The Doctor is In!

Current Blood sugar: 135...whoohoo!  My numbers have been perfect today....76 fasting when I woke up this morning, no highs over night, and 135 after eating breakfast...today is going to be a good day!  Isn't it interesting how something as simple as a number can change the outlook on the whole day?

Today's Prompt: Check Up Check List – Very few people enjoy doctor appointments, but if you have diabetes, you’ve probably had your share of these! Share your doctor appointment stories – funny, frustrating, embarrassing or inspiring – or what appointments you need to catch up on.

Ahhh...doctors.  My life had a normal number of doctors before my diagnosis.  You know, the usual annual check-ups and occasional sick visits but nothing out of the ordinary.  Now I feel like I am constantly in the doctor's office.  I see my endocrinologist every 3 months and a diabetes educator/nutritionist every 6 months.  I see my eye doctor once a year to check my vision but also to check for diabetic retinopathy (no symptoms so far!).

I see my primary care doctor once a year for blood work and general check-ups.  Then add on the "woman" doctor, and dentist, who also has to check for diabetes related mouth issues.  Of course, then there is my therapist who helps me deal with the emotional stress of this disease.  On top of that I see a physical therapist for back issues cause I am just so dang tall!

I feel like I spend half my year sitting in waiting rooms.  But hey, I am proactive about my health and I feel like in order to stay as healthy as I can be, these folks are important to have around.

I am really good about not missing appointments.  I very rarely skip yearly visits because I feel they are just so important.  I want to know what is going on with my body.  My endocrinologist (my diabetes doctor), is amazing.  I actually love going to see her....minus the blood draws, finger pricks, and waiting room time.  She is very supportive and often times lets me take the reins when it comes to my diabetes management.  She listens to what I say and what I need and she helps me build plans that help me stay healthy.

The thing I find most surprising when I visit my endo is that she is so excited that I have such good control of my diabetes.

My A1C generally sticks around a 6.2.  

An A1C is my average blood sugar over a period of three months, 

given a rating between 5-14.  

For a diabetic, healthy ratings fall between 6-7.  

So in other words I am a well controlled diabetic.  

I am always dumbfounded by the response I get from my endo.  She tells me how much she loves to see me because she knows she wont have to lecture me or worry about my care.  Apparently many of her patients do not have good control of their diabetes.

I always find it very hard to believe that someone with diabetes, who has the tools to manage the disease, can let their care slip to the point that they put themselves in danger.  A lot of times I feel like this has to do with lack of education about the disease and the stigma and misconceptions often associated with diabetes.  I guess that is the whole point of Diabetes Awareness Month...be aware folks!  I wont stay on my soapbox anymore, I will save that for another post.

It is always inspiring for me to go to my endo's office.  I often worry what my numbers will look like and that maybe I am not doing as good as I think I am.  I second guess my ability to manage this disease properly and I always feel like I am not working hard enough.  When I see my endo and she does everything short of jumping up and down and throwing confetti when she sees me...well that just downright makes me feel good.

Photo from Diametrix