Skip to main content

Working to Defeat Diabetes

It came to a head on April 22nd. This was the Tuesday after Easter Sunday, and we were very busy the day before at work. I work the customer service line for a toy company and the day after Easter, understandably, would be a very brisk day. I had been having problems with my eyesight for the past several days, and working a job where you are staring at 2 computer screens for several hours is not good when you have blurred vision.

When I woke up on the 22nd, I was also experiencing headaches. At this point, I decided to check my blood glucose. I hadn't done that in many months, I wasn't even sure that my monitor was even working. The monitor read 230, more than 100 points higher than the top level should be. After thinking about it for over an hour, I had even packed my lunch for work, I decided to call the doctor's office and leave a message for the medical receptionist to call back. After that, I called off work.

My call to the doctor was returned by his receptionist. She said that he should see me, so I made an appointment for later that morning. While I was waiting to be seen, I posted this update on Facebook: "Waiting to see doctor. Blurred vision, headache, and elevated blood glucose. Figure it's time to see him."
Many thoughts went through my mind at this point. I was worried that I was going blind. Kathy was worried that I was going to be sent to the emergency room. I also was kicking my self due to my stupidity. Being diabetic, I was well aware of things that can happen if you don't stay on top of your condition. Things like blindness, kidney failure, heart failure, and having body parts amputated. I was then called in. Here is the next Facebook update: "Update on my medical condition: I wish to thank everybody for all your well wishes and prayers. When I got in to the doctor's office, the nurse took my blood pressure. It was 126/64. I knew at this point that I was going to be fine. When the doctor had come into the examination room, I let him know about recent happenings. He checked vitals and adjusted my diabetic medications. He gave me a new one to try and cut down on one of the others. I then went on to work. I was 5-1/2 hours late, but welcome nonetheless. My blood glucose later registered at 103. Vision is getting better and headaches are gone. Time to get my fat @$$ moving once again and try to knock some of the excess poundage off."

Ring ring, Cliff Feightner, here is your reality call. Next day was my day off. We were sitting at my in laws' house the next day, discussing my latest condition. I knew one thing that would help, along with adjustment of my diet, would be a good exercise program. Problem was, in my mind, my man made left knee. I had been putting off having surgery on it for at least the past 3 years. I decided there that if I had to wrap the knee every day, I would try to walk some pounds off.

The next day, the walking started to come together. the knee wasn't wrapped up. The following was my update , along with what has become my personal hashtag: Took a walk of a little over a mile. Worked up a sweat. Feel good!#DefeatDiabetes

And yes, I use #DefeatDiabetes with at least one FB post a day. And since these were becoming the most commented on posts, I wanted to send out other messages too: "And please, if you have a family history of diabetes, or are diagnosed with it, don't let your emotions start to go out of control over things you have no control over, or start to have vision problems before you start to take action.#DefeatDiabetes"
Cliff Note: Even if you don't have a Facebook account, you can read my posts by clicking on the hashtag, .#DefeatDiabetes

Diabetes is in  epidemic proportions in this country due to some of the lazy habits we have cultivated. I first learned 9 years ago that I was diabetic. I thought at that time that I could beat it by diet and exercise. I became gung ho about it, but that went by the wayside.

October 22, 2011, I was in my inlaws' backyard when I slipped in the mud and broke 2 bones in my ankle. I was transported, by ambulance, to Medina Hospital, where I had surgery to put a plate and 9 screws in my leg. As I was going in for surgery, I had to have 3 insulin shots. This is because I hadn't taken my diabetic meds in quite a while. As I was in surgery, Kathy was afraid that I was going to stroke out on the table.

The reason I hadn't been taking my diabetic meds was financial. Believe me, that's a very dumb reason. Let your doctor know if there are medications that you can't afford. There are programs that will help.

Everything turned out fine and the following spring, I started an exercise program that ended before summer.

In the meantime, I became the good guy that would bring treats in to work on Saturday. This included doughnuts. And of course, I would indulge. After the doctor's appointment of April 22. this would change. Here is my update for April 26: "First doughnut free Saturday for me. I would bring in doughnuts for my coworkers to snack on as we work a 5 hour day on Saturday with no lunch break. No can do now. I have cut up some celery and am taking that along with some baby carrots. Not exciting in itself, but the end result will be.#DefeatDiabetes"

And my coworkers have been very supportive. The support comes from other avenues. When I call WONE-FM with my poems, one of the first questions that either Jeff Kinzbach or Ed Esposito will ask me pertains to my health. They both let me know that they are reading my posts and give me encouragement.

