This post shares my personal experience with diabetes and stroke recovery. It is not medical advice. Please consult your own healthcare professional for guidance about your condition.
One day at a time, one reading at a time, and one small victory at a time.
For years, I suspected something was wrong but chose to look away. Then, on June 24, 2024, an ischemic stroke changed everything. Recovery taught me that health is not something to postpone, ignore, or take for granted.
Today, I am paying closer attention to my blood glucose readings, medications, food choices, and daily habits. This is my journey from denial to discipline—one day, one reading, and one small victory at a time.
The Years When I Was in Denial
I already suspected that I had diabetes before I went to Japan for a training program in 2007. Like many people who are afraid to confront a health problem, I was in denial. Perhaps I believed that ignoring it would make it disappear.
Of course, it did not.
After returning to the Philippines, my condition was eventually confirmed. Over the years, diabetes became part of my everyday life. Managing it required discipline, regular monitoring, and, eventually, insulin injections.
Looking back, I realize how easy it is to put health last while pursuing a career, meeting responsibilities, and providing for a family. We often tell ourselves that we can deal with health problems later. Unfortunately, our bodies do not always give us that luxury.
June 2024: The Stroke That Changed My Life
On June 24, 2024, I suffered an ischemic stroke.
That experience changed my life in ways I could not have imagined before it happened. Activities I once did automatically became difficult. I had to deal with weakness on my left side, difficulty with speech, and the long process of rehabilitation.
Even now, I continue to experience some effects of the stroke. My recovery has required patience, determination, and gratitude for every small improvement.
I sometimes wonder whether my long history of diabetes contributed to my stroke. Diabetes is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including stroke, but the causes of a stroke can be complex. I leave that assessment to my doctors.
The stroke made one thing clear: I could no longer put my health last. My priorities changed. I want to recover as much as possible, manage my diabetes responsibly, and enjoy more years with my family.
Changing My Habits, One Day at a Time
Since my stroke, I have become more mindful of what I eat and how I manage my medications. I have reduced my meat consumption, made better food choices, and tried to take my prescribed medicines on time.
These changes may seem small to others, but they represent an important shift in my life. Recovery does not come from one dramatic decision. It comes from small actions repeated every day.
Managing diabetes while recovering from a stroke requires attention to medication, nutrition, physical activity, and blood glucose levels. I am learning to listen to my body. When something feels unusual, I ask my doctor instead of guessing.
Most importantly, I am learning that discipline must go hand in hand with patience.
My Blood Glucose Journal
Recently, I reviewed my handwritten blood glucose records and organized them into one journal. Writing the numbers down helped me see patterns I might otherwise have missed.
Some readings were lower than I expected: 70, 73, 75, 77, 81, and 84. I also recorded 57, 50, and 65 in my additional entries.
A blood glucose reading below 70 mg/dL is generally considered low. Readings below 54 mg/dL are considered more serious and need prompt attention. Because of this, I want to understand why these lower readings happened and review them carefully with my doctors.
I cannot know from the numbers alone whether my medication needs to change. Meals, insulin, physical activity, and other medicines can all affect glucose levels. The timing of each reading matters too.
That is why I shared my journal with my doctors. My records give them information they can use to help me manage my diabetes more safely.
My journal is more than a list of numbers. It is a record of my effort to understand my body and take responsibility for my health.
Consulting My Doctors
Because of my concerns about my glucose readings and medical history, I consulted my neurologist and endocrinologist. My neurologist monitors my recovery from the stroke, while my endocrinologist helps manage my diabetes.
Their guidance is important because I want to avoid both high and dangerously low blood glucose levels. I know that changing insulin doses or other medicines on my own can be risky.
Being proactive does not mean making medical decisions alone. Sometimes, the most responsible thing to do is to ask questions, share accurate information, and trust qualified professionals to guide the next steps.
Update: I will continue recording my readings and following up with my doctors as we work toward a safer and more consistent glucose management plan.
Recovery Is Not a Straight Line
Life after a stroke has taught me that recovery does not always happen as quickly as we hope. Some days bring encouragement. Other days bring frustration because certain difficulties remain.
But healing is not a race.
I am learning to respect my limitations without letting them define my life. Rest, proper nutrition, medical care, rehabilitation, and emotional well-being are all part of recovery.
Managing diabetes adds another responsibility, but I do not want it to become a reason to surrender to fear. Instead, it reminds me to be more attentive, disciplined, and grateful for every chance to improve.
I do not have to change everything at once. I can focus on what is within my control: taking my medicines as prescribed, monitoring my glucose, eating balanced meals, attending appointments, and following my rehabilitation routine.
Small steps may not make headlines, but they can make a meaningful difference over time.
Moving Forward With Purpose
My stroke did not erase my past, but it changed the way I see my future. I can no longer ignore warning signs, postpone appointments, or assume that tomorrow will take care of itself.
Every blood glucose reading, medication schedule, meal choice, and rehabilitation session is now part of a larger commitment: to protect the life I still have and make the most of every day.
I know recovery will not always be easy. There will be difficult days, uncertain readings, and moments when progress feels slow. But I also know that healing is built through patience, consistency, and the willingness to keep trying.
I am grateful for my family, my doctors, and everyone who continues to support me. Most of all, I am grateful for the chance to learn from my experiences and make better choices today.
I may not be able to change the years when I ignored my health, but I can change what I do now.
One day at a time, one reading at a time, and one small victory at a time—I will keep moving forward.
Hopefully, I will get better each day. And when tomorrow comes, I will do my best to make it count.
Disclaimer: This article shares my personal experience and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Diabetes management and stroke recovery should be guided by qualified healthcare professionals.
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