That Damned Diabetes.. ! I've been with it for 21 years now. So far I am still doing OK but I know it will get me in the end. I have lasted this long as I used to be built like Arnold in my construction working days. but after my stint with the State the work was way less taxing but I did not stop eating like I was pushing a 12,000 calorie diet of my earlier days I gave myself this damned taxing burden from my own lack of control and now that it is advanced I cant fix it if I tried but my diet is better. Funny but I'd bet that just like Jeffrey, I did not drink a lot nor do drugs. I did smoke for a few years but I was never a heavy smoker and that was 20 year ago now. It was the love of good FOOD that will get me in the end. SOAB..... !
Anyway it is great this section is named for him. Nothing to be sad about, other than missing his presence. I hope he did not die young. Life is tough on us all, and it seems he had a lot of fun and he made friends in here and I'd bet anywhere he went and he was also a model railroader. And that provides for a fuller life, indeed, all by itself...! What do any of us really expect other than one good long run around the track.
A big throw the hats in the air salute to Jeffrey. I did not know him but from what I see in here Ya did pretty good buddy.
Now I understand more about this group seeing his name memorialized. Ya just don't see that often.
Randy
Randy, when I was diagnosed with diabetes my doctor told me, "diabetes does not have to be a death sentence". It's an up hill battle, but with good nutrition, exercise and medication most people can keep it under control.
Like you I worked like a horse and ate like a horse for most of my life. When skeletal and internal health problems sidelined me, my appetite did not change. In between serious internal health problems I ate like a horse, but could never leave the "barn" and ballooned to 414lbs.
I have since gotten my weight and diabetes under control, along with my high blood pressure. I could never have done it if my internal problems had not subsided, allowing me to move, thanks be to God. At first it was only back and forth in my house, then to the end of the block and back with a walker, but I kept at it until I could do more and more. Now I can even work a few hours a day. Little by little great things can be accomplished.
I was lucky, I had the finical resources to buy the healthy fresh foods I needed to eat. I was not financially dependent on any one. Jeffery was not so lucky and to proud to except a hand up. Even though he was a veteran his disability made him dependent on limited government assistance. Unfortunately the peanut butter cookies and other cheap foods he loved so much were much cheaper than foods like skinless chicken breast and fresh vegetables he could not afford. I don't always eat healthy, but 1 or 2 hotdogs is better than eating a half a pound or more!
Take good care of yourself my friend. When your appetite is getting the best of you, do like I do; I think to myself "I don't want to lose my feet and I don't want to go blind" It does not work when I eat before thinking, but so far so good. My kidney doctor tells me the eyes are the early warning or "the canary in the coal mine" if you will, when it comes to damage due to diabetes. So far I have no damage to my eyes from diabetes.
Keep battling my friend! Never say die!
