Summertime and the Diabetes Is ... Easy

a new cafe on Bay and Somerset W.

 Ok, not easy exactly. But the title goes with the song.

I took my daily walk again today, the second day of summer. I felt blissful and ebullient. If you had told me back when I received my diabetes diagnosis at the end of March that I would feel b & e, I would have been very surprised, and I might have thought you were just being foolish.

In a mere fourteen weeks, I have improved my diet and increased my physical activity. I have more energy and I sleep better. I’m calmer and less anxious and while I have blue moments, I don’t have a whole blue period.

I have had some obstacles. The blood pressure meds I was put on made me dizzy. I’m now off them and will try again after my A1C test in August. I need to continue to eat healthy and do as much physical activity as I can.

After the Freestyle Libre 1 and 2 free sample flash glucose monitors, which helped greatly in my learning about how my body reacts to food, sleep and activity, we purchased two more on our own dime. These turned out to be duds, not accurately providing information on my blood sugar levels – reading way too high or too low compared to the One Touch glucose monitor (taking into account the lag time.) It’s disappointing but since I already learned a lot and am able to have an effect on my blood sugar levels through diet and exercise, I am still glad I gave the FL sensors a shot.

People with diabetes have to lose five to ten percent of their body weight in order to lower blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

Last year at this time, I was one hundred and eighty-five pounds with a waist of forty-seven inches. I was content with my weight and look sexy always, so I didn’t have an issue with my weight. Upon diagnosis on March 29, 2022, I was one hundred and eighty pounds, and my waist was forty-three inches. I am now one hundred and sixty-seven pounds with a waist of forty inches. I can fit into my sexy brown corduroy skirt. 

I haven’t missed a single Senior Ravens Stretch and Strength class over these fourteen weeks, that’s three times a week for seventy-five minutes each class on Zoom, working on stretching and strengthening the large muscles, abs, back and core. I take walks daily for at least thirty minutes and Charles accompanies me on weekends.  And recently we purchased some delicious peaches from Kowloon in Chinatown called Saturn or Donut Peaches and they were exquisite. There is much sweetness to be had in life.  I feel good.

 I am part of a support group on Facebook called Diabetes101 for Beginners and it’s been so great. We all have somewhat different challenges, but we have diabetes in common and many of us were only recently diagnosed. We share our anxieties; we ask questions and we offer mutual support.

 We have figured out some excellent meals and also are choosing the low carb meals from our meal kit offerings. It's hard to believe that it was so difficult to figure this out at the start, but we've learned a lot about nutrition in the last fourteen weeks, and I'm relieved. 

I continue to read and research and have started a poetry manuscript on diabetes. Life is very full and satisfying.  

Charles is being lovely and supportive, as expected. His omelets are delicious, his company divine. Our time together is full of joy, camaraderie, sexiness, and silliness. I don’t feel at all deprived or sad because I can’t eat high carbs or a bunch of processed foods or desserts anymore. I feel happy. I am learning to take each day as it comes, be grateful for my life and adapt when need be.

Today I sat on the patio at Desserts First, a new café that has opened up near Dundonald Park. I had a lovely time, savouring my iced coffee while people watching, one of my favourite activities. I want jazz, books, good coffee, time with Charles and I'm happy. I feel very lucky. 

I know this is a rough time for many people right now and I send you my love and hugs.