The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The) |...

The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The) | Gretchen Becker | At last some one who really talks to me

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The First Year: Ty...

	The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The) Gretchen Becker Da Capo Press, 2006 - 384 pages average customer review:based on 85 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A Great Starting Place for Type 2 Folks

Many of the reviews written here diss this book for not covering this or that, especially the emotional rollercoaster that can attend this or any other lifestyle changing condition. The "negatives" can also be interpretted as "matter-of-fact". She does not talk about how to get rid of the condition, but neither does she bring false hope that all of us who are type 2 diabetics can somehow be cured. It's true that some can control the condition with diet and that some who lose enough weight and are careful can reverse the diagnosis. It's not the norm, however. Most will live with diabetes and all of its possibilities, some controlling their levels with diet and pills, some with diet and insulin injections. Some will never be able to control it; some will not be willing to try. The author is not trying to bring doom and gloom or to touch every single variation on the theme. It is a refreshing dose of reality in fairly concise language.

The two most important statements in the book are that I am in charge of my health care and that if I am a smoker, one of the simplest and best ways to help my treatment is to stop smoking. Taking charge of my health care made a monumental change in the level of attention that I received from my physicians and the quality of information that I received. I was suddenly treated with much more respect, and as more of a participant rather than a mere receiver of instructions to be blindly followed. My appointments changed from 8 minute data sessions to 30-45 minute discussions of how things worked and what could be tweaked to make things work better. Very important change in relationship with my main doc; it was good before, but now is great!

Also remember that this is an INTRODUCTION to this condition, not the be-all and end-all of information. It helps the reader to formulate good questions to bring to their physicians and other members of their health-care team--questions that might otherwise go unasked and thus unanswered. Most of us are not well enough informed about this or any other subject when we first start learning about it.

I've purchased three of these and given two of them away to newly diagnosed folks who have thanked me profusely for the great info that they've received and the hope that this book brings. It is a reality check that shares both benefits from good self-care and dangers from ignorance and neglect with this thing called type 2 diabetes. Lots of folks saw the horror stories, some folks saw the offer of light at the end of the tunnel. Look for the light. It's in there!

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At last some one who really talks to me

I have had type 2 diabetes since 1988. I have had several doctors and diabetes experts. I have been to Diabetic Educators and clinics. I did not feel bad and had never known a person in the family with diabetes so I just did as the doctor said and took my pill every day and saw my condition get worse over the years. Little did I know that the doctor was expecting that. I had no idea that there were things that I could do to prevent complications.

This book explains the things that the doctors do not have time to explain. This covers the things that the Educators - who are mostly not diabetics - forget to tell you. The big difference is that Gretchen has diabetes and is using her considerable skill to teach the reader what she and many others are doing to delay the damage that high blood sugars do to your body.

Get it; read it daily. When you wear it out, buy another. It is the best thing you can do for yourself. You are in a war and you just don't know it. Sign up for her blog and David Mendosa's web site.

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Best book for newly diagnosed diabetics

Back when I first heard the word diabetes spoken to me by a doctor, indicating that it was a condition I was suffering, I remember picking up "The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed" and devouring it in a matter of a couple of days.

Today, it's been 5 years since I was diagnosed. I have type 1 diabetes (not type 2) and I am a pump user since 2005 as well, but the teachings and references on how to deal with diabetes at large still hold true and are just as valuable.

I recommend this book to anyone who has recently been diagnosed with diabetes as a must-have reference to get through the early stages of this condition.

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It's a great help

This book was so helpful in filling in all the gaps (there were many) in my doctor's explanations/instructions for me, a newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic. The author offers a straightforward primer on diabetes - what is it? This includes good technical explanations of the disease. How does it work? It discusses the possible effects of diabetes poorly controlled. What can you do to live with it? It discusses the benefits of weight loss, diets and exercise, not by just saying its good for you; but giving a technical explanation why these activities actually modify the way your body responds in the face of diabetes. I was very satisfied with this book and am so happy that when I went onto Amazon to look for Bernstein's book (recommended by my doctor), Amazon recommended Dr. Becker's book in addition. So far, it has been the best resource to help me cope with this new disease.

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Increasing one's awareness of the effects of diabetes

This book helps to expand one's awareness and knowledge of the problems people can encounter when diabetes strikes. Surviving, improving one's quality and quantity of life are reach able objectives but not realistic unless you first follow the suggestions outlined in this book.

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, page 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

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