DISCLAIMER:

live with physical challenges.
I am NOT a DOCTOR!!! I don't even play one on TV!!! It is my goal to live a more healthy lifestyle. Living well and being happy is what this blog is all about.

"Nothing,' wrote Tolstoy, 'can make our life, or the lives of other people, more
beautiful than perpetual kindness."

- Gretchen Rubin




I write about my own experiences and what works (or does not) for me. Nothing I write is to be taken as medical advice.

Only your health care provider, personal physician,Disclaimer:
I am not a doctor - I don't even play one on TV! This
or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs.








Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Surviving and Thriving Since 1992


Surviving & Thriving
Since 1992
When I first began writing this blog, I promised myself I would be completely honest, open and truthful about everything that's going on with my health and my quest for wellness.  I've had some pretty amazing good news to report along the way - news of weight loss and lower HbA1c.  Today I got some lab results that are just plain scary.  I'm not going to sugar-coat it (no pun intended).  The news is in - my triglyceride level is too high, my HbA1c is too high and my blood pressure was 193/93.  That bottom number has to come down!  What the heck???
 
What are triglycerides and why are they so important to heart health?  This is the question I had to ask myself.  I did what I always do - I googled it!   

We know for a fact that one very real complication of Type 2 Diabetes is heart disease.  I'm living with a Type 2 Diabetic who is a heart patient, so no one knows the devastation a heart attack can bring to everyday life like I do.  Heart disease is a very big deal, and I have a personal goal to get the rest of my extra weight off (40 pounds) and correct my LDL and triglyceride level before it takes a significant toll on my health.  In the process I hope to fix that blood pressure as well.

Triglyceride levels indicate the amount of extra fat floating around in your blood.  This is the same extra fat that will cause plaque build-up and eventually clog your arteries, bringing on a heart attack. 
 

  • Normal — Less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or less than 1.7 millimoles per liter (mmol/L)
  • Borderline high — 150 to 199 mg/dL (1.8 to 2.2 mmol/L)
  • High — 200 to 499 mg/dL (2.3 to 5.6 mmol/L)
  • Very high — 500 mg/dL or above (5.7 mmol/L or above)

  • Being armed with the knowledge that I have high blood pressure and too much fat and sugar in my blood is good, I think.  It scares me and I'm basically afraid of food now.  I'm now afraid of not only sugar, but fat. 

    Add to that the fact that everyone knows the manufacturers lie on their labels - all they care about is making a sale so they'll say anything just to get you to buy their product - and I'm borderline paranoid at this point.  Scratch the borderline - I am paranoid about food - particularly packaged foods.  If it is an apple, I'll eat it.  If it's applesauce - forget it.  I will eat steamed carrots, but I won't touch carrots from a can. 

    You know, I'll do what I'm told by my doctor, but I don't want to have to take a cholesterol-lowering medication.  She's already doubled my blood pressure medication and put me on a different medicine for my diabetes.  Please don't add one more medicine to the regimen - please!

    What really frustrates me most is the fact that I have a wonderful and healthy diet - truly!  I eat right - ask anybody!  No foolin' - !  I drink water - I don't even drink soda or juice - or even milk.  OK - once in a while I have a little soy milk.  Not often - and not very much. 

    The dairy has been discarded for the most part.  All of the so-called cholesterol causing foods and beverages are out of my diet.  So what now?  What is left to do to get these numbers back to normal?  I have to wonder how much of this is part of the progression of diabetes.  

    It is all connected, right?  If my lazy pancreas is needing even more help to kick out the insulin, how much is that effecting everything else, you know?  I'm not a doctor, but I do know that it's all connected and the domino effect is scary.

    If I had not gotten PCOS, chances are I would not have gotten Type 2 Diabetes.  I will yell that from the rooftop until somebody finally listens and agrees with me.  It won't do any good for anyone to agree - but it will make me feel less crazy in my mind.  I just need someone (especially a doctor) to validate and consider my opinion!  Most doctors just give me a stupid grin and totally ignore my theory.  That makes me feel stupid.  How condescending and rude of them!

    Here's my theory:

    PCOS = weight gain.  Weight gain = Type 2 Diabetes. 

    This is not rocket science!

    I propose we attack the REAL SOURCE of the problem (what a concept)!!!
    I would dare say a hysterectomy would = no more PCOS AND no more Type 2 Diabetes.  I would also dare to say I could shed weight like a normal person without the cystic ovaries making me gain weight and hang on to weight. 

    Why won't anyone listen to me?  I need to be heard and understood!

    Once I shed the extra 40 pounds (yes, it's 40 now) - sigh - the LDL and triglycerides will be happy again.  Right?

    Why can't I get a doctor on board with me?  I'm 52 years old - I'm not going to use this equipment, for Pete's sake! 

    Let's work to save my life - huh???

    You know what is so funny to me?  I've had tons of people (a couple of doctors) suggest that I might need to consider gastric bypass surgery. 

    OK, so let me get this straight.  Oh - let's cut on the one part of me that does not seem to be plagued with cysts - while we leave the cystic ovaries inside me.

    Really???

    Um...  nope - I don't think so!

    Sorry - next window.  This chick is waaaaay too smart for that!

