Hello. My name is Rosemary of Bremerton, Washington, and
yesterday I turned 60 years old.
I have been a diabetic since 1985, which is close to 22
years ago. If I could tell you anything
about my story in one sentence, it would be to find your daily support team or
person, as without them, you could find yourself in real denial and
trouble.
Diabetes is a difficult disease and one that does not
tolerate disregard of the rules. In 1985, I became a diabetic. I had only a
small child as a single parent, and I should have fought the disease from the
start so I could be the best for her.
But denial, insurance, time, and restrictions all became excuses for me
not to follow the simple rules, which are good for everyone -- not just
diabetics. If one type of drug therapy
does not help you, find a different one, and don't just think that someday
things will be better. THEY WON'T IF YOU
IGNORE THE RULES.
My husband and daughter are my support team and, now that
our daughter is married and moved away, my husband is my sole support and has
made it his business to learn everything about the disease that lives amongst
us -- not just me. He quickly learned
about the mood swings and how to cope with them and sick day rules. Eating healthy is good for us both, and he is
happy to join me in whatever I eat. We
eat a regular diet and just follow the rules for how much and what types of
food to eat. Things have not always been
this way for me.
It is important you find the best health team that knows
how to treat your disease. I did not do
all of what I now speak of and it has only been in the last 5 or 6 years that
my blood glucose (sugar) levels have been in perfect order. But now I pay a price.
Recently, I battled with bone infections in my toes and
finally lost the tip of one toe and spent 28 days in hyperbaric oxygen
treatments for 2 hours each day to save my toes, foot, or worse. This is a treatment most do not realize is
available for non-healing wounds, but all I can say is, I beat the loss and
have my foot.
Bad things can happen to you when you don't follow the
rules. Now I fight a lot of pain in my life because I did not follow the rules,
as I should have at the beginning. I
have been afraid I would not turn 60 years, but I did and I will keep on
fighting to beat the odds I have been given because I have much to do and a
husband I adore. Plus, I will someday have grandchildren.
Just remember, if you live your life the way it is set up
for you by the ADA (American Diabetes Association), life would be a lot easier.
The ADA is the very best resource for you -- get involved, and march in
Washington DC to change the laws if the ADA does it again. Maybe I will be able to see you there! Become a speaker to all that will listen on
how to stay healthy by your own example.
This is the way we currently have been trying to fight back and beat the
odds we have been given.
It's ok to show people how you feel when you are
down. Until I let this side of me show,
people just thought I was a strong person that could take anything. Be yourself.
I have been invited to speak in the past to clubs like
the Lions and, although I was afraid, I knew it had to be done. When I looked out at the group, I wanted to
slide under the speaker box, but then my speech got lost in my head. So, I started out like this: "Good afternoon. I hope you are enjoying
your lunch today, but I have something I would like you to do for me
please." I said to them, "Will
everyone that is a diabetic please stand up?
Now, will everyone that has a family member in his or her home stand
up? And, will everyone that works with
someone that is diabetic please stand? And lastly, anyone who has a neighbor or
acquaintances with diabetes please stand up now?" We looked around the room in absolute
amazement. Almost everyone was standing,
so I asked all of those sitting to take a hand of someone standing and help us
fight against diabetes so that our children may live with a cure. It worked for me and I use it each time I
talk to anyone else's group. The next
part of my talk came easier.
God bless you all. Keep on fighting for a cure and get
involved -- after all, it’s your disease and it is your body!
Rosemary A, 60
Bremerton, WA
133518