Monster Media 1996 #14/Monster Media No. 14 (April 1996) (Monster Media, Inc.).ISO/magazine/dfan9512.zip/DFAN9512.TXT

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Diabetic Friends Action Network (DFAN)
Online Diabetes Newsletter - December 1995
(Delphi Custom Forum 255)

This document (c) Copyright 1995, all rights reserved.
Redistribution of this document is hereby freely granted so
long as the document is redistributed in its entirety (here
interpreted as all text which was not automatically
generated by software as part of the distribution  process);
in particular, with attributions and this copyright notice.


No one chooses to get diabetes but once the diagnosis is made
each person has to figure out the best way to deal with the
situation.

If that means doing things in a way that's a little off-beat,
that's fine, if the person knows the consequences, and is
satisfied with the results.  So you might need to take your
injections while listening to easy listening music, if listening
to that type of music will relax you enough to inject.  Your
daughter might need her Barbi doll nearby to keep herself calm
while you're checking her blood glucose levels.  You might choose
jumping over parking meters as your form of exercise.  Hey, if it
works for you, do it.

Making these choices and following through with them can be some
of the toughest things anyone will have to do.  There can be
conflict with other family members in regards to eating
schedules, or in the way certain money might be spent (ie. on
diabetic supplies and materials vs. recreation).  A small child
might not realize the importance of buying blood glucose testing
strips when they want to go to the amusement park.  It might take
some time and patience to get them to understand the importance
of you (or the other family member) having the supplies.

Even denial is a feeling of "choice".  A person with diabetes who
is in denial chooses not to recognize the seriousness of this
disease.  He or she may know more than the average person about
diabetes yet they don't want to take care of themselves.  It's
all a choice.  Denying they have diabetes may be the only way the
person knows how to survive but it's still a choice.  If you know
someone you think is denying the fact that they have diabetes it
may take someone else to let them know what they're doing.

Choosing to live a life in which the diabetes in your life isn't
controlling you can be difficult but it's possible.  So if you're
finding yourself thinking about giving up, don't.  Reach out and
let others help you, or try to help yourself, talk to a friend or
someone you trust, but don't sit and let yourself stay in
neutral.  Get moving.

As always, we need articles for the next (and future)
newsletters.  If you'd like to send us your story, a poem, a
puzzle, or whatever else you think people would like to read,
please e-mail it to me at: [e-mail]    It can be from you,
your child, or anyone else who'd like to talk about diabetes.

If you receive duplicate copies of this newsletter or would like
to change your e-mail address with us please let us know.

Take care.


_______________ARTICLE_______________


         I SEE THE BIG PICTURE

He was confused, I think he says he needed candy !
He was weak,
He needed sugar, good thing he kept a candy bar in his glove
compartment
and that we had never got out of the driveway.
He was my grandfather, I was in my teens
He was a wonderful man, I remember
He had family in Houston, we went to visit once
He had a sister, she had her foot amputated
He said diabetes ran in the family, (maybe them, not me)
He died in a diabetic coma, I was away at college, I miss
him still

I am in my twenties
I am on fad diets, bad life decisions, kids to raise, always
on the run
I married a great guy, kids to raise, always on the run
I had cancer- I feel like I am no longer invincible
I was scared, Please God, help me-
I have kids to raise-got to make 5 years "clean"

I am in my thirties
I have most of my sons raised and living lives of their own,
they are always on the run
I see the big picture (maybe a house of our own, grandkids?)
I am very overweight, I am hispanic
I am sick a lot, stressed most of my life it seems
(work,work,work)
I have a bad liver (it stopped metabolizing fat) why?
I was slowly losing weight and darn happy about it
I am thirsty, tired, my hands itch a lot
I drink a lot of fluids then I have to wizz a lot

We have a new house- boxes to unpack, the backyard needs
landscaping
We are supposed to be tired, summertime-pulling weeds make
my hands itch
We are happy, I see the big picture

The day is long, I'm tired of feeling sick
The doctor says, "You have diabetes."
The doctor is wrong, I'm out of here
The blood test results don't lie, I am so depressed
The childhood memories of my grandfather and his family rage
in my mind

Not me, Please God, help me
Not good timing
Not ready for all of this

I am one of the "lucky ones"- pop a pill before my busy day
begins
I start the educational classes, to diet and exercise
I surf the net, I'm not alone, there are others like me out
there
I start to lose weight, the blood tests look good
I decide to take it day by day

It's a mind set
It's a life change
It's just the beginning

I see the big picture again



_______________ARTICLE_______________

In last month's newsletter "What Would You Do" gave you a brief
example of a young girl who is feeling jealous of the attention
her diabetic sister is getting from their parents.  We asked you
what would you do in this situation.  Here is an answer we
received from Deb Speer:


I know a lot on this subject as I lived it.  My sister was
diagnosed as diabetic at the age of 12 when I was 16.  The
ages are different, but the problems we had were worse due
to the "teenage years".

