I told you recently that my husband and I just celebrated our 49th wedding anniversary. We ‘renewed our option’ as we usually do at this time, but I told him that I wanted him to live healthy and happy so we could one day celebrate our 70th.
He has Type II Diabetes. We’ve been trying to get his blood sugar down for awhile now with varying degrees of success. He’s been doing better since we started Nutrisystem toward the end of April. We started monitoring his blood sugar twice a week after starting a new medication a couple of years ago. His blood sugar was in the 500’s when we discovered he had diabetes. When we started monitoring with the new meds, it was still at around 350+. (normal is below 100).
This morning it was 96!!!!!!!!!!!
He also complained of some dizziness about two weeks ago. We’ve been monitoring our blood pressure, so we noticed that his was low. We decided to have him stop the blood pressure medicine, taking his blood pressure daily and watching for any more dizziness. His blood pressure is now normal without medication and has been for a week or so now!!!!!!! No more dizziness, either!
I am SO happy for him. He is a HUGE sugar lover. (He even calls ME ‘Sugar.’) He was kind of in a funk having to give up so many foods and drinks he loved. We were able to find some substitutes so he has a hot drink he likes and a cold drink he likes. (He will only drink water to take pills, and occasionally when he’s been out working in the yard.) The Nutrisystem choices so far have been at least “edible” and some are ‘really good,’ he says.
He only has about 12 more pounds to lose to get to a healthy weight, but the blood pressure and blood sugar differences are life-altering-for-the-better. He used to have pain in his feet, but that is all but gone now. He still has a bit of trouble wearing certain styles of shoes. (We found good sandals for the summer and good boots for the winter. He’s still having trouble finding tennis shoes that are comfortable for his toes, but he’s functional.) He had double vision for awhile, but that’s gone, thank goodness. Restless leg is still bothersome, but not often anymore.
Food and drink changes are never easy. He knows more than anybody (he thinks) and so pooh-poohs what experts say. He is having to admit that he is much better now, feeling better, sleeping better. We are both delighted to see the blood sugar and blood pressure numbers.
I hope our new primary doc will see that we’re serious about trying to take care of ourselves when we see her the first week in August. :0)
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Sounds like your working together as a team, both team players fighting for that goal. My dad was a diabetic at a time where understanding of the illness was less developed. My mum (god bless her) was his rock. It’s hard but achievable good luck and here’s to “70 and beyond”. Be proud of your achievements.
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Thanks so much for your kind words, Brian. I know you understand how hard it CAN be for diabetics. My husband still describes his problem as a ‘sugar problem’ rather than diabetes, but he’s cooperating, and knows he’s feeling better. Thanks for the good wishes for ’70’. :0)
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I know you are thrilled. My husband has been struggling with health issues and I treasure each good day. Congrats to your husband for sticking with the diet plan.
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Thanks for writing, Onisha. I’m sorry that you and your husband are having to worry about health issues. That is such a hard, hard thing, and so difficult to do anything about. We’re very lucky that we are still able to do something significant to get healthier. My husband only has about another 12 lbs to lose, and we’re hoping he’ll continue to get good numbers on his blood pressure and blood sugar. I have about a gazillion more pounds to shed, but I figure that each pound I lose I’m making some progress. I wish you and your husband the very best. You’ll both be in my thoughts and prayers.
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