Navigating Type 2 Diabetes in My Family Tree

I had 18 aunts and uncles just on my mother's side of the family. Many of my extended family members had diabetes and tried to eat foods that would support their health most of the time. My mother had been ill for a while. I didn't realize she had type 2 diabetes (T2D) until I was around 17 years old, and I didn't understand the significance of it.

My family's eating habits

I also noticed that my family's diet differed significantly from my friends. My family insisted on cooking and eating vegetables and fruits, but my friend's homes were full of tasty foods like pizza, pasta, and soda. To me, they had "good food" that kids and adults could enjoy.

Despite knowing that my mother and my family were following a more nutrient-dense diet to manage their type 2 diabetes better, I despised it and wished to live in the same house as my friends. Back then, I didn't understand the importance of eating right.

When I went to school, I took advantage of the opportunity to eat "junk food." Later, when I got a job, it was almost as if I was retaliating. I packed myself packaged snacks that I could munch on whenever I wanted. Unfortunately, shortly after I began working, it wasn't long before my mother's health worsened. She developed complications of type 2 diabetes and died at age 37.

Experiencing new, worsening symptoms

I was in my 30s when I began experiencing terrible fatigue, extreme thirst, and hunger. Initially, I thought it was expected due to the amount of work I was doing then, but when I told my sister about it, she advised me to see a doctor right away, reminding me of our mother. I dismissed my sister's urgency and didn't go to the doctor immediately.

Getting diagnosed with type 2 diabetes

But when my symptoms worsened, I found myself in the doctor's office, awaiting the results of a blood test. My A1C was 12, which my doctor said was way too high. He immediately started me on the road to healing and I was diagnosed with T2D.

Changing my habits and making them stick

Changing my previous eating habits was hard now that eating nutritious foods was a priority. I gave up french fries, sugary drinks, and hamburgers. My healthcare team put me on several medications before settling on an injection, which I dreaded but helped me. I concentrated on exercising to lower my weight, which helped lower my blood pressure.

During this process, I got sicker, which led me to believe that I was not tough enough to get through this. I developed several more autoimmune illnesses, which didn't help my situation. Sometimes, this restricted some medications I could take and exercises I could do.

My motivation for moving forward

Sometimes, I think that if I hadn't been diagnosed, I would still be eating poorly and overweight. My goal was to ensure my children practiced positive, healthy habits.  I'm glad I did; I would probably not be here today talking about this. My mom, all 18 of her siblings, and some of my cousins have all left this earth due to diabetes.

There are no miracle cures for type 2 diabetes. It takes dedication and consistency with your exercise, diet, and medication. I didn't want to die without seeing my grandkids grow up.

It's helpful for me to concentrate on what I enjoy the most and what motivates me to stick to my habits. It's been over 30 years since I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and there is no stopping me now. I am getting ready to be a great-grandma and enjoying the next 30 years of my life.