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Finding a Friend

Scott King

Mar 1, 2006

Have you ever thought, “No one understands me or my problems”? You felt alone. You felt overwhelmed. You struggled intensely.

Then, one day you found that special person who could see inside of you. They understood, they “got it.” Suddenly everything seemed easier to bear.

This month, we have several examples of this experience. Living with diabetes is a tremendous struggle, but these folks turned things around after finding the right person to help them along the way.

New Celebrity Spokesperson

The diabetes epidemic is doing its best version of a runaway train. It seems that almost every day, someone we know gets diagnosed with diabetes, and suddenly they face the enormous task of learning all they can in order to stay in good control and avoid complications. Some folks are successful, and others have a hard go of it. In the old days, doctors used to call them “noncompliant,” but we have learned that they’re really just human.

Our cover story this month shares the very human story of someone who has struggled with type 2. Our publisher, Nadia Al-Samarrie, talks with “Sopranos” star Aida Turturro, (“Aida Turturro Puts a Hit Out On Her Diabetes”). Those of you who follow the HBO award-winning TV show know Aida as Tony Soprano’s sister, Janice. Turturro was diagnosed with type 2 several years ago.

In the interview she talks honestly about how she suffered from poor control, mood swings and denial. “I was freaking out,” she says.

Turturro reveals that, though she is a celebrity, she is human, and today she does all she can do to stay in good control and to encourage others to do so as well.

The Doctor You Wish Was Yours

Over the years, we’ve interviewed many celebrities with diabetes for this magazine. Diabetes doctor Anne Peters, MD, is a celebrity of sorts, and she didn’t have to appear in a movie, record an album or swim a race. Her recent book “Conquering Diabetes” has been critically acclaimed. Read about her approach to working with diabetic patients and in particular, how she helped Olympic swimmer Gary Hall, Jr., go for—and get—the gold, (“Anne Peters on Exercising With Diabetes” ).

Diabetes a Problem? Solved!

Dennis Robinson had a big problem. That is, until he met our “Before & After” writer, Joy Pape, RN, (Dennis Robinson ‘Problem Solves’ His Diabetes Dilemma). Dennis was 60 pounds overweight, and he didn’t realize that his diabetes medication was actually increasing his appetite. But he is a new man today after getting the information he needed and changing his routine.

Still ‘Awesome’ at 86 and 90

Last of all, we have the story of two brothers who credit their mother’s early dedication to their diabetes care as a cause of their good health and longevity. At the ages of 86 and 90, the Cleveland brothers are still active and living well. Not too shabby! Read their inspiring story, “Brothers’ Diabetes Spans History of Insulin” .

If you’re challenged by diabetes, look for someone special to help you. Someone who can help you approach challenges so you can meet your goals and live fully and well. Be they doctor, friend, celebrity, spouse or mom, someone is out there for you. Go find them.

Happy reading,

Scott King
Editor-in-Chief
Type 1, 31 years (and counting)

Please send me your comments and suggestions via e-mail through our Web site.

Who Said That?

Great quotes from this issue. See if you find them.

“He didn’t realize that his medication was increasing his appetite.”

“Oh, I take care of my cats, but I don’t take care of myself.”

“People need to go to the doctor and take the A1C test and understand.”

“Let’s be realistic. Who always comes home at 6 o’clock on the dot?”

“It’s hard and it’s scary to have diabetes.”

“Diabetes is always shifting… Am I going up or down?”

“Not all types of exercise knock your blood glucose down.”

“They attribute their longevity to the healthy lifestyle required to control diabetes. They also credit their mother for her care and dedication to their diabetes management.”

“Why didn’t my blood glucose come down until a few hours after I took my insulin?”

“Their low glycemic load suggests that they may be eaten in controlled portions.”

“For people struggling to lose weight, who wouldn’t want to be less hungry?”

“Over time, high insulin levels promote fat storage, which leads to weight gain, abnormal lipids, high blood pressure and other signs of the metabolic syndrome.”

“It is especially hard for overweight people to manage their weight if their medications are contributing to the problem.”

“Gerald still wakes in the middle of the night to test his blood.”

“Finding a doctor is like finding a friend.”

Categories: A1c Test, Blood Glucose, Diabetes, Diabetes, Insulin, Losing weight, My Own Injection, Type 2 Issues