Education

Today I went to a gestational diabetes class at Norton Suburban. I was pretty nervous about it and am sad to say that I cried twice (darn hormones!). But overall, it was well worth it and I learned a lot.

Here's some of what I learned:

1) I don't eat enough. Sitting with the dietician and writing down what I typically eat and looking at what she wants me to eat - I don't eat enough. I am the queen of skipping meals (horrible, I know). If I'm not hungry or get busy, I just don't think about food. This will have to stop. 3 meals and 3 snacks a day are in my future.

2) When I do eat, what I eat isn't the best for me. I'm low on protein and fat and high in carbs, which is pretty much the opposite of what I'll be doing from now on.

3) I am a wimp. The RN came in to show me how to use a glucose monitor as I now have to check my sugar four times a day. I know how to do it since my Mom was diabetic, but she made me practice anyway. I had to close my eyes to push the button on the stick to prick my finger. Geez Louise - I am such a sissy.

The Lord was kind to make special provisions at today's class just for me, I think. Praises to God for blessings at today's class include:

1) It was small - just the RN, the dietician, another pregnant lady, and myself. This afforded lots of opportunity for asking questions, getting to know each other, etc...

2) The RN was awesome. Though not old enough to be my mother, she was very motherly with me, which I think is what I needed today.

3) Medassist at Norton. With having no insurance, no one was sure how much this class would cost me. The normal co-pay is $150 with insurance. After class, the RN walked me down to the Medassist office to talk with them about financial assistance. Sadly, they had already left for lunch, but I am to contact them and get the ball rolling.

4) Samples. They give you a glucose monitor at the class. That's all you're supposed to get and that's all the other lady got. The sweet RN brought my monitor and a box of enough lancets to last me through the rest of my pregnancy and a month's worth of strips. She didn't make a big deal out of it (another evidence of her and the Lord's kindness), and I definitely appreciate her thoughtfulness.

So in an hour and a half (I just ate lunch at 11) I get to start my glucose log and write down my first official blood sugar test result (It was 73 when I tested it with the RN, but that was 3 hours after breakfast). Yahoo - here's hoping the change in diet works and I can avoid medicine.

The Lord is kind and compassionate...

Psalm 145:8