DIABETES NOT MY DIABETES.
I was diagnosed with diabetes when I was 45 years old, 22 years ago.
I couldn’t accept that was to be the way my life was to be. Up to the point, I’d witnessed family and friends suffering from this illness. Many ended up dying in their late 40’s and early 50’s in cruel manner that diabetes brings on.
I determined I wanted my health to remain with me for a long time past my early 50’s. I wanted to remain to see my grandchildren to grow up into adulthood. So I fought.
In this determination, I had a good example to fall on. Jordina (my wife) was only 32 when she first had breast cancer and a second time some 5 years later. I saw her put up a determination to survive odds that were against her. Titus, Agnes, and William were just young kids. This is who gave her the determination to not give up. She wanted to be around to see them grow up.
Anyway, she is still here at 66 and has witnessed the presence of grandchildren, and now even great grandchildren.
Back to my standoff with diabetes.
When the doctor told me my diagnosis, I fell into a funk for sometime.
Then I told myself to quit feeling sorry for myself.
From that point I started exercising and eating well, or at least not to eat so much ( did you know that all your body needs to function well is only a quarter of what you eat everyday?).
At the point of starting this regime, I didn’t really believe it was going to work, but I was willing to try.
It worked.
My A1C reading of 12 went down to 5.6 in 3 months. This meant I was no longer diabetic. My body had adjusted itself to my lifestyle effort to be well.
It stayed that way for years afterward.
But as one’s body ages, it’s functions start to decline. Diabetes returned 3 years ago but not as aggressively as it did 20 plus years ago. Today I manage it with medication my doctor prescribes and plus, I continue exercising and eating well. Eating well is a challenge at times as I enjoy eating cake with my grandchildren from time to time.
Today, my A1C reading stays around 6, which my doctor says is in the normal range. But it is with the help of medication that I am able to do this.
Also, today both Jordina and I have gone deeper into our faith and walk with Jesus the Christ. This has helped us to realize that our time on earth will be ending soon. It has helped us get past the denial of it, as most us have a tendency to do. We are at peace with it. There is no stressing over life issues anymore as we believe in the promises Jesus has made for our eternal future and that everything will be alright.
We wake up each day thankful we are still here and go on about our day. Me going to Starbucks and her going to Value Village.
Can anyone say amen.
