I have to admit that I've joined a lot of groups and friended a lot of people on Facebook to gain insight into living with Diabetes. I've even changed my doctor to help, because I don't want it to kill me. I am a Christian and I ask God often, why, knowing my current situation, He believes that I can handle this burden. Prior to my diagnosis, my eating habits weren't SO far away from what I've been instructed to do ... but where they deviated then is where they deviate now ... COST. I am a working person. I have good insurance, but not great insurance. I thank God that I have ANY insurance, don't get me wrong.
I am unmarried with three boys ... big boys. Making healthy choices is not our issue. Our issue is getting the MOST food we can get for the LEAST money. There is only one paycheck here, and it's mine. WITH my insurance, MY meds are $60 per month ... JUST for my Diabetes. That does not include my over the counter vitamin supplements, my $25 per month Asthma medication, or my allergy medications ... both prescribed and unprescribed. It also does not include my CHILDREN'S Asthma and allergy medications. I spend about $300 per month on gasoline, and my mortgage is right at 30% of my monthly income, where I'm told that it should be. I bring home LESS than $1600 per month, and I am NOT eligible for public assistance, because it is based on GROSS income, not what one ACTUALLY lives on. Since all we hear about in the news is the recession, I can't POSSIBLY be the only person who is reading these articles and thinking ... Okay, I'm a loser.
I need Diabetic friendly food that costs what Little Debbie snacks cost, and gives me the same quantity. I need Diabetic friendly food that is fit for a FAMILY not a person ... who can go to the supermarket on a daily basis and shop meal by meal. I need Diabetic friendly food that I can eat at any time of the day, because my profession requires that I work around the clock. I need Diabetic guidance that considers a life like mine.
When I am able to attain these things ... THEN I will be able to enter into a discussion about untwisting and untying my emotions about Diabetes.
Well said, unfortunately, Madalyn. Thank you for putting this very true circumstance here. Being able to afford being healthy is a completely different issue from the emotions around managing diabetes.
And believe me, i feel your $$$ pain. I currently have NO health insurance. I buy test-strips off of discount sites and Amazon.com for as cheap as I can find them. And I pay for my insulin at full price.
It is never easy to pay for diabetes in my world either!
Hi Ginger! My name is Dan from Lake Tahoe. Since I was diagnosed with diabetes at 43, i lost 70 pounds and never looked back.
I have been weightlifting for years and maintain around 13% body fat. I'm 5 10 and 170lbs.
My question is this, right after i weightlift, i notice a 20 point spike in my glucose readings....is this from lactose building in the muscles after the workout?
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Great post and I think it absolutely affects the WHOLE person... it is not just a physiological being. Managing diabetes carries a psychological toll as well. It is so important to try to balance it all to maintain yourself as a physical and mental being. I am the parent of a type 1 kiddo (Joe) and I really try to take it all in stride and parent him so that he learns to take great care of himself AND to parent him so that he does not tie his self worth into his numbers. At times, no matter how "right" you are doing everything, "d" does not always cooperate. I appreciate your outlook and the way you promote health Ginger. Thank you. Do you live in Vermont? I live in Essex Junction, VT and I think I have seen posts that you live here and hang with the Koloks? Anyway, keep up the great work.
Hey Ginger
Great post. Like many other chronic conditions Diabetes and Food, Asthma and Smoking.. I guess we all have our little vices that we find particularly difficult to shed.. I certainly do!!
Maybe one way to combat the vice is to figure out a positive to match? In moderation mind! 【ツ】
The psychological aspect is so often ignored and I feel it is the most important one.
Reyna!
I live in S. Burlington and am actually moving to the Washington, DC area next week! That's so funny you are so nearby -- bummer we are running into each other now. I was recently in the 7Days, which I'm sure you've read before! There's a link to the article on my site at http://living-in-progress.com/in-the-news/
I agree with your comment, it impacts the WHOLE person, and more importantly, it requires your WHOLE SELF to live well and manage this disease.
Thank you for reading!
-Ginger
Hey Mike! :)
Yes, there's absolutely so many things you can, a process if you will, that helps a person build that moderate mind and allows them to untwist those emotions! That is my goal to help people do that at www.living-in-progress.com using a coaching method based on the way our brain's build and rebuild hard-wiring and patterns of thinking!
Thanks for reading, way out in spain!