Karen, what is that saying, the grass is always greener in your neighbors yard? You have so many variable going on with your questions, your friend may doing great according to her frame of reference, her body may handle glucose more efficiently, and maybe her exercise regime is burning off her glucose. I know this elderly couple in which the husband is diabetic with severe foot nephropathy. The couple was complaining one day about the pain and that he had to give up driving his auto due to the loss of feeling in his feet. The elderly wife went on to say, I cook him all of the meals at home, I watch what he eats. I asked her what a typical meal for them and she started talking about this homemade pasta dish and the salad he ate with the meal. You will find that some people will take the journey serious and dig in as you do to find the best control measures. Some will just go with the flow and expect the medicine to cure them. Your friend's point of reference may be a little off and you will not know until you start asking her questions.