DFAN/ONESTEP DIABETES NEWSLETTER
April 2000 Edition

April! April! April! The month for spring (in the U.S.)
and the time for all the flowers to get ready to bloom! Try
to do the same thing with your (or your child's) diabetes
management plan. Clean out the old and get ready for
the new. It might mean new knowledge (diabetes books
or magazines), new meters (or batteries for your old meter),
or just a new way of thinking about diabetes. Just remember
to always do your best and give yourself the same *D.L.C *
(Diabetes Loving Care) that you would give any friend
in need…..only you'll be your OWN friend today!

As always, we need your articles, poems, stories and other
diabetes related work. Your pieces can be as small as 5 words
or as long as you'd like..<g> We really need your submissions
to keep the newsletter interesting. Don't every think your story
is too boring…..people would like to read about you. The pieces
can be about anything diabetes related (diagnosis, coping, eating,
family issues, etc….) Send your pieces, comments or questions
to:

dmmteam@... -or- belve@...



__________TIP OF THE MONTH__________

(This tip (and more) are uploaded to the
DFAN Diabetes Discussion lists from time
to time.)

IF NOT ME WHO?….IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

Now what could these two questions possibly
have to do with diabetes management?

Well, once you've gotten used to doing things
one way it can be difficult to make yourself change.
If you're used to piling food on your plate and eating
until you can't move, changing to eating controlled
portions might seem drastic. Going from being a
couch potato to exercising three times a week is a big
change too.

If you're still in "think-mode" about it, ask yourself
the question, "If not me, who?". That's what it comes
down to when you're trying to improve your diabetes
management plan. Your spouse can't do it for you. Your
children can't do it for you. Your doctor can't do it for
your…..the changes have to start with YOU.

The second question, "If not now, when?" is a great
question to ask yourself any time you doubt your
ability to change or when you try to procrastinate.
Time moves whether you change or not, and the diabetes
in your life needs you to work hard NOW. So, when
you think about putting something off diabetes-wise
try to stay in the NOW…..when? Now.


__________DIABETES INSIDE__________

Having diabetes has always been something that I thought
was a "quickie" disease. I'd just have to take a shot and then
be on my way. I found out soon that wasn't the case. I had
to think a lot more than I thought I'd have to. I had to think
about what I ate. Think about what I drink. Think about the
injections. Think about the complications. It was nothing
like the picture I had in my mind. When I was first diagnosed
I was afraid, but then I thought that if I'd just do things right
everything would be fine. That was true most of the time,
but diabetes doesn't stay on a schedule and it doesn't try
to fit itself into a neat little box (although I'd like it to..<g>)

So, this diabetes-thing isn't something I can forget. It's not
something I can tuck away and bring out when I want to
show it to people, or dust it off. It's there all the time. Even
when I don't want it around. I try not to complain too much
about it. Yes, it's there, but does it have to ruin my life? That's
up to me, mostly. If I try to forget it, then it can overtake me
and mess around with my body and mind. But if I try to take
care of it (as much as I can) then I might head off any problems
that can pop up. I'm not fooling myself. I know that complications
can happen, but if I try my best they might not show up, right?


__________CHILDREN'S WRITING CONTEST WINNERS_________

The winners of the DFAN Kids Writing Contest (2000)
have been chosen! The winning entries are:

First Prize – Dreams

Second Prize – Diagnosis (Marilyn)

Third Prize – I Almost Forgot (written by Sara, Age 9)

Congratulations to all the winners!

To view the winning entries go to this URL:

http://www.geocities.com/dfankid/page11.html



__________POLL RESPONSE_______

Last month's poll question asked if fear or
anger was your first emotion following
diagnosis, and how you overcame it and/or
cope with it in your daily life. We received
some great responses to this question!

POLL RESPONSE #1:

"Disbelief was my first reaction, then it was fear,
I had relatives, aunts that had lost their lives to this
disease at a very early age, and I figured that this
might become my fate also. It is very hard to be so
limited as to what you can put into your mouth. People
who do not suffer from this disease have no concept of
it's destruction on the body. Most people think if you
give up sweets, a person should be OK. How foolish
they are."


