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Fasting Number Shame Game

Type2Guy

Type2Guy

Well-Known Member
Messages
94
Location
Chicago, IL
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Every time I draw a regrettable result in my fasting blood glucose, it gets posted on a billboard in my consciousness like a scarlet number for the peanut gallery in my imagination to judge me harshly for my loss of control. I resolve to eat more scrupulously low carbohydrate food and incorporate even more cardiovascular exercise today in an attempt to win a better tomorrow.

I have an appointment to see a podiatrist this afternoon for a foot examination, which is exciting as I have had a life long fascination with medical waiting room magazine selections, especially those pertaining to the practice specialty. If my Internet search skills are on point, I expect to be wowed by a fresh copy of Podiatry Today.

My elderly father, may he live to be 120, who is also a Type 2 diabetic and unaware of my own recent diagnosis for his continuity as a participating person in this world, finds it acceptable despite the grave risk to my heart to patronize the manicurist across the street from his home in Scottsdale for regular pedicures because the girl (she is probably a senior citizen) is very nice to him. Just last week, I begged him to forsake that ritual given the very real risks involved with infection and have been promised that my advice will be heeded. So out of unspoken allegiance, I am also heeding the same advice and taking pun filled steps to a foot specialist that will review it all.
 
Type2Guy said:
Every time I draw a regrettable result in my fasting blood glucose, it gets posted on a billboard in my consciousness like a scarlet number for the peanut gallery in my imagination to judge me harshly for my loss of control. I resolve to eat more scrupulously low carbohydrate food and incorporate even more cardiovascular exercise today in an attempt to win a better tomorrow.

I have an appointment to see a podiatrist this afternoon for a foot examination, which is exciting as I have had a life long fascination with medical waiting room magazine selections, especially those pertaining to the practice specialty. If my Internet search skills are on point, I expect to be wowed by a fresh copy of Podiatry Today.

My elderly father, may he live to be 120, who is also a Type 2 diabetic and unaware of my own recent diagnosis for his continuity as a participating person in this world, finds it acceptable despite the grave risk to my heart to patronize the manicurist across the street from his home in Scottsdale for regular pedicures because the girl (she is probably a senior citizen) is very nice to him. Just last week, I begged him to forsake that ritual given the very real risks involved with infection and have been promised that my advice will be heeded. So out of unspoken allegiance, I am also heeding the same advice and taking pun filled steps to a foot specialist that will review it all.
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Another result ...another ''no show'' on here. You really must accept that no one will judge you or think any less of you or your efforts if the number isn't as you desire. Stop beating yourself up about the results and focus on the reasons. For example....do you keep a food diary...noting all and I mean ALL the food you eat? If you do that and test your BG reactions you should be able to identify the foods that your body finds harder to tolerate. Maybe you can take them out of your daily diet or cut the amount down a little and see what effect it has. It's a shame that you can't share your diabetes with your Father...you might find it enlightening and theraputic to share the load a little. Your impending foot check will hopefully reveal no problems and visits to ''the girl'' may not be needed too frequently. Personally I prefer to tend to my own feet due to ticklish tendencies. It made me smile somewhat wryly at your pleading with your Father to heed your advice to find a more acceptable ''foot person''....you want HIM to heed good advice but.....you know what I am saying here....and you know I hate to nag you ....but....practice what you preach springs to mind and heed the advice you are given....take the hand of those offering to help you through and please, please stop chastising yourself for numbers that can be improved with time and thought. Here ends the sermon for today ;)
 
Gezzabelle said:
Another result ...another ''no show'' on here. You really must accept that no one will judge you or think any less of you or your efforts if the number isn't as you desire. Stop beating yourself up about the results and focus on the reasons. For example....do you keep a food diary...noting all and I mean ALL the food you eat? If you do that and test your BG reactions you should be able to identify the foods that your body finds harder to tolerate. Maybe you can take them out of your daily diet or cut the amount down a little and see what effect it has. It's a shame that you can't share your diabetes with your Father...you might find it enlightening and theraputic to share the load a little. Your impending foot check will hopefully reveal no problems and visits to ''the girl'' may not be needed too frequently. Personally I prefer to tend to my own feet due to ticklish tendencies. It made me smile somewhat wryly at your pleading with your Father to heed your advice to find a more acceptable ''foot person''....you want HIM to heed good advice but.....you know what I am saying here....and you know I hate to nag you ....but....practice what you preach springs to mind and heed the advice you are given....take the hand of those offering to help you through and please, please stop chastising yourself for numbers that can be improved with time and thought. Here ends the sermon for today ;)
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Amen to that!
 
You are looking at your numbers as though it is a competition @Type2Guy. Numbers are for educational purposes and nobody is going to judge you.

