Dear sisters, please keep.me and your thoughts and prayers. I have had a rough couple of weeks. I am still homeless. I will have an apartment in the middle of April. I had my first endo appointment for HRT my blood work has come back bad my cholesterol is too high and now i have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I am on my way home to bury my brother who was shot and killed on saturday.my exmother in law died last week. We were very close too. I am not quitting and going forward so I can live this life as me with out the masks. I just needed to share after these bad couple of weeks. Any one with advice on transition and diabetes? Thanks you danielle.

No advice I am afraid, just a great big virtual hug. It sounds like you have had a perfectly horrible couple of weeks.  I sincerely hope things improve and quickly.

Rosie.

sorry to hear about your difficulties , hope for the better.

No advice I can really give, just don't give up, even when it seems hopeless. I'm sending out of digital hugs to help you in this your time of need. I hope everything works out for you!

Danielle, I am so sorry to hear you have been having such trials. My thoughts are with you. I pray your lot improves soon.

Now, keeping in mind that I am not a doctor, there are things you can do. As regards your cholesterol, you can start by reducing saturated fats in your diet, eat more raw vegetables, enjoy steel-cut oatmeal for breakfast... that sort of thing. Avoid fast food places, stay off nitrates and other salts, no soft drinks... Some of these will help with the LDL levels, but a gradual body weight reduction is also something you need to do. Change the way you eat and you are half way there. There are a few things which contribute to type 2 diabetes, diet (what you usually eat) is an important one. Losing weight and reducing your sugar intake is where we are going with this. If you can get your blood sugar under control without chemical intervention, your overall health will vastly improve.
Getting back to the cholesterol, the endgame is the introduction of statens (eg Lipitor). This will bring the LDL to an acceptable level, but don't think of this as a magic bullet... you still have to alter the way you eat, and, by the way, you also need to get exercise. A brisk 30 minute walk at least 5 times a week is a good, cheap start and will also help with the diabetes. Oh yes... one more side benefit: you will feel great

So, you are going have an apartment in a few weeks, you will be able to well adjust your eating, and soon the health benefits will be felt. A candle has been lit against the darkness that has recently suurrounded you, there is good cause for hope, I know you will prevail.

Hope this helps...

Danielle,
Ellie is pretty much spot on.  I began HRT twenty months ago.  Two and a half years ago, when I finally could go no further pretending to be a man and knew I had to do something or wither into something very sad or very dead, my total cholesterol was 225, I weighed 195 lbs (88.4 kg), and I had a BMI of 29.  Fasting blood sugar wasn't too awful, but over 100.  Once I acknowledged in my heart who I authentically was, I was able to begin practicing the regimen Ellie suggests.  I'm now jogging 5k most days, eating balanced but small portioned foods, and use absolutely no drugs or alcohol.  My doc put me on 20mg of simvastatin daily  and all my numbers are good Cholesterol 150, Wt 153 lbs (69.4kg), blood Sugar 92.

That said I'm not and never was homeless, which makes everything infinitely harder. I grieve for your brother.  I had a brother murdered in Little Rock 40 years ago and I still weep for him.  If you need to talk, let me know.

I'm glad you are starting this journey, there are friends to be made and lessons offered. All for free and all with love.
j

Danielle,

   I can think of nothing worse than getting the news that one of my brothers had died. I think there is NOTHING worse that could happen to me. Such a sad event happens, eventually, to most of us. I know you'll get through this, and wish you well.

Danielle,
I know nothing I could say would relieve your pain, but just know my thoughts and prayers are with you. As to advice, Ellie is spot on as to your diet. I also have type 2 diabetes so I also am interested what others have to say about this and HRT. It would break my heart if I couldn't get HRT due to that fact. I am text book with everything else thank god. But this topic has brought up a concern.

I do sincerely hope that life gets better for you. Especially glad you are getting an apartment soon. It is never easy losing a loved ones, especially family. Hang in there sweetie, life is a sign wave. Everything has its ups and downs. Never the less I will be thinking about you.

Hugs

Thank you all for your kind words. What do say to your sister in law who just killed your brother in an accidental shooting?All I could do was hug and comfort her while hoping she faces justice.  It has been a tough couple of days. Hugs danielle