A Medical Success Story
Ten years ago I suffered an acute auto-immune illness which “came out of nowhere” and had me very unwell for much of a year. With all the numerous tests required for diagnosis at the time, the doctors discovered I was suddenly producing a less than normal amount of insulin, the hormone and body protein essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates. It seemed that the two conditions, by their sudden appearance at the same time, were likely related. Without the usual predisposing factors, I had become diabetic. It was a bombshell, but with the provisional diagnosis of a lymphoma as well, it became the least of my worries. Diabetes is manageable, but a lymphoma may well prove to be deadly.
I was fortunate. There was no lymphoma and the enlarged lymph nodes around my heart eventually returned to normal as I slowly recovered from that illness. The diabetes remained, and I learned to cope with it, as we all do. Being a far from uncommon condition these days, many of us get to know the routine - diet, exercise, regular blood tests, several times daily finger pricking, medications, regular doctor appointments, eye tests, and the unpleasant nature of “hypers” and “hypos”. It becomes a lifestyle to be avoided only at considerable cost to one’s health. There really isn’t a cure. Some folk will always require medications and insulin.
But while there isn’t a cure, there is a good method of management for the very best of outcomes. It isn’t an easy road to take, but it does take one to far better places. I discovered it, and have travelled it… which is what this story is about.
Back in January this year I had come to where I was needing to inject insulin. I had “maxed out” (was taking the maximum dosages) on a combination of three different oral hypoglycaemics, a full hand of tablets to be swallowed twice a day. Time for injections as well. Wanting to push back from that inevitability meant a radical move; it was time for a shake-up.
We are fortunate these days with the wealth of nutritional knowledge made easily available on the internet, and I had become well-read on the research available concerning GI (glycaemic index) and GL (glycaemic load) of the different foods found on supermarket shelves and in our own kitchen pantries. GI values for each food item tells a person how much it is likely to cause a rise in their blood sugar, and if that rise will be a sudden and sharp one, or a slow, small and sustaining one. It evaluates the body’s reaction to carbohydrates, and the research material advises also on the interactions they have with proteins and fats. In the writings of many researchers, the relationship to exercise is also expounded. However, knowing something is one thing… and actually putting that knowledge into practice is quite something else.
This was going to need self-discipline and self-control, and more of it than I thought I could muster. It would involve an adherence to dietary principles that could be regarded as quite restrictive in nature, awkward, inconvenient, and a real spoiler for eating out. It would involve a change in lifestyle, the incorporation of a seriously regarded exercise routine as well, and sacrifices made to ensure that took a high priority.
Now it is July. Yesterday I achieved a rare event and became my doctor’s first patient ever to go from insulin to absolutely no hypoglycaemic medications at all, keeping my blood sugar right down within healthy normal levels, through nutrition and exercise alone. My pharmacist (who watched this come about) wants my story written up and published in the NZ Medical Journal and copies made available in all surgeries and clinics for the encouragement of others.
To get where I have got I sought spiritual support which, for me, was an essential element that helped make it happen. Some things are much harder attempted on one’s own, but with a measure of “grace” can become considerably easier. I made myself accountable with the help of one of the clergy at my local Anglican church. This extra form of encouragement, and the absolute honesty required, did help enormously. No cheating allowed without formal confession - and that included the exercise goals as well. It was very serious stuff, and we took it very seriously as well. Grace abounded, and the way became very much easier, even a delight to travel.
It was rocky as well, and it took just over 6 months to get there. The whole business has kept my doctor on the hop. His job was to monitor everything far more closely, the amount of medication required needing to be reduced and frequent (and often quite serious) hypoglycaemic episodes became my experience during this readjustment stage. Hypos are very unpleasant, and I was also annoyed by needing to dose up on glucose (extra calories) that I didn’t particularly want. A lot of extra vigilance, more frequent finger pricking, especially before going to bed at night, was necessary to guard against going hypo in my sleep. I did have hypos in my sleep, often being awakened from them by horrendous nightmares. Sometimes my husband would wake me, sensing something was wrong, and he became very astute at noticing when I wasn’t quite right. There were times of confusion and disorientation, and times when I certainly felt it was just too hard to be bothered.
The challenge for me now is to maintain this situation, and it wont be easy as it involves a strict discipline from which I dare not stray. My daily exercise routine involves an hour on the treadmill, a time that I combine with listening to my theology lectures on iPod. At least I no longer go to sleep during them! I have lost about 25 Kg in the process and have a new healthy lifestyle, but for me the biggest part has been the grace of God by which it was made possible. I like all kinds of food which is simply not for me. However, I am not missing it while I keep my hand in His, and don’t neglect a prayer life of constant praise, thanksgiving, confession and intercession. God is so good, and I have been very much blessed.
Praise be to God for He is indeed faithful. This is some more of my journey with Him, and I can attest to the fact that He really is there for us when we most need Him.
