Diabetes is a major bitch--no matter who suffers from it--even Tweety..

[blondeatlast]

In response to some downright shocking and horrible posts in the "Chris Matthews Hospitalized" thread, here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2840982&mesg_id=2840982

Some of those posts are at worst, vile, and at best, terribly misinformed.

I don't want to rain on the GD parade, but diabetes and its secondary complications, of which I and several of your fellow DUers suffer several, is vastly underreported, as the deaths are usually attributed to kidney or heart disease, stroke, or heart attack. Only recently have these deaths been further linked to diabetes as the underlying cause.

Keeping reasonably healthy with it requires an INTENSE degree of self-care and sacrifice and the misunderstandings surrounding it make it all the worse. So your co-worker has a severe hypoglycemic attack? Right, blame him/her for not managing his disease well--don't blame the disease, whatever you do. :sarcasm: Forget that the slightest alteration from the routine can set it off--a little extra exercise, not feeling well and not wanting to eat, the slightest stress can send you on a path that is potentially fatal within minutes.

Or you have the other option--to be just a tiny bit lax--and I do mean infinitesimally lax--and suffer the long-term secondary complications.

Or maybe you manage it absolutely perfectly and have that little Cosmopolitan at the office holiday party--and here comes your well-meaning co-worker to tell you about his great uncle who passed from diabetes 20 years ago--and of course he couldn't keep away from alcohol... (FWIW, diabetics can drink alcohol provided they account for how it is metabolized).

I'm not asking for a donation to JDF or for you to stop mocking Chris Matthews when he's WELL--but show a little understanding of the person I know you know well who has diabetes. Unless they are intimate family or friends, chances are you have NO idea how much work they put into to keep healthy, only to have that sinus infection/flu/upset stomach land them in the hospital with an IV protruding from their arm and that ever present worry that this time they may not come out.

I've been there--and that's why this mild rant/reproach.

Thanks for caring enough to read this. I will ask you to support the re-introduction of HR 810 regarding stem cell research. It won't help me, but it will help someone you love, someday: http://stempac.typepad.com/stempac/2005/07/810_accept_no_s.html

[Pirate Smile]

1. I missed the earlier thread and didn't know what had happened although

I have been wondering what was going on since he hasn't been doing his show.

I hope he gets better and has a relatively easy time learning to live with the disease.

Nasty posts? I'm glad I missed them.

edit to add - Didn't he catch malaria or something like that a couple of years ago?

And he hasn't drank for years according to what I've heard him say in the past.

[AlCzervik]

2. this is the first i've heard about it, i wish him a speedy recovery.

it runs rampant in my family and i was borderline about 2 years ago, i hope i can keep dodging the bullet for as long as possible.

[knitter4democracy]

3. Thank you for this.

I may not like the guy, but diabetes is nothing to mess with. It is not an easy disease to manage for millions of people, and many have it because of genetic issues, not lack of exercise or poor diet.

We should be better than this.

[joneschick]

4. thank you.

that thread was a little hard to take. I lost my brother to diabetic complications a year ago in July. His employer had no regard for his need for a regular schedule and would switch shifts on him at the merest whim. By the time he died, I suspect he had suffered brain damage from the too many times his sugar plummeted out of control. :hug:

[SeattleGirl]

6. My condolences to you, joneschick.

:hug:

[blondeatlast]

7. People are so terribly unaware that routine is an absolute must.

Just another example of the continuing struggle. I've been incredibly fortunate to still be on this mortal plane, believe me.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Another lost ved one for whom I will fight. :hug:

[Luna_C_06]

24. Hey, I know what you mean about the

whole routine thing. I'm a type 1 diabetic (had it 17 years, since I was 3) and I use to take 5 to 10 shots a day, had to eat at a certain time, and couldn't always keep up in gym class because of low blood sugars. It got to be too much during high school because I was getting hospitalized about twice a month for DKA. My doctor convinced me to change from shots to an insulin pump and it's been soooo much better. I got my A1c level to drop from 17.1 to 7.3 and I don't have to follow such a strict routine anymore. Plus I don't have to check my blood sugars 4-6 times a day which has been much easier on my finger tips, hell I can actually fell them again! So if there are any diabetics here that are dependent on shots, I definitely recommend the insulin pump.

