Comments on: New here

By: Jackson Inge

Jackson Inge — Tue, 17 Aug 2004 20:22:08 +0000

Well, that is why this is such an individual thing. It affects everyone differently. I have been taking shots since I was 5. Do I like it? Hell no. I take them because it is what I have to do to live. Period. Would I jump at the chance to be free of it? Most likely. But I would first consider how the cure would affect my life as a whole. I would still rather be diabetic than have cancer or AIDS. Do I resent the fact that I am diabetic & my brother is healthy as a horse and never had any real medical problems? Actually, no I don’t. I look at where I am in life and I can honestly say that the discipline I have learned from being diabetic has gotten me alot further in life. I still don’t think I am suffering. I feel very badly for those who ARE suffering, though. Didn’t mean to upset anyone….just thought I would be able to vent a little of my frustration. You know….like everyone else does……Ill shut up now.

stacy
KATE GREENE

I am resentful too, and have been for 37 yrs. I hardly ever let myself feel pity…..negative feeling. I am so tired of the injections, blood checks, having to lug the stuff around, stay up to inject Lantus, rather than sleep when I want to. Always act healthy in front of your employer, when you are not. Nothing is spontaneous, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a date want to do something or eat spontaneously and I can’t accomodate because of my own schedule,plus this may make a difference in commitments. Always thinking of what I put into my mouth (mental) and adjusting the insulin. Having to adjust for exercise or sick days. This is all additional thinking that other people don’t have to consider. One is always aware of living with this disease, always. Sorry, but I have always limited myself, my future because of this disease.

I am lucky that I haven’t had any serious complications so far, but of course I know that won’t last forever.

Think it was Judith that asked why we think we are where we are with this disease…..

I contribute it to a lot of things, genes, when I was diagnosed (19 yrs old), got it from a virus. While I haven’t adhered strictly to diet, I’ve always been active and tried to eat baked, broiled and kept my weight the same.
Liz

Stacy,

Thanks for your reply, I know we all have our own opinions and I’m
glad that you are able to live so well with this disease. I admire
you for that.
In my opinion and experience though, I do not think that
the “suffering” just comes from complications, you could say that I
have not yet developed any complications, I am 23 and have had this
disease since I was 11, I have had some vision changes and experience
some numbness in my toes when exercising, but nothing that would be
considered a “compication”. But I do feel that I am suffering
because I can not live my life as I wish, everything I do has to be
planned in advance, I eat healthy and exercise everyday,
yet I still suffer from highs and lows, which makes trying to stay
healty very difficcult. and I am just sick of people saying it’s no
big deal when it is!

By: Jackson Inge

Jackson Inge — Tue, 17 Aug 2004 02:12:33 +0000

Liz,

I’m very sorry that I upset you. My point was that just because a person is diabetic, that does not mean that they have are suffering. The suffering is a result of the complications and not all diabetics have complications.

I am NOT trying to make it sound like NO diabetic suffers. I have had experience with complications-I had a blood clot on the retina of my right eye in 1999. I had several laser treatments and then had to go in for actual surgery. That was pretty damned scary. I thank God that I have not had any other problems.

I just get really tired of the media making it sound like I am a pity case just because my pancreas doesn’t work. I’m not. And I DON’T take diabetes lightly. I just don’t let it define who I am. Maybe I am just blessed to be able to live that way. I’m just glad to have something I can be treated, rather than something that cannot.

Again I am sorry.

Stacy
Liz

I am sorry, but I AM suffering. A LOT!!!!!!!! And I know that there
is only going to be more suffering in the future. I can’t believe

anyone would say they wouldn’t take a cure if there was one. I’d be
the first in line for a cure!!!!!!!! there are so many complications
that come along with this disease, even if you have the tightest
control. So it just baffles me that you would say people with
diabetes aren’t suffering or that you wouldn’t take a cure. Our
bodies would be sooo much healthier and we would have so much more
freedom to live our lives and be spontaneous. This disease is
horrible and I hope and pray that a cure is found soon. I ,
therefore resent anyone who takes this disease lightly—maybe you’ve
just been lucky and do not know what others are going through–who
knows. I apologize if I am ranting but that just made soo mad that
someone would say that people with diabetes aren’t suffering!

By: Jackson Inge

Jackson Inge — Mon, 16 Aug 2004 08:02:57 +0000

Hey Judith….I will try to zip out your way once I have my license! You don’t have to go up with me, but it will be a heck of a story, huh?? I know another T1 that does aerobatics (does air show circuit to educate diabetic kids) and he mentioned how cool it would be to have an all diabetic aerobatic team…….I’m still working on straight & level, but it is a heck of an idea!!

