DFAN/OneStep Diabetes Newsletter
February 1999 Edition

This month’s edition of the newsletter gives you a
good mix of articles to read. First, we have one
woman’s battle with a little known diabetic
complication (Charcot Foot). Second, we received
some very good responses to last month’s poll
questions ("managing" or "controlling diabetes?).
Next, there is a simple yummy recipe for brownies
that you can use to add some variety to your meal
plan.

We need your diabetes related articles, poems,
anecdotes and anything else you’d like to submit..<g>
We’re also looking for people to contribute to
weekly columns at our diabetes websites (diabetes
and diabetes-weight loss).

_____ARTICLE_____

CHARCOT EXPERIENCE
By Susan

I discovered the trails of Charcot in 1995 when I was
sent to a podiatrist by my Diabetes Dr. due to foot
swelling. I was diagnosed within 3 months (it takes
a while for a true diagnosis due to having to track the
joint deterioration) but that did not make things any
better. I went through the same feelings of getting a
shoe on....ANY shoe. I also had a brace for the left
foot which I dubbed the "Frankenstein foot". I must
tell you they are really attractive with short skirts - ha!

One day I was wearing my brace and took a hard step
off of a high curb. Two and 1/2 weeks later I also
walked into the hospital for some x-rays on the right
foot, which was swelling, and was told I had shattered
my heel bone. I'd not realized that it was broken and
actually split the bone in half and broke it off. I wore
a cast on THAT foot for approx. 4 months. That is
not the half of it though. Due to the force exerted on
the left (Charcot) foot, my ankle eventually collapsed.
Almost all of 1998 was spent trying to reconstruct the
bone and draining abscesses - I've been off of work since
February.

The worst part was in August when I thought I was
getting better - I went to visit my grandparents. Little
did I know that the osteomyelitis that had invaded my
left foot was turning toxic. To make a long story short,
the ended up taking my left foot in an emergency below
the knee amputation. Well, that's one way to get rid of
Charcot. Now I'm left with a mangled right foot - due
to the break - that also has Charcot and some
osteomyelitis. in it. Last week they amputated 1/2 of
my big toe.

This is a horrid disease and it is SO sneaky. I can't urge
you enough to get to a good specialist (I would not
recommend an orthopedic surgeon though) and
monitor any ulcers that show up. Life has certainly
changed - I never thought that I would be an amputee,
that Charcot disease could lead to this. I feel that a lot
has been taken away from me at a fairly early age due
to this, but also that I can not lets this stop me. I have
a prosthesis for the left foot (I think my days of soccer
are now over but there are other things) and am
waiting on the healing of the right foot.


_____WEBSITE UPDATE_____

DFAN CHARCOT FOOT SITE RE-VAMPED!

Want to know more about Charcot Foot? It is a
condition ALL diabetics and their loved ones should
know about. This devastating foot condition can
happen when all you think you have is a "sprain".
Please visit this site at least once so you can find
out what the symptoms are and then pass the infor-
mation on to someone else.

Also, if you’d like to share your own Charcot Foot
experiences please send them in!

The URL for our newly updated site is:

http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Resort/3146/charcot


_____POLL RESPONSES_____

Last month’s poll question asked:

There seems to be a difference in the way some people talk
about how they take care of the diabetes in their life. One
phrase used is "controlling diabetes" and another is
"managing diabetes". Which phrase do you prefer and
why?

Here are some responses we received!

Response #1:

"Well, I have never learned to control diabetes. As a
matter of fact, I find that diabetes controls my
life to a very great degree.

However, I have learned to manage diabetes. I can
eat when and where I choose -- management --but
I must be very careful about what I eat -- control. I can
exercise when and where I choose -- management -- but
I must exercise -- control.

Can I ever control diabetes? I really don't think so, since
my pancreas is gone and I am using artificial means to
"control" my blood glucose (insulin).

Can I manage diabetes, the controlling factor in my life?
Why yes, and very well, thank you."

Pat

Response #2:

"I prefer the phrase "managing diabetes" since this reflects more
correctly, in my view, the nature of surviving the condition. I feel
that there are aspects of diabetes which control my life, and I must
therefore manage them. After all, if I really had control of diabetes
I would eliminate it completely."

Peter A. Stockwell
peter@...


Response #3:

"Controlling Diabetes is what I do for my condition.
What, when, and how much I eat. Food supplements,
oral drugs, and self Blood Glucose Monitoring. Exercise
and attitude are essential as this is the only chronic
disease where you can really control the symptoms.

