Diabetes is a disease that has affected several members of my family. Diabetes was known as “Sugar” in my family. My paternal grandmother, maternal great-grandmother, and an aunt died from complications of diabetes. My oldest brother is Type 2 diabetic. He was diagnosed in 2006. In August 2010, I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. As a teenager, I made numerous trips to the pharmacy to retrieve insulin and needles for both my great-grandmother and my aunt. The insulin came in a little white box that had to be refrigerated. I watched my grandfather administer shots to my great-grandmother every morning before breakfast. In 1995, my aunt wanted to travel to Texas with me to visit my mother, her sister. By this time, my aunt required a full-time caretaker. Her eyesight was totally gone and her right leg had been amputated below the knee. In order to take her with me I had to learn to administer her insulin shots. I was a nervous wreck but with my aunt’s encouragement I learned to fill the needle with the insulin and find an appropriate location on the body to administer the shot. My first symptoms were frequent urination and excessive thirst. I did not have any knowledge of the onset symptoms of diabetes so I attributed these symptoms to working in the hot summer weather and drinking lots of Gatorades. It was not until I started to experience blurred vision that I sought medical help. The blurred vision happened very suddenly. In July 2010, I went to work one morning and I could not see the writing on my computer screen. It had only been four months since my annual eye examination with Dr. Massengale. I was troubled by my lack of vision, so I immediately called Dr. Massengale’s office for a follow up eye exam. The examination showed a significant change in my eyesight from my previous prescription. Dr. Massengale asked whether I had been waking up through the night to use the restroom and any notice of increased thirst. Dr. Massengale requested that I visit my physician to have my blood sugar levels tested. With a promise to follow up with my primary care provider and a new eye prescription, I went on my way. I continued to function normally with new glasses for about two weeks when the blurred vision returned. I made an appointment with Mercy Hospital Urgent Care facility. Dr. Stephen Barr, the on-call doctor, sent me to the lab for blood work and I received the test results the next day. My blood test revealed my blood glucose level was 264 mg/dL. Diabetes is diagnosed when the blood glucose level is greater than 200 mg/dL. I learned that a normal fasting blood glucose target range for a person without diabetes is 70 to 100 mg/dL and a normal blood sugar level two hours after eating should be in the range of 140 to 150 mg/dL. Dr. Barr prescribed me oral medications to help control my blood glucose levels and made me an appointment with a dietician. To learn how to manage my health, I attended a diabetic education course at Mercy Hospital. The class taught me how to monitor my glucose levels using a glucose meter. The class covered what foods should be avoided and what foods were healthy for diabetics. I learned that it was more important to count my carbohydrate intake than it was to count calories. I strive to maintain a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables and protein with a limit of 45 grams of carbohydrate per meal. I monitor my glucose levels daily. For the first six months after my diagnosis, I checked my glucose levels three times a day, at various times throughout the day. This process helped to determine whether the combination of diet and medications were working effectively for me. My observation found that my blood sugar levels were higher in the mornings. The nutritionist recommended that I adjust my diet to include a bedtime snack consisting of 15 to 18 grams of carbohydrates. This minor adjustment contributed to reduced blood glucose levels in the morning. Tracking and monitoring my glucose levels is an important step in managing my diabetic condition. To contribute to my overall health I have a membership with a local fitness gym. My physical activity goal is to walk at least 3 miles a week. I take 1,000 mg of Metformin and 1.25 mg of Glyburide twice a day. Along with diet and exercise, these drugs are designed to help control the amount of sugar in my blood system. I visit the American Diabetes Association website to obtain dietary advice and information on diabetes medications. I reference the Calorie King Calorie, Fat and Carbohydrate Counter booklet when I eat out. This little booklet provides carbohydrate numbers for various restaurant meals. I read nutrition labels t