Yesterday was my third Endo appointment and 4 1/2 months since my diagnosis of diabetes. Because my introduction to diabetes was such a dramatic one (70.7 mmol/l -1272.6 mg/dl) and according to the doctors during my five day hospital stay, a near-death one, I came home feeling very lucky and grateful to have survived what many do not. I was determined, for the first time in my life, to make diet and real exercise a priority.

Yesterday, I got to the office for my appointment and the doctor was delayed because she had a first time patient and she takes a lot of time with the newbies...she's a wonderful doctor. I didn't mind at all because there was an adorable one year old and his mom in the waiting room. We started talking because it turned out, we're both named Mary Ann so every time the nurse came out to call one of us for our heart monitor or BP test, we'd both jump up. When it was my turn to see the Endo (I was first), my Dr. excused herself because she had the wrong paperwork. She came back shaking her head... Turns out, she had NOT looked at the other Mary Ann's (slim young mom who'd had gestational diabetes) paperwork..it was mine and based on my A1c (I was so excited I forgot to ask the number...ack!), I present like someone who doesn't have diabetes!!

An hour a day of exercise and eating properly for 4 1/2 months has caused such a drastic change in my body (I've also lost 30 lbs) that my Endo who three months ago told me I'd NEVER be off insulin has now made me a step down plan that should see me leaving it behind before the end of the year.

I will always have diabetes and I truly believe that it's a life sentence in the sense that it has saved my life and put me on a path to lasting good health.

I'll be 53 in a few weeks and for the past 13 years, I've promised myself that I'm going to start getting fit and taking care of myself so I don't die as young as my wonderful parents did (both died in their early 60's).... This year, I won't have to make that promise because I'm actually doing it and really loving it.