@A DiabetesTeam Member that is so true.

My Great Grandfather was Type 2 for 51 years. Never took a med (not much existed except insulin during his early years with the disease), never had so much as a tingling sensation in his big toe much less a complication.

Ultimately took himself out when he got drunk celebrating his 101'st Birthday (passed out on his back, aspirated and asphyxiated himself - that's how I want to go after fighting the Beast for 51 years).

No doubt some of his success was his doing but some was most probably (genetics or whatever that just made his system a little more robust) but he is my Diabetic Role Model.

I have no expectation that I will be able to do it without medication forever and can only hope that I won't see any "significant" complications.

I have seen enough up close and personal to have enough respect for this disease (or maybe it's pure fear) that I will do "whatever it takes" not to go down that path.

There is nothing that is so difficult to deal with today, nothing that I would consider "worth it" to end up having to amputate a leg or go on dialysis, or lay in a hospital bed for the last year and a half of my life dying with congestive heart failure.

That may still happen but not because I just couldn't stop myself from eating the wrong things over the holidays, or wolfing down a pizza chased with coke because it's Super Bowl weekend.

There is nothing I can "enjoy today" that would ever make "that end" worth it.

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A Diabete...

On another diabetes site there is a member that received his certificate from the Joslin Medalist Program. He has been a type 1 diabetic for 70 years and has had no complications at all. I am not trying to underplay the potential complications of diabetes at all and have much empathy for those that do have complications as a direct result from their diabetes type 1 or 2. We are all built differently. But he and others that have received these awards and there are thousands (more than 5 thousand since 1970) are living proof that it can be done. Diabetes is not a death sentence and the more that we can control this beast the better it will be for our quality of life. These people receiving awards inspire me to never give up the fight.

@A DiabetesTeam Member I blame doctors for that statistic

I get that it's a balancing act and the Doc has to treat the body and mind and soul.

But it seems they have gone way too far the other way - more concerned about upsetting or hurting feelings then being honest with patients.

People need to be told "if you keep this up you will kill yourself" or you will take years off your life or your kidneys will fail, you will go blind or whatever.

But no, that might "upset them" so we throw more meds at them to try and keep them alive and functional "for a few more years" all the while trying to comfort them and listen to them go on about how hard it is.

There is room for both - but not if you withhold potentially life saving information to spare their feelings. Because I can guarantee they will be far more upset when they are told the blindness is not reversible or they need dialysis or maybe "that leg needs to come off" then being told "you can prevent this".

The same could be said about the "positive body image movement" that has at least contributed to the uptick in diabetes and diagnosis at a younger age along with a whole host of other health problems.

When we told kids they don't have to look like toothpicks to have a positive image of themselves we somehow forgot to tell them that it was "dangerous" to be quite overweight - so you better shoot for the "middle ground".

But we can't do that. Better they become diabetic or have a heart attack at age 30 then tell them "you need to lose a few pounds" - that might be "hurtful" and knock their self image...

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A Diabete...

I agree totally that some doctors are not pro active in helping patients early diagnosed with diabetes. My physician sent me a hand written note after my fasting blood sugar was at 136. He stated, “Jim, you are now a diabetic.” There was no follow up, no referral to a dietician. I was left on my own.

Jeer i was same way. Had Covid Doc order blood work. Nurse called he wants to se ya in 10 days. Get there he told me diabetic. Nurse come in he order these pills. Get home another nurse calls Did u get ameter, no sugar no carbs. I am like what meter no one mention that at the office. Thank goodness he hook me up with Diabetic nurse and a diet gal. Follow up today with him today after a month. Been doing Keto diet for a month hoping lost weight and have positive appointment.