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Diabetes…it can rock your world
Several weeks ago, I made a request for people with diabetes to contact me with their story.
My world has been touched! So often, we forget what other people are facing …what they are living with…and what they have lived through.
November is National Diabetes Month.
I am going to share stories from diabetics…the real thing…real people about a very real disease.
Martha Underwood shared this information about her son, Wade.
My youngest son, Wade, was diagnosed with type 1 during his junior year in high school. He was in ICU twice during college with DKA. Scary! He uses an insulin pump. He hasn’t had a serious episode in over a year now. We pray for a cure in our lifetime. He and his twin sister, Julie, graduated from Millsaps this past May. He is at Ole Miss law school now.
As you can tell, his true passion is duck hunting. He recently told me “If you give a man a duck, you will feed him for one day. If you teach him to duck hunt, he will die cold and broke but happy.”
Michael Sellers is a type 2 diabetic. He was diagnosed in the summer of 2011. Michael was placed on 75 units of insulin. He decided to take control of his life…changed his eating habits and began a regular cycling exercise program losing 60 lbs. Following the weight loss, Michael’s insulin was reduced to 15 units of insulin. He hopes to lose 30 more pounds and get off insulin shots altogether!
James Peden is a type 2 diabetic. In the late 80’s, James noticed he was thirsty all the time, lethargic, no energy and lab values all out of site. A simple blood glucose level showed that his blood sugar was sky high. Initially, I was able to control the problem with diet and exercise. But as time has marched along, James had to start taking a small amount of insulin daily. At this point, Dr. Robert Evans decided to put James on the pump. The pump help, but again as time marched on he began to have more and more trouble controlling his levels. Now in addition to the insulin, he takes Metformin twice daily. James explained that no matter how hard he has tried to take care o the sugar level (AIC), it has been a major struggle to maintain a AIC level that is acceptable. James now has diabetic neuropathy in both feet and legs with very little feeling in his feet. As of yet, James has no kidney or eye problems.
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Ashley Warren Jennings was 8 years old and in the third grade at Magee Elementary when she became diabetic. “I remember being very thirsty and needing to go to the restroom all the time,” stated Ashley. Ashley lost a great deal of weight but thought because she and her sister were member of the KIPS gymnastic team in Hattiesburg that this was the cause of the weight loss…but it was not. Due to diabetic Ketoacidosis, Ashley lost the weight. Through strong support of her parents and family, Ashley kept her diabetes in check. She is now 37 years old and manages her diabetes by wearing an insulin pump and regular blood glucose monitoring. Ashley is married to Jeff Jennings and they are the parents of one wild cowgirl and is employed at PriorityOne Bank in Magee.
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An eye doctor diagnosed Debbie Walker with diabetes. Her vision had changed dramatically in a three-month period. She could not see well and even reading glasses did not help her see the computer. Debbie decided to get her eyes checked and that is when she learned the news that she had diabetes. Debbie didn’t believe the eye doctor; therefore, he referred her to a medical doctor. Tests were run and the facts were laid before her…she was diabetic. She began treatment with three pills a day plus a change in diet and adding exercise. Within a three to four month period, Debbie was down to two pills a day along with changes in diet and exercise and then one pill a day. About three years ago, Debbie begin to have problems with her sugar levels going up and down like a roller coaster. Debbie said, “today, it’s a real struggle to keep it under control. I’m taking meds again and trying to watch what I east and exercise but not like I should.” Debbie’s prayer is that she can get diabetes under control and again live a normal live. “In spite of it all, God has been good to me,” explained Debbie. Debbie’s favorite scripture is Phil. 4:13
9 year old Ayden Wolken was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 2. His Dad, Mark was diagnosed at age 12. His brothers, Owen and Paxten, are tested annually to determine if they have developed the gene.
Tommy Everett is a type two diabetic. Following his diagnosis, Tommy realized he had to make changes in his diet as well as exercise. Tommy did these things, but even with medication, diet changes and exercise, Tommy has suffered with wounds that will not heal. He has had numerous problems with his feet. Just last week, Tommy had his big toe removed…the second toe he has had to have removed. Diabetes is a serious disease and one that should never be taken lightly.
Tara Robinson is a type 1 diabetic. The information I have on Tara is what I remember…she has not “sent me her story” yet. She was diagnosed in her twenties and now manages with a pump. Tara has excelled in her health care management field…and is so beautiful no one would realize she has any type problem! With diet, exercise, and insulin, Tara keeps her diabetes in control.
Preston Honea is the nine-year-old son of Dickey and Lynda Honea of Madison and Georgia and Kevin Harkins of Stuart, FL. Preston is my grandson. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 7. Preston lives in Stuart, FL. Preston had a virus that he just could not seem to get over…he felt bad for several days. The virus settled in the pancreas causing type 1 diabetes. There is no diabetes in our family or Georgiana’s family. Preston was flown by helicopter to one of the top Children’s Hospital’s in FL, which happened to be only about an hour away. Preston almost died. I don’t know how else to say it…Dickey arrived in FL first, followed by Lynda and then my sister Linda and me. What I saw when I walked in that room is something I’ll never forget. My sweet little grandson was hooked up to all kind of machines and his eyes were closed tightly. When he heard my voice, he reached out for me…and that began the journey of a diabetic. Preston has a very difficult time controlling his sugar levels. Although he is now on a pump and follows a strict diet his numbers fluctuate up and down. Preston is quite the athletic and has been able to continue most physical activity. In fact he is an awesome hitter and pitcher! Even when every detail is followed with his treatment, sometimes things still don’t work. I have never dealt with diabetes and had no idea how dangerous a disease it is. Type 1 diabetics make no insulin…and will never. He will always deal with this disease…you don’t get well. But, strides are being made in research and that is our hope. God has blessed me and blessed Preston. He watches over my sweet baby…and I know the road may be rough but he can stay the course whatever it is.
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. Only 5% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease.
In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. The body breaks down the sugars and starches you eat into a simple sugar called glucose, which it uses for energy. Insulin is a hormone that the body needs to get glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body. With the help of insulin therapy and other treatments, even young children can learn to manage their condition and live long, healthy lives.
Diabetes is a problem with your body that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. This is also called hyperglycemia. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
If you have type 2 diabetes your body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. At first, your pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for it. But, over time it isn’t able to keep up and can’t make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose at
Diabetes Symptoms
The following symptoms of diabetes are typical. However, some people with type 2 diabetes have symptoms so mild that they go unnoticed.
Common symptoms of diabetes:
• Urinating often
• Feeling very thirsty
• Feeling very hungry – even though you are eating
• Extreme fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
• Weight loss – even though you are eating more (type 1)
• Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2)
Early detection and treatment of diabetes can decrease the risk of developing the complications of diabetes.
Thank you so much for sharing Preston’s story and to the ones who shared their own stories or their loved ones. I will not never forget walking into Preston’s hospital room and seeing my great nephew. I love seeing the smiling faces of these precious ones on Magee News. .