Anonymous, discreet and wunnnderful!

Ok, so have I been in cave or is Health Coaching so obscure I didn't know it existed? I guess it's becoming more and more utilized as I did a little research on the net and came up with some very interesting information!? I have heard of people having LIFE coaches in regards to their jobs to reach the goals in their journey of life, but I had never heard of a Wellness or Health coach till Kevin started working at Dell. I guess they want their employees and their families as healthy and happy as can be so they can do the best job possible. That is the only reason I see them doling out all that cash to the actual firm who hires the coaches and also GIVES us back a good chunk of the money we pay in quarterly for our health care plan.

I have to be honest... at first, I wasn't really all that keen on telling my woes and worries as well as sharing medical history and daily milestones/setbacks with a stranger over the phone. I have been to some face-to-face counseling sessions where I just felt like a number, given the glazed over nod as well as the "handouts" or reading material to study and hopefully find some solace at home....via "helping myself", but this was completely different. It was a little uncomfortable at first, especially since the person to whom I was speaking with wasn't at all familiar with MY type of Diabetes (CFRD), but I was grasping at straws and figured it "couldn't hurt". My coach, Michelle, is faceless... but I can imagine what she might look like and yet, it doesn't really matter. She has been a Godsend and THERE for me when I needed answers as well as reassurance after being diagnosed recently this year with CF related Diabetes.

I am trying my best to get my blood sugar numbers as stable as possible, but it's almost as sure as sitting at a Roulette table in Vegas. Just when you think you got the pattern down.... "RED, Let it Ride on RED!"... the numbers change and you've lost your chips to BLACK! Well, not quite as drastic as that, but with a pancreas that decides to work when it's "down right ready to and not until" doesn't make my job any easier when trying to figure my insulin dosing. A pat on the back and a reassuring voice telling me that I'll get it sooner or later, or maybe not, but at least I am trying my hardest, HELPS tremendously. It's as frustrating as anything I've ever tried to conquer in my life and not easy to share with friends and loved ones. Sure people care, but they don't really understand what I'm dealing with daily! Some days, I feel like a Yo-Yo... up and down and up and down. I do like Roller coasters, you know, but ONLY when I get on and STRAP myself in. THEN, I know I am on the ride and it will be over soon....["Yabba Dabba Doo, Chuckles!"]... I just don't really like my LIFE and blood sugars being like riding ON one daily. I know that soon I will have a better handle on everything and they will hopefully stabilize so I will not be experiencing the ZOMBIE-like feeling I get when I am injecting OR at "all-time LOW crashes" 'cause my pancreas decided to kick in a little too much.

So, I feel blessed once again in life to know a person that perhaps doesn't know me, face to face, but has gotten to know me in some ways and even though it's her job... I don't feel like THAT is the only reason she is offering her help. She could be like the typical, head nodding counsellor/ coach and do her job as minimally as necessary or she could go the extra mile and really be there to help the person who is sometimes grasping at straws. So far, she has been the latter and I am lucky she is in my life. Perhaps it will just be for a season... or for a reason, but if that's all it is for, then helping me over this hump will be something that I will be forever grateful for regardless of the time allotted in receiving her help. It's very weird, for me, though as I am not used to "taking" and not giving. A new learning experience to get used to!

A Cyster friend of mine commented to me that "It sounded about as expensive as a massage. You deserve all the cheering on that you can get. You give so much to all the rest of us!" I wish that others who are struggling with their own obstacles in life could have a coach to help them over the hump. I have a friend who is losing weight.. and another who has just quit smoking! I KNOW they will have their weak times and a coach would precisely be the one to call during that time... or at least they would have that phone call to look forward to and some accountability, if nothing more. Could YOU be someone's Life or Health coach!? I think we ALL could to some capacity and if it is what it would take to help your loved one or friend... why don't you casually offer. I know I plan to, if the occasion arises!

I was very happy to hear that when my Dell "commitment" is over that it doesn't necessarily have to end my established history and "relationship" I have with my new coach. What a relief and calming feeling to know that I can KEEP her! Thanks, Dell! AND thanks TONS, Michelle... even though you are probably not ever going to read this... or maybe so!? Why not!?
Here is some information about Health/Wellness coaches. It's not the company mine is with, but I thought it was great information! Perhaps you want to seek one out sometime in your life. I'm sure they're not as expensive as a massage... LOL!

Photography is by a friend/colleague that Kevin worked with at Dell. THANK you, Chetna!

http://www.infinitehealthcoach.com/
This is quite extraordinary! I never knew all the people who could be helped with this aide.