what’s your type…

Adjusting to a new normal after an unexpected medical diagnosis

Those of you who follow me on Facebook or Instagram have likely noticed that this Spring, I began sharing posts that show photos…and sometimes nutrition facts…of meals I’ve been making and eating lately. Through hashtags attached to these posts, I quietly shared that I was “newly” diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.

The T2D diagnosis isn’t necessarily brand-spanking-new, but the confidence to begin talking about and advocating for T2D education and awareness is.

I was very unexpectedly diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in early August of 2024. Still, it has taken until now for me to feel like I’m beginning to understand enough about it to share, with any degree of knowledge, what life has been, and will be, like as a person with Type 2 Diabetes.

COVID strikes…again

You may or may not remember a Facebook post I made during the week of Venetian last year. Our downstate and out-of-state kids were on their way home for a few days…only an hour left until they arrived…when Mike and I both tested positive for COVID. 

We went to Urgent Care to see if either of us was a candidate for Paxlovid to help alleviate our symptoms and possibly shorten the course of our infections. My breathing and heart rate were concerning to the provider who saw me and she sent me immediately to the Emergency Department. Once there, COVID quickly became secondary to some other unexpected and alarming findings.

A routine lab draw revealed that my blood glucose was nearing 500 and my A1C was almost 12. For those unfamiliar with these numbers…normal fasting blood glucose numbers for an adult should be between 70-100 and normal A1C is 5.7 or below. My numbers were dangerous. I was quickly hooked up to IV fluids, insulin was administered, I underwent additional labs and scans, and I was closely monitored for DKA and risk of a diabetic coma.

After about 8 hours in the ED, I was sent home with instructions to follow up with my primary physician…ASAP. Because of my positive COVID test, my primary would not see me in-person ASAP and I had to wait until I was 10 days post-positive test and following a negative COVID test. 

While waiting for this appointment, my primary reviewed 3 years of my medical records and lab work to see if something had been overlooked or missed that may have indicated that I was heading toward, or at risk of, a diagnosis of Diabetes. Nothing was found. This was completely unexpected and seemingly out of nowhere.

follow up

On August 6th, 2024, I had a lengthy, comprehensive appointment that began with more lab work and included my primary physician, a clinical pharmacist, and a diabetes education nurse/nutritionist. The additional lab work was done to help determine if I had Type 1 Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes, as they are approached and treated differently. Type 1 Diabetes was suspected, at first, because of the abrupt onset of the disease combined with my autoimmune history. Did you know that Type 1 Diabetes is classified as an autoimmune disease? I didn’t. In someone with T1D, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Because their pancreas cannot produce insulin, a person with T1D is insulin-dependent and must rely on insulin injections or an insulin pump to survive. 

In someone with T2D, the body may not produce enough insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it does produce. The body’s cells become resistant to insulin, meaning they don’t respond as well to its signal to absorb sugar from the blood.  The pancreas tries to compensate by producing more insulin. Eventually, the pancreas may not be able to keep up and this is what leads to high blood sugar. Management of T2D may include insulin therapy, but often involves changes to nutrition and exercise and, sometimes, medication.

There is no cure for either Type 1 Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes. However…Type 2 Diabetes can go into remission.

On August 6th, at that lengthy and comprehensive appointment, I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.

so…now what

As I shared above…management of T2D may include insulin therapy, but almost always involves changes to nutrition and exercise and, sometimes, medication. My numbers were high enough that insulin therapy was discussed and would have been entirely appropriate. I was motivated enough, and frankly…scared enough…that I was ready to turn my familiar routines inside-out and upside-down and attack this disease with 100% dedication. Collectively, my care team and I decided to hold off on insulin “for now”. I began two new medications and completely upheaved my diet and nutrition.

Before this happened, I would have been entirely content to live off of pasta, bread, potatoes, tortillas, and chocolate. With a little bit of chicken…if I must. As a newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic…this was a BIG problem. Needless to say, the first couple of weeks and months were incredibly difficult. I felt like every single thing I ate spiked me. I was so overwhelmed trying to figure out what to eat. As I learned more…I did eventually figure out several foods that didn’t send my blood glucose skyrocketing. However, I felt like I ate the exact. same. thing. every day…for fear of doing anything wrong and causing a setback. Nine months in…I am more confident in the kitchen and more adventurous with my recipes and meals.

seeking success

One of the things that has helped me be successful in this journey has been weighing, measuring, and tracking everything that I eat. It is, at times, obnoxious and I hate doing it…especially when it’s a recipe with a lot of ingredients. But…it keeps me accountable. It helps me recognize patterns and trends in my blood glucose and teaches me how to make smart choices. My grocery list, refrigerator, and pantry look completely different from how they looked in August. I have worked so hard and been diligent in my efforts.

Another key to my success has been testing and recording my glucose…several times a day. Because I am not insulin-dependent, my medical insurance would not approve a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM). Initially, this meant doing finger picks at least six times a day, or more. I would test as soon as I woke up, before eating anything, 2 1/2 hours after eating, and before going to bed. Again…obnoxious and I hated doing it. But…crucial in recognizing patterns and trends. Now…I test three, sometimes four, times a day.

I’ve been continuing to meet with the clinical pharmacist and the diabetes education nurse/nutritionist on a regular basis since my diagnosis. At first, it was every month…then it was every three months. I cannot emphasize enough just how important the guidance and support they have provided at these appointments has been. They have been sounding boards, shoulders to cry on, cheerleaders, and accountability coaches through this entire journey and I am so incredibly grateful to them. After years of being ignored, dismissed, and belittled by medical professionals while yearning for answers during my PD to FND journey…I began dreading medical appointments. Because of the care and respect of these two medical professionals, I actually look forward to these appointments. That is not a small thing.

I had a check-up with them last Thursday, May 29th…nine months post-T2D diagnosis. And…

the numbers don’t lie

The medications…combined with my hard work…have put my Type 2 Diabetes into remission!

At diagnosis, my blood glucose was nearing 500 and my A1C was almost 12. Now, my blood glucose ranges from 85-125 and my A1C is 5.8. I no longer need to test my glucose three to four times a day and I can stop taking one of my two Diabetes medications.

My total cholesterol…which was 197…is now 99. My LDL (bad cholesterol)…which was 114…is now 42.

And…I have lost 135 pounds.

I have a lot more work yet to do, but…WOW…do these little victories ever feel good!