My Type 2 Diabetes Tool Kit

I was diagnosed at age 42 with diabetes. That's a huge milestone for me, because that was the same age my father was when he was diagnosed, and he died of complications at age 48. I didn't want to follow that path.

Finding out that I was diabetic and that there was something that could help me with was a relief. It was something that could be fixed. And I knew it could be fixed.

I do believe that the diet and that the whole family environment had a lot to do with the diabetes diagnosis. The diet was definitely a factor when I was growing up. We were all about meat and potatoes. And I'm sure it has a lot to do with some of my weight issues. That did bring the diabetes on sooner, I think.

I never want to be in that situation where the blood sugar is in control of my emotions and how I react to people and how I do things. I want to be in control, not the diabetes. So I have a lot of tools in my toolbox that I use that help me make the right choices, know what's going on with my body, know how to fix things. I have an insulin pump, my blood sugar monitor. I've changed my diet.

I even have a diabetes alert dog. She makes sure I don't go low. I could sit at a desk all day and not worry about it, but because I have my dogs and they like to be active and I like to be active with them, and I like to win ribbons and have fun with them. They're such silly, cute little dogs. They keep me going. They help a lot.

The nice thing is that once you start getting in control, the better it gets. When my blood sugar is under control, I'm just a happier person. I'm more active. And I have more fun. The insulin is what really helps me the most. It just really helps me have better control and a better life.