Diagnosed
I had a physical on Tuesday (May 16th). It's been a while. The good news is that my insurance changed and I got my favorite OBgyn back. While there, he basically gave me the business about my weight (it's high) and about my blood pressure (also high). He opted to do blood work right then. I had not fasted and worried that this would effect the outcome. The nurse indicated that, the way in which the blood is tested now, it wouldn't matter. He also scheduled me for a mammogram for the upcoming Thursday afternoon (5/25).Fast forward to yesterday (Thursday). Mammogram complete, I picked up my favorite Thai dish and headed over to the school to wait for my youngest to get out. The phone rings. It's the doctor's office calling about my blood work. Thyroid? Great. Liver functions? Great. No anemia and all looks well accept for...my blood sugar.
Hello, diabetes. I really thought I wouldn't make your acquaintance until much later.
I asked the nurse if I was "pre" and she said,
"Nope. You've graduated."
"I don't want to graduate from this! I want to fail!" Although we were laughing at my joke, I died a little. I certainly didn't want this news. No one ever does.
The nurse, Kristin, was kind and shared a lot of information with me. She wanted to make sure I was moving forward with getting under my doctor's care. When I called my family practitioner directly after speaking with her, the receptionist told me that he would be out of town for a while. So, she scheduled me with his PA. This didn't sit well. I want the opinion of a real doctor (no offense to the awesome PAs out there).
Today, I called and left a message for Kristin to call me back. First, because my husband wanted to know about the validity of the test and how it could determine the numbers if I hadn't fasted. She indicated that, in the past, blood sugar tests where what were used exclusively, but you could cheat those (fast for hours, test with low blood sugar and your test comes back golden). Once you go out and eat after those, your pancreas struggles and the blood sugar goes wonky. What they do now (and have for the last decade or so) is what's called an AC1, Hemoglobin test which basically reads sugar levels for the past three months. She noted that my levels weren't outrageous, but I'm definitely part of the club.
I let her know that, since my doctor was out, I'd really love for her to refer me to a new doctor in my area. It's just as well. I don't really live close to the city where my current doctor practices. I might as well find one closer to home. She was happy to refer her own doctor to me (turns out we live in the same area). I have an appointment scheduled with him for Monday morning. I'm a bit nervous, but eager to get things underway.
Finally, I talked to my husband after making the appointment. I explained to him with Kristin explained to me about the blood test. He went the rounds of,
"Is it really for sure?" and "Could the tests be wrong?"
I know for me, that it isn't wrong. There are things that have been going on for a while that now make sense; things I haven't mentioned to him. While talking, he wanted to make sure that the doctor didn't push drugs right away because he feels things can probably get under control without them. I feel that way too, but his approach seemed to suggest that I would just jump on the Metformin bandwagon. It's what my mother took when she was "pre". Once she lost a lot of weight, she no longer showed symptoms and doesn't need the medication.
I didn't want to start an argument, but I could tell that's where things were headed. I am not a proponent of "Big Pharma". I know what the end game is for them. What I want is a way to control this, without feeling like I don't have any options. I'm going in with an open mind but also with a drive to get things under control. I kind of wish he could go with me. I know he has questions and concerns. I know that he cares. It's all very up in the air and a little scary. I've got to work at not letting my emotions get the better of me during this transitional period.