[northofdenali]

36. We're glad you're here with us, Luna_C!

Welcome to DU! One of the greatest things about this site is the amount of information everyone is willing to provide, such as your info about the insulin pump. (I didn't even know they existed!)

:hi:

On edit - Great moniker, by the way.

[Luna_C_06]

37. Insulin pumps are great....

this is what mine looks like.
edit: except mine is blue.

[Lurking Dem]

53. I have a blue one as well!

I started pumping in 1987!

I still have complications that are, alas, killing me but I'm dealing with more than 1 autoimmune disease so they sort of feed each other.

The pump makes life SO much easier. It frees you from the clock. And unless you've had to live by one every single day for a decade or two you have NO idea what that means.

[calimary]

34. Understood. My dad died of complications from diabetes.

AWFUL way to go. So bad I wouldn't even wish it on duhbya. Or dick.

I find tweety revolting most of the time, but diabetes is no fun. Maybe he was circulating at too many Beltway/Georgetown cocktail parties trawling for guests for his show or something. But even then, you have to be vigilant about what you eat and drink. And in a job like his, I'll bet it's really hard. When I was working, the hospitality suites and the catering at big press gatherings and events - well, let's just say we never starved. And some of it was the kind of thing I was glad my dad never saw. He would have eaten the whole buffet table. And then would have to be rushed to the hospital with blood sugar levels over 600.

[Skidmore]

42. My condolences and I understand so well.

We have a very good friend who was in a similar situation with his employer. He was fortunate enough that his wife was able to talk him into leaving the job and that he was willing to. He's very fortunate to have her in his life. She came up with a business plan and they started their own business so he could work and look after his health on his own time. His health improved markedly afterwards. Too many employers forget that people are working for them and not automatons.

[OzarkDem]

52. Oh, that's so sad

Sorry to hear it, my sympathies to your family.

:hug:

[SeattleGirl]

5. Thank you for your post, blondeatlast

I don't care who it is, I don't care whether I like a person or not, but it is not in me to mock, or laugh at, or be happy about the illness of another. My paternal grandfather died from complications from diabetes. I have known many people who have had toes, feet, legs amputated because of diabetes. There is absolutely nothing funny about that disease, or any other disease, particularly one that is a potential killer.

I do not understand how people can make fun of someone with an illness. Make fun of the person, make fun of how he/she acts, or what he/she says, but making fun of them because they have a disease? I will not go there.

[madrchsod]

8. i agree with you.

my mother in law had it and through the years i have known several people who have had diabetes. it is a long slow death that no one deserves

[doodadem]

9. I just returned from my sister's funeral......

Both of my sisters were Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetics from a young age. Life long catastrophic illness with terrible, terrible complications (amputations, blindness, organ failures). I lost my other sister 5 years ago. Obviously it runs in my family.

I'll have to look at the other thread, had no idea that Matthews was diabetic. As I said in another thread a few weeks ago, anyone who stands in the way of stem cell research to get rid of this disease, deserves to have it themselves, or have to watch someone they love die the slow, painful death of it.

[blue neen]

20. I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.

Diabetes also runs in our family, but so far I have managed to escape it's clutches.

I've seen what it has done to my mom; the heart disease, the diabetic retinopathy. Now, on top of it all she has Parkinson's Disease.

Stem cell research couldn't come soon enough for our family.

[renate]

64. I'm so sorry about your losses

It must have been so hard to see people you love going through all of that.

:hug:

[emulatorloo]

10. Thank you for this . . . and for the link re HR 810

:patriot:

Kick and nominating.

[skiddlybop]

11. I'm not mocking Chris Matthews.

I feel literally nothing. After all, he's the one who dumps on Hillary Clinton because "it's fun."

I'm sure he has plenty of family and hangers-on supporting him, and when I hear him speak passionately and with sincerity about HIV or stem cell research, then I will pat his brow just because. Otherwise, there are many people ahead of him on line who need my sympathy a lot more.

[blondeatlast]

13. self-delete nt

[Lurking Dem]

12. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Kick and rec!

[zbdent]

14. My comment was about removing his head from his ass ... not a poke

about diabetes ...

BTW, I have a whole family of an Aunt and her kids that, if not all of them, most have diabetes ...

and in January 2005, I was informed that I was type 2 diabetic ... and obese.

