Sign In
 
LoginPassword Help
 
Username:
Password:
 

The Heart Of Diabetes
Friday, November 30, 2007
By: Shannon Newby

The Heart Of Diabetes

It was vacation week of July 4,1987. I had been ill for a couple of days and my pediatrician admitted me into the hospital for testing. it was discovered I was in DKA and had type 1 diabetes. I leanred to give my self shots and test my blood sugars. My mother began to have me give myself injections, she knew this would be a disease I would have to learn to control as I grew older. I learned through trial and error what all the symptoms of hypo and hyper glycemia where. I had several hospitalization during my teen years attempting to adjust my insulin doses with ever changing hormones. All the while the rest of body seemed to not be suffering any of the damages that diabetes can cause. When I was 19 yrs old, I had my first and only child. He was born 5 weeks early and weighed 8 lbs and 13 ozs. He did very well and for a diabetic I also did awesome. When I was 23 I was diagnosed with hypertension and high cholestrol. My hypertension was treated but my cholestrol was not. I seemed to be doing okay and had no complications with my diabetes other than some up and downs on occasions. Then in December 2005, I began having shortness of breath and heaviness of my chest. My doctor admitted me and began testing me. It was doiscovered I had heart disease and would require an immediate triple bypass. I was less than one month over my 28th birthday. I did well through the surgery and recovery. I have done well since that time. Next Monday I will have my first stress test since my surgery to check the functions of my heart. I know how important taking care of my body is. Watching the foods I eat and the glucose readings help control different things in my body. Exercise helps keep those glucose readings down and helps my heart stay helathy. While I cannot control everything I can decide whether or not to attempt to care for myself. I decide to take of me and my heart. That means controlling my diabetes. I encourge everyone to take control. It's sometimes furstrating and time consuming but when you face the alternative, you will see how valuable taking care of yourself really is. Keep fighting! You do decide!