The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.
Albert Einstein~ After years of feeling quite healthy, I ran into a number of medical difficulties.
My life partner, Carol, finally told me I had used up my quota for the year.
Wishful think on both our parts! I recently came home from a medical checkup with a diagnosis of diabetes.
Oh, there were signs that it was coming and I made some nutritional efforts to hold it at bay, but apparently not enough.
Or would it have made any difference? I didn't need any new challenges.
I was perfectly happy enjoying my retirement without anything dire to occupy my thoughts.
After the initial shock wore off, I thought back to my childhood and my grandmother's visits.
I knew she was coming because we stocked up on somewhat strange tasting diabetic candy for her enjoyment.
At age seven, I recall watching her give herself insulin shots.
I saw this as quite dreadful since I counted myself lucky if I could escape the doctor's visit without facing a needle.
By the time I reached my teen years, my grandmother developed serious diabetic complications and ended up having both legs amputated.
Now where would she inject her insulin? Back to the present, I wondered whether I might end up like her.
Whenever I am tempted not to take my diabetes seriously, I see an image of my grandmother in a wheelchair.
What a way to begin my retirement.
I met with a nutritionist and attended a series of classes at the Healthy Living Center in Batavia.
The library and Amazon kept me stocked with reading about all aspects of diabetes.
My computer and Google worked overtime supplying me with all I could read until my eyes became bleary.
I talked with diabetic friends and anyone else who I thought might have some insight into my new condition.
I waded through the Medicare maze to locate and affordable glucometer, lancets and the surprisingly pricey test strips.
I felt squeamish about sticking my fingers for blood to test.
I recalled giving blood, the worst part of which was the finger stick.
In my research, I discovered there were relatively painless ways to wrest blood from my system.
By the time I had gathered all my supplies and was ready to begin testing my blood glucose, I found it was a piece of cake, so to speak.
While by no means an expert, I finally feel I have a handle on what is happening in my body and to some extent why.
I also found an online diabetes community where I can learn from others' knowledge and share what I am discovering.
I am also grateful that this did not happen before I retired.
I would not have the hours to spend learning how to face this new challenge.
Life Lab Lessons
Albert Einstein~ After years of feeling quite healthy, I ran into a number of medical difficulties.
My life partner, Carol, finally told me I had used up my quota for the year.
Wishful think on both our parts! I recently came home from a medical checkup with a diagnosis of diabetes.
Oh, there were signs that it was coming and I made some nutritional efforts to hold it at bay, but apparently not enough.
Or would it have made any difference? I didn't need any new challenges.
I was perfectly happy enjoying my retirement without anything dire to occupy my thoughts.
After the initial shock wore off, I thought back to my childhood and my grandmother's visits.
I knew she was coming because we stocked up on somewhat strange tasting diabetic candy for her enjoyment.
At age seven, I recall watching her give herself insulin shots.
I saw this as quite dreadful since I counted myself lucky if I could escape the doctor's visit without facing a needle.
By the time I reached my teen years, my grandmother developed serious diabetic complications and ended up having both legs amputated.
Now where would she inject her insulin? Back to the present, I wondered whether I might end up like her.
Whenever I am tempted not to take my diabetes seriously, I see an image of my grandmother in a wheelchair.
What a way to begin my retirement.
I met with a nutritionist and attended a series of classes at the Healthy Living Center in Batavia.
The library and Amazon kept me stocked with reading about all aspects of diabetes.
My computer and Google worked overtime supplying me with all I could read until my eyes became bleary.
I talked with diabetic friends and anyone else who I thought might have some insight into my new condition.
I waded through the Medicare maze to locate and affordable glucometer, lancets and the surprisingly pricey test strips.
I felt squeamish about sticking my fingers for blood to test.
I recalled giving blood, the worst part of which was the finger stick.
In my research, I discovered there were relatively painless ways to wrest blood from my system.
By the time I had gathered all my supplies and was ready to begin testing my blood glucose, I found it was a piece of cake, so to speak.
While by no means an expert, I finally feel I have a handle on what is happening in my body and to some extent why.
I also found an online diabetes community where I can learn from others' knowledge and share what I am discovering.
I am also grateful that this did not happen before I retired.
I would not have the hours to spend learning how to face this new challenge.
Life Lab Lessons
- What do you face in your life?
- Do you hide it or seek help where it is available?
- Do you share what you learn about your challenges with others?
- Use your trials as an opportunity to connect with others.
- Welcome others to help with your understanding of your life.
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