An early post this time last February was a short account of my annual eye test. This week I went through the identical procedure–Mr Nguyen is reassuringly methodical.
Arrive–present my Carte Vitale (the card accessing the French health care system)–take a seat in the waiting room.
This is usually backed up with a crowd of anxious, silent people but is empty this year (maybe it’s the freezing weather)–apart from a couple who whisper together as though the Queen were in the next room!
No sooner do I unfold my copy of The New Yorker magazine when out comes the doctor with a patient and–moments later–the summons:
Monsieur Ellis?
Eye Test–(15/2/2011)
I learned early on, that managing Type 2 Diabetes involves more than watching what you eat—it’s really a head to toe job!
The villain sugar is a ruthless foe. It will take advantage of any weaknesses with alacrity, and insinuate itself into those vulnerable spots like eyes and feet if you drop your guard, causing damage that cannot be reversed.…
“Put your chin on the strap please and place your forehead against the bar—look straight ahead and don’t move”.
The forced intimacy of doctor and patient is strange. As he leans forward and shines his special torch deep into my eyes, we are eyeball to eyeball. For a moment I feel like the Man in the Iron Mask, receiving a visit.
The short pause before he says–pas de diabetes [no sign of diabetes], is a bit nerve-wracking; on occasion I’ve caught myself crossing my fingers under the table—though I forgot this morning!
Phew-another year gone!
Being tested has become part of life again. Just like schooldays.
I see Cyril for feet every three months and have a blood test to check cholesterol and glucose levels as often. No big deal really—when your life depends on it.
Pas de diabete! Encore phew!
Less than 15 minutes after “the summons“, I had paid 27 euros for the consultation (to be reimbursed later), made an appointment for February next year and was searching for my car key outside in the cold.
Robin Ellis 
That’s brilliant news Robin. I have the camera take a photo of my eyes as well. Nerve racking it most certainly is. BUT it’s wonderful that they can diagnose illnesses through the eyes. It’s now good luck re the tootsies. Viki
Thanks Viki
Yippeeeeeee!!!!!! Way to go, Robin!
Savor this good news like one of your delicious dishes.
Well done!
kathy
Big sigh of relief! I wonder why some don’t take it seriously! Is it denial, or just can’t be bothered and don’t want to change lifestyle, self sabotage? I have known several people who have had problems that could have been avoided 😦
What’s good is that one can still live well and eat well with the condition. What is certain is that things will get steadily worse if denial or can’t be bothered wins.
Wonderful news! I go through tests regularly myself, not for diabetes though. I know how you feel.
You are doing yourself a favor, James and setting an example for others.
What a relief! Driving home afterwards with good news is much better. I can feel the nerves and the relief.
Good news leads to safer driving I’m sure, Caroline!
Dear Robin, Yes, Eye controls are so important.
Taking care of that is a essential part of life for yourself and ( for sure by driving) for the public in general.
Good that the France health system pays back.Here in Belgium the card vital calls :Sis card.The French health system looks a bit the same like here in Belgium, still I hope that it’s better then here in Belgium.For fysical disabelt they are very bad here so that’s one of the many reasons to move for me to a warmer climate (2 days ago it was here -20 C!), I hope I can make it next year.Have a nice evening,
Chantal x.
Thanks Chantal–it’s only a little warmer down here!
It was interesting to see that you have your feet checked every 3 months. Here in the UK mine are only checked once a year and even then i had to ask for it to be done.
I pay 25 euros to Cyril who does a very careful and thorough job. There is a poster in the waiting room with a list of reasons why people with diabetes should take care of their feet. It’s my choice to go every three months.
Robin,
Great news, I also sweat it….I have had catarac surgery on my “one” eye. So I have to be very very careful with my sight. Since I only have one real eye the other is plastic. LOL
Glad you have good health care we still don’t have it here in USA. Have to “pay” mucho dollars for my health insurance. and co payments. But worth the sacrifice to have good care. I am in Massachustes with many of the top hospitals in the country.
Everyone with diabetes should take very good care of their feet. Have a a good podiatrist to take care of them and check them often for any sores and make sure your toenails are kept short and clean. Just a reminder to eveyone who has Type 2 diabetes.
Hope you continue to be in cood health. Take care
Patricia Beal
Thanks for that advice Patricia–sounds like you have experience in these matters.
Good news 🙂 My father has a rather more cavalier attitude to his type 2 diabetes but the beginnings of problems with his eyes was the thing that made him take it more seriously…at least, more seriously than he was.
To jafagirls, in my dad’s case it was definitely denial and fear. If he ignored it then it would all go away. Except it doesn’t of course.
Oh Sarah, so glad to hear about your dad 🙂
Good news indeed.
So very happy for you, Robin! Further testimony that managing DM II has great rewards! You give encouragement to those of us who must also be mindful of our dietary requirements. It helps with putting a positive spin on diabetes rather than a negative one. Thank you for your gift of sharing.
Thanks Brenda.
