Journey to a healthier me

I know I need to make changes in my life. Getting healthy is important to me, and now is a better time than any. Of course I can't do flexible yoga poses like the above, but one day I aspire to. First thing first...

I noticed that my body was doing things it normally doesn't. You know how it is when you know something is very wrong with your body? Well, this is what happened to me. I noticed that I was getting up several times, during the night, to go to the rest room. I was having a heck of a time going to sleep without these frequent trips. Something told me to start checking my glucose levels. I had a gut feeling that things were taking a turn for the worse---my sneaky suspicion that my sugar was on the high side, meaning the inevitable---DIABETES. I decided to test my glucose for a week before scheduling an appointment. By doing this, I would have something to show my Primary Care physician, to assist her in what action to take. I knew I'd have to get some blood work, but didn't know any more than that. After checking my levels, it became very apparent that my numbers were high at 150-174 without even eating in the morning. It should be 90-120. So I knew the levels were just too high.

With my glucose readings in tow, I went to my scheduled appointment. This was the first time I saw this Primary care physician, so I was a little nervous. As it turns out, I did well by bringing in my readings, as this shed some light for her. She sent me to lab, following my appointment, put in an order for the following: A referral to the foot doctor, nutrition, and she gave me meds. for the diabetes, as well as refilled my other meds.

We spoke of other options, since my BMI was pretty high. She was concerned about my weight. One of the options was to send me to Nutrition. I told her that I had been already, but it had been back in 2005. She said that since it's been over a year, she would send me again. No problem. Next, she explained about the foot doctor-it was necessary for me to get my feet checked out and that Dr. would give me a referral to get diabetic shoes and get custom fittings for 3 inserts. That was a bonus for me, since I haven't had shoes to fit me right since I had my accident with my foot, back in June of 2005. Taking care of your feet is so important when you have diabetes. She then asked me if I had ever considered getting a Gastric Sleeve. I told her that I had never heard of this procedure. I explained that I had been thru all the process of getting gastric bypass, but since I had my foot accident, I couldn't get it done. She was glad that I was open to it, and would consider it. She explained that I had 3 options-Gastric bypass, Gastric lap band, or Gastric Sleeve, if I wanted to go this route. She recommended the sleeve, saying that she thought I'd be a great candidate for that particular procedure. She put in a consult for the Bariatric clinic, at Wilford Hall. Now I'm not all that thrilled about having to make this trip to Wilford Hall, but I will do what I have to do. I'm only hoping that I can do all the other appts at BAMC, and bring the reports to Wilford Hall. I'm not sure whether or not I'll be able to do that, but we'll find out after my appt on July 24th.

The ball has begun to roll. The first step is the Nutrition, which I found out will be 6 months. I've already gone to my first appt, and turned in my 2 wks worth of food diary. She requested another weeks worth of food diary again, and to email this to her. My nutritionist will review it, and let me know what changes I need to make, and whether or not I will need to get my thyroid checked. I can say that I have lost 10lbs from the time I went to my primary care physician the first time, which was a couple of weeks back. The nutritionist says I have to lose 40-45 lbs while on this 6 month program. I think I can do it with no problem. I'm actually shooting for more, if I can. She explained what I'm going to be doing-they'll incorporate an exercise program, for which I will have to set my own goals. I'm trying to walk now-but it's been so dang hot lately. I need to go in the mornings and not make any excuses. The nutritionist says that towards the end, I will have to do the pre-surgery diet and the post surgery diet. So that should be interesting. She also said that I will have to encounter several other appointments prior to the surgery. I will have to have a gastric study, EKG, psych, sleep study, etc...all the stuff I had to do before. It's a drag that I have to do all this stuff over again, but I understand why-things change from one year to another. She said that after the 6 months of nutrition, it may take a month or 2 to finish the other appointments and then I can have the surgery. She says, ball park time to have the surgery will come in January or February. That'll be here before you know it. I'm glad it will be after the holidays. It will be so much easier to deal with after that passes.

So I am well on my way to a road of healthier eating, and a healthier lifestyle. I do feel like I am making some progress already, but I do have a long way to go. My goal is realistic, and ultimately, I want to feel good about myself and feel as healthy as I can be. I want to get rid of the diabetes, and lose the risk factors for heart disease that both run in my family. It's not going to be an easy road, but I'm up for the challenge. I can't wait to live the life that I am supposed to live, and not miss out on another world of adventure. I've missed too much as it is, and don't want to miss anymore.