    PCOS & Insulin Resistance.  When I listened to this I actually cried because I heard her say that PCOS is the most COMMON disease that leads to Insulin Resistance and consequently Type 2 Diabetes.  I'm not usually a "right-fighter" but for years I've been saying this!  So - I'm right.  Now - what to do about it?  Obviously lose weight.  If you don't have PCOS, then you have no idea how difficult it is to take weight off - or rather - to keep it off!  Herein lies my frustration.

    http://youtu.be/jee-EJRnp7M

    Try this wonderful recipe I found - if you like garlic salad as much as I do, this is a perfect dressing for it!  Yes, I eat like this all the time - believe it!

    Creamy Garlic Dressing (makes 3 cups)

    Ingredients:

    1 1/2 cups low-fat mayonnaise
    3/4 cup vegetable oil
    1/4 cup vinegar
    3 Tablespoons chopped onion
    1 1/2 teaspoons Stevia
    3/4 teaspoon salt
    1 garlic clove, minced

    Directions:

    In a blender, combine all ingredients.  Cover and process until smooth.  Serve over finely shredded cabbage and carrot. 

    As I was chatting with the doctor, I was reminded that fiber is also an important part of my diet.  This garlic salad provides not only the health benefit of garlic, but the slaw is also a great source of fiber - and fiber is our friend!

    15 comments:

    Anonymous said...

    You really make it seem really easy with your presentation but I in finding
    this matter to be really something which I think I'd by no means understand. It kind of feels too complex and extremely extensive for me. I'm taking a look ahead
    on your next post, I'll attempt to get the dangle of it!

    Here is my website ... Hip Waist Ratio

    Anonymous said...

    Can you tell us more about this? I'd love to find out more details.

    my website; Auravie Skin Care

    Anonymous said...

    This paragraph is in fact a fastidious one it assists new the
    web visitors, who are wishing for blogging.

    Also visit my webpage www.howtosetupawebsiteeasily.info

    maggie.danhakl@healthline.com said...

    Hi,

    Healthline recently put together an infograph showcasing heart disease statistics and facts to help someone understand their risk for a heart attack or other heart-related issues. You can see the infograhic here: http://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease-infographic

    I am writing to you to see if you can help spread awareness about heart disease by sharing this with your followers or including it as a resource on your page: http://humorandfaith.blogspot.com/

    Please let me know if you would be interested in helping to raise awareness about heart disease.

    Thank you for your time reviewing. Please let me know if there are any questions I can answer.

    Warm regards,
    Maggie Danhakl • Assistant Marketing Manager
    p: 415-281-3124 f: 415-281-3199

    Healthline • The Power of Intelligent Health
    660 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
    www.healthline.com | @Healthline | @HealthlineCorp

    About Us: corp.healthline.com

    Anonymous said...

    Excellent blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What host
    are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
    I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol

    My blog ... Diet Hcg

    Anonymous said...

    You're so awesome! I don't suppose I've read through
    anything like that before. So good to find somebody
    with a few original thoughts on this issue. Really.. many
    thanks for starting this up. This site is one thing that's needed on the internet, someone with some originality!


    Feel free to visit my web page ... grid autosport pc download

    Anonymous said...

    But with hay day cheats,
    you actually don't have to drill down into your pants pocket and
    make oneself poorer just to enjoy this game to the fullest.
    Lucerne is best cut at a height approximately 50 mm above ground level.
    You see, I know the Universe wants my best life, but sometimes I don't heed
    its advice – sometimes I'm convinced I don't even hear it.

    Anonymous said...

    , the neхt mode of thе overаll game, еnded up being created
    by Robert Alfille аnd it is useԁ 1 full floor. Dress іn'n рut iit off tilpl down the track insidxe
    evening ɡiven that уou recognize damn աell yօu won'testosterone
    Ԁo it. Unconventional online games ϲould bе աhatever
    avid gamers label օf them ѡhich usually foliage optio
    foг limiless options as well aѕ countless entertaining гegarding player.


    Feel free tοo surf to my web site; solitaire download

    Anonymous said...

    Good day! I juust would lik to offer you a hge thumbs up
    forr your excellemt information you have got here on this post.

    I'll be coming back to your blog for more
    soon.

    Feel free to visit my website :: take surveys for money

    Anonymous said...

    Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I've truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
    In any case I'll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

    Feel free to surf to my site; easy halloween costumes for adults

    Unknown said...

    hogan
    rolex watches
    supreme new york
    ugg outlet
    jordans
    ugg boots
    coach outlet online
    nike air max
    pandora uk
    ugg outlet store
    201712.4wengdongdong

    Unknown said...

    bijoux swarovski
    fitflops
    jordans
    nike store
    air max
    michael kors uk
    moncler
    burberry
    new balance femme
    prada
    2017.12.22chenlixiang

    yanmaneee said...

    timberlands
    michael jordan shoes
    retro jordans
    yeezy boost
    nike air max 270
    kyrie 4
    nike huarache
    converse outlet store
    converse outlet
    christian louboutin

    Mai said...

    المتميز
    شركة تنظيف منازل راس الخيمة
    شركة تنظيف فلل راس الخيمة
    خدمات راس الخيمة

    Anonymous said...

    chrome hearts online store
    palm angels
    off white
    bape official
    hermes outlet
    kobe basketball shoes
    retro jordans
    curry 9
    GGDB
    fear of god outlet