Take Care of Yourself

Take Care of Yourself

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

by Leona Timbo

Finding out that yes, you DO have diabetes, can take

unusual forms. It was my ophthalmologist who suspected it

and sent me for a blood sugar test. Sure enough, I was, but

it was April 1, 1986, and i thought it was an April Fool's

joke--but it was not.

My doctor put me on the oral medication diabeta. I

could not get it through my head to watch what I ate or did.

I was very depressed and antisocial, full of "Why did this

happen to me?" I was always tired, my eyes were blurry, and

I made frequent trips to the bathroom.

But things settled down. About 4 1/2 years later, I

had a heart attack. That, and the double bypass surgery

that followed, changed my outlook. After my operation, the

heart doctor told me my oral meds were not enough, and

switched me to insulin. It took that much to make me aware,

to start taking care of myself properly.

Because of my diabetes, I have needed laser surgery on

my eyes, to stop the bleeding. My kidney tests are a little

high. But, can you imagine living 100 years ago, when there

was no treatment? I'm glad there has been so much research

to help us. I came to my senses: This is my destiny; the

doctors' tests and my meters' results are all telling me to

keep these numbers DOWN.

All of you out there, try your best! Watch your diet,

listen to your doctor, and take care of yourself! If in

doubt about what's good for you, and what you should be

doing to control your diabetes (it really is up to you),

talk to your doctor, your dietitian and your diabetes

educator. Read books and articles, and subscribe to

diabetes magazines. Learn, and keep positive.

I have found my frame of mind has a lot of effect on my

diabetes control and on my general health. Being in a good

humor helps too. What I am saying is don't make a bad thing

worse by closing your eyes to it. Putting it out of your

mind does not help. Take care of yourself; life is good.