Hi. Thanks for this forum, it's nice to have support. My story is strange, but I guess others will identify with it:
I'm Fred, 65 and forever young, invulnerable and impervious - or so I thought. About 20 years ago, during a routine urine test, it was discovered I had glucose in my system. The word 'diabetes' was mooted at that point, but because I had recently drunk a 2 litre bottle of Lucozade (in anticipation of having to 'do a wee') I argued that I didn't have diabetes, and that the excess sugary drink was to blame for the negative result. I had blood taken, and it showed - strangely - a 'normal' level of glucose in my blood. So that was that - case dismissed. Or so it would have appeared.
Then, in 2006, I had a major operation, involving my waterworks. I'll spare the details, but basically left hospital without a bladder. Since then, I've suffered regular infections in my urinary tract (what was left of it) and put this down to the side effects of the operation.
However, a few months ago, I had an infection that became rather serious: a kidney infection that was not only painful, but left me delirious (doctor's words), confused, and 'at potential risk of dying, or something more serious' (paraphrasing the doc again). During this time, my urine was sampled and was full of sugar. I was urged to have a fasting blood test, this showed glucose in my blood, and a further follow-up test again showed a surplus of glucose. Diabetes was a reality.
It's controlled by diet, but other uglies reared their heads: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc etc. Oh, the joys of getting old. I'm now on Ramipril, Simvastatin, Nitrofurantoin, Metformin and I rattle when I walk - if you can call it 'walking': the creaks are often mistaken for rusty gate hinges.
Right. The beauty of old age and getting 'past it'. Sod that. I take my motorcycle out on nice days and thwart the speed cameras (they say if you do 175mph it's too fast for the cameras to register), I accost strangers and chat to them, I take my alcohol wisely (never more than 20 pints a night), take my camera to various viewpoints and shove it in people's faces, and generally enjoy the day. OK, I have Type 2 and know it's potentially dodgy, but I try not to have sugar and my weight is stable. At the last count, my glucose levels were decreasing, so it all looks promising.
The moral is: I'm okay with things, never expecting more than I'm entitled to, never appreciating tomorrow before it arrives, and always eager to love the free - and beautiful - things: flowers, smells, sunrise and sunset. I love being arrogant too, and I expect this shines through, but there are people out there who have a whole lot worse to cope with, and for them, my thoughts are ever empathetic. Carry on the good work, don't let the screaming banshee that is diabetes beat you into submission.
Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to rant. (my wife never lets me). Keep up the good work!
I'm Fred, 65 and forever young, invulnerable and impervious - or so I thought. About 20 years ago, during a routine urine test, it was discovered I had glucose in my system. The word 'diabetes' was mooted at that point, but because I had recently drunk a 2 litre bottle of Lucozade (in anticipation of having to 'do a wee') I argued that I didn't have diabetes, and that the excess sugary drink was to blame for the negative result. I had blood taken, and it showed - strangely - a 'normal' level of glucose in my blood. So that was that - case dismissed. Or so it would have appeared.
Then, in 2006, I had a major operation, involving my waterworks. I'll spare the details, but basically left hospital without a bladder. Since then, I've suffered regular infections in my urinary tract (what was left of it) and put this down to the side effects of the operation.
However, a few months ago, I had an infection that became rather serious: a kidney infection that was not only painful, but left me delirious (doctor's words), confused, and 'at potential risk of dying, or something more serious' (paraphrasing the doc again). During this time, my urine was sampled and was full of sugar. I was urged to have a fasting blood test, this showed glucose in my blood, and a further follow-up test again showed a surplus of glucose. Diabetes was a reality.
It's controlled by diet, but other uglies reared their heads: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc etc. Oh, the joys of getting old. I'm now on Ramipril, Simvastatin, Nitrofurantoin, Metformin and I rattle when I walk - if you can call it 'walking': the creaks are often mistaken for rusty gate hinges.
Right. The beauty of old age and getting 'past it'. Sod that. I take my motorcycle out on nice days and thwart the speed cameras (they say if you do 175mph it's too fast for the cameras to register), I accost strangers and chat to them, I take my alcohol wisely (never more than 20 pints a night), take my camera to various viewpoints and shove it in people's faces, and generally enjoy the day. OK, I have Type 2 and know it's potentially dodgy, but I try not to have sugar and my weight is stable. At the last count, my glucose levels were decreasing, so it all looks promising.
The moral is: I'm okay with things, never expecting more than I'm entitled to, never appreciating tomorrow before it arrives, and always eager to love the free - and beautiful - things: flowers, smells, sunrise and sunset. I love being arrogant too, and I expect this shines through, but there are people out there who have a whole lot worse to cope with, and for them, my thoughts are ever empathetic. Carry on the good work, don't let the screaming banshee that is diabetes beat you into submission.
Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to rant. (my wife never lets me). Keep up the good work!
. 
