Hi All

Went to Cornell yesterday. ALL DAY LONG. Had all kinds of tests and exams. Even went to the Opthamologist in the p.m.

First let's get to the first appointment at 10 a.m.

This is my blood pressure and diabetic appointment.

blood pressure was 112/60. They were happy.

My diabetic numbers for the week were excellent so they reduced my Lantus from 16 to 14.

So that means that 4 years ago when I started the ACCORD program, I went from 46 units of Lantus and 2 Metformins a day.

and now I only take one shot of 14 units of Lantus.

I asked them. "I have a question, how come on The Biggest Loser, these overweight people lose 30 or 40 lbs and the doctor holds up a medicine bag filled with pills and throws them in the garbage and says:

"see, you lost the weight, you don't need these diabetic oral meds any more"

The Cornell medical person responded "oh, this means that these particular people had what we call Insulin Resistance and now that they lost the weight they no longer need any medication"

I said "that's not me, right, because I've been diabetic for 20 or so years"

She said "that's correct". Then we talked and she explained that I would have to get VERY THIN (and I still have my age against me (I'm 61), for me to really make the case of going off insulin altogether.

They just don't know. It's a wait and see kind of scenario.

They are extremely happy with what I've accomplished. Not many people in the Accord protocol did this. So I'm not complaining.

I just wanted to know if there was a possibility of being able to control my diabetes with diet alone. They simply don't know and will not know until I attempt this.

So I'm doing all I can to control my sugar and keep doing this.

Now about my neuropathy.

She examined my feet and did the tuning fork thing.

Something with the vibratory part of neuropathy. I was diagnosed two years ago with diabetic neuropathy. I did not have any feeling in the tips of my toes. I would not have known this except for the fact that she used this filament thing on me. didn't know that the tips were numb.

That's when she told me "you have the beginnings of neuropathy". "CONTROL YOUR BLOOD SUGAR".

I was more determined than ever. THAT'S WHEN I WENT ON THE METHYL B-12.

So fast forward to yesterday, and she does the filament thing and I FELT EVERYTHING. She said 'you feel this?" and I said "absolutely".

Then I looked at her and she said "Keep controlling your blood sugar, this is very good".

Between all of you and me, I know it's the METHYL B-12. (as well as what I put in my mouth when I eat).

So as far as the neuropathy is concerned, I still have the vibration thing going on. I didn't feel when she asked me "tell me when you stop feeling it".

BUT IT DID NOT GET ANY WORSE!!!! So that's a good thing.

And I have feeling in my feet SO THAT'S A VERY GOOD THING.

She checked my heart and lungs and all was in order.

They did an ekg and she looked at the results and said "what the hell is this?" It seems the baseline was not good but I had normal sinus rythm.

She said "this means nothing, you could have moved, it could be the machine". This happens all the time.

She then checked my heart and breathing and pronounced me "excellent", so don't worry"

They'll repeat the ekg when I go to my last appointment in April.

I made sure to ask her "this ekg reading doesn't alarm you", and she said "no don't worry, this happens all the time". You have normal sinus rhythm".

So I'm not going to worry about something that hasn't happened yet.

I told them about my sprouting and they were fascinated. They said "keep doing what you are doing".

Then they weighed me.

HOLY COW. I gained 3 lbs.

They looked at me. They measured me by the way. I lost almost 4 inches from my waist in the past year.

I looked at them and said 'now how could I gain 3 lbs, I'm a vegetarian and I don't cheat".

She said "don't look at the scale". "you're doing great".

I said "it's easy for you to say, you weigh 100 lbs". I want to weigh a normal weight'.

She explained that our weight varies from day to day and I lost almost 4 inches from my waist.

I then said "I do strength training" and she went "Ah, you replaced fat with muscle". I said "don't give me that old story, I want to weigh what I look".

She said "that might never happen, your bones are very heavy".

I lose a quarter of an inch in my height also.

I cannot believe that I eat the way I eat and I gained 3 lbs.

I don't give a fig about strength training.

They told me "whatever you do, don't stop the strength training, it's good for your body".

I only use 3 lb dumbells.

So I'm not lifting no 20 lbs here.

But to see that 3 lb gain, well...what can I say.

but it won't throw me off my game because I'm so used to eating what I eat, well, I just have to be patient.

So now let's move on to the Opthamologist.

They put the drops in my eyes, I wait 30 minutes and this guy comes over to me and says "Hi Melody, thanks for participating in the Accord program". I look up and there's this GORGEOUS GUY standing in front of me. He's one of the docs at Cornell.

I looked at him as I'm following him down the corridor and I burst out with '

"my goodness, aren't you handsome".

He burst out laughing and said "I knew you had perfect vision".

We laughed.

He took the pictures.

My eyes are just fine. No signs of diabetes, no pressure, no nothing.

So all in all, it was a good day at Cornell.

I even got to go to an organic produce store and buy some Quinoa and some veggie stuff.

So hope all of you are doing good in managing your diabetes.

Here's hoping for good results for all of us.

Melody

Often if Type 2 diabetes is caught early enough, pancreatic function can be maintained if weight is lost and diet and excercise are done regularly, it doesnt mean they are cured, more like in remission.

Over time, the high blood sugars, and stress to pump out insulin burn out beta cells in the pancreas - making the likelyhood of going off insulin difficult.

At least that is how I understand it.

I completely agree with you. The odds of me going off insulin at all are slim. BUT. I like fighting odds. 20 years ago, I weighed 300 lbs and used a cane. I no longer even remotely look like I did, nor do I need a cane.

My body works, functions, and for me, that's just fine.

The people at the Accord program have told me I can go off of the Lantus (14 units now, down from the 46 I was on 4 years ago), well they say if I wish, I can go on a pill.

My goal?? To not be on anything. But if I reach this goal, I reach it. If I don't, well it won't be for lack of trying.

I believe that what we put in our bodies MAKES OUR BODIES WORK.

That's my philosophy. So unless I get hit by a bus, I shall continue to eat my veggies, my fish, and my sprouts, and take my various supplements and most important, my Methyl b-12.

You never know. I just might turn out to look like Sophia Loren by the time I'm 80.

lol

Melody

Your doing great Melody.


Wow.

Donna