Taking Steps Forward
October 24 may have been one of the scariest days of my life. Like I've done on many occasions, I sat in my car at 6 am and began the 1.5 hour trek from New Jersey to Long Island for an all-day meeting.
As always, I was tired. After working for 10 months on a project and putting in 20-hour days for the last three weeks, who wouldn't be. But, as I was on the highway and started to wake up, something funny happened. I looked ahead of me and realized that everything was blurry. I'm not one to get freaked out, but I have to say that I was scared. But, I ventured on, went to my meeting, and headed home with my eyes still blurry.
Fortunately, I booked an appointment the next day with my doctor. When I got to the doctor, I didn't realize how fortunate I was. When I got to the doctor and told him how I felt, he immediately pulled out a meter and pricked my finger. The number on the meter read 568. Now, I'm not a doctor (that's my wife's gig), but I knew that wasn't good and the doctor confirmed my fears when he sent me to the ER.
The next few hours and days were brutal. I found out that night that I had diabetes. And I also found out that I couldn't go home to be with my wife and daughter that night. I was crushed, scared, and just overall confused. I started to ask: Diabetes didn't run in my family, so why did I get this? I know I'm overweight (ok really overweight — don't be fooled by my picture. It's an old one), but why did this have to happen to me? How could I do this to myself?
To be honest, I felt that way for the next two days as I lied in a bed with nothing to do but sulk and watch the Game Show Network. My only salvation came from a silver heart my wife gave me and a message from a nurse in the ER. That message was simple: Don't beat yourself up, you can deal with this, and read as much as you can.
I got home that Friday night and I told myself that 1) I'd fight this disease head on, that 2) I'd make changes, and 3) that I'd start a blog, so that I could share my experiences with the world. Hey, I'm a journalist, so writing is in the blood :-)
Number 1 and number 2 are already happening. I've lost weight. I hit the gym 4 times per week. And my levels look good. And now, with this post, I'm living up to number 3 of my promise. So stick around to read about my experiences on living with Type 2 and to find resources that anyone with diabetes might find interesting. Hope you enjoy!
As always, I was tired. After working for 10 months on a project and putting in 20-hour days for the last three weeks, who wouldn't be. But, as I was on the highway and started to wake up, something funny happened. I looked ahead of me and realized that everything was blurry. I'm not one to get freaked out, but I have to say that I was scared. But, I ventured on, went to my meeting, and headed home with my eyes still blurry.
Fortunately, I booked an appointment the next day with my doctor. When I got to the doctor, I didn't realize how fortunate I was. When I got to the doctor and told him how I felt, he immediately pulled out a meter and pricked my finger. The number on the meter read 568. Now, I'm not a doctor (that's my wife's gig), but I knew that wasn't good and the doctor confirmed my fears when he sent me to the ER.
The next few hours and days were brutal. I found out that night that I had diabetes. And I also found out that I couldn't go home to be with my wife and daughter that night. I was crushed, scared, and just overall confused. I started to ask: Diabetes didn't run in my family, so why did I get this? I know I'm overweight (ok really overweight — don't be fooled by my picture. It's an old one), but why did this have to happen to me? How could I do this to myself?
To be honest, I felt that way for the next two days as I lied in a bed with nothing to do but sulk and watch the Game Show Network. My only salvation came from a silver heart my wife gave me and a message from a nurse in the ER. That message was simple: Don't beat yourself up, you can deal with this, and read as much as you can.
I got home that Friday night and I told myself that 1) I'd fight this disease head on, that 2) I'd make changes, and 3) that I'd start a blog, so that I could share my experiences with the world. Hey, I'm a journalist, so writing is in the blood :-)
Number 1 and number 2 are already happening. I've lost weight. I hit the gym 4 times per week. And my levels look good. And now, with this post, I'm living up to number 3 of my promise. So stick around to read about my experiences on living with Type 2 and to find resources that anyone with diabetes might find interesting. Hope you enjoy!
posted by RobK11 | 4:00 PM
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