It's been a while since I have posted on General Discussion. A lot going on with the kids and just life in general (and, really did anyone even know I was gone anyway).

My wife has been having some usunusal health issues lately so she went to her doctor today and they did a blood sugar test. Her blood sugar was really high and that combined with the symptoms led to a probable diabetes diagnosis. My wife is going to see another doctor next week but I have done a lot of internet research on this and she appears to have a lot of symptoms of diabetes.

She's sad and I am just angry. It's just not fair. My wife had gestational diabetes in her pregnancy last year but that usually doesn't lead to regular diabetes right away. My wife thought there might be a chance she would get it eventually but not in her early 30s. I am going through every stage for her, denial, anger, all the rest. I know diabetes is not a death sentence, I know a lot of people out there have a lot of things that are a lot worse, but I hate this for her so much.

So we'll wait for the other doctor next week but our spirits are not too high right now. My wife makes me so sad when she says she prayed that this wouldn't happen because she has a strong sense of faith and I wouldn't want that to be shaken. But it does feel right now that we have wronged some cosmic force because nothing is going right. Well we do have two wonderful beautiful daughters and they are our pride and joy but life satisfaction, between the money problems we are having and the recent health situation, is pretty low.

I have diabetes in my family so I know a little about it. My aunt died from complications of diabetes. This whole disease is frightening to me. If anyone has diabetes or a loved one with diabetes, I would love to hear how you handle it, how it affects daily life, etc.

Thanks, guys. Feels good to write this down if nothing else.
[Edited 4/24/06 18:53pm]

My prayers are with you and your wife.

We should all get checked. 1 in four American's has it.

2freaky4church1 said:

unbelievable. I bet Australia isn't far behind

hopefully it will be easy to maintain!

also try to figure out who the best specialist is in your city. It really makes a difference, doctors are not all the same in their skills, instinct, and up to date knowledge! Some doctors have no clue.
[Edited 4/12/06 20:30pm]

it'll be alright
it's hard to get used to, but you'll both strive thru this

I am sure having you there for support helps a lot. I am reading a book called Love & survival. It talks about how love and intimacy can help ppl overcome illnesses.

I pray that with your support that you will get through this together and it will turn out well in the end.

many prayers for both of you

Hi

First, I'm sorry for what you and your wife are going through.

What I wanted to let you know is that while diabetes is a serious illness one for which one must follow specific, careful treatment, if one makes the necessary diet and exercise modifications, one can live an extremely normal, active, and full life. Medicine is making strides in diabetes treatment every year.

Diabetes runs in my mother's side of the family: her mother had it, my mom has it and three of her sisters and her brother have it. They were all diagnosed around middle age. So as you can surmise, I'm pretty familiar with the disease. and it's likely in my own future, so I try to stay aware and informed about diabetes in general.

My mom was diagnosed almost 15 years ago and at first all that was required was she alter her diet, get more exercise, and take a pill once a day. Now she must give herself daily insulin shots to administer her insulin but even so diabetes has really not limited or affected her life in any lasting way.

I know this is a scary time for you and your wife, and for your whole family. A diagosis of a serious illness with no "cure" is difficult. But once you and she are past the fear and anger phase, and the 'this is unfair' phase (feelings which are totally understandable and valid) I hope you will both realize that diabetes can be handled very easily on a day-to-day basis, as long as you follow your doctor's instructions and take medications as prescribed. It will require fundamental alterations and adjustments, which can be tough at best and annoying at least..but together you and she can learn to do it.

Mostly what I wanted to say to you both is that IT WILL BE OKAY. Diabetes can be controlled. It can be challenging, and of course it is frightening at first, but once your wife's medications are settled and you learn the rules and dos and don'ts of diet, it will become second nature before you realize it. My mom's shots to her now are just part of her daily routine, like brushing her teeth.

Other advice I can give is to make sure your wife has a good endocrinologist who you both like and trust and who will answer ALL your questions to your satisfaction, because that will help greatly while you both learn to adjust to living with this disease. Your wife will also likely be referred to a dietician who will help her with the new diet restrictions and changes she must make.

If you have any specific questions, or anything you'd like to me ask my mom for you, please let me know. I'd be glad to help. I really do know how you are feeling right now. Even though my mom expected her diagnoses before she got it, it still made her feel everything you described you are feeling now.

