“Learning I had diabetes didn’t come as too much of a shock to be honest. On top of the fact that I was excessively thirsty and found myself needing the toilet all the time, you can’t eat like I had been and think that something wasn’t going to happen.
“Two years ago I gave up smoking and I started eating chocolate and chips as a replacement. My weight climbed steadily until I reached 130kg, a milestone that coincided with the yearly blood test my GP recommended.
“So when the results showed I had type 2, I wasn’t really all that surprised. Plus, my dad has type 2, too.”
Going into ‘diabetes mode’
“I was diagnosed just before Christmas and New Year’s so with a house full of people and food, it wasn’t until early January that I went into what I call ‘diabetes mode’. I knew I had to get stuck in and make some changes – that was never in question.
“I know a woman who lost her foot to diabetes because she refused to let it change how she was going to live her life and she didn’t look after herself. The thought of the same thing happening to me if I didn’t do something was terrifying. It’s the same reason I gave up smoking. I didn’t want my kids to have to look after me, as I’m now doing for my mum who has emphysema [a lung condition causing shortness of breath].
Denne historien er fra November - December 2020-utgaven av Diabetic Living Australia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November - December 2020-utgaven av Diabetic Living Australia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
A whole new world
Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as an adult can be a challenging and confusing time. In this extract from the JDRF's new book, Straight to the Point, they explain what's going on and what to say to people who make uninformed comments about your condition
5 Days 5 Dinners
Weeknights are sorted with these fresh, flavoursome mains, packed with veg!
Fantastic Feta
This soft, white cheese with Greek origins is versatile and packs a flavour punch, with only a small amount needed to jazz up a dish
My story: "I'm proud of the fact that I've gotten hold of my health"
When Natalie Rixon, now 33, discovered she had prediabetes soon after she'd turned 20, it was a shock and a relief all rolled into one. What she did next changed her future.
INTERPRETING YOUR cgm DATA
A continuous glucose monitor is a wonderful source of information but do you really know what you're looking at?
7 NEED-TO-KNOW FACTS ABOUT...diabetes & kidney disease
Diabetes is the most common cause of Chronic Kidney Disease. Learn more about this condition and how to protect yourself from developing it.
GET OFF THE diet ROLLERCOASTER
Dietitian Lyndi Cohen wants you to take a deep breath and think about your weight, and health, in a whole new way.
WHAT IS Wegovy?
Meet Wegovy, the new once-weekly weightloss injection that research shows helps people lose significantly more body weight than those using diet and exercise alone.
MEDICATION & CONSUMABLES
Insulin is available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
DOLLARS AND DIABETES
When you have type 1 diabetes, it's important to see a variety of health professionals regularly to keep your health on track.
