I can say with all honesty that there are times when life sucks. There are many things that I need to deal with and I always try to keep an attitude of gratitude. Smile and Wave – that’s my motto. Remaining positive is not always easy but I try. However, I’m not going to be writing about my moods in this piece. Once again, I will be writing about old PegLegs. Danie once asked me whether I ever contemplated divorce. I can honestly say I never have, but murder has often crossed my mind. One thing I can say for sure, it’s not been easy but at least it hasn’t been boring.
I’ve been
married to Danie for thirty-seven years and have had plenty of time to learn
and adapt to his health conditions and mood swings (which I’ll discuss below). He
has been a diabetic since the age of ten which ultimately led to his current
health challenges, including the amputation of both his lower legs, heart
failure and Celiac disease. Thankfully it didn’t all happen at one time. In his
trade as a diesel mechanic, he often injured himself, but unfortunately
injuries to his feet became infected and gangrene set in due to blood insufficiency. This only
happened after the age of fifty. If only I had known and had the information
which I have now with our modern technology, we might have avoided some of
the terrible effects of diabetes. That is why I would like to share some information, tips and humor with you.
Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas produces either little or no insulin. It is a chronic condition and cannot be cured. It typically appears in very young children but can also appear in teenagers and sometimes in adults (who usually get Type 2 Diabetes).
Symptoms include:
- Constant thirst
- Frequent urination
- Extreme hunger
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Wounds that refuse to heal
- Weight loss even though eating more
The only treatment for Type 1 Diabetes is the daily administration of insulin. This aims to maintain a normal blood sugar level, but requires regular monitoring, insulin injections, a modified diet and sufficient exercise.
We have always considered ourselves healthy and relatively fit. We’ve been herbivores (vegan and vegetarian), omnivores and carnivores :) We used to take various supplements, before our financial downfall, which included Spirulina, Barley Green, Omega 3, Vitamin D3, etc. We used to drink fresh vegetable juices every day and eat loads of fresh salads. We very seldom ate fast food and limited our weekend snacks. But despite my dedication to our health, diabetes still took its toll.
I have scratched my head (to the point of hair loss) and wondered what else I could have done to prevent Danie’s decline in health. One thing I have learned since completing my recent studies in Lymphatic Drainage is the importance of regular foot and leg massages, and massage in general, and how it can make a huge difference to blood circulation throughout the body. It stimulates the flow of blood to the lower extremities and helps the lymphatic system to drain toxins. It's also a good way to check for any injuries. Peripheral Neuropathy - damage to the nerves in the hands and feet (hence the issue with circulation), but can also affect other areas and body functions including digestion and urination - is directly linked to diabetes, especially in aging diabetics, but it can also result from injuries, infections and exposure to toxins. I wish I had know all of this years ago.
One thing
that is often overlooked with Type 1 Diabetes is fluctuating moods. You may
think diabetes just affects your pancreas, but living with this condition often
affects your mood and mental health too. For one, you may experience mood
swings when your blood glucose levels are too high or too low. Stress, depression,
and anxiety can also crop up. For Danie, it’s a bigger challenge with chronic
depression in his genes. Up to 1 in 4 people with diabetes have depression.
Stress can also affect diabetes negatively. Stress that lasts for many weeks or months can lead
to unstable glucose levels. Your blood glucose levels can rise, and sometimes
fall, with stress. These fluctuations can alter your overall mood.
You might
also see a change in your emotions when your blood glucose is low or high, so
it’s important to test your sugar level when you feel a certain way. For
instance, low blood glucose levels can make you feel:
- Confused
- Nervous
- Hungry
- Irritable (extra points here for Danie)
- Shaky
- Jittery
- Tired
- Sweaty
High blood glucose levels may make you feel:
- Tense
- Angry
- Sad
- Foggy
- Faint
- Thirsty
- Tired
- Nervous
- Lethargic
It’s
important to keep your blood glucose level as stable as possible, but this is easier
said than done. Spikes occur when you least expect it. Danie often says that
all he did was breathe and his levels went up.
This is where diet comes in to help manage these levels. Anything you eat is turned into glucose during the digestive process. Therefore, monitoring what you eat and how much insulin to take is vital. All carbohydrates become glucose, so eat carbs moderately. Increase healthy fats like nuts, seeds, olive oil, coconut oil, avocados. Fresh veggies and fruit (limited) are great, but remember that even though fructose in fruit is natural, it will affect glucose levels. Get enough good quality protein, not just from meat – free-range eggs, legumes, fish and chicken (not KFC). If you need to eat chocolate, like us, eat a block after dinner. Avoid snacks like biscuits, chips, cakes, pastries, etc. They contain unhealthy fats, sugar (a simple carb) and loads of carbohydrates. Avoid sodas and fruit juices (even if they say low sugar). Avoid fast foods – it’s crap.
It’s common
to encounter mood swings, stress, or even depression if you have diabetes. To
reduce the chances of experiencing these mental health conditions, maintain a
management plan and keep your blood sugar in a healthy range as best you can.
I have
often had a good giggle when Danie’s blood glucose level drops too low, even
though it’s no laughing matter. He will do something silly or say something ridiculous
and then I know there’s a problem. Afterwards, when I tell him about it, he
will say he can’t remember it, and berate me for finding it humorous. The flipside
of the coin is extreme irritability. I have learned to determine when it’s a
blood glucose drop, otherwise I would probably take it very personally.
Last word
of advice: Always come prepared. On one of my working days in Franschhoek,
Danie suddenly noticed that his diabetic kit wasn’t in the car. Every time we
set out somewhere I take it upon myself to pack (what I call) the Nappy Bag,
but somehow on this day, I had managed not to include his meds. Anxiety took
over and I immediately started flapping. We were too far from home to turn
back, but, calming myself down, I Googled and found a pharmacy not too far away.
The pharmacist also saw my panic and helped me, without a prescription, to get insulin
and needles and, on top of that (for free), a complete blood glucose test kit
which had been left by a pharmaceutical rep. What a relief!! Lesson: Don’t
leave home without double checking the nappy bag.
To wrap
things up, Type 1 Diabetes is a terrible disease to have, but it is
controllable if you follow good advice. The good news is that you can still live a full, adventurous life. There’s so much available information
and so much support, so don’t try to cope with it all by yourself. Never
hesitate to reach out to family, friends, or a health professional to discuss
your mental health or to get help with your diabetic treatment.
Diabetes is
not the end of the road, it's just a different one.
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