And there are what I call small victories. I have using my Facebook account as an accountability group. I love being able to tell of minor accomplishments.  Here is one of the first of this journey. The post was written on May 3.
"Small Victories: First this morning, after my walk and shower, my blood glucose was 131. Now the small victory involves snacking at work. As most know, I am employed at a call center. I sit at a desk wearing a headset for several hours a day. My work week starts out working from 8am to 8pm Monday and Tuesday. I get 2 half hour breaks during the course of the day. I also keep something in my desk to give me a quick boost in case my blood glucose gets too low. That is a common problem of diabetics. In my desk, I have a pack of Lance cheese crackers and a granola bar. I also have a tin of Altoids. On Tuesday, we were all given Baby Ruth Bars. I placed it in my desk, where it still sets. When I have felt the need for a boost this week, I have gone into my tin of Altoids and put 2 in my mouth. According to the nutritional label, that's 2/3 of a serving. 1 serving has 10 calories. Now I have to work on my grazing when I get home at night. That is doable.#DefeatDiabetes

BTW, the candy bar is still in my desk. Other small victories have included going down 3 pants sizes, and the ability to turn down desserts. I have discovered that I now have to start my morning with at least a 1.8 mile walk or a half hour on the treadmill.

My blood pressure and glucose have gone down significantly. My latest problem was that my glucose was getting too low, necessitating another visit to my doctor. This occurred yesterday morning. Since April 22, I have lost 23 pounds. My doctor was really excited with the fact that he could cut both my diabetic and blood pressure medications.

One of the thoughts that runs through my mind as I go get up at 4am on Monday and Tuesday to take my walk is one of motivation. I think about the old Zig Ziglar qoute. "Do I want to look like me? Or the guy in the Jockey shorts?" Realisitically, I know that I will not be looking like the guy inb the Jockey shorts, but I do have a weight goal. That is 60 by 60. I want to be 60 pounds less than I was on April 22 by my 60th birthday, October 30, 2015. It's doable. My main push is to help myself and others to #DefeatDiabetes"

Comments

WZZP said…
Keep up the good work. You can do it!
74WIXYgrad said…
Just have to stay away from things like Barberton chicken and Anne's Pastry shop donuts. But I am starting to find new snack foods that I like, which are good for me, such as nuts and wasabi peas. These are all in moderation, of course. And if I do give in to the occasional cake and ice cream, my serving is much smaller. All in my plan to #DefeatDiabetes.
Amel said…
GREAT job!!! Thanks for inspiring me to take good care of my health, too. I've been wanting to lose some weight, but haven't been really serious in doing it. Now it's high time! :-)
YEKIMI said…
Good job. Could finally afford to see my doctor and my levels are down to pre-diabetic now. Guess having a triple bypass last year was the wake up call I needed. Now if I can just keep my weight down,......
Michelle said…
Good work Cliff. Sorry I haven't been around. Facebook took over and it became too easy to scan for short news there than actually read blogs. I'm thinking of leaving Facebook. It's become a burden rather than a help.

take care xx

Popular posts from this blog

Post 800: Time to chat

Hi Guys, It's hard to believe that this is post number 800 for this blog. I started this blog out of my desire to communicate. Since radio and television is becoming more and more automated and less and less personal, I'm glad I made the decision to go in this direction as it has given me many blessings. When I first decided to write my musings, a friend from the radio and television boards who goes by the name of newsnomore, told me not to be discouraged if I didn't get any readers. The fact that I did in the early going made me surprised and grateful that anyone was enjoying what I wrote. I've had people tell me that maybe it wasn't meant for me to ever be in radio, that maybe my calling was blogging. Nowadays I think blogging makes for better two way conversation than terrestrial radio, especially the way I do it, non confrontational. The closest I come from any confrontation is the innocent digs that Pat and I shoot at each other. On an average day I get betwee

Lawson's Chip Dip

On a couple of occasions I have written posts dedicated to Lawson's, a convenience store chain that was located in Ohio for close to 50 years. In the late 1980's the chain was bought out by Dairy Mart, of Engfield Ct. Dairy Mart was then purchased by Alimentation Couche-Tard, and most stored were rebranded Circle K. Something that has survived the years since Lawson's has left the landscape is Lawson's Chip Dip. I get many hits on this blog from people out of Ohio, I'm thinking former Buckeyes, looking for availability of this chip dip. I had gotten an email from a former resident of Cleveland looking for it. I emailed Circle K about this sometime ago asking if it was possible to send the dip out to those out of state, they said because of quality issues that it was not possible. My only suggestion would be to get in touch with Circle K in your home area and ask them to start stocking this very popular item that seems to make every get-together complete. Now we wil

Sometimes Sports are Just Sports

 This may or may not make the final cut of my book. I was writing about some events this weekend and what had started as a joyous Friday night at my home school district became a weekend of heartbreak in the area after what happened at another school. Sometimes We Need to Realize That Sports are Just Games   Friday nights in late summer and early fall are sometimes a big deal for high school students and their families. As the long-time band announcer for my local high school, it is a time of year I always look forward to. This past Friday night was originally supposed to be the homecoming game for the local high school. The schedule had to be changed a bit because of the uncertainty of the opponents being able to field a team. There was talk around the league that they may have had to forfeit this game, so homecoming for the local school was rescheduled. The opponents, which are rivals of my local school district, were able to field a team and the game was played. The game was