At this time of year my body submits to a pretty thorough going over.
Testing times!
For a couple of days last week I was on tenderhooks around noon–the hour the post usually arrives chez nous–waiting for my January test results.
Every three months I have a test to measure hemoglobin A1c (average blood sugar levels) which charts how well these are being controlled.
At the end of year, the list of tests is longer and includes liver, kidneys, blood cells, PSA (prostate), cholesterol–a full service, in car terms!
All the results from this comprehensive check-up are important, but I was most concerned to see the blood sugar average.
The test at the end of October had shown an uncharacteristic spike.
Michel, my doctor here–who has helped me adapt to the condition and been my monitor over the last thirteen years–decided to supplement my daily pill (30mg gliclazide) with something new.
But I had a mind to delay the daily dose of Januvia he’d prescribed–to continue to eat moderately, to watch my weight and to exercise regularly and see if the October result was a rogue reading, before taking another drug to counteract a possible trend.
Michel also prescribed a dose of vitamin D as a boost to my overall well being– 2.5 mg a month.
Vitamin D is in the news as a possible addition to the diabetic’s armoury.
No definitive results have been established yet confirming that the vitamin is effective in reducing insulin resistance, but the evidence is mounting and the general beneficial effects to be gained from regular consumption convinced me that I should go ahead and swallow!
The system works well here. We ring the local nurses’ office the night before and a nurse comes the next morning to take a blood sample. She dispatches it to the clinic for analysis and as often as not we get the results by post the following day–taking the waiting out of worrying.
At noon I was listening for the post van.
By quarter past I knew I had another 24 hours to wait–no envelope.
It arrived the next day, but it didn’t help my anxiety to discover that the clinic had changed the layout and formating–it was not immediately clear where to look!
I found it though and it was GOOD NEWS!–the level had virtually been restored.
Next for the third degree, in ten days time–the eyes!
Robin Ellis 
Well that is brilliant news. Worth all that effort. Good luck re the eyes. Viki
Yay–good for you, Robin! Interesting your term “rogue reading”… A family member’s blood pressure is always WAAYYYY off upon arrival at the doctor’s. Wait until the visit’s over, and it’s fine. Makes us wonder what other things are “off” just from the stress.
Good news, Robin, on your A1C results! I agree with the vitamin D recommendation. The National Academy of Sciences latest report, though mixed (they’re very conservative), gives the upper limit for Vitamin D as 4,000 IU/day. It’s also good to get a little sun each day – during your morning walk would be perfect – but that’s easy in the south of France! Are you getting at least 10,000 – and preferably more – pedometer steps per day?
At the risk of sounding bossy (but I have worked with hundreds of clients many of whom have reversed or stabilized their T2D), I will recommend 2 pedometer models, the less expensive “Omron HJ 303″(at amazon.com) OR the Fitbit (at fitbit.com). 10K steps per day is minimum for maintained health – for everyone! 12K or even 15K is even better. Want health transformation? Build up to getting 15,000 steps per day – average! I’m challenging you!
Stay postive! We’re all behind you! You’re a fine example of someone who values your wonderful life and takes steps to maintain it.My father is currently managing type 2 Diabetes, Parkinson’s Disease and 1 non functioning kidney.At age 80,he has a wonderful spirit and capacity for learning.You like many others,require a little more effort to maintain your physical presence while nurturing the mental and emotional being.
Peace
I know the feeling, Robin! We are exceptionally lucky here because the local Pharmacian`s wife runs the blood analysis lab in Ruffec, and is a close neighbour in our tiny village. Thus, she calls early in the morning to take the blood sample {no waiting for breakfast!) and usually drops the results in our mailbox that night, real de luxe service!
phew! waiting for those test results, arg! but worth the wait for such GOOD news.
Fabulous news, Robin!!! Keep up the good work!
kathy
Good for you all around! Taking responsibility for your health and using a commonsense approach is the best course. If you had taken the new med AND the vitamin D, you wouldn’t know which had done the job. Sometimes less is more!
Good news! I think it’s so positve the way you try to live as healthy as can be. I admire the way you show us how to cook the way is best for you and of course for all of us. In the shop I buy more healthy rice and wholemeal pasta as well. I can’t use all your recepies because children are not always in for new things but I do my best.My uncle had diabetic too and reached over 80 thanks to my aunt who did special cooking for him!
Best wishes and love life!
from Caroline P.
Good news! Congratulations!
Several years ago, I was tested for my sugar, and was assessed as pre-diabetic.
The next test came back much lower, and in the normal range. Ever since then, it has been normal.
Sometimes the sugar spikes up. One test is not necessarily an indicator. It’s good you waited on the extra medication.
Glad to hear that your results came back GOOD.Jimmy get so ratty when it’s time for his tests to be done.& the wait can be like forever.
You must be doing everything right Robin, so keep up all you are doing.
I’am very happy for you good Robin.
But also don’t forget to take some rest and enjoy!
Hughs, Chantal xx.
So glad you have such good news. I hope the eye test is just as positive.
I have just started taking Vitamin D3 supplement as I have an underactive Thyroid, which i have had for over 20 years, & have just read or learned that most sufferers are deficient in this vitamin & it helps alot to boost the thyroid. It is a very important vitamin & today we are told to cover up from the sun so we dont get as much as we should from the sun & its not found in an awful amount of foods, if you dont like oily fish ( i do) or eggs then you really are hardly getting any at all. Im still learning about my hindrance as I call it after all these years & I try (TRY) to eat healthily hense I love reading & trying your recipes
Zosh x
Hello Robin,
Coincidence led me here,I was given a Poldark series as a gift for Chistmas as I was a fan as a child.Then went on to read the Poldark books.I was curious to see what had happened to the actors from the series and “googled” everyone.
This led me to your face book link and was surprised to see you had type 2 Diabetes .I have late onset Type 1 diabetes and have to take 5 insulin shots per day.I am always on the look out for new recipes for diabetics and look forward to trying yours.(my partner has Type 2)
I am glad your results were good and I have my round of tests coming up in April.(fingers crossed)
Lisa (australia)
Thank you,Lisa–fingers crossed for you indeed!
To go against all reasonable grammatical explanations. . . What a rebel you are!
Sheila
Thanks–!
I know what it’s like to wait for test results. So glad yours came back with good, if momentarily unreadable, numbers.