HbA1c Result

[didie]

I'm celebrating

My latest HbA1c has come back at 5.9% along with a message from my doctor saying 'very well done!'

The risk of another stroke has faded into the background *breathes a huge sigh of relief*.

Now I just have to keep it low

 

[anna29]

Congratulations didie ...
Well done - its all heading in the right direction for you 'DOWN' ... YAY !!!
You're post made me smile.
Its great when we hear of results being so productive and successful .
Am sure it will inspire others too.
Anna.x

 

[chocoholicnomore]

Well done Didie :clap: :clap: :clap:

You have done really well and should be so proud of yourself.

It's great to read success stories like yours and it's inspiring for us newbies.

Keep up the good work. (and pass on any good tips)

Congrats

Marina
x

 

[Sue o2]

well done, a gold star for you :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :thumbup:

 

[WhitbyJet]

Congratulations didie - well done!! :clap: :clap:

 

[Mothman]

Well done,
Ime sure its taken a lot of effort, keep up the good work.

Andy

 

[didie]

Thank you for your lovely comments

There is nothing like the shock of a stroke at the ripe old age of 53 to make you get your act together. I count myself as a very lucky person to have had a relatively minor stroke and to have found out about my diabetes really quite soon after I developed it. Blood tests in hospital last December apparently showed raised sugar levels (no-one told me - they were more concerned about removing a lump in my breast), but not at diabetic levels. I had my stroke in June and my sugar levels were really high in the tests taken then. It was such a relief to find out that the stroke was caused by diabetes rather than high blood pressure or heart problems, because that was something I could address myself and being a control freak I did.

Most people think I'm a nut when I say I'm glad I had my stroke, but really it saved my life. I've had to lose weight and get my diabetes under control to avoid another more devastating stroke. I had 7 weeks off work during which time I rehab'd myself by walking and doing balance exercises. Not being able to drive for 6 weeks helped because I got into the habit of walking. I'm very lucky because I work for physiotherapists who helped me immensely. If you met me, you'd not know I'd had a stroke apart from a slight limp, a tendency to veer to the left and when I am tired I can lose my words. I'm 97% back to full function and am thinner and fitter than I have been probably for the last 15 years.

I feel that I have control of my diabetes on my terms, rather than it controlling me.

I'm lucky

 

[SparkJack]

Wow Didie you are now my inspiration. You must have gritted your teeth and worked so hard to get better. Well done and have a really good Christmas! XXX

 

[ClaireG 06]

You must be so proud of yourself. Give yourself a big pat on the back, you have done so well :thumbup:

 

[viviennem]

Well done Didie! :clap: :clap: :clap:

I really admire your attitude - keep with it!

Viv 8)

 

[anna29]

Hi didie,
Totally understand what you mean with youre glad you had a stroke [not nuts at all ]
I myself am glad I ended up a diabetic as had been skinny most of my life, took too much for granted etc and then got cocky with it!
The diabetes was a great wake up call for me as I now have more respect for my body [my body is a temple now!]
It was looking back - one of the best things to happen to me.
Much love and thoughts.
Anna.x

 

[Dougie22]

Didie,

Really well done and I'm very pleased for you.

This is inspirational as I'm trying to achieve the same thing...lowering my HbA1c below 6.0 without medication. In my case, I'm struggling to maintain my motivation and have frequent "lapses" in my diet but even so I'm slimmer and fitter than I've been in years so I understand the "wake up call" reference.

Keep up the good work.

 

[simply_h]

WELL done pal.

Am well chuffed for you.

So you set any new targets for yourself yet.

Simply_h.

 

[Terminator 2]

Well done Didie :clap:

I'm glad your answering that wake-up call head on and seeing the benefits.

Taking the positive from your stroke was the way to go, good on you :thumbup:

 

[didie]

Thank you for your kind words

The next diabetes-related target is to get another 10 lbs or so off and see if I can get my Hb1Ac lower. I want to improve my stamina as well so am starting to amend my exercise routine to build in cardio stuff. I've brought a heart rate monitor to help with that.

Another goal is to drive down to Yorkshire to my mum's which will be a major step, but do'able. I had to rush up to Aberdeen a couple of weeks ago when my daughter was taken into hospital and I managed with no problems at all which was a major confidence boost. It is amazing how having a stroke saps the confidence out of you and it takes a while to rebuild it again.

My medium-term goal is to go back to Iceland. Long-haul flying is now out of the window following my stroke on a plane, so no more trips to California, New Zealand or Australia But Iceland is a couple of hours flight so I'm hoping that is going to be possible. It is my second favourite country after New Zealand.

I think that because I've had a horrible diabetic complication before I was even diagnosed I now have the massive incentive to keep going to avoid that happening again. I think about how devastated my 20-year daughter was when I had the stroke (she was terrified that I was going to die) and the look of absolute shock on my husband's face at the hospital when I failed every neurological test horribly and I just keep going. My 23-year old son's reaction just made me laugh - 'Mum, if you can't drive any more, can I have your car?' Another incentive to recover - I love my battered old car and he's not having it!

 

[bonobono]

I admire your attitude, a lots inspiration to me...thanks

 

[didie]

Thank you

 

[didie]

I got my latest HbA1c this morning and it was 40 which is 5.8 in old money.

I have to admit to being somewhat disappointed by it as I was working towards 5.6 and maybe 5.5 if I was really lucky.

However I've worked out the reason it has not come down as much as I wanted to. I think it is the cardiac workouts that I had been doing pushing my levels up, so they are out the window now and I'm concentrating on aerobic exercise now.

My doctor was at the reception desk when I got the result and she was more excited about it than I was.

 

[shop]

Well Done Didie,

Really good to hear that! You are an inspiration and should feel very proud of yourself............. :clap: :clap: :clap:

 

[Glados]

Haha! I got 6.4 today and I was doing a little dance!!! But it is good to have goals and I'm not relaxing yet either. :wink: