Type 2 Diabetes – Testing. Testing.

I have recently gone on medication for Type 2 Diabetes. It has been just over a month and my stomach problem due to the new pills is getting much better. It happens every few days but only lasts an hour or two.

Today I had a call from my pharmacist to tell me that my glucose monitor, lancets, and test strips are ready for to pick up.

I need to know when to test and track my glucose levels. I am sure there is an app for that which I can use on my new iPad Air 2.

*****

My visit to the pharmacy was very informative. The pharmacist took about 15 minutes to set up the monitor, explain everything to me and then watch as I did my first test.

To tell the truth I was a bit nervous.

First you get a lancet which is like a needle that is enclosed in a protective case. I inserted the lancet into the monitor and then I got out a test strip and inserted it into the monitor. That turned the monitor on. The prompt came, “Add blood.”

I then loaded the lancet by pushing forward on a button. I placed the pad of my thumb over the opening and pushed a white button to activate the lancet and get a drop of blood. I applied this to the side of the test strip and then waited for my reading.

In Canada, the results are shown as mmol/L. In the US measurements are expressed differently.

My result was 7.3 mmol/L.

Ideal numbers would be 4.5 – 6.5. But 7.3 is pretty good. It is in the “range”. Six weeks ago my number, after fasting for 12 hours, was 8.4.

The pharmacist told me to test only 2 or 3 times a week, and to keep a record of the results to show my doctor. The monitor will show you your average for a couple of weeks and will alert you when a “high” trend is noted. For instance, if you have tested high at a certain time of day, you would be alerted so you could perhaps change your diet.

The cost for all this? $4.99. I thank God that I live in Canada where our medical system provides such good care for such a low cost.

I will be seeing a nurse and a nutritionist in a couple of weeks, which is good because I still have a lot of questions.

By the way all the Apps I have seen so far have measured results in American measurements, so I am still looking for a “Canadian” Blood Glucose Logbook.

Thanks for coming with me on my next step in this journey. Have a good day!

 

 

 

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– 5

No, – 5   does not refer to the temperature, although here in Canada we have often had that kind of weather at this time of year.  However, today it is sunny and about 11C  (52F).

The -5 refers to pounds!!!  Yes, I am down five pounds.  It has taken me quite a while but I did it.  My goal is to lose 25 more!!!

On September 1, I gave up French Fries!  I said for four months but of course it will have to be longer.  I told one of my daughters and my husband, so I would be accountable.  Before you think that I must have been eating a ton of fries, let me tell you that is not the case.  I had them once every week or two.

But this is what happened.  Since I had given fries up, I began to think more about what I was eating and my choices became more and more healthy. 

By September 21, I was again on the telephone with my daughter and I told her that I felt ready for the next step.  No more junk food!

That is, no more sweets, ice cream, or desserts except for fruit and yogurt.  I am becoming a more mindful eater.

As of yesterday, the end of September, I had lost five pounds.  I am not dieting, but I am eating better, with more fruits and vegetables added to my usual diet.  I feel better and I feel happier.

Nine years ago, my husband had a serious medical emergency and I began to slowly gain weight.  In the last few years the stress and pain of osteoarthritis has slowed me down and I had to give up my gym membership.  More weight gain.

Hubby has recovered very well and with retirement the arthritis has really calmed down.  So, the next step is to “up” the exercise routine.

My friend Roz will be babysitting her baby grandson for the foreseeable future and she and I are going to walk for an hour a day.  Good weather – outdoors.  Bad weather – indoors at the local mall.  I am already a Sneakers mall-walker member and will continue to do that.  If you want to see my progress since the spring, check out my blog page, My Walk Across Canada.  There should be a new update in the next few days.

It is only 5 pounds but it means a lot to me.  I am doing it my way and it is working for me!