Under control. I don't make a big issue of it. In fact, at a family gathering, my sister offered me cake. I just said I'll pass ... different aunt said that that was how I managed to slim down (just down 25 lbs ... still overweight)

I find my cousins having dealt with diabetes all their lives a comfort to me ... that, if kept under control, it's not a death sentence. I also lost one cousin in that family due to complications from his diabetes ... a kidney transplant didn't work.

[Emit]

15. I am just now learning more about diabetes because my dog was just diagnosed

earlier this year -- everything you wrote in the OP about diabetes for humans is true for my dog, as well. Just when we think we have him stable, something very small can destabilize him quickly--a scrap of food that the kid dropped, a piece of cat food that dropped, a little extra excitement or exercise, etc.

Thanks for this post, blondeatlast. You make some very important points here about diabetes that others will benefit from knowing about and understanding. I had no idea about the daily ups and downs of this disease until my dog was diagnosed.

[Raine]

33. I had two dogs that were diabetic

they were brothers and first one came down with it and about 6 months later the other one did too. It was an ordeal taking care of them,watching their diets, checking their urine with sticks and giving them insulin shots and the continuous ups and downs fearful each time might be the end. The nicest part was the really close bonding with them, I don't think I have ever felt that connected before or since to any of my animals, I still miss them. Good luck with your dog! :pals:

[Emit]

66. Thanks for that. The hardest part for me

(aside from what you describe with the daily maintenance -- he hates his shots and he gets them twice a day!!) is that he is now blind -- likely as a result of his diabetes I've been told -- and this saddens me. He has cataracts, which can be operated on, but, we don't have the money right now and with his diabetes -- which we've had difficulty stabilizing (he also has severe allergies, resulting in a skin condition, again, all possibly related to his diabetes), the vet says he's not a good candidate for surgery because of his overall health right now. If things get moved in the house, he runs into them. He doesn't enjoy the outside like he used to. And he's become very skittish around my kids and neighbors -- I'm afraid he's going to bite someone. I just feel his quality of life suffers so.



Anyway, not to hijack this thread -- which is about humans with diabetes -- but, what I experience with my dog makes me understand more what people with this disease suffer, IMHO.

[Raine]

76. My dogs didn't seem to

mind the shots, I always figured that they felt better afterward. It's been awhile but I think that I gave them a treat afterward so they also associated the shots with that. The loss of sight goes along with the diabetes, both of mine lost their sight too. It was a difficult period and one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life to keep them both going. I know about the cost because it was all so expensive, things that you wouldn't have thought about like the needles and the testing sticks and of course the insulin itself it all added up to a large amount plus all the vet trips. I may have kept them going longer than I should have but I was afraid if I lost one the other would soon follow. You have to weigh it and keep them going while their quality of life is still good and they enjoy things but let them go when life is more pain then pleasure for them.

[cally]

16. Thank you. My husband has Type I diabetes

and it's a constant struggle. It's not an easy disease to manage well.

[Cass]

17. Wow. I didn't know Matthews was in the hospital. I wish him a speedy recovery.

Having known several people who suffered from diabetes I wouldn't wish this on anyone. Its serious business and can cause all sorts of additional complications. I hope he's back on his feet soon.

[H2O Man]

18. Thank you.

I find the one thread to be a poor reflection on those who say such foolish things.

[leftofthedial]

19. irrespective of his diabetes, which does suck

I still say he's so full of bullshit that it probably got septic

[Catherine Vincent]

21. I didn't even know this.

Hope he gets well quick.

[UTUSN]

22. Well, he's got HEALTH CARE *and* voted for SHRUB n/t

[Redstone]

23. Anyone who will pile on a sick man is a vile, despicable asshole. DUer or not.

Redstone

[Hardrada]

25. Agreed.

We don't like THEM to mock our illnesses or kick us when we're down. We should show a more sporting attitude and a compassion which all parties should emulate.

[Missy Vixen]

26. blondeatlast, you go, girl

>I've been there--and that's why this mild rant/reproach.<

I always have found that those who don't suffer from a chronic illness have little or no tolerance for those who do.

It's unfortunate that anyone would think another person deserves something as devastating as diabetes.

Julie

[NightOwwl]

27. That thread was as disgusting...

as any freeper thread I have ever seen.

[driver8]

32. I didn't see it and I'm glad that I didn't.

People can be such insensitive idiots sometimes.

C'mon DU'ers -- we're better than that.

