It is hard to keep up the feelings you have with this disease and it is frustrating (even to me after 17 years) but you know you just have to do this for yourself and family and to not allow this to control you, you are to control it.

Yes you become a detective in your search as to why suddenly your numbers shot up for seemingly no reason, yes you wonder what the future will hold for you, you read all the things that can happen to you if you don't keep control and that alone scares a person.

But you don't let it win, you can live a normal life, do pretty much what you always did before, sports people have diabetes and they get out there and knock each other around on the field, they don't let this stop them from living life and that is what you must do...live life to its fullest, yes you must make adjustments but you do so in order to do what you want.

I don't let it stop me nor do I allow it to rent my mind for free ROFL

Like Miss Gayle I been doing this for 40+ years and you know what? I am kinda glad that I know how to eat a healthy diet, I know how to take care of "me" and I know what I can do and cannot do.

So San2, you are way ahead of most folks. There are thousands of folks walking around that don't even know they have Diabetes, unfortunate for them they will probably have complications some day down the line.

I have been home-bound for 5 years now, not from Diabetes, I am on oxygen therapy from smoking (COPD). If you get to where you are home-bound, there is plenty to do...you learn to keep a very tidy and well organized home, you find new and interesting hobbies, you invite folks over for lunch, have the neighbors in for morning coffees.

Be grateful we all could have Alzheimer's, like my Mom had and that was terrible.

I recently joined the ranks of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
I cried all the way home when my doctor gave me the news. My whole family is diabetic, so it was bound to happen to me....just didn't want to think about it. I got a whole 52 years of eating whatever I wanted....well at least 28 years, becuz the other half I was anorexic and refused to eat fat....heck....I refused to eat anything with more than a few calories. However, I am a very strong person....been to hell and back!
A good nights sleep put things into perspective.....there are ppl fighting bigger battle than me (i.e. changing tubes and needles, changing dressings, putting on prosthetic limbs....and so on and so on....). All I have to do is take a few pills a day, exercise, and make sure I eat healthy....which I should be doing in the first place.
I recently started playing a game with myself. I try to make up new recipes and change things up with various different foods while staying in the range of carbs, etc.
The best thing to do is acquire a good sense of humor and a positive attitude. I indulged a bit last week......didn't want to feel left out and deprived. However, I had to plan it out so that I didn't over do it too much.....and I did really good and rebounded quickly....back to healthy eating only. Thank God I'm not a big sweet eater...it's the pasta and pizza that were the hardest to give up. I tried dreamfields pasta over Christmas and I did fine. The trick is to balance meals and snacks. Also....there is more to the holidays than just what I can and can not eat....I can visit with friends and family.....and do other activities and now I have the energy to do so :)

You can do this.....stick close to the boards for encouragement and to get some great ideas...ok?

Thank yo so much for sharing your thoughts. What does't kill you just makes you more stronger. That is what i am learning now and it is inspiring to know that people out there have had tougher times and yet so positive about things.
I am a software engineer by profession and am at the peak of my career so sometimes i just feel down when i am not able to do things with the same energy i wish i could.
BUT!! i will not let it hold me down and take control of it!!
Thanks you so much for your encouraging words it means a lot to me!
Have a happy, healthy and diabetic free year 2014!! Love you all!

I've been a hairdresser for 35 years. I moonlight working at the funeral home (my boss owns 2.....so I work at both) and so I am in touch with my mortality quite often. I have found out that life is not fair and is often unkind. So I know first hand that I am very lucky!
I had to fight tooth and nail to become a hairdresser in the first place. I found out quickly that working in salon settings was not for me....I didn't play well with other hairdressers...lol....so I took my own salon on the road as a traveling hairdresser. Then I had children and had a salon built onto my house :)
My kids are now grown and out of the nest....so I'm taking my gig back on the road and still moon lighting the funeral home....been working on deceased for 30 years now.....hard to give it up.
Yeah....ppl always ask me if working with dead ppl scare me and my reply is "no.....live ppl scare me more!" However....no repeat business.....only newbies LOL.
See.....it is good to use humor and dealing with diabetes is no different. I'm a traveling scientist....carry my own lab wherever I go (my testing kit). I can set up where ever I need to.....and not get arrested for carrying needles, meters, and testing strips!!!! LOL
I've been noted reading labels longer than usual at the store....cuz the dang print is too small!!!!!! "Have mercy on us diabetics" can be heard by others....they might think I'm Schizophrenic or have an imaginary friend.....but soon they see me struggling to read the labels and either help or back away slowly!
My piano teacher (RIP) use to have a sign on her one piano that read...."Life is like a piano....it depends on how you play it!" ~author unknown to me. I love that saying and have used it for different obstacles that have crossed my path over the years. I may have diabetes....but diabetes does NOT have me!!!!
There are many things I have given up over the years.....piano being one of them and I think in the near future.....now that I have regained a second wind and momentum....it's high time to get back in the saddle and take up the piano and skating again.
I always was a late bloomer.....but hey.....it's never too late as long as I am above ground!
You will find strength again, as long as you keep on top of this weird disease and the rest of your health. The best to you and Happy New Year!