Stacy
Judith Ann

Hear, hear!!! And I totally agree with you, Stacy, that one of the keys to living with diabetes is attitude. (With DIABETES?????? Heqq, with LIFE!!!!) I credit my mom with giving me the attitude that it’s ONLY something I live & deal with, NOT something I feel sorry for myself about, not something I let limit me, and most assuredly, not something I ever let control me or my life. Which is NOT to say I don’t take care of myself, quite the opposite; I’m almost fanatical about it. That’s my responsibility as a human being, to take care of myself, to be responsible for myself.

I say, Rant away, girl; you’re giving some truths that non-diabetics should also learn!!

Flying…..shudder!! I’d rather shoot off a toe than ever get in the air again. And GREAT FOR YOU for doing it!!!! You go, girl!! (When you’re licensed, would you let me, gulp! go up with you, just to get over the horror of flying? Do you mind high-pitched screaming, clawing and gasping for air???? Judith

By: Jackson Inge

Jackson Inge — Fri, 13 Aug 2004 07:24:35 +0000

Note to my last post:

OK, some people suffer from the effects of complications….but I don’t see that as the same……not every diabetic is “suffering”……

stacy

By: Jackson Inge

Jackson Inge — Thu, 12 Aug 2004 13:15:00 +0000

OK, I think this is great, but I need to go off on a tangent here…….Suffering? I don’t feel like I’m suffering! Does this mean that this isn’t for me??…….Sorry…..I have my down days, just like everyone else, but I’m at a point where I’ve accepted that diabetes is something I can LIVE with, not something that I SUFFER from. Am I the only one who feels this way, or is it just that my experience lending perspective? (Sorry, I’m done venting now….)

Stacy
flowers3111

Discovery of potential stem cells could help those suffering from diabetes

By: carol_17

carol_17 — Wed, 11 Aug 2004 13:00:19 +0000

Hi Brenda,
Welcome to this site. There is a magazine that has quite a bit about childhood diabetes in it. It is called Diabetes Forecast. It deals with a lot of Type 1 issues. God speed to you and your son. I’m sure all will turn out fine, just takes some getting used to and I know you are scared but many moms on this site can help you. They are all very strong, compassionate, caring women with a wealth of knowledge about caring for toddlers.

Take care,
Carol

By: Lea Hayden

Lea Hayden — Tue, 10 Aug 2004 20:23:16 +0000

Beth–
Your son is 14, and 6 foot 5 inch 230 pounds?? Yikes, they must grown them
big in Illinois! My 14-year-old is 5′5″, 106 lbs…! Wow…
Brenda–I’m sort of the “old man” of the group–diagnosed at age 12 (in a
coma for 3 days, blood sugar over 900…), in February 1965, I’m heading into
40 years with this. Successful years, I might add–college, a 30-year
marriage, 2 children of my own, and a rewarding career as a Special
Education teacher. So much has changed since I was a kid. You guys will do
fine, but in fighting the Diabetes War, Knowledge is Power, so learn
everything and power up. I know a now nearly four-year-old girl who was
diagnosed T1 at 14 months. For the past year, she has been on a pump,
having been one of the youngest children ever to be put on one after
participating in a study of pediatric pump use in the very young. We here in
this group can be a resource for you–just ask us!
Good luck,

Michael

By: Debbie Fumiko

Debbie Fumiko — Mon, 09 Aug 2004 11:01:14 +0000

My son was just diagnosed with Juvinelle Diabetes this past Thursday
when I took him to UofM, he was very close to a coma. I’m scared and
looking for the best sites and tools out there to make it the easiest
painless as I can for him. He will be 2 this sunday.
Brenda -in michigan

By: Maggie Beck

Maggie Beck — Sat, 20 Dec 2003 07:36:14 +0000

Hi everyone, my name’s Rebecca and I’ve had type 1 diabetes going on
26 years. I was diagnosed at the age of 2. I also have a younger
brother with type 1 and an older brother who has what they are
calling type 1 ½, plus my sister has had GD twice. My grandmother
had type 2 but other than that there is no history of anyone in our
family having type 1. I have been on an insulin pump for 13 years
and love it. Don’t know how I could ever manage things without it. I
also have 3 beautiful kiddos. I came across this site while just
surfing around. Glad to be joinging you all.
Rebecca

By: dawna_15

dawna_15 — Thu, 27 Nov 2003 10:43:36 +0000

Welcome, Becca!
It’s very overwhelming at first…
Benita, a Christian attachment style parenting advocate and home educator (going on 8 yrs now) to 3 children (12½g, 10½g, and 6½b, dx with diabetes- 10-02), living in upstate NY.
A mother can never be perfect BUT there are a million things she can do to be a great Mommy! ô¿ô

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