Jerry Mathers
Having diabetes came as a big shock to me. When I finished “Leave it to Beaver”, I went to a regular high school. I did a little acting…Lassie, My Three Sons…but I pretty much withdrew from the acting profession. I came back to it later in life, and appeared on a new show called “The New Leave it to Beaver” which I did for 10 years…102 episodes…and those were long hours. I had a fairly young family at the time, two daughters and a son. And, I’d be away from the house for 12-14 hours a day. So when I finished that show I said…”You know, I’m gonna retire now, this is the good life.” I started eating way too much, and not doing a lot of exercise. I put on about 45 or 50 pounds. When I was getting ready to turn 50, a good friend who is a doctor cajoled me into get checked. I finally went in, and she asked me if I wanted to see my kids get married and hold my grandbabies. I said…of course! That’s when she told me that if I didn’t do something about my high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, I’d be dead in three to five years.
Most people would have had some symptoms, but I absolutely didn’t. I knew I was overweight and tired, but I looked around and saw a lot of people like that, and said it can’t be that bad…but it was!
I like to use my celebrity to go out and tell other people about the danger of diabetes. I was so lucky that my doctor cared about me. I care about my fans that much. People that have diabetes have to take care of it. There are so many people that have been diagnosed with diabetes, who say “it’s not bothering me”. We just have to get to those people and tell them to start treating it because by the time it becomes a problem for you, it could be too late.
If you find out that you have diabetes, you have to treat it aggressively. You’ll have a much better quality of life the earlier you treat it. And it can be a long and productive life. You have to take control of the diabetes. You can’t let it take control of you!
4 Responses to “ Jerry Mathers ”
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December 24th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Hello,
I’m 60 years old, and I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes three or four months ago. I’m on oral medication, methformin, at the present time. After spending 3 1/2 days in a hosiptal with celulitis on an IV every six hours of anti-biotics I learned that diabetes is nothing to mess with, plus when my husband and I took diabetes classes throug one of local hosiptal here in Tucson, Arizona we learned a lot more how to control my diabetes, and to avoid the complications that come with diabetes. I also have callouses on my feet, which have to removed every couple months by a foot doctor, I wear special shoes, see my eye doctor once a year,ect.
Sincerely,
Deanne M. Bond, dougb_9@q.com
March 26th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
My sister was diagnosed with type I diabetes 39 years ago. She struggled for many years until she decided to become a doctor and got her first insulin pump. She has done a remarkable job controlling her diabestes - she had her first child at 42 years of age with no major complications. About 4 years ago my husband was diagnosed with diabetes. It was a shock as he has never been overweight and always physically active. We then found out that many Viet Name vets explosed to Agent Orange were developing diabetes II. He started on metformin initially, but in the last year has had to go to strictly on insulin. He has done a very good job of working at keeping his diabetes under control. Because of these two people, I have joined the annual “Kiss A Pig” fundraiser for diabetes. It has helped me to feel like I am doing something more to support these two people that mean a lot to me.
April 7th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Jerry,
I just met you today in Bloomington, Il. on tour with PPA. I was SO thrilled. You look MARVELOUS! I am sharing your story with my cousin & ex-husband who are also diabetic. Diabetes is nothing to fool with. My friend from school was told he’d lose a limb by the age of 50. Morbidly obese and diabetic. He died before 50 with his limbs. I really miss him. Thank You Jerry For Sharing Your Story With Your Fans & Everyone! Thank you for the COUNTLESS hours of entertainment you’ve given me throughout the years! (My favorite episode was you getting stuck in the coffee cup with the steam rolling out of it! didn’t Larry Mondello talk you into THAT?!)
Hope You Come Back Again!
God Bless You Always,
Annie
October 2nd, 2009 at 10:01 am
Mr. Mathers,
Love your show. I was recently misdiagnosed as type 2, when I am type 1. Great advice. Diabetes complications do not discriminate based on type; only lack of control.
Thanks for the great blog post!