World Diabetes Day

Porte Ponderings:

Like a bridge over a river, insulin helps by covering the gap between diabetes and life.

Always balancing the sugar levels. Constant monitoring and adjustments to maintain health and avoid the side effects of diabetes. Too little insulin and sugar levels go up endangering internal organs and “high” outbursts. Too much insulin and you can go into a coma. Just sweeping the floors could cause a sugar low. Routine and regularity for activity and diet help maintain a steady balance.

Recent new medications have been introduced to help slow down the digestive system and level out sugar levels. However, too much and you end up with pancreatitis.

My one daughter-in-law had kidney and pancreas transplant. No more diabetes, just antirejection drugs. Usually transplants only last so long and she is nearing the end of the expected duration. 😦

Keep up the research to find a cure.

Insulin is not a cure for diabetes; it is a treatment.
It enables the diabetic to burn sufficient carbohydrates
so that proteins and fats may be added to the diet
in sufficient quantities to provide energy for the economic burdens of life.
~ Frederick Banting
Canadian – Scientist November 14, 1891 – February 21, 1941

Porte Ponderings:

My husband has insulin dependent diabetes. He was diagnosed in 1997 and is still living with the disease at 70.

The incidence of diabetes is much higher among indigenous people.

His mother was diabetic when she was pregnant with him. My husband weighed 12.5 lbs when he was born at home. His mother died at the age of 61 from diabetic complications. Kidney failure, Retina detachments and toe amputations just to mention a few of her health issues due to diabetes.

Advances have been made since my mother-in-law died. The needles are much easier to use. The testing is much easier and more accurate than the urine tests. Now you can wear a sensor that continuously monitors blood glucose levels. The sensors last 2 weeks and are easy to apply. My husband uses 2 types of insulin, a long acting one at night time and a fast acting one before each meal (yes a total of 4 per day).

Other drugs also help control glucose levels: Metformin, Jardiance, Ozempic (injectable 1x per week)

Then there are all of the other diabetic complications such as neuropathy, so he takes Pregavalin for pain; poor circulation so compression socks, special orthotics and a scooter to help with his limited mobility. Oh and don’t forget the Goldbond for dry skin.

We’re lucky, Indian and Northern Affairs pays for most of his medical supplies.

My one daughter-in-law had a pancreas and double kidney transplant. No longer insulin dependent, she now has a handful of anti-rejection drugs to take with every meal.

Non-insulin dependent diabetes is also on the rise in North America. I’ve had non-insulin dependent diabetes for 2 years. Although being over-weight and inactive increase your possibility of developing Type II diabetes you can be active and underweight, so get tested.

New developments and research are aimed at curing the disease, but until then the symptoms are kept at bay with stop gap treatments.

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