<BGSOUND SRC="4elise.mid">

Welcome!!

Please enjoy your visit.

Please pass this page on to someone it may help.

Hello everyone,

My name is Mary and I am so glad you have come by, I hope you will enjoy your visit and Please sign my guestbook, I will reply to all questions and comments.

If you are not Diabetic or fmailiar with Diabetes please take note of the warning signs I have listed below. They could possibly save your life or the life of someone you love.

Let me start by saying I am Diabetic and have been for almost 40 years. Since the age of 2. I have taken insulin injections and done fairly well considering the number of years I have had it.

I have grown up with Diabetes all my life. So not knowing any other way of life I cant complain about how my life has been.

I have spent alot of time reading similar sites about Diabetes and I have found that most of what I have come across has been very negetive or depressing in how Diabetics have lived or view their lives with Diabetes.My page will not be of that nature, I am here to let you all know that your life is as good or bad as anyones but that depends completely on you.

My childhood years were not hard but I had many nighttime insulin reactions. while I never really could figure out why, I just kind of grew out of them in my teenage years. I went through a stage in my childhood (around 9) that I decided I didnt want to take shots anymore (typical child) I lied about my tests and didnt take my shots but I also got really sick and found it wasnt worth taking the risk. It was at that age that I got involved in Diabetic Camp. This is the most helpful thing to a child with Diabetes. It helps them learn how to deal with their life on a daily basis on their own. To accept what life has handed them and do the best with it. I went to camp for about 6 years each summer for 2 weeks at a time, It was great ! I suggest all parents locate Diabetic Camps in their area if you have children with Diabetes. I have listed a link I found that lists Diabetic Camps by state if you are not familiar with where they may be in your area.

Diabetic Camps by State

In the mind of an
Insulin Reaction Victim

My mom and I are extremely close, we always have been. She has been my support through all my trials in life. She never made me feel like I was different as a child, which was and is very important. She brought me up to know that my life is what I make of it. And all those people that may not understand Diabetes are not a problem for me. I can help them to understand and if they cant or wont thats not for me to feel guilty or bad about. She as made me the person I am today, a strong independant woman with very strong opinions. I am proud to be her daughter.

At the age of 20 I became pregnant and while I was constantly warned of high blood sugars I was not warned of low blood sugars. I did not have problems with high blood sugar, I had problems with low blood sugar. Not the normal situation I am told. I was taken to the hospital by way of ambulance several times, and it is amazing the strength a pregnant Diabetic can have during a insulin reaction seisure.(hee hee) I feel really bad for the paramedics that had to come and help me. Anyway my son was born May 18 89 he was 8 weeks early and weighed 4lb and 2oz he was very tiny but only had to stay in the hospital for a week. His father and I are both Diabetic so we check our sons blood every 6 months or so. We dont live our lives in fear that he may get it, its just as possible that he wont. And he couldnt have better prepared parents if the situation would arise.

In my third month of pregnancy, The doctors diagnosed me with the Retinopathy,(the growth and bleeding of new blood vessels in the eye) I had to have Laser surgery in both of my eyes 8 times each and I had Vitrectomy surgery in my right eye. I have had no problems with my eyes for 6 years now so Im pretty much in the clear. I dont regret my pregnancy because of my eyes its just something that happened and it was taken care of. I would do it again to have my son.

Here are some helpful links on Retinopathy

Understanding Diabetic Retiopathy

I have now come to a time in my life where the insulin injections are no longer doing the job they used to for me. I have just today joined the life of an insulin pump user.

I am using the Minimed 507C. It is small in size, like a pager and clips onto my belt or pants to keep in place. Everything is done through the device my only task is to program in my doses when I eat and check my blood often. No more shots.

As I said I only started the pump today so I do not have a great deal to tell you about it yet. If YOU are a "pumper" and have some suggestions or comments please feel free to Email Me. I can use any help I can get to become familiar and comfortable with my new friend.

My life has been as normal as anyone else's I believe, I do what I have to, to keep it that way. Its really all in your attitude of your life and how you choose to live it. You can sit around and feel sorry for yourself or you can get yourself together and make the most of your life. You only live once, why not enjoy it!

The following are WARNING SIGNS of a person, (adult or child) who may be at RISK for Diabetes. While I am not a doctor Please pay attention to these signs and consult your doctor should you feel they apply to you or your child.

The earliest detection is the best medicine.

Excessive Thirst
Blurred Vision from time to time
Unusual Tiredness or Drowsiness
Unexplained Weight loss
Frequent Urination

Helpful Links I want to share with you!!

A Powerful poem written by Erma Bombeck
How God selects the Mother of a Diabetic Child

An excellent page with information on how YOU can help in the fight against Diabetes.
Diabetics Unite Homepage

Pancreas Transplants

The following links are for children and teens
I would like to thank Katie Hundley
for finding them for us.

Diabetes Directory

Children with Diabetes

While my site is mainly about Diabetes, I am very much a supporter of Organ Donation. This following link is to a site I found very inspirational. They are friends of mine who have gone though the trials of needing, waiting for, and reciving and Organ Donation. Please visit this site and read their story.

Reels World

This site has many health related sites, not only on Diabetes but a wide range of diseases.
Health Link USA

Many of you have been asking for Sugar~Free desserts so this page has been added to help you out. I hope you find something you like.

Delicious Sugar~Free Recipes