Diabetic Friends Action Network (DFAN) Online Diabetes Newsletter - December 1995 (Delphi Custom Forum 255) This document (c) Copyright 1995, all rights reserved. Redistribution of this document is hereby freely granted so long as the document is redistributed in its entirety (here interpreted as all text which was not automatically generated by software as part of the distribution process); in particular, with attributions and this copyright notice. No one chooses to get diabetes but once the diagnosis is made each person has to figure out the best way to deal with the situation. If that means doing things in a way that's a little off-beat, that's fine, if the person knows the consequences, and is satisfied with the results. So you might need to take your injections while listening to easy listening music, if listening to that type of music will relax you enough to inject. Your daughter might need her Barbi doll nearby to keep herself calm while you're checking her blood glucose levels. You might choose jumping over parking meters as your form of exercise. Hey, if it works for you, do it. Making these choices and following through with them can be some of the toughest things anyone will have to do. There can be conflict with other family members in regards to eating schedules, or in the way certain money might be spent (ie. on diabetic supplies and materials vs. recreation). A small child might not realize the importance of buying blood glucose testing strips when they want to go to the amusement park. It might take some time and patience to get them to understand the importance of you (or the other family member) having the supplies. Even denial is a feeling of "choice". A person with diabetes who is in denial chooses not to recognize the seriousness of this disease. He or she may know more than the average person about diabetes yet they don't want to take care of themselves. It's all a choice. Denying they have diabetes may be the only way the person knows how to survive but it's still a choice. If you know someone you think is denying the fact that they have diabetes it may take someone else to let them know what they're doing. Choosing to live a life in which the diabetes in your life isn't controlling you can be difficult but it's possible. So if you're finding yourself thinking about giving up, don't. Reach out and let others help you, or try to help yourself, talk to a friend or someone you trust, but don't sit and let yourself stay in neutral. Get moving. As always, we need articles for the next (and future) newsletters. If you'd like to send us your story, a poem, a puzzle, or whatever else you think people would like to read, please e-mail it to me at: BELVE@AOL.COM It can be from you, your child, or anyone else who'd like to talk about diabetes. If you receive duplicate copies of this newsletter or would like to change your e-mail address with us please let us know. Take care. _______________ARTICLE_______________ I SEE THE BIG PICTURE He was confused, I think he says he needed candy ! He was weak, He needed sugar, good thing he kept a candy bar in his glove compartment and that we had never got out of the driveway. He was my grandfather, I was in my teens He was a wonderful man, I remember He had family in Houston, we went to visit once He had a sister, she had her foot amputated He said diabetes ran in the family, (maybe them, not me) He died in a diabetic coma, I was away at college, I miss him still I am in my twenties I am on fad diets, bad life decisions, kids to raise, always on the run I married a great guy, kids to raise, always on the run I had cancer- I feel like I am no longer invincible I was scared, Please God, help me- I have kids to raise-got to make 5 years "clean" I am in my thirties I have most of my sons raised and living lives of their own, they are always on the run I see the big picture (maybe a house of our own, grandkids?) I am very overweight, I am hispanic I am sick a lot, stressed most of my life it seems (work,work,work) I have a bad liver (it stopped metabolizing fat) why? I was slowly losing weight and darn happy about it I am thirsty, tired, my hands itch a lot I drink a lot of fluids then I have to wizz a lot We have a new house- boxes to unpack, the backyard needs landscaping We are supposed to be tired, summertime-pulling weeds make my hands itch We are happy, I see the big picture The day is long, I'm tired of feeling sick The doctor says, "You have diabetes." The doctor is wrong, I'm out of here The blood test results don't lie, I am so depressed The childhood memories of my grandfather and his family rage in my mind Not me, Please God, help me Not good timing Not ready for all of this I am one of the "lucky ones"- pop a pill before my busy day begins I start the educational classes, to diet and exercise I surf the net, I'm not alone, there are others like me out there I start to lose weight, the blood tests look good I decide to take it day by day It's a mind set It's a life change It's just the beginning I see the big picture again _______________ARTICLE_______________ In last month's newsletter "What Would You Do" gave you a brief example of a young girl who is feeling jealous of the attention her diabetic sister is getting from their parents. We asked you what would you do in this situation. Here is an answer we received from Deb Speer: I know a lot on this subject