Voices of Diabetes

When I was first told I had diabetes in 1994, I was already on the way to tremendous weight gain and poor eating and exercise habits. I hated exercise with a passion! I thought I got plenty while walking the halls as a nursing supervisor; but I was wrong.

I have experienced a lot of ups and downs, but thanks to the support of my husband and my family members, I have always gotten through them.

I am the healthiest I have ever been at 52, with good blood sugar (glucose) control, good blood pressure, good cholesterol levels, plenty of exercise and careful watching of my diet.

The greatest solution to diabetes is the insulin pump. It allowed me to maintain a lower A1C and feel better while doing it. For me, it was a life saver.

Children don't like taking shots...but they love giving them!! Children don't like having their finger stuck...but they love sticking their mother's finger!

I am glad to see that there is a forum for information on diabetes, and I wish that something like it had been available sooner...I wasn't taught about the disease. What I learned, was by looking at some information from my dad, who had a health plan that covered some diabetes education.

My daughter was diagnosed at age 7 with type 1 Diabetes more than four years ago. Our whole lives changed in an instant.

I exercised sometimes, but it was always grudgingly and almost any excuse was a good excuse to skip a workout. Obviously, something had to change.

I truly am ready to quit all meds and just let it run its course. I was told I would feel better when my diabetes was under control. I don't feel any better and it has done terrible things to my body.

I am a sales person, so the introduction of the insulin pens has been wonderful. With the pen, I can take my shot while sitting at a meeting, running to the restroom, or while at dinner ... instead of having to worry about carrying the bottle and syringe with me.

I'm grateful that I was diagnosed as early as I was so that I could assist our son with his diabetes.

I am so happy now, with no worries about insulin injections. I now am coping much better with my diabetes.

"Are you diabetic?" asks the kindly nurse. "Not that I know of." I respond jokingly. "Mind if I check?" She has the meter in hand; she is going to do it anyway. "Nah, go ahead."

Getting involved with organizations that focus on diabetes...can give you an opportunity to help others while helping yourself.

I don't work but I believe that coping with diabetes at school/college can be just as challenging.

There will always be struggles with diabetes, but having my husband, family and friends to support me makes each day just a little bit easier.

Although I don't really have a 'story,' I do know that my biggest problem is lack of exercise. I know I need to do it but I have no desire or energy to do it.