I remember crying and crying after I was told I was
diabetic. I wasn't going to see my doctor about that (diabetes) on that day, so
what just happened?
At age 42, my life changed. My routine, my habits, but
even more...my view of myself. I was no longer the young, single-single (not
married, no kids), fancy-free, black female. I was now the "sick"
person. They thought it was type 2 diabetes, of course. But after 4 days in the
hospital, one month after that doctor visit, they revealed that it was actually
LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults). WHAT?
Next came all of the healthcare visits: doctor, educator,
endo (endocrinologist), nutritionist, eyes checked, feet checked, enough blood
work to make a vampire happy, not to mention all of the stuff I had to
learn. My life was in a washing machine.
So, I joined a support group and went to grief counseling. The feeling of loss
was overwhelming.
Now, less than one year into this, things are already
leveling out. The insulin pump has been my lifesaver for my lifestyle – go, go,
go! The other day, I was running late for work and ran out of the house, trying
to make sure I didn't miss my train, and it hit me...I didn't have to take
meds. With the insulin pump, I'm good to go. I'll put it to the real test next
week on my trip to Asia. I'm very excited and feeling comfortable. Hey, I'm
still young, single-single, fancy-free, and black. HA! I can do this!!! I
actually feel like the “special” one, not the “sick” one.
God's amazing.
Kathy B, 43
Oakland, CA
133026