I really resented the fact that my parents spent a lot of
time with my sister's care and she got a lot of "extras" as
I saw it.  My parents bought her spinach as she liked it and
she could have unlimited amounts of it.  I actually hated
spinach until I noticed they went to special efforts to
ensure there was always lots of it around for her.  In my
spite, I learned to like spinach so it wasn't just for her
anymore.

I went through a lot of these petty type of changes for
quite awhile.  Mom and dad also bought fresh fruit in the
winter just for my sister even though it was more expensive.
I finally "came around" to logical thinking once my parents,
my sister, and her doctor all had a meeting and fully
discussed my sister's care and how she would have to deal
with testing, injections, possible complications, food
restrictions, etc..., all her life and getting a few
"extras" was hardly a fair trade off.

Being older than the girls in the story makes a difference
as we were at an age where we understood reality a little
bit better.  My parents also realized that I needed some
"extra" attention as well and we finally mellowed out.

Dealing with diabetes is very complicated and my parents
took my sister's diagnosis quite badly at first.  My parents
were always terrified of the disease as my mother had a
cousin that died of complications of diabetes, but didn't
know he had diabetes until the autopsy was done.  My mother
was quite young so this was a memorable experience for her.
This was also 20 years ago and the methods of controlling
the disease are much better now than they were then.

After I learned more about my sister's disease, I started to
accept it better, and even started helping her with her care
as we started hanging out with each other more.  I had the
driver's license and she had the desire to go places, which
helped.  When I was diagnosed 2 years ago with diabetes, my
sister was the first person I called to ask for help and
advice.  I think I now have a much better understanding of
what she went through back then as I have gone through a lot
of it myself.

(If you'd like to get in contact with Deb her e-mail address is:
[e-mail])


_______________ARTICLE_______________

Me and My Diabetes
By Kelsey Farabee

Hi, my name is Kelsey and I am 6 years old.  I have diabetes and
I got it when I was 4 years old and I'm learning how to take care
of myself.  My mom and dad and teacher help me too.  So does one
of my friends at school.  Her name is Kaitlin.  When I get low at
recess she walks with me back to the classroom.  Kaitlin thinks
the finger poke is really neat and she likes to watch me do it.

When I first got diabetes the finger pokes and shots really hurt.
Now I have had it for 2 years and I'm getting used to them.  At
diabetes camp this year I learned how to measure my own insulin.
Last year I learned how to do shots.  It takes a little bit of
time to get used to having diabetes - getting used to the finger
pokes and shots and eating certain amounts of food at certain
times.  I don't like not being able to eat when I am real hungry.

The worst thing about having diabetes is taking shots and not
being able to eat what I want.  The best thing about diabetes is
going to diabetes camp because there is lots of hiking and I get
to sleep out under the stars.

The End

(If you have a diabetic child and they'd like to correspond with
Kelsey in e-mail you can reach her at: [e-mail]



_______________SHORT STORY (FICTION)_______________

Jack sat at his desk wondering what he was going to eat.  The
tacos at dinner just wasn't enough.  "Hmmm..maybe I can have that
porkchop that's on the stove.  No one's going to eat it anyway."
So the porkchop was gone.  The hotsauce made it taste all the
better.

That night Jack woke up at about 2 a.m.  He didn't feel too well,
but since he was in the habit of having his blood sugars high all
the time he didn't even bother to test himself.  "A little Pepto
Bismol should do the trick," he thought to himself.  Jack got up
at 6:00 every morning to make sure he was at work by 8.  It was
like any other morning.  He slept the whole night but felt as if
he had been running for ten hours.  "Honey, did you test
yourself?", his wife called from the kitchen.  "Sure, sure," Jack
called from the bathroom, "if I have some time before I leave."
But as always he didn't have any time.

The drive to work was hectic.  First Jack got upset because the
lawn was too damp and made the bottom of his shoes slick.  Then
he got upset because the lights on his car radio didn't work.  Oh
yes, then there was the seat.  It was too warm for him to sit on.

This silent rage seemed to follow him wherever he went.  He
didn't know why.  He just knew it was there ready to pounce on
anyone he happened to come in contact with.

Jack did take a shot of insulin before lunch but he still didn't
test his blood glucose levels.  He knew he was high so why
bother.  "I can't stand this," he thought to himself.  Jack
wasn't always this way.  Seven years ago when he was first
diagnosed he was very organized and in control.  He tested his
blood glucose levels five to seven times a day and although he
didn't always stick to his mealplans he ate in moderation and it
worked.  His blood glucose levels were always in the 100-140
range and he felt good about himself.  He even found time to put
some exercise into his life but that all changed.

