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Sobering event

alhubb

Well-Known Member
Messages
101
Type of diabetes
Type 1
I was diagnosed as type 1 December last year (32 y/o), but a very good friend of mine was diagnosed at 16/17 y/o (now in his 30s).

He didn't really look after himself very well, struggled with controlling his BG and tried to ignore it. Not matter what his friends/family/drs/nurses did, it feel on death ears. Inevitable complications occurred over the last few years, his eye sight suffered, he lost fingers on both hands and both his legs. However, he was lucky enough to be offered a pancreas and kidney transplant after getting his BG under control.

Unfortunately, due to unforseen complications with the transplant he died this week (36 y/o)

I am obviously deeply heartbroken to lose a friend of mine and at such a young age. I'm also angry at him that he ignored the warnings from his body and health professions and others. I'm also very sad he clearly didn't get the support he needed and I feel like I've let him down, especially with how much pain he has had to go through.

It also terrifies me that this could happen to me at some point in my life, it really has hammered home how serious this all is and it's not something to be taken lightly.

I'm thought I'd write this as a warning for me and others of the importance of being type 1 and looking after yourself. It's not just you that it affects, it's your friends and family too. Please, please look after yourselves and if you need help, ask for it!

Sent from my SM-A320FL using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app
 
That is so sad and at such a young age @alhubb , condolences to his family and friends like yourself.
 
Thank you for posting this, and I am very sorry that you have lost your friend, and his family have now lost a member.

We can ALL do with regular reminders of how bad this beast can be, although it saddens me that these reminders are often by example.
 
A very sad story indeed. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends. 36 is no age at all.
 
Sorry for your loss.
You can ensure you do your best to manage your diabetes.
Just remember your human and no one can perfectly manage their diabetes 100% all of the time. Also mental health makes a huge difference to that management.
We dont know why your friend was emotionally unable to keep their diabetes in good control. I didnt walk in their shoes. You know how the saying goes.
All you can do is keep healthy yourself. Which I'm sure you will.
Look after yourself and seek bereavement counselling from your gp.
I know the Samaritans are very good at listening too. Especially at odd hours through the night when our emotions are most raw.
This forum is excellent too.
 
Sorry to hear that @alhubb sending you best wishes and a big hug, it's a difficult thing to live with but we can only do our best.
 
@alhubb I think you are probably in a better mental state than your friend.
In my very limited experience, the hardest time for T1s is when they transition from child to adult.
My nephew was diagnosed at 9 and went "off the rails" for many years in a similar way.
He is fortunate that his pancreas and kidney transplant was successful and he seems to be doing O.K. so far.

Condolences on your loss.
 
It's a tragic story which shows just how vicious T1 can be. I remember reading an article a few months after dx about a 25 yr old being told 5 years after her dx that she was going to go blind if she carried on ignoring it. It was very motivational for me in the sense of saying to myself that isn't going to happen to me.
 
Condolences to @alhubb be strong for your friends' family and look after yourself. Always people on this forum who will listen and provide support so please don't hesitate to engage when you feel the need.
 
So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend @alhubb .
Sadly a scenario that happens far too often and goes largely unnoticed.
If your post helps one person with there struggles then that can only be good.
My view is.....Diabetes doesn't kill us. Diabetes does kill us if we let it, whether by design or by default.
 
You did not let him down! xxxx

I was diagnosed as type 1 December last year (32 y/o), but a very good friend of mine was diagnosed at 16/17 y/o (now in his 30s).

He didn't really look after himself very well, struggled with controlling his BG and tried to ignore it. Not matter what his friends/family/drs/nurses did, it feel on death ears. Inevitable complications occurred over the last few years, his eye sight suffered, he lost fingers on both hands and both his legs. However, he was lucky enough to be offered a pancreas and kidney transplant after getting his BG under control.

Unfortunately, due to unforseen complications with the transplant he died this week (36 y/o)

I am obviously deeply heartbroken to lose a friend of mine and at such a young age. I'm also angry at him that he ignored the warnings from his body and health professions and others. I'm also very sad he clearly didn't get the support he needed and I feel like I've let him down, especially with how much pain he has had to go through.

It also terrifies me that this could happen to me at some point in my life, it really has hammered home how serious this all is and it's not something to be taken lightly.

I'm thought I'd write this as a warning for me and others of the importance of being type 1 and looking after yourself. It's not just you that it affects, it's your friends and family too. Please, please look after yourselves and if you need help, ask for it!

Sent from my SM-A320FL using Diabetes.co.uk Forum mobile app
 
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