Kristy’s Fight Like a Girl Story (Diabetes, Heart Attack, Grave’s, Glaucoma, Thyroid Disease)

Aug
15
2011
Kristy's Story (Diabetes)

I have been a Diabetic since I was thirteen MONTHS old. People always look at me and then go "did you say Months?" I was an infant. I went into a coma for seven days. No one thought I would make it. There were dozens of hospitalizations over the years and I was always "different". Things weren't as advanced back then as they are now. I had to be on insulin shots from the very beginning. I had to check my blood sugar 4 or more times a day my entire life. It's depressing. I couldn't do the things that I wanted, I couldn't run and play, I never had the energy. I remember my Grandpa saying I was here for a very special reason because I had survived…. But now I'm not so sure. I had the hardest pregnancy that my doctors had ever seen. I stayed in the hospital the entire time. I don't have the words to explain everything I went through. I thought after that, I would be ok. Then in 2007, out of the blue, I had a heart attack. I had an undiagnosed hyper-thyroid. I also have Glaucoma and … [Read more...]

Could You Have Diabetes And Not Know It?

Nov
05
2010
Question Mark Diabetes LR

An estimated 16 million people in the United States have diabetes, a condition in which the body is unable to convert the glucose from food into energy. At best, diabetes is a nuisance and involves regular medication and a change in lifestyle; at worst, the disease can lead to serious complications and can be fatal. In fact, diabetes is the seventh main cause of death as well as a leading cause of blindness. Diabetes costs an estimated $174 billion annually in treatment, health insurance, and missed work days. But is it really possible to have diabetes and not even know it? Amazingly, around a third of diabetes sufferers don’t realize that they have it. The symptoms are often mistaken for something else and it simply doesn’t occur to many people that they might actually have diabetes. It’s often perceived, especially by otherwise healthy people, as something that can only happen to others. Certain ethnic and other groups are statistically more at risk of developing diabetes … [Read more...]

Debby’s Fight Like a Girl Story (Diabetes)

Oct
13
2010
Grey Diabetes Ribbon

Usually when someone tells me of a diagnosis of cancer or something else I know what to do to support and be there. I just found out that I have type 2 diabetes. Just went and found out what I need to do and I see an MD tomorrow for the rest. Just feel overwhelmed about checking blood sugar, the best foods, etc.  The person I talked to wasn't the most pleasent so that didn't help. I know this isn't the worst diagnosis but I want to make sure I am healthy for myself and my family. I want to make sure I am on the right track. I really don't know anyone with it. Debby Submitted 8-23-10 The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice. … [Read more...]

Fruits for Diabetics: It’s Total Carbs That Count

Aug
06
2010
Fruits For Diabetics

What counts are the total grams of carbohydrates you take in, so no fruit is truly off- limits. If you choose to eat fruits higher in carbohydrates such as bananas and grapes, you can eat less than if you select fruits low in sugar, such as strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries. The goal is to choose a quantity of fruit that adds up to around fifteen grams of carbohydrates. If you choose bananas, you’ll only be able to eat about half of a banana to get those fifteen grams, but if you opt for strawberries, you can enjoy a little over a cup. It’s likely you’ll feel more satisfied after eating a full cup of strawberries than you will munching on half of a banana. It’s best to completely avoid fruit juice and dried fruit, since they’re a more concentrated source of sugar, and you’ll get less “bang for your buck”, so to speak. Are There Better Fruits for Diabetics? The best diabetic-friendly fruits are ones that you can eat enough of to feel satisfied, yet not … [Read more...]