The Power of Encouragement.

I had an appointment yesterday with D, my Fabulous P.A. (For those who don't know - she's who I see in lieu of an endocrinologist. It's a long story, that you can read about here.) She's the one who has high-fived me over A1C scores, helped me get a Dexcom, has been totally supportive of my blogging and DOC involvement, and has probably been the most emotionally supportive doctor I've ever had. She's totally worth the 45-minute waits. I'd also like to mention that her opening line to me at this appointment was, "So are you still 'texting your pancreas'?", said with a big grin. (I think she was asking if I'm still blogging? It was kinda cute, in any event.)

It was a by-week for A1C testing, but we did test my thyroid and other blood-dwelling numbers. "How's your pep? Are you feeling energetic? Because your thyroid looks perfect!", she told me. "All of these numbers look beautiful! Your blood pressure is back down, too. (118/80!) Let's take a look at your Dexcom print-outs."

Things looked pretty good there, pattern-wise. I'm running higher in the evenings, and I know I need to make some adjustments there to curb that.

"Are you still planning to do the half-marathon again this year?", asked D.

"Yep! I got a late start on my "training", but I'm getting out and walking lately. I've already logged 6 miles this week, and I plan to go out again a couple more times."

"That's so awesome! What a great role model you are. And you had your trip to DC, right? How did that go?"

(Editor's note: can you see why I love her, yet?)

I told her a shortened version of what went down, and how valuable and FUN that experience was. And then she asked me, "So what other questions do you have for me?"

"Well - I'm not really happy with my weight. I mean, I don't think my portion sizes are that out of whack, and I get a moderate amount of exercise... sometimes. It just feels like whatever I do, it never 'sticks'. And no matter how much I try, the weight doesn't come off as quickly as I think it should, you know?"

"That's something we could work on - although, you're still wanting to be pregnant soon, right?"

"Right."

"So, here's my view on that: while yes, it will benefit you to lose some weight, I don't think that should be our priority for the near future. (I love that she said "our", by the way.) Weight is something we can definitely work on, but right now I want you to keep eating healthy and focusing on getting your mind and body ready for pregnancy. Losing weight would be good, but when you become pregnant, your way of eating and exercising is going to change up - so I don't think that's something we want to focus on right now."

Or something like that. I don't recall exactly how she phrased it.

"All of your bloodwork looks great, so the weight isn't something we NEED to focus on, for the short term. But keep training for that half-marathon, and I want to hear all about it in June!"

We also discussed, for probably 20 minutes, her upcoming wedding (less than 2 weeks!), and how weird it will be for her to have a day off while she's healthy. I assured her that it will be a vacation well-deserved. And she told me that every time she hears about wedding pictures, she thinks of me.

I love that I have a doctor I can chit-chat with; that acknowledges the power of PWDs connecting with each other; that takes the time to know me as a person, as well as a person with diabetes.

Appointments with her don't have the leading-up-to-it anxiety that I used to feel. Time with her feels comfortable, and I know that even when I struggle, she gets that diabetes is hard work, and that I'm doing the best I can. She's there to jump in when I need it, and back off when I don't. She cheers me on, and cheers me up when I'm being hard on myself.

In short? She rocks. :)