Leonard at large 8/20

Wednesday, August 20, 2003

It was six years ago last week when my physician told me that I am a diabetic. That was not what I was wanting to be told, but it is a fact of life for me. This resulted is a change of lifestyle for me -- in a variety of ways. I am still learning about this deadly disease and try to take steps that will keep it under control. If diabetes is not kept under control, a large number of complications can develop, including death. I am aware of many people developing complications. Since it is an aggressive disease, it can continue to get worst, even with efforts to keep it under control. Generally, most diabetics can avoid the complications, if the glucose level can be kept at preferred levels. It takes discipline to keep the blood glucose at the proper levels. In addition to medication, managing the disease requires the proper diet and exercise. It is easy to bend and not remain disciplined. Some experiencing diabetes have no discipline at all. One of the best exercises that a person can do is to walk. For years, I took two miles walk daily. My schedule changed and I felt I needed the rest and have failed to get in my walks. Rest is an other factor that is needed. Still, I know that to help avoid those horrible complications, I must exercise. Recently, I had an appointment with an endocrinologist at the Veterans Administration Medical Clinic in Kansas City. Before I went, I had blood tests done, which provide an indication about many things on how your system is doing. My Hemoglobin AlC was 7, a little better than it was previously. This is a good level, but would be better if it is lower. This test gives an indication of the average glucose levels for the past 2 or 3 months. At the Kansas City clinic they put me in a room and asked me to remove my shoes and socks. A diabetes educator came in to talk to me and to ask questions. I was impressed with her knowledge and learned much from her. I have had a certain amount of tingling and numbness feeling in my feet for some time, especially when I go to bed. I do not always notice it, but that day, I could feel it. She checked senstivity on the bottom of my feet. To my surprise, part of my foot did not have a sensitive feeling. Diabetics need to really take care of their feet. I knew that, but she reminded me that I need to use a lotion on my feet each day to keep the bottom of my feet soft and to examine them each day. They are referring me to a podiatrist to check on my feet and to clip my toe nails properly. I am doing well enough that I do not need to go back to the endocrinologist, unless I develop problems. Diabetes is reported to shorten a person's life by about seven years. She said that is not true, if proper care is taken. She has cared for long-term diabetics as old as 90. Before going, I had picked up the latest Diabetic Forecast and noticed that it had an article concerning a 10,000-step challenge. The educator and her husband each carry a meter to determine how many steps they take each day. A meter may be purchase at many stores carrying sport equipment and does not need to be expensive. Later, I read the magazine and it contains good articles about walking and how to work up to walking as many as 10,000 steps each day. Walking is the best exercise to do and it should not be at a pace that a conversation can not be held. Now, experts are saying to walk at least 30 minutes per day, five days a week That 30 minutes does not have to come at one time. It is an inexpensive form of exercise. The story John Swezy has is a good reason to practice discipline in diet and exercise. I first met John when he was living on his grandfather's farm in 1947. I do not think I have seen him for at least about 55 years. He is about two years younger than me, so you know that he is a young guy. We renewed acquaintance on the Internet, exchanging e-mail occasionally. A few weeks ago, he wrote about his health conditions and they are not good. Last week he updated his report. He was first diagnosed as a diabetic in 1976. He has had two rounds of surgery on his foot, first to remove an abcess, and two weeks later, to remove an excessive bone growth from the bottom of his arch. This condition is known as "Chatcot's joint," a result of long term diabetes. He developed a staph infection and had to receive a powerful antibiotic intravenously every other day at the hospital for two weeks. It was necessary to change the IV site every other treatment, and it's difficult for the nurse to find his vein, due to skin thicker than usual. John is relying on a wheelchair until his foot heals. The hospital provides transportation by van. In order to promote the healing, he has been taking hyperbaric chamber treatments, almost daily. I do not think that I could stand it as it consist of lying in a glass chamber (like a see-though coffin) for two hours at a time in an atmosphere of pure oxygen that is pressured equivalent to a depth of 32 feet underwater. He got to watch daytime TV through the glass, which he described as also a torture. He is planning to go to a class reunion in Kansas City in September and to go on an Alaskan cruise. He is hoping to be walking at that time, even if it is on a surgical boot. He asked for our prayers. John said, "My diabetes has been complicated by my failure to exercise and watch my diet. I have been overweight all my adult life, and have always had a taste for food. I've been blessed that my health has held up as well as it has, considering how careless I've been. "I would encourage anyone approaching mid-life to lose excess weight, exercise, and eat a sensible diet to avoid the onset of Type II diabetes. Diabetes contributes to so many health problems that it must be avoided if at all possible." John gave me permission to use his name as he wants to help others with diabetes. His story is one example of why I need to put a higher priority on walking and do it daily. I want to meet the 10,000-step challenge.