[seabeyond]

28. i can certainly respect this. i didnt even read replies in that thread

because i was sure there was ugliness, and i have no desire to partake. i support you and your post a 100%

[upi402]

29. Thanks for this. At least Tweety was against the war

I have zero sympathy for war profiteering chickenhawks. I do hope they die as slow and painful as the thousands they've killed for profit and power. Like it or not, that's what I am like these days. I never was before, not even close.


Tweety is a whore and profits from the propaganda machine that fools us fools everyday. There's some inner conflict for ya, and I bet it's a stressor.

The truth could set him free. :popcorn:

[laundry_queen]

30. Thank you. Recommended. n/t

[girl gone mad]

31. I had no idea...

he was ill. Fortunately, I missed the thread in question.

I don't generally agree with Matthews tone or commentary, but as a political junky, I enjoy having his show as an option. I will say that he has gotten unfair blame for the poor performance of some of his Democratic guests. I do wish him well.

[northofdenali]

35. blondeatlast, thank you for this post.

No one in my family has had this horrid disease, but my husband and I watched a good friend, the same age as we are, deteriorate over a matter of a few short months. Thank heaven his wife read an article on diabetes in a magazine, and insisted he be checked for that as well as other possible illnesses.

Neither knew of anyone in their families who had the disease, but since it was diagnosed rather quickly (I understand it sometimes takes a while to be sure), Doug is stable and has managed to educate a bunch of his coworkers, friends, etc. My husband worked with him for years, and watching his rapid weight loss, lack of energy from a guy who "bounced" everywhere, and other problems (including memory) was scary at best.

Rant all you'd like - this is a rotten disease, and I would not wish it on anyone, regardless of my lack of respect or dislike for him/her. Doug had a heck of a time getting it under control, but once it was, he vowed to make sure it stayed that way.

K&R and thanks again for a great post.

[roguevalley]

38. I find out Wednesday if I have diabetes. My sympathies are with

Chris Matthews and anyone who has this disease, which killed my aunt last year.

[Hekate]

Tweety, m'dear, get well soon. We'd miss you if you were gone...

Hey all you DUers, you know you would, so make nice.

Hekate

[Gwerlain]

39. Making fun of sick people...

is another one of those things I'm not "down with." Ya know?

Thanks for this.

[Cooley Hurd]

40. K&R - although I've been lucky so far, diabetes hangs over my head...

My mother died from complications of it 8 years ago.

My oldest sister, in her mid 50's, suffers from it and has a significant loss of mobility due the the decreased circulation in her legs.

My brother, 50, just had half his right foot amputated because of the diabetes.

My brother, 46, lost half of his left foot.

I'm 41 and it hangs over my head like a safe on a string.

[Sugar Smack]

41. I wish you well, Chris.

I hope you can conquer this disease.

[Gelliebeans]

43. Thanks for posting this

I wondered why he wasn't on Hardball this week, wow...I can't believe how many people just feel the need to insert their feet in their mouths when it comes to knocking someone when they are down. You never know what it is like unless you walk a mile in someone else's shoes. We are better than that. Mocking someone over something they have no control like their health is just cruel.

What I wouldn't give to get the last 15 years of my life back from Crohns disease but somehow you have to make do but I believe that science will help us out here if we just give it a shot. :thumbsup:

I hear ya on the trying to keep yourself healthy bit, during the flu season I really need to stay out of the public setting including my doctor's office because I have a suppressed immunity and a little cold is a complete bitch and could earn me a trip to hospital.

[PDittie]

44. Diabetes sucks.

I know all about it.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

45. They Have A Type I Diabetic Playing In The NBA

He's a great inspiration to kids with the disease:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Morrison

[IDemo]

49. As a child, I had the same doctor as one of the "Fearsome Foursome" with diabetes

Lamar Lundy

[elocs]

46. Too many here appear to want to our-freeper the freepers in too many things.

If the freepers are jerk and assholes and insensitive to us, to Democrats, then there are many here who evidently believe that the proper and adult response is to be bigger jerks and assholes to them and to be more insensitive. It is one thing to disagree with a person or to condemn their words or actions. It is another to revel or delight in their diseases. If you believe in Karma you might want to rethink that. Diabetes can affect the lives of anyone, Democrat or Republican. It's too often here that things are simply painted black and white, Democratic meaning all goodness and light, Republican meaning all evil and darkness. Well life is also many shades of gray for those who choose to live in the real world.

