Monday, December 15, 2008

Learing I Have Diabets

I was pregnant with my 3rd child at age 37. I went in for my normal check up. As I stepped on the scale and noticed I had a 10 pound weight gain. I simply could not believe my eyes. The nurse softly said do you have diabetes? I said NO!! She then started quickly looking through my chart and said that is weird I can't find your blood work from your gestational diabetes test. She then went on to say she would give the Lab a call. As she walked back towards me looking down I felt something wasn't right. She said I am so sorry to let you know but your test came back positive. I asked why I was not notified and she said somehow my test results did not come over from the lab.

She sent me right over for a 3 hour blood glucose test and I again tested positive. Knowing I only had 6 weeks until my due date I needed to work fast and learn all I could to know how to eat and what to do to better my health for myself and my baby. She gave me a load of paper work to read on gestational diabetes and also gave me food guide lines to follow. I followed the food guide and when I returned each week for testing my test were in range. I felt much relief.

I ended up delivering my baby 3 weeks early so I only knew I had diabetes for 3 weeks of my pregnancy. I had my post glucose tests after my son was born and the nurse said that there was no diabetes showing. I got one more my test the day we went home. Again I was told I could return to regular foods that the diabetes gone.

My son was very sick his first year of life. I was up with him nightly and was at the Doctor office many times to find out he had bronchitis and ear infections. It was really hard on my body because I wasn’t feeling well myself. I could not drop a pound no matter how hard I tried and I was having really bad headaches. I wanted to go to the Doctor to see what was up but my son was so ill I just kept putting it off. Finally I could not take another day of the headaches and I called my Doctor.

Dr. Rick Robert's over at Seltzer medical group. He got me in the next day and did a bunch of tests. He also ended up sending me home with a blood monitor. He taught me how to use it and said now don't get worried I just want to see how your blood sugar test's out. When I get the monitor in a few weeks we will discuss the results. He went on to talk about the different types of diabetes than he said with a smile I see you back in a few weeks. A few weeks past and I went back in to see Dr. Roberts; He asked how I was feeling? I told him I was not feeling any better. :-(

He took the monitor back and had it hooked up to his computer that printed out the results. He came in and said Well, Jill you do have diabetes. I froze and then began to cry. He said listen, I am going to give you a diet plan that will help allot and the pounds will start dropping off. He then said I need to do some type of aerobic program, machine or walking will do but you need to do it faithfully 5 days a week for the next month and then let’s have you back in and see your progress. He then went on to say that he would like me to test my blood before I eat and 1 hr after I eat 3 times a day.

Well, my next visit brought Joy as he told me your numbers look great so I can tell you have been eating right. I stepped on the scale to see a there was a 13 pound loss. I remember the feeling of relief that came over me. I knew what I had to do to get myself better. It was such a pleasing thought to know that I could act upon what my Dr. said to do and I will continue to get good results and that is exactly what I did.

It’s been about 3 yrs since I found out I had diabetes and I have lost a total of 80 pounds.

I feel great and the best thing of all is sharing my story with others and being able to help others educate themselves with the risk factors of diabetes and start now to live a better healthier life so they don’t have to go through what I went through.

I want to thank Doctor Roberts for being such a great Doctor and teaching me so much about diabetes and what to do to change my life. I also want to thank my family for being there for me though this very big trial and standing by my side cheering me on though my successes.

10 comments:

Cindy said...

You look amazing and I am so proud of you. Look at you now! You have been a total example to me and have paved the way for me to model my life after yours.

Thank you!
Cindy

Laurie said...

I saw your story on
"Be Naturally Well".
What a great story to share.
You have done what most people can't. You are a great inspiration to others. Keep up the good work.

Renee Simpson said...

I found your blog on healthy lifestyle blogger. You have some great information on your blog. I have Type 2 diabetes and have had a very hard time getting the weight off.
You motivated me to try harder.
Good luck in your Mrs. Idaho pageant. You will do great!
You make a good role model for those with diabetes.

Missy Weller said...

You really did a big transformation! I applaud you. I saw your article on be naturally well. You look amazing.
Good luck in Mrs Idaho. I am sure you will do well.

Chelsea said...

You should be the spokes woman for diabetes. I feel you have made great strides with getting your health under control. My Aunt has Diabetes and the Dr has asked her many times to loose the weight. She has not. Now she has had to deal with infection after infection on her feet and the diabetes seems to be getting worse. I am going to have her come read your story. Sometimes all people need is to see someone who has been through it to motivate them.
I love (be naturally well) I have always found helpful information on that site. I was glad to find your web site.

Thanks for giving me hope. I am really close to my Aunt and want her to be healthy

Anonymous said...

Was on A2 Z Health and Beauty and say your blog. Good luck in Mrs.Idaho.
You have accomplished so much. That is so great that you lost so much weight. What a good example you will be to all of us mom's out in the world who put to much weight on through the years.

Kelly

Anonymous said...

Jill,
I had no Idea you had a web site. I was on-line looking some stuff up on weigh loss and your website was there. Good for you girl!!
You look beautiful! I am so proud of you for loosing so much weight. You look like you are in your 20's again. You will do great in the Idaho pageant!
Anyway, e-mail me with your phone number. I would love to get back in touch.
Cindy Reynolds

Lucinda Williams said...

I was in my 20's when I was diagnosed with diabetes. I ate really bad most of my life and just did not ever think I would get sick from doing so. Type 2 diabetes is a big deal and I am glad people like you can pave the way for people to get help and change the way they live.
I loved reading your story.

Brad Keller WA said...

I saw your information on Zoom.
You are in inspiration to the diabetic community.
You are doing great things!!

Rita reader of Be Naturally Well said...

Your inner beauty shows in your blog and in your family blog.
You having diabetes yourself makes a great platform.
Good luck.