Learning to live with diabetes.

I have not felt quite right for at least a year, and now I know why.

Physically and mentally, I have not been firing on all cylinders, but unable to pin anything down. And certainly not enough to go to the trouble of seeing my doctor –I put it all down to a lack of a proper holiday and not having time to recharge after the Pandemic.

Oddly, the two things I noticed during this period were a gradual loss in the quality of my sleep and a gradual drop in my writing — over time, I seemed unable to generate anything new.

I suspect this feeling was due to my diabetes; I was diagnosed in March of this year after a routine checkup.

Five months after my diagnosis, I am still adjusting to the news and a new way of living. In the past, I took what I ate for granted. The whole business of buying, thinking about and cooking food was a chore. Left to me, I would take a leaf from Willy Wonka, from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and satisfy my nutritional needs with a stick of magical gum. Alas, that is not possible and, in any case, certainly not feasible with my diabetes.

Now I know I need to take my food intake more seriously, not only what but when, and I remember poo-poohing the idea of diabetes a year ago when a friend suggested I get myself checked.

Though I am encouraged to hear that some people achieve remission from diabetes, and I’d like to see if I can manage that, however for the moment, I am on medication — three times a day with meals.

One thing that has come out of this is that my health and well-being are now my top priority. I am more intentional about maintaining and enhancing my mental and physical well-being.

When I first received my diagnosis over the phone in March, much of what my doctor told me was a blur. But when I went to collect my medication, the pharmacist came to physically check on me when he noticed that it was my first prescription for diabetes. That simple act made all the difference that day.

So, where am I today?

I am thankful that I now know and can put myself in a better position to manage this disease. I am determined to do my best with it, and even better if I can kick it into remission.

I am used to the medication; the underlying feeling of nausea has largely gone.

The most significant adjustment has been accepting that I have a chronic disease. I am not generally ill, so it has been a blow to my sense of self that I must now manage a chronic illness. And one that could potentially have significant repercussions for my long-term health and well-being.

I have established a new routine to account for my condition. I recognise more than ever that the things I do every day will make a difference.

And what have I learnt?

Stop taking my physical health and well-being for granted — it is time to prioritise these moving forward.

Movement is the name of the game these days — I eat and then exercise after each meal, so I help my body metabolise the sugars I have consumed.

Timing is more critical to take what and when I eat more seriously. I now eat more or less at the same time every day.

I can no longer eat big plates of food — little and often seems to work best for me.

Eat more simply; sometimes, a baked potato with baked beans is perfect.

To accept the occasional bouts of nausea and dash to the loo.

Daily medication is, for the moment, a part of my life.

To appreciate the restorative effects of Greek Yoghurt, something I discovered while on holiday.

I never leave the house without a packet of Glucose tablets with me.

Until next time

Janice Taylor

www.blueskycareerconsulting.co.uk

PS I should also state that none of the above constitutes medical advice.