Diabetes Awareness
Diabetes is a chronic disease that has no cure. It is a leading cause of death by disease. If it is left untreated or improperly managed, the high levels of blood sugar associated with diabetes can slowly damage both the small and large blood vessels in the body, resulting in a variety of complications: Heart disease, adult blindness, kidney disease, limb amputation and erectile disfunction, among others.
My personal story goes from having a diabetic father who died in 2000 due to heart complications, even if he too good care of himself, to being diagnosed in 2001 with Type 2 Diabetes and I have to sting myself every single day to watch my blood sugar levels; I take medication three times a day and I (try to) follow a diet. Still I don't think I have reached the point where I'm properly responsible for my condition (I should exercise more) and I have to read the facts about the Diabetes toll again and again to understand that this is not something I can joke about.
November is Diabetes Awareness month and I'll ask you, if you can, to get informed about this disease and to make a little donation to the organizations that work doing research to find a cure. If you're in Canada, maybe you can check the Canadian Diabetes Association site and get more informed about this "silent killer". I send my check regurlaly every 6 months to help to find a cure for me and for millions of people who have to live with this disease every day without knowing at what point it'll turn into something worse. The CDA keeps me informed, they send magazines, coupons with diabetic-friendly products and frequent reports about the progress in research.
There's still so much to do, but the most important thing is to educate people so they will understand that the efforts of the world should be pointed to work in the search for health and the well being of the human kind, instead of a way to destroy each other.
November 1st, 2002 - 14:41
Thank you, Bea, for this most important post. Mike was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes a few years ago, so I know what you must go through. He doesn’t have to give himself insulin each day, but he still has to deal with those test strips and all. Not to mention more frequent eye exams, because of the heightened risk of glaucoma.
I agree…we need to find a cure!
Thank you again for this post!
November 1st, 2002 - 14:47
I don’t get insulin shots either, but I have to test every day with a lancet device. It can be a burden when you’re newly diagnosed; getting used to carry the glucometer around and having to excuse while you go and pinch yourself in private (so some people won’t gross out) and the simple discomfort it causes is too much sometimes. I think I’m going to add a Glucowatch to my futures purchases. :smile:
November 2nd, 2002 - 21:34
My mom has type 2 diabetes. She was diagnosed 6 years ago and today she’s doing really well. She takes metaformin twice a day and by following a strict diet she was allowed to stop using insuline. Diabetes is awful but if you take good care of yourself, watch what you eat and excercise regularly you’re heading in the right direction. :)
November 2nd, 2002 - 21:34
My mom has type 2 diabetes. She was diagnosed 6 years ago and today she’s doing really well. She takes metaformin twice a day and by following a strict diet she was allowed to stop using insuline. Diabetes is awful but if you take good care of yourself, watch what you eat and excercise regularly you’re heading in the right direction. :)
November 3rd, 2002 - 21:52
My sister has it. She was trying to diet and fainted, was rushed to the ER which is how she found out she had it. She’s on insulin, but has a device attached to her hip, about the size of a pager, that administers doses throughout the day to keep her levels normal. She does quite well, but it’s a constant vigil. We should all pay close attention to our health.
Hope you’re doing well. See you soon! :wave:
January 12th, 2003 - 22:22
My friend has diabetes and she does just fine. She takes insulin. It doesn’t affect her daily rutine much. She an ordinary person. If she wouldn’t have told me she had it, I wouldn’t have even known! :angel: