Personal Heath Matters

Following on a bit from my last blog. One more thing that I think there is one thing that many of you don't know about me. It's something that I don't think I’ve ever blogged about it but it's something that has come to the front of my life again. About four years ago we changed our mortgage and we had to get new life insurance. Part of that process involved me getting a medical. The nurse from the insurance company tested my urine and commented on me being a diabetic. I told her I wasn't. She told me to see a doctor. I saw the doctor and yes she was right I am a diabetic (Type 2). Thing is I had no obvious symptoms of the disease. Looking back on that time I did notice that I was going to the loo more. But I just put that down to my age and my weight. Even now I still don't feel that I've got any real symptoms and that's the trouble.

Around this time each year I have an annual review. The results this year are not good. My weight, blood sugar level, blood pressure etc which were going down are now up. Trouble is I can't see why. I think everyone's health does suffer at this time of year. The excesses of Christmas play a part. Also for me I know that my activity levels are down. The terrible weather we have been having recently has meant that I've not been able to do any gardening. My walks from the train station to the office have become bus rides. Also I've not been out and about as much as I do in the summer.

So what am I doing about it? I have been having sessions on the exercise bike at home. It's not much but it's a start. I'm trying to get out and walking as much as possible. I have an old aircraft spotting buddy who runs a group called Care for a Walk. About every six months they do walks in the New Forest for the MacMillan Cancer Charity. They do two walks, one of 16 miles and the other of six. I'd love to join then but I feel I need training. I know that I can walk a couple of miles no problem. But six miles? Don’t want to end up in the middle of the forest exhausted. I need to practice, but the weather is just not playing ball at the moment. I do want to push on and maybe, just maybe, join the group for one of the 16 mile walks. But in the mean time I’ve just got to get out there. My health depends on it.

Dealing with Diabetes

This might be a one off blog or the title of a new one. Thinking about archiving all my previous postings (well they are on peterandsusan.co.uk. and starting a new blog entitled 'Dealing with Diabities'. Not sure how much info I can blog about though. I have been inspired by a blog by a diabetic.

Now those who know me and haven't seen my tweets or facebook status then this is news to you. Here's what happened.

During a routine health check for Life assurance, my urine had to be tested for various things. The nurse dipped the paper into the cup and immediately said, "oh I see a problem, are you a diabetic?".

"er, no", I said.

"oh, well your sugar level is high, you'll have to get it checked out with the doctor".

So I did. Phoned today for the results of the blood test. Receptionist rang back.

"Doctor has looked at your results, he wants you to come to the diabetic clinic on Monday week."

Right I thought, so I have diabetes then...

"Cant make it then", I said.

"well its very important that you come".

"No sorry, anything sooner" well if its diabetes I want to know about it.

Got an appointment next Tuesday. When hopefully I get more information. Details of what I need to do. Apart from eat better and exercise more etc.

and what is this Diabetic Clinic... is it like Alcoholics Anonymous? My name is Peter and I had a Mars bar yesterday.

Hopefully answers to these and lots more questions next week. In the mean time the internet is my main source of information. What did we do before we it was invented. Seems it not going to be too bad if I make changes to my life style now. As long as its Type 2 diabetes. Type 1, sounds bad with all those injections etc.. I hope its Type 2 I've got... but again I'll have to wait a week until I know...

Its going to be a long week.