Committed

 Paid and confirmed my entry to the big event. I'm now committed - or should be for attempting this one. I've also changed the name of the blog. Feeling the prick was not a great idea, named it that when feeling very angry about being told I was a knacker by the medical profession. More news due tomorrow after my appointment with the nurse.

Diagnosis

 The diagnosis was not good. The nurse called me and broke the news:

"...You are a diabetic." 

Sorry I'm not, I am someone with diabetes. We no longer call wheelchair users handicapped, people are not defined by having a medical condition. Diabetes is not something I do, it's something I have. I cycle, kayak and climb mountains. Call me cyclist, paddler or mountaineer, but diabetic? Unacceptable.

The nurse was very nice and told me I needed medication immediately. This is not going to happen! I will eat less carbs, take natural supplements and ride more miles. Meds? Not a chance. She also offered statins as my cholesterol was high - despite lowering it from 6.6 to 6.2 without their help. I also have fatty liver - might be time for beetroot or artichoke and laying off alcohol. The nurse had heard that statins have side affects and accepted my reasons to avoid. To quote a late friend:

"They turn your brains to shit!"

I' m going with Pete on this one. It's going to be a hard road back to health, but I believe that type 2 diabetes can be beaten. It was by accident I caught Dr Unwin on BBC Radio 4 the week before I was taken ill. This is genuine medical advice from a NHS GP and has inspired me not to take the needle.

https://www.norwoodsurgerysouthport.nhs.uk/news/practice-news/dr-unwin-s-work-with-diabetes-and-the-low-carb-diet-published-in-three-new-books/

My diabetes may have been inherited from my mum, but I don't see any reason why it should be permanent.