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I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in August of 2008. Type 2 diabetes is in my family; my mother had it and my sister has it. I was bound to get it. I have been in a pre-diabetes stage for a few years now but really think if I had paid more attention to prevention I would not have diabetes. But alas, during a routine doctor's visit in August my sugar measured 218. As it should be between 90 and 130 mg/dl before meals and under 180 mg/dl two hours after the start of a meal according to the American Diabetes Association, see diabetes.org. I could no longer consider myself as pre-diabetic. After the shock and realizing that for breakfast I had eaten a fresh peach with oatmeal and including drinking a glass of orange juice for breakfast it is no wonder that my blood sugar was so high. The doctor prescribed the equipment for me to test at home.

Meter and test strips in hand I began to record my blood sugar. The things I liked shot my sugar up above two hundred again. You know the saying; if it tastes good spit it out! It seemed this was true for diabetes too! My sister told me that she tests on a different finger for each test. Good idea. I am even keeping a record of which hand, finger and side (left or right) that I test on. What I do is begin on the left hand with the little finger and test on the left side. The next finger is the ring finger which I also test on the left side and continue until I have tested all ten fingers on both hands with the test on the left side of each finger. Then I start again on the left hand with the little finger but this time on the right side. So that I do not confuse myself I always determine the side with my palm up. Obviously, you can do it any way you want but this is what worked for me. In this way I will have done 10 tests before I return to the same finger but this time I test the opposite side. By the time I am ready to test the left little finger on the left side for a second time I will have tested 20 times. I say tests because I do test up to three times a day on most days but must admit I do forget.

You can test on other places on your body but the information on my meter says it is only accurate for fasting test. You will have to decide what is best for you after you have discussed this with your doctor. My doctor wants me to test 30 minutes after I eat (finished eating) because it gives him information on my heart and said the target is below 150 mg/dl. I have to set a timer to remember and don't always remember to set the timer. Be sure you ask your doctor when he or she wants you to test.

I became frustrated because one meal the blood sugar level would be ok but then when we had exactly the same meal again and this time the results were high. It seemed like a yo-yo effect. I was talking to my sister and she suggested that I go to a Diabetics Education class affiliated with the American Diabetes Association. I checked their web site and found one in my area. I was impressed with the amount of information I received. The one I attend also has a monthly support group which is helpful too. The education about diabetes my wife and I received has really helped. There is an RN and a Registered Dietitian who facilitate the meeting and education. If you have diabetes I urge you to seek out an education class to help you in your journey.

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