Last week I had blood work, and might I add, I have been trying my ABSOLUTE best to not
only eat right, (which everyone should strive for, not only Diabetics) but to (majorly) dose insulin correctly and get my levels to not (totally) spike when I have a meal. The spikes are OK my doctor has said repeatedly, but I have to admit, if I can prevent it or lessen it, I will challenge myself to do so.
During the blood test last week, I thought 'OH MY GOODNESS!! ...I hope my hard work, and logging, and paying attention has paid off.'
Of course I have called the Doctor's office everyday since I had the blood work, asking for the nurse to call me with the results, with the exception of weekends. It took 3-4 long anticipating days...
AND THE RESULTS ARE IN...........
Dum, dum, dum!!!
I found out Tuesday night, my A1C is/was 5.9%!!
(Just an FYI, A diabetic should try to be at 7% or under.)
I was very happy with this number, and I will say right now, again, I believe education IS the key when it comes to managing your Type 1 or Type Diabetes. If you are always willing to learn (and never stop) and strive to find that aspect of 'interesting yet challenging' to yourself, you will have better results and better health. More importantly, you will be able to help and educate others in times of need. I love running in to those people who can share what they know!
To learn more about A1C, what it means and WHY it is important, I found this article. It really gave a lot of detailed, easy to read info.
This morning was the lovely blood work that all Diabetics must 'grin and bear' on, sometimes, a regular basis. Yes, on Friday the 13th ... I just noticed that. (Hmmm..I wonder what good/weird movies are on A&E tonight??)
Blood work does not bother me much anymore. I was always the type to get very 'stomach-churny' at the very MENTION of a needle and/or blood.. And at that slightest mention, I would hold my stomach and curl up with a weird face and say 'OK STOPPP!!' However, that was before Diabetes and today I dread more about the fact I have to go there SO early and wait and, I can't have coffee. (I really hate that.) I like to think that my diagnosis of Diabetes has allowed me to conquer these useless fears that I had. It does make your outlook on life, and what you can do, more obtainable ...
So I waited... I waited 25 minutes or so, with no coffee or breakfast in sight- Oh, and 8 hours of work still ahead of me. I could only think, 'I'm going to sleep much longer than 5:30am tomorrow!' ... that is for sure :-)
An older woman came in, and sat beside me minutes after I arrived. I said 'Good Morning', she said 'Merry Christmas' with a smile, and it stopped there.
10 minutes later of playing with the iphone, she wanted to know if I had waited long. I told her, 'a little while, but there is only 2 here today, usually there is 3.' Soon after, we were in deep conversation.
She was a Type 2 diabetic, her husband was, and her son. She was angry at everything, I could tell, and how easy it is to fall into that spell with Diabetes, I do know. She said 'honey, it is not Diabetus that will kill you, it is the many complications, that is what will kill you!' Nice!! ...She was definitely more pessimistic than I was, however I felt she needed someone to listen. So I let her talk. She also told me, her son acquired 'Diabetus' from always running around on the job, and having thirst from being active. She said 'he would always drink Coke. When he was thirsty, he wanted a cold coke'
(Hmmmm..... that is a big RED no no in my book.)
I really tried to stop myself, from saying..... and OPPS! ...it just came FLYING out, 'Oh Well...When you are thirsty, the best drink is water. Did he not like to drink water?'
Also, shortly following that comment.. 'and those complications can be avoided with keeping your blood sugar low. That is the reward in your hard work! I always try my ultimate best to do that, but yes it is not always easy.. I was just at home this month and enjoyed dessert more than I should have..'
She smiled and agreed. She knew I was that 'half-full-glass' kind of girl. She said 'how terribly sorry' she was that I had Diabetes, being 'so young and pretty.' I replied, 'Well, it's ok.... I will be ok.' I could only hope when I said goodbye that some of my positiveness rubbed off on her. She needed it.
Blood work was so quick, so fast, and so painless.... the nurse was very nice, and she had a 10 year old daughter, and her Xmas shopping was done. I honestly can't even remember much else...Happy Friday!
I was online last week Googling 'topics of interest' (of course about Diabetes- what else?) and I ran across these cute-cartoon-images about foot care for Diabetics... in Espanol!!! Might as well get your foreign language and foot care concerns addressed in one Subject, right? :-)
I did not give it too much thought upon first glance, but then I noticed each picture was pretty self exclamatory.
One side says 'No' and the other 'Si' ... so I thought at least I can understand that much.
Check it out ..
The best way to (start) taking care of your feet is to, firstly, keep your blood sugars in range of 70 to 130 ... My Endo says it takes away many risk factors and concerns for diabetics! Also, check your feet every day. Look at your bare feet for red spots, cuts and blisters. If you can't see the bottoms of your feet, use a mirror.
I also found these helpful tips:
-Be active. Plan your physical activity and stick to it.
-Wash your feet every day. Dry them, especially between the toes.
-Keep your skin soft and smooth. Rub a skin lotion over the tops and bottoms of your feet
-Trim your toes when needed.
-Wear comfortable shoes (I know I don't always do this) and shoes that fit well and protect your feet.
