Reflections and Dreams Part 2

I sit here this evening thinking about all the items I want to discuss with everyone. I have a listing of differences in T1 and T2 diabetics, along with all of their similarities. I have found useful information on Lancet usage that when I first read it I had to admit I was guilty of the issue. Thinking over all of these plus about seven other new articles I would like to post I decided to do a little reflection and some looking forward.


What was 2010, was it a good or bad year? Well I started out the year with a determination to get healthier. Life is sort of funny in that aspect, the harder I tried to get healthy the worse I actually got. Through the first few months I worked hard at it and had dropped from over 330 lbs. (149.69 kg) to just a little over 290 lbs. (131.54 kg). This is a great way to start out, I was feeling great and my energy was almost unstoppable then the brick wall came. Oh, I don’t mean the diet wall I mean the laying on a ground twitching out of control wall. The unable to walk around my own home because my feet went from fire to needles in 0.01 seconds; say hello to my new best friend Neuropathy.

I know you are sitting there going “best friend,” do not worry I have my reasons for saying this. Have you ever had something bad happen that you turned to good? Well this is it for me, if it had not been for the Neuropathy I would not have become active in my community on Diabetic education. I would not have started a blog or met people from around the world who either have this issue, or a family member does. My respect goes out there to any one with Diabetes or Neuropathy, but I must bring four individuals up.

First of all Lee Nevitt, thank you for all you have posted over the year regarding your fight with our new partner. Your story and determination are a great example of never letting the Disease rule your life, Thank You man. Please visit Lee’s blog by Clicking Here .

To Kate and Demarco, I am not sure what I could say to show my appreciation for you both. Demarco the Strong is what I call him; he is a young man also struggling with Diabetes and Neuropathy. I posted his story last year and I go back to it at least once a week. I sit here when the pain is the most intense and I read his story and decide if this young man can keep going and keep trying so can I. Kate, you have been an inspiration to parents of diabetics everywhere. I have seen through your posts and your comments to others how much you care and how much they all care for you.

Last but certainly not least is Bec, view her blog by Clicking Here. You have been great to chat with when those opportunities had arrived. Your guidance when I first started on my insulin pump was great. I watch as she goes through each treatment for the Retinopathy another cousin of Diabetes. I have early stages of Retinopathy and while they do not seem like wonderful treatments, to be honest they scare me lol, I know by seeing someone else go through I can do it also.

The year ended with some major milestones and some major setbacks. With everyone I have met and all that I have done, I believe that even through the pain and the being ridiculed, and the “oh it is all in your head,” I had a great year.

The year ahead is starting to look good. On April 10th 2011, I will be hosting Galesburg’s first Step out for Diabetes. This is a walk to raise money and awareness for Diabetes. If you are in the area come on out, send me a message here and I will get you the directions. I will be meeting soon with one of our local Hospitals and making arrangements to take the helm of their Diabetic support group and try to reach and teach here in my own community.

I do apologize as I missed an important group that has helped me this last year. The folks and fellow Diabetics at Diabetes – The Patient Experience have been great. Please visit them by Clicking Here.

For tonight I believe we will stop at this. So to all you wonderful Diabetics and D parents out there remember this. No matter what the previous year brought you have the ability to set the outlook of the year ahead.