Hey LRShooter,
Been there, done that.
Have a family history of Type II (that's what I am), and my diet was awful, as a FAR 121 night package carrier pilot.
9 years ago, flunked the urine test on a 7am early morning, 1st Class medical at the AME.
Went to Family Doc.
A1c test showed 8.7 which was horrible.
He handed me a sheet of paper and said follow this diet.
Also said lose weight, exercise, etc.
Basically eat nothing fun or good (by my then standards), and 3 weeks later I was 7.7 on the A1c test, with the diet only changes !!!
2 weeks after that I achieved 7.2 A1c, and received my Special Issuance First Class Medical.
About 6 weeks after that I was 6.4 on the A1C, which isn't bad.
My situation was salavageable at the time.
Not smart enough to say yours is, but everyone I know that had a path like mine, is back flying by following a reasonable diet, losing weight, exercise, etc..
You may find yourself ultimately on Oral Meds. (still can certifiy to First Class standards), as the disease continues, and if you go all the way, you may be dealing with insulin, once a day or way more often.
That one only allows a Third Class medical, if you jump through a thousand hoops or so.
Only 1,300 or so people have that special issuance from the FAA, again, third class only.
Other countries (Australia, England, Canada to name a few) do allow insulin in the cockpit of big jets, but the FAA is always years behind on this kind of stuff.
The Aeromedical Board of Directors in OKC (I think that's their title), are all new people in the last 2 years, so maybe something might move along on the insulin, but no one really knows what their agenda is.
Good luck, eat right and you'll probably pull this off, at least for now.
Don't forget any options on your LTD (Long Term Disability Insurance) if it's not too late at your FAR 121 carrier.
It has saved my backside on the paycheck.
Be prepared to learn how to do your "Paperwork" to exacting FAA standards, when you get your medical back, unless you like long delays in receiving your special issuance, every time you get another medical.
FAA loves their paperwork and exacting detail on records.
This will take much co-operation from your "treating physician" and his/her office staff.
It must be assembled in a certain way to be expedited, or you will lose much time (and probably work $$$), because of the "system".
Your AME may be good at that, but the majority, will pretend they are, and then fall on their faces (long delays for you).
PM me if you'd like more info.
jabr800