However, during my recovery, my endocrinologist told me that I would have to stay on insulin for the rest of my life. And, I believed him because that's what I was told -- to believe and trust my doctor.
But, when my health improved and my blood glucose and hemoglobin A1C started to go down, my endocrinologist told me that it wouldn't last and I needed to stay on the insulin. He told me that my good readings were an anomaly.
Being an engineer, I decided to test the anomaly -- not because I didn't trust my doctor, but, because that's what we engineers do :-) -- we test, not guess.
Needless to say, I was surprised by the data -- the data was indicating that my doctor may be wrong. So, I continued to test and gradually wean off the insulin (based on the data). I continued to test, because I expected my blood glucose would eventually go back up like the doctor said.
But, my diabetes and my overall health continued to improved and my blood glucose and hemoglobin A1C continued to go down and eventually returned to the normal range!
Once I had completely weaning off the insulin, my endocrinologist was angry and very upset with me. He warned me that I would be back on insulin within 3 months.
Three months later, my blood glucose and hemoglobin A1C were still in the normal range. My endocrinologist told me to give it 3 more months.
Three months later, my blood glucose and hemoglobin A1C readings were even better! But, my endocrinologist failed to show up at my appointment. Instead, he sent the physician assistant who told me that the doctor was upset with me because I was in denial of my diabetes. He refused to see me until I returned to taking the insulin shots.
The physician assistant told me that the doctor said it's just a matter of time -- give it 3 more months, maybe 6 months before my blood glucose would return to the high levels. . Well, that was over 13 years ago!
I never planned to go against my doctor -- I wasn't raised that way. But, I didn't expect the data to contradict what my doctor was telling me! It was very scary to go against the doctor, so I kept testing -- expecting the data to eventually support the doctor.
In fact, I tested more frequently, because down deep in my soul, I believed the doctor. So, I waited and waited for the other shoe to drop -- for my blood glucose to begin going up, but it didn't!
This is what other diabetics are faced with -- going against their doctor. It's not an easy thing to do. I was fortunate enough to understand the data and use it to my benefit and no longer require the use of any diabetic medications, including pills and insulin.
And, now, I hope by sharing my story (with this video), it will benefit other diabetics ...
Note: This experience with diabetes and my endocrinologist eventually led me to write my first book, Death to Diabetes. Later on, that led me to write several additional books, including books about juicing, heart disease, obesity, autoimmune disease and cancer. Who knew!?
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