Type 2 Diabetes

 I stopped in to a local VSP Vision provider after work last night for an eye exam.

Vision Care Specialists, P.C. in Denver gave me great, even friendly service! I felt welcomed and right at home with each person I interacted with! I found this refreshing since my previous exams had been in those "eye care" places located in big discount stores like Walmart and Shopko where the service didn't compare. 

I was very impressed with the technology they had! They had this machine which took a digital photograph of the inside of my eyes! The technician said they could see 200% more of the eye than with a dilated exam! So, I paid the small fee to get this high-tech exam! Now, they will have these images for comparison over the years!

People with diabetes normally must undergo a dilated eye exam. Diabetes is hard on the eyes! In fact, my type 2 diabetes was diagnosed due to a vision issue. If it weren't for an eye doctor, I may have gone undiagnosed for many more years. Get a dilated eye exam people! Your vision is far to valuable to risk! 

We are going back this evening after work to pick out frames! WooHoo! I'll be style'n in new casual frames soon, and even better yet, for the first time in my cycling career I will have Nike prescription cycling shades thanks to VSP Vision's sponsorship of Team Type 1 and Team Type 2! 

Thanks VSP! 

 Since I began using Apidra as part of my diabetes treatment and training regimen I have seen seemingly remarkable improvements in my performance on the bike. I now have a tool to actively manage my blood glucose levels, rather than the passive management most type 2s have. Before beginning Apidra, I managed my blood glucose levels passively with radical carbohydrate restrictions and aerobic endurance cycling. 

A couple of months ago I was fortunate enough to be asked to interview for the American Diabetes Association's Diabetes Forecast magazine. The article has recently been published. You can read it by clicking here. 

Little did I know at the time, but my story would have an unexpected impact on the Editorial Director of the magazine, Sara Sklaroff. She posted a very nice editor's note here.   Sara is blogging about her experieces in getting ready for the Tour de Cure here.

I am truly humbled. 

 I have spent this past week of near isolation to get a handle on some things in my life which I needed to get  a handle on. 2008 was a year of adjusting to huge stress. The new job has proven to be good, but extremely high stress. Not to mention a bit time consuming. So, my activity level in 2008 saw huge reductions. I didn't even ride a century in 2008. The drop in my activity level allowed my weight to creep up over 200lbs again. That weight gain combined with the lowered activity level allowed my Ha1C to climb again and allowed all my numbers to slip. My insulin production is still in the normal range.

I had my annual appointment to get my blood work-up done the week before Christmas. I'm glad to say my numbers were not as bad as I feared they would be. My Ha1C was 6.4%. Much higher than I had been running. This is one of those things which I needed to get a handle on. Getting back to my previous activity level will bring this number back in check in short order when combined with good food choices.

There was also an issue with kidney function which has crept into the picture due to the diabetes. I am now on medication to treat this. My doctor has assured me that this condition will also improve as my activity level gets back to where it should be.

So, this past week I have used my isolation to make sustainable changes. Changes to how and when I eat. Changes to when and how often I test my blood sugar. Changes to my exercise routine. (as if I really had a routine in 2008) Perhaps most importantly,  I have made changes to my internal dialog. Changes in how I view myself  which I must reinforce with actions. I often say, "Talk is cheap" or "Words without deeds are hollow."  This is especially true when it comes to inner dialog than in any other. I have committed myself to spinning on the trainer on days when I am unable to ride outside. As much as I dislike the gym, I will be going to they gym on a regular basis as well for strength and core work.

I am already seeing positive results from the changes I made this past week. My fasting (waking) glucose has dropped dramatically. It is nearing the 100mg/dl threshold. I am looking forward to the training plan from our Team Type 2 trainers so I can sustain the inner dialog with a plan to move forward with the racing season, and the ultimate race of the year, Race Across America (RAAM). 

Today I will be calling the travel agency to book my flight to training camp for Team Type 1 and Team Type 2. I never in my lifetime would have imagined that I would be part of anything athletic. Especially part of a race team. Me. The former 340 pound couch pilot. The former 2 pack  day cigarette smoker. Has been given an incredible opportunity to be part of something so incredible. Something so significant. I am a very lucky guy!

Moving to Colorado has been one of the best things I have ever done for my health. 

SugarStats has been having some issues lately. Its been a few days since I have been able to login. I've been recording everything here on my blog. I'm not sure I like using my blog for this. I can do it a different way, which I think I will start doing the next time I take my blood glucose. 

 Supprised to see such a good 2 hour post meal number here! WooHoo!