Managing Diabetes is what your Support Group does.
Your Doctor checks you long term blood sugar levels
and checks for Kidney and Liver health. Your Eye
Doctor checks for early symptoms of problems. You
know when your Neuropathy or other symptoms flair
up and you need to get back on track. Diabetic friends
and Educators offer emotional support and new therapy
ideas.

Some people are very independent and do well
Controlling their own destiny. Others need a large social
network to maintain their control. Personally I Control my
Diabetes using my medical resources which I find fits.
Nobody from Certified Diabetes Educators to my Doctor
to my Diabetic friends have all the answers but each one has
new ideas that worked for somebody and might work for me.
Web Sites like this one are a huge aid to pass on success
stories and ideas."

Henry Poland
HenryP@...

Response #4:

Purely from a psychological point of view, I would
rather use the term "managing".....because just when
you think you have it under control, it takes you for
a roller coaster ride.....I would not want my
granddaughter to feel she must "control" it, because
once she finds out that she can't always control it, it
might make her feel as though she did something
wrong.....(Just a Nuni's point of view)

Nuni
Sunny99999@...


_____Recipe Of The Month_____

CHOCOLATE FUDGE BROWNIES
(Makes 24 Servings)

(The only odd ingredient you may have to find for
this recipe is the apple butter. Also, this recipe does
use sugar but the end result is a 112 calorie brownie,
so consider it for a special treat)

INGREDIENTS

¼ cup unsweetened apple butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup egg substitute
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup flour
½ teaspoon baking powder

DIRECTIONS

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a
9x13 inch baking dish with nonfat cooking spray.

Combine the apple butter, sugar, brown sugar,
vanilla and egg substitute in a large bowl. Mix
until blended and smooth.

Stir in the cocoa, flour, and the baking powder.
Mix until all the ingredients are blended. Spoon
the batter into a your prepared baking dish and
bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool to room
temperature.

Per Serving: 112 Calories; 27 grams Carbohydrate;
2 grams Protein; 24 grams Sodium
Exchanges: 1/3 Starch, 1 Fruit


_____POLL QUESTION_____

If you visited a doctor who told you something
about diabetes you KNEW was incorrect, would
you correct the doctor? Or not say anything to
him/her? Please give a reason for your response.

Send your responses to:

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

_____POEM_____

Negative Notions

Negative notions
are those that just say
"I can’t", and don’t think about
what’s in the way

Think of the ant
all small and weak
yet they build great cities
with the success they seek

If an ant can do it
why can’t you?
If an ant is determined
can’t you be too?

So think of it now,
the goals you can reach
And remember the ant
and how much it did teach

Teaching stick-to-it-tive-ness,
not-giving up, spunk
and great diligence
cuz when you think
about it….it all makes good sense!


_____DFAN COURSES, LISTS, & CLUBS_____

DFAN now offers diabetes discussion lists as well as
diabetes knowledge courses for you and your family
members. All are offered FREE of charge so if you’d
like to learn more about diabetes we might have just
what you need. If you’d like to subscribe to any of
these offers or get more information just send your
request or question to:

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

You can also get more information at our website:

http://pages.prodigy.net/dfan/dfansite

DIABETES KNOWLEDGE COURSES
Diabetes 101 Course - for diabetics
Family N" Friends - self explanatory..<g>
WOW! Weeks Of Weightloss - 21 Day Plan for
weightloss and diabetes management

DISCUSSION LISTS
Straight Diabetes
Type 1
Christian Diabetes
Weight loss & Diabetes

DAILY/WEEKLY
Daily Diabetes Motivation/Information E-mails
Weekly Diabetes File Club
Weekly Recipe Club


_____DFAN WEBSITES_____

Charcot Foot Support Page
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Resort/3146/charcot/

Diabetes Site
http://pages.prodigy.net/dfan/dfansite/

DFAN Diabetes Bookstore
http://members.aol.com/dmmteam

Diabetes Kids Website
http://pages.prodigy.net/dfan/kiddm.htm

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


Copyright 1999

Belver Ladson
dfanish@...
DFAN Website: http://pages.prodigy.net/dfan/dfansite
DFAN Diabetes BookStore: http://members.aol.com/dmmteam
Diabetes Angels http://www.geocities.com/hotsprings/resort/3146/angel

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