Couchsurfing with the Diabetes Fairy

Today was an exciting day as I got to go to Stitch's work place in Central London.
It was dark when we left the house for the train station. We managed to get a seat on the train, Stitch said its one of the advantages of living where she does. We got to Liverpool Street and I was excited as I thought we was going on the tube again, I enjoyed it yesterday. But then we venture outside the station. Her office must be near this big station then. Stitch then explained to me that she walks to her office in the mornings which is about 40 minutes away. This girl certainly likes a walk. The only time she doesn't walk is when its raining heavily.  

We arrived at this huge building near Southwark station, there is a tube station right opposite the building that Stitch could very easily use, but she enjoys her walk. We passed the lifts and started to walk up the stairs, 7 floors later we reach the area where Stitch works. She said she always uses the stairs in the morning! We get to her desk and its now time for breakfast and coffee. But first Stitch tests her blood glucose, 17.8 this morning. Stitch seems to be getting frustrated now with these high numbers.

After breakfast it's time to do some work. Stitch works for a big company based in London called Transport for London. She has worked for the same company for 18 years now, she really enjoys her job. She used to be a train driver! She now works as a manager on the team that write and manage the Rule Books that staff have to work to. She is very busy at the moment with a big project that she is working on with other members of her team. Apparently this company runs the Tube system that we travelled on, that's why she didn't have to look at the map to see where we was going yesterday!

Stitch says it is thanks to her work she found out about her diabetes. At the beginning of August she attended a Health Fair in her building where they check weight, blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol. The nurse on the day was shocked that Stitch's blood glucose came in at 26.6!!! She was shocked that Stitch had no symptoms of diabetes. So she gave her a letter to take along to her doctors to get checked out.

As well as doing her normal work stuff Stitch is also a Physical Activity Champion and helps and encourages people in her workplace to get more active. She organises lunchtime walks a couple of days a week for people in her building and she produces a monthly newsletter with lots of information in it. 

 
We had a spot of lunch then we went out for a stroll as it was a nice day. It was only a quick 20 minutes walk, but Stitch said it helps to clear her head and get ready for the afternoons work.
At the end of the day it was time to go home. This involved the 40 minutes walk back to Liverpool Street station then the train home. 

As it was a tuesday Stitch goes along to her weight watchers meeting to get weighed. So far she has lost just over 7 stone! Stitch gained 2lb last night but wasnt too worried as she knows why. We stay and have a cuppa and a chat then the leader gave a talk. One of the things she talked about was cutting down on sugar. Something Stitch now knows a lot about!

Then it was a walk home. Yep, this girl definitely likes a walk!

She cooked some dinner for her and her partner, its normally something quick on a Tuesday as Stitch is late home because of her weight watchers meeting. A couple of hours later Stitch tests her blood again 22.9, she is definitely getting frustrated by these high numbers now.

Time for a cuppa before bed, we have work again in the morning.  DFx