Medical Update: All Seems OK

As mentioned a couple of weeks ago at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2007/12/no-newsletter-a.html, I recently had an unexpected trip to a local hospital's emergency room. While there, I was diagnosed as being a diabetic. That was news to me. However, I have since been adjusting my lifestyle, and it looks like I will learn to live with this in the same ways as do millions of other diabetics. In short, I expect to live a long and healthy life.

I would like to thank the several hundred people who sent e-mail messages or posted comments at the end of the original article. There is no way that I can send a personal "Thank you" message to each of you, but I do want you to know that I read and deeply appreciated every one of your comments.

At this holiday season, I know that I am blessed with good friends who care, even many friends whom I have never met.

Thank you for your kind thoughts.

Comments

[Chuck BOBO]

Dick, stick with the health plan. I, too, am diabetic and am feeling better on my plan for "safe eating." I have adjusted my eating, increased my exercise by walking three to eight miles a day and doing more pushups from the table. Take care of yourself. We genealgists and family historians need you our there showing us the way.

[Anne Ruggeri]

What good news to hear! Thanks for keeping us updated!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Years and Happy Holidays to you and all!
Safe travel, Healthy and a prosperous 2008!

[Harry]

Glad to hear you're doing well. Wishing you a happy and prosperous, and especially a healthy,2008.

[Sharon Spears]

Hi Dick;

Merry Christmas and a Happy and healthy New Year. Glad to hear that you are feeling better.

Sharon Spears

[Nancy]

Hi Dick,

You seem to have reached the "acceptance" stage fairly quickly. That in itself is a blessing. It took quite some time to get there myself.

The best to you and your family this holiday season!

Nancy

[Penny H.]

Merry Christmas, Dick! Thanks for the update. Wishing you good health and contentment in 2008.

Penny
TX

[Evelyn]

My aunt was "official" diagnosed last year as a diabetic, she is 82 and I'm happy to say she is still a vibrant woman. The genealogy community is happy to hear you are doing well. May you continue to enjoy good health in the upcoming New Year....

[Margaret]

Good news indeed!!!

Loved Nancy's comment about the acceptance stage, that part is as hard as the changes needed. I had believed my mother's statement that there was no diabetes in our family and never concerned myself sugar intake. Bad move.

It's interesting that doing genealogy research made me aware that two of her grandfather's brothers died of diabetes in their late 60's. When I read that I had an "Aha" moment. I suspect that my mother was borderline when the guidelines were more relaxed years ago because she admitted to high triglycerides, a marker for potential diabetes.

Anyway, age is the greatest predictor of Type II diabetes, so everyone past 60 should be careful of his/her diet as a preventive measure.

Thanks for publicizing your situation; that may serve as a wake-up moment for others as well as encouraging everyone facing this diagnosis.

[Jackie]

Hang in there. You can live well with diabetes as long as you take care of yourself. Listen to your doctor and put yourself first.

[Doris Saunders]

Dick I am so thankful to hear of your progress and my prayer is that you will have a great Christmas and New Year. I subscribed to your plus newsletter last week and I look forward to them very much. You provide so much helpful information. Doris

[Trudy Kennedy]

Dick,
How is your Family Health Portrait shaping up? I used the download on the Health and Human Services website, but wished for a program that included more generations and all the siblings in each. Presuming yours is faily complete, have you identified the optimal Family Health Protrait program?

As genealogists, most of us have interviewed the elderly in our families to learn what was not included on the Death Certificates we acquired. Preparing a family Health Protrait may or may not be helpful to family members at this time, but as science continues to identify the genes, chromosomes and as yet unidentified factors that contribute to disease inheritance, our documentation will become increasingly important for disease prevention in our descendants.
Respectfully,
Trudy Kennedy

[Barbara]

Hi Dick,

Glad you are feeling better. Take care of yourself and have a joyeous holiday season. I really enjoy the newsletters.

[Francie]

Hi Dick:

Thanks for the update! Sounds like you are adapting and that is good. You certainly have many of us who care. I think Trudy's comment is interesting and I too would be interested in a good method of making a Family Health Portrait.

