Hereditary link with type 2

Red_Fox22 said:

Brunneria - my point is that all she needed to do is to tell both her children that she has developed a chronic condition that may be hereditary and they need to get blood tests annually (or whatever the recommendation is). She said nothing to us about it.

I just cannot understand how this cannot of been part of the thought process.

As soon as I was diagnosed I told my brother that he and his children should be tested. It is one of the first things that occurred to me.

I am not entirely sure I agree with your assertion that everyone is equally blameless when it comes to developing diabetes. If you are pre-warned that you are high risk and ignore advice and develop the condition, this is surely completely different from having no awareness whatsoever and develop the condition through ignorance to the risk factors.

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I agree with your sentiment but suspect that the way diabetes was presented to your mum may have been different from your experience. Prior to diagnosis I knew hardly anyone with diabetes but when I changed my diet to avoid carbs many friends told me to get the GP to give me meds so I could live a normal life and continue to eat the same as before. Just like them. They really do not see diabetes as a major problem. Neither do my siblings. If it gets worse the GP will change their drugs to commensate . No big deal.

That really may be the way your mum sees it. If I had medication or a way of monitoring it I would not be here trying to learn how to manage diabetes. There is no point dwelling on it. I have known I will go blind for many years and am not sure I am happier in the certain knowledge. I would like to live with the hope the health professionals give me. Neither of my parents have diabetes so none of my generation knew but we are all either diabetic or pre diabetic and have had to pass that knowledge to the next generation. Interestingly the kids all have friends with diabetes and they all seem confident in their ability to handle it if it becomes necessary.

If you want to learn more about the genetics of diabetes you may be interested in this course starting 28 August https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/diabetes-genomic-medicine?lr=62

Hi @Red_Fox22 I get where you are coming from, even though I believe you are being harsh; when my mother got a form of cancer (remarkably in remission for several years via a clinical trial) that normally affects persons from Japan, her Doctor recommended my brothers and I get tested for the specifics of this blood cancer - luckily we were all clear. Had her Dr not recommended a test, we would have been ignorant that we could / should do this.

You appear process / technically driven (like me) where what we would see as a natural obvious step should be taken. I would if in your shoes just ask your mother directly, you most likely will be surprised at the answer.

As others have wisely stated, turn your attention to putting diabetes in its place, all you're missing is stuff that is making half a billion sick. Your are 6 months in a have already more than halved your A1c. How about setting yourself a goal of non-diabetic numbers by the end of the next 6 months, and by your self admission improving your "not a great diet" into an enviable one, sharing what you have learned with your mum and making sure she is optimal also - there's a positive plan.

Red_Fox22 said:

Her whole attitude is too light hearted and jocular - she said effectively "welcome to the diabetes club".

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My mum said "at least you'll get your prescriptions free". Families are weird, I still want to know why my father and brother didn't tell me of my nephew's death until 4 days later, despite me talking to them both, weird or what? I'd like to know why my sister and her son couldn't be bothered to tell me that he was getting married, I didn't want to go, what was the problem? I'm also intrigued as to why my other brother didn't tell me that his son had passed his GCSEs, I would have been as pleased as punch for him. It's probably just my family, but in general, they are all a bit weird because they don't do things the way we do. That's really all there is to it.

My family are dysfunctional and rarely see each other, let alone tell each other anything.

Prem51 said:

My family are dysfunctional and rarely see each other, let alone tell each other anything.

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I want the award for the most dysfunctional family! After my Mum died 2 years ago one of my brother's was arrested for assaulting me in the street (with witnesses) At the time I didn't press charges (he was my brother and Mum had just died) but we haven't seen each other since. On Sunday I was sitting with my dying father and texted my brother that if he wanted to say goodbye to Dad he should come and see him. The following day (Dad had died by then) he responds with "by texting me you have broken a ban on lifetime contact with me given to you by the police" I replied with "please get the police to contact me as I don't know anything about this" So far, they haven't.
It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.