Is Diabetes Really A Death Sentence?
Well, my last post caused quite a buzz, haha. No pun intended. No seriously, there must be a bazillion people that search for the term “vibrator”. I received all kinds of wacky traffic. Who would have thought?
But today we are back to the norm. If there is a norm around here! I have to vent a bit this morning. Why is it that ever time I hear the word “diabetes” it is a negative or gosh awful tone that leaves a sour look on ones face? I mean seriously… I don’t expect one to say, “I have diabetes and it is the best thing ever. I am so darn happy!”, but I also don’t expect to continually hear, “My uncle is very sick. He is dying. He has diabetes”. It is not the diabetes that is killing him but the complications that occur due to the disease process, right?
I am just so sick of hearing patients, co workers and everyday people talking about diabetes like it is an automatic death sentence. Yes, it can be life altering, troublesome, worrisome and inconvenient but it can also be a very manageable disease that you can live with for a very, very, very long time!
I usually bite my tongue and just smile, cause that’s what us nurses are taught to do for the most part, but I feel like I’m gonna blow the next time I hear a broad, generalized statement like such. I am going to say, “Well I have diabetes and I am living a wonderful life with kids and a husband and friends and I walk and go to the gym and hang out with friends and smile and laugh…”. You get the point.
Do you ever feel like giving someone a quick comeback or a snappy remark when you hear such talk? Do you feel like shoving your insulin pump in their face and saying, “yes, life is good”? Just some questions, haha. Do you feel my pain? I hope ya’all have a great day!
Tags: automatic_death_sentence, Diabetes Management, manageable_disease, no_pun_intended, smile_cause, vibrator, wonderful_life, worrisomeRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Diabetes Management
6 opinions for Is Diabetes Really A Death Sentence?
Bernard Farrell
Oct 30, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Kendra
Well I’m dying, but no faster than anyone else I know with or without diabetes. And I’m very thankful to God for my insulin pump, because that makes life a good deal easier.
Life’s not perfect, and that’s with OR without diabetes. So I say let’s stop looking on the bad side and get on with living life to the fullest!
Thanks for the post.
D Croston
Nov 23, 2007 at 7:02 pm
As a diabetic,I would agree that the disease is managable and you can live with it for a very,very,very long time.This is assuming,of course, that you have a decent paying job and a good health insurance plan in place prior to your diagnosis.For the many thousands of us who are low income and without health insurance(in fact,uninsurable due to the pre-existing condition)the concernes and fears about diabetes are both real and justified.The prospect of having to come up with an additional $5000 a year for insulin,syringes,test strips,doctor’s visits etc out of pocket is simply out of the question for many of us–It may very well be a death sentence if we don’t survive until we qualify for medicare.Enjoy the security of your wealth and have a nice day,Kendra.
Kendra James, RN
Nov 23, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Bernard- Amen and thanks. I hope you live life to the fullest!
Dave- Thanks but I think you misunderstood the point of the post in general. Personally, I do have med insurance but it DOES NOT pay for any diabetic supplies. I know that I don’t let diabetes own me though, I own me and my life! I wish you luck and happiness in life!
Tony Dombrowski
Oct 28, 2008 at 6:32 am
Pardon my French, but BULLSHIT! I’ve just been diagnosed and I vew diabetes as a slow death sentence with an ever decreasing quality of life! Personally, I would rather be diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer and know that although the end will come sooner, it will also be quick and I won’t have time to turn into some decrepit shadow filling a bed in a nursing home and being pumped full of pills and insulin while the world marches on.
Sorry about this, but I have no desire to ignore reality.
John
Oct 30, 2008 at 6:39 pm
I have type 2 diabetes I have it for years doing fine soo far havent had to take any meds. I know that day will come. I am just greatful I am still here to make more beautiful memories with my children and love ones. I can no longer treat my body poorly. It may take 10, 15 ,20yrs to kill me but I can’t worry bout that. Seize the day while you can.
D croston
Nov 19, 2008 at 3:10 am
Amen All To All Of What You’ve Said Tony !!!! Especially since my last post when I discovered that medicare DOES NOT cover the cost of insulin.Kendra seems completely unconcerned and clueless about the legitimate concerns of low income,uninsured diabetics.Accordingly,with the the latest estimates from the ADA putting the most recent estimates at 160,OOO people dying from the effects of diabetes every year in this country alone ( and increasing by about 4-5 % every year).I feel that our demographic group should be more entitled so some decent compassion (shouldn’t be difficult to find) than the arrogant,condecending views that Kendra has expressed .By the way Kendra,if we ever meet,don’t identify yourself,cause I’ll want to put my fist thru your face in the name of thousands of others who share my situation!!…Also,Tony—A good friend of mine passed away from Pancreatic cancer earlier this year–Believe me,I understand the position you have on this issue. Sincerley Dave
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