So, my diabetes twitter family is up to something creative again and like always, I have to join in on the fun. This time, thanks to Chris S. , we’re recording a Day of Diabetes and I decided to make my blog post extra fun by doing it as a Comic Book.  Hope you enjoy…

When I wake up in the morning, I thank God for allowing me to see another day. As a diabetic, we are at an increased risk of not making it through the night (google “Dead in Bed Syndrome” for info). I’ve had my share of near-comatose experiences to know that each day I open my eyes is a blessing.

Next, I immediately check my glucose, as I am still traumatized by the hypos I would get from too much insulin. Yesterday, I was 122. Which is great because last month I was running high in the mornings (140s).

Then, I weigh myself. Yes, I weigh myself every morning. I know there’s tons of advice about not doing this. However, checking my weight everyday was one of the major indicators that something was wrong with me when I was first diagnosed with diabetes. I started losing 2lbs PER DAY! I was trying to lose weight and was averaging 2lbs a week (which is normal) and then all of a sudden my weight-loss increased rapidly to 2lbs per day. After about 5 days of this, I knew I had to see a doctor. So, I still weigh myself each morning. I was 208lbs yesterday which is 10lbs heavier than I was last year, but 50lbs lighter than I was six years ago. So, I am thankful.

Breakfast was a little different than my favorite. I love grits and eggs like any Southern sweetheart. But I opt for cold cereal, 2 boiled eggs, and I thought I would eat a half banana, but I was full. Along with breakfast, I take a vegetarian vitamin from GNC (because everyone should take a multivitamin), fish oil (for cholesterol), cranberry (for bladder health. Diabetic women have a higher frequency of bladder/kidney/urinary tract infections), Cinnamon (helps lower glucose), and Metformin (250mg twice a day).  Since I’ve been unable to regulate my glucose with diet and exercise alone these past couple of months, I’m back on the pill. The side effect of being back on medication is that my insurance will now cover 100 test strips per month. For the past year and a half, they refused to cover anything more than 50 because I wasn’t on medication anymore. Of course this angered me because I’m still diabetic even if I’m not on meds. I smell a conspiracy, but I’ll save that conversation for another blog.

Transformation Time–after breakfast, I get glammed up.

My day gets started. I’m leaving the house.

This is CLASSIC Dr. P. If I don’t discover that I’ve left something in the house while driving to work, it’s a miracle. This time, I realized that I left my glucometer on the dining room table and I’m too far gone to turn around, get it, and be on time.

Yesterday was one of those rare moments where I have lunch with a friend. Q and I ate at my favorite restaurant. I had eggplant parm (ate half of the dish and was successful in eating only 1 bread-stick and avoiding dessert). Today marked 2 months of a 1-month pescatarian diet. I was only aiming for a month, but managed to go two months. I thought that I would eat chicken today to end it all, but my facebook friends encouraged me to keep going. Not sure if I’ll go three months though.

In the late afternoon, I headed to the gym for Spin Class.  This was my second time in spin class. The first time I lasted 15:20 minutes. Yesterday’s instructor was SO nice and encouraging. She taught me how to adjust the bike and said “You don’t have to do everything that we do. Your goal is simply to make it to the end of class.” I really needed to hear that because after about 30 minutes, the exit sign started calling my name. However, I remembered what my goal was…and I made it!  I survived spin for the first time.

I was SO excited about having survived the 4:15pm spin class, that I went directly to 5pm Yoga.

Take that diabetes! I’m a champion.

Leaving the gym. Another successful effort in giving diabetes the beat down! Exercise is so important for everyone, but especially diabetics.

When I got home it was time to relax on the sofa. I tried to watch the Miami Heat game, but my cable company had issues with only TNT, the station showing the game. :-(

I checked my glucose before dinner, it was 110.  Dinner was also a little strange. I grilled some veggies and then realized that I needed some carbs, so I made two small pancakes. I discovered that putting cinnamon in the pancake batter makes the world a better place. LOL  It’s SO delicious!  Plus, when I left the gym I was craving Dunkin Donuts so badly. I called four friends to talk me out of driving by there and getting a glazed donut, but none of them would answer the phone. Usually thinking about all the hard work I just put it in at the gym would smolder the craving–not yesterday. The only thing that helped was thinking about another food that I would enjoy as much. Thankfully, I love grilled veggies as much, so I drove past Dunkin and went home to grill.

After a long day of working and working out, I went to bed. THE END.

That concludes my Day of Diabetes Comic Book style, hope you enjoyed it.