- "It's not true that life is one damn thing after another; it is one damn thing over and over."
- Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892 - 1950)
I’ve accepted mine, I have issues and it’s annoying at times, but I find the humor and live my life. I barely remember my life sans diabetes. It is what it is, and it’s a part of me.
But my mother, that’s another story entirely. Is it not enough that 4 members of my immediate family are or were type 1’s, plus 2 Aunts, a nephew a cousin, and a great grandmother. Now type 2 decides that perhaps my mom hasn’t dealt with enough diabetes in her life, and has decided that she should be forced to join the club.
My tiny little 119 lb 4’11 mother who is one the strongest women I know, has recently been diagnosed with t2. I’M PISSED. She was diagnosed a few weeks ago and has just gotten around to sharing this information with my sister. She hasn’t told me yet because she knows that this past month, and this upcoming week are crazy for me regarding work and life. Knowing her, she wants to wait until things are calmer before she'll causally mention it in passing and crack a joke. This is the same woman who 12-hours into visiting my brother in California, broke her hip in his living room. She dragged herself out of the living room, through dining room and kitchen, where she propped herself up against the stove and took a breath. Then she pulled herself up to the oven range and managed to turn off the tea kettle. She sat with her back against the stove & patiently sat on the floor and waited for my brother to get back from his run. When he walked in the door, she comely but firmly told him to call the 911 because she was pretty certain she'd broken her hip. Two days later she was the Queen of the physical therapy room.
I knew this diagnoses would happen, I knew this for a very long time and I’d even said it out loud.
I’ve accompanied my mom to many Dr’s appoints over the years. When her GP told her she was “pre diabetic” and had neuropathy in her feet a couple of years ago, I knew it then, that very moment, even if the Doctor didn’t.
My mom’s this strong woman, little in size but strong in spirit who’s had her share of health problems over the years. Pace Maker/ Defibulator; broken hip, Cardio Version, and most recently, a torn meniscus that she can’t get operated on due to her hearts “unique” rhythm. She’s bounced back from almost of her issues, and her social life is busier than mine. Her knee hurts every day, but she just ices it, takes tylenol and goes about her day.
Her fasting b.s is about 35 points higher than it should be; the Dr. wants to start her on Glucofauge. So now, it’s official, she’s a diabetic.
God, ENOUGH ALREADY DIABETES. LEAVE MY FAMILY ALONE. I don’t care that you and I work as a team, but can't you just leave them out of it!
Marge, (mom) is making the best of it because my mother always sees the glass half full.
No matter what obstacles come her way, she’s always been able to pick herself up by her bootstraps and continued on her course. It’s one of the things that I’ve always admired about her. My sister said she refused to order dessert at dinner last night. She didn’t take a handful of lifesavers, let alone one when they left the restaurant either. Normally, my mother grabs a handful. She has a bit of a sweet tooth.
Her love of chocolate is legendary, and she’s cutting it all out - COLD TURKEY.
This is the same woman who 25 years ago not only decided to quit smoking cold turkey, but also decided that she was going to loose 30 lbs at the same time. Why? Because she wanted to be healthy and fit for her daughter's wedding 3 months down the road. She did it, and people could not believe that she could lose weight and quit the cancer sticks at the simultaneously.
Me, I will see the glass half full because I am my mothers daughter. I will be positive and proactive in her healthcare, and will crack jokes about diabetes and nutrasweet every chance I get – LATER. Today, I have tears in my eyes when I think about it. She’s my mom, my light, the one who believes in me and amazingly thinks that I can do anything. The one who loves me unconditionally no matter what. I want to protect her.
I want her to be here on this earth for as long as possible because I’m selfish. I don’t think I could handle being an orphan in my late 30’s. I’m just not ready for that.
To quote a family saying regarding diabetes, “IT’S IN THE GENES.” And as of today, there’s nothing I can do to change that.
