If you read my article yesterday you know about my battle with Diabetic Retinopathy. My vision became increasingly worse in 2015, and things got really bad just after the New Year in 2016. I had to take action.
I got bad news at my recent follow up visit at the eye clinic, and I am not doing great. I mean, I do have a positive attitude, and I intend to do all I can to overcome the news that I got, but it would have been better/nicer to get good news instead of bad.
So, what was the bad news? Well, I went in for my follow up eye exam, and what I was told was not what I was expecting to hear. When the doctor examined my eyes using a microscope, I heard him saying things like “hmmm” “Oh” and such. I was not sure if that indicated good or bad, but I suspected bad, and I was right. After the exam he told me that he wanted to have another doctor take a look for a second opinion, but he felt that he was seeing that the retina in my left eye was partially detached, like it was peeling away from the interior of my eye. He said that the “peeling” stopped right where the laser marks started. The second doctor came in and looked. She confirmed that it was peeling away, becoming detached.
The two doctors disagreed, though, on the significance of this discovery. Doctor #1 felt that it was very serious. Doctor #2 feels that it is not good, but she also thinks that it won’t be a big problem. She feels that the Diabetic Retinopathy was caught early enough to halt further separation of the retina. Who is right? No way to know, except for time to pass and monitor the problem regularly. Both doctors agreed that I should have a thorough eye exam monthly to monitor if further peeling occurs.
At this point, I have the option of having surgery (not laser, knife surgery) on the eye and they can re-attach the retina. It is complicated surgery, though, and very expensive (for here). Right now, my vision in me left eye is terrible, nothing but a blur really, and the doctor told me that it is doubtful that glasses would be able to help me at all. What I am unsure of right now is whether my vision could be improved with the surgery, or even if it would make it where glasses would be effective. If the vision could not be improved, or improvable then I am uncertain that there is any real value in the surgery. But, I am unsure and have to weigh it all very carefully, and get advice from at least one more doctor before I decide what to do.
So, I have had a lot to think about for the past few days. The good thing is that for the past 2 years I have been doing a fairly good job in controlling my blood glucose (this condition is a diabetes related condition). In the past couple weeks I have been doing an excellent job in control. If I can keep up the kind of control that I have been doing recently, I can really put the eye issue aside, I think, and just move forward. If I slide, well, I will suffer the consequences. I hope to continue to be the master of my body and my health, and keep good control over those things. I can do it if I make it a priority, and I have the motivation to keep it a priority.
You know, the sad thing is that as far as my general health, I am really feeling great lately. My exercise program has been going well, I have been eating very well, and I just really feel good. My general practitioner doctor says that I am in good health, as long as I control my glucose. He said I can live another 30 years if I do keep control, and I feel that I can. But, I don’t want part of those years to be in the dark.
One thing the doctor told me at he follow up visit was that having had diabetes for 25 years, my eyes are in excellent condition. Most people would be blind after 25 years of diabetes, so I should be thankful for what I have, I suppose.
Basically, at this point, given the news that has been given to me, if I don’t take good care of myself, I will probably be blind in a relatively short period of time. How long? Depends on how I take care of myself. Maybe as short as a few months for my left eye. My right eye is in much better condition, so I have no idea. But, if I don’t take good care of my health, it will certainly develop the same problems that I have in the left eye.
The good news is that since moving to the Philippines, I have lost a lot of weight. I have started exercising regularly. I have changed my diet. I have to do these things even more consistently in the future, and keep it up. If I don’t, I face a bleak future in terms of my vision. Not being able to see would be devastating, and I want to do all I can to avoid that. And, I will do all I can. I just hope that what I can do is enough to avoid any problems, and even bring my eye health back to being better than it is now. I don’t know if it is possible to do that, but I am going to try.
My good friend Lourdes
I have a few very special friends here in the Philippines that I count on a lot. I have written in the past about each of them. One of those people is Dra. Lourdes Lebosada. Lourdes is my dentist, but most importantly, she is really my best friend. I count on her a lot and she is like family to me.