POLL RESPONSE #2:

"When I was diagnosed, I was 15 (now I am 38) and in high
school. I was very sick with what I thought was the flu. I went
into the hospital to learn how to take shots etc. (back in the 70's
they wouldn't even let me wash my hair for those several days -
I think I was more mad at that than my diabetes!) I was scared,
but my father is a physician, so I was lucky there. My main
feeling was anger - it's not fair, my sisters didn't have to do this,
my life was ruined, I was only a kid, etc. I remember one day I
just closed my eyes and prayed and I know God answered me
and let me accept it. I have not been angry since. My parents
never discouraged me from trying things and they never let me
know how scared they were (I'm sure they were), My sister was
diagnosed later that same year and now we both have pumps."



POLL RESPONSE #3:

"I Find it hard to admit to myself that I am a diabetic.
It seems to me an admission of weakness that I find
hard to fight. It seems that at first you think why me what
have I done, and of course you have done nothing. It is just
one part of your body that ceases to function properly.
It does not stop you using your brain to learn how to live
with it I am still fighting."


POLL RESPONSE #4:

"I'm a type two and I would say "Anger" and "Apathy"
have been my most negative emotions. I haven't
overcome it. Some times I deal with the diet. Most of
the time I watch the sugar intake, but eat basically what
I want. I don't care too much for the diet. It didn't make
me feel "better." I am just as exhausted as in the start.
After six months I gave it up. I still check the blood but
not every day. Last month I just tested it once. But with
Easter, I may pick it up to two or three times a week. Don't
get me wrong. I still read, and take my medication, but for
the most part I don't take the time for "it." There is too much
to do. I need to spend my energy on things that needs doing
and works."


POLL RESPONSE #5:

"For me who diagnosed last May, it was fear: How
would my family adapt? How could I change my eating
habits? Would others understand? Anger, no. The only
anger I felt was not being able to eat way I used to. Had
to give up a lot. "


__________GRAB A METER CAMPAIGN__________

We're always trying to find new/used meters for diabetics
in need and we've come up with a good way to get them!

Read about the latest campaign at the Diabetes Angel
Network!

http://pages.prodigy.net/dfan/angel/page8.html



__________POEM__________

Tomorrow is always the day
for the rest
Not sleeping or napping
but the work you do best

Don't worry about things
that you didn't complete
as long as you've done
your best ordinary feat

You don't need to fit
everything into one day
just do each task in a
good, kind way

Keep your eye on today
and the things you can do
For you'll never fail as
you try, through and through

(Don't put off your diabetes tasks…make
them a priority….but try not to burnout)


__________THIS MONTH'S POLL QUESTION__________

Diabetes education is something we all need once a diagnosis
is made. Right now, we get our diabetes education from our
doctors, Certified Diabetes Educators, nurses and many other
health professionals. Do you think there is room for layman
educators? Do you feel a person who is not in the health
industry can be licensed to teach about diabetes management?

Please send your response to:

dmmteam@...



__________BOOK OF THE MONTH__________

Diabetes Burnout: What To Do When You Can't Take it Anymore

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580400337/teamdiabetes


This month's book can be a big help to those with diabetes
who are finding it hard to deal with their life situation.




__________BLAST FROM THE PAST__________

(This article originally appeared in the February 95'
edition of our newsletter)

THE JOY OF A TRANSPLANT

By James Appel

Sometimes I wish that everyone would need a transplant, so
they would experience the joy, the appreciation of life,
that it has given me. We all go through life taking many,
many things for granted and we don't miss the water until
the well runs dry, or in my case until the kidneys stopped
working.

I find myself day dreaming in amazement about everything
that happened, how sick I was, how good I feel now, my
looks, my attitude, my appreciation of what was done, the
fact that I don't have to take insulin or worry about eating
on time, etc: etc:.

Getting a kidney and pancreas transplant ended my 38 years
taking insulin as a diabetic. The diabetes was at a point
where I could not control it any longer and it was causing
more and more complications. I picture myself walking in a
tunnel which was getting narrower and darker as time went
on. The transplant was a light at the end of the tunnel for
me.

