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| Sharing Experiences of Life With Diabetes |
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Melinda Glynn, RN |
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Reading about struggles and successes of life with diabetes lets the rest of us with diabetes say, “I am not alone!” Here is what Alastair Yearwood has to say about his life with diabetes:
• WHEN WERE YOU DIAGNOSED WITH DIABETES?
February, 2002 at the age of 45.
• WHAT WERE THE SYMPTOMS YOU EXPERIENCED THAT LED YOU TO SEE THE DOCTOR?
I lost a tremendous amount of weight, close to 30 pounds in one month. I had insatiable thirst, my mouth stayed so dry that my lips were splitting. I had to urinate every 15 minutes, getting up several times in the middle of the night to pee. I could barely see -everything was a blur and I was having double vision.
• HOW OFTEN DO YOU CHECK YOUR BLOOD SUGARS?
3 to 4 times a day.
• WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE WITH DIABETES ON A DAILY BASIS?
I have to remember to stop for a healthy lunch and to pay attention to what time it is. Also, I have to always be aware of what my blood sugar numbers are so I can keep them as close to normal as possible. I have to have my supplies with me at all times so I can check my blood sugars and have sweets with me incase my blood sugar gets too low and I become hypoglycemic. Also, I pay close attention to any cuts I might have to prevent infections.
• WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE MOST DIFFICULT OBSTACLE THAT YOU HAVE OVERCOME WITH HAVING DIABETES?
It wasn’t a big deal to give up cokes or sugar in my coffee but I find that my medication makes me ravenous and when I eat larger portions-the extra food my blood sugar sky high so I’ve learned to adjust to the right portion sizes.
• HAS DIABETES AFFECTED YOUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS?
Yes, I tend to be short and irritable when my blood sugars are out of whack and that has a negative impact on people around me.
• WHAT DO YOU WISH PEOPLE WITHOUT DIABETES UNDERSTOOD ABOUT THIS DISEASE?
People don’t always understand the symptoms of low blood sugar-the cold sweats, hunger, confusion, and shakiness. And the symptoms of high blood sugar - irritability, tired and extra thirsty. The symptoms can make you self-conscious.
• WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR DAILY CONCERNS OR WORRIES?
All of the complications that can occur from having diabetes - kidney disease, heart attacks, strokes, blindness, amputations, etc…
• WE ARE ALL AWARE OF THE COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH DIABETES THAT CAN OCCUR. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HELP PREVENT THESE?
A healthy diet with the right portion sizes and the right amount of carbohydrates. And to exercise as much as possible.
• IS THERE A POSITIVE ASPECT THAT HAS OCCURRED IN YOUR LIFE FROM BEING DIAGNOSED WITH DIABETES?
I can honestly say that I am a much healthier person today, with diabetes, than before I was diagnosed because I’m eating more healthily.
No one wants to talk about diabetes all the time, not even those of us whose job it is to do so. But making the effort to put your experience into words – whether in an interview, or just in conversation with a good friend or doctor…can do you a world of good! |
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