When Lourdes found out about my eye problems, she really sprang into action. Being a dentist, she has many friends who are doctors of different types. Lourdes contacted one of her doctor friends who happens to be an eye doctor. It was through this contact that I got all of my care in terms of my eye surgeries and other treatments. Lourdes even enlisted her sister-in-law to accompany Feyma and I on all of our visits to the hospital and help navigate our way through all of the admin type tasks. Here name is Cherry, and she is a really great lady to know! Very helpful, and she is also developing into one of my good friends as well. Between Lourdes and Cherry, they made the eye treatments as easy as possible for me, and they ensured that I was getting the very best of care at each step. I want to publicly thank both of them for the efforts that the put in and the true friendship that she showed me.
So, what do you mean?
You may look at the title of this article and wonder what I mean. “I can see clearly, just not with my eyes”. What I mean is that with the information that I have learned in recent days, I can clearly see that there is a problem, and what I can do to control that problem as much as possible. I can’t see clearly with my eyes, but I can see, in my mind, very clearly what my future path is to protect my vision, and I can see where I will be heading if I don’t follow the right path. It is now up to me to make sure I stay on the proper trail.
Thanks for your support.
Doug Thompson
What I hope comes from your article, and kudos to you for publishing it, is that being diabetic is NOT A JOKE. It can take YEARS (even decades) for the complications to set it, but they will. You will always pay the piper. Take care of your health…now.
Bob Martin
Thank you, Doug. For me, I never considered diabetes a joke, but it was always something that I could worry about or take care of later. Well, when later came, it was probably too late. Thankfully, I have been able to get it under good control, but the damage was already done, even though I did not know it until recently.
Mike Mull
Jesus, Bob…. Good luck with this. … Fight! fight! fight!
Bob Martin
Thanks, Mike.
Greg Schulze
Bob, your post was very hard lesson for all to learn. Junneth and I will continue to hold you and your family in our prayers. God Bless you and watch over you.
Bob Martin
Thank you Greg. Hopefully the damage is still something I can live with, just an inconvenience. If my left eye is no longer available to me that is bad, but I have to be very careful to make sure my right eye stays healthy.
David Michael Naylor
Hello Bob, like you I’m T2 diabetic for at least past 30 years. I’ve been told that I have cataracts which at the moment aren’t ready to be removed. Laser treatment is rare in Philippines so I have to work out my best option, which is A) have the treatment done by my optition here in Dipolog. B) go to Manila or Cebu to have it done or C) go back to UK. My optitions name is Lacaya and he is well liked here but it’s not laser treatment. The other thing I have to weigh up is I’m 76 years old! Food for thought
Beat of luck with your diabetic control
Dave Naylor
MindanaoBob
Hi David – Actualy laser treatment is very common in the Philippines, why not check into it again, I think you will be surprised.
Since you live in Dipolog, if you are going to travel for treatment, why not consider Davao? Davao can give you treatment equal to what you would find in Cebu or Manila, and is much closer to you.
Greg Schulze
I know you can do it.
Wyatts Torch Farm
Hang in there Bob.
Doug Thompson
Yes…hang in there….like this is an article fight….this is not about anything more than health. Oh…do you care? No….I think you’re just looking for clicks…
Bob Martin
Wyatts Torch Farm – I’m doing my best, thanks.
Bob Martin
I don’t understand, Doug. The way I read your comment, you think that I am not serious about what I say int he article? Or Wyatts Torch Farm? I can assure you I am serious, and Wyatts Torch Farm has been a long time friend and supporter, so I am sure his comment is serious too.
Wyatts Torch Farm
Hmmm I am perplexed also. You know my heart Bob
Your right
Robert Burney
Hey my new friend… thanks for sharing this news… I want you to know one thing…. Winners Win and you have been a winner all of your life… have been and always will be…
Robert Burney
MindanaoBob
Robert, thank you very much! I appreciate your kind thoughts and kind words!
