Carbohydrates, Sodium, Potassium, Fats, Protein and Energy.. Words Clearly printed on all our food items... How many of you actually know what they mean?? Well up until a week ago i had a vague idea of what foods had what in them now however I can tell you how many portions of carbs are in whatever you eat!
A week holed up in hospital after being diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes sure does some funny things to your lifestyle choices.
Gone are the days of stopping in the servo and grabbing a snickers and a can of coke ( Can of V pre-pregnancy!)Instead its now reaching into my bag and grabbing an apple or pear, watching the clock, blood testing and Insulin Injections.
So what is it exactly?? Diabetes is a long-term condition where blood glucose levels become too high because the body produces not enough or no insulin, or cannot use insulin (the hormone produced by the pancreas that helps the body to use glucose) properly.
There are 3 types, Gestastional - (Pregnancy only diabetes), Type 1 and Type 2. So I was admitted under the pretence of Gestational Diabetes... My GCT ( Glucose Challenge Test) result were reading at 18.8 - they should be between 3.5 and 6.9 during pregnancy. Funnily enough the hospital I had my test done at told me I was fine and was sent home. An hour later I have a frantic call from the hospital I am booked in saying come in ASAP. I go in the very next day. My reading this time 19.5. Scared??? You bet ya!!
So after seeing Endocrinologists, Gynecologists, Midwifes, Diabetes Educators and Dietician I finally had a grasp of what was going on. To my utter amazement.... I WASNT EATING ENOUGH! How this was possible I didnt know. Then it was a discussion with my dietician I understood more. I wasnt eating enough CARBS. Ive gone from eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted to eating nearly every 2 hours, insulin injections 4 times daily and blood testing 5 times daily.
A "Normal" day for me now stands as follows:
Wake Up- Test BSL's
9am: Have insulin and Eat Breakky- 2 x Soy and Linseed Toast with Peanut butter ( 2 portions) and a piece of fruit ( 1 apple)
11am: Test Blood and eat again. 1 x tub of yoghurt (1 portion) and a piece of fruit (1 portion)
1pm: Have Insulin, Have lunch. 1 x Ham and Cheese S/w on Soy and Linseed bread ( 2 portions) and 1 x tub of yoghurt or piece of fruit (1 portion)
3pm- Test Blood and eat again. 1 x piece of fruit ( 1 portion)
6pm- Have insulin, and eat again- Meat and veg with mash or rice and a piece of soy and linseed bread ( 3 portions)
8pm-9pm Test blood, have insulin and eat... AGAIN! 1 x Piece of fruit ( 1 Portion)
So whats all this portion bussiness??? Well 15grams Carbohydrates are equivalent to 1 portion size. Carbohydrate foods releasae glucose into our blood after we eat them. We need to eat these foods every day to provide us with energy, fibre and key nutrients. I have to have about 12 portions a day.
So as I'm about to be discharged from hospital, my Endocrinoligist comes to see me. My Pancreas tests have come back. Anitbodies present. Family History of Diabetes. Gestastional?? Ummmmmmm.. Maybe not! Looks like this is here for good! Type 1 here I come. Scared?? Nope! Why? I have overcome Depression, I have overcome anxiety, whats another spanner in the game I call life??
It appears this has been laying dormant for quite a while. I never had a GCT with Mitchell (4yr old) as he was born to early, my last offical Glucose test was when I was pregnant with Nick - Almost 11 years ago! It would explain SOOOOOO many things aswell! So if you only take away one thing from this rambling of mine. Have a regular check up. Have regular blood tests. I have always been someone to only go to the Doctor if I felt like I was on my death bed. Now however I have realised I need to put my health first. Not jsut for my sake but for my kids aswell!
I see it as if I make the lifestyle changes now, they can only benefit me and my family in the long run!
Ohhhh and Also! I wanted to thank you all for your support whilst I was in jail.. I mean hospital ( but boy did it feel like jail!!) your thoughts and offers of help and support to my family and myself were overwhelming. To the extent my Nurse thought I was going to have a break down when she walked in and I was crying after the post when out. Its really heartwarming to know that you are all there. Especially considering I hardly "know" any of you!
Well.. Look at the time... its almost time to eat... AGAIN!!!
Cant wait to see some of you at the catch up tomorrow!
Love and Light always,
0 comments:
Post a Comment