I was diagnosed with Type 2 two years ago at 42. I take metformin and glicdazide.
My name on the site is because at sixteen, I went on vacation and upon my return my high school sweetheart (later my husband for 14 years) said I looked caramel in colour with my tan and the nickname stuck. I was being treated for breast cancer for the third time when I was diagnosed and just could not believe that in addition to fighting a now third (out of four) stage breast cancer, I now would have the addition of fighting another horror, this time a chronic disease that at the time i knew next to nothing about. I reminded myself that when I got the first cancer diagnosis at 24 I knew nothing about that either and almost 20 years later I am still fighting the fight and would be able to do a lecture series on what I have learned. I have to admit that with the challenges of my cancer treatments, the diabetes got put on the back burner except for taking my meds and watching my carb/sugar intake, which I am not very good at. I was very lax with my testing and it is only in the last few weeks have I really started gathering diabetes info, and joined this group earlier in the week. I have learned so much and have come to realize the importance of checking my levels and really keeping on top of things to prevent additional problems. I am grateful to everyone on the site for their informative and supportive responses.
Someone gave me this story during my chemo treatments and I found it very comforting. I have decided to apply it to my diabetes fight as well. Hope whoever reads it here takes comfort from it as well.

YOUR ROPE
'A young woman decided she wanted try white water rafting and decided to sign up for a course that would end with a white water adventure. Her course included a great deal of technical info and practical experience that she paid great attention to, however, the thing that stuck with her the most was the instructor's advice about her rope. The instructor had informed the class that when they got out on the water, in their kayak, and are getting ready to head off, they must remember to attach their rope and no matter what happened on the ride to hold onto the rope, do all possible not to lose hold of their rope for it would possibly turn out to be their greatest lifeline in the event of a disaster. Fortunately, this woman had a great white water adventure and did not need to test the strength of her rope at that time.
A few years later this same young woman was diagnosed with breast cancer and after her surgery, and heading into her radiation and chemo treatments she found herself feeling terrified and hopeless at the journey that lay ahead. She thought back to that advice about the rope she got from her white water instructor and suddenly a light went off and she realized that instead of the actual rope in her kayak, she would now think of what her rope would be on this journey and that the way she would get through any challenge or disaster along the way would be by hanging onto her rope.
Now what you have to do is decide what it is that 'your rope' is made up of, it could be one thing or like me a composite consisting of family, friends, doctors, faith or whatever it is that you know you will be able to count on to stay strong and not fray away when needed most. Then you hang onto your rope for dear life!'

I have decided to now change breast cancer to diabetes, the way she changed her challenge to breast cancer from white water rafting and apply the principle to my new ongoing challenge and hang on to my rope for dear sweet life!
Keep well everyone and hang onto your rope.
Carla
01/05/09