Steve Baker
Hi Bob – So sorry to learn about your eye issues. To a certain extent, I know how you feel, as about 35 years ago (in my 20s) I had the shingles virus attack the cornea in my left eye. It was perhaps the most painful thing I had gone through in my life, and I felt sure it would result in blindness in my left eye. I had to wear an eye patch, as even the slightest light (including the luminous dial of an alarm clock at night) would cause excruciating pain. In the end, a regimine of steriodal eye drops and anti-viral medication cleared it up, but it took almost a year to get better again. Also, with shingles, the virus will always be with me, so a flare up is always a possibility. Only in the last few years have I actually had a flare-up, but thankfully it was minor. I watch it constantly though.
Bob, you’re a smart guy and I am confident that with proper management you will do well…especially with the thoughts and prayers of everyone here on your site, which has been so valuable to me and many others here.
Learning now about your eye issues, I am even more grateful for all the help you’ve given me for questions I had on numerous Philippine-relateed issues during the past year. You really help lots of people, and I have learned that (for the most part) good things happen to good people, so keep positive!
And thanks again for all your help you give to all of us…we all want you around for another 30 years for sure!
MindanaoBob
Hi Steve – Thank you so much for your encouragement, it is greatly appreciated.
My Dad suffered with shingles when he was a child, and he, as you said and did, had to watch out his entire life for any symptoms of a return. I don’t know much about the shingles, but it seems that it is a pretty bad sickness. Much like diabetes in that way, I guess.
If I have been helpful to you with questions about the Philippines, I am happy to hear that, and you are most welcome.
bigp
Steve if you haven’t had a shingles virus attack during the last year you can get vaccinated for it. The shot has a pretty high success rate.
Bruce Cinader
Bob, I hope you can keep the blood sugar at optimum levels. I though I heard of an implant that not only monitors the levels but also keeps it at the proper levels. One other thing I heard was something about a contact lens that somehow monitored the levels to keep things on track. Hopefully you get hooked up with the very latest technology and manage another 30 years, and with eye sight.
Bob Martin
Thanks, Bruce. I have my blood glucose levels in good control for about the past 2 years or so, the damage was already done, though. I don’t worry (much) about keeping control of the disease, but I hope that I can do something about the damage that I did in earlier years.
Bruce Cinader
Bob Martin I wish you the best of luck and hope you find the best of care.
Bob Martin
Thank you, Bruce. The care that I am getting is second to none, that is not a concern at all.
Dennis Glass
Good luck Bob
MindanaoBob
Thank you Dennis.
Brent Finger
Wishing you the best Bob. Have you looked into possibly coming over to the states to look into this eye surgery? There are so many more options here for just your situation. Not sure if this is something that you have talked about with your family. Either way, just research the heck out of this so you may find things to help.
Bob Martin
Hi Brent, no, I have not thought of going to the US. We have excellent medical care here, and I have full confidence in it. When you say there are more options there, what options are you thinking of? As far as I know, everything in the USA is also availabl ehere as well.
Brent Finger
Was thinking more specialist like somewhere like stanford or uc davis. Places that all they do 24/7 is your type of eye issue. I understand the Philippines has lots of medical care but have you found the Dr’s that all they do is your medical issues with lots of operations . Maybe there is just don’t know first hand myself. Hopefully you can get to a point where it stables out and not get any worse .
Bob Martin
We have specialists of all kinds right here in Davao. We have eye specialists who were even trained at the kinds of places that you mention. Yes, I have had several doctors in the past month who do nothing but this. People who do dozens of eye surgeries each and every day. Do’t worry, we have great medical care here, and I am being treated by the hospital that has the most advanced equipment available. Just as important, I have my family here and close friends who support me and openly give their emotional support. I am getting excellent care, my friend. Not some shack with dirt floors… at hospitals that are every bit as nice as what is in the States! 🙂
Brent Finger
Edgardo Blancaflor Dominguez
Bob Martin, my wife has a type 2 diabetes for over 15 years, she did pretty in the first years, die, walking and swimming but as years past, prolong standing work and fatigue as slows here down, she stopped the walking and swimming, medicine dosage Keeps going up and increase frequency which also makes her sick. But the last, 12 months, she made adjustments on her diet, fish, vegetable and BROWN RICE. Her doctor was surprised and lowered her dosage.
Bob Martin
Thank you for sharing. I am glad that your wife gas been able to make some good changed.
