Community Member Spotlight: Kathleen

It is time to get to know some community members! We recently spoke with Kathleen, an active community member on Type2Diabetes.com and our Facebook page. Below she shares details of her personal experience of living with type 2 diabetes and comorbidities, such as chronic kidney disease, and the importance of community.

Getting diagnosed with Syndrome X

I am the perfect pattern for diabetes: Syndrome X. When a doctor tells you you have Syndrome X, believe that diabetes is right around the corner. Learn about syndrome X and change how you view your life. It is a slippery slope. I had just turned 65 and applied for Medicare. I felt like I'd been sucker-punched, and then anger set in. Denial hit immediately, but my head knew better. I had worked in healthcare for years. I knew the extreme consequences: necrotic extremities, amputation, neuropathy, blindness. I signed up with a diabetes educator immediately and started the classes.

Then, a surprise kidney diagnosis

Back in October, my endocrinologist's nurse mentioned my Stage 3 kidney disease in a phone call. I was beyond shocked. No one had used the term before. After the shock came confusion as I tried to make sense of this term.

Luckily I saw both my regular doctor and my diabetes educator within days, and they explained how the kidney diagnosis was reached. No matter how it is sugar-coated by skewing the numbers of GFL, chromium, etc.: the reality is that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is another chronic condition that tags diabetes. I wanted my diabetes dietitian to help me with the food part so I don't make poor choices. My food choices will impact my shopping.

In July 2013, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. My entire health care team saw chronic kidney disease since the spring of 2019. My team did not tell me about it until October 2021.

Lessons learned since diagnoses

I have learned how fragile life is and that my obituary will state that I died of complications of diabetes. I also learned that it takes a village to help me, and I have an extraordinary team that works for and with me. I also have several relatives who have diabetes. Two have died due to complications. One was a sibling.

I have 2 friends who share my diagnosis: one is pre-diabetic and listens to the other and me as we struggle and learn. I have learned that so many people care dearly for those of us who struggle. I am in a garden club with mostly seniors, and I swim in the local pool, where I have met more people who have diabetes. Our journeys are not identical, but we support one another.

Improvement thanks to a management plan

I started insulin 70-30 by pen in early December. It is a game-changer: I still have neuropathy in my legs, but my body has recovered/reset remarkably!

I had major issues with my retinas, and now the issues are nearly gone according to the photos of my retinas in comparison to 2020's photos.

My fingers felt more like they were in gloves. I'm clumsy by nature, but this was a bigger issue. I had trouble adjusting settings and putting my earrings in my ears. That's gone.

My cognitive functions are 100 percent better than in 2019-2020. I'm still feeling depressed but can work my way out of those negative dark thoughts and feelings. I should have started insulin and metformin sooner than December 2020.

My advice: if your doctor gives you a choice to start metformin/insulin, don't wait. Jump at the chance. Since being diagnosed with kidney disease, I have been more intense in my management because I have an extra issue to deal with.

Social support and sharing my experiences

I find support all over. I am a social butterfly, and people tell me things about themselves. I am not quiet about my diabetes diagnosis. Yes, I talk about it. If I kept it to myself, I wouldn't have the great support that I enjoy.

I have one friend with diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis who occasionally calls me on my choices. I like and respect her for doing this. If she didn't care about me, she would ignore some of my behaviors and choices. Also, she doesn't nag.

Balance in food choices

People think diabetes is caused by sugar. No one understands carbohydrates. It is important to balance food choices and stay active. The addition of protein to one's diet is crucial to balance. I have come to appreciate nuts, the edible kind.

Living with chronic health conditions takes work

Type 2 is like any other chronic condition. It is manageable. It is progressive. It is work. My math has improved greatly.

Insulin should be free.

Since childhood, I have had a cooked thyroid that has been an issue all my life. I had radiated sticks shoved up my nostrils when I was a little kid. I was going deaf because of adenoids.

My endocrinologist has extra studies in thyroid issues, and I have been in marvelous hands since I told him. It's okay to discuss your issues with your health care team. You never know when that knowledge will ring a bell for you to get help.