Diabetes Care Journal

A diabetes care journal and how it can help you is described here. I recently had a conversation with my daughter, Allie. She was newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. She has twin boys, Peter and Paul, who are ten years old. She was complaining about being diabetic.

I found a small journal online for the price of an entrée. It had a Vera Bradley cover and was very cheerful. I wanted to give it to Allie and encourage her to keep a journal. The benefits are enormous.

Journal activities help you:

• Relax for a while.
• Gain more acceptance of your disease.
• Get rid of the fear.
• Gain some peace of mind.
• See your improvement over time.
• Act as an outlet for your frustrations.
• Create poetry.

It is an activity that you do for yourself. A journal is a private affair. It helps you to focus your energy and set goals. It becomes a record of your struggles with the disease.

A diabetes care journal is a mechanism of support for yourself. You don’t need a fancy book to start a journal. A blank piece of paper on your computer screen is a great way to start.

I drove over to see Allie one morning around 11:00 am. Allie was doing the family washes. We sat down with a cup of coffee. I showed her the green journal. She loved the cover.

“What’s this for?” she asked. “It’s a journal for you to use.” She immediately said, “I do not have time to keep a journal!” Allie is very headstrong. I am used to her reactions. I suggested she could find a little time in the morning after she came back from the Y and sat down with a cup of coffee.

“It can be therapeutic”, I explained. “You will never know if it is helpful or not unless you try it.” She did not seem convinced. But, I made her a deal. I would leave the journal with her if she would give it a try. Otherwise, I take it back. I could use it myself. She thought about it and decided to keep the journal.

It turns out Allie kept a journal when she was pregnant ten years ago with the twins. So, her only reluctance was the time factor. I could understand that. But, hopefully, it would work out for Allie.

The Effects of Diabetes

Allie changed the subject and was asking me about the effects of diabetes. What would change in her life?

The effects of diabetes were serious business. They include:

• Cardiovascular effects - heart attack, stroke, and death.
• Retinopathy – damage to the retina of the eyes from high glucose levels.
• Neuropathy – damage to the nerves on the fingertips and toes.
• Nephropathy – damage to the kidneys from high glucose levels.
• Blurry vision – from changes to the lens in the eye, which is water-filled and sensitive to high glucose levels.
• Alzheimer’s disease – from the lack of insulin in the body.
• Hypertension – high blood pressure from elevated glucose levels.

Allie was rightfully concerned about the effects of diabetes. All the more reason for her to control her glucose levels as much as possible.

By keeping a chart of her numbers (See: ”Diabetes blood sugar level”) she could reduce the effects of diabetes and lower her anxiety. The diabetes care journal would help her see her progress. She was working out at the local YMCA, and she was following the ADA guidelines for good nutrition. She would see results in a few weeks.

Conclusion

Hopefully you are convinced of the value of a journal. The effects of diabetes are real. You need to be vigilant about measuring your blood glucose. You need to keep a chart of your numbers. Let us know if you have any questions or comments.

Margaret Stenerson
March 10, 2010