Paul Thompson
Bob;
I have no sage advice, or words of wisdom for you, except to parrot back to you what you said. “It is now up to YOU to make sure YOU stay on the proper trail towards improving your health!” All I can do is wish you good health and my hope for a positive outcome. Stay strong!!!
MindanaoBob
Hi Paul – Thanks! I can’t believe you would quote such an unqualified idiot! 🙂 ha ha… 😉 Seriously, thanks.
Ron
Bob you should make a trip back to the U.S. to see some eye specialists. Like you I am a diabetic have been for over 25 years so I understand the disease. I know your first reaction is going to be medical care there is as advanced as any where but it is not. As your long time friend I was shocked when you said you had never heard of Retinopathy. That comment alone told me you have not been getting proper care for the disease. Do you have an Internal Medicine specialist seeing you quarterly? If so that will make me feel better. If you have advanced retinopathy you stand a great chance of other issues lurking below the surface. Please make a trip home see a Diabetic Eye Specialist and then visit an Endochronologist /Internal Medical Specialist. The technology for treatment is off the charts from just a few years ago. As your friend I am encouraging you to do this. Please.
MindanaoBob
Hi Ron – You are right, I have been pretty uninformed on this up until about 2 years ago. Why? Because I did not take care of myself or even go to doctors. About 2 years ago when I had that hospitalization from the spider bite, I got a doctor and got serious about health care and especially about diabetes. Yes, I have a doctor now, and I see him regularly, in fact, his office is near my house, and he lives in my neighborhood. I see him in the office, but I also see him around my neighborhood as well.
Sorry, you won’t be seeing me in the States. I have a medical team here that I have full confidence in. I am in my home… my home is the Philippines. I have support of doctors, friends and family here. The Philippines is where my confidence is, and my support. Thanks for your advice, though.
Malcolm Mac
Best of luck Bob, hope to see you next month
Bob Martin
Great, Malcolm! Hope you have a safe trip! BTW, our brownout situation has improved a bit, so hopefully when you get here we will be back to full power! 🙂
Malcolm Mac
Hurrah..hope you are better too when I see you , sometime after April 13th ! (:-))
Bob Martin
I don’t think I will be better, just hoping not worse!
Michael L Sturkey
Bob stay strong and stick to your plan. We will be arriving in Cebu on July 9th to stay forever. When I get there I will come down and see you, I am dealing with something very similar and I will tell you what I am doing so you can maybe add some things to you bag of remedies. No pun intended but the future can be bright for you. See ya soon!
Bob Martin
Thank you Michael. Hope your trip to Cebu goes smoothly! I’ll look forward to seeing you!
queeniebee5
Hi Bob,
Sorry to hear that you have to deal with these eye issues. Like you said after many years of having diabetes you have been lucky to still have better eyesight than many would. Not a great consolation, but a silver lining that you still have an option to maintaining your current vision.
My father was a language teacher and an avid reader, and back in the day he suffered with many eye issues with cataracts and related vision problems. One morning when I was in college, my father awoke with no vision due to severe bleeding in one eye. He had had a detached retina and was admitted to Mass Eye and Ear Institute. Even at that that time, he had that knife type surgery, even though the beginnings of laser surgery for eye problems had already been discovered by that time. I guess stitching of the peeling retina can only be done that way up to now. In spite of an odd shaped eyeball and other issues, the surgery was a success, and he did regain his eyesight.
He was not a diabetic, and this is of course no comparison to your retinal condition, but after all these years doctors and surgeons must know so much more about the eye now. That will help you learn more about your options.
You have a “game plan” and good doctors that you trust, and good friends and family to support you through your conditions and health strategies, so you are blessed with more than many have.
Take care but, I’ll be thinking of you.
Queenie
MindanaoBob
Thanks, Queenie. Your father’s story offers encouragement and hope. I appreciate that.
Jim
Hi Bob- So sorry to hear of your current plight and we are hoping the situation can be improved through further surgery or at least arrested so you can maintain a decent quality of life despite your eyesight problems. I’m sure as well as us here in the Bukid all your readers are rooting for you and wishing you all the very best for the future.
