My dad was hospitalized yesterday. As a result of constant peeing, constant thirst, and extreme lethargy, they brought him in, and his blood sugar level was tested at 700 (I don't know a ton about this, but I think 100 is the target level for diabetics). They stabilized him and gave him an insulin shot; it appears he is probably diabetic.
The last three or four years have been really rough on my dad who, at 77, is no spring chicken. It's tough to see this decline in a man who, in his youth, was so athletic & vital. Yet, the truth of the matter is that; whether because of the mindset of his generation, or because of his own ignorance/subbornness, the vast majority of his issues are as a direct result of ignoring his health for the last fifty years. Fifty years of no exercise and eating badly. You just can't do that.
My grandad on his side died of a heart attack at 76 and I have long been aware that my dad has not put himself in a position to be around for a lot of years of Lucy's upbringing. But a few years back, when he had an aneurism, it was a call to action and he immediately and successfully gave up smoking, cold turkey (it bascially took a near-death experience for the dangers of cigarettes to sink in). I can only hope this episode (especially if it is borne out that he is, indeed diabetic), will force some dietary rigor and control into his life. My mom is diebetic; this could have the added benefit of him not keeping foods around the house that are tempting for her. Wish him the best.
On a side note: two diabetic parents. Outlook for me not good.
On a side side note: He'd apparently (unbeknownst to me) had increased levels of pee & thirst for months, and has been repeatedly been in to see his personal practicioner to try to track down the cause of some other, seemingly unrelated, issues of swelling of the legs and tiredness. In all that time, no one thought to do a urinalisis or test his blood-sugar level? Hello, Covenant Medical Center? The Mayberry Clinic called; they want their doctor back. Jeebus.
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5 comments:
Best of luck.
The good thing is that diabetes is an entirely treatable disease. Assuming he practices good sense in diet and monitors his blood sugar, he can reasonably expect to live an almost entirely normal life. It should help to have both of them in the same boat.
Also good news is that these two people are likely victims of adult onset diabetes caused by a poor modern American diet rather than some genetic defect. That should alleviate your chances of having inherited this.
We are going to see a continued explosion of diabetes as a result of our collective bad eating habits. It goes hand in hand with the obesity epidemic.
Very sad for you and your parents. as Mixdorf said, it is something that can be managed. I hope that his will to be around over takes his will to eat poorly. My prayers for them and for you.
Thanks to both of you.
My mom is a little overweight, but she's never been a particularly bad eater, and has had a fitness level exceeding the average for her demographic her entire adult life (she was running 4 miles a day well into her fifties). Diabetes in her case may be mostly genetic.
It the hospital at which I work, the majority of diabetic patients who find themselves admitted often have a bit of "noncompliane" in their history. So, I echo Pat and T-Clog; treatment is very positive. Still, that's likely small comfort as you watch this unfold.
Actually, the treatable nature of the condition is a source of great comfort. My mom is almost relieved, having finally figured out what the likely source of so many of his issues from the past few months is. Changing his diet and mixing in a walk here and there may change his health profoundly for the better, whether he's doing it by choice or not.
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