Do you know Robin that there’s great science on reducing blood sugar by reducing carbohydrate intake and getting rid of inflammatory foods such as wheat (its genetically modified and not like the wheat of 50 years ago), soy, rice and all other grains, especially whole grains. See the blog of Dr. Michael Eades and cardiologist William Davis, author of Wheat Belly. Dr. Eades is an intelligent writer who understands how to read clinical trials and explain them to the lay person. For some reason diabetes doctors don’t seem to get the connection. In my family both sisters are Type 2 and eat poorly. My brother and I aren’t diabetic and eat low carb and I lift weights. Try to get out of the mainstream info and learn other options. Good luck!
Thanks for the info on the two good doctors, Cheryl.
I have found their sites and will read their stuff.
If I eat wheat it is organic wheat–for the once a week pasta.
I eat 100% rye–2 slices in the morning and that’s it for bread.
For rice–occasionally I’ll eat organic basmati brown.
Congratulations to you and your brother, for keeping the family diabetes at bay.
Robin so glad to hear that your eye test went well.Jimmy also escaped the lazer this time too,maybe you brought him good luck,though he goes for the eye check every three months and feet once a year.The french health system seems to be very efficient,as it should be, all heath care should be,though we cannot complain of Jimmys care and he does not have to pay.for treatment or medication,but you hear such alarming cases these days it does make you a little nervous,and you do go with bated breath and fingers crossed,that all will be well.
Like you we have found that he can have pasta once a week and rice maybe twice,
and have no ill effects,but the earlier a problem is seen the better all round, never put off what should be done today until tomarrow it never comes.
Good to hear positive things about Jimmy’s care situation, and that he escaped the lazer this time.
onwards!
Hello Robin,lovely news on the eye tests.
Also agree with the importance of keeping an eye on the carbs…..although i have type 1 diabetes i find that meals of good lean protien and fresh organic vegetables and fruit have the least impact on my sugar levels and reduce the amount of insulin I need to take.
I love your positive take on Diabetes .If managed correctly it doesnt have to be feared and you do tend to review your overall health with each visit to the doctor.
Have a lovely weekend,I am going to try your cabbage recipe with the pork for sunday lunch.
Cheers,Lisa
Hi Lisa–I agree completely with you about how the checks and the attention we pay to what we eat have to be good for our overall health. Putting it like that can help people accept and do something about the condition.
Well Done! What a relief it must be! Interesting to note your mention of feet. Will read up further on that one for my mother.
Can empathise with your alluding to the somewhat forced intimacy of the examination room. I always get nervous and giggle since I only hear the optician’s seemingly heavy breathing (in the dark) which I know he can’t help, but it is a bit embarrassing! Loved the reference to Dumas! So will sign off in turn with best wishes for a happy weekend and ongoing good health from two cities: Bath and London!
Kim Hammill
Safe journeys between B and L in this treacherous weather!
Marvellous news, dear Robin. I am so pleased for you and for all your friends. May you continue to hear this miraculous sentence: “No diabetes in the eyes” for many, many years to come. As French people “autrefois” used to say: “Dieu soit loue!”
Thanks Odette.
“Dieu soit loue”?–“God willing?”
Isn’t it a relief when you walk out of there!? Congrats once again, for taking such good care of yourself, Robin! I must admit your breakfast looked a little unusual compared to the garbage I grab on the run most days….Think I oughtta follow your advice!
Just curious, though–what are they looking for with a foot exam? That’s prob’ly the only part of my body that hasn’t been looked at!
It’s more of a “service” than an examination.
I pop into to see Cyril for a foot service every three months.
He’s a chiropodist and very skilled at it.
If he saw danger signs he would direct me to a foot doctor.
I’m very happy for you. It’s incredible That the health of so many part of our body depends on this annoying illness. Living with this illness I know is not easy but I’ m very Happy for you because it is evident that you faces it very well.
Great news Robin, I find it’s always a relief to get the all clear. On my last eye test I asked the tester if he could see any sign of a problem, he told me that he is not supposed to say anything until the tests have been properly examined. I said I had been told on previous tests, and he said ‘confidentially, between you and I there are no obvious signs to worry about’. Phew, another clear year! My mother always said ‘Cherish your eyesight, she suffered from advanced glaucoma and was not diabetic. All the best.
Your mother was right!
This eye exam seems to be different from the one usually recommended for diabetics. I thought it was imperative that diabetics had to have an exam in which drops are put in the eye to enlarge the pupil and photographs are taken of the back of the eye, i.e. retinal screening?
My wife says forward this to your attention.
It is really more about type 1 I think.
Nevertheless, of some use I am sure.
All the best
Gerald Meaders
https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2018/05/10/diabetes-diet-smackdown-richard-bernstein-md-vs-the-ada/?utm_source=The+People%27s+Pharmacy+Newsletter&utm_campaign=74f672adc5-MC_BW_2018-05-11%26subscriber%3D1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_7300006d3c-74f672adc5-220495805&goal=0_7300006d3c-74f672adc5-220495805&mc_cid=74f672adc5&mc_eid=91fb3155fa
This is very interesting–thank you and your wife. The difficulty is maintaining a more severe/challenging way of eating–however effective it is. I have always been wary of both the ADA and the UK equivalent Diabetes UK.