Hi, my name is Janet. I've been a diabetic since 1986. I
started out trying to control it with diet and exercise, then went to oral
medication, then insulin injections and now I'm using an insulin pump. Over the
years I've been tested with some of the other new drugs, but they didn't work
for me. I'm blessed to have finally been put on the pump. I developed some of
the side effects of diabetes when I was divorced and unable to afford medical
insurance or medications. I now have neuropathy in my feet, and also
gastroparesis, which is where the nerves in your stomach don't digest food at
the same rate as most people. Until being put on the pump, I would go into DKA
(Diabetic Ketoacidosis) and had terrible bouts of gastroparesis. I was in the
hospital more than at home, I think. I missed my son's wedding, the birth of a
granddaughter and many other important family functions. That brought on
depression. Luckily, I have a wonderful new husband that understands and
supports me, and I found a fantastic endocrinologist to help with my diabetes.
I'm still having some troubles, but have a better outlook
on life and living with this terrible disease. I try not to get down. Sometimes
I think that takes a lot of work, but there's nothing I can do to get rid of
the disease, so I have to learn to accept it. Sometimes I get jealous when I
see other people eating all kinds of sweets and sugary drinks, but to handle
that I might eat a tiny piece of brownie, or cake and just adjust my pump to
help keep my sugars down. I've learned some recipes that are sweetened with
artificial sugar and they really aren't that bad. I take it as a challenge to
turn regular recipes into something a diabetic can handle. Plus I battle a
weight problem which a lot of diabetics deal with. Eating healthier is a plus
on that side too.
I'd love to talk to others that are coping with diabetes
and share recipes, ideas and stories. It helps talking to people about it. You
pick up little bits of advice that are sometimes super helpful in this fight.
It also helps you deal with depression and the feelings that you're the only
person on earth that has diabetes. You're not alone, and people do care and
want to help.
Janet R, 52
Fort Valley, GA
132689