Kind regards.
Jim & Marilou.
MindanaoBob
Thank you, Jim, I really appreciate that.
Marc
My father and his sister both had Scleral buckle, a gas bubble placed in the eye to hold the glue or whatever, after surgery. At the time, only one doctor on Long Island was doing the surgery. http://longislandretina.com/tears-and-detachment/
Now this reguired a couple of months of keeping his head down, face down, I made something out of pvc pipe, with a pillow on top, so he could sit and put his forehead on it. This worked great for both of them, in their late 70s, had nothing to do with diabetes, was just drying out from old age. Although, drying is a problem with diabetics too. Really, with the proper surgery, I would not worry.
MindanaoBob
Hi Marc – I am familiar with the gas injections. While a final decision has not yet been made, my doctor feels we may be beyond that, though.
marjorie
Hi Bob, sorry to hear of your trials and tribulations, with the love and care of your friends and family you can take strength from them and fight on. Take care.
MindanaoBob
Thank you Marjorie, I appreciate your kind words.
Dan Abbott
That sucks. But it’s a good article for someone like me to help motivate me to keep my diabetes under control. Thank you and best of luck for your future. I’m hoping to make it back to the Philippines sometime in the next 1-2 years. We’ll have to do lunch or something.
Bob Martin
If my article(s) help motivate even one person, Dan, it is something that makes me happy. Don’t do like I did and ignore diabetes for years. Take action early and you will probably never have to fight the tough battles down the road. Good luck to you! I’ll be waiting for that lunch! 🙂 It’s gotta be a healthy one, though. 😉
Terrence
Praying for your medical team to repair the damage and allow you to maintain the gift of sight. You are in the hands of the Medical Team you assembled, and hopefully if they are in doubt, they can refer you to another specialist. Wishing you the best. . . .
MindanaoBob
Thank you Terrence. I appreciate your thoughts!
Jmc Marcotte
Bob you are a fighter and I have confidence that you’ll stick to your game plan. On a side note, I am sorry that we did not make it to Davao this time. The family here kept us hopping to so many islands that the time flew by quickly. We even had to refuse some family invitations so we could rest. Back to you, please keep us informed as we really care about you. Finally give our regards to your lovely family for us.
Bob Martin
Thanks Michel. I hope you have enjoyed your visit to the Philippines!
RT Cunningham
All I can say, Bob, is I wish you the best of luck in all of this. Hopefully, eyeglasses will be all you need to get by.
I was practically blind in both eyes before LASIK surgery in 2004 – I wore Coke-bottle eyeglasses and I still had problems. I know what it’s like not to be able to see anything with the naked eye. It’s unnerving if you’ve never experienced it before.
MindanaoBob
Hi RT. Thank you, I will be doing my best. My doctor feels that glasses will be little help though.
bigp
Just know that even though there is nothing we can do to help you physically, we are rooting for you, get well soon.
MindanaoBob
I do know that Loren. Thank you for that.
Jason Weiland Sr.
Wishing the best for you Bob…..Keep up your health and enjoying life like you do.
MindanaoBob
Thank you much, Jason.
Bob Martin
Thank you, Jason.
Pat Dejaño Noel
God bless always Bob!
Bob Martin
Thank you.
Derek
Hi Bob, one important lesson to be learned from this is how important getting regular
Check ups at the doctors, although I don’t have diabetes I have changed my diet gone
Have all the soft drinks like Coke etc I’ve replaced them with natural fruit drinks and eat
A lot of vegetables, hoping your condition improves , Derek in pasig.
MindanaoBob
Thanks Derek. I agree with you about having checkups and such, and I think I have been pretty open about that in my articles. I was stupid to ignore diabetes for many years, but I have a lot of company in that stupidity. Millions of people with diabetes ignore it and have to pay the consequences.
Take care. Derek.
Jmc Marcotte
I did, it was quite demanding on my old body but also very enjoyable. we just did not have enough time to empty our dream basket…
Stacey Baird
Glad you took action.
Bob Martin
Thank you Stacey.
Michael Boo
Keep up the good practices Bob, all the best 2 you
Bob Martin
Thanks Michael.
