faithful. And a positive attitude is essential in this!
7 comments:
Mike man. Hang in there man. I'll pray for you. I haven't been going to church, but I believe in the power of love.
I'm so proud of you. You take this disease seriously, like it should be taken, and you do whatever it takes to get it right. You are an inspiration to me, and I know your girls will be influenced by your dedication and will power as well. You are my hero.
Hey, dude. I know we've talked about it before, but my brother is Type 1 (since 8 months old or so). So, I know a little about the constant struggle and how anomalous blood-glucose, keytone, or potassium swings can be scary. From my lifetime of education on the topic (I still read the magazine for diabetics and did as a little kid--since I was positive that I could find the cure since everyone else simply wasn't looking hard enough), I can tell you that your vigilance is what is going to get you through the weird swings. But you already know all of this. I just wanted to tell you that my brother has faced some of the same things--particularly with some scary test results. He renewed his commitment to conquering his diabetes and has totally turned it around to his normal routine blood sugar, etc. levels.
Be encouraged! And I know that you'll be provided with superior medical care.
PS--Nice meter! They are certainly getting to be very sophisticated and stylish compared to the Accu-Check II our family bought in the late 80s.
Yikes Mike. Sorry to hear this!! I could tell you were stressed on Wednesday and sort of purposely didn't talk much Tthe last thing one needs on a stressful day is my gabbing away about celebrity gossip or whatever it is I gab about..be glad you weren't there Thursday morning when I you tubed the Ryan Gosling/Rachel McAdams kiss from the 2005 MTV movie awards. Yes. I really did this.) but you know we're here to help in anyway. And yay for a new doctor and of course I'm a huge believe in a positive attitude!!!
Hey Mike! Glad you posted about this. Those roller coasters suck but I know that you will get to the bottom of it and the sugars will even out.Praying that God will give you wisdom on how and when to adjust. I understand brother. :) Glad you also have an apt. even if it is in October. Oh, and cool meter, never seen that one before.
Mike,
Perhaps this is just a little warning to keep things in perspective before junior arrives? This must be nature's/God's way of reminding you of what's around the corner, better now than 29 August?
Hope you three are well. T-minus five weeks for us...
Sterling
Mike! I pray things are evening out for you. I know you have worked hard. You have been so great through all of this. You know stress can do crazy things in your body. I pray you and Julie both get some destress time, even just a little. You are both precious, wonderful people and I feel so blessed to know you :)
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