I've been honored with an invitation to become a "featured blogger" over at Diabetes Daily, which was my first diabetes "home" on the Internet. You can find my entries there at http://www.diabetesdaily.com/pedersen. I hope you stop by!
But those of you who've read me here won't get rid of me that easily. I'm still going to post here as I write stuff that may not quite fit the decor in my new digs. While I'm not clear on just how I'll draw the line, I do address some topics that clearly aren't related to diabetes. My eyebrows, for example. (If you do visit the new site, you may notice that my picture there clearly shows the expansionist tendencies of my eyebrows.)
I want to express thanks to the folks who encouraged me to start blogging and the folks who've supported me as I've worked at finding my "voice". It's only quite recently that I've felt confident thinking of myself as a "real" blogger, rather than just someone getting a few things off his chest. Thank you for reading.
(In 2010, I was honored with an invitation to become a 'featured blogger' at diabetesdaily.com. This was my self-introduction post.)
For me, starting to blog here at Diabetes Daily feels a little bit like coming home.
I was diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic in late May or early June of 2008. I got the news in a letter from my doctor which I received after work on Friday. I spent that first weekend dealing with the initial emotional impact.
Then, on Monday, I began looking for resources. Diabetes Daily was one of the first things I found. The forums and other resources were very helpful, and I spent hundreds of hours in chat.
I'm not glad to have diabetes. But, since I do, I'm thankful to have been diagnosed at a time when so many of the wonderful online resources had already become available. I'm grateful to David and Elizabeth, as well as to the many others that built the infrastructures that allow us to come together in ways that just aren't possible in the "real" world. And, I'm appreciative of this opportunity to make a contribution of my own.
Moving Forward, Even When Falling Backwards
I have been seriously overweight since I was around eleven years old. Of course, not all newly diagnosed Type Twos need to lose weight: I read a book by one man who was diagnosed because he went seriously hypo when out for one of his typical runs. But (alas!), I was pretty well a perfect fit for the Type 2 stereotype: middle aged, overweight, sedentary job, lousy diet, insufficient exercise.
I have deep respect for the Type 2 folks (or anyone else) who are able to make serious lifestyle changes. They increase their exercise, lose weight if needed, and learn to eat a healthy diet. Some of you are able to control your blood sugar without medication, My hat is off to you. (My hat, if you're wondering, is a beat-up baseball cap. Go Royals! Try to stink less!)
I have not been able to make those changes. Whether the barriers I face are physiological, psychological, or just character flaws, I've not made the progress I'd like in overcoming them. While I've made significant changes to my eating, I still make too many choices that don't match my goals. Because of that, and perhaps with some "help" from my medications, I actually weigh more now than I did at diagnosis.
But, I keep plugging along. I walk for about 20 minutes a day, and my medications are giving me pretty good numbers for now. I'm no longer trying to lose weight: after 35 years of failing at that endeavor, it's just not a healthy goal for me. So, I'm focused on trying to make small changes to support my physical (and psychological) health. Even in this, some days are better than others.
So, if you're looking for a shining example of healthy living, you won't find it at this blog. But few of us feel perfect, and you may find reflections of parts of your life in my story. Yes, I struggle, but I continue struggling. I keep putting one foot in front of the other even when I seem to be sliding backward down a mountain.
I hope to talk about my life, to make you think, to occasionally amuse you. I don't offer much hard information on diabetes or other health topics, because there are far better sources for that. My dearest hope is that I might help people who struggle from time to time to understand that they're not alone, that they too have place in this community, and that the battles we face are part of the human experience.
Welcome.
(If you're interested, I've been blogging since early 2010 at"
T Minus Two". I'll continue to post there, but items most closely related to diabetes will usually appear here.)