William Burrows
Prayers and blessings your way.
Bob Martin
Thank you, William.
Bob New York
HI Bob,
I am very sorry to read of your eye condition and hope the best possible outcome will happen for you.
For those doubters in the audience, from my own experience of being hospitalized in The Philippines I would agree with what Bob Martin is saying that there really is quality and excellence in the better hospitals in The Philippines and in a major city like Davao I would be confident that what Bob is saying is true, and, at a fraction of the cost of having the same or similar diagnosis and treatment in the USA, where in so many situations Doctors are being told how to do their job by the insurance companies.
Bob, as always many thanks to you and your websites that have been a contributing factor to making my vacations to Iligan City in Northern Mindanao the best vacations I have ever had, anywhere. I hope you will be able to experience the best possible recovery from your eye difficulties.
” LIP ” article describing my own experience of being hospitalized in The Philippines in 2012.
http://liveinthephilippines.com/hospitalized-in-the-philippines/
MindanaoBob
Hi Bob. Thanks for your comment,always nice to hear from you.
A lot of Americans feel that the USA is the only place with good things. Paricularly medical care. I don’t blame people who think like that. In most cases they just don’t have experience using care in other countries. Heck, many Americans are doing medical tourism now to save huge amounts of money, and the Philippines is one of the places they are coming.
There is excellent care here. There is also terrible care here. I am sure anybody can guess which type of provider I am using. It is not a poor provider.
Mel Waller
Bob, I am glad you are maintaining a positive focus and sharing your story. I would like to recommend the science based book, You are the Placebo and I believe you will find additional assistance can be gained from reading and applying what you will learn in this book. Its available as an ebook also so you can access it sooner. Best wishes. Mel http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Placebo-Making-Matter-ebook/dp/B00IEKS6HM/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1457846064&sr=8-1&keywords=you+are+the+placebo+by+dr.+joe+dispenza
Bob Martin
Thank you Mel.
Budrick Bias
Happy for you BOB.
Bob Martin
I don’t understand. What are you happy about? Maybe I missed something. I thought it pretty devastating news.
Budrick Bias
Did I misunderstand I thought your eyes were better
Budrick Bias
Sorry I should have read the whole artical I knew you were having your eyes worked on and I just thought it was ok. Sorry.
Bob Martin
No problem. There is a good chance that blindness is 0art of my future. Particularly in my left eye.
Budrick Bias
What is your sugar count? My vision goes up and down with the high or low of my sugar count.
Budrick Bias
And I am telling you this while I am eating a bag of peanut M&M and washing it down with a Coke. ha ha ha
Bob Martin
My sugar this morning was 103. I have it in really good control now.
Bob Martin
Be careful Bud. The diabetes will get you.
Doug Thompson
Diabetes is no joke, for sure.
Budrick Bias
Thats great BOB I can not get under 210
Lenny
I can’t say too much here except what has already been said…But I know your carrying a heavy load right now…I know I have been worried also but for only a “Floater”” I personally think your being a little hardheaded (not being mean to you)..about the U S …Man I would certainly look into it …Your eyes brother your eyes.!!!!…When i went for an x-ray here and asked about how old the machine was and this was at Stlliman I was told very old “””…but still works good…I had one x-ray done here and it said I had an enlarged heart scared the hell out of me ..I went to the big best hospital here and had another x-ray done and it came back perfect and quess what both read by the same doctor who worked at both places…I then thought to myself bullshit…same doctor 2 x-rays one bad one perfect??… So I insisted the hospital let another radiologist look at the x-ray and he put it up on the screen took his measurments and said ………also perfect…??? God Bless Bobby
MindanaoBob
The equipment being used on me is very new, less than a year old. I am going to a state of the art eye clinic. I have no worries about my medical care.
Lenny
Good then … you have and are doing …your homework
MindanaoBob
Yep, doing my best to do that.
