Wham! Getting the Point about Diabetes Complications

Just when it seems no one wants to hear the value of long term thinking, One headline hits and people shift into LTT in droves.

Larry Miller, owner of the Utah Jazz, recently had both legs amputated below the knees due to complications of his diabetes. Suddenly, podiatrists are being flooded with new patients concerned about the progression of foot problems related to diabetes.

By its very nature, prevention requires looking down the road to ramifications of today's actions (or lack of action). Americans avoid thinking long term whenever possible and it often takes a life or death scare or hit up along side the head to take off the blinders and look around at what needs done. For once, we seem to be learning from someone else's mistake.

"If a wealthy American with unlimited access to the best medical care can lose both legs to diabetes, I'd better start paying attention and make sure that doesn't happen to me!" Hmmmm, thinking long term might save us all a bundle of money, time and heartache. Interesting concept.

Just want to say THANKS to my pancreas!

This summer I experienced two conferences focused on the tidal wave of diabetes and pre-diabetes in this country. What an eye opener.

But, my biggest learning experience was not even on the conference agenda! I roomed with a gloriously free and creative actress who is also a Type I diabetic. Although she has learned to guard her health and glucose level over decades of practice, it was amazing to see how quickly a physical change affected her mental state. In a matter of minutes, she could go from focused and clear minded to confused, wandering and fuzzy headed. An adjustment from her insulin pump or a snack and within minutes she was "back." Wow.

Watching her clarity and focus change in mere moments, dependent on the glucose level in her body drove home to me what a delicate balancing act our bodies carry on every single day. I am fortunate. Although diabetes is rampant in my family, I do not have that challenge in my life. My pancreas seems to be functioning quite well, thank you. I don't have to spend every moment of my day monitoring, measuring and reacting. My body takes care of all that for me.

I have noticed however that my moods swing wildly when I get hungry and how quickly I bounce back when I have eaten something healthy for me. This new awareness has taken me to a new level. When I put off eating breakfast I notice my mind beginning to wander and lose focus. A healthy snack and I'm back on track. When my energy seems to run out through my feet during exercise, I realize that my glucose level is low. Again, a little snack and some water and suddenly the lethargy drops away and my "I'll never make it" turns in to "I can do this!"

It makes me wonder how many times in life I have given up, gotten angry, felt depressed or acted badly because I didn't listen to my amazing body telling me to take care of myself. Awareness is only the first half of making a lifestyle change, the second is using new knowledge to make the change you want.