Our meeting on September 26 involved
all 17 of our members plus 13 people Jerry had contacted. In
addition there were three doctors and two members from the other
groups in our town. My cousin came as well, giving us a total of 38
people.
Tim asked Dr. Tom to talk to the group
first. Dr. Tom thanked everyone for attending and Jerry for
encouraging the 13 to attend. He explained that there were others
not belonging to the group holding the meeting because if they felt a
need to join a group, this would allow them to ask questions of those
present. He introduced Glen and his wife from the group that had
split from our group and the two members from the group he led.
He continued by asking if there were
people from other communities. There was none as all were from our
town or close to our town. Then he asked if there were any that did
not have type 2 diabetes. Again, the answer was none. Dr. Tom asked
Jerry to talk to the group.
Jerry thanked those not part of our
group for attending and he wanted everyone to know that he has
separated from his wife and was encouraging everyone not to stay with
her for nutrition or dietary advice. He covered the reason for the
separation and said that too many carbohydrates had affected his A1c
by increasing it to higher level than when he was diagnosed. He said
it might be because he is married to her, but felt the others should
be warned. He said he would answer all questions later and turned it
back to Tim.
Tim then asked my cousin to speak. She
said she had worked with many from our group and they could answer
questions about her if desired. She continued that she would work
with each individual at the level each desired and within that work
to balance the nutrition within his or her goals. She stated that
she works with people at various levels of carbohydrates and has had
success. She emphasized that a one-size-fits-all does not
work, and that she works with people at the individual level.
She continued that she had talked with
Jerry and would be working with him after the first of the year. She
had, on her own, set up a meal plan based on his needs, and would
adjust it, as he needed when he changed goals. Her main task is to
keep his meal plan nutritionally balanced on a daily basis. She
would work from whatever level of carbs he was comfortable consuming.
That could be from zero carbs to 100 grams of carbs, but presently
would not suggest higher than 100 grams until his A1c was lower.
She then stated what we all realize
that are on insulin – we need to reduce our carbohydrate
consumption when we start on insulin, as not doing this will generally cause a
weight increase. The insulin utilizes the glucose more effectively
and stores the excess glucose as fat. She concluded with that.
Tim then recognized and introduced a
doctor that many of us were unfamiliar with and told him he had the
floor. He said he would be brief, but did want to say that he was
happy to hear what people said. He did agree that three of his
patients should make the change away from Jerry's wife as they were
having A1c problems. He admitted that he was impressed with my
cousin and wished to talk with her after the meeting.
Tim then introduced Barry and Allen and
said they would make a few statements about the VA for those that
might be interested. Barry asked how many of those invited by Jerry
were veterans. Seven hands went up and Allen said they would talk
with them after the meeting.
Tim asked if anyone had any questions
and there were questions for my cousin and for Jerry. Tim said the
meeting is over and asked those that were introduced take up areas so
that people could ask questions and move to someone else.
Brenda and Sue had the three women
asking them questions. Then two of them moved over to talk with
Allen and Barry. Even the doctors were getting questions about
nutrition and carbohydrates and then about the support groups. Tim
and Jason were also answering questions and explaining that we would
take new members, but were encouraging people to talk to the other
two groups as well to find the group that fit their needs.
After the meeting had started to break
up, my cousin said she would probably be working with 10 of the
people. She was surprised how many carbohydrates were being promoted
by Jerry's wife and their A1c's reflected this. She said two
individuals would not be going back, but were going with another
person and the last person was still thinking about this. Jerry came
over then and asked her how things were and she repeated the
information for him. Jerry said this was better than he had hoped,
but he would continue talking to the rest.
Tim then talked with us and said six
wanted to join our group and that of the seven veterans; only one
would possibly need to wait for benefits. Dr. Tom said that he was
surprised and happy with the meeting and felt we had accomplished
what we set out to do. He felt that his support group gained one
person and Glen's group had possibly gained four members. We broke
up the meeting then.