My Diabetic Journey: Part 2

In December 2006, I had my worst experience with diabetes. Although I thought I just had a really bad stomach flu that was going around that year. I had vomiting and diarrhea...and NOTHING stayed down. Not even spoonfuls of liquids. (I had just gotten news of a particularly painful emotional nature and was a complete wreck!)

After about two days of trying to take care of me on their own, it was my daughter who called my mom, who was a LVN, to come help. I remember lying on the bed facing the wall and trying to get some rest when my mom walked in the room. When she started talking to me, I remember how serious her voice and face immediately got. She told the kids to call 9-1-1, so I could go to the hospital ASAP. I begged and pleaded not to call for an ambulance because I had no insurance and that was just going to cost even more money. They got in contact with one of the deacons from a church we had been attending who rushed over and got me in their SUV. I was in the ER shortly after that. I remember sitting in the wheelchair and starting to slump down when my mom pounded on the double doors for someone to come help me right away. They came out and took me in the back. I don't even remember them taking my blood, but my blood sugar/glucose level was 720!!! YIKES!!! I had diabetic ketoacidosis (aka DKA).

I was in the ER for almost 12 hours before a room finally opened up in the ICU. I was extremely dehydrated to the point where they gave me over 12 units before I even thought of having to use the restroom. I was in the ICU for another 2.5 days before I was transferred to a telemetry room where I spent another 2 days. I was put on insulin while in the hospital. After my release and seeing another doctor, I was also put on Metformin. I continued take both of those daily up until last year.

I thought I was well-controlled on my meds because I knew just how much to take of the Humulin and the Metformin. I was following and eating plan I thought was working because I knew how to control my levels...until the hormones would kick in once a month. (I would always spike to over 200 no matter what I did...until we discussed using Depo-Provera to stop my cycles. It worked...BTW.) How much Humulin 70/30 was I taking every day? It was a sliding scale but between 35-50 twice a day. I was taking 1000mg/1 gm of Metformin twice daily as well. That was keeping me in check and my doctor/NP happy.

Late in 2012, my dd, N, and I decided to research diets to find one that we thought we could stick with long-term and would be relatively cheap and easy. Discipline wasn't really the issue because we were already working out at the Y 5-6 days a week. That's when we came across Atkins. Since being on Atkins, I haven't had ANY Humulin or Metformin for a year!!! Praise the Lord!!! It has truly been a Godsend for us.

I do still check my blood sugar...especially when I add new things back into my diet or if I'm not feeling too well. It's been just fine. That is the first thing I always go to check now.

I am living proof you can turn this lifestyle of Type2 diabetes around. (I should mention that when I was taken to the ER I was not overweight, so you can still have Type2 and be at a normal weight.)

Have a blessed day...and thanks for reading!!!

Hot Dog Soup

Ingredients
2 Tablespoons canola oil
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
1 Pound sauerkraut, rinsed and drained
6 smoked pork hot dogs
29 Ounces beef broth
1 3/4 Cups water
2 Teaspoons yellow mustard
1 Tablespoon granular sugar substitute (sucralose)
1/8 Teaspoon bay leaf (1 whole leaf)
1/8 Teaspoon salt
1/8 Teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

Directions
Heat oil in a medium soup pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook 5 minutes, until softened.
Stir in sauerkraut, hot dogs, broth, water, mustard, sugar substitute and bay leaf.
Simmer 5 minutes for flavors to blend. Remove bay leaf. Add salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
 Net Carbs: 5.3   Fiber: 3.3   Protein: 18.9   Fat: 43   Calories: 483.3

This makes 4 servings and is appropriate for all phases of Atkins. It's one of our favorites! This recipe can be found on Atkins when you register for free as a member.

Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Soup

Ingredients:
3 Large Canned White Meat Chicken
12 oz Sour Cream
8 C Grated Fiesta Cheese Mix (You can add more cheese if you have "Cheesaholics" like my family.)
1 Large Medium Green Enchilada Sauce
1 Small Mild Green Enchilada Sauce
Optional: 1/2 C Vitamin D Milk (Used only if cheese is clumping up on you.)

Directions:
Add Enchilada Sauces to a medium pot on medium-high heat. Then, break the Chicken into the pot (like you would canned tuna to a bowl). Stir and let come to a low boil. Add the Sour Cream. Next, add Cheese while stirring (to try to stop clomps). Lastly, put a lid on, lower the heat, and let simmer for 15 minutes (Stirring occasionally, to prevent burning).

It's ready to serve after the 15 minutes... I'd wait to eat it until it's cooler, but that's just me!

Optional Step: Add Milk after Cheese, if it's clomping up on you. Also, for those family members who aren't on Atkins, make some rice and put it in the bowl before the soup.

Enjoy! I hope you all love this recipe as much as my family does. Our family affectionately calls this "Chunky Puke" because the original recipe was a slow cooker recipe layered with tortillas. The first time we made it, it actually looked like that. It was still VERY yummy!!!

This is an acceptable Atkins Phase 1 recipe.

Cauliflower Mash from Atkins.com

Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup cauliflower florets
• 3 Tablespoons chopped onion
• 1 Teaspoon virgin olive oil
• 1/4 Cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Steam cauliflower in a steamer basket over boiling water until tender, about 3–4 minutes. Mash with a fork. 
2. Meanwhile, heat a nonstick skillet with 1 teaspoon virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until tender.
3. Add onions to mashed cauliflower and top with cheese.
4. Optional: We added pieces of fried bacon to our mash. Very yummy!!!

 

Our 2013 Journey

My daughter and I started on Atkins last January. We only used the information available FREE on their site. The site has a lot of helpful tools like a meal planner for each of the phases you're on; trackers for your water intake, exercise, measurements; and forums to interact with others dealing with your same struggles. 

During 2013, I LOST 43.7 pounds...LOST 2.5" in the chest...LOST 7" in the waist...and LOST 7.5" in the hips!!! That's a grand total of 17" LOST and 5 dress/pant sizes!!! All of my lovely family at the Y played a part in it....which you can read about my exercise routine on the Fitness page. One of the moms from FIAR (Five in a Row) mentioned her 6 yo weighed 43 pounds, so I basically lost a 6yo.

My daughter has LOST 67.3 pounds...LOST 7" in her chest, LOST 7" in her waist, and 9.5" in her hips!!! I am SO proud of her!!! A different FIAR mom chimed in that her 9yo weighed that much. I think that's just amazing!! (I'm a little biased.)

Because of the Atkins diet, you can also read about how it affected my Type 2 diabetes on that page. I can safely say it has been an absolute godsend for my daughter and I.

I truly believe, if you're looking for a way to lose weight and others haven't worked, Atkins will most likely be your answer. What have you got to lose but those extra pounds and inches?