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After a routine checkup to investigate my recent weight loss and incessant thirst I was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes.  This came as a complete shock to me mainly because I had limited knowledge of the disease and to my understanding it most commonly effected children and obese adults.

The Skinny (no pun intended): 

Diabetes is a disease in which the body is unable to properly use and store glucose (a form of sugar). Glucose backs up in the bloodstream — causing one’s blood glucose (sometimes referred to as blood sugar) to rise too high.

There are two major types of diabetes. In type 1 (fomerly called juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent) diabetes, the body completely stops producing any insulin, a hormone that enables the body to use glucose found in foods for energy. People with type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections to survive.

What it means for me?

  1. Daily monitoring of my blood glucose levels.
  2. Giving myself regular insulin injections to keep blood glucose levels within an accepted range.
  3. Highly regulating how much food I eat, how many carbs it contains and when I eat it.
  4. Regular exercise.
How do I feel?
Well to be honest it is pretty hard to explain at this point.  I am being flooded with dos and don’ts, healthy tips and new health implications. It is all quite overwhelming.  On the plus side, if I can nail down a good routine to manage my blood sugars and get used to the idea of relying on insulin, I can still live a normal life.  I have some serious weight to gain to get back up to normal, and with the strict diet I am on I am using the opportunity to really get into the best shape of my life – which is actually kinda exciting.  For now I am using a variety of tactics to try to better understand my new lifestyle including writing about it here. I know Robyn will keep me in check, and we can move forward, things are just kinda wild at the moment.
As I speak Turkey dinner is in the final stages complete with Diabetic recipes and considerations made last minute by our friend Chris. An amazing gesture. Hope everyone has a wonderful Turkey Day, it certainly won’t be one we forget anytime soon!

6 thoughts on “Diabetes”

  1. Courage Ethan. Courage and love will get you through. Some times the road takes an unexpected turn, but there always seems to be new territory at the end to explore- if we let ourselves. Remember, your wife, your family, your friends- we all have your back.
    I love you.
    Da

  2. Holy crap Ethan, I’m sorry to hear that was the news after going to the doc. It’s definitely going to change some of your ways in life, but like always you’ll keep a positive attitude and not let it change who you are.

    1. Yeah it was one hell of a shock! I am adjusting already though and looking at it as another challenge. Robyn will make sure to keep me on my toes!

    1. Steve. Just be glad the old naked dude with the bars is in whitey tighties and not a duct tape man thong….maybe we could photoshop a mustache shirt on him.

  4. Well my darling nephew, your Auntie knows plenty…more than most about Diabetes. Yes, that news is less than ideal BUT the good news is it is manageable! Managing it is the key! When you do that there are very few negative side effects. It simply turns into a condition! Kinda like having curly hair! You might not like it but with enough product you don’t know the difference! Call me, let’s talk about the nuts and bolts of it! Love you!

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