Oh, Crap, I’ve gone and done it now

I guess it was inevitable that at some point I’d have to get hit by a 2×4.  This past week I got a good wallop from said chunk of lumber.

In the grand scheme of things I’m a relatively healthy guy.  Sure, I have my problems, and some of them make life less than a bowl of cherries.  But I look at those around me, friends and family alike, many of whom I love dearly, and realize I have it pretty darn good.

But this past week, I’ve had a wake up call.  I have a fatal disease.  One that is controllable, it’s true.  But one that when uncontrolled will kill.  It’s called diabetes.

I’ve known about this for 7 years.  At first, when initially diagnosed, I went to a diabetes workshop hosted by Methodist Hospital.  They told us all about all the nasties that having diabetes can bring about.  They showed us how to self test, and how to eat and I went all gung-ho with dieting and exercise, shedding 45 pounds that first 6 months.

Then I backslid.  I gained all the weight back.  I stopped dieting.  But, amazingly enough, the blood sugar stayed under control.

Let me give brief diabetes lesson (the following is for a diabetic): When fasting (5 – 8 hours no food) blood sugar should be between 70 & 130 and less than 180 at other times.  In fact, that 180 is a little high.  These levels are tested at various times during the day with a personal Blood Glucose Level (BGL) Meter by pricking a finger and testing a drop of blood.  Every three months or so, a diabetic should have blood drawn for a HbA1c test.  This is read as a percentage of, well, something, and should fall between 4% and 6%.

So, as I was saying, in spite of back-sliding, my BGL remained pretty good – by which I mean the high readings were below 145, and my A1cs stayed well below that 6.

At some time during this, I lost sight of how dangerous diabetes can be.

Then, last spring, my levels started going up.  After not testing for several MONTHS, my BGL was 190.  I about passed out!  Ran to the doctor.  And started watching my blood levels.  Eventually they started dropping, and all was well.  Then, on 9/8/2011, I stopped testing my BGLs.  That date corresponds to Dad’s being admitted to the hospital, and I’m sure that had something to do with my stopping.  But I stopped, and completely lost sight of my goal.

Now, here it is January 2012.  Last week, we had a Wellness Screening event here at work.  They tested my blood.  I was not quite fasting, it had been 4 hours since my meal.  The reading was astronomic… for me.  It tested at 248.  I asked for a retest, and that came back at 233.  For me, extraordinarily high.

In the passing week, my BGL has fluctuated from a low of 221 (Fasting level) to a high of 325 (2 hours after breakfast, a bagel (plain) and cup of coffee).

And then the topper.  Today, I got my A1c results back.  My A1c is a whopping 9.2% which indicates, in the words of my doctor “Out of the ballpark, in no way under control.”  It’s very bad.

So, effective today, the doctor is increasing my medication… in fact he is DOUBLING my medication.  He warned me to beware that I’ll probably have stomach issues as a result (I’m going to go research what that means, shortly).

I have to watch my diet more stringently, and probably the most important thing is I need to increase my exercise level.  Since my life qualifies these days as “sedentary” this last may be the easiest thing I do.

I am not happy with these developments.  The only good that came out of this is that my cholesterol levels are actually relatively good: Total Cholesterol is only 133.  It’s only taken me 20 years to get them down from a high of 280)  And my prostate is probably healthy (though we’re going to take another look at that in 3 months when I go back for my next A1c.

So, next time you see me reach for a bagel, or worse a slice of cake, pie, candy, etc SLAP ME!