Tag: #support

Motivational Monday: Let Nothing Stop You From Your Goals

It’s the first Monday of the new year, the perfect time to start implementing our health goals that we’ve set for ourselves.

Don’t give up if you don’t get it right at first. Keep trying and stay consistent.

Nothing can stop you from meeting your health goals!

đź“ť What health goals are you working on this week (emotional, physical, or mental)?

đź“ť What will you do to keep yourself accountable?

Until Next Time,

The Genetic Diabetic

Remembering Grandma

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It has been exactly 20 years today since my grandmother passed away. My grandmother was a fierce, intelligent woman who held our family together.

I was a teenager when my grandma’s health declined. She had congestive heart failure, diabetes, and was legally blind. As a teen, I did not understand the extent of her health problems nor how they related.

Now that I’m living with the same diabetes diagnosis, I understand what my grandma was going through, how diabetes and heart disease are linked and how those issues can potentially limit your life.

It’s my mission to share what I’ve learned with people with diabetes and their loved ones. There is a family history of diabetes on both sides, and I just want to do my part in changing the narrative.

On this day of remembrance, I want to encourage you to keep your health in check: learn more about your condition, maintain a healthy diabetes management routine, and if you need help, don’t be afraid to ask. Don’t let diabetes limit your life.

Until Next Time,

The Genetic Diabetic

The Need for Chronic Disease Awareness

We all know at least one person with a chronic condition.

Why do we have a Chronic Disease Awareness month?

Don’t we already observe awareness months for certain illnesses already?

Yes, it’s true that we do observe some months for individual illnesses; however, chronic conditions have been increasing exponentially in all Americans for several years.

Chronic illness is defined as health conditions that last one year or more and requires ongoing medical attention and/or limit activities of daily living.

Currently, there are a total of 20 chronic conditions. The 10 chronic conditions that are considered as chronic illnesses include:

– Arthritis

– Cancer (Breast, colorectal, lung and prostate)

– Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

– Coronary heart disease (Coronary artery disease)

– Asthma

– Diabetes

– Hepatitis ( Viral B & C)

– Hypertension (High blood pressure)

– Stroke

– Kidney disease

Unfortunately, chronic conditions account for 7 of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States.

According to a 2018 peer-reviewed research study from Preventing Chronic Disease, 129 million adult Americans (51.8 %) had a chronic condition. Sixty-one million (24.6%) adults had one chronic condition.

Sixty-eight million adults (27.2 %) had two chronic or more conditions. The chances of being diagnosed with two or more chronic conditions were higher among women, non-Hispanic white adults, older adults, adults aged 18–64 on Medicaid, dual-eligible adults (Medicare and Medicaid), and adults in rural areas.

More likely, we know a family member, friend or coworker battling a chronic condition. Many who are diagnosed with chronic illnesses suffer from lack of attention, proper medical care and resources.

This is the reason why organizations like the Chronic Disease Coalition and Good Days are dedicating this month to raise awareness of the impact of chronic disease in this country and to encourage others to advocate for access to quality care, treatment and resources for those with chronic illnesses.

The Chronic Disease Coalition, where I serve as an ambassador, has always advocated and raised awareness on behalf of the chronic illness community. Therefore, every month is Chronic Disease Awareness! However, in July, we specifically amplify patient voices while continuing to advocate for patient rights. The organization has planned amazing opportunities to get people engaged in advocacy efforts, including access to their special Chronic Disease month toolkit, live interviews and a Chronic University event about policy advocacy.

The Good Days Organization has dedicated July 10th as Chronic Disease Awareness Day. There are opportunities for people to participate in social media campaigning, a healthy recipe contest, opportunities for your hometown to recognize Chronic Disease Day and a separate live-stream event on July 13th.

Chronic illness rates are steadily increasing, but remember, we have the power to change the narrative. Consider taking part in the movements mentioned or consider starting your own local effort. This chronic illness journey is not meant for us to fight alone. There is strength in unity.

