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Letters to the Editor

January 2005

Jan 1, 2005

Tell Patti to Lose the Shoes

I really enjoyed reading the article about Patti LaBelle and all of the wonderful things she is doing to take care of herself (“Patti LaBelle Sings Out for Diabetes Freedom”, November 2004).

I was, however, disappointed to see in her photos that she was wearing those high-heeled, pointy-toed shoes—especially since her mother was an amputee. I also have diabetes, and I got rid of my pointy-toed shoes years ago. My flat shoes may not be the most fashionable choice, but I feel that sacrificing a little fashion sense is worth it to keep my feet healthy.

Mindy Saenz, RD, LDN, CDE
Brody School of Medicine at ECU
Division of Endocrinology
Winterville, North Carolina

Hospital Stay Feature Was Welcome

I read with interest and recognition your article “Are You and Your Diabetes Ready for a Hospital Stay?” (October 2004).

I have been waiting for such an article to be published. After working many years in a hospital and having been type 1 for 44 years, my worst fear is being hospitalized! On several occasions I have needed day surgeries, and I took all the preparatory steps your article stressed.

However, I went even further, since I was aware of the dreadful lack of knowledge on the part of doctors and nurses who are not specialists in our condition. I met with anesthesiologists to request saline IV instead of glucose, which on one occasion didn’t do any good—I found I had high blood glucose levels after surgery due to glucose IV.

I have a very supportive endocrinologist who will either visit me during the day or will write specific orders indicating “the patient will monitor her own blood glucose and insulin injections after surgery.” Specific orders are necessary because that is the only way the nursing staff can function, and rightfully so.

I have gone through several surgeries without too much damage, and I urge everyone with diabetes to take as much control as possible over your condition and its treatment. If nothing else, fear of hospitalization can serve as a motivator to stay healthy!

Rita Whisman
Long Beach, California

We Must Support Faustman’s Research Since Organizations Won’t

After reading about Denise Faustman’s work and the Iacocca Foundation’s support of it, I am confident that the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will never support or fund it. I feel this way because they can’t take the risk since they are accountable for results to all the people who contribute and those who are in leadership positions.

That’s why I think you are quite right that we must take matters into our own hands.

Fran Kriegel
Brandenton, Florida

Thanks for Being a Great Resource

I repeatedly hear from colleagues that Diabetes Health is one of the best resources around for individuals with diabetes as well as for the clinicians who work with them.

Speaking personally, I have a daughter who has had type 1 diabetes for 10 years. We benefit from your magazine as consumers of diabetes health information. As a certified diabetes educator, I rely on your magazine for the latest and greatest clinical information on diabetes to share with my patients.

Barbara Liepman RN, MSN, CDE
Richmond, California

Categories: Blood Glucose, Diabetes, Diabetes, Insulin, Letters to the Editor, Type 1 Issues

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Jan 1, 2005

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