So its almost two years since my medical miss adventures in late 2015. It had been well over 10 years since I had seen a doctor for anything though I do remember a optometrist telling me in 2010 when I was getting new glasses, that I needed to see a doc immediately.
I of course said yea, yea just give me my glasses, who takes optometrist seriously? well maybe more than economists but not much more.
I was having all sorts of problems, now seen in retrospect I should have caught them, but like most in boom time Alberta I was pedal to the metal, working full out during the longest boom I had seen. by the time you wind up in a hospital with a heart attack its likely you have more than heart problems. 14 years of 12 hr days and drive through eating had taken its toll, Oh Henry bars, and pop were a food group to me,
At the second hospital much was a blur as I was heavily morphined up by then, but I remember thinking it strange that the white lab coat people gathering around all seemed to be discussing something other than what I thought I clearly told them was the problem , and what the Osilly scope thingy showed the problem to be.
They asked when I had last eaten, I was pissed! did they think I was hungry? Had I failed to communicate clearly what the problem was! Was I on candid camera? or worse had they taken me to a Catholic hospital.
While trying to decide if these people knew what they were doing I answered their silly questions. 12hrs, no I haven't ever passed out, head aches? well isn't that normal I said, of course I drive,Yes I can feel that, See what?
Now they were discussing a number, I heard 18 and 20, I gathered this number came from the blood samples they had drawn, maybe the 20 number from the first hospital and the 18 from the second, I don't really know but they were impressed by this number, but not in a good way, I wasn't going to get a gold star for having it. They said since I hadnt eaten in 12 hrs this number was my fasting number...I didn't know what that meant, nor cared, So I politely asked them to get their attention back to the problem at hand, I thought I was polite all things considered.
I was informed that I was diabetic, uncontrolled was the word they used, and they couldn't imagine how I had even been functioning, as they said my non fasting level would have been way higher than 20. I was in a class of the worst they seen come in.
Now to the chase...I have just had a full evaluation, I now fall into the target normal range, with full tight control, my doctor said he has never seen someone turn it around so completely and fully, I was able to quit using the blood testing strips a year ago, and I can now go off the drugs (that are little). My peripherial vision has returned, and not a single headach in 2 years.
A consistent Change in diet did it, all (98%) home cooking now where I have control of what goes in. No ordering pizza,rarely go through a drive through, no using sugar in anything (littlest amount in the odd baked thing), sadly salt and bacon are now strangers to me, oh Henry and I don't get along anymore. Had to find and make up healthy snacks, and some good standardized meals that while are vegetable heavy, still taste good. I didn't cut out carbs like they advise, I love my potatoes just reduced the portion size a bit, even learned how to make potato chips in the microwave. All kinds of advice out there, lots of it contradictory, I even had a doctor friend give me a book called the Grain Brain, I read it but didn't agree with it, and in fact did the opposite, increased my barley content in stews. There likely isn't a single path that works for everyone, but paths that work better for each person
When looking at how I was going to change my diet, I pretty much stayed away from diet books and looked to the field of evolutionary anthropology and in doing so that was when I decided the typical advice against carbs was wrong, below are you tube links to various PHD anthropologists
working in the field.
TRIGGER WARNING, If you are someone who cant handle talk of evolution best not click on any of these links, bye bye close the window now.
For the adults left who would like to know more about diet, and how ours came to be, these links can get you started. I don't promote either vids content rather its content to promote thinking about what we eat, how to eat it, why we eat it, the time we eat it, how to cook it, volume to eat, what not to eat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtshXWvm5xs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sloeS8Vx0hI
now this one is more encompassing because it covers such a range, from explaining lactose intolerance, and how it came to be to genetic adaptations allowing greater ability to break down starch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuuE0LuBgxU 1 hour long
This next one is called teeth and human evolution, this is how we process our food, processing food is as important as the food itself.
Absolutely fascinating, maybe the best way to use 45 minutes you could do today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhoihlDzHQA
About cooking..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69ckWLrvVhg&t=710s its value and effect on caloric intake. I maybe should have put this one first. 1.5 hrs long
Give a man a gun, and he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he can rob the world.
Way to go peppercorn! Smaller portions and paying attention to what you eat (homemade) are the important keys. I'm glad you got through it all.
PrepHer
Peppercorn,
Glad to hear things worked out! Sadly too many people refuse to change their ways and prefer just taking pills and meds, which only help manage the issue, not fix it! Good on ya!
