One night in January of 2008 I rubbed "rejuvenating" cream from a major beauty cream manufacturer on my neck. I'm over 50 and I wanted to keep those nasty neck creases at bay. I woke up the next morning with a huge red lump (bigger than a bug) on my neck, just under my chin. I waited a while (too long according to some) to see if it would go away by itself. It didn't. I made an appointment with our "family doctor". I went to the office by myself thinking that he would send me to a dermatologist. Nope. This doctor just took me back and cut this thing all by himself. I left his office with antibiotic and a huge bandage on my neck. With a drain. I couldn't move my head. I came home from my appointment so frazzled that I can still see my hand shaking as I ate a bowl of homemade soup for my much needed lunch. The doctor took blood because he told me I must be a diabetic. I was fat and old and he was sure I was diabetic.
The next day I went back to have the bandage changed. And I was told by this doctor's nurse (not by him) that I was, in fact, a diabetic. I asked how could that be. I had none of the generally recognized symptoms. I had already purged my kitchen and pantry of high fructose corn syrup. I ate grass fed beef and fresh locally grown produce. He flipped his hand in the air and said "I don't know what to tell you" and wrote me four prescriptions. One for an antibiotic for my neck wound (the nurse said with a look of disgust, "we'll be watching that for a long time" (it healed in two weeks). One for oral diabetes medication. One for a glucose meter. And one for blood glucose test strips.
I asked him to talk with me again. How did this happen? What can I do? (He told me to lose 100 pounds...but wouldn't discuss diet). Again he flipped his hand at me and again said, "I don't know what to tell you."
That's it. No counseling. No instructions. Nothing. Not even a pamphlet from a diabetes association.
I left the doctor's office and drove to the drugstore. Still couldn't move my neck with that honking huge bandage. Hadn't washed my hair (couldn't with the bandage) and went in to get my diabetes medicine and equipment. I must have looked as bad as I felt because the woman working behind the pharmacy counter asked if there was someone who could come back for my order or if she could help me in any way. I sat down and waited and mercifully everyone at the drug store worked swiftly.
I went home thoroughly depressed. I went from a strong, healthy, independent woman to a diabetic with a wound that would need watching.
I sent one of my daughters an email. She was at work. She's a critical care nurse. "I'm a diabetic", I wrote. She called me immediately. "Don't do anything," she said. "You're not a diabetic. You need to lose weight. Don't take the medicine. Wait until I get home."
I went on the internet and learned what I could about controlling diabetes with diet and exercise. I didn't have to take the medication.
Immediately I changed the way I ate. Yes, i ate well and naturally, but I ate a lot of carbohydrates. Pizza. Rice. Bread. Bagels. White potatoes.
As I begin this, I am 21 months into my new life. My blood sugar levels were well over 200. They now (yes, I still test) run between 85 and 90 consistently. I've lost 40 pounds and kept it off. My husband followed the diet and lost 40 pounds and no longer needs blood pressure medication. My daughters have some of the symptoms of poly-cystic ovary syndrome for which a low carb diet is the only prescription. They are now cycling almost normally. We feel better.
I still crave a slice of pizza, a cheese steak, a warm bagel...but the choice I made was between instant gratification and a longer, healthier, happier life. The question I ultimately asked myself was this: Do I want to have a gooey slice of pizza or do I want to someday meet my grandchildren? The choice is an obvious one.
I am "rejuvenated" and I'd like to share the how and why with you through this website.
