06/27/2025
From My Desk! You've been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes ! What Now ! I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at age 50 . At the same time I was taking care of everything and everyone else but myself . Just to mention a few , Finishing divorce paperwork on a very final chapter of my life . Putting my life on hold and placing my belongings in storage . Moving in with my mother to become her full time caregiver who had been diagnosed with Parkinsons and early Alzhimers. Trying to hold down a 8 to 5 Monday through Friday Nursing position. Talk about stressed ! I sure didn't need Diabetes too . Going through the hard things at that time . I had forgotten to take care of me . I was eating on the go , mostly fast food and eating just to eat because of stress. I gained weight, didn't exercise and took no time to destress. Now you know how I became Diabetic. I forgot to mention Diabetes was also genenetic for me . My Father was also Diabetic he was insulin dependent. Now being a nurse I knew the options but didn't know the right path for me . What I would suggest is find a good Medical practice that listens to you and let's you have your say too while listening to their very skilled Medical advice. Then determining what's best for you . No person is going to respond to the same treatment as others. We're all different and our bodies react differently. What I chose for myself was , put myself first and take time to meditate and grow stronger in my faith . To exercise daily even if just a walk outside. I also chose to make better choices with my diet eating the rainbow of natural fruits, berries, nuts ,vegetables , lean meats, fish ,and occasionally enjoying bacon and sausage that's not turkey . I eat different foods each day making sure that over 80 percent are good choices. I don't eat a lot of fried foods but I do enjoy them occasionally. I hear so many new diabetics say I'm going to change my sugar to artificial sweetners. They're not good for you either your body doesn't recognize them and they raise your blood sugar levels too . The best thing I found is to use natural cane sugar and cut back the sugar in recipes . In baking sometimes you can't do that so just treat yourself to a small piece . Now this is where my doctor and I disagree. Breads ! Carbs ! I do cut back on my portion and try to increase the fiber when having carbs . The same thing for potatoes and rice . The most helpful things I find to keep my blood sugar down is staying well hydrated, getting a good night's sleep and rest, doing intermittent fasting for at least 16 hours at night , exercising after a meal like going for a walk or doing household chores. The one thing I don't see people being informed of is lowering the stress in their life. Stress can and does elevate your blood sugar levels. Find a hobby you enjoy and relax your mind. Learning how to check your own blood sugar levels and keeping up with what spikes your blood sugar levels also is important . I do take oral medication for diabetes and keep up with my doctor appointments and labs . My best advice is you control what being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes means for you . Listen to your body ! Fighting off Viruses and Bacterial infections are harder for Diabetics so try to prevent or stop them quickly. No one has the same journey with Diabetes but you can live a full and energetic life. There's so much information and different ways of treating Diabetes. Stay informed and get some good medical professionals on your team . My best supporter is the one who walks by my side each and every day. He's been with me on my journey and held my hand through the Mountains and Valleys of life . 🙂😉❤️Brenda Cooking, Gardening and Decorating with Brenda McNeely from South East Georgia.
