Delilah Davis
October 18th, 2007
I was born and raised in Kansas and have never lived anywhere else. And I have never needed to live elsewhere because my whole family is here, and I have a big family. I have four children – two boys and two girls, as well as four grandchildren – three grand boys and one grandbaby girl. I wouldn’t trade living in Kansas for anything.However, I did fall on hard times about five years ago when I was diagnosed with diabetes. I was going to the doctor for a routine check-up and left the doctor’s office knowing that I was a diabetic. The doctor told me that my blood sugar level was at 450. Most non-diabetic persons have an average blood sugar level of 80 to 100. I was so terrified when I was first diagnosed. I didn’t know anything about the disease except the horror stories I had heard from others.
When I was diagnosed, I was working at men’s prison. My job was very stressful, and I started getting really sick due to my diabetes. When a person is diabetic, their immune system goes way down and makes it easier for them to get sick. So because of my diabetes, I was getting sick all the time with kidney infections and bronchial infections. Because of that, I started to miss a lot of work. My doctor told me that I needed to quit my job and start taking better care of myself. So I did just that.Life is much better now. However, it was definitely an adjustment for me and my entire family making the lifestyle changes that are necessary to control this disease. My family has been so great and supportive through my situation, which has made things much better. I’m now getting the medicines I need to fight my illness and trying to live my life to the fullest. Although it was scary to find out that I had diabetes, I’m so glad I found out and was able to take control of the situation. Now, I can live my life and know that finding out about my illness ended up saving my life.For those that think you may have diabetes, whether it runs in your family or you have some of the beginning symptoms, GO GET TESTED. The symptoms include increased thirst, blurred vision, feeling tired all the time, and numbness in the hands and feet. Knowing early makes all the difference in the world.
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