Good News Bad News

By 12 commentsDiabetes, Rides, Tat, , , ,

Good News and Bad News

This morning it was time to see my new GP.  I registered with a new surgery because, to be blunt, my last one was rubbish.  I’d put up with 3 years of having to ring after 10am to order prescriptions, then the phone being engaged until 12 noon.  I would spend my mornings at work, in work’s time, ringing them again and again just to order the drugs I need to manage my diabetes.

I’d had a letter to arrange a “routine appointment” with my new GP. So I did.  This morning I turned up, checked in via the fancy little touchscreen in reception and waited for less than 5 minutes before he called me in.

Good News

Up to this morning, I’d only ever been told what I was doing wrong by health professionals.  Sometimes a nodding approval of what I try to do, but usually just reminding me what I don’t do perfectly.  This morning was different though.

My HbA1C has been 7.6 the last 2 times it’s been measured.  I thought this was just about acceptable, but Dr. Parton said “That’s very good for a Type 1 diabetic”. Cool!  I think this is one of the problems with diabetes: everyone assumes that Type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependant)  is as easy to manage and should have the same parameters as Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependant, usually in middle-aged or older folks).

My blood cholesterol is als pretty low.  The good Doctor asked how I was doing with the statins.  I replied “I’m not on statins”.  He then asked what other medication I was on besides my insulin.   “None”, I explained.   “So you keep the cholesterol down without statins or anything? Brilliant.” he said.  I was feeling better by the minute!

So, lots of good news.  My new Doctor is efficient, understanding, an expert on diabetes and a generally good guy.  Not just that though:  He’s also reinforced my belief that I am doing ok with my diabetes management, by just using a few encouraging and motivating words.

Bad News

Things can’t all be sunshine and roses.

A few weeks ago I took an elbow in the ribs during a Wednesday night football game.  It hurt when it was done, but over the last few weeks it’s hurt steadily more and more every time I’ve played.  On Wednesdays after footy and on Thursday mornings, it’s been creasing me.  Getting out of bed is a big job.  I’m only 40 for goodness’ sake.

Dr. Parton confirmed what I already knew.  I can’t keep my head in the sand any longer.  No more football for a few weeks, until at least 2 weeks after it stops hurting.  If I don’t rest I won’t be running in the Great Manchester 10k Run, or doing the Manchester to Blackpool bike ride this year.  Both of those are in my plans for 2010 and I’m using them to help raise money for the hospice where my Mum was so well looked after, so football will have to take a back seat until I’m properly better.

What Next?

Keeping fit is a must, so I’m going to ride the bike when I can but no bouncing around off-road for a while.  If the ribs are ok after a week or two, I’ll get back on the treadmill too and try to complete an 8 or 9-week training plan before the 10k run.  I won’t be running all the way, but I will be completing it and joining my colleagues (and anyone else who fancies joining us) in the Moon Under Water on Deansgate for a pint afterwards!

If you can join us there on May 16th, tell me I sent you!

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12 comments on “Good News Bad News”

  1. Les

    Thats good news bout ure cholesterol and ure diabetes m8.

    Good luck on ure charity activities, wen I can cycle much further than I can now I want 2 cycle for the alzheimer’s society coz my Mum ad that.

  2. Phill

    Well sad Les, for me it’s about having a reason to do these things. I keep fitter, but sometimes that’s not enough motivation on its own. The charity runs and rides give me a deadline I can work to.

  3. lost

    That’s excellent that you’re managing it so well without even realising you were doing so great. Huzzah 🙂

    Shame bout your rib. I could’ve told you that, but men need to be told by professionals rather than mere mortals like me. I’ve broken several ribs over time and the ONLY way they heal is by doing not a lot. Take it easy riding, stay off the trails and stick to the roads and you should be fairly ok.

  4. Phill

    You’re dead right. We blokes don’t like to be told to rest by people we know. For some odd psychological reason, we will obey a man we don’t know if he sits on the other side of a desk and has some big books. In fact the Doc, who’s a similar age to me, has recently knackered his ankle by not leaving it long enough to heal, so the professionals are as stubborn as the rest of us 🙂

    I’ll avoid the bouncy rides for a while and hopefully be back as good as new, or hopefully better!

  5. Emma Rush

    I must get me a doc, I haven’t go one since I moved house. I’m useless. I’m a bit like a typical bloke with the docs.

    Good to hear you passed check up with flying colours. I guess it must be down to active lifestyle. I had high BP from being fat and idle, I’d be interested to see if that’s improved. I think it was white coat BP though.

    In general I’m extremely lucky with my health. I was whinging earlier about slight pain, but was nothing, I have to get a grip sometimes. I don’t have to deal with diabetes, the pain Losty has or Joby.

    Enjoy your active but not too active weekend Phill. 🙂

  6. Clive Chapman

    Top man Phill. It’s amazing what a tad of good old fashioned common sense will achieve.

    Ribs, share your pain. Done plenty in my time. More painful though is a popped rib cartelidge. As everyone is saying here the only way to treat it is rest. Oh and the odd 500mg tab of Brufen (we called them depot smarties in the Army) if you really need to do something active… 😉

  7. lost

    Depot smarties are great – used to be able to use them, can’t now though – so if you do need to do a bouncy ride, they should ease your pain.

    Just do as your doc says not as he does! 😉

  8. Phill

    Ha ha, quite! Just had today’s Ibuprofen smartie. No ride today though 🙁 Quiet stroll in Heaton Park I reckon.

  9. Carrie

    It is definately obvious that spring is on the way. 🙂 look how everyones posting has taken a turn for the positive. Am behind you lad.

  10. Phill

    Very true Carrie. It’s been a lovely day. We went to the lake, not Heaton Park, but it was a cracking Sunday. Hot dogs, cheesy chips and a sunny stroll. Happy days 🙂

  11. Steve

    Good to hear. I’m also diabetic. I was on older inefficient insulin until about 2 and a bit years ago, but still did fine. The newer stuff does take away the guesswork which makes life much easier.

    Just a word about fitness – I’ve found in the past that two things happen when I get fitter. First I tend to need a bit less insulin, and also I don’t need so much extra carbs when excercising. It’s not really something to try to catch in advance, just to be aware of.

    There’s not too much reason why you shouldn’t be healthy as a diabetic. If sugar levels are OK even most of the time, there’s no side effects just from having the condition. And if your diet has the usual good stuff like olive oil, oats, a bit of red wine etc then you’re probably doing better than the average non-diabetic person.

    Being diabetic also makes you a better rider…

    …Steve (ChasingTrails on twitter)

  12. Phill

    That’s very well said, Steve, very sensible and very true. I have a tendency to eat lots more when I’m riding, to avoid hypos. Luckily my belly doesn’t object too much and the weight stays down. Your closing assertion is definitely spot on 🙂

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