My Face Was Red. Way Past Humiliation.
Humiliation was not my goal.
But it happened anyway.
I remember it so clear. I had a handful of papers stuffed in the top of my purse. There was a current medlist, the last two sets of lab work. Oh, yes - several sheets that made up my food journal. The list of surgeries (I have the scars to prove them!) and some other papers the new doctor wanted.
Diabetes mellitus is not my friend! Neither was where I parked outside the doctor's office. Note to self: never, ever park where you have to shove the car door against gravity. For one thing, it was heavy (that was a really steep slope). For another thing, so am I. UGGG!
Not only was the parking lot not my friend, neither was the wind that particular day. Nope, not at all. I'm trying to get out of the car. I'm fighting against gravity and the wind.
Just as I almost succeeded on the gravity part, a gust of wind snatched the neatly organized stack of papers out of my purse and tossed them around like very white, rectangle leaves at the mercy of a gusty autumn breeze.
I am sure that I was the free show for those backed up at the red light right next to the fence. I dashed around as fast as I could trying to retrieve those blasted papers. It's as if the wind was teasing me – I'd bend over and grab for one and the wind snatched it away just to set it down just out of arm's reach.
Step, slide, step, stoop, snatch, stand, seven, eight. Step, slide, step, stoop, snatch, stand, seven, eight. Step, slide, step, stoop, snatch, stand, seven, eight. Step, slide, step, stoop, snatch, stand, seven, eight. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat! Step, slide, step, stoop, snatch, stand, seven, eight – could have been a dance routine or an exercise routine. My face was getting redder and redder – not sure if it was from the dance routine or from the humiliation I felt as drivers were watching me step, slide, step, stoop, snatch, stand, seven, eight instead of watching the changing light.
Those drivers waited for the grand finale, oblivious to the red-green-yellow-red-green-yellow-red-green-yellow light. They were not disappointed!
Surely the fence next to the light would stop those run-away disasters. Not really. Nope – most of them sailed over the fence and at least a couple into the open windows of the cars. Before anybody could honk their horns, the fence speared one page. One, single page.
Step, slide, step, stoop, snatch, stand, seven, eight – truth is, I didn't see him, but those in the cars did. Just as I was to the snatching part of my dance routine, a rather large, brown, of-very- questionable-lineage dog eyeballed that speared by the fence white leaf.
He hiked his hind leg and with rifle sniper accuracy, got it. And my arm and hand. Even though I hollered, he didn't stop until he was finished. I tell you, it must have been the first time he went all day long.
Cars honked. Light turned again. Folks laughed. I turned even redder and decided one soggy page with a big hole torn in it wasn't worth it.
I saw a really nice, very familiar looking car drive in the parking lot and park right next to the door marked “PRIVATE ENTRANCE.” Yes, I think I saw that car in line at the light.
Nooo-noooo! Is that really the new doc laughing his head off as he reached down and picked up some litter, my litter, by that door? I noticed he already had one white “leaf” in his hand.
Doc - 2. Patient - zero. But who's keeping score?
When they took my blood pressure it was a little high. Well, way more than a little high.
The doc came in with my file and greeted me. (More like ambushed me!)
“Did you bring the papers I requested?”
“I did.”
“May I have them?”
“No, you may not.”
His poker face totally failed him as he burst out laughing. “I know. I saw it all go down. Here's the one that blew inside my car at the light. And here's the one I grabbed at my private entrance.”
Diabetes Memo: This type 2 diabetic was trying to listen to the doctor when he said you have to take control of your diabetes. You have to use a food journal.
Thus, MY LOG was birthed out of step, slide, step, stoop, snatch, stand, seven, eight. It's the best wellness journal ever created.
What is MY LOG?
Two things it's not:
"Diabetes Mellitus
Currently we have not arrived at a cure for this disease however until that process is unveiled; control of the disease manifestations can promote ones’ well-being. Information is knowledge and knowledge is the key to better control of diabetes. This book is one of the best ways a patient can take control of their disease as a record of what is done physical active, dietary intake and medication regimen along with the control of blood sugar can give both the patient and the provider the information for the best possible control of diabetes." Nova C Crawford BC, APN., Advance, MO
“Love it! It has everything I need.” J.K., Houston, Texas
“I really do like it. Very handy.” E.G., Carmi, Illinois
But it happened anyway.