I suggest that you keep a food diary so that you will see which foods are raising your blood sugars and over time you will see trends appearing.

Nobody has a blueprint for you to follow and we are unique in our responses to different foods. Some have to use very low carbs to maintain control whereas others can eat more. You have to find what works for you and it takes time and effort. Remember this is a marathon as opposed to a sprint and we all found it difficult to begin with. Ask questions, publish you menus and the results and members will try and help with suggestions.
 
I have made a resolution to get into full disclosure beginning tomorrow morning, regardless of the result. I am heartened by the kindness and support in here as I work through my issues.
 
Type2Guy said:
I have made a resolution to get into full disclosure beginning tomorrow morning, regardless of the result. I am heartened by the kindness and support in here as I work through my issues.
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It's a date! :).... though I should add "Nae pressure big man"!.
 
I thought a great deal about my active denial of my less desired blood glucose numbers, while in the waiting room of the Podiatrist's office as I stared blankly at a pamphlet about extra depth shoes. It has taken a few lousy numbers for me to realize that a change in my approach is essential for my ability to gain more control. Being among a very supportive and inspiring crowd, many of whom have walked much further along on this road, has become a vital tool in my diabetes management system. I am grateful to be here and for all the kindness.

It is with relief that I can report my feet got a good review from my foot doctor, which was very helpful to hear despite a lecture about my elevated blood pressure, which I am certain was caused by the white lab coats and overheard discussion of bunion surgery from another patient who was leaving as I was entering the examining room. I was told with tremendous gravity that each foot should be thoroughly examined everyday. At the slightest hint of any change in appearance or sensation, no matter how infinitesimally small it may seem, the issue should be professionally examined without any hesitation because this is how one prevents amputation. This is a graphic public service announcement, but I feel compelled to share it.

Side Observation

The podiatrist's office waiting room reading material currently contains People (several different issues with celebrity covers of celebrated people whom are all unknown to me), People en Espanol (The Spanish language version with Latino celebrities beyond my pop culture knowledge base), Diabetic Living, Highlights (shoutout to Goofus and Gallant), The Chicago Tribune, Golf, Sports Illustrated, Tails Pet Magazine and countless brochures on Extra Depth Shoes, Planters Warts, Athlete's Foot and Heel Pain. The office itself is a modern space in a mid-century modern building not far from Northwestern University in Evanston. The waiting room walls are plastered in a muted sea green textured paper that resembles a room size shaky photograph of the sea, causing me to feel a bit like a claustrophobic drowning victim, especially as windows were not included in this setup. The decor felt like it got purchased at a Podiatry Waiting Room Warehouse because it contained a framed illustration triptych of women's feet adorned in fancy high heels with whimsical text about luxury shoe addiction, clip art feet splashing in water giclee canvas, a photo of finely manicured nails framing a model's face for a cosmetic called SpaRitual (perhaps a paid endorsement) and an enormous Dr. Scholl's display of comfort shoes, many of which I imagine are extra deep.
 
Hey type 2 guy - you aren't Stephen King by any chance are you?

Great depth of perception and descriptive writing style mate - respect, never thought anyone could get so much out of a medical waiting room.

Now then.

About the other thing.

This is not a competition or a name and shame game. All it is is a chance to report how you are doing and the important thing is to see if you are going the right way or not. If you are, great, and maybe something you learn can help someone else.

If not, maybe someone here can help you.

But you need to stop pussyfooting around the edge man, stop hanging around on the side dipping your metaphorical toe in and worrying if the pool is cold.

Just dive straight on in - the waters lovely!:watching:
 
just tracked this down after it was ''moved due to my 'derailing' it's previous location????. The title isn't as I would perceive it or would suggest either. ( for the record,I had no part in it being renamed that either ) There is NO shame whatsoever attached to not posting BG readings. It is a huge shock to the system to suddenly have your world turned upside down by a diagnosis. Many thoughts and fears run through your mind and the ultimate changes necessary to regain control of our once orderly lives all takes time to digest and come to terms with. The emotional wreckage of fear and denial are in equal amounts and all take time to make sense of. Take as much time as you need Type2Guy to work it out and put it into an acceptable form that no longer scares you. It will become easier as time goes on once you achieve that inner peace with it.
 
@Type2Guy
If you have a blooming awkward diabetic body to contend with, then as long as you are doing battle to improve matters, there's no shame at all in high levels, the only shame would be if you gave up and accepted defeat.

I'm also in agreement that our levels are not to be seen as some sort of "I can go lower than them!" competition - it's (for me anyway) a "Can I do better than that?" compettiion with my own results. I've been so impressed by those here who've started with high reading and struggle so hard to get them down - I would rather award them a medal for Endeavour than any one who doesn't have such issues to deal with.

Robbity
 
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