The Contrary Cook: Beating Diabetes One Bite at a Time

I Have Diabetes

01/9/2009

I just found out that I have Type-2 diabetes.

When I began this blog a couple of months ago, it was because I was turning 40 and I wanted to start taking better care of myself by learning how to cook. As part of the “taking better care of myself” plan, I scheduled an appointment to see my doctor (his PA, actually), whom I hadn’t visited in a few years. My blood pressure was really high (160/100) so the PA put me on blood pressure medicine, sent me down to the lab for a complete blood workup, and said she needed to see me next week to make sure the medicine as working.

Today she tells me that I have diabetes. I don’t even know what the hell that even means, but it sounds scary, and I’m scared.

So the blog is now taking a different direction. Instead of learning how to cook to just improve my health at 40, I’m learning how to cook to save my life.

I don’t know anything about diabetes. My doctor’s PA handed me a stack of literature, a bag of pills, and told me to schedule an appointment in a couple of weeks so she can teach me how to read my blood sugar levels. She said the nutritionist I need to see is booked 3 months in advance. Great.

I hate her for being so cold. But I hate myself more for not taking care of myself.

What I Learned…

  1. I’m not immortal. Nor am I Superman.
  2. 20 years of stupid living has finally caught up with me.
  3. I need to learn to ask better questions.
  4. My PA is NOT my doctor. Need to ask for Russ next time.
  5. Things can still shock me. I actually haven’t seen it all, after all.
  6. I have lots of good, supportive friends.

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There are 4 comments in this article:

  1. 12/01/2009Jill say:

    My daughter was diagnosed with T1 diabetes 6 months ago. The most important thing is you’re learning! Learn everything you can to better yourself :) Welcome to the blogging world!

  2. 16/01/2009Bernard Farrell say:

    Wow, that’s a REALLY recent diagnosis. Give yourself time to get used to this.

    I strongly recommend checking out TuDiabetes.com. It’s a social networking site for folks with diabetes (I’m also a member). A great place to get support and answers to questions.

  3. 16/01/2009Michael say:

    Hi Bernard,

    Thanks for the comment. Yeah, I checked out TuDiabetes and I’ve never felt so welcome…it’s a great community and a great resource for me. I checked out your diabetes technology blog….great stuff and I’ve bookmarked it. I’m a UI guy too, BTW.

    Talk to you soon.

    -Michael

  4. 30/01/2009Dick Hunt say:

    I just happened to search for dm’s from the Rochester area, and low and behold, your name popped up. I’ve been a T@ for quite a while – 17 years. I use an insulin pump and can probably help with some answers. This website is great to use a network to ask questions and obtain answers.
    Looking forward to being a friend,
    Sincerely,
    Dick

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