Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Doris D on February 25, 2011 at 10:46am

Hey Sagwabetes, don't think that way!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!! (hey I've been a diabetic for 37 years just with glasses now and I've been through many lazer surgeries)

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Permalink Reply by Jax on February 25, 2011 at 1:31pm

I haven't had time to be too scared yet. I was dx'd in Sept and have been so busy figuring this out, working, and applying for grad school that thinking past next week, tops next year hasn't been an option. When I do have a few mins to think about it, I hate that I don't know how long I've actually been diabetic. I had zero symptoms and was dx'd from routine blood tests. But my HA1C was high so it prob was long enough to have some damage. Once I settle down and think about life after 23, then I will probably panic about long-term health issues and what this means for my career as a doc and my desire to have a family. So give me a few months and I will be scared.

Just know that you are not alone! I hope that you feel better soon!

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Permalink Reply by Donna H on February 26, 2011 at 6:33am

I recall being so scared at diagnosis and then struggling through a period until I learned I had been misdiagnosed and then being scared at being a T1 and not trusting doctors because of the period of misdiagnosis. I still have my bad days with it all. I travel a lot on business and spend a lot of time alone in hotel rooms and have sleepless nights due to the anxiety that I won't wake up. But over time, I think I realized I have some ability to control this disease. Sure I still worry but I try to make that worry inspire me toward healthy and preventive actions. I have also been empowered by some of the people on the site who have been living with diabetes for 30+, 40+,and 50+ years. I have befriended a number of these champions and the thing that has been affirming for me is that their journeys have not been without stumbles and bad choices now and then. Yet they have made it. It says to me that reasonable control means not having to be perfect but rather just owning it as your responsibility and doing the best you can for today and that best may be a different level of a control than tomorrow and that's ok. It's just important to own it and control as best you can and then chances are the future will be fine.

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Permalink Reply by Kari on February 26, 2011 at 9:23am

I think it's normal for us to be scared. It can be a scary thing. And I think that fear will always be there, even if it's just in the back of the mind sometimes.

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Permalink Reply by Kari on February 26, 2011 at 9:26pm

I want to add that I've had dozens (yes, DOZENS) of laser treatments. And a vitrectomy.

And you know what? As scary as that was, it was worth it. My left eye is completely stable - no indication that I almost went blind in that eye 2 years ago. My right eye is slowly healing as well.

It's scary, but doctors are learning more and more about retinopathy and how to treat it!

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Permalink Reply by mistressbinky on February 26, 2011 at 4:43pm

I've always been scared, and I've had laser surgery. However, I'm doing well now. Surround yourself around positive people and avoid naysayers.

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Permalink Reply by Terrie on February 26, 2011 at 9:37pm

Thank you for posting back Sagwabetes. I'm sorry that you found the treatment painful. I found it uncomfortable for sure. Hopefully you will be doing Better soon.

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Permalink Reply by Terrie on February 26, 2011 at 9:44pm

Wow Kari. You've been through a lot of treatments for your eyes. I haven't been through anythng close to that but for me it was Well worth it, what I did go through. You're a Brave Lady. And yes, I am aware that you had no choice in the matter in order to save your eye sight. I hope that your eyes will be okay.

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Permalink Reply by Kari on February 27, 2011 at 9:34am

Thank you. The vitrectomy was the hardest because I expected immediate results. I'd heard of others who had the procedures done and could see again right away. It took me 10 weeks to regain my sight after the surgery.......I was convinced it hadn't worked and I would be blind in that eye.

You're right, I just did what I had to do - I didn't have a choice; I wanted to save my sight!

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Permalink Reply by Natalie ._c- on February 27, 2011 at 12:01pm

It must have been an anxiety-ridden 10 weeks! That's a long time to wait for uncertain results. Congratulations for surviving it!! :-)

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Permalink Reply by Kari on February 28, 2011 at 6:16pm

Oh it stunk! And I had the surgery during the spring break of my student teaching.....so I had to continue student teaching through much of the recovery time! Double whammy on the anxiety.

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Permalink Reply by carolyn mcquis on February 27, 2011 at 9:34am

I know the feeling. However, once you're on the right meds and your A1c is below 7, you will be fine. I was uncontrolled for 9 years and just within the past 2 months I finally am. I talked my endo into letting me try Victoza, wow! it works so well. for the first time my sugars are in the 130's and prior, always in high 200's. It is an awful thing to have diabetes but it's not a death sentence like it once was. Take care and good luck with your surgery.

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