Today is World Diabetes Day.  I have handed the blog over to my Mum, Alison, who has Type 2 Diabetes, to tell her story.  Also, head over to Karl’s for his.  Normal service resumed tomorrow.

About 11 years ago, during a standard medical for work it was noted that my blood sugar’s were high and there was sugars in my urine.  I was advised to go my GP and get a diabetes test.  I was very worried because I knew nothing about it.

My fears, however, were lifted when I was advised I could control it just by changing my diet.  I watched what I ate, followed the set diet religiously and began to feel a lot better.

Of course, because I started to feel better I assumed I could ‘cheat’ – have a glass of something or that incredibly tempting cream cake – and then I cheated a little more.

The kids tell me that it was genuinely frightening watching me suddenly ‘hypo’  – I would look as if I was going to loose consciousness and the orange juice would come out.  A couple of years down the line the doctor finally put me on a pill regime and things improved.  I have the occasional problem with cold hands, falling asleep in front of the TV (although I blame that on the rubbish that’s on) and now I have to wear reading glasses which I am constantly putting down and loosing!   

A few years ago I was given the choice of a new pill regime, or going onto an injection/pill mix.  I opted for the injections, which is a decision I do not regret.  I feel a lot better and it has made it all a lot more ‘real’.  It is all easier to control now.

Looking back I think I was probably diabetic from when I had my son, who is now 22.  I had always felt tired, but with looking after a family and keeping my husband’s long hours, I just ignored it.  Diabetes makes you constantly thirsty, and makes you want to wee all the time… this is easy to ignore because you assume it’s a chicken and the egg thing…  But, diabetes was never even mentioned as a possibility. 

I know I must keep myself healthy, exercise, watch what I eat, and keep an eye on my sugar levels.  I do still cheat occasionally but so long as I know when I’ve gone too far as my doctor tells me off!  I am lucky in the fact that I get support from the people I work with and my family.  Although sometimes the constant questioning about whether I have taken my pills really gets on my nerves.  I know it’s just concern but I wish they would back off! I know what will happen if I don’t look after myself.  The stories they told me at the classes I went to when I started taking injections were genuinely concerning.

I am so grateful for that medical.  Being able to make it through a TV show without having to go to the loo is great.  That was the real pain in the arse.