After Gretchen Becker was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1996, she educated herself on every aspect of this chronic condition — by reading medical and scientific books and journals, talking with doctors and listening to her own body. In 2001, she marshaled everything she had learned as a "patient-expert" into the first edition of this book, which she has now completely updated and revised. The First Year®—Type 2 Diabetes uniquely guides you step-by-step through your first year with diabetes, walking 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 crucial first year. 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 tes...
Customer Reviews:
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Knows what she is talking about, 2008-06-29
This book has really helped me to find out about Type 2 diabetes. I had no idea what it was until I was told that I had it. I thought all people with diabetes had to take insulin shots! Gretchen Becker has been like having a good friend taking you through the steps. I highly recommend it for anyone newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
Yolanda Gungl
0 of 0 found this review helpful:
A lot of very good information., 2008-06-18
I was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and my doctor recommended this book. It's got a lot of information in it, presented in clear, understandable language. When there are different points of view on topics (like diets) she doesn't take sides but presents the issues. Worth a read if you're trying to figure out what being diabetic is all about and how to handle it.
0 of 0 found this review helpful:
Great information!, 2008-05-31
I have just received my diagnosis and gone for individual session and 3 hour class session. So far, this book has been more helpful than all the facts "that were recited quickly to me" at the certified diabetes education center, sponsored by the local hospital (at the tune of $300.00). Since I've always had to have books around me, this particular book is very good for me because I can refer back many times to those areas that get "fuzzy" while I'm trying to figure out the exact changes I need to make in my personal life. I like it that the author puts everything in layman terms but is very knowledgeable in medical terms. I recommend this to anyone who has been recently diagnosed with diabetes and is trying to "digest" all this new information quickly. This is a great resource, you can re-read and refer back to info many times, and the price of the book (for all the info) is much cheaper than paying for individual and group classes where many instructors are not good communicators!! The knowledge that we have is our "power" because ultimately WE are the ones that have to manage our own diabetes -- no one else can do it for us -- day in and day out!! We should keep this book handy for many quick references.
0 of 0 found this review helpful:
Type 2 Diabetes and a new life, 2008-05-29
The book is a wonderful tool for those who have just been diagnosed with diabetes. It supports your emotional needs from day one. The medical background is thorough and you get overloaded with information. All of the information is presented several times throughout the book in practical applications. You need to read the book several times and some chapters more than once to begin to understand the complexity of the disease and how to manage it. The author does stress that you need support systems and persons working with you and your doctor to get control of your body. I never truely understood how critical diabetes is and suffered daily from the effects of diabetes. I am now trying to gain back my life.
0 of 0 found this review helpful:
Clearly written but not dumbed-down, 2008-03-27
After going through several books and websites I found Gretchen's book to be the best organized, most clearly written, and most important, not at all dumbed down for the masses. The book presents a smart combination of what you need to know about your day to day life with Diabetes together with detailed scientific/medical information. For me, that made all the difference. For the first time I was starting to understand what this disease is about and make some sense of the myriad of treatments, diets, medications, tests, tools, and whatnot. Gretchen manages to compose a book that's smart but not theoretical and contains information that is actually useful for making better choices in your life. In addition, the book has a good number of categorized and annotated references allowing you to explore further whatever topics interest you the most (up to and including nutritional biochemistry).
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