So, we rejoin our hero as he returns home from an overnight stay in the hospital, due to a sudden onset of memory loss. If you missed reading the previous post, go back now and catch up. I’ll wait.

Okay, we all synced up now? Good.

As I said before, since this happened mere days before Thanksgiving, I certainly had one more thing to be thankful for, that this wasn’t something more serious.

But, this episode is forcing me to face the truth about my health, in a way I never have before.

I have Type 2 diabetes. I got diagnosed with it in 2009. Thirteen years, I’ve known I have it, and the only lifestyle change I’ve made is switching from sodas to diet sodas.

Otherwise, I still eat what I want, when I want, in whatever quantity I want, especially sweets. My exercise regimen mostly consists of getting up from the couch. Oh, I’ll occasionally walk for a few days, but it never becomes a habit.

You get the idea. It’s kinda been 13 years of denial. I get my A1C (3-month blood sugar average) checked at the doctor’s regularly, and I tell myself that as long as that checks good, I can continue all my bad habits. I just keep taking my diabetes medication, my cholesterol medication, my high blood pressure medication, etc.

Yeah. I know. I guess I knew the whole time. But having diabetes is life-changing, and I haven’t wanted my life to change.

In addition, I’ve been telling myself that because my dad and my brother had strokes, I would be spared. No way it would happen to me, too. I mean, my oldest brother hasn’t had one, so I won’t, either. Right?

Right?

Well, here’s the thing, and all you diabetics out there already know this:

People who have diabetes are 2 times as likely to have a stroke compared to people who do not have diabetes. (Which neither my father or brothers had/have) People with diabetes also tend to develop heart disease or have a stroke at an earlier age than people without diabetes. And every 2 minutes, an American adult with diabetes is hospitalized for stroke.

Every. Two. Minutes.

This is serious stuff, that I haven’t taken seriously. But, at age 63, with one TIA on my scorecard, perhaps I’d better, don’t ya think?

I just have to accept, this is my life, and it must change, or I could end up in really bad shape. Or worse.

Okay, but after the holidays. Too many delicious homemade treats around to eat, you see.

Pathetic, I know. What can I say? Old habits die hard.

So, this new year is going to present new challenges, as I endeavor to get myself healthy. It’s gonna be hard, and I know I’ll hate it at the beginning. But I must do this; for my wife as well as myself. And I will.

And you know what? To this day, I have absolutely no recollection of that night my wife took me to the hospital; not the trip there, not the questions she asked me earlier, not my disorientation and confusion, and not a minute of that Elton John concert.

Nothing. Nada. Total blank.

Fortunately, that concert is still streaming on Disney+, so I got to watch it again.

And this time, I remember it. It was awesome.

Enjoy your holidays, everyone. None of us know how many we have left, so let’s make the most of them. Give some love, and take some, too. And, let’s all take better care of ourselves.

Peace and love, y’all. ✌🏻❤