Well friends it has been a very long while since I have posted on here. I am sorry but had lots of things to do in past weeks. I am glad to be back to post and give you a glimpse of what has been happening in my life.
On a cool, crisp early Saturday morning, my bestfriend's mom, Judy, and I meet up with Adrien. Why, you ask? Because we were there to support her in her walk for finding the cure for a national epidemic...Diabetes! My BF was probably diagnosied a couple years ago...I still remember that fateful phone call. I can remember hearing Adrien tell me to sit down...I said "what is it?" and she came out and told me "I have diabetes..." , I started to cry. I was devastated for her. I have a mother who has been fighting diabetes for the past 10 years and I have seen her stuggles and wins with this horrible diease. I couldn't believe my BF had the dreaded disease.
It has been a struggle for Adrien since her diagnosis. I have seen her go through the wide range of emotions: saddness, angry, denial, withdrawn, etc. In the beginning her symptoms that moved her to go to the doctor's was excessive thrist and very blurred vision. The day she went in they did her blood sugar, it came back in the 300's. It was confirmed she had full blown diabetes.
As much as it is still a struggle today for Adrien, she forges on. Since her diagnosis she has done 3 city walks to collect money for finding the cure. This year will mark her third walk. Each year, more and more people affected by this disease join the ranks. Every year I gain a different perspective of this silent disease. I hear and see the devastation it brings to the people it affects and the families and friends who watch their loved ones struggle with this disease. I have been to all her walks, being her pillar of encouragement and being there at the beginning and the end of her walk! Cheering her on every step she takes to wipe out this disease. Every walk I swell with pride knowing that she is on that day OWNING her disease, she is the captain of her fate on that DAY!
Adrien still struggles each and every day to make the right choices in her lifestyle (as millions of other diabetes do too) towards controlling her disease. Some days are better than others. But even on though those 'not so good' days she still forges on. Adrien has an arsenal of people (family and friend) who care very much about her choices she makes. Because in the end, even though diabetics are not experiencing symptoms, the disease is taking a toll on their systems. It will catch up with diabetics who do not control their eating lifestyles. This is their continual fight...no better to say...it's all of our fight. I am sure just alone in my blogger friends lives we all know someone who is struggling, fighting this undiscriminating disease. My mom, my Aunt, cousin, coworkers, husbands good buddies, new friends, moms, dads, brothers, sisters, husbands, wifes, grandparents, my bestfriend.
I applaud my bestfriend's struggle to learning more and more about her dreaded disease and learning how it doesn't have to own her...she in turn can control her destiny with diabetes. I will continue to support Adrien and be her biggest supporter in her walks to stomping out this national/international epidemic. I will continue to encourage my bestfriend to make the right choices in her life. I will always champion her cause as this disease has affected my own personal family. I am very glad to say that my mom is now off insulin and no longer on diabetic meds, due to finally OWNING her diagnosis and taking charge of it! It doesn't own her, she owns it! Sadly, I now have an Aunt and cousin who just recently joined ranks of millions of diabetics who continue to struggle.
I am truly inspired by these two women in my life. My mom and bestfriend, Adrien. I am in awe how much money Adrien collects each year for the Diabetes Walk. Both Adrien and my mom make me very proud. Truly two very brave women who, (one who is a seasoned veteren of the disease and one who is a fledgling of the disease) both champion for each other and the cause. I urge each of you who read this post to take a moment and take a peek at the website I have listed and become a supporter. Even if you just volunteer for helping out the cause or take a piece of information and pass it along to someone who might need the help. Then thank you for supporting my bestfriend, Adrien and my mom and 20 million of their friends who are stricken with this deadly disease.
National Diabetes Associaton
12 comments:
What a touching post, Robyn! One of my best friends also has diabetes so I know exactly what you're talking about