Diabetes Management in Primary Care

Authors: Unger, Jeff

Title: Diabetes Management in the Primary Care Setting, 1st Edition

Copyright 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

> Front of Book > Preface

Preface

When Sonya Seigafuse, the publisher for Lippincott, first asked me to consider writing a textbook on diabetes for primary care physicians in 2005, I could not wait to begin the project. I remember sitting down at my desk on day one, taking a swig of coffee (prepared by my dear wife, Lisa) and another of diet coke (hey, I was a little thirsty after my 4 AM stairmaster workout), laying out all my important material for the day's work and nothing happened! I was in a panic mode, thinking they want me to write this book in 6 months and I haven't the slightest idea what to say or how to say it! Remember that Jack Nicholson movie, The Shining, in which Jack, who is supposed to be an author, spends the entire movie typing only one line over and over again? By the end of week one, Jack had actually accomplished more than I did, because all I had written on page 1 was Diabetes. My writing coordinator, Nancy Winter, checked in with me after the first week to see how I was doing. I guess she figured I had finished four or five chapters by that time because she sounded so excited to speak with me. Not wanting to disappoint her too much, I explained to Nancy, using my best possible double talk, that I had successfully completed the first word of the book and was about to move on to work on word number two. To my surprise, Nancy seemed quite impressed by my spelling and grammar and looked forward to receiving periodic updates on my choice of punctuation marks. Having never taken on a project as time consuming, all-encompassing, and important as this, I tip my hat to everyone at Lippincott for being the best coaches, editors, publishers, marketers, and artists a rookie author could ask for!

But wait, Lippincott, I am not finished with you just yet! Before I began writing this text book I really thought I knew this disease state quite well. How wrong I was! The new knowledge that I have acquired over the past year has provided me with a fresh outlook on how diabetes can be successfully managed by any physician in this country. I know that my patients had a difficult time when I was out of the office working on the manuscript. Their patience and encouragement have helped me develop novel ways to co-manage their cardiovascular disease, mental illness, chronic kidney disease, neuropathy, and emotional unrest. I salute my patients who, over the years, have allowed me to participate in every aspect of their medical care. Yes, there certainly is a connection between the mind, the body, and the soul!

Rabbis Mendy and Sholom Harlig Baruch Hashem!

As your second grade teacher told you, Gracie, Every book must have a beginning, a middle, and an end. I bet you thought Daddy's book would never end, did you? Thanks for hugging my leg each morning before you went to school and letting me play Emergency Room Doctor with you when I needed a break. The best part about playing ER doc was that you never once asked me for my insurance card!

Muffin, I am not sure who is a better writer, you or your Daddy. I do know for certain that no one can write a better song or sing a better tune than you. I'll bet you didn't know that some days I would listen to one or two of your songs on my computer just to delay starting my less important work for a few extra minutes. I can't wait to autograph this book for you so that someday you will reciprocate and do the same for me on your first number 1 single Daddy's Box of Memories.

Although my name is on this book's cover, the real force behind the completion of this project is my incredible wife, Lisa. Ever since I was first diagnosed with diabetes in 1986, Lisa has watched over my health more than I have. I have hit the wall more than once over the year while working on this manuscript. Through these difficult times, Lisa has rubbed my feet, spoken words of encouragement, and even on one occasion hung up on a publisher wanting to discuss writing another book on a different topic! As Lisa is my soulmate, this book is dedicated to my better half.