I just yesterday went in for testing, I think they pulled 6 vials of blood out of me and one urine sample. Nothing wrong with me its just a test. I am actually excited to find out what the results are. Last time I didn't think to ask for a copy of my results I just listened to what the doctor said. Now I am better prepared and will ask for a hard copy of my results so I can use the googler to learn more.
I have become so much more aware of the little ways sugar has worked its way into everything. Sugar and its derivitives (also fat, salt). I have been reading up on how sugar, fructose, sucrose, and such are metabolized in the body, especialy the liver .
I dont realy understand it all but Fructose is apparently a real bad one for the liver to process (according to some). Since I knew I had this test coming up I decided to stay off the booze for a couple months just to see if changing just this one variable makes any change in my blood work. Ofcourse My blood work might be better just because I am eating so much better for longer. Its going to be interesting to see.
Now this multi year process at getting healthier, required 180degree change, absolutely major, and has lead to only eating completely made from scratch meals where i control every single thing put in, but also reconditioning my sence of taste to develope a apreciation for foods without sugar, salt, and fat, (or the very least amounts) It is hard to wein yourself down.
I can compare the experience to being much like quiting smoking. Quiting smoking was harder but the benifits come with time for both things and each year is better than the last.
I have become convinced that if you dont cook from scratch,( and I don't mean opening a can of soup ) controling the inputs and proccessing, its nearly imposible to pull up out of.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM
I don't know if the doctor in the above vid is right but he covers a lot that I think is right from my experience. it starts of slow but picks up speed...
Also at about 1:24 to 126 he makes a interesting comment relevant to the tariff thread.
Give a man a gun, and he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he can rob the world.
I just yesterday went in for testing, I think they pulled 6 vials of blood out of me and one urine sample. Nothing wrong with me its just a test. I am actually excited to find out what the results are. Last time I didn't think to ask for a copy of my results I just listened to what the doctor said. Now I am better prepared and will ask for a hard copy of my results so I can use the googler to learn more.
I have become so much more aware of the little ways sugar has worked its way into everything. Sugar and its derivitives (also fat, salt). I have been reading up on how sugar, fructose, sucrose, and such are metabolized in the body, especialy the liver .
I dont realy understand it all but Fructose is apparently a real bad one for the liver to process (according to some). Since I knew I had this test coming up I decided to stay off the booze for a couple months just to see if changing just this one variable makes any change in my blood work. Ofcourse My blood work might be better just because I am eating so much better for longer. Its going to be interesting to see.Now this multi year process at getting healthier, required 180degree change, absolutely major, and has lead to only eating completely made from scratch meals where i control every single thing put in, but also reconditioning my sence of taste to develope a apreciation for foods without sugar, salt, and fat, (or the very least amounts) It is hard to wein yourself down.
I can compare the experience to being much like quiting smoking. Quiting smoking was harder but the benifits come with time for both things and each year is better than the last.
I have become convinced that if you dont cook from scratch,( and I don't mean opening a can of soup ) controling the inputs and proccessing, its nearly imposible to pull up out of.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oMI don't know if the doctor in the above vid is right but he covers a lot that I think is right from my experience. it starts of slow but picks up speed...
Also at about 1:24 to 126 he makes a interesting comment relevant to the tariff thread.
Yes, it’s good to get off the sugar... train. I don’t think it’s so much sugar itself but the types of sugar and of course all the hidden uses in our food. I need to lose a solid thirty pounds and get cardio up. Gotta cut back on my wine intake as well
So I got my results back.. 90 % of everything was good but it looks like in my eagerness to cut back and get off pills I may have goofed up. I thought by eating so healthy that I could quit taking a statin pill, I didn't tell the doctor I was going to quit I just stopped taking it (months ago) thinking I likely didn't really need it. Looks like I made a mistake.....
My bad cholesteral shot up and he says I am now at risk for a stroke....Great
I don't understand how, I am eating proper now....back to taking the pill like I should have and will be tested again in 3 months.
Last thing I want is a stroke. The joys of getting old.
Give a man a gun, and he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he can rob the world.
So I got my results back.. 90 % of everything was good but it looks like in my eagerness to cut back and get off pills I may have goofed up. I thought by eating so healthy that I could quit taking a statin pill, I didn't tell the doctor I was going to quit I just stopped taking it (months ago) thinking I likely didn't really need it. Looks like I made a mistake.....test.jpg
My bad cholesteral shot up and he says I am now at risk for a stroke....Great
I don't understand how, I am eating proper now....back to taking the pill like I should have and will be tested again in 3 months.
Last thing I want is a stroke. The joys of getting old.
Old age and reality sucks!
I tried getting off some meds and it didn’t work. May try again and give it more time. Not being able to breath is fortunately, not as surprising an event as a stroke. At least I get some decent warnings and can turn things around.