Stephen M Gray
As a 75 year old now going through eye problems (double vision, cataracts, possible retina damage) that were completely unexpected… came on suddenly and were thought to be from a stroke – thank fully after many tests was found to not be a stroke, but some type of small brain infection or inflammation found through MRIs and CatScans.. This caused a double vision and my eye balls would not turn horizontally – only vertically. With the neurological prescribed steroid treatments and 9 days in hospital the sight problems are improving and cataract surgery will be done. This is a long way of saying that this is my first experience with anything similar — and not knowing what to expect in the future as far as sight is concerned can weigh heavy on one’s heart and emotions. No one has suggested yet, but please put your faith and trust in God and pray about your situation. He is the Master Healer. God bless and take care of you and family.
MindanaoBob
Hi Stephen, truth is that I do that everyday. Thanks for the reminder.
Norman King
Hi Bob, I am an expat from Australia. Only been here 16 months so far. The reason I am writing this is I am a health nut and have been since I was a 90kg blob (Im only 5’7”) I am nor just under 60kg. I have learnt many things over the last 15yrs, and the Doctors will not tell you this little tip about keeping your blood sugar levels down, Cinnamon, a half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day will in just a few weeks have a big effect on your sugar levels. Also if you crave fruit a mango every 2-3 days is your best option, there is something about mango’s that dont send your sugar levels thru the roof. You may know about this already but I have found so many diabetics were not aware of the magic cinnamon. Good luck in your endeavors. Best Regards, Norm
MindanaoBob
Thank you.
PapaDuck
Bob,
Hoping your eyes will stabilize or even improve in the future. My older sister has been legally blind for years with retina pigmatosa. You wouldn’t know it though as she is very positive about life and very happy and never feels sorry for herself. She has adjusted well to it and has had a guide dog for years which makes things much easier for her. All of us kids have had to get regular eye checkups to watch for any signs of the the disease. Thankfully nobody else in our family has it. Positive attitude is a big part of the battle and you are doing great with that. Take care.
MindanaoBob
Thanks for that inspiring story, Papa Duck.
PapaDuck
Also, she worked a full time job as a teaching nurse during much of that time. Now she collects disability as she can no longer work.
Ray Madden
God bless Bob I will be praying for you buddy
Bob Martin
Thank you Ray.
gean Wilson
Hi Bob,
I’m sorry you’re going through this trial and tribulation. Congratulations on keeping your blood sugar in a good range. You will be in my thoughts and prayers old friend.
Are you ready to go swimming?
gean Wilson
MindanaoBob
Well, Mr. Wilson! Thank you. You know I am always ready to go swimming… OTW.
Chasrand
Hi Bob,
Sorry to hear this news, stay positive and keep fighting my friend.
This year so far seems to have been mostly negative news amongst my circle of friends, let’s all hope the tide turns.
As us Northern Englanders are fond of saying “Don’t let the basta*ds grind you down.
Take good care,
Chas.
MindanaoBob
Hey Chas – I am hoping I can be the one to turn around the bad news that your friends have been sharing with you! 🙂
Chasrand
That’s the spirit, Bob. 🙂
Don
Bob, hope for the best.
Four years ago, I was diagnosed with glaucoma in my right eye, with about 40% lost vision. I take drops daily to lessen the pressure so all is ok for now. Glaucoma is irreversible, but if treated, should not get worse.
Last month, found out I have early cataracts. Also, I have to wear hard contact lens cause I have irregular cornea. And finally, I also have prediabetes so now hearing about potential vision loss, really scares me to think i may go blind. But I go to the eye specialist every quarter for a battery of tests and hope it doesnt get worse. I am 48.
MindanaoBob
Hi Don – Thanks! Please do all you can to keep from becoming diabetic. It is a very serious disease, and most who get it don’t take it seriously until it has progressed. I didn’t take it seriously.. “there is always time to take care of that…” Don’t follow my lead! The consequences are coming back to bite! I want to stop as many people as possible from suffering my plight!
AJ UK
Hi Bob
A good lesson to all of us I think. Your honesty in writing the article will probably help some people.
Type 2 diabetes is a hot topic in the UK press at the moment and that it is preventable, in a lot of cases, provided you look after yourself.
One of my concerns in the PI these days is the amount of people eating in fast food outlets and drinking vast quantities of sugary drinks. I try to educate my family the the PI and they are taking note now but as always it took someone in the family to fall ill before notice was taken.
