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by: Gretchen Becker
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Editorial Review From Library Journal: This is the first entry in the publisher's "First Year" series, which seeks to set itself apart from other health advice lines with its authors all "patient-experts." Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 1996, Becker quickly learned that there are many ways to approach diabetes care. She uses appropriate humor and presents basic information to take the reader through each day of the first week, each subsequent week of the first month, and the next 11 months after diagnosis. Emphasizing the self-management skills that all diabetics must master for adequate control of the disease, Becker addresses the questions not always anticipated or answered by healthcare providers. For instance, she covers necessary and optional tests, diet, drugs, weight and stress management, and the emotional strain of the disorder. Her sections on insurance and paying medical bills are excellent. Internet diabetes expert Rick Mendoza has also contributed a chapter on online resources. Other useful features include a glossary, reading list, and further resources. This excellent volume should inspire patients to manage prudently their disease. Recommended for consumer health collections. Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans' Hosp., Tampa, FL Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description: If you read only one book after you are diagnosed with diabetes, make it The First Year--Type 2 Diabetes Gretchen Becker was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1996. Since then she has educated herself on every aspect of this chronic condition--by reading medical and scientific books and journals, talking with doctors, using the Internet to communicate daily with other people who have diabetes, and by listening to her own body. Now, as a "patient-expert," she guides all those newly diagnosed step-by-step through their first year with diabetes. In a unique format, The First Year--Type 2 Diabetes walks you through everything you need to learn and do each day of your first week after diagnosis, each subsequent week of the first month, and each subsequent month of The First Year.
From the Publisher: In clear, concise, accessible language, Becker covers a wide range of practical, medical, and lifestyle issues, beginning with coming to terms with your diagnosis and then moving on to subjects including: * choosing the diet that is best for you; * the role of exercise; * daily blood-glucose testing routines and understanding lab tests; * medications and supplements; * networking with others; * insurance issues; * traveling and socializing. By giving you the reliable, useful information you need to know when you most need to know it, The First Year--Type 2 Diabetes will be an indispensible book for everyone adjusting to life with diabetes. About the Author Gretchen Becker, a magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Radcliffe College, has also had four years of graduate study in biology at Harvard. A writer and editor specializing in medical books, she lives in Vermont.
Reviews:
Wonderfully Easy to Read and Educational Book: You won't regret getting this book! Gretchen Becker's "The First Year Type 2 Diabetes" is very well-organized, easy to read, and wonderfully educational. It is organized based on the information you need and the amount of detail you can assimilate -- in other words, first things first, with finer points and expanded details later in the book. The information she presents includes the most recent research. She discusses the merits and myths of the most popular diets and treatments you will hear about. I got her book when I was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, before talking with a diabetes educator or attending any classes on diabetes. By the time I was formally educated, I had already heard everything from Gretchen's book, and was also able to identify some dated traditional information. She really helped me understand why there isn't a consensus of opinion on the "best" diet for diabetics, and the source of many unfounded and/or unsubstantiated arguments for and against the popular approaches. For example, she discusses the pros and cons of the Food Pyramid (USDA, ADA), low-fat diets (Ornish, etc), exchange diets (ADA, Zone, Weight Watchers, etc), low-carb diets (Atkins, etc). If you are in the "Your body, your science experiment" camp, she tells you several easy experiments to learn more about your own body processes various foods so you can take control and fine tune your own treatment.
Highly recommended for all newly diagnosed: Having just learned that I have type 2 diabetes, I couldn't ask for a better book to refer to than THE FIRST YEAR. The book is written from the first days, weeks, and months and the order is perfect for what (at least) I have been going through. Becker understands that the reader doesn't really want to get too deep in details about the illness but tells enough that anyone can get a better picture as to what is going on with their body. The book is broken down by living and learning. One section that I found very informative is about the meters. I had no idea that they are affected by elevation. I travel to a mountainous area every year and needed to know this. I can't say enough about this book. Anyone who is newly diagnosed with this disease should get this book and get information your doctor or educator may not tell you.
Need more than 5 stars for this book: I cannot praise this book highly enough. Thank the Good Lord that I found it right after my doctor informed me that I was a type 2 diabetic. When he informed me I kind of went into a state of shock and really didn't hear very much of what he was telling me. All I knew was that my life, as I had known it, was over and that I didn't have very much to look forward to. He, my doctor, had me enroll in a class for diabetics, prescribed some medications, gave me a prescription for a test meter and strips, and told me to come back in two weeks to see how my glucose levels were doing. He did't tell me why he giving me the prescriptions or how they acted on my glucose levels. He didn't tell me how to test or when. I guess he was leaving that up to the class and the pharmacy when I got my meter. By reading this book I now know what he is doing and why. I am also able to take a more active part in my treatment and tailor my medications to achieve a better control. I'm no longer looking at diabetes as a death sentence but as just something to be aware of and to control in order to continue living a full life. Applying what I have learned from this book and working with my doctor, I have achieved good control and my last 2 A1c blood tests were 5.3 and 5.8, well within the normal range even with someone not being diabetic. Outstanding book!!!!
This is the one to get: When I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, I immediately bought half a dozen books on the disease, and friends and family gave me a few more. This is absolutely the best of the bunch. It's comprehensive, and covers as much (or more) as any other book on the market. It's well written, and obviously done by somebody with a brain who doesn't just parrot somebody else's propaganda, but has some wit and skepticism. It also provides good starting points for further research, so you can keep up to date.
Thank goodness: My Nana just got diagnoised with diabetes. She is a young 80 and has always eated WHATEVER she wanted. She also doesn't read much except for Danielle Steele books. The family was worried that she would not educate herself enough to take good care of herself. (she is very very independent) I ordered her this book based on the reviews and she absolutly loves it. She calls it her bible. She says it is easy to read and informative. It gives her practical ways to tackle everyday issues. She referes to it on a daily bases. Thank goodness there is something other than the reqular pile of stuff that the doctor had given her, that was too overwhelming.