I think health will screw up most preppers plans in rather quick order. Shame all our efforts may be for naught. Until I run out of meds, I at least give my wife and kids a bit of an edge. Best of luck and maybe try some other natural meds and maybe not so quick a change. Also monitor the levels more frequently to see if levels are going up ( before you croak with a sudden stroke)
I just thought someone might find this interesting. Its interesting to see the sugar content in products.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWI1TljBsaw&t=148s
Since this is from a doctor the conclusion is pretty clear on how to reduce sugar consumption. Have your drinks either "neat" on the rocks or as shooters. 😀
more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TDjqDRt6vE
Give a man a gun, and he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he can rob the world.
As of last month my freezer is now filled with Moose, and deer meat...not a single store bought piece of meat in it. I will see what eating good lean meat does to my blood work numbers.
Give a man a gun, and he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he can rob the world.
As of last month my freezer is now filled with Moose, and deer meat...not a single store bought piece of meat in it. I will see what eating good lean meat does to my blood work numbers.
Sounds like an interesting experiment, and seeing your posts on dissecting electronic equipment, I would say that it will be near scientific results! Keep us informed.
Great to hear your progress, peppercorn. I've lost weight, too, after being told I would soon be diabetic. I've never eaten at drive-thrus, but my portions were too large and I was too sedentary. I made excuses to myself for far too long & let it creep up on me. It's amazing the all-around benefits to getting in shape & losing weight.
Not to be preachy 🙂 but I also count all the side benefits for preparedness:
-less likelihood of life-altering diseases - which you would have to treat/control/medicate, if even possible, during a collapse
-more energy
-better sleep (so can think clearer the next day too)
-less/no anti-inflammatories to take (was almost daily) and reduced need for physio (which would be scarce)
-improvement in existing age-related issues (knee damage from sports & back pain from car accident)
-better cardio endurance & more strength
-spend less $ on food
-(pleasant surprise) lifting weights for upper body (I am female) actually improved my rifle shooting! (one of my rifles is a heavier german match rifle)
The only drawback was that I've had to buy a few new clothes...
Keep it up. If you need motivation, keep a copy of your old blood sugar levels posted on your frig 🙂
HopeImReady
"The thing about smart mother f*ckers, is that they sometimes sound like crazy mother f*ckers to dumb mother f*ckers." -Abraham .”
Great to hear your progress, peppercorn. I've lost weight, too, after being told I would soon be diabetic. I've never eaten at drive-thrus, but my portions were too large and I was too sedentary. I made excuses to myself for far too long & let it creep up on me. It's amazing the all-around benefits to getting in shape & losing weight.
Not to be preachy 🙂 but I also count all the side benefits for preparedness:
-less likelihood of life-altering diseases - which you would have to treat/control/medicate, if even possible, during a collapse
-more energy
-better sleep (so can think clearer the next day too)
-less/no anti-inflammatories to take (was almost daily) and reduced need for physio (which would be scarce)
-improvement in existing age-related issues (knee damage from sports & back pain from car accident)
-better cardio endurance & more strength
-spend less $ on food
-(pleasant surprise) lifting weights for upper body (I am female) actually improved my rifle shooting! (one of my rifles is a heavier german match rifle)The only drawback was that I've had to buy a few new clothes...
Keep it up. If you need motivation, keep a copy of your old blood sugar levels posted on your frig 🙂
I now have the sugar levels under control, good tight control. I am going to keep it that way, complete change of diet. When I was butchering up my deer meat I was in a shop that was heated by wood. I take my heating real serious, no one I have ever met has larger wood stoves than I do...until I seen this guys stove, now he wasnt heating his house with it, but still impressive.
you don't have to split anything, full length logs you just throw them in!
Give a man a gun, and he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he can rob the world.
Latest test is done and after two months of deer and moose meat only my bad cholesterol has gone from 2.98 to 1.51
I don't really know what all these numbers mean...just that the doc is happy with them.
Give a man a gun, and he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he can rob the world.
That is excellent! 🙂 Keep it up!
HopeImReady
"The thing about smart mother f*ckers, is that they sometimes sound like crazy mother f*ckers to dumb mother f*ckers." -Abraham .”
Latest test is done and after two months of deer and moose meat only my bad cholesterol has gone from 2.98 to 1.51
Resized.jpg
I don't really know what all these numbers mean...just that the doc is happy with them.
Sincere congrats! Natural meat is the best for a person.
Hope to do better with garden this year, not happy with what I did last summer.
Wishing everyone good health and fun prepping for a better future
