One year ago today I called 911 because I thought I was having a heart attack. In the back of my head, I had a feeling my body was reacting to high blood sugar. Even though I hadn’t been officially diagnosed diabetic, I had diabetes. I simply had ignored it for years.
For the three years prior to April 27, 2021, I went for routine bloodwork supplied by the Cinnaminson Fire Department for its members. Each year, the results came back noting that my blood sugar was higher than normal. Every year for three years the numbers continue to increase.
The week leading up to April 27, 2021, I received a phone call from the medical provider telling me my results triggered an alert because my blood sugar was so high. I truly was planning on scheduling a physical with my primary doctor, who I had not been to in more than five years.
However, I never had the chance to schedule that physical as I wound up in the emergency room at Jefferson Cherry Hill instead. My blood sugar on April 27, 2021 registered at 371. The highest it has ever been.
Since that day I have lost 30 pounds, made changes to my diet (which, I have admittedly strayed from at times, but not gotten out of control), have gone for routine bloodwork more often, and have taken my prescriptions daily. I exercise more often (walking, bike riding, and chasing the kids around the yard or on the beach).
It has been one year since I called 911 for an ambulance. I am 30 pounds lighter and a whole lot smarter. Again, I tell this story not for sympathy, attaboys, or pats on the back. I want to open someone else’s eyes who might be ignoring what their body is telling them.
Don’t ignore signs your body is giving you. Make sure you see your primary at least once per year. If they send you for bloodwork, go get it done. The results are not as scary as your body shutting down and forcing you to go to the ER.
The changes I made in my life were easier than I had ever anticipated. I had known for years my lifestyle choices weren’t sustainable, but I kept telling myself I couldn’t lose weight, I couldn’t change my diet, I couldn’t exercise regularly. It wasn’t as hard as I originally thought. A little perseverance, encouragement, and will power go a long way in changing your life.
In the picture above, I am wearing the same uniform four years apart. There were no alterations made. On the left, I am standing in the Merion for the 100th Anniversary Gala for the Cinnaminson Fire Department in March 2017. On the right, I am standing at the Cinnaminson Township 9/11 ceremony on 9/11/2021.
I have plateaued at the moment with my weight loss, but have not given up. I continue to walk multiple times per week, ride bikes when down the shore, and watch my diet as much as possible. My ultimate weight loss goal is 50 pounds or more. I just know that I never want to feel the way I felt on April 27, 2021, ever again.
