[Aurelius]

All,

Two weeks before my diagnosis of D, I went for a sleep study to determine if I had sleep apnea. I sure did. I stopped breathing 106 times in a 60 minute period!! My oxygen levels were supposed to be at 90-95% but I was at 54% during sleep. I immediately went on CPAP and all I can say is that it is the most amazing thing I have ever experienced. I thought all was golden because I never woke up to go to the bathroom at night and I was fully rested with tons of energy and also a tremendous lowering of blood pressure. My happiness ended two weeks later.

On the day of my diagnosis of D(2/19/08) with and A1C of 9.8, I also received the wonderful news that I had to have my gallbladder removed. My bloodwork numbers were everywhere but in normal range. I was at 304lbs and totally depressed.

I immedately started metformin, changed my diet thanks to a dietition who is a friend of our family and regular exercise.

I made adjustments to the diet to meet my needs to fix the morning numbers I had.

When I had my gallbladder surgery, I also had a liver biopsy to determine fatty liver. Yes, you can add the fatty liver to the list as it was confirmed by the biopsy.

At that point, I didn't know how I was going to make it through any of this. My mental state completely fell apart and for the past few months I have been a mental mess.

I then sought counciling which has helped but I still have a long way to go.

I have found a lot of comfort and support from God, my wife's family, co-workers and friends.

Yesterday morning, I went to the lab for my first 3-month visit since my diagnosis. The results came back this afternoon and I left work early just so I could get them.

At first, I thought they gave me the wrong person's report but my name was at the top. All of my numbers were right in the middle of the acceptable ranges including liver enzymes now down in the mid-20's. My weight is also down to 255lbs

The numbers I am most excited about are my morning fasting BG level of 91 (111 at diagnosis) and an HbA1C of...............

5.4!!

I am sorry to brag, but I am so excited to have proven to myself over the past few months that I can deal with a lot of poo being thrown at me all at once. I am darn sure that with additional changes to my diet and exercise plans as well as continued use of my CPAP, I will continue to improve my A1C even more 3 months from now.

Best wishes to you all.

[Coppernob]

I am so happy for you - you made me smile
Don't be sorry to brag - you have something to brag about. Everyone here rejoices in the good news of others. We understand how low you can feel and you had much to be worried about. But you got the help you needed and you worked hard to make a difference. You certainly made some positive changes! Go ahead and brag - you have earned it!

[Achilles]

Well congratulations too. Heck brag away. You have a lot to be proud of. All of that didn't come very easy... you earned it and what a great reward. Nothing like a bit of positive reinforcement. People on this forum can appreciate your numbers because we are diabetics and understand how much effort this takes especially when newly diagnosed and new to this lifestyle change.

I haven't even had my first A1c yet. It is coming in a couple of months though.

[notme]

You deserve the brag! Congratulations on your great A1c and your new found health. Keep up the good work!!! Can I borrow a vial of blood for my A1c in a few weeks?

[BlueSky]

Well done ! Keep up the good work.

[Scrabblechick]

Awesome!

Really, that is tremendous! I had my good A1C last week, so I know exactly how good it feels for that hard work to pay off, finally! Good going on the weight loss, too!

I am so happy for you and your great numbers! You go right ahead and brag all you want to!

As they say on the Orbit gum commercials: Fabulous!

[Janke]

I think you should print a banner and hang it on the front door or have a parade or something. What a great story! You are giving me hope.

Diagnosed in 4/08. Been on CPAP a few years, but that didn't inspire me to lose weight but I sure sleep better than before. It is a pain to haul the machine around on vacation, but oh well. Had my gallbladder removed a few years ago also. Didn't stop me from eating greasy food that caused instant diarrhea (never did understand that connection). Got the high blood pressure. Have had to shop in large women departments hidden at the back of the department store, far away from normal size clothes for years. Hate to look in the mirror. None of that really pushed me to weight control and exercise. A big part of my job is to interview people with varying medical disabilities to see if they can qualify for government benefits and sure enough, diabetes and its complications come up with great frequency. Dialysis, feet amputation, retinopathy. That didn't push me either.

But this diabetes diagnosis is a real kick in the pants and if you can accomplish what you did, so can I.

Thanks for sharing.

[mzteacher]

brag away...sounds like you have done an amazing job...and have had lots of serious things to deal with...way to go...this will just be an inspiration to all of us!!
susan

[pokie]

Sounds like you are doing awesome, and you must be feeling so much better! Congratulations, and it's fine to brag!

[Jan B]

Ok, you gave me my first happy cry of the day! Very good work my dear. Excellent. I'm about speechless, but just crying some relief tears for you.

[shutterbug]

Thats very impressive and encouraging for me.
Great job !

[Evermont]

Isn't there some kind of mandatory celebration for a 5.4? What's it gonna be?

[davef]

That is a really, really, cool result!

Well done you for handling all the sh*t that was thrown at you and coming up smelling of roses!

If that wasn't worth a brag, then nothing is!

Congratulations!

[MJB]

Great, great job!!!!!!!!!

[sprzepiora]

Good job, I am taking my first A1c since diagnosis in a couple of weeks and hope to do half as good as you. Keep it up!