Happy Holidays!
Francie

[Francie]

Hi Dick:

Thanks for the update! Sounds like you are adapting and that is good. You certainly have many of us who care. I think Trudy's comment is interesting and I too would be interested in a good method of making a Family Health Portrait.

Happy Holidays!
Francie

[Dick Eastman]

---> How is your Family Health Portrait shaping up?

Oh, that was completed years ago. My niece (who is in the medical profession) and I created a family health history years ago. It is really discouraging. It shows a very poor choice of ancestors. (smile)

- Dick Eastman

[sharon]

Thanks for the update. Glad to know the diabetes hasn't diminished your sense of humor. Being Diabetic and an RN, I'd love to know if your sight was restored. This is what I was praying for for you.
Merry Christmas

[Marcia Maloney]

I am sending good thoughts your way, Dick

You will do just fine as it sounds like you have a good attitude. Thanks for your wonderful newsletter.

Merry Christmas!

Marcia Maloney

[Martha Beamon]

Dick sorry I missed you in fort Wayne my home town.
Ihave placed you on a world Prayer Line, I started in 1984,in fact for every person I come in ontact with on this area if reading and others we pray God meets the needs of all, we sometimes don't know the particular item or quest but when we ask him to meet those needs, he does.

I too have type II diabetes since 1990 was first borderline. The last ten years have been on added meds.

We can do it one day at a time , it goes without saying
a prayfull attitude gives you added strength, reminded we can do nothing within ourself.

Just getting to know you , I appreciate your candor and wish you, and not only you, all within this area the best of ,PEACE LOVE JOY, THIS 2008 AND CONTROLLED HEALTH.

[Dick Eastman]

Thank you for the kind words. The eyesight is (mostly) restored but not yet quite perfect. It's on the list of things to be addressed over the next few weeks.

- Dick Eastman

[Mary Anne Drobnak]

I just opened this letter at 7:20 am Christmas morning while waiting to get started with breakfast. Just read your announcement of your diabetes. Like your mom I too am borderline... now, but at 74 I am being really careful especially this holiday season. That's really good news that you so quickly adapted to being diabetic and are feeling better. Thank you too for the wonderful newsletter for us genealogists. Happy Holiday! Mary Anne

[Susanna Friedman]

What good news! Glad you're diagnosed and doing better. I so look forward to your useful recommendations and news. I'm 83 and have found some relatives reticent to reveal health issues. I had one European female cousin who had diabetes, and before I was born an aunt died in 1920-- diabetic coma according to a death certificate I obtained two years ago. So far, none of my children or siblings have it nor do I. I wonder how this can be predicted? DNA?

[Lucie LeBlanc Consentino]

Hi Dick,

I read your newsletter regularly and was very glad to hear that you are doing okay with the diabetis. We just never know what is around the corner!

Hopefully you and your loved ones had a great Christmas as did we.

Blessings and good health in 2008!

Sincerely,

Lucie LeBlanc Consentino
AFC Roots Web Administrator
Click link to subscribe to the AFC Mailing List
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Acadian & French-Canadian Ancestral Home
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[Pat Evans]

Hi, Dick -
What GREAT news. Now that you have accepted your situation you need to be diligent in doing all things you need to do: meds, rest, nutrition, exercise, etc. The list is seemingly endless but just take one thing at a time and make small inroads. You are changing your lifestyle for the rest of your life - and the more changes you can make successfully the better. My husband has been diabetic for 7 years now and is doing well - because he takes care of himself! You can do the same. Please accept my best wishes for a happy, prosperous and healthy new year and blessings for you, your family and medical advisors.
Pat Evans

[Wayne Townsend]

Hi Dick:
I have been a member of the Diabetic Club for twenty years and as someone said before, the acceptance is tough. I didn't have much of a hard time with that, it was the chocolate part that got me! I always say I am living proof that God has a sense of humour. Take a chocaholic and make him diabetic! Ha, ha. Anyway, hang in there. Hope you can get by on diet or pills. Insuline is a bit of a drag but it's better than the alternative....the big dirt bath.
Have a great New Year all....
Wayne

[Marilyn Fullam]

Best wishes for good health in 2008