A radio programme last Tuesday morning in observation of Diabetic Awareness Month, sent me on a flying visit to my dear friend Theresa (name changed), a diabetic for nearly ten years now, who has handled this debilitating disease with great strength.
At age fifty-six, Theresa found out "quite by chance" that she was diabetic. "I had a cold which would not go away, went to my physician, and as is normal a urine sample was tested. This revealed such a high glucose level, that the tester exclaimed. At her outburst the doctor saw me immediately and promptly sent me to get a variety of tests, some of which were done the same day, others because of fasting, the next day."
Theresa was one of those who never went to the doctor unless very ill, so that although prior to this visit she had been getting some boils, which was a symptom; was drinking a lot of water, another symptom, which she put down to having a few drinks; she was not bothered. Theresa had always weighed in the vicinity of 175 lbs, suddenly she lost about fifteen pounds. Again this happened at a time when she was trying to lose some weight so she paid no attention to yet another symptom.
When the results of the tests came back, the physician sent her to a dietician who "explained all the story to me. I had to watch my diet and eat sensibly, and she gave me a diet regime to follow. There was no medication."
One month later a raised welt appeared under her left breast. "My physician was away, I went to someone else who gave me medication and sent me to see an internist, who decided to hospitalise me for two to three days for intensive tests. I ended up spending four months in the hospital and undergoing several pieces of surgery for the ulcerated area under my breast which spread to mid-chest."
It was in the hospital that Theresa was put on insulin; however, as soon as she became an outpatient, the insulin stopped. She is one of the lucky ones whose glucose level can be controlled with the tablet daonil and a diet sheet.
Theresa has done all that is required to keep her diabetes under proper control: "stopped all alcohol, sweet things and cigarette smoking. I was always a hearty eater, no longer do I eat excessive amounts of food. Very seldom do I eat fried foods. I keep to steamed veggies, baked and broiled meats, mostly fish and chicken. At Christmas I will eat my pork, but no crispy or sweet and sour recipe." So disciplined is Theresa that I have seen her arrive at a function with a bottle of soda water in her bag rather than chance having to drink a sugary drink.
Above all, she exercises: "that is very important, I chose walking so as not to have to depend on anybody." She admits to having become more spiritual. "I have had to change my lifestyle and it never one day bothered me. It may have been the way the doctors who attended to me addressed it, that is very, very important, and has helped me a lot. In this way, you do not get downspirited. You have to have the will to deal with it and fit it into your life. Do not make it an overwhelming problem, you are not the only person with diabetes."
Since her retirement, Theresa is better able to pace herself, and does not ever try to do everything in one day, so that she gets more rest. "I may go out every day but the things I have to do are spread around." She still travels, goes out socially, and is committed to her service organisations. "I do not miss out on anything but appreciate my limitations, such as not driving at nights since having laser surgery to repair the damaged retina in my left eye, caused by the diabetes." A piece of advice to fellow diabetics "have a specialist check your eyes annually."
Because she accepts her condition, from the time Theresa is making an appointment to have a pedicure/manicure "I say I am a diabetic and even though it is somebody I have been to more than once, I remind them I am a diabetic because there are certain instruments they cannot use on me."
Above all Theresa has educated herself on the disease and showed a large bag of reading material which she has collected from all over, as education is a very important part. "Meal planning for diabetics" is thumbworn with use.
Theresa assured me that "after ten years it is as if I always lived this way. I accept the things I cannot do as before, and take everything in proper proportion."