Back at the office Jack had begun to put his work materials away.

It was almost time for him to go home.  He was ready to leave
anyway.  His body was so tired that he had to slip a small nap
into his day.  No one knew.  He locked the office door and told
his secretary not to disturb him.

It was a little after 7:00 p.m. when Jack got home.  His wife had
dinner ready for him but the first place Jack headed for was the
couch.  He slept for about two hours, but his wife knew not to
wake him up.  Her whispers of, "Why doesn't he take his insulin
like he should," was a common sound to hear at this household.

Jack woke up at 9:00 and warmed up his dinner in the microwave.
He just loved fried chicken and mashed potatoes.  "That nap
didn't do me any good, I'll have to make sure I get to bed early
tonight."  Jack's wife didn't respond.  She knew more naps
wouldn't help her husband but what could she do?

Jack's wife started a conversation she knew she should have
started a long time ago, "Jack, we need to talk.  I know you
don't like me hounding you about your diabetes but you're not
taking care of yourself.  You sleep most of the time you're here
and I don't even see your testing your blood glucose anymore.
I'm worried about you.".

"Oh honey," Jack said as he gave her that confident grin, "I'm
ok.  I'm just a little run down.  You know I haven't been
exercising like I should.  A little exercise is all I need.
That'll give me some more energy."

"Ok Jack," Joan said in a defeated tone, "maybe that'll help."



_______________ANNOUNCEMENT_______________

DFAN is starting a weight loss club!  That's right...a club just
for people with diabetes (and anyone else who wants to join)!  We
will concentrate on giving out information that is geared toward
diabetics who want to lose weight but we believe anyone can
benefit from shedding those extra pounds so non-diabetic
information will also be available in case your family or friends
want to lose weight along with you.

The only problem is...we need a name for the club.  So if a name
comes to mind we'd appreciate if you'd send it to us!  We might
just pick it as the name of our weight loss club!

Losing weight is a difficult thing to do.  Losing weight while
you're dealing with the emotional and physical problems
associated with diabetes is even more difficult so we feel this
club is something that's needed.  Why not participate?

If there's something in particular you would like the club to
address please let us know.  Send an e-mail to [e-mail].  We
will have all the membership information in the next issue of
this newsletter.  There will be no charge for membership.


_______________ANNOUNCEMENT_______________

A "Meter Bank" has been formed on one of the diabetic listserves
in order to get free meters for people who cannot afford them.
Lifescan is offering free Profile meters for 350 "Lifepoints" or
UPC's.  After you take advantage of this offer if you have any
extra "Lifepoints", UPC's or coupons why not help the meter bank?

All you need to do is send in the "Lifepoints" or UPC Codes from
any box of Lifescan Blood Glucose Testing Strips.  We are also in
need of the coupons that need to be filled out for the offer
(these can be found on marked boxes of Lifescan Strips or they
have been mailed to individuals.  We need BOTH the coupons and
the UPC points but if you only have one or the other please send
it in anyway.  If you'd like to help a fellow diabetic in need
please send the UPC's/LifePoints and/or coupons (we need them
both to make this work) to:

            Keeper Of The Meter Bank
            c/o Richard Thornton
            4207 Cantwell Drive
            Pasadena, Texas 77505-4421-07


If you are in need of a meter and can't afford one, if you know
of someone in need of a meter who can't afford one, or if you'd
like more information about the Meter Bank please send a letter
to the above address OR send an e-mail to: [e-mail]

The Lifescan coupons that must be filled out for this offer are
extremely hard to find so it would also help if you, or the
person who needs the meter could call Lifescan (1-800-227-8862)
to request a coupon.  If they agree to send it to you please
forward it to the Meter Bank and we can help another person get a
desperately needed meter.

_______________POLL_______________

We have seen many marches on Washington.  Some small, some large.
Do you think it would be good for diabetics, their families and
friends to have a march on Washington?  If so, why?  Do you think
it would do more harm than good?  Why?  Send us your responses
and we'll put it in the next newsletter.

_______________BACK ISSUES_______________

November Edition: Article - New Lifestyle * What Would You Do -
Sibling Rivalry * Article - Exercising With Neuropathy * Writing
Contest Details

October Edition: Article - Dealing With Reactions * Poll
Results - Thicker Blood? * Article The 10th Anniversary of
the Bustin' Diabetes Rodeo ( Case Scenario - Meal Planning
Away From Home * Story - From Paycheck To Paycheck * Writing
Contest Details

September Edition: (Special Stress Issue): Article -
Discipline * We Want Your Opinion * Article - Diabetic
Without Health Insurance * Article - A Life With Stress *
Article - Dealing With Stress

For a list of our other back issues just send an e-mail to:
[e-mail]