Maybe today you will say something that somebody needs to hear. Maybe today is the day that the light bulb will shine brightly for a newly diagnosed diabetic and hope will take the place of doubt and fear.
- Linda Turner Palmer
So I keep writing every day with the hope that what I say will help someone somewhere to see that some simple lifestyle changes can make such a difference in blood glucose levels. I'm talking to Type 2 Diabetics. I get that Type 1's have a whole different laundry list of issues to deal with. If there was one thing I would say to a newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic, it would be:
Fight back! Do not let Type 2 Diabetes slowly consume your body! Make the lifestyle adjustments necessary to keep your blood glucose happy and healthy!
- Linda Turner Palmer
There is a wellness gospel to be preached to all Type 2 Diabetics and I feel a calling to share stories about my personal journey. It's not because I want to be selfish, but because someone might learn from it. If I make a mistake, I want to share it with you so maybe you won't make the same mistake. If something works, I want to let you know so maybe you can try it too.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. - Maya Angelou ♥
The ultimate goal of this blog is to help others. Our health care system is great - the greatest in the world. The sad fact is, these providers are simply swamped!!! According to the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, it is estimated that 79 million people have pre-diabetes! These are folks who are flirting with trouble. These are the ones I hope to reach!
I want them to know that you can turn things around before they get any worse! I just want to scream that from the rooftop. I won't because I'm pretty sure no one would bail me out of jail. Besides, my voice does not carry worth a hoot - I'd rather hire someone with a strong booming voice to do that task! I'll stick to the written word, thank you!
No one can fix your Type 2 Diabetes but you! There are drugs to help treat it, but it is totally up to you to take the first step in educating yourself about the disease and managing it! The ball, my friend, is in your court!
- Linda Turner Palmer
I followed the career of a very funny and talented lady named Nell Carter. Closing my eyes, I can still hear that most distinct voice of hers. She was a rising star to be sure. The stage credits alone are as long as your arm! She won a Tony award for her performance in "Ain't Misbehavin'" and went on to work in NBC's popular television series "Gimmie A Break" from 1981-1987. It looked like she would have a long and happy life in the public eye, making us laugh and making us cry. Sometimes making us laugh until we start to cry!
Being diabetic was not what I thought of as being normal, and I feared the stigma of having to take medicine and having people stick me with a needle.
- Nell Carter
Nell Carter's candle was sniffed out much too soon! On January 23, 2003, she died at 54 years of age from heart disease, a complication of her Type 2 Diabetes!
If you've ever read her entire biography you can't help but shed a tear or two. At just 16 years of age, she survived a rape at gunpoint and had her first child because of it. She had a drug addiction and went to rehab several times and her diabetes was completely out of control, leading to insulin dependence. Eventually she developed heart disease because of uncontrolled blood glucose levels. When she was on top in her career, her personal life was crashing down around her. Unhappiness led to failed marriages. She had to file for bankruptcy twice. She even attempted suicide once in the early 1980's.
It looked as though she had it all. I watched her accept her Tony Award and I remember thinking, "Man, she's really got it all." I now realize that without your health, you have very little. I think I began to connect with Nell Carter because I read that she had Type 2 Diabetes. I read about her suicide attempt and at that time they mentioned that she battled Type 2 Diabetes as well. I remember feeling so much empathy for her. The article made me weep.
When I first found out I had diabetes I denied it. - Nell Carter
When I was diagnosed in 1992, I thought back on the article I read about Nell Carter. I wondered if the depression leading to the suicide attempt was caused from poor control of her blood glucose. She seemed so very successful in show business and I remember thinking it would have been so nice if she had been as successful in taking care of her health. That's when it dawned on me that I need to find out what it would take for me to tame this Type 2 Diabetes beast!
In an odd way, I think I owe Nell Carter a note of thanks for helping me see the need to manage my disease. I'm so thankful a light bulb came on in my mind and I began to research Type 2 Diabetes in order to beat it.
I wish Nell Carter would have fought harder to manage her Type 2 Diabetes. I'm sorry she had a sometimes tragic and roller coaster life, but it does my heart good to know that she did get to enjoy some professional successes along the way. I'd give a lot to have her wonderful unique talent. As I say, I can close my eyes and hear her singing loud and strong! She's been gone since 2003, but her one of a kind singing voice will never ever leave my mind.
I'm reminded that there are so many ways we can help and support one another and "give back" to help our fellow Diabetics, whether Type 1 or Type 2. My friend, Lucinda Berry Hill, author of "Coffee With Jesus" has written a couple of poems I'd like to share about ways we can be there for each other.
Let's Pray for
Each Other
We may not know
each other's names,
Nor have seen each
other's faces.
We may not know
each other's needs,
But together we
can raise them.
We may be
struggling with an anger,
With temptation,
guilt, or pain.
We may be
wrestling with a choice,
A decision, or a
change.
I'll pray for you,
will you pray for me?
Let us lift each
other up.
Let us pray for
one another
In the love that
Christ has taught.
And let us pray in
thankfulness
For all He gives
and does.
Let us recognize
His faithfulness
And praise Him
with our love.
**********************************************************
Here's the incomparable Nell Carter with Dolly Pardon singing "Operator" & I'll Fly Away".
http://youtu.be/2g9HU7TkfA8
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