I remember it so clear. I had a handful of papers stuffed in the top of my purse. There was a current medlist, the last two sets of lab work. Oh, yes - several sheets that made up my food journal. The list of surgeries (I have the scars to prove them!) and some other papers the new doctor wanted.
Diabetes mellitus is not my friend! Neither was where I parked outside the doctor's office. Note to self: never, ever park where you have to shove the car door against gravity. For one thing, it was heavy (that was a really steep slope). For another thing, so am I. UGGG!
Not only was the parking lot not my friend, neither was the wind that particular day. Nope, not at all. I'm trying to get out of the car. I'm fighting against gravity and the wind.
Just as I almost succeeded on the gravity part, a gust of wind snatched the neatly organized stack of papers out of my purse and tossed them around like very white, rectangle leaves at the mercy of a gusty autumn breeze.
I am sure that I was the free show for those backed up at the red light right next to the fence. I dashed around as fast as I could trying to retrieve those blasted papers. It's as if the wind was teasing me – I'd bend over and grab for one and the wind snatched it away just to set it down just out of arm's reach.
Step, slide, step, stoop, snatch, stand, seven, eight. Step, slide, step, stoop, snatch, stand, seven, eight. Step, slide, step, stoop, snatch, stand, seven, eight. Step, slide, step, stoop, snatch, stand, seven, eight. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat! Step, slide, step, stoop, snatch, stand, seven, eight – could have been a dance routine or an exercise routine. My face was getting redder and redder – not sure if it was from the dance routine or from the humiliation I felt as drivers were watching me step, slide, step, stoop, snatch, stand, seven, eight instead of watching the changing light.
Those drivers waited for the grand finale, oblivious to the red-green-yellow-red-green-yellow-red-green-yellow light. They were not disappointed!
Surely the fence next to the light would stop those run-away disasters. Not really. Nope – most of them sailed over the fence and at least a couple into the open windows of the cars. Before anybody could honk their horns, the fence speared one page. One, single page.
Step, slide, step, stoop, snatch, stand, seven, eight – truth is, I didn't see him, but those in the cars did. Just as I was to the snatching part of my dance routine, a rather large, brown, of-very- questionable-lineage dog eyeballed that speared by the fence white leaf.
He hiked his hind leg and with rifle sniper accuracy, got it. And my arm and hand. Even though I hollered, he didn't stop until he was finished. I tell you, it must have been the first time he went all day long.
Cars honked. Light turned again. Folks laughed. I turned even redder and decided one soggy page with a big hole torn in it wasn't worth it.
I saw a really nice, very familiar looking car drive in the parking lot and park right next to the door marked “PRIVATE ENTRANCE.” Yes, I think I saw that car in line at the light.
Nooo-noooo! Is that really the new doc laughing his head off as he reached down and picked up some litter, my litter, by that door? I noticed he already had one white “leaf” in his hand.
Doc - 2. Patient - zero. But who's keeping score?
When they took my blood pressure it was a little high. Well, way more than a little high.
The doc came in with my file and greeted me. (More like ambushed me!)
“Did you bring the papers I requested?”
“I did.”
“May I have them?”
“No, you may not.”
His poker face totally failed him as he burst out laughing. “I know. I saw it all go down. Here's the one that blew inside my car at the light. And here's the one I grabbed at my private entrance.”
Diabetes Memo: This type 2 diabetic was trying to listen to the doctor when he said you have to take control of your diabetes. You have to use a food journal.
Thus, MY LOG was birthed out of step, slide, step, stoop, snatch, stand, seven, eight. It's the best wellness journal ever created.
What is MY LOG?
Two things it's not:
- It's not a bunch of loose papers.! It's a book, 8.5 inches x 11 inches with 216 pages + a few extra blank pages. If the wind can blow MY LOG away, then you need to run as fast as you can to the nearest tornado shelter.
- It's not an app. You use it with a pen or pencil, not something electric that can need charging (well – the pencil might need sharpening!), be stolen, or get it's screen broken if run over by a car.
- Medical provider contact information gets complicated when you see more than one provider and if you are seeing a new one. Enter their names, addresses, phone numbers and maybe even driving directions for your peace of mind.
- Follow-up appointments usually are made when checking out of your medical provider's office. Diabetics seem to have a lot of doctor's visits.Never miss another one because you lost the appointment card.
- Quick – where do you get your prescriptions? What is that pharmacy number and fax number? Are you doing mail order or just local or both, depending on the situation? Oh, and what is the address so someone can pick your meds up for you?
- What you take does matter and even OTC (Over The Counter) drugs can interact with each other, prescription drugs, and even your own body.
- Which part of the see-saw does your weight hang out? The middle, the going up end, or the going down end? And, are you doing that on purpose? What in the world I going on with those scales? It really helps when you take control of your diabetes with the best food journal, ever.
- Blood pressure up, down, all over the place or steady, steady, steady? Correct data equals a big help to you and your provider.
- A1C levels show a great deal of glucose history over a period of the last 2 or 3 months. MY LOG helps you keep track, know what they are and what you are shooting for as well as keeping you on track.
- Ouch! That nail sticking gottcha? So, right off the bat, when were your last shots?
- Just when you thought you had it together, the doctor throws some other tests in your direction. You may think you will never forget that colonoscopy or electrical impulse test, but you might just forget the “when.” No. more forgetting.
- Safeguard your health by providing proper data to your medical practitioner on a day by day basis over the next 6 months.
- Seems like a place where the blood glucose levels can be seen over a period of time all in one place would be right handy. Some may think having a place on the daily sheet would be enough, but it's not redundant – it's just flat practical. And you can go that particular day or days and find out “the why.”
- A change in routine – such as weekend activities, a party, even a medical test like a colonoscopy can greatly mess with your blood glucose numbers. But at least you can know and not guess about your diabetes.
- Did you exercise, nap, watch the grandkids, have a horrible day at work or a really fun time with your spouse? The good, the bad, and the ugly! Yep, it all matters as you take control of your diabetes.
- Sometimes you just need to say what you think about something. A little comment spot fills the bill perfectly.
- Extra pages front and back give you plenty of places to write other things – like your list of surgeries or special instructions.
- Keep your toes! Check them everyday. You will instantly know if they need attention.
- Sleep – or lack of it. You will know how that messes with your glucose levels.
- Know instantly of changes – major and minor - with clues as to what caused them.
- Your medical care provider will respect you and your proof of what's going on as your use MY LOG and then you can truly call it “MY LOG.”
What Others Say: "Great job with MY LOG. WOO HOO!" Jimmy Moore, Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb
"This will be a helpful tool for the record keepers, not only will they learn, their health care provider can make decisions that are based on actual data." Janet Stewart, MSA, BSN, RNC, CDE, Diabetes Educator, Diabetes Center, Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
"Diabetes Mellitus
Currently we have not arrived at a cure for this disease however until that process is unveiled; control of the disease manifestations can promote ones’ well-being. Information is knowledge and knowledge is the key to better control of diabetes. This book is one of the best ways a patient can take control of their disease as a record of what is done physical active, dietary intake and medication regimen along with the control of blood sugar can give both the patient and the provider the information for the best possible control of diabetes." Nova C Crawford BC, APN., Advance, MO
“Love it! It has everything I need.” J.K., Houston, Texas
“I really do like it. Very handy.” E.G., Carmi, Illinois
Your Next Step ~
Here's your gifts:
1. A very usable and useful diabetes cookbook from 1917. Yep, from 1917.
2. AND - a 30% discount off your first order of MY LOG, regardless of how many copies you order. (Every person needs their own copy.)
Click here to access your gifts.
No thanks - I don't want the bonuses. Just let me have MY LOG without a discount. Click here.
