What’s your type?

Prior to retirement in June 2021, just short of the minimum age at which to collect Social Security, I had piled up a number of inherited and lifestyle related medical issues. Among them, high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol, and an enlarged prostate accounted for five of the medications in my daily pillbox. None of these were particularly surprising given that my primary care doctor had been admonishing me about the need for fewer calories and more exercise for over a decade prior. However, the annual song and dance where I dutifully underwent my physical exam, received the predictable feedback and then scuttled off to resume my usual habits for another year, was shattered with the retirement of my doctor and the assignment of a new, much younger, physician.

My first impression of Dr. Emma was highly favorable. Open, friendly, highly tech savvy (e.g., responds to e-mails and unfailing updates prescriptions through the system), along with being much younger than me, it felt like I had hit the medical jackpot. I was honest, perhaps too much so, blithely blathering on about my semi-serious attitude when it came to matters of actually following my physician’s advice. Big mistake! Dr. Emma wasn’t phased (nor impressed) and ordered up a bunch of tests, including one that I had never taken: A1C. It was all so cordial, but, in that moment, I sensed the walls of accountability moving in just a smidge closer.

Gradually, appointment by appointment, the last two years have led me to the point where I acknowledged and affirmed the diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes. My blood sugar averages 158 and that translates into an A1C of just over 7. How do I know? Well, I invested in a Pogo Glucose Monitor that makes it easy to prick my thumb(s) and obtain a reading within seconds. I created a spreadsheet that allows me to track readings over the course of a day (i.e., before breakfast; before lunch; after lunch; before dinner and after dinner). The individual readings are interesting, but it’s the average over time that matters. If you listen at all to the myriad commercial advertisements for medications that lower A1C, you will get the impression that a reading of 7 isn’t too bad. It’s even good if you are willing to admit that you actually have Type 2 diabetes and need to keep it under control.

So, what impact has all this had on my life? In the beginning, I tried to deny it and wish it away. I didn’t want to stop eating my daily bagel, even though the sugar resident in the carbs sent the blood sugar flying. I didn’t want to give up daily sandwiches for lunch. I loved eating pasta several times a week. Show me a donut, and I’m your friend for life. Nevertheless, the data and friendly, concerned counsel from Dr. Emma have started to help me change life-long habits. I am now managing Type 2 Diabetes. It doesn’t stop me from eating what I want, but it does guide me to better choices in terms of amount and frequency.

So, there it is. I’ll take my data and head to see Dr. Emma next week. She will acknowledge that I have things under control, but it won’t stop her from trying to help me do better.