[Heavenleahangel]

U've never seen this thread before and want to share my experience. I started out as a Type II diabetic almost 25 years ago when my diabetes didn't go away after the birth of my daughter. I was told I had been diabetic for a while as my A1c was already 8. Fast forward the 25 years and I sooo wish I had listened way back when and learned everything I could have about this dreaded disease.
I consider this disease to be a sneaky bastard as I didn't *feel* sick for many years yet the damage was slowly gnawing away at my internal organs. But in the good ole south where tea has enough sugar to be considered syrup and everything is fried and covered in gravy, diabetes is soooo down played. My aunt always said "Oh you just got a touch of sugar". I didn't hear about the repercussions of sticking my head in the sand and how working 3 jobs was killing me slowly but surely.
I now know the strange relationship between high blood sugar and high triglycerides is a deadly combination. My sugar and triglycerides tend to go hand in hand and those delicate arteries in my heart and vessels just got clogged with the plaque and gunk which lead to coronary artery disease. Thank God I found it early and had to have 2 stents put in.
I also suffer from "painful diabetic neuropathy," I don't feel my feet like I should which lead to Charcot in both feet, I have gastroparesis or nerve damage to the nerves in my stomach which makes food digestion slower, and I get an actual shot of Avastin in each eye monthly. (Yes, the dr puts a needle in the outer corner of my eye each month.) The alternative is going blind. Diabetes is nothing to play with. Did I mention I am only 43 years old? I, like some people, just didn't listen. I wish now I had...