Sorry to see you join the club, Lessara. I was diagnosed almost exactly two months ago.

I have a cartoon that shows a dragon leaning back against a tree picking his teeth with a lance while pieces of armor are scattered all around him. The caption reads, "Remember, no matter how hard you try or how right you are, sometimes the dragon wins."

Because of the symptoms I was experiencing, I wasn't surprised by the diagnosis. Also, I don't think that I've experienced much in the way of anger, denial, or depression. I think mostly this is due to having adopted a life philosophy which attempts to fully embrace that ancient prayer, "Lord, grant me the courage to change that which I can, the serenity to accept that which I cannot, and the wisdom to tell the difference." I couldn't help but wonder if I had been able to stay true to LC'ing from the time I originally started whether or not I would have been able to avoid this outcome. I don't know the answer to that - and I never will. Perhaps had I not low carbed to the degree I have I would have developed it two years ago. Perhaps if I had been real faithful I would have developed it in another two years anyway. But neither of those matter in the slightest - the fact is that where I am today is the result of actions in the past that - good or bad and whether I had any control over them or not - are in the past and cannot be changed.

No amount of denying or crying or handwringing will change the fact that I am a diabetic, therefore I choose not to waste time on emotions that will get me nowhere because, when all is said and done, I will have changed nothing and I will still have to deal with the fact that I am a diabetic. I didn't use to be so able to take things in stride like this, but my time in the military taught me that I had better learn to tell the difference and, once I had determined that something couldn't be changed, I had better learn how to accept it. It was a lesson that was hard learned but that has paid off handsomely in my life since. I imagine that, at the end of the day, you will find that having to come to grips with this will better prepare you to come to grips with other things that life will inevitably throw your way.

But, what I can change is how I tackle this disease. It is a life threatening disease but, fortunately, one that can be controlled. If I have the courage and determination to control it. All I can do is the best I can do. The same goes for you.

Keep the Faith!