as I lived it. My sister was diagnosed as diabetic at the age of 12 when I was 16. The ages are different, but the problems we had were worse due to the "teenage years". I really resented the fact that my parents spent a lot of time with my sister's care and she got a lot of "extras" as I saw it. My parents bought her spinach as she liked it and she could have unlimited amounts of it. I actually hated spinach until I noticed they went to special efforts to ensure there was always lots of it around for her. In my spite, I learned to like spinach so it wasn't just for her anymore. I went through a lot of these petty type of changes for quite awhile. Mom and dad also bought fresh fruit in the winter just for my sister even though it was more expensive. I finally "came around" to logical thinking once my parents, my sister, and her doctor all had a meeting and fully discussed my sister's care and how she would have to deal with testing, injections, possible complications, food restrictions, etc..., all her life and getting a few "extras" was hardly a fair trade off. Being older than the girls in the story makes a difference as we were at an age where we understood reality a little bit better. My parents also realized that I needed some "extra" attention as well and we finally mellowed out. Dealing with diabetes is very complicated and my parents took my sister's diagnosis quite badly at first. My parents were always terrified of the disease as my mother had a cousin that died of complications of diabetes, but didn't know he had diabetes until the autopsy was done. My mother was quite young so this was a memorable experience for her. This was also 20 years ago and the methods of controlling the disease are much better now than they were then. After I learned more about my sister's disease, I started to accept it better, and even started helping her with her care as we started hanging out with each other more. I had the driver's license and she had the desire to go places, which helped. When I was diagnosed 2 years ago with diabetes, my sister was the first person I called to ask for help and advice. I think I now have a much better understanding of what she went through back then as I have gone through a lot of it myself. (If you'd like to get in contact with Deb her e-mail address is: dspeer@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu) _______________ARTICLE_______________ Me and My Diabetes By Kelsey Farabee Hi, my name is Kelsey and I am 6 years old. I have diabetes and I got it when I was 4 years old and I'm learning how to take care of myself. My mom and dad and teacher help me too. So does one of my friends at school. Her name is Kaitlin. When I get low at recess she walks with me back to the classroom. Kaitlin thinks the finger poke is really neat and she likes to watch me do it. When I first got diabetes the finger pokes and shots really hurt. Now I have had it for 2 years and I'm getting used to them. At diabetes camp this year I learned how to measure my own insulin. Last year I learned how to do shots. It takes a little bit of time to get used to having diabetes - getting used to the finger pokes and shots and eating certain amounts of food at certain times. I don't like not being able to eat when I am real hungry. The worst thing about having diabetes is taking shots and not being able to eat what I want. The best thing about diabetes is going to diabetes camp because there is lots of hiking and I get to sleep out under the stars. The End (If you have a diabetic child and they'd like to correspond with Kelsey in e-mail you can reach her at: JMFarabee@aol.com _______________SHORT STORY (FICTION)_______________ Jack sat at his desk wondering what he was going to eat. The tacos at dinner just wasn't enough. "Hmmm..maybe I can have that porkchop that's on the stove. No one's going to eat it anyway." So the porkchop was gone. The hotsauce made it taste all the better. That night Jack woke up at about 2 a.m. He didn't feel too well, but since he was in the habit of having his blood sugars high all the time he didn't even bother to test himself. "A little Pepto Bismol should do the trick," he thought to himself. Jack got up at 6:00 every morning to make sure he was at work by 8. It was like any other morning. He slept the whole night but felt as if he had been running for ten hours. "Honey, did you test yourself?", his wife called from the kitchen. "Sure, sure," Jack called from the bathroom, "if I have some time before I leave." But as always he didn't have any time. The drive to work was hectic. First Jack got upset because the lawn was too damp and made the bottom of his shoes slick. Then he got upset because the lights on his car radio didn't work. Oh yes, then there was the seat. It was too warm for him to sit on. This silent rage seemed to follow him wherever he went. He didn't know why. He just knew it was there ready to pounce on anyone he happened to come in contact with. Jack did take a shot of insulin before lunch but he still didn't test his blood glucose levels. He knew he was high so why bother. "I can't stand this," he thought to himself. Jack wasn't always this way. Seven years ago when he was first diagnosed he was very organized and in control. He tested his blood glucose levels five to seven times a day and although he didn't always stick to his mealplans he ate in moderation and it