A wonderful wrap up event. Congrats to my fellow "celebs". Thanks to the staff and volunteers at the local branch of the Canadian Diabetes Association, and, of course, to my dedicated and expert colleagues at the hospital's diabetes clinic. Finally, to those for whom battling/managing/enduring diabetes will continue each and every day--know that I, for one, will not forget this mind-opening and unexpectedly self-reflective experience. Thank you for the opportunity. Onward!
Over and out.
Jonathan
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Final Day
I can't say that I'm disappointed that the challenge is over. I was very lucky in my "profile" requirements. All I had to do on a daily basis was remember to take a few candy pills, measure my blood glucose once a day and count and track my carb intake. Based on the fact that most of the participants had greater demands put on their time, I would say I really lucked out - but Im still happy it's over.
Tonight we'll talk about the cost diabetes places on our health system and on the families that are affected as it often exceeds the healthcare plan - if there is one.
I don't have diabetes and according to my blood glucose readings I'm not pre-diabetic. I can tell you that I'll be doing everything possible to remain that way. I've made some changes that will be permanent and I will try to get some activity in on a daily basis. I would say that is my greatest challenge and it will make the biggest impact on my health.
At present there are over 2 million people in Canada diagnosed with diabetes. It is expected that the number could increase to 3 million in the next year. That means that there are a lot of people living with symptoms that should be paid attention to. You can't ignore diabetes and wish it away. Catching it earlier could mean a easier management solution!
Are you at risk? Find out more!
Tonight we'll talk about the cost diabetes places on our health system and on the families that are affected as it often exceeds the healthcare plan - if there is one.
I don't have diabetes and according to my blood glucose readings I'm not pre-diabetic. I can tell you that I'll be doing everything possible to remain that way. I've made some changes that will be permanent and I will try to get some activity in on a daily basis. I would say that is my greatest challenge and it will make the biggest impact on my health.
At present there are over 2 million people in Canada diagnosed with diabetes. It is expected that the number could increase to 3 million in the next year. That means that there are a lot of people living with symptoms that should be paid attention to. You can't ignore diabetes and wish it away. Catching it earlier could mean a easier management solution!
Are you at risk? Find out more!
Live it like ya mean it: Week 2
The week from "down under" is over! Gah, you know you have too many assignments when you forget to take any glucometer readings one day, and forget your evening medications the next, not to mention blogging this whole endeavor.
Tell you one thing - if I really were a diabetic, I'd be on the way straight to a complication or two. Sure, it helped to have the record-keeper booklet for glucometer readings, but being a student automatically constitutes unhealthy freudian slips - forgetting to eat, putting off a shower over the weekend, getting only 4-5 hours sleep for 4 days...
One thing that I know will be tricky for me is getting out of the habbit of mentally calculating/measureing how many carbs are in my meals - this morning I felt guilty when I poured a little extra cereal than what I'd been suggested in terms of carb content. Who's to say - I'll probably keep up with the 50 - 60 carbs/meal, but I'll be glad when I don't have to have M&Ms and Sourpatch candies everyday... ugh, yes, there is such a thing as too much candy... me and my sweet tooth have met our match.
Anywhoo, I'm back to work and will see you all at the wrap-up tonight! ^_^
Cheers!
Tell you one thing - if I really were a diabetic, I'd be on the way straight to a complication or two. Sure, it helped to have the record-keeper booklet for glucometer readings, but being a student automatically constitutes unhealthy freudian slips - forgetting to eat, putting off a shower over the weekend, getting only 4-5 hours sleep for 4 days...
One thing that I know will be tricky for me is getting out of the habbit of mentally calculating/measureing how many carbs are in my meals - this morning I felt guilty when I poured a little extra cereal than what I'd been suggested in terms of carb content. Who's to say - I'll probably keep up with the 50 - 60 carbs/meal, but I'll be glad when I don't have to have M&Ms and Sourpatch candies everyday... ugh, yes, there is such a thing as too much candy... me and my sweet tooth have met our match.
Anywhoo, I'm back to work and will see you all at the wrap-up tonight! ^_^
Cheers!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
I been to Fez and back
We had a dinner party on Friday night. Recently, for a present, we'd been given a tagine. This prompted my wife to make all out Moroccan. She did lamb, snapper, and chick pea chili dishes as well. Various appetisers, and a fig tort (I guess you'd call it) for dessert with orange cream (yes, I had some). Made her own pita (which apparently is easy, but it seems to impress people to no end.) There was enough food for the whole of Fez. I spent yesterday eating leftovers.
Having pillaged another country's cuisine, I got to thinking about diabetics in developing countries. So, I googled diabetes in developing countries. This fact jumped out at me:
From: http://www.worlddiabetesfoundation.org/composite-35.htm
"It may seem strange that the developing world, which is often associated with hunger and inadequate nutrition for children, is now experiencing an epidemic in type 2 diabetes, a disease related to wealth and unhealthy lifestyle. This can be explained with the high degree of urbanisation in some countries like e.g. India that have made people adapt the lifestyle from the industrial countries causing diseases such as diabetes related to this new lifestyle. It is also a fact that some people genetically have a higher risk of developing diabetes and combined with great changes in lifestyle this risk has turned to reality for many people in those countries."
At what cost progress? Surely there are the choices beyond the stark dead ends of yesterday's hunger or tomorrow's diabetes?
-jb
Having pillaged another country's cuisine, I got to thinking about diabetics in developing countries. So, I googled diabetes in developing countries. This fact jumped out at me:
From: http://www.worlddiabetesfoundation.org/composite-35.htm
"It may seem strange that the developing world, which is often associated with hunger and inadequate nutrition for children, is now experiencing an epidemic in type 2 diabetes, a disease related to wealth and unhealthy lifestyle. This can be explained with the high degree of urbanisation in some countries like e.g. India that have made people adapt the lifestyle from the industrial countries causing diseases such as diabetes related to this new lifestyle. It is also a fact that some people genetically have a higher risk of developing diabetes and combined with great changes in lifestyle this risk has turned to reality for many people in those countries."
At what cost progress? Surely there are the choices beyond the stark dead ends of yesterday's hunger or tomorrow's diabetes?
-jb
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