Hello!

[Doxiedad]

Hello everyone. My name is Jim. I'm 53 years old and a Type 2. My doctor told me for approximately seven years that I was pre-diabetic. I would exercise, watch what I ate, and do well for a while then slack off blindly thinking " Nah, not me, I'm not a diabetic." This past March he told me I was no longer "pre" but "the real thing."

I plan to retire in about five years and travel with my wife, a RN, who wants to check into becoming a traveling nurse when I retire. I want to be able to enjoy my retirement so I realize it's time to come out of denial and take charge of my life. My wife is also a type 2 who, like me, does not take her diabetes seriously even though everyone in her mother's family is a diabetic. I want her around and in good health also when I retire 'cause I'm kinda fond of her. Her name is Kim.

I am looking forward to learning and sharing with you all as I change my life now and hope to convince my wife to join me in this change.

I'm on medication for high bp and elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Since March I have been on Byetta and it seems to be working well.

BTW, about my name... My wife and I have four furry children. One is a Westie named Olli, a Carin Terrier named Livvi, and two daschunds. Frank is our red longhair and is a total clown. His sister, LuLu is a mini red short hair who rules our house with 100% attitude. Thus my name, Doxidad. :o)

[notme]

Hi Kim and Jim! Welcome to Diabetes Forums. Ok...I know it is just you here right now Jim, but talk to your wife and make this site a "family" thing. You both need to start taking your diabetes seriously. You have a long enjoyable retirement ahead of you if neither one of you get sick, so get going! Learn to cook and count carbs together.

I have five regular kids that are grown, so now we have two furry kids. Maxwell and Jack are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels that are spoiled rotten. I would not have dreamed of spoiling kids, but dogs???? Heck yes! http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/animals/animal0019.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-jumping-smileys.php)

Welcome! :wavey:

[Janlaton]

Welcome to the forum, Jim. Do hope if Kim does not join for herself you can at least read some of the thoughts and advice to her.

Type 2 can be as deadly as type 1 it's just a different form and treated differently. Now that you are out of denial do test, and test again keep exercising and journal every bite you put in your mouth even liquids as they can run the sugar up as well.

Again welcome!

[patricia52]

Hello Jim. Welcome to the forum. Hope you and your wife enjoy using the things your learn here so you can enjoy that retirement.

[princesslinda]

Hi Jim (and Kim!), welcome! Glad you found the forums. There's lots of good information and support here.

I'm on Byetta as well, and it does wonders for those post-meal numbers.

Look around, ask lots of questions. You'll find there's always somebody who can relate to whatever issues you're facing.

Glad you're taking control of things. You'll see from reading the posts that many are living happy and healthy lives with diabetes.

A great book for T2s, "The First Year, Type II Diabetes," by Gretchen Becker. She's diabetic herself and its an interesting and informative read.

The best advice I can give you is to test, test, test. Good control is our goal and the way to get this is to determine which foods cause your blood sugar to spike and to be able to make smarter food choices. Also, many here have been successful in watching their carbs (esp. "white" foods: rice, pasta, potatoes and bread).

Hope you post often...and bring your wife on board as well.

[kgm0612]

Welcome to the forum, Jim & Kim. Nice folks and lots of great information to be found here.

Karen

[davef]

Hi Jim & Kim,

Welcome to the forums, glad you found us. There are lots of great people and information here to help you learn how to take control and live a long and healthy life together.

It's great you have come out of denial and are ready to take control. Read through the posts, ask lots of questions and I would second Linda's suggestion of the Gretchen Becker book. She recommended it to me when I joined and I found it very informative and easy to read.

Visit and post often,