I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in October 2020. I worked with the RDPCN family nurse to adopted a completely new lifestyle. I decreased my caloric intake, started carb counting, and started walking daily. At first I would walk for 30 minutes a day and now I am up to one hour per day. At times the winter weather has challenged me but I have persevered. Evenings were always family time but I steal an hour for my walking. Fortunately, my family is supportive and at times my daughter or a friend join me and give me motivation.

I have begun to feel lighter and in better shape. I have lost 30 pounds and I have normal blood glucose and blood pressure now. I am still awaiting results of a liver fibroscan. It has taken me a lot of work and willpower to stay the course and I am not done yet. I really feel that I have dodged the bullet. For me a prospect of serious illness, heart attack, liver failure, losing a limb or my family losing me… was petrifying.

So if I were to give advice to anyone who recently got diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, it would be this: first, make sure you understand what is going to happen if you don’t do anything and then think about the consequences it will have on you and your family, those you love the most. For me that was the biggest motivation. And second advice, find your support system:  family, friends, medical professionals… anyone that will be able to be there for you, give you advice, challenge you and prop you and push you when needed.

I hope someone finds my story inspiring. After all, for years I had used every excuse in the book, not enough time, I cannot give up this or that… until the prospect of getting seriously ill became all too realistic. It is not easy to change one’s ways, but it is more difficult to live with the consequences of the untreated diabetes, or even worse – to not live at all. My only regret is that I did not set on this journey sooner, before any damage was done.

To learn more about the RDPCN programs, visit www.reddeerpcn.com

Getting My Blood Glucose Back in the Normal Range Gave Me Tears of Joy

Strategies to Manage Persistent Pain Thursday, September 16, 2021 1:00-2:00 pm
Red Deer Public Library Facebook Live

Come learn more about persistent (chronic) pain from our team at Red Deer PCN. You will learn about different types of pain, medication to manage ongoing pain, the effects and benefits of opioids, and the importance of non-medication strategies to help manage your pain.

Presented by Red Deer PCN’s Dr. Myburgh G.P, Jennifer Howe, Pharmacist & Jennifer Wallin, Psychologist.

Tune into Facebook Live at Red Deer Public Library Facebook page for this program.

This is one of a series of health-related programs co-sponsored by the Red Deer PCN and the Red Deer Library.
Watch for others in the series!

Read more stories from the Red Deer Primary Care Network.