I watched Intervention tonight. It peaked my interest due to the story being about a Type 1 diabetic who just wasn’t taking care of himself. He had been in the hospital 5+ times due to lack of insulin or care for his diabetes. This hit me hard. For years I would blind bolus, not knowing what my level was nor how many carbs I was consuming. I also suffered from depression due to throwing in the towel. I just didn’t care what happened. Not knowing that I was not only hurting myself, but my family as well. I am still amazed how I never once landed in the hospital due to this. It’s a flat out miracle. There was many times I could have easily slipped into ketoacidosis or diabetic coma, but God and His angels totally had me covered! I totally didn’t care. I didn’t want to be different…and this put my life in jeopardy. The way that I was living literally all changed when I started the Omnipod on July 15, 2008. I truly believe going on the pump was my intervention. If I hadn’t gone on the pump I am not too sure I would be all here today…I am thankful for my doctors telling me I needed to get it in check and the pump was the best way to do that [total personal preference here]. I am also thankful for my mom who has been there the whole way and helped me out when I needed it.
Thank you Omnipod for being the intervention that possibly saved my life!
So…have you been in the diabetic blues? Who or what has intervened and helped you out?
I wish if all my patients will join and tell you their stories here.Glad and grateful to God that you are well and looking after your self.Where are your lovely poems by the way? We do miss you.
Sugarrbabie:
SH**, too. You’re singing my song. About 6 years ago, I went into depression and stopped taking care of myself. At the time, I was on my first pump and had stopped filling it. I woke up the day after Thanksgiving and walked like a drunken sailor. My legs swelled to humongous proportions and turned purple in the ER where they left me to rot for hours. As a result, I lost the normal use of both lower legs and feeling in the upper part of the lower legs and no feeling in the feet due to DVTs behind the knees. I am now permanently disabled and cannot work normally because of a loss of balance. I have to keep elevating my legs due to lymphedema. All this because I got depressed and refused to take care of myself.
What got me back on track? A swift kick in the ■■■. (Excluse the expletive. It just seems appropriate.) I had a number of people fighting for me even if I wouldn’t. But, unfortunately, not family members as much as the medical community.
Keep the faith and, unfortunately, you can expect to see more depression. But how you handle it and how long it lasts really depends on YOU. Like I said (hint, hint), keep the faith.
Lois La Rose
This show was really just … I can’t put into words how I felt…many tears
Thanks for starting this topic…as soon I as watched the show I came over here to take a peek…
I think we all go through periods of depression and wanting to give up but you are right Lois, how you handle it and how long you have it really has to come from within you although it does take a kick sometimes from an outside source to get you going in the right direction again…
I could definately really “feel” this kids side of the story…although I don’t think I would ever not test for days or go into the 600’s on purpose…I will admit there has been days where I don’t carb count…a few days I let it run on the higher side because I don’t want to deal with it… I surely have said “screw this” a few times…I can remember when newly diagnosed I threw my meter into the dumpster at the apartments we were living in and my poor husband fished it out for me!
but I think about my blessings, my kids, my husband…all the others with diabetes that have to take this ride with me! We have to fight the good fight because there is no other route for now…we may stumble along the way but we always find a way to keep pressin’ on …which in the long run only makes us stronger and much more emotionally sensitive to others and their journeys…that is something I find very sacred…
Okay I’m just rambling here…
I am very thankful we have tudiabetes to turn to each other for help, questions and support…
This show was really a good wake up call and message of hope for those that need it…and don’t we all sometimes?!
Hugs to all~
Jaimie
I saw this show last night and was really disappointed with it. A&E had the opportunity to raise a lot of awareness for type 1 with this episode and I think they just reinforced a lot of the misconceptions instead. You can’t control type 1 diabetes simply by testing, taking insulin, and avoiding certain foods, there are a few other factors at play. And a slice of cake or bowl of macaroni and cheese does not necessarily equal a non-compliant diabetic. It would have been nice to have a little more information about his situation - how about showing a visit with a CDE or talking about A1c levels a little?
I found myself getting very angry at John’s father (who I assume had type 2, although they never said for sure), who seemed to think that it should be very simple for his son to maintain normal glucose levels all the time. I think that John was probably made to feel like a “bad diabetic” for a long time before things really spiraled out of control, and I think enough of that will make anyone want to stop trying.
Obviously the root issue here was his depression, and it’s really sad to see it hyped as an “out of control diabetic” instead. Sure diabetes contributes to his depression, but I would guess his family situation contributes to it a little more. I hope that John can get out of his parents’ house and find a support system, that’s the only chance he’s got.
I FELL THE SAME AS YOU, BEFORE I STARTED ON MY OMNIPOD I DIDNT CHECK MY BLOOD SUGARS BUT MAYBE 5 TIMES A WEEK AND DIDNT CARE IF I WHERE HIGH OR NOT I JUST LIVED MY LIFE, THEN STARTING THE OMNIPOD IN SEPTEMBER MADE ME REALIZE THAT KICKING DIABETES IN THE A** WAS NO PROBLEM, THAT I COULD DO THIS AND NOW I AM SUPER EXCITED TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF, BEING DIABETIC FOR 17 YEARS AND COUNTING I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO EXCITED TO PROCLAIM THAT I AM DIABETIC, I GET TO WEAR THIS KICK A** DEVICE THAT KEEPS ME ALIVE, I CANT WAIT FOR POOL SEASON SO I CAN SHOW MY BAD BOY OFF ( LOL )
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!
<3 LINZIE