[Irishonly]

47. I am so sorry to

hear about Chris Mathews. Diabetes sucks! I have been diabetic for several years and keep my blood sugar under excellent control but that doesn't stop the complications. My neuropathy is so bad I can no longer work and have to wear rubber gloves when using water because I have no sensation of heat. I also have several scares from my steam cleaner. By the time my brain thought ouch, the burn was bad. But back to topic.

I had no idea he was diabetic and as you say he must work very hard to keep healthy. I hope he is well soon and has no more episodes. I missed the original posting and I am glad I did. Diabetes is so misunderstood. BTW, he could eat a doughnut if his blood sugar was under excellent control. It would not have killed him. We don't live in monasteries.

[IDemo]

48. My summary of hypoglycemia (facts and personal experiences)

Here --> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2840982&mesg_id=2846316

[Zookeeper]

58. Thank you for posting that information...

I have a child with Type 1 and one of my biggest fears is that she will have low blood sugar and people around her will think she needs insulin or shouldn't have sugar.

Most people really don't understand the disease. (I didn't before I had to learn about it.)

[IDemo]

59. That's probably the biggest and most dangerous misunderstanding people have,

I can't count the number of times I have heard people tell me "so we need to get you an insulin shot when this happens, right?" Wrong!!!

Best of luck to you and your daughter. Keeping on top of the routine with frequent testing and good dietary habits will make all the difference. I really believe we are within a decade of a proven cure now.

[OzarkDem]

50. Its a terrible disease

I'd like to think Dems are all compassionate people who always feel compassion for others who are suffering regardless of their political beliefs. I'm sure that's the case with most everyone, right?

Hugs for Tweety :hug:

[Nimrod2005]

51. Thank you --- Our thoughts are with Tweety!!!

[ellacott]

54. I'm Sorry to Hear About Chris Matthews

I didn't read the thread you referenced but sadly, I'm not surprised.

I would hope that we are better than that but I've been proven wrong in here too many times. We can be as intolerant as those on the right that we love to talk about.

I've been in health care for 25yrs. and I have seen the toll this disease takes on the patients along with their family and loved ones. I've seen too many people suffer with this disease. People need transplants, have limbs amputated, suffer from heart disease.

You never know how this universe works. Chris Matthews stay in the hopsital may make him take a different view on stem cell research, health care and other progressive issues.

In many cases a reformed person is the strongest advocate for the new cause they've accepted.

Sometimes we're our own worst enemy.

[Pathwalker]

55. Thank you, blondatlast! As a diabetic who has lost

several relatives to this disease, that thread did indeed out-freep the freepers. Right now, I'n trying to save my vision in my left eye with an agressive form of macular degeneration, which is made much more difficult by my diabetes. My cousin, whom I dearly loved, died of a massive heart attack at 39 as a result of diabetes - a fate I would not wish on anyone. That thread was one of DU's worst ever - the lack of compassion was very upsetting. Very.

Thank you, again.

[amandabeech]

56. Diabetes runs on both sides of my family.

Type II contributed to my father's death and an aunt on my mother's side is struggling mightly with the Type I she developed in early middle age.

I often disagree with Tweety, but I do not wish this disease upon him.

It sounds like he has Type I. Does anyone know?

[Hidden Stillness]

57. There are Two Subjects Here

There are two subjects here, diabetes and the prick Matthews. I did not read the earlier thread, and so I don't know what kinds of remarks were made, but I can make my own distinctions between sympathy for anyone with diabetes, and an opinion about that arrogant jerk.

My Mom had diabetes, and it runs in my family, and I am painfully aware of its effects from her; she died of complications from it. I remember many days when she would be very high on her blood sugar count--over 400--and be panicking, unaware of how it could have gotten that high, because she had not eaten for most of the day, trying to get it down, many days where she would be starting to faint and have to get a candy quickly, many days where she would seem to lose all her ability to think, when the blood sugar was very low, and you would have to try to "explain" to her why she needed to eat, and she didn't understand, because the brain cannot think, with very low sugar. I remember later, when her kidneys failed, when it was discovered thatshe had had at least two heart attacks that nobody knew about, because of the "cushioning" effect of the build-up of fluid in the body, remember the dialysis, which she was so afraid to have done at first, but which helped for a while, and I remember when she died. I still love her and miss her--and it was all because of diabetes, all of her problems. I think they have made a lot of progress since she died, and over the past few years even, but it is still extremely hard to regulate, and you can't just be free, to eat or not eat, exercise or not--everything has to be measured and calculated, and there is still the slow progression of the disease. I have a lot of feeling for anyone who has the disease; I know what the life is like.

