The Holidays are a very fun time that I’ve always enjoyed. However, back in 2013 I received the news that I had type 1 diabetes right before New Years, which wasn’t a fun way to start the year.
Early on soon after diagnosis, each day was stressful while I was trying to understand the disease and drastically modify my diet in order to give myself the best shot at staying off of medication. I just took it day-by-day and always told myself that as long as I was able to maintain an A1c reading in the non-diabetic range (< 5.7), then I would be comfortable not taking medication.
I Made it 5 Years!
Well, here we are 5 years later, and I couldn’t be happier to write this blog post and be in the position to say that I still have yet to take any medication to help me manage my T1D. My most recent A1c in November 2018 was 5.5 so I’m still right around the range that I strive for.
This journey has not been easy, but having a great support system has helped me achieve my goals. While my life has gotten busier with my career and a growing family, my time available to work on my blog has continued to decrease. That said, finding time for a monthly post remains very important to me in an effort to improve the lives of those fellow T1Ds who have struggled finding the truth about the different options out there to help manage this disease.
It’s Getting Easier to Eat Plant-Based
This world makes it so difficult for people to stay healthy. There are many people that I meet that really want to have a more healthy lifestyle, but the barrage of fast food, eating out, sugar filled drinks, etc. are truly challenging obstacles for the average person to avoid.
On a positive note, I’ve noticed over the years that it has become easier to be a vegan. Many restaurants have a handful of healthier plant-based options, which is great news and shows that more people are turning to a plant-based diet.
I’ve also seen a growing trend of people that have realized the medical community, while very important for emergency care, are generally uninformed and ineffective at providing advice to people on how to fix the root of their problems. Doctors have continued to prescribe medication in many instances unnecessarily to try and put band-aids over health issues for many people I know.
Thank-You For Your Support
I wish could find more time to devote to my blog, but I’ve be happy with the experience of writing my monthly posts. I’ve received some great messages from like minded people battling the same disease and medical community frustrations that I’ve experienced, and I appreciate everyone who has contacted me. These messages are what keeps me motivated to continue blogging and spreading my message.
Hopefully I can sit here 5 years from now and have my 10 year anniversary blog post of being able to stay off of medication. I will just continue to take it day-by-day and know that my method of managing my disease medication free is not only fulfilling for me personally, but I’m fighting the battle out there for all other T1Ds who are looking for hope to find alternative methods at managing their disease outside of the draconian picture the doctors present at diagnosis.
I appreciate everyone who has supported me during my first 5 years with T1D, and I look forward to positively affecting more lives in the future.
Happy Holidays!
No Comments