In December, my mother was taken to the hospital because her blood sugar was not normal. It turned out she had developed Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is a disease where blood glucose levels are above normal. Type 2 has the ability to go away over time, whereas Type 1 does not. In her forty-nine years of living, this was something completely unexpected. In the past two months, I have watched my mother evolve into someone who will not let this sickness take over her entire life. I have also learned quite a few things about diabetes since my mother was diagnosed.
1. According to the International Diabetes Federation, 415 million adults have diabetes around the world. In other words, one in every eleven adults has diabetes. They are able to live with the disease, but it does take a toll on their day-to-day lives. Over intercession, I worked side-by-side with my mother at a doctor’s office. She has to test her blood every few hours to make sure it is not too high or too low. If it is, she has to give herself a shot of insulin. It is a constant cycle throughout the day that is becoming a monotonous routine.
2. When a person has diabetes, their body cannot create enough insulin on its own, or cannot use what is already made. Normally, Type 2 diabetes does not depend on insulin intake. My mother’s numbers were extremely off, they put her on insulin to normalize her numbers in the first few months. She has to inject herself either in the stomach or arm with insulin. It is hard to watch my mom stick herself with a needle. Although it is for her health, it is still unpleasant. She wants me to learn how to give her insulin, but when the opportunity came, I couldn’t bring myself to put a needle in her. I learned that I have to be strong for my mother in this phase of her life.
3. Diabetes, alone, is a disease that has an impact on the person’s life. I have seen my mother become frustrated when her numbers are too low at dinnertime. She has to wait, drink apple juice, get her numbers up and then eat. By that time, the dinner she cooked or ordered, is cold. She tries so hard to be strong, but I know that she is suffering.
4. Genetics play a big role in the occurrence of developing diabetes. My mom’s father had diabetes when he was alive. According to American Diabetes Association, the chances I will get Type 2 diabetes is one in seven. That statistic scares me, but also helps my mentality. I know that my mother was the unlucky one in seven. However, I can use this to my advantage when making healthy lifestyle choices. I know first-hand what to stay away from and what to engage in.
5. Lastly, I have learned that a disease, such as Diabetes, is not fatal. It is a livable disease that has the ability to go away. It may be frustrating, depressing, monotonous and tiresome at times, but Diabetics must keep their spirits up. I always think of the bright side to things, and here I go. Mom, you have four children and a loving husband who is there for you when you are feeling low. We are your support system and it is our duty to make sure that this disease does not take over your life because you are more than a person who has Type 2 Diabetes. First and foremost you are a woman, a mother and a wife.
Diabetes is a growing epidemic around the world. Learn more about Diabetes from:
http://www.idf.org/
http://www.diabetes.org/