The prick Matthews, on the other hand; two examples: When the Abu Ghraib scandal began to unfold, with the release of the pictures, I heard Matthews talking about the torture and humiliation of the prisoners, when inexplicably, this prick said that the kinds of things depicted by the pictures--public nakedness, the underwear over their heads, the other bizarre things--was "worse" when males suffered it, because they have a sense of pride and dignity, etc., and NO mention was made--by anybody on the corporate media, and that goes for Keefy too--of the verified reports of rape of women prisoners by male guards. "If it's a 'bitch,' it's trivial." Second, during MSNBC's coverage of the election this November, this prick Matthews went on a long, blathering spiel about how it is "harder" for women to achieve leadership, referring to the new Speaker of the House, Pelosi. Not because of male bigotry, oh no, because "their voices" are so "high-pitched and annoying to listen to," that is is "hard for them to give great speeches," or some unbelievable shit like that, (exact quote as I remember). I could not believe what I was having to listen to from this annoying prick, and NO ONE on this panel of brave hero media sluts SAID ANYTHING. I am constantly flabbergasted at the hatred of women by this ignorant prick Matthews, (on the few ocassions when I've tried to listen to the asshole), and how there are no consequences.

I understand and have sympathy for all who have diabetes, and hope for a cure with all who suffer it; I hate the prick Matthews. Sometimes, when you are an attacking bigot against women, some of them don't like you.

[seemunkee]

60. Lost my father to complications

He lost his sight when I was 5. His kidneys failed when I was 16, he died at the age of 46.

[Nikia]

61. On one hand I agree with you, on the otherhand

It is frustrating to see loved ones suffer who we know aren't taking good care of themselves.
My father-in-law, has had amputations from complications from his diabetes. Now he has kidney faliure and things aren't looking good. My mother-in-law also has diabetes but has not had severe chronic problems yet, although both her parents died of complications due to diabtes.
They both eat horribly for diabetics: high carbs, high fats, uneven eating patterns. In a way I feel bad for my father-in-law but I want to yell at them for not making an effort to eat better.
It is especially frustrating because my 90 year old grandfather has had diabetes 2 for about 50 years and has not had serious complications because he has taken such good care of himself, especially with his diet. I know that there are differences amongst individuals but I can't help but think that my inlaws would be much better off if they just ate like he did. Of course, there are people who don't stop smoking when they have serious health problems caused by or complicated by smoking either. I guess that it is sort of the same thing.

[blondeatlast]

78. It's frustrating to see adults who smoke, drink heavily, or use drugs.

It's not really your burden to bear--and trust me, the maintenance is a major bitch.

Lighten up on those you know who are affected. Let them know you sympathize with the struggle. Then please let them live their lives,

Thanks.

[kineneb]

62. Hubby has diabetes, renal failure & heart problems

We are living with the complications of Type II diabetes. He has had treatment for retinopathy and cataract surgery on both eyes. We were told about 5 years ago that his kidneys were decreasing in function. He has been on dialysis for slightly over a year, and is not eligible for a transplant. If he is lucky, his body will hold out for another 5 years or so. He is 59.

It is not fun watching someone slowly die.

[blondeatlast]

83. Sending a prayer. Thank you for supporting him, that's not at all easy. nt

[RestoreGore]

63. Thank you

I wonder if those who had vile things to say have ever seen gangrene in it's advanced stages? Diabetes is no joke. I lost a 16 yr.old cousin years ago who fell into a diabetic coma. I think those who say such things just because of who it is need to really take a good look at themselves in the mirror. Thanks for the wake up call.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

65. It killed my brother

He was only 40 when he passed- he died on my birthday.

So far I have no signs of it myself. I'm lucky- it runs in my family.

[neuvocat]

67. Its time to put an end to the equivocations that you are making here.

In the first place you accuse people of mocking anyone who has diabetes because they are mocking Chris Matthews' spin in promoting the GOP agenda. You've also overlooked the other posts that rightfully call into question his alcoholism as a factor.

