I don't consider myself lucky

Well, no, I didnt mean that you are lucky that you are diabetic. I just meant you are lucky you were able to go through much of your life without being diabetic. It is not good to get it anytime at all, of course.

I was a bit younger than Arline - 59 - when I was diagnosed and it was an early diagnosis which was good. I went to get checked for thyroid and with the family history they tacked the HbA1C onto the tests and there it was 16/288. Meds - well metformin from the first but that gave me awful side effect so then I was on diet and exercise for a couple of years and then med after med with side effect after side effect. Finally found one that I can tolerate - finally.

I totally understand your comment Jo - I am very glad I was older too - for me I "knew" I would end up with it - as I said to my educator it was not a matter of if but a matter of when.

I was 56 when I found it. Still I think we all got it later in life which I think was better then then 25 or so. I don't feel lik I had to give up anything to surrive as when I would have been out partying and drinking and eating. Still you have to change your life style to treat this one way or the other.
When I think of kids having it, it breaks my heart..I mean can you tink about going to a party and not having cake and candy like the other kids? Halloween..it just is so sad to have to have that to grow up with.

Arline you managed to not get cancer which is a good thing. That had to be hard for you to go though with your whole family.

Yes, I feel so badly for the kids too Sunnie. I just could not imagine how hard it is for them not to be able to have cake at a birthday party or something like that. I was 45 but I had NO idea what was wrong with me. I just knew I was so so tired and I was losing weight without trying.. and that was strange. Not that I minded it at all, but it was just strange LOL

My family all died in their 50s and 60s (except my paternal grandmother who lived to 85 and she, too, died of cancer) but that doesn't mean I won't get cancer.

I guess we just never know what is going to happen to us, do we? You could be a diabetic all your life and then die of cancer.. It is just the luck of the draw, I think.

I do think genetics plays a big part in any disease.