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1996-06-21
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Diabetic Friends Action Network (DFAN)
Online Diabetes Newsletter - May 1996 Edition
May is a month that brings warm weather to most of us. That's
great weather for walking or whatever other outside activity
you like to do. If you or your child has diabetes why not
plan a family outing that includes some type of exercise?
Playing with a frisbee or just riding a bicycle with your
child can not only make him/her happy, but also help you and
them with their diabetes management plan.
Our diabetic weight loss club is getting new members every
week. Why not join? It's free and all you need to do is send
us your e-mail address! You'll not only get tips on losing
weight while you get your diabetes under control, but you'll
also learn more about diabetes.
There are three files available for you to read this month.
They include:
1. Charcot Foot/Joint - This is a MUST READ file for ANYONE
associated with diabetes (whether or not you're the person
with diabetes). Charcot Foot/Joint can occur as a "silent
disease" so it's important to know about it BEFORE it happens.
2. Poor Circulation/Leg Cramps - This file will give you
information on this problem many diabetics deal with on a
daily basis. This file includes explanations, advice for
treatment, and tips on how to help prevent poor circulation
problems.
3. Glucophage/Metformin - This file will give you a background
on Glucopahge and how it's used to treat Type II diabetics.
If you'd like to read any of these files please send a request
and they can be uploaded to your e-mail box. Please specify
that you'd like to read the "MAY FILES", and request file 1,
2, 3 or "all".
Send your requests to: belve@aol.com
If you're changing your e-mail address or you'd like to be
taken off our distribution list please let us know.
_______________ARTICLE_______________
I Will Never Give Up!
By Janice Hendrix
I have always viewed my 33 years with diabetes as a
challenge. I have always strived to have a fighting spirit
even though my family history with diabetes was very poor.
It became more of a challenge 4 years ago when I began to
develop complications from having diabetes so long. First
there was peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy,
gastroparesis,hypertension,kidney disease and peripheral
vascular disease. I said that I would not give up. The will
to live was very strong.
I didn't think I had anything else to face till July 1995.
I had been hearing a noise in my head in the sound of my
heart beat. An angiogram was done at my suggestion. I found
out I had very severe cerebrovascular disease. One carotid
artery was 100% blocked and there were other problems. I was
told that I would have a massive stroke.
In September a doctor from South Carolina said that he could
do something. He did another angiogram and said that it was
probably a blood clot. They still couldn't do anything. I
still wouldn't give up. I began calling specialists all of
the United States. They came back saying that it was plague
on the arteries. The right carotid artery couldn't be
touched because of where it was at in the brain. I started
having mini strokes on a regular basis. I kept on being told
that my life was at stake but nothing could be done.
In November I happened to sit down to listen to the
national news on television. They had a story on Stanford
University and the experimental work they were doing on the
arteries deeper in the brain. It was an answer to a prayer!
I called Stanford University the next day and got to the
right department. I sent the X-rays to them the next day. On
Tuesday of the following week a doctor called and said that
they could do something. On December 14th a balloon
angioplasty was performed on the right carotid artery. It
was successful!
The point of this story is to fight diabetes and its
complications. Keep strong the will to live. In my case I
will never give up!
Glossary For This Article:
Peripheral Neuropathy - nerve damage that usually affects the
feet and legs
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) - disease in the large blood
vessels of the arms, legs and feet
Retinopathy - disease of the eye specifically concerning the
retina
Gastroparesis - diabetic complication that affects the stomach
Cerebrovascular Disease - damage to the blood vessels in the
brain that can result in a stroke
Angiogram - a study of the blood vessels where a dye is
injected
_______________ARTICLE_______________
Never Say Never!
I've been wanting to write this for some time now to let
other parents know there is a way to make doctor's visits less
stressful for their children.
Three months ago, a friend of mine mentioned that she took her
son to have his Hemoglobin A1c (see Glossary at the end of
this article) levels and that the doctor didn't do it
intravenously but through a finger stick. Stunned, with mouth
on the floor, I wanted to know more about this.
Every three months my son has to be dragged, kicking,
screaming and fighting to have his blood drawn intravenously
just to have his A1c level done. My son sticks himself 4
times a day. He just turned 4 years old and he's been doing
this for about a year or so. So to have his A1c level checked
with a finger stick would be no big deal for him.
After finding out that they had an A1c analyzer at Mt. Sinai
Hospital up in the city, I was thrilled. It could read my
son's blood sugar within 15 minutes of having it fed into this
$20,0000 machine. Not having insurance coverage to be able to
go to the doctor's office put me at a standstill. I have
Medicaid. I talked to them at the doctor's office and
explained to them the problem with such a traumatic experience
every three months just to do the A1c. They allowed me to
call the day before the appointment to go to their office and
do finger stick. Then I'd run back over to the clinic to see
the doctor for my son.
When I went to the only Peds/Endocrinology clinic on Staten
Island I was told that it couldn't be done since they had no
intention of getting this expensive machine and that they had
no other method of taking blood for the purpose of taking A1c
levels. The person I was speaking to said, "I only work
here."
So I went over her head. I wrote a letter explaining the
situation to the head of the blood lab. I had information
about the analyzer sent to him. He called me and told me YES
they could do a finger stick A1c level for my son!!!!! And
that he wouldn't have to have it done through his tiny arm
only once a year! That we could live with, for now.
When I get older and my son takes care of himself I want him
to be able to take care of himself the same way I have taken
care of him. I'm not going to be able to stand behind him all
his life in regards to his diabetic care. I don't want him to
dread going to the doctor every three months. Most people
only go to doctors when they're sick. They don't go for check
ups and I know my son wouldn't want to go for a checkup
knowing he has to have blood drawn intravenously.
Whether or not you're diabetic don't take no for an answer.
PLEASE! Ask questions from EVERYONE. Someone knows
something, or knows someone who knows something that could
better your quality of life. It's your job, Mom and Dad, to
find out and be an advocate for your diabetic son or daughter.
Do it! Thank you and good luck.
Glossary For This Article:
Hemoglobin A1c - test that measures how much glucose is stuck
to the red blood cells. This test shows what a person's
average blood glucose has been over a four month period
_______________POLL RESPONSES_______________
Last month's poll question asked if you thought humor should
be used to alleviate some of the stress associated with
diabetes. Here's are the response we received.
Response #1:
"I believe in trying to see the funny side of things. Humor
is a very vital part of healing and of life in general. In
fact I count on my computer for at least one good laugh every
day. Generally this will be in a DIAB