Having said that, talking about it is easy. Leaving the temptations aside is the hard bit. I am certainly no angel but I now try to limit the temptations to a once or twice a month treat instead of letting it form the vast part of my diet.
I hope you get some better news soon and start that road to recovery.
Cheers
AJ UK
MindanaoBob
Hi AJ – Thanks. Glad you read the article and commented. Diabetes is becoming a very serious issue in the Philippines, there are lots of Filipinos who have diabetes, and many don’t even know it.
I am thankful that I have about 2 years of getting good control over the disease behind me. If I can continue to maintain control, I can hopefully avoid further damage to my body. Mostly it has become habit now, so I should be able to maintain my efforts. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Leona
Hi Bob- Two years ago, I was diagnosed w/ having retina detachment, floaters and cataracts. The Specialists told me it is too early to do surgery; and may become blind if they give in for my eyes surgery request. Also, like you I have diabetes type 2. A friend of mine who associate w/ an eye specialist told her the secret to healthy eyes is to take fish oil supplement. I followed this advised, so far it has stabilized my eyesight.
MindanaoBob
Thank you! I have gotten where I eat fish about 5 times per week, but not using any supplament. Maybe u should look into that.
AJ UK
Once or twice a week eating oily fish, mackerel, sardines etc, is better than any supplement.
Supplements pass through your body too easily whereas oil in fish is digested more easily.
MindanaoBob
Yeah, that is what I have always heard
mike
Bob.. so very sorry to read this news. When I first started reading both articles had been posted. Read part 1 first but was thinking all would be well based on the headline of part 2 and my own experience, very recent experience.
About two months ago after working on my computer for about nine hours I put my glasses on my desk and went to bed. Perhaps the second thing I did after waking was to sit back down at my desk, pretty normal day. I put on my glasses and loaded the webs finest pages.. or planned to.
Stunned is what I was when my glasses no longer worked for my eyes. I could not read any text, it was all a big blur. I was in shock and more shock as I tried a few other pairs that I had.. each time the result was the same. I had reading glasses that were not needed for my computer to this point, I put them on and at that moment my reading glasses turned into my distance glasses and my distance glasses turned into dust collectors.
I’m pre-diabetic and figured the issue was pro-longed high blood sugar and I was right. Because of the high blood sugar my lens inside my eye became swollen thus distorting my vision. An eye doc did a complete exam and confirmed to me that my eyes would return to normal if I can get a grip on the high blood sugar. He also reported my eyes were in good health otherwise and had no concern at this time of eye damage.
After about three weeks my eyes returned to normal and my dust collectors are now my glasses again. I was really disappointed in reading your results are not the same and I wish you very good luck in preservation of your vision and health in general.
MindanaoBob
Hi Mike. I am happy that your warning was only a warning and not something permanent. Keep a close eye on that blood sugar.
AJ UK
Was that pun intended Bob?
MindanaoBob
Ha ha, no it was not.
Rusty Bowers
Bob, God Bless you. You’ve accomplished so much, and will continue to accomplish more, in your life.
Rusty
MindanaoBob
Thank you Rusty. I appreciate your kind words.
Tommy Seilheimer
Bo, thanks for keeping us updated! I just read part 2 today! Praying and wishing strength to you and Jacky and I should be out there in June 2017’ish – Hope to see you!!
Mark Volstad
Bob, have you read about this new treatment with Lucentis?
https://nei.nih.gov/news/pressrelease/proliferative_diabetic_retinopathy
MindanaoBob
No, I don’t think I have (unless it is by a different name). Thanks, Mark, I am going to check into it and see what I can find out.
Kevin
Bob,
Sorry to hear about your eye. I hope it works out for you and your vision returns to normal. Sounds like you have a good “game plan” with your doctors. The medical care in the Philippines, especially Davao, in my opinion, is really top notch.
MindanaoBob
Hi Kevin – Thanks. I don’t know that it is even a possibility that my vision will return to normal, but we can always hope for the best! Hope to be seeing you when you are back in the Philippines.