The wait for a donor wasn't easy, doing HEMO dialysis is NOT
a pleasant experience I was getting sicker and weaker as
time passed. It was an emotional roll-a-coaster, for me and
my family. I was admitted into the hospital and scheduled
for surgery four times. Each time, but the last, the donors
organs where not acceptable, for one reason or another. I
look back now and say "Thank God For Un-Answered Prays" for
if they had transplant one of those organs, it would have
compounded my problems.

During this waiting period my motto was and still is "Keep
The Faith" for I realize there was no alternative, and
without faith there is nothing.

My surgery went smoothly I remember being wheeled into the
pre-op room and given a shot. The next thing I remember was
looking at the clock, it was 9:00 o'clock, and I said to
myself "I'm Alive". The operation was a success, the kidney
starting working right away, along with the pancreas.

The next day I was sore, hurting from surgery and they had
me up taking some steps. A few days later they took the
IV's and other tubes out, after that I really started to
feel much better. The transplant took place on a Monday and
I went home 13 days later on a Saturday. I didn't get many
get well cards, most of the cards where congratulation
cards, as if I just had a baby.

A month later I was re-admitted back in the hospital with a
rejection episode, this time I was in for 12 days. They
assured me that a new drug called "OKT3" would help, it did,
but I was scared. Was I going to lose the organs?. The
treatment was ten injections, one each day, for ten days. I
remember the first few times they administered the "OKT3"
they hooked me up to a heart monitor, gave me oxygen, had
two doctors in the room and told me this could make you
sick, you may get the chills, fever, shakes, nausea,
diarrhea, etc:, etc:. My pulse rate went up to 150 BPM
(beats per minute) and it all happened at once, every thing
they told me could happen, did happen. But it stopped the
rejection, and I have not had a problem since.

My doctors and all the members of the transplant team should
sleep well at night, knowing they make a fantastic
difference in another persons life. There is very few
people who have such an opportunity.

My 38 years of fighting diabetes, left many battle scars on
me. I still have problems due to the neuropathy (nerve
damage) from the diabetes and dialysis. I "Keep The Faith"
and hope that maybe the nerves will rebuild there self, but
only time will tell. This life style is so much better than
doing dialysis and trying to cope with diabetes, I had
forgotten how it is to feel healthy and well.

Since the transplant in May of 1993, a day never goes by
without me thinking and being grateful about it all. It has
been the most unforgettable adventure of my life.

I consider myself to be very lucky for I have a loving wife,
two wonderful kids, a beautiful grand daughter and a person
I never meet, who saved my life, MY DONOR. God bless that
person and that persons family, for we will never forget the
wonderful gift given to me.

Keep the Faith.
Ex-Diabetic........Jim Appel in New Jersey

PS...To obtain a donor card at no charge, call
1-800-24DONOR (In The U.S)



Send all questions/comments/ideas about this newsletter to:

dmmteam@... -or- belve@...

Diabetes is a serious disease. This e-mail should not
Take the place of competent medical care.


DFAN WEBSITES

MyJournal! - http://members.aol.com/belve/myjournal

Diabetes Prayer Chain! http://members.aol.com/dfanonestep/prayer

DFAN Diabetes Webpage
http://pages.prodigy.net/dfan/dfansite

Christian Diabetes Living
http://home.att.net/~belve/

DFAN Diabetes Weightloss Site
http://members.aol.com/belve/dfan

Christian Diabetes N' Weight Loss Site
http://members.aol.com/dfanonestep

Diabetes Angel Website
http://pages.prodigy.net/dfan/angel

Warm Fuzzies (Teddy Bears For Diabetic Kids)
http://members.aol.com/belve/fuzzy/

We have some DFAN e-mail discussion lists
you can join!

Christian Diabetes (dfan-Christian)
Diabetes & Weightloss (dfan-weightloss)

You can join these lists by sending a request
to dmmteam@...

Belver Ladson
Visit The DFAN Websites!
DFAN Diabetes Site: http://pages.prodigy.net/dfan/dfansite
Christian Diabetes Living: http://home.att.net/~belve
DFAN Diabetes Book Of The Week:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580400337/teamdiabetes

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