Diabetes has affected me most of my adult life. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in my early twenties. I went to many doctors concerned about my weight gain, infertility, and complaining about extreme fatigue. No one mentioned diabetes or tested me for diabetes. I was told I must be eating too much food (believe me, I was not.)
After seeing twenty different doctors I was finally diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome – a disorder that affects millions of women and puts them at high risk for type 2 diabetes. But no one told me this, and, one year later I crossed the bridge forever and became a diabetic.
I did not know about diabetes and my doctors did not recognize I had pre-diabetes for many years. Had I been given better information I might not have diabetes today. But I do. A few random blood sugar tests could have told me I was at risk. In fact, a $1.00 finger stick test in a doctor’s office might have saved me a lifetime of eye problems and neuropathy.
But diabetes did not stop there.
At age 4, my young daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. My other daughter had “mysterious” health problems practically since birth and was misdiagnosed for almost ten years by several doctors, until it became apparent she had Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) when she went into kidney failure when she was just 11 years old. By the time she was diagnosed with this rare form of diabetes, it was too late to do much about it.
Now, both of my teenage boys have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Fortunately, I have enough information now to know what we need to do to help them from getting diabetes. But what if I was not aware by personal experience? My 13-year-old is slim and seems healthy on the outside. But his blood sugars tell a different story!
My other son was never tested by his doctor either because my insurance would not cover lab tests. So I began checking his blood sugars at home. He was 16 an active but gaining weight and his fasting blood sugars are over 115. Because I was aware of diabetes, I knew enough to check his blood sugar and we now have a chance to stop him from getting the disease.
In case you are thinking we are a family with some really unlucky genes and not the “normal” family, think again. We are a blended family built through adoption. My genes were not passed to my children. We represent a combination of four, entirely unrelated different gene pools. The odds of so many people in my own family being affected are not so unusual. We simply reflect what is going on in the world-at-large.
The American Diabetes Association says chances are almost everyone in the United States knows someone with diabetes and that 5.1 million Americans have diabetes and do not know it. Until they are diagnosed and treated, their bodies are being damaged every single day. Their eyes, kidneys, nerves, and organs are slowly being destroyed and they do not even know it.
World Diabetes Day is an important way to get the word out to people before their disease progresses to the point where they are only diagnosed with diabetes because some terrible complication happens. It is a world-wide wake-up call.
It is a day to remember loved ones already lost to diabetes but it is also a day where we can stop and reflect on how to save lives through better awareness.
Lalhe A Wolfe is Founder of iPump.org, a 501(c)3 non-profit that distributes pump supplies to those in need.
After seeing twenty different doctors I was finally diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome – a disorder that affects millions of women and puts them at high risk for type 2 diabetes. But no one told me this, and, one year later I crossed the bridge forever and became a diabetic.
I did not know about diabetes and my doctors did not recognize I had pre-diabetes for many years. Had I been given better information I might not have diabetes today. But I do. A few random blood sugar tests could have told me I was at risk. In fact, a $1.00 finger stick test in a doctor’s office might have saved me a lifetime of eye problems and neuropathy.
But diabetes did not stop there.
At age 4, my young daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. My other daughter had “mysterious” health problems practically since birth and was misdiagnosed for almost ten years by several doctors, until it became apparent she had Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) when she went into kidney failure when she was just 11 years old. By the time she was diagnosed with this rare form of diabetes, it was too late to do much about it.
Now, both of my teenage boys have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Fortunately, I have enough information now to know what we need to do to help them from getting diabetes. But what if I was not aware by personal experience? My 13-year-old is slim and seems healthy on the outside. But his blood sugars tell a different story!
My other son was never tested by his doctor either because my insurance would not cover lab tests. So I began checking his blood sugars at home. He was 16 an active but gaining weight and his fasting blood sugars are over 115. Because I was aware of diabetes, I knew enough to check his blood sugar and we now have a chance to stop him from getting the disease.
In case you are thinking we are a family with some really unlucky genes and not the “normal” family, think again. We are a blended family built through adoption. My genes were not passed to my children. We represent a combination of four, entirely unrelated different gene pools. The odds of so many people in my own family being affected are not so unusual. We simply reflect what is going on in the world-at-large.
The American Diabetes Association says chances are almost everyone in the United States knows someone with diabetes and that 5.1 million Americans have diabetes and do not know it. Until they are diagnosed and treated, their bodies are being damaged every single day. Their eyes, kidneys, nerves, and organs are slowly being destroyed and they do not even know it.
World Diabetes Day is an important way to get the word out to people before their disease progresses to the point where they are only diagnosed with diabetes because some terrible complication happens. It is a world-wide wake-up call.
It is a day to remember loved ones already lost to diabetes but it is also a day where we can stop and reflect on how to save lives through better awareness.
Lalhe A Wolfe is Founder of iPump.org, a 501(c)3 non-profit that distributes pump supplies to those in need.
That was a great article. I have a very similar situation in my family. The difference is that mines is all genetics. My mother, grandmother, great grandmother, uncle, brother and myself all have diabetes.
I was misdiagnosed at first and my brother would have been if I wasn't on top of it. One of my best friends and I are putting together an event for World Diabetes Day. I'll be sending my child to school with blue on the day before and I'll wear blue too.
I make diabetes awareness ribbons and will have them to pass out to everyone that I know.
Good Luck and many blessings!
Lalhe-
I am speechless. Your story touched my heart. Thank you for taking negative things and turning it into something positive (ipump.org). I sent someone to ipump.org. This lady lost her job and didn't have a way of getting supplies for her pump. Ipump.org sent her a 3 months worth of pump supplies. She thanked me for directing her to you. Now, I am saying thank you for creating an organization that helps PWD's and their families out. Thank you for all that you do.
Cherise
I am so glad iPump was able to help your friend!
Thank you for your very kind words. When I looked for helped many years ago it was impossible to find. We lost our home to diabetes care costs and medical bills. Now, the entire iPump family of volunteers, myself included, considers it a great blessing we are in a position to be able to help others.
World Diabetes Day is so important to diabetes awareness on so many levels. Better awareness can help prevent people from getting type 2 diabetes and get diagnosed sooner and find better treatment -- maybe even lead to a cure. World Diabetes Day can also serve as a reminder of the millions of people without insurance who cannot afford the cost of their care.
Everyone - be sure to pass along the exciting news about World Diabetes Day - its free, easy to do and can make a "world" of difference! Please keep reading the blog for updates and ideas.
Again, thank you for visiting and your kind words.
Warm regards,
Lahle
Andrea,
I just visited your web page. The first thing that hit me was this powerful and positive message:
"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."
-Barack Obama
Great words from a great leader! And these same words apply to all of us with diabetes. World Diabetes Day is about seeking change, not sitting around waiting for it to just happen.
What a great sister you are to recognize your brother's situation. I am sorry that diabetes runs in your family but I remain hopeful we get create a better future for our own children.
Warm regards,
Lahle