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Diabetes diagnosis
saved my life
By Derrick W. Meadows
 These
days I hardly tell anyone who already doesn’t know that I am
diabetic. I took this decision because the reaction I tend
to receive when I tell people that I have this condition is
that of pity. The most common being, “Oh no, I am very sorry
to hear that.” The truth of the matter is that diabetes is a
very serious illness, but when a sufferer learns to live
with it and manage it well, it is not nearly as bad as it
sounds.
The major argument I have with diabetes, and the very reason
I would never wish it even on an enemy is the fact that
every single thing I eat or drink, every time I eat or
drink, I worry about how the food or drink will impact on my
glucose levels. I actually suffer more from this concern
than from the combination of Metformin and Gliclizade
tablets I take twice a day. I suffer more from the concern
than from the pricking of my finger every other day, and
indeed from the illness itself.
Many of my friends find it hard to understand what I mean
when I say to them that the diabetes diagnosis actually
saved my life. The reason I say this is that my lifestyle,
which was primarily sedentary, my diet and drinking habits
were very unhealthy. I passed urine too often, but I thought
it was because I drank a fair amount of beer. Many times my
vision was quite blurred and I could not read subtitles on
television and anything that was printed in less than 8
points. I reckoned I might need reading glasses, afterall my
parents and more than half of my siblings wear glasses. I
also suffered severe fatigue and general malaise. Following
a visit to my doctor back in 2008, blood tests were ordered
which confirmed that I had diabetes. The doctor read me the
riot act and make it clear the risks I ran if I did not get
it under control, especially with diet and exercise. The
good thing was that by watching what I ate, by cutting out
any foods, drinks or snacks that had added sugar, by
drinking my coffee with sweeteners instead of sugar, by
eating generally less and moving more, combined with my
medication, my diabetes has generally been under control.
I have since not felt any discomfort with my eyes anymore,
and I have had an eye test every year since 2008. I pass
urine in what I would like to call normal frequency, and my
energy is up there.
I was really pleased to learn that Diversity House is making
efforts to educate people about how to prevent diabetes, and
how to manage and live with it though programmes run by the
Swale Special Interest Group. These educational services and
workshops need to be encouraged. From my experience, the
best tool for against diabetes is knowledge and discipline.
I would also strongly recommend that anyone who is
experiencing any of the symptom of diabetes such as massive
unexplained weight loss, acute thirst, frequent urination,
blurred vision, and unexplained tiredness, should go quickly
to have a test and rule out diabetes, or in the unfortunate
case where it is positive get a handle on it quickly.
Further help is available at
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/
Top of page
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In this issue
Issue #2 Index
Diabetes Diagnosis Saved My Life
On the Origin of Names
Poetry: For the Love of Flight
RSPB Volunteers wanted
Swale cervical screening tests
Why the iPad is King
Poetry: Poems from Blue Hyacinths
Contributors
Derrick W. Meadows
Jennie Wakuche
Kola Tubosun
Lola Shoneyin
Olu Oguibe
R. Elkin, C. Evans & J. Mellor
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