It was interesting to attend a three night Diabetic Management Seminar. It was held from 6:30pm every night for three nights. I wrote my last comment at the end of the second night. I had experienced a rough day at work, and then had to turn around and listen to a dietician lecture us on what we “could” and “couldn’t” eat with our diabetes.
I was angry because of the rough day at work, and then my has been life style was being challenged. It was not a pretty site. What was very interesting was to see how each of those thus affected by this plague on America, reacted to his or her disease. There were seasoned veterans who were there to just get additional information. There were people in denial, believing that it couldn’t really be happening to them. Then there were the angry sort. That was me.
Why am I angry. I am angry because in part, I did this to myself. It is true that in some instances diabetes is genetic and if there are others in your family that have it, then you have a greater chance to get it. However, lifestyle also has a lot to do with it and for so long I have allowed my job and other stresses to rule the way I took care of myself. That is why I am angry. I am angry because I didn’t take care of myself. My challenge to my readers, who are primarily my family, is to take care of yourself because you now have a high likelihood of getting this “chronic” disease. I will have it the rest of my life.
The challenge for me now is to face this disease head on, to manage it, to take care of myself, and yet learn how to enjoy life. It will be a challenge and will require me to reacquire my native positive outlook on life, because that is the only way I am going to be happy in the long run. I also need it to overcome the health challenges that are now sure to come. I once again stare my own mortality, right in the face.