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Linda's Story
My name is Linda and I have been a diabetic for over 40 years. I'm not referring to the "EASY DIABETES". I'm talking hard core, brittle and insulin dependent.
When I first became diabetic, there was only one kind of insulin which was NPH, no sugar free food or drink substitutes, no glucometer (only urine test strips which were unreliable at best) but the only sugar testing device available.
I had just mobed to the valley (8th grade) and was put in a 7th and 8th grade school where it seemed that everyone knew each other and had been in school since kindergarten but me. To make matters worse, my symptoms developed in the middle of that year. I felt like I had the letteres DIABETIC printed from top to bottom. What a nightmare! Entirely different from everyone or so I thought. I always tried to let the people around me know that I was a diabetic in case something went wrong. This revelation cost me a few dates because of ignorance on the guy's part. You would have thought that I had told them I had leprosy or something.
My local San Juan physician assured me that I needn't worry because a cure could come in 5 years or less. Needless to say, I'm still waiting.
Diabetes paced the way for early maturity (notice I didn't say intelligence).
People are still under the impression that you can control diabetes by taking shots, exercise and diet. FLASH!! They forgot to factor in stress and emotions. In effect, we don't control diabetes. It controls us.
If You take anything with you from my words, it would be LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. IT WILL LEAD YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
My whole life has been a series of opposites.
- Pregnancy: lost wieght
- Shingles: internal not external
- Medications: I need stronger and longer series
But I truly listen and watch my body's reactions to everything.
I lost my father and brother within 8 months of each other due to diabetic complications in 1977. I divorced the father of my only child that same year. The 3 men in my life were gone and I had a seven year old. I CAN SURVIVE!! I taught school for 13 years. I worked as an office manager and translator for 13 years. I now substitute for elementary schools in La Joya and Edinburg.
I would like to create a group of "old timers with diabetes". I'm not talking about our ages, but the amount of years that we have dealt with all the ramifications of our "life altering malady". 30 plus years of daily injections. We could trade secrets, fears, thoughts and successes and possibly learn from one another.
For thoes of you just entering the world of diabetes, here are a few things to remember:
- Don't put yourself in denial. If you are not treating your body with respect, now is the time to start.
- Don't be afraid to admit that diabetes now owns your body.
- Listen and follow what your body is trying to tell you. If you are tired, rest. If you're thristy, drink. If you're hungry, eat. If you hurt, seek the advice of your doctor.
- It will not disappear if you ignore any symptoms.
- If you are just starting with diabetes, test your blood sugar.
The glucometer has added years to my life. Yes, we have different types of insulin (even a super fast acting one called Humalog). Testing my blood sugar is the key some control. In a way, I was fortunate to have been born into a family that already had a diabetic--my brother. Balanced meals were a norm.
My theory about diabetes may not be the same as yours. Why you might ask? Get a room full of doctors and ask them to describe just exactly what diabetes is and what causes it. you will receive as many answers as you have doctors.
- Genes
- Emotional shock
- Severe illness
- Diet
Everyone of us is different and what works for one will not be the answer for another. Trial and error is costly sometimes, but it doesn't take long to know if what you are doing is going to work or not
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