Health Progress
Hi guys!
It's been a while since there was a post, and I wanted to update you all on things.
Overall, progress has been very good for me.
I've lost 35lbs in the last few months. A1C has gone from 11 at the end of April to 5.5 today. My Lipids profile shows the bad cholesterol and stuff is half of what it was in May.
The more concerning stuff is my eyes and heart. An echocardiogram showed that my heart has thickened in the last chamber growing inward which means that it has less volume to fill with blood to pump out to the body. It's not extreme but it is enough to be concerning.
For my eyes, I have severe non-proliferative retinopathy. I'm getting anti-VEGF injections in the eye because its on the verge of becoming proliferative, which means leaky/weak blood vessels. The hope is the injections will help stabilize things and my vision shouldn't get worse and stay stable.
My kidneys are fine, last time my labs were done in May they showed minor amounts of protein leakage but it was just above baseline and that seems to have stopped.
I've basically cut all carbohydrates and maintained strict calorie control for the last 3months while doing my best to do multiple daily walks of 1 mile. I wanted to do more but I'm still having problems with my blood pressure. I'm waiting to see the cardiologist and neurologist this month about my heart and that.
I really have just been relaxing and taking it easy while working on myself. I was going to give more frequent updates but I didn't have any progress on resuming writing on things yet. But I'm hopeful, especially with the good results today.
I know the hardest part of this isn't actually managing to do this well (over the last few months) but maintaining it for the rest of my life. It's a bit daunting.
Actually, one of the reasons I had health insurance this year was because of the books doing well on amazon and audible. I was able to get a health.gov plan. Without that I don't think I would be able to afford all the medical care/medicine I'm getting now, so it has basically saved me there.
Thanks to all of you again.
Comments (26)
Its now mid september 2026.Are you still alive?
Yes. I'm still alive! Things have been up and down. I've been on top of my blood sugar, but my eyes have been a problem, more-so with my right one than the left. I've had to get Laser panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) and continue the injections since this post, and the laser has been really rough. Acuity keeps bouncing between 20/20 and 20/40 and while I had a good run of working on Shipcore in june and july it sort of washed out without any milestones and I ended up depressed again. It feels like despite doing the right things it still is slowly getting worse, and maintaining the strict diet forever has been wearing.
Glad to know you're doing better! Take care of yourself first, the world of writing will wait for you. I'm rooting for you!
Hey can we get another update, just to confirm you're alive and kicking!
Yeah! I'm alive. Been cooking a little but don't want to start releasing anything until I am sure it won't sputter off again. Doing better.
Hey Erios, how are you doing, still alive and kicking. Don’t worry about writing any of your books, just focus on getting better.
Hi Erios909, just wanted to send a reminder/tip on how to handle the holidays when dealing with an illness that requires watching what you eat. Here’s the tip: make a detailed plan, list probable obstacles to that plan, and have a backup or contingencies to overcome those obstacles. So decide how much you are going to eat and when. Also for example, if you get roped in as a tastetester for the food before it’s plated for the family then make sure you use a small spoon for testing (not a serving spoon). Maybe a friend or family member loves their wine and always wants to share; choose to drink water during the day (maybe buy a water bottle you like) and keep it close. Maybe choose to have some wine, but manage the amount. Also, if you’re drinking lots of water then you probably won’t be as thirsty or hungry. This is a lot of unasked for advice. Maybe it doesn’t even apply. I’m just worried that I haven’t seen any updates from you in a while and hope you’re doing well. Taking care of yourself should be your first and top priority. Guess I just wanted you to know that I was thinking about you. Best! I’ll leave this in the most recent post since the advice is pretty good (I think) and can help anybody.
Can we get an update on how you are doing. please? Monthly, perhaps?
Hello, take care, we have only one body without spare, pls how is ShipCore 5 looking? Can we ecpect it anytime soon?
When I was 24 I had a similar issues I was told I die in 5 years. I am 56 and fully recovered. You got this and can do this. Recently I violated my diet Got incredibly sick. Just cheated one day ate lots of junk food. (I was very very stupid like an alcoholic falling of a wagon). Keep to your discipline and you got this. No carbs Ever! Consistency is Very important!
BistroMD is an online food service like Hello Fresh that has meals for diabetics, keto meals, etc. I used it when my A1C was 11.3, and went down to 5.7. I won't tell you the meals are Fantastic! or The Best I've Ever Had!, they are decent, and they come delivered kind of like frozen dinners. I live in the US, idk if you do. Idk if they deliver outside of the US. You can get 21 meals for $200 or something (breakfast, lunch, dinner for a week). Check it out, maybe it will help. idk. Also, maybe buy a treadmill. I have problems with my back walking on uneven surfaces like sidewalks and streets, but treadmills work for me. You can also walk it during harsh weather. I typically read a book while I walk.
Keep it up! Your story is inspirational.
Number one thing is health. Hope you continue to get better!
To many authors daring to have health problems...I NEED MY FIX DAMN IT!
Wish you the best, I've had dilated cardiomyopathy since 2011, it won't be quick but stick with your treatments. My EF was 16 now it's 29. My A1C was 8 now 5. Went from 385 to currently 235. All is possible just hard work.
I'm glad you are doing better. I'm on dialysis myself and have also lost a lot of weight. I was wondering if you will publish mercenary of lastia on kindle? I love that story and hope for more.
I hope you get better!
Wish you the best, being sick is not fun. Been dealing with a genetic condition for the last 6 years, had to stop indie game development to get good health insurance.
glad you are improving your health , keep up the good work
Glad you are doing better! It does suck that your country has doesn't have affordable health care like developed countries.
Hot damn! 5.5 down from 11 is amazing! That's quite an accomplishment. I know the other stuff feels overwhelming, but it's totally surmountable if you keep your motivation up. You've got this!
Keep taking care of yourself,dear :) I hope you will soon find an ok maintenance routine to follow and be alright. Sending you lots of strength
Im glad to hear you are doing better. I admit I worried not hearing from you for so long. But when it comes to your health you don't owe me or anyone else anything. I look forward to hearing more from you, but don't push yourself too hard!
Take care of yourself. You got this. You have to live to continue to write ✍🏻 story’s.
Take care of yourself erios !!
Hope you feel better soon