Self-indulging Oversharing Too Much Information Post

One of my first blood tests... more than double the ideal level of blood sugar in my system, after barely eating all day (mostly out of fear of food following the diagnosis).

Well... here goes…

There's a lot going on in my world right now.  What started it?  The fact that I’m a recently diagnosed diabetic.  How recent?  October 30.  Yeah… the day before Halloween.  Dick move, doc.

In all seriousness though, my curse is my blessing… just like Spider-Man… if Spider-Man could never really enjoy eating whatever dessert he wanted to again.

During my diagnosis, I was told I was an “extreme diabetic”.  What makes me “extreme”, is the level of blood sugar in my body.  My doctor told me that an average person, after fasting for 10-12 Hours should have a blood sugar rating of about 5.9.  When my blood was tested, I came in at 12.9.  The day I was diagnosed, 13.4.  The next morning I was at 14.5  Safe to say, I was flying pretty high, and have likely been suffering the long term damage of too much blood sugar. 

Friends of mine and some people out there know that I’ve been to the hospital a few times for different things.  While I can’t connect them ALL to this, several of my issues since diagnosis have seen remarkable turnaround. 

Things like chronic joint pain all over my body, fatigue, and all around just not feeling great have subsided.  Not so much as a heart flutter (I used to get regular SVT episodes)… and I sleep at night – the WHOLE night.

Being diagnosed as Type 2, that means no needles full of insulin.  That doesn’t mean there isn’t constant testing and medication though.

Physically, things are looking up.  Neurologically, is where it gets a little more dicey...

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My new normal... a helluva lot of meds, and poking myself every day. Still, not the worst way to live... because at least I'm living better.

A month or so of diet and exercise. Down 22lbs since diagnosis, 53lbs since my highest weight 3.5 years ago.

I don't know this guy yet...

Those who know me, on whatever level, may also know that I can be a pain in the ass. I’ve been passionate, short on patience, and sometimes, just a downright jerk.  I’m not saying that being a diabetic makes you a prick, but in my case, there is likely a link between the two.

In the last few weeks, I have completely transformed, physically, and mentally.  I can exercise without too much pain, so I do so regularly.  I eat better.  I check my sugars EVERY day, more than once.  Some days are better than others. 

Additional depression from diabetes is also a possible contributor to my mental health, but it’s still all so new, myself and my doctors are all figuring it out together. Combined with a number somewhere in the dozens when it comes to visiting a psychologist, there are a lot of positive developments that have been taking place, including the introduction of new medications to deal with the changes going on.

The struggle is ongoing.  I’ve tried to be the professional and keep it to myself, as I know there are many people who don’t need/want to know this, and frankly, those who are dealing with much more in their lives. I first told myself when this happened that I wasn’t going to be one of those people that spewed his guts about mental illness, but at least if I tell the story, I know it’s the truth.

A very good friend encouraged me to share as much as I was comfortable about sharing.  This is about as far as I can go right now.  If anything I've described sounds like something you're dealing with personally or with someone in your life... look for the answers. If who you're talking to doesn't have them, find someone who does. You could be saving yourself.

I'm going to make it... for the better

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