You should have also posted this on another thread and considered how many people are dead because of what Matthews has helped to foster in his broadcasts. A lot of people are angry with him about that, not his condition.

It is wholly inappropriate for you to point fingers like that. And by the way, yes diabetes runs in my family too (on my mom's side) so don't act as if you know about it anymore than I or anyone else. You have no right to do so.

[H2O Man]

68. Really?

Are you going to say that you know about "his alcoholism"? There was someone on the other thread that asked about the possibility. Are you going to go on record here, and tell us that you know Mr. Matthews is an alcoholic?

[blondeatlast]

80. Thanks for reading my post so very carefully.

If you really had, you would understand that I was responding specifically to the ignorant comments made in reply to that post regarding OTHER PEOPLE, not Tweety--posters' co-workers and friends, "who didn't take good care of themselves."

And as for acting like "I don't know about it anymore than you or anyone else..."

HAVE YOU LIVED YOUR ENTIRE LIFE WITH THE STRUGGLE? HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED RETINOPATHY, NEUROPATHY, ATHRERIOSCLEROSIS, STROKE--all directly attributable to diabetes? I HAVE. All of them.

I didn't think you had. I damn well do know a LOT damn more about it than you do. Shall we test?

[Lurking Dem]

85. The issue

was about people mocking his illness and alluding it was because he drank too much or otherwise didn't take care of himself. And that other diabetics in their lives were guilty of their misfortune through their own bad habits.

And sympathize all you want you can NOT know what living with a debilitating chronic disease is like until you have one.

I have had to pick and choose between medications that will relieve my suffering but cause me to go blind or even die within a few years. I had to choose to go off of my morphine and live with horrendous pain rather than be on a drug that wouldn't allow me to sleep for more than 90 minutes at a time (which I did for 10+years). I have to decide ahead of time if I am going to be able to make a meeting or appointment because by the time I shower and wash my hair I am too tired to get dressed. I have had to attend dinners out/family events ordering a clear broth from the kitchen or bringing baby food with me because my stomach cannot tolerate anything else. I had to pass on the naming of my twin granddaughters because I couldn't make the trip to Baltimore and then sit through a 3 hour conservative Jewish service.

I am 44 years old and am generally in bed watching tv or surfing by 4 or 5 in the afternoon everday and can't even cook dinner for my family anymore.

Talk about "wholly inappropriate."

[Jose Diablo]

69. A good question is why the incidence of Type II Diabetes

is so high, and why it seems to have emerged so suddenly in the 20-30's? I've heard that hydrogenated vegetable oil (Crisco) and margarine substituting for using real butter is a factor in making the body process glucose differently, thus insulin-resistant so the blood/glucose leels go up and thus type II diabetes with its associated nerve damage and build-up of glyco byproducts in arteries and veins is caused by the hydrogenated vegetable oil consumption. But all this is an urban legend at this point, because what company would fund research into this and I doubt the feds would be overjoyed at losing campaign money from companies profiting on the sales of margarine or the lowing of LDL in the blood. Still, it seems to me the incidence of type II diabetes does seem way too high to be a "naturally" caused disease. besides all this, look how much the pharmas are making targeting animal fat as the cause of LDL buildup in arteries and heart attacks. It's because we eat meat, right? Wouldn't want the pharmas to lose money, eh? All this seems "enviromental" somehow or else it would have been eliminated from our gene pool 10's of thousands of years ago as it is so disabling in mid to late in life. Thats why I am speculating it's "environmental" and not genetic + environmental.

BTW, I also have it, I understand the pain in the extremities caused by the nerve damage and crummy circulation. It hurts like hell sometimes, like someone is driving a red-hot rebar into the bottom of my foot, but so far I haven't needed any pain meds. Besides, I don't like the mental sluggishness from pain meds. I'd rather be alert, even with the pain. What really PO's me though, is how these corporations literally are getting away with killing people and nobody is calling them on it. So much for the FDA doing their jobs in making sure our food supply is safe and nutritious. This is not a political deal as neither party can be immune from criticism on this score. Fucking asshole politicians, all of them.

The upside though is I'll never have to live in a nursing home. Good and bad in everything huh?

