Knowledge is Power .... How much do you want to learn?

When fighting any disease, I have learned that by learning more about the disease and how to prevent it or fight it, that the better off I am.

David Mendosa's site has given me a lot of info already. In an eamil with him earlier, I asked hom what his typical menu is. One item that sparked my curiosity in his response was "chia seeds". After reading up on these little seeds, I am hooked on them. So next week, when I get my groceries in again, I will place an order for chia seeds.

The sky is the limit for knowledge. That "key", I think, makes battling diabetes today, so much easier than back when my dad had it. Back then, which was in the early to mid 1980's, the best place for knowledge was with a Doctor. Now we have the internet.

I also am lucky in that we have a University hospital within 1 hour's drive of my home. I have 2 friends that are in the medical field that I can ask for information.

I also can ask my diebetes educator questions as I need to.

That's why they are there for. For help and guidance. To not use their help or the internet or local universities and try to battle this disease one-on-one is foolish and won't get you anywhere.

Each day, I check my BG 3 times; before breakfast, before lunch, after dinner. Why, you might ask? I am doing this for 2 reasons: (1) because I am trying to keep my BG in the 3 ranges that my diabetes educator set and (2) because I want to know how food reacts with my body. I use the glucose meter as a guide to figuring out how much I can eat, not necessarily what.

The more I experiment, the better I can plan my menu. Also, which is cheaper - spending extra now to figure out how food interacts with your BG or the costs of not doing anything, which could cost you your life? I prefer to choose the first choice.

Back when our office had our Christmas Luncheon, I was asked by a friend if I were to take a break for one day from managing my diabetes and celebrate. I said no, I cannot take a day off. I did watch what I ate and kept my sugar pretty much in control that day. And I still had a good time.

The only thing I have left to try out is how wine, whether red or white, works with my blood glucose. That is something I will try in February, after the doctor's appointment on Feb. 1, 2008. On that day, I will have a complete blood test done, including cholesterol, tryglicerides and also my A1C test. Why, you might ask? Again, it points back to knowledge. Knowing what my blood work is to that point tells me what I have to do to change - both in exercise and also in food intake.

To properly fight diabetes, one has to adjust (1) food intake, (2) carbs and (3) exercise - each day, in order to keep the numbers in the proper ranges. No one said it was easy, but I have no choice.

I have been asked, "Are you afraid of diabetes?".

My response - "No, I am not afraid of diabetes. I am afraid of the complications that could happen if I don't do anything."

Who agrees with me on this? Probably a lot of you.

So ,come on, what is the last book you read?

Next week, I will be ordering a few more books and also check out books from the library (probably will do that tomorrow at my lunch time - library is only 2 blocks from the office).

Got a good book you want me to know about? Let me know. Leave a comment.