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Honey Syphon: As I write this, it is just over 7 weeks since I was diagnosed. That's not very long to come to terms with a life-changing event of any kind, let alone one that I am going to have to live with for the rest of my life. There are two big consequences. First, I have to be very aware of what I eat, and keep to certain rules. That means a big modification to my diet. Second, I have to be aware of my blood sugar level and the effect that various foods and other activities have on it. That means mucking about with testing strips to check my urine, or my blood, frequently. I'll write about both of these things soon. If I don't do these things - if I don't take this disease seriously and do what I have to do to manage it - then I risk rather unpleasant complications, which include blindness, kidney failure, gangrene and foot amputation, and coma which can lead to death. Yes, it really can be that serious. If I do take it seriously and learn to manage the disease then I'll be healthy, healthier than I have been for a long time probably, and won't suffer those nasty complications. But there is no pill I can take to cure it; there's no magic wand to wave to make it go away. I am stuck with it. Doctors can help me but in the end it's down to me to get my act together and learn to live with this. My Uncle Kenneth, who has been diabetic for years, told me not long after I was diagnosed that in the end, it's just a bit of a bore. Let's hope he's right! |
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