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“One step and then another,
And the longest walk is ended;”*

In February, at my annual physical, my family doctor advised me that my blood glucose (A1C) had risen well above the 6 threshold and into the zone where medication would be required.  ‘Though, ever since my radiation treatments I’ve always known this would be a possibility, it nonetheless came as a shock.  That was where my longest walk began. 

At first, reluctantly one step and then another.  Then, having seen some progress albeit minimal, determinedly one step and then another.  Then, after achieving a significant improvement, keenly one step and then another and, at long last, success!  I’ve had blood work done to check my progress in three-monthly intervals, my third was last week and — sweet success — my A1C was 5.9.  I am supremely relieved and oh-so-grateful. 

Today, Tuesday 14th November 2023, is World Diabetes Day.
World Diabetes Day - UN LOGO

It has been a stressful nine months, learning about food  and body chemistry and, without a doubt, I am one of the luckiest ones; not everyone, despite the best diet and eating habits, is able to lower their A1C this far.  Indeed, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, as at June 2023, more than half a billion people are living with diabetes worldwide, affecting men, women, and children of all ages in every country.  500,000,000+  It’s a staggering and frightening figure.

Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation.

In 2007 the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 61/225 designating 14 November as World Diabetes Day. The document recognised “the urgent need to pursue multilateral efforts to promote and improve human health, and provide access to treatment and health-care education.”

My Crusade

As with any battle, it all starts with and depends upon “the try”.  Sustaining that effort is the real crusade, as anyone who has faced enduring adversity of any type, will tell you.  I am now ten months into my war on blood sugar - trying and failing and then trying again and again and again.  These are some of my best efforts:

• Trying not to feel adrift after my diagnosis; striving to regain a firm footing.
• Trying to be thoughtful rather than resentful.
• Trying not to break beneath the weight of the very word diabetes, its import and possible extended health ramifications.
• Trying to hit the sweet spot - healthy menu selections that are enjoyable -  by finding, testing and adjusting new recipes.
• Trying, but consistently failing, to develop a liking for seeds and nuts which seem to be in every recipe I’m given.
• Trying, in a home where desserts have always been de rigueur, to reimagine treats, sweets and carbs.
• Trying to quiet the butterflies each time I’m sent for blood work, and trying not to obsess, overthink, or worry excessively (my go-to position).
• Trying not to feel resentful at even having to try.
• Trying to break the habits of a lifetime in order to create and embrace a new norm.
• Trying to use all the information and anecdotes shared to my advantage.
• Trying to make sense of all that information.
• Trying to dissect and extrapolate the facts and figures that are relevant to me without drowning in data.
• Trying to approach the challenge logically rather than emotionally.
• Trying to remain strong and maintain my commitment.
• And above all, trying to do my level best each and every day, at each and every meal.

This list represents neither valiance nor vanity, I promise - it's more an expression of solidarity, empathy and respect for everyone else who is making the diabetes try, one step and then another.

Success is so much more than the number on the lab report - it is, finally, feeling comfortable with the new diet, volumes of food, and times of eating. It is about changing the mental aspect as much as the physical.  For me that was the hardest adjustment and my success in that regard came as a complete surprise:  

This last three-month period included two feasts, Thanksgiving and Cam’s birthday celebration — two meals that typically involve necessitate rich foods that are high in carbs - think stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and birthday cake.  But here’s the thing.  At Thanksgiving I balanced my plate according to the Canada Food guide and substituted dressing for the starch (no potatoes) and best, thoroughly enjoyed my meal.  For dessert I had the tiniest piece of pumpkin pie (about an inch wide) topped with a dollop of whipped cream, about the size of a cherry.  And it was enough!  I'd worried that it would trigger a craving for more.  But, happily, no.  Indeed, if you’d told me before Thanksgiving that just a taste would satisfy me, I’d never have believed you.  Surprise!  Then, a few weeks later at Cam’s birthday, I allowed myself a tiny piece of his very rich birthday cake - a cheesecake - and again. It was enough.  My wish to have “the same”, to not "miss out" was completely satisfied and I neither felt cheated nor as if I needed more.  

One step and then another…

In the words of one of my idols:

"Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run it is easier.
We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just one step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up,
seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down.”
[Eleanor Roosevelt]

To conclude, I’d like to very sincerely and lovingly thank all my family, friends (most especially Mike), and readers (most especially Kristi) who have been so whole-heartedly supportive and encouraging, but none more-so than Cam who has been my unwavering cheerleader.  I fear I’d have given up without all your comments, e-mails and steady encouragement and confidence in me. I’ve learned ever so much, about diabetes, blood sugar, nutrition and mostly, about me. 

’Til next time, y’all…

*Childrens’ poem, author unknown, full text below.  Our grade 2 class (Miss Hedley) at Gooderham had to memorise this sweet verse. 

One Step and Then Another

One step and then another,
And the longest walk is ended;
One stitch and then another,
And the largest rent is mended.

One brick upon another,
And the highest wall is made;
One flake upon another,
And the deepest snow is laid.

[Author unknown]