Dr. Arthur Kleinman, writing in the WSJ’s Review section (Saturday, December 1, 2019) notes that diseases require treatment but illnesses require care. He notes that the course of many chronic conditions, such as diabetes, is “nonlinear and unpredictable, calling on the resources of the sufferor and their caregivers to remain vigilant and agile, constantly struggling to adapt to changing circumstances.”
I think he has a point. This was certainly true in my case. Atkins, whiskey and cigars kept my diabetes under control for 25 years or so, but then became unworkable. So now I’m on a high carb rice diet, no whiskey, and even more cigars. Go figure. None of us get out of this life alive. Must be light on our feet, ready to change, at least as long as we have feet. And constant weighing and testing, as well as input from a good doctor is absolutely necessary.
Once diabetes has ravaged the body, causing blindness or neuropathy for example, that blindness, that neuropathy is reportedly permanent and uncurable. Those conditions usually require care, not treatment. But if the progress of the disease can be arrested by lowering the sufferor’s bloodsugar, then both care and treatment are needed, simultaneously. This site is focused on one thing: preventing as many adverse side-effects as possible by lowering the level of sugar in the bloodstream. So far, at least, the author has been able to keep his diabetes from causing any disabling side-effects. Knock on wood. But if his diabetes progresses to the point where he needs care, this site will no doubt contain some information regarding the “care” side of this equation
Since the undersigned is a lawyer and not a doctor, he can render no medical advice whatsoever.
But he can, and here does, tell his own story and how he has managed to lower his bloodsugar. And he can, and does, encourage other diabetics to tell us their story. Perhaps, working together, we can get some kind of a handle on this disease/illness.