worked. His blood glucose levels were always in the 100-140 range and he felt good about himself. He even found time to put some exercise into his life but that all changed. Back at the office Jack had begun to put his work materials away. It was almost time for him to go home. He was ready to leave anyway. His body was so tired that he had to slip a small nap into his day. No one knew. He locked the office door and told his secretary not to disturb him. It was a little after 7:00 p.m. when Jack got home. His wife had dinner ready for him but the first place Jack headed for was the couch. He slept for about two hours, but his wife knew not to wake him up. Her whispers of, "Why doesn't he take his insulin like he should," was a common sound to hear at this household. Jack woke up at 9:00 and warmed up his dinner in the microwave. He just loved fried chicken and mashed potatoes. "That nap didn't do me any good, I'll have to make sure I get to bed early tonight." Jack's wife didn't respond. She knew more naps wouldn't help her husband but what could she do? Jack's wife started a conversation she knew she should have started a long time ago, "Jack, we need to talk. I know you don't like me hounding you about your diabetes but you're not taking care of yourself. You sleep most of the time you're here and I don't even see your testing your blood glucose anymore. I'm worried about you.". "Oh honey," Jack said as he gave her that confident grin, "I'm ok. I'm just a little run down. You know I haven't been exercising like I should. A little exercise is all I need. That'll give me some more energy." "Ok Jack," Joan said in a defeated tone, "maybe that'll help." _______________ANNOUNCEMENT_______________ DFAN is starting a weight loss club! That's right...a club just for people with diabetes (and anyone else who wants to join)! We will concentrate on giving out information that is geared toward diabetics who want to lose weight but we believe anyone can benefit from shedding those extra pounds so non-diabetic information will also be available in case your family or friends want to lose weight along with you. The only problem is...we need a name for the club. So if a name comes to mind we'd appreciate if you'd send it to us! We might just pick it as the name of our weight loss club! Losing weight is a difficult thing to do. Losing weight while you're dealing with the emotional and physical problems associated with diabetes is even more difficult so we feel this club is something that's needed. Why not participate? If there's something in particular you would like the club to address please let us know. Send an e-mail to BELVE@AOL.COM. We will have all the membership information in the next issue of this newsletter. There will be no charge for membership. _______________ANNOUNCEMENT_______________ A "Meter Bank" has been formed on one of the diabetic listserves in order to get free meters for people who cannot afford them. Lifescan is offering free Profile meters for 350 "Lifepoints" or UPC's. After you take advantage of this offer if you have any extra "Lifepoints", UPC's or coupons why not help the meter bank? All you need to do is send in the "Lifepoints" or UPC Codes from any box of Lifescan Blood Glucose Testing Strips. We are also in need of the coupons that need to be filled out for the offer (these can be found on marked boxes of Lifescan Strips or they have been mailed to individuals. We need BOTH the coupons and the UPC points but if you only have one or the other please send it in anyway. If you'd like to help a fellow diabetic in need please send the UPC's/LifePoints and/or coupons (we need them both to make this work) to: Keeper Of The Meter Bank c/o Richard Thornton 4207 Cantwell Drive Pasadena, Texas 77505-4421-07 If you are in need of a meter and can't afford one, if you know of someone in need of a meter who can't afford one, or if you'd like more information about the Meter Bank please send a letter to the above address OR send an e-mail to: batman@phoenix.net The Lifescan coupons that must be filled out for this offer are extremely hard to find so it would also help if you, or the person who needs the meter could call Lifescan (1-800-227-8862) to request a coupon. If they agree to send it to you please forward it to the Meter Bank and we can help another person get a desperately needed meter. _______________POLL_______________ We have seen many marches on Washington. Some small, some large. Do you think it would be good for diabetics, their families and friends to have a march on Washington? If so, why? Do you think it would do more harm than good? Why? Send us your responses and we'll put it in the next newsletter. _______________BACK ISSUES_______________ November Edition: Article - New Lifestyle * What Would You Do - Sibling Rivalry * Article - Exercising With Neuropathy * Writing Contest Details October Edition: Article - Dealing With Reactions * Poll Results - Thicker Blood? * Article The 10th Anniversary of the Bustin' Diabetes Rodeo ( Case Scenario - Meal Planning Away From Home * Story - From Paycheck To Paycheck * Writing Contest Details September Edition: (Special Stress Issue): Article - Discipline * We Want Your Opinion * Article - Diabetic Without Health Insurance * Article - A Life With Stress * Article - Dealing With Stress For a list of our other back issues just send an e-mail to: BELVE@AOL.COM