Until Next Time,

The Genetic Diabetic

The Chronic Disease Coalition: https://chronicdiseasecoalition.org/news/july-is-chronic-disease-month

Good Day’s Chronic Disease Day: https://chronicdiseaseday.org/

References:

Boersma P, Black LI, Ward BW. Prevalence of Multiple Chronic Conditions Among US Adults, 2018. Prev Chronic Dis 2020;17:200130. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd17.200130

Chronic Conditions: https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/Chronic-Conditions/CC_Main

When Life Stands Still

Taking care of your mental health after a diabetes diagnosis by implementing a mental health management plan.

The day my doctor informed me that my blood sugar was very high and that additional testing was needed was a total blur. I can only remember going to the lab, holding my husband’s hand, sobbing as the phlebotomist drew blood from my arm. I remember crying all throughout the day in my room and my youngest son coming in giving me some wild violet weed flowers because he knew that I wasn’t feeling well.

When I received the official diagnosis from the doctor over the phone, it was just as if life stood still. Similar to someone telling you of a death of someone you know.

I was shocked.

Saddened.

Scared.

Confused.

All I can remember is setting up a follow-up appointment to plan my next steps, which would eventually become the start of my diabetes journey.

For the next several weeks, I’ve battled anger and depression. Anger because I knew that diabetes ran on both sides of my family, including my dad and older sister. Why me? I’m 99 lbs, ate what I believed was liberal low-carb. I stayed active despite anemia, kicking my behind. I became depressed because I knew that this was a lifelong condition and I’ve witnessed so many of my family members suffer from complications. Now this would be my life.

After a month of changing my diet and exercise routine, I felt like I was mentally able to accept my reality and began taking control of my new lifestyle. I’ve started relying on online diabetes support groups on Facebook and started this blog, “The Genetic Diabetic”. Even though I was (and still) doing well, I periodically experienced depressive thoughts about my diagnosis. However, I have been able to combat those thoughts by cooking new dishes and/or blogging.

A diabetes diagnosis permanently changes your life in so many ways physically and mentally. It’s normal to feel scared, isolated and even angry. I want to share with you a few tips I’ve discovered and currently use in my own journey. Consider this as mental health management plan for managing diabetes.

Take Time Off

If you’ve read my previous post, “Don’t Press Snooze on Your Health,” I’ve mentioned what happened immediately after I received the diagnosis. Proceeding to go along with my day after receiving life altering news was a very poor choice on my part. I was more concerned about not wanting to cancel at the last minute and establish a poor rapport with my client.

This is when you have to put your mental health first. Take time off to process what is happening. Do whatever you can to make that happen. Once you’ve had time to process and think, then you’ll be able to think clearly and will be able to mentally function

Gather Your Support System

I probably would not be able to get this far mentally on my journey without a strong support system. A strong support system can take form of just one person or a group. It can be a spouse, parent, trusted friend or an online support group that you can reach out for encouragement, advice and accountability.

Find Your Outlet

Whenever I become overwhelmed with diabetes and all of the issues that come with it, I take some time out of my day to do something that takes my mind off of diabetes. I enjoy cooking new foods, reading the bible, watching a good comedy or romcom or just spending time with my family. What types of things do you enjoy? Use those hobbies regularly as your outlet whenever you need to take your mind off of diabetes.

Seek Counseling When Needed

There will be times when even the previous tips that I’ve mentioned might not work. You might feel that you’re in a really dark place and you’re beginning to experience extreme emotional distress or suicidal thoughts. If this is currently where you are, then I strongly advise that you immediately seek professional help. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or chat on their website at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Battling a chronic illness like diabetes is definitely not for the weak. There will be many great strides, but there will also be many challenges and disappointments. However, with a solid mental health plan, you will be able to overcome these challenges with grace, endurance and tenacity.

When life stands still, you stand tall.

Friend, you’ve got this!

Until Next Time,

The Genetic Diabetic