I adored my father. Yes, I was absolutely a "Daddy's Girl." He was always there for me, and he believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. I was 31 when my husband and I married. My father told me it was the best day of his life because he knew I'd always have someone. He and my step-sons became fast friends. Life was beyond good. Then, 18 months later, my father was ripped from our lives.
You see, Dad had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes just a few years earlier, but he didn't take care of himself. Long story made short, he developed ulcers on the calves of both legs, but didn't tell anyone or get care. They caused an infection that weakened his heart, and we lost him after three months in the ICU. He was just 59 years old.
It was at this point that I found out that his brother had also died at the age of 59 from untreated complications of diabetes, as had my grandmother (their mother) at the age of 64.
When Dad died, I didn't cope well and asked our family doctor for something to take for anxiety while we settled family affairs. I also told him what I'd discovered about my family medical history. My doctor immediately went into action and started ordering an A1c test for me every three months. A few years later, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
The first thing my doctor did the day he gave me the news was to schedule an appointment for me with a CDE (certified diabetes educator). With her help, I managed my diabetes without medications for about five years. Now I take metformin and Byetta. I have to credit my doctor's diligence for an early diagnosis and the early diagnosis for not having to start medications sooner.
This is where we need to stop and think about the importance of diabetes awareness and its impact on people's lives. Had there been more awareness and more patient education for my grandmother, uncle, and father, things might have turned out quite differently. My father would be 79 today; maybe he'd be here to see his great grandchildren.
That, however, is obviously something over which I have no influence or control. I can be aware, be an educated patient to ensure that the impact of diabetes on my life is minimized. I want to be around to watch our grandchildren grow up. Nutrition, exercise, and proper medical care can help that happen.
Diabetes has become a family affair for us. Morgan, our granddaughter, was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, type 1 diabetes, at the age of five; she's nine now. She has had difficulties with controlling her glucose levels and now has an insulin pump. Since she likes doing things I do, her CDE suggested that I get the same kind of glucometer that she uses. That has worked well for us. Truthfully, I'm sometimes not sure how much I help her, but it makes me feel better to try.
I asked Morgan and her mother, Becky, a few questions so I could share their answers with you...
Morgan:
