Health Issues and Exercise

I value good health and realize that exercise plays a major role for me.  My health issues include diabetes which is my biggest challenge as it is a progressive disease.  Just about the time I feel in control, it changes.  There is more than enough information available from many reliable sources and I try my best to stay informed.  I have been Type 2 since 2003 when I turned 50 years old.

I grew up in a diabetic household with my mother diagnosed while she was pregnant with me.  She was in her mid-30's.  We know her maternal Uncle Mike had diabetes and died because he refused a leg amputation.  Sometimes I look back and think I may have known too much too early.  Uncle Mike came to our home to die and he did it in my bed which I had to give up for him when I was 3; one of my earliest memories. My father was diagnosed in his 50's.  Both my parents died of diabetic related heart disease.  My older brother diagnosed in his 40's and had open heart surgery in his early 50's.  My other brother diagnosed in his late 50's.  I know of at least one male cousin that is my age and was diagnosed in his early 50's.  It appears that for me, heredity plays the major role in my diabetes followed by stress and then weight issues.

I always knew I was likely to get diabetes because I was so closely watched as a child of a diabetic.  I was also nearly 11 pounds at birth and was placed in an oxygen tent for two weeks before coming home. It was brought to my attention as early as age seven that I was heavier than I should be although I was never considered fat; just should be thinner.  My mother took me yearly for glucose testing.  I never thought as myself as thin or heavy. I was aware very early that many people preferred thin people so I began to feel that I was something less than I should be because I didn't buy into that 'thin is better attitude.'  My medical doctor put me on diet pills at age 11 and I remained on them until I left home at 17.  It seemed everyone around me was certain of my impending doom as a diabetic because I was not thin; not heavy, but not thin. It took well in adulthood to have confidence in myself above what other people think concerning the attitude that 'thin is better' and that I'm doomed to be diabetic. I always felt good about myself and in control of my health. I began to believe in myself.  So began trust in my intuition.  I also became more aware of healthy living.  I took charge of my health.  I considered myself healthy and led an active life in my 20's, 30's, and 40's.

For as long as I can remember, I was aware of my mother's food and her daily walks and exercise.  I went with her regularly to her blood draw appointments until I went to school.  I knew how she behaved when she was over-stressed. I knew when mom needed orange juice.  I knew all of my mother's stresses and could see the affect directly.  I also learned from watching her that the food she ate, the daily walks, the housework, and seasonal yard work directly affected her behavior.  She was a useful role model for my later life.  She didn't teach me much of anything useful but I did learn from her actions...good and bad. By the time I reached 50, I could use the things I learned from my mother and the science improved greatly. That's when I went through menopause and became diabetic.  I also had stress from neck pain which lead to surgery and had a full recovery. I do believe that my attitude and actions for a healthy lifestyle helped me put off becoming a diabetic at least 10 years. 

My current challange is to maintain my health as best as I can working closely with my medical advisers concerning my diabetes.  My medications, food, exercise, stress, and mental health are all closely monitored by daily blood glucose testing and regular doctor office visits.  I work very hard at not feeling the inevitable doom coming and try everyday to feel some joy in living.  Exercise sets me free.