Again, try to breathe. It will turn out alright and your wife will probably feel healthier than ever once she begins treatment. Though I know it might not feel like it now, is is a blessing that the doctor discovered what is wrong, and that there are so many treatment options available for diabetes patients.

I'll keep you and your wife in my thoughts.

StephaniePlum said:

There you go...some great advice and encouragement.

StephaniePlum said:

Great post!



.
[Edited 4/12/06 21:45pm]

My prayers have gone out. Take comfort both in that and in StepaniePlum's words.

Y'all are gonna be fine!

I'm sorry this is happening, hon.

A friend of mine who is in his mid-30s had diabetes for a long time without really knowing it. As a result, his hormones were all out of whack and he was having other health and mood problems. He's able to control it with an oral medication and diet and he's just fine now
Diabetes doesn't always mean insulin shots or a shorter life.
Take one step at a time and try not to worry.

I want to thank everybody for the kind words and encouragement. I remember last year when my wife was having a difficulty pregnancy I came on a day before my daughter Zoey was born and you all helped me through that. Thank you again for being here, being someone I can just kind of ramble what's going on to. I have never really used the Org properly I don't think. A lot of you have used it to make really good friends but by avoiding for the most part chats and orgnotes, I don't really know any of you personally. But time and time again, when people have had bad things happen in their lives, the Org is there for them and I love y'all for that. It did feel better writing this stuff out and I am going to show my wife in the morning what y'all wrote in hopes of lifting her spirits some.

I know that diabetes can be controlled and if we get a definite diagnosis we will work to set up a plan. My wife is stronger than I am. I don't know how I would react but just the fact that it is happening to her is tearing me up. But we will survive as the song says. My wife will do what it takes. I will help her in whatever way I can. We will make it through no matter how crappy it feels right now.

Thank y'all again for beautiful words and sentiments (StephaniePlum, thanks for sharing the experience with your mom and I will have many questions). You are all the best!

Big hugs to you and your wife, Brian. I'm sure everything will work out fine.

And you may not be round here as often but you don't go unnoticed. Take care.

I am sorry to hear that, but thankfully diabetes is a disease that can be controlled. I lost a dear friend because he chose not to care about it and died before he reached 35.

Everything will be fine.

Get healthy, eat healthy.

Diabetes is scary, and can't be left unattended. It can lead to vision problems, circulatory problems, kidney problems, heart trouble. That's the bad news.

The good news is the medications, insulins, blood glucose testing devices, even patient education...is so far superiour now, then it was even 5 years ago.

Your wife will learn to reduce her carbs. She'll need to excersize..and be careful. It's not a death sentence, it's a wake up call.

It's going to be ok

it runs in my family on my dad's side. My dad's been a diabetic on insulin for years now, but my brother who's two years older than I am was recently diagnosed with it a few months ago. The combination of it being hereditary and him drinking a lot of sodas on a daily basis did him in. They're both handlin' pretty well, even though my dad still eats sweets. My aunt's been in the hospital with problems because of it too. That's why I'm tryin' to watch the amount of sweets I eat.....and let me tell it's hard for someone who loves sweets as much as I do to cut back on them. I'm still not out of the water though, because cancer seems to run on my mom's side.

"s"
[Edited 4/13/06 17:55pm]

StephaniePlum said:

Big, big cosign to what Stephanie said. Everything she wrote was exactly what I was thinking while reading Letitgo's story. Diabetes can be controlled and should not control your life.

AnckSuNamun said:

Yikes!!! That's a wakeup call for me, because my dad's sister has diabetes. She has been heavy for as long as I've known her, so I guess it was kind of inevitable that she would wind up getting it, unfortunately. I have to quit drinking soda too, and start drinking more water. I'm good about not eating candy and other sweet stuff, but soda is not good either. I would hate to wind up with diabetes and have to give myself insulin shots every day. That would not be good!! My sister-in-law has a niece who is diabetic, and she was only 8 years old when she was diagnosed with it.

Good luck, but remember that today Diabetes is totally manageable and that any lifestyle change shouldn't be great. Nonetheless, I'm very sorry to hear this. All the best.

psychodelicide said:

yeah, it used to be kinda heartbreaking to see my dad give himself shots everyday, but he's used to it now though.

AnckSuNamun said:

I'll bet it was hard seeing that, no doubt about it. The thought of giving myself shots does not sound appealing whatsoever.