Our Informal Peer-to-Peer Group

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Lest you think we talk about nothingbut diabetes, you would be wrong. Several are avid NASCAR fans andsome of us enjoy photography. A couple of the group are true geekswhen it comes to computers and they enjoy solving problems for therest of us. One of those into photography is an avid bird watcher asis another member that has several binoculars plus one with a builtin camera. We do enjoy talking about various topics outside ofdiabetes.
Diabetes is often our topic ofdiscussion and we have had plenty to research to discuss lately withall of us now on insulin with the exception of Sue who is not on anymedications. We all encourage her to do all she can to stay offmedications. She is still doing quite well in her efforts and likesthe positive feedback she receives from us. She spends some extramoney to test more frequently at present while she is learning howdifferent foods affect her blood glucose. Her doctor is supportingher and has been able to convince her medical insurance company toallow her extra test strips for a few months and then they will bringher back down in reimbursed test strips.
Among the ten of us, we see threedifferent diabetes specialists and it has been very interesting tocompare notes. Eight of the ten are within ten pounds of idealweight for their body build (some above and a few below) and only twoof us (Max and myself) are overweight. We are working to bring ourweight down. Both of us have been approached by our doctors toconsider bariatric surgery, but we agree this will not happen and ourdoctors have stopped pushing the topic. The hospital is pushing thetopic and we have told them to stop because for us it was not goingto happen.
We have even been approached by othersthat do not have diabetes wondering how we were resisting. We nowgive people a card with the applicable URLs on it when they ask aboutwhat we plan to do. We tell them it is a personal decision on ourpart, but they can do as they please; however, we think they shouldread what the surgeons will not tell them. One surgeon has askedthat I stop what I am doing and not answer people’s questions. Ipolitely said, if the person asks, he cannot prevent me from talkingabout it. I am only a patient and not an employee of the hospital,therefore he cannot do anything to me if another patient asks mequestions. I did say that we were not seeking these people out, butthey were coming to us with questions.
There are now three of us withneuropathy. One (Jason) is from diabetes and Max and myself fromother causes. Nine of the ten of us are on insulin and Ben and Allenare working diligently to keep their weight from creeping up and havebeen successful to date, by lowering their carbohydrate intake. Benand Allen are working with Barry to exercise daily and Max and I aretaking part, as we are able. Max is struggling now as he had twowarts removed from his left foot and his doctor will not allow him towalk except as needed for a few weeks and then with the assistance ofa crutch. His doctor is very pleased with the progress of healing.
Allen is now in the upper normal rangefor both Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D and feeling much better. Ben hasnot had any more depression problems and like he said, by workingdiligently he is holding steady with his vision and actually feels itis getting better. He has his next appointment late this month tohave his eyes examined again and we are all wishing him well.
I like photography, but lately I havebeen busy with other activities and have not had time to participatewith the rest. I have also been busy driving my wife to herappointments with the doctors and surgery for her injured shoulder,rotator cuff and torn tendons. Therefore, my projects have beentaking a back seat as well. I would not do otherwise, but it isstarting to wear on both of us. She needs assistance with herclothes, and her hair. I admit I do not do well in handling her hairand putting it up in a ponytail. For some this is easy, but for somereason I am not as coordinated as I need to be, and my fingers aretoo large.
Brenda will busy this summer with hergrandchildren. Her daughter and husband will be taking a secondhoneymoon. Like she said, they have earned it and she will be happyto have the two children for that time. Several of the group havevolunteered to assist on the weekends, but she assured us she wouldask only if needed. She did say that we would be invited for aSaturday afternoon.
Two of the group will be in Alaska formuch of the summer. One has a relative living in Juneau, and theyare planning to travel to some areas. We have asked for pictures. They said we may have to wait until they return.
Most of the rest will be here, exceptfor day trips to see some of the nearby sites and be a tourist forpart of a day. To everyone, in the northern hemisphere at least,have a great summer!