This morning we are in the home of 32-year-old Kevin, who suffers with type 1 brittle diabetes. The following interview was brief, but informative:
(Angel) Kevin, you were diagnosed at 10, any memories during that time?
(Kevin) I recall my weight of 125 lbs and a few days later weighing 80 lbs. It caused frequent urination and couldn't eat without vomiting. Losing consciousness caused a 2 week diabetic coma and woke up to glucose levels over 1800. Those were prominent memories.
(Angel) How did your family react?
(Kevin) I only recall their relief after I woke up alive.
(Angel) While in your teen and high school years, did diabetes effect social and educational life.
(Kevin) Being in the hospital every other week, didn't allow a social …show more content…
It is harder now, because every bad/forbidden food tempts me. My wife said "He's a diabetic, so he wants sugar."
(Angel) On typical days, what will you do to maintain levels?
Will you also explain, in your own words, what "Brittle" means in your life?
(Kevin) I maintain with insulin injections during scheduled times, also mild exercise, rest and diet (with treats occasionally).
Explain Brittle in my words, picture a roller coaster engineered and built by Satan with no end, no stopping. It's triggered with all my emotions. It not only hurts glucose levels, it also affects my temperament. With the impossible level predictions, it's hard to keep a job and prevents many social or family events. Just recently, my family had Thanksgiving, but I was in bed with high levels, missing out on the holiday. I may get perfect levels, then it plummets or rises with no warning in seconds. It's also hard on my wife and family. Making me feel useless to everyone, even with their love and support. It is so much more than anyone could imagine.
(Angel) Any suggestions on educating others about Type 1 and Brittle diabetes? That question is because people still think "Sugar Disease for junk food junkies and obese"
Do you recommend any reference
(Angel) Kevin, you were diagnosed at 10, any memories during that time?
(Kevin) I recall my weight of 125 lbs and a few days later weighing 80 lbs. It caused frequent urination and couldn't eat without vomiting. Losing consciousness caused a 2 week diabetic coma and woke up to glucose levels over 1800. Those were prominent memories.
(Angel) How did your family react?
(Kevin) I only recall their relief after I woke up alive.
(Angel) While in your teen and high school years, did diabetes effect social and educational life.
(Kevin) Being in the hospital every other week, didn't allow a social …show more content…
It is harder now, because every bad/forbidden food tempts me. My wife said "He's a diabetic, so he wants sugar."
(Angel) On typical days, what will you do to maintain levels?
Will you also explain, in your own words, what "Brittle" means in your life?
(Kevin) I maintain with insulin injections during scheduled times, also mild exercise, rest and diet (with treats occasionally).
Explain Brittle in my words, picture a roller coaster engineered and built by Satan with no end, no stopping. It's triggered with all my emotions. It not only hurts glucose levels, it also affects my temperament. With the impossible level predictions, it's hard to keep a job and prevents many social or family events. Just recently, my family had Thanksgiving, but I was in bed with high levels, missing out on the holiday. I may get perfect levels, then it plummets or rises with no warning in seconds. It's also hard on my wife and family. Making me feel useless to everyone, even with their love and support. It is so much more than anyone could imagine.
(Angel) Any suggestions on educating others about Type 1 and Brittle diabetes? That question is because people still think "Sugar Disease for junk food junkies and obese"
Do you recommend any reference