The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: A Patient-Expert Guide for the Newly Diagnosed

by Gretchen Becker

Diagnosed with type-2 or non-insulin dependent diabetes in 1996, Gretchen Becker educated herself on every aspect of this chronic condition by reading medical books, talking with doctors, listening to her own body, and using the Internet to communicate daily with other people with diabetes. Now, as a patient-expert, she guides all those newly diagnosed through everything they need to learn and do in the crucial first year after diagnosis. This indispensable guide simplifies but never patronizes, and offers a wider approach than any so far adhered to by doctors. It answers all the questions that assail the newly how to cope with daily maintenance? How to make sense of the terminology about measurement of blood-glucose levels? How to build self-knowledge and confidence? How, overall, best to adjust to life with diabetes?

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Reference, Medical

Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book from which I learned much. Explained everything one needs to know about diabetes. Great resource.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is awesome if you are indeed lucky enough to have type 2 diabetes and a weird doctor whose summation of your new life is "Don't eat potatoes or sugar." Because, apparently, THERE'S MORE TO IT THAN THAT.

[Liz Throop · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Gary Taubes is the theory, Becker is the practice. i am neither a diabetic nor pre-diabetic, but this has changed my life. I recommend Your First Year to anyone concerned about their health. Becker is clear, sensible, and convincing.

[Keith Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been a big help to me. It was my primary information source when I was first diagnosed. I recommend it to anyone newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent, down-to-earth and straightforward book for the newly diagnosed diabetic. It addressed pretty much all of my questions, misgivings and doubts and gave me a solid foundation for understanding my own diabetes.
There are no wonder drugs. Someone with type 2 diabetes can't lick lead paint, swallow a teaspoon of cat litter every morning to cure the condition or do any of a million outlandish things to cure it. This book showed me a clear, commonsense path for managing my condition. I recommend it to anyone who is ready to address their diabetes with honesty and a clear head.

[ROBERTO · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started on COPD Herbal treatment from Ultimate Life Clinic, the treatment worked incredibly for my lungs condition. I used the herbal treatment for almost 4 months, it reversed my COPD. My severe shortness of breath, dry cough, chest tightness gradually disappeared. Reach Ultimate Life Clinic via their WEBSITE www.ultimatelifeclinic.com . I can breath much better and It feels comfortable!

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes I found this book to be thorough enough, but not too thorough as to be clinical, to be understood and informative. In a way, it is also motivational. All details of living with the illness seem to be covered.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential reading for a diabetic, at risk to be diabetic or other interested folks. Not everyone will be interested in every facet covered but there is a lot of ground covered.

[Anne Peverett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good for newbies

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book full if information about Diabetes.

[Lawon Clayton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scarier than any horror book I've ever read. Lol

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This year, my Mom was diagnosed with diabetes. And her doctors did not give her any information about living with diabetes. Just said, "You have diabetes. Have a nice day." Mom was like:



From being a freelance writer, I knew that Mom had mild diabetes and that some doctors would not even consider her test scores in the diabetic range. Because we freelance writers have to know this shit. It's part of the job. Anyway, Mom refused to believe anything I told her because that's the job Moms do.

So I had to scour my library system and discovered three books for her about diabetes. Two of them she didn't bother to read more than 30 pages and then there was this. I thought I better read it, too, since Mom couldn't be bothered to finish this one, either. And since I have hypoglycemia I know that the odds of me getting diabetes is honkin' huge.



The best thing about this book is that it's written not only by a good writer but someone who suffers from Type 2 diabetes. She lets you know what you are in for -- including fights with snot-nosed doctors, how to talk to people who keep urging you to break your diabetic diet and even what expenses to consider (if you are an American diabetic.) There are also good lists of websites, support groups and where to find the latest information on diabetes studies and research.

After reading this, you'll still have diabetes but at least you know it isn't the end of the world. And you'll also know more about your condition that most doctors seem to.

[Sally Hitchin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gretchen writes from experience and also knowledge in a very clear way. She conveys information and useful advice and highlights problems and possible alternative solutions or methods to seek one, in a down to earth and accessible format. The chapters are short, clear and concise. They can be read in sequence or stand alone.
After diagnosis, many of us, find it hard to take on board what we are told at the clinic as often there is shock and denial present after what feels like intimations of our own mortality.

This book can help you review and learn at your own pace in your own home as and when you are ready. The format is set out to take you step by step through the first year after your diagnosis. It's a bit like someone walking alongside you and is very helpful and non-threatening.

Gretchen Becker also tackles the thorny issue of diet or way of eating and gives a comprehensive review of the various options.

There are good references, glossary and for this version she asked me to include information on resources available to us Type 2 Dmers (people with Type 2 diabetes) here in the UK.

Other than a flat fee for writing the chapter (already received), I have no financial interest in recommending this book.

I first read the US version and learned a lot despite 23 years of living with this darn disease. 26 years on after diagnosis and I am still learning. I would highly recommend anyone with Type 2 diabetes, (or their family) or even medics or DSN's (Diabetes Specialist Nurses) to read and have this as a reference and even better a loan copy for newly diagnosed people with Type 2 diabetes.

If you want to learn about your newly diagnosed disease and how best to manage it so you live with it and not be managed by it, then buy a copy, read, take on board the info in the book, and you'll be empowered to live a full and healthy life even with Type 2 diabetes.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of a "First Year" series for various diseases. Unfortunately in the American healthcare system, despite its enormous cost, doctors often have very little time to sit and talk to patients. As a result, books like this are extremely useful. This book is especially valuable insofar as many other books about diet and/or diabetes are just pure gibberish, telling people, for example, that they can have French toast as long as they make it with maple syrup. Becker's book does a good job of explaining what is more evidence-based, while also maintaining a very supportive tone helping people with the emotional aspects of a diabetes diagnosis.
The calendar organization of the book is artificial, with some items at the very end useful right away, so most people would benefit most from just reading the whole thing at once if possible. There is a great deal of useful practical information here that most doctors, nurses and dietitians probably never tell most patients. It's not fair that people with a distressing diagnosis have to go and find this book and read it, but it's wonderful that it exists.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very helpful; I'm so glad it was recommended to me and that I sprung for my own copy. So far I've learned several useful things from it after the first couple chapters. Becker is good at explaining things diabetics should know in ways most laypeople can understand (I'm really bad at anatomy and biology). She explains things I was unaware of from my doctor, diabetic nurse, and the ADA website, as well as offering a lot of additional resources. She writes in plain English that doesn't require the time or concentration of a textbook. I already have a better understanding of what I can eat and where my Type 2 diabetes probably comes from, genetically/evolutionarily. I think I understand what *kind* of Type 2 I am, which gives me more insight into what my body does and how to work with it.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I own this in softcover. What a great book! It really tell you about the disease and all different options on dealing with it. No opinions on each option, but very informative facts about each option. Everyone is truly different when it comes to diabetes.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it because it's come down through my grandpa and my mother, and because I wanted to know everything I could when my mom was diagnosed.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical guide to diabetes. Can be read one chapter a month as it covers the first year from being diagnoised.

[Christine Stanford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am learning a lot from this book and I can see it as a reference that I will be going back to time and time again.

[Dave Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent self empowering approach to dealing with all the challenges you could imagine.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information and well written.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful, great info, and easy for a lay-person to understand.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of the information is a little dated, but overall a good book for new diabetics.

[JD Merrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for the newly diagnosed. I re-read a lot to keep myself in check.

[sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seems quite helpful. Clear, logical information. Will need to read it again to absorb more of it.