Jim's Obit

[daddydawg]

Just received this copy of Jim's Obit from his sister. Thought some might like to see. Great pic of Jim in his younger days.

According to his sister, almost all of his adult life he sported a beard until he retired and started to coming to Thailand.

 

[TotallyOz]

Thank you so much for sharing this. Jim was a great guy and he lived a fine life. He told me stories about riding his motorbike around Utah many years ago. I have some land not too far from where he lived most of his life and his stories were always interesting.

[Guest Thor69]

I am deeply saddened to learn of Jim's death. We have had many conversations and I have always enjoyed my time spent with him.

 

Let this serve as a warning to all the readers of this forum. Diabetes is something that can cause damage to the body and make your life miserable. Please, if you haven't had your glucose levels tested recently, do so. If you're overweight, get on a diet and exercise program. Don't let this disease harm you in any way. Simple lifestyle changes put into effect on a daily basis can make your life better now and in the future.

[Guest thaiworthy]

Diabetes is something that can cause damage to the body and make your life miserable

Tell me about it.

 

I've posted this before on other forums, so it's old news for the people who know me. I've had diabetes for 20+ years and still kicking. In 2009 my doctor told me to lose weight. I weighed over 280 and my BMI (body mass index) was 40. Normal is 23-25.

 

He suggested gastric bypass and I had it done by the end of that year. I've lost 110 lbs. since then. They told me my sleep apnea would go away and I would not need my CPAP machine. That was true. Now I breathe at night, unassisted. However, they also told me it would cure the diabetes, which it did-- almost. I still have to take a little bit of insulin, but nowhere near the amounts I took before. I still test myself 2-3 times a day, but it is still a struggle. Although my BMI is now about 25, and my weight hovers around 170. My blood glucose levels are around 150-180, which is still too high. My problem at present is that I am not getting any exercise. I hate exercise and that is a bad attitude. With this last obstacle to overcome I think I can nudge the sugar levels down even further. Maintaining the weight loss is a matter of diet, and generally I just avoid too many carbs, like bread, pasta and potatoes.

 

Jim's levels were horrid. He told me he had sugars of 500+ almost on a daily basis. It's a wonder how he lived as long as he did.

 

I just had a stress test and need to get my ass into a gym and join up. I've been putting it off for so long. Mebbe now is a good time. Thanks for the reminder, Thor69. Good advice.

[Guest buckeroo2]

I hate exercise and that is a bad attitude.

I just had a stress test and need to get my ass into a gym and join up. I've been putting it off for so long. Mebbe now is a good time. Thanks for the reminder, Thor69. Good advice.

 

I hate exercise, too. I started making lifestyle changes when I turned 40 and that was almost 20 years ago. I am from the U.S. and the obesity epidemic is getting worse there. I can always tell when I get off the plane that I am in the U.S. - large masses everywhere - including young people and most of my family. I started going to the gym when I turned 40 - I hated it for many years - never got used to it - just looked at as a necessity. I never used convenient excuses to skip exercise as it is just way too easy to get away from the routine. I go to the gym 4X a week - 2 hours at a time. While I can finally say that I do not hate it I still keep an eye on my watch as I am anxious for the routine to be over. When I get in a motivational funk, I hire a trainer for a few months to get the juices flowing again. Four years ago I quit smoking and now I seldom ever have any alcohol - maybe 2-3 times a year. My life is so boring but I am indeed fit and healthier than I have ever been. I guess for me my vanity is the driving force - it is much stronger than any vices that I used to have. It is all mind over matter.

[Guest RobertAngel30]

I would suggest Benfotiamine to help with preventing damage caused by the sugar.