Thursday, November 11, 2010

Diabetes is scary stuff!

Most of the time I can keep light-hearted about my diabetes.  I have three or four meters right now.  Have I even mentioned how I like gadgets?  I love shocking people.  Watching their jaws drop when they find out I have five kids, five girls at that, and the oldest one being a senior in high school (I look much younger than I am)... oh that's so much fun.  Now I get to add watching their reactions when they find out that I'm Type 2 is also fun.  Yes, I have to admit it's fun.  "You can't be Type 2!  You're so young!  You're not.. umm..." (I think to myself, "FAT?")  "Yes, I know I'm not stereotypical.  I'm young and at a healthy weight."  Yeah, that's fun!  I love talking to others about the challenges of having diabetes.  The carb counting, exercise, keeping glucose numbers in check, stereotypes, etc.  Then reality sets in for a while. 

This afternoon I heard a commercial on the radio. Two men were having a friendly conversation and all of the sudden one stopped talking due to a heart attack.  Then a voice came in talking about about diabetics and their increased risk of heart conditions.  As I sat there in the car, I started crying. Diabetes is scary stuff! 

There are some days I'm in denial.  Afterall I'm only 40 years old and at a healthy weight.  How in the world could I have a chronic disease like diabetes?  I actually just admitting in the last week that my disease is chronic.  What a blow!  Quite often I think of my grandpa who lost both of his legs from diabetes.  On those days I'm scared out of my mind!  I'm so young.  How can I keep this under control that long?  I'm hoping to live at least as long as he did.  Grandpa lived into his early 80s.  Mom, I love you very much.  Please don't worry.  My words probably sound worse than I actually feel right now.  I allow myself to have these momentary pity parties, then I pick myself up and move on.  If I've learned nothing else from my parents (and I have learned plenty), it's to not let life knock you down.  We're stubborn people that set out to prove others wrong when they tell us we can't do it.


You think I can't beat diabetes?  Watch me!



1 comment:

  1. You go, girl!! I have the opposite condition (hyPOglycemia) but have been wanting to get a meter, just to make sure I don't swing the other way.

    Anyway, I digress...

    You are an inspiration! I love that you don't let it get you down for long and you FIGHT BACK! THAT is a strong, positive role model. Your children and your friends are lucky to have that.

    {{hugs}}

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