17 years ago today, or round about today, I heard some news that made me a little sad and a little scared. The word "DIABETIC" was now attached to me forever. As an 11 year old little girl, I wondered what all that meant and why something so unfair had to happen to me and what on earth did being "diabetic" mean. And now...it's been 17 years and I don't know life without that phrase. To me, shots are like putting your glasses on or putting your socks and shoes on. The medicine makes me feel better so that's what I do. Diabetes will require my attention all day, every day, for the rest of my life. The other day the Diabetes Forcast magazine arrived at my home and it was an issue devouted to 60 years of diabetes. There is a picture of an older man on the cover who has been diabetic for 70 years. 70 years!!! He says, "The individual with diabetes can achieve almost anything that a person without diabetes can achieve. it takes a lot of effort to do it, but that effort is no different than any other effort." And that is the approach I've taken for 17 years. I learned to give shots the first day in the hospital and never really looked back. I get that the food I eat turns to sugar (energy for my body) and I need to manage it. Simple. I've been on a mission for my church, traveled to Australia and New Zealand and even packed 3 months worth of needles and insulin to Europe. I ran a marathon, have done triathalons, and worked and camped in extreme circumstances. I had a healthy baby and have weathered surgeries and illnesses. I've dealt with the misinformed, the judgmental, and the know-it-alls.
There are 2 types of diabetes. Type 1 (you give shots) and Type 2 (you can take pills, control your diet and exercise) Type 2 is largly, but not entirely preventable, but still accounts for more than 1/2 of the people who have diabetes. Type 1 diabetics (me) have a bum pancreas and it just doesn't work at all. When I was 11, my pancreas just decided to stop working...no fault of my own. Just genes. But, the cool thing is, Chloe is no higher risk of getting diabetes than any other child. That is why diabetes is such a mystery. They are working on determining how it is genetically linked. As it stands now, more than 10 percent of the US population has diabetes...that's 23.6 million people. Diabetes complicates many other functions in the body like the heart, the eyes, the kidney, and the limbs. It is the 3rd leading cause of death because of how it affects these other areas.
1. Insulin used to come from pigs and then in 1982 Eli Lily invented a synthetic insulin which means they produce it in a lab and it's a pretty wicked awesome invention. I think they got a noble prize for it. It makes living with diabetes much better because it replicates human insulin. They now have fast acting insulin and long acting insulin.
2. Several diabetics use what's called an insulin pump. This is a device attached to you via a soft needle and cording and you can adjust it within seconds whenever you eat or exercise. I choose not to have one of these devices, but still maintain good control by giving multiple shots.
3. When I was diagnosed my cute sister brought me a poster full of candy while I was at the hospital. Cute Emily. I think she took all the candy home and ate it.
4. One of my best friends is diabetic.
5. When I was younger I went and spoke to a medschool class at the Uof U about being diabetic. I think they gave me free movie coupons for being the presenter.6. I used to go to diabetic camp from ages 12-17. We went skiing in the winter and boating and waterskiing in the summer. It was a true boy/girl camp complete with romance and dances. It made you feel like having diabetes was not big deal for that week!
7. Until 1996, the FAA wouldn't issue a pilots license to you if you were insulin-dependent diabetic.
8. When people find out I'm diabetic, I still get the "you're diabetic? I would never have guessed." And that is how i hope it to stay.As for a cure?There will be one...hopefully in my lifetime.
Happy 17th to me, maybe I will go celebrate with a brownie.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
You GO Girl!!! Great entry...Love ya EM
happy healthy life to you.. I am so inpressed..what a great example you are to all of us...congrats on the big 17
You are so awesome. I remember when you told me you were diabetic, I felt really bad for you. Then I got to know you and you are more healthy, more fit, more talented, etc. than anyone I know. You handle it so well. I hope you don't take that wrong. I think you are awesome.
THanks for that!! Im one of the missinformed people that doesn't know a whole lot about diabetes. You just taught me a lot. I never really thought about your diabetes on the mission because you always seemed so healthy with a whole lot more energy than I had!!
I'm one of the " I never would have guessed" people. Nice work. I hope they do find a cure in your lifetime.
I still remember when you got diagnosed. I used to always go down to the bathroom with you (one of the signs I think for diagnosis) at Holladay Elem. by the lunch room. You showed me how you do your shots too.... but you never made a big deal out if it. You have such a great attitude!
I liked this post. I have never thought of diabetes as this huge horrible thing because on the mission you were so in control of it and it was just part of our day. I remember guessing what we'd have for dinner so you could guess the right amount of insulin. Thanks for even more info. Love you cute girl!
i didn't know, either.
you're awesome :)
Wow, I just learned so much! I'm glad I read that, I've always had so many questions about it.
You're amazing! I'm glad I know you, you're so inspiring!
Post a Comment