[Julien Sorel]

71. A good question indeed.

We eat about 6 times as much sugar as did the people in the 1950s. And diabetes rates really began skyrocketing after the low fat mania hit the country in the early 90s -- it sent the message that sugar and refined grains were good, fats were bad. I have blood sugar issues (pre-diabetic) which I got under control by giving up all grains and sugar, after doing a lot of research on the topic of diabetes and blood sugar. Transfats, LDL cholesterol have nothing to do with it -- my cholesterol levels are unusually low and my ratio of "good" cholesterol to "bad" cholesterol is excellent and always has been. But had I not decided a couple of years ago to change my eating behaviors I would certainly by a T2 diabetic now.

P.S. You spent some time talking about "pharma." Take a look at the big donors to the American Diabetes Association (Food and pharmacy companies), and then look at the "diet" they recommend to diabetics. A conspiracy theorist I'm not, but....

[Jose Diablo]

72. Compare the recommended diet from T2

then toss in a kidney stone , a calcium based stone, compare the 2 lists and you can eat all the celery sticks you want. Just don't put any cheese spread on the celery.

I am still not sold on "Sweet and Low" either as a sugar substitute, I'm partial to natural honey as a sweetener, myself. It works for the bees. Corn syrup though, ugh. We should eat more meat, I think and leave the corn to the cows and pigs. But that's my opinion, I take no responsibility for what I recommend for food.

[caligirl]

75. The recent news on this with the ADA is that they are doing an about

face on who they take money from in terms of food companies. Its caught up with them. This was the story I think I saw in the NYT.

PS, son (18 anf type 1 for 4.5 years) woke up in his dorm room today with a Blood glucose of about 400- 460, trace Ketones. this while hubby lay in the urgent care getting stitched up. fortunately they are both ok.

[Nikia]

79. I'll have to look up the recommended diet

My grandfather ate three meals roughly 5 hours apart and an evening snack.
A typical meal was: 4-6 ounces of baked or boiled meat, a slice of whole grain bread, 2 servings of fresh (if available) or frozen non starchy vegtables, and a serving of cottage cheese. I don't know if this is close to what they recommend or not but he has done well eating like this.

[Nikia]

84. I just looked up the recommended diet

And I am suprised. Most of what I had read and heard previously suggested that people with type 2 diabetes should not go heavy on carbohydrates, especially refined sugars. It seems that now they think T2 diabetics should eat lots of carbs.
Maybe there is actually nothing wrong with my inlaws eating potatoes, dinner rolls, corn, and pie in one meal, snacking on potato chips, and drinking sugared soda. I had no idea.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

70. blondeatlast, waytogo! BRAVO>

I have a very good friend who has diabetes, and at times he starts making no sense, and doesn't even realize it. Usually, when we are bad and he drinks a tad too much.
But when he is OK, he describes the daily battle.

STEM CELLS CAN AND WILL CURE OR FIX THIS!

Damn you, george w. BUSH!

[nashville_brook]

73. just had a look at that thread, aaaand, i'm only seeing a handful of wisecracks

reading this post i was prepared to find an all-out shitfest over there.

but, i'm not seeing it.

yeah, the couple of posts that wise-crack are a little tasteless buuuuut DU'ers are not piling on Tweety at this moment.

one person *asked* if he'd "stopped drinking." that's not the same as accusing him of drinking himself into a diabetic coma.

i'm glad for the education on chronic health issues -- i'm chronic myself -- and agree that we are are the butt of much misunderstanding. diabetes is a serious disease. no one deserves to be kicked when they are down. wisecracks are tasteless. but DUers aren't knuckle-draggers and what i see on that thread are a couple hundred "get well soons" and 5 wisecracks that don't even pertain to the diabetes.

[rocktivity]

74. Tweety looked so unwell on election night, I started a DU thread about it

He was certainly justified in looking sick--he had to share the limelight with Keith Olbermann (which I suspect was a last-minute decision), and then he had to report on his Rethuglican world being burst by "the blue tsunami." But it turns out that there was even more to it than that. So I was right--three cheers for me.

:eyes:
rocknation

[orleans]

77. wishing him a speedy recovery and also wishing he'll shut up long enough

for his guests to answer a question.

[blondeatlast]

81. Pity his poor nurses...

:rofl:

[berni_mccoy]

82. Thank you. That thread pissed me off as well. People don't understand unless they live with it

And to see so many who don't want to understand is disappointing.

[Lurking Dem]

86. I tried to have the conversation

with my stepdaughter once but she refused to earn anything about my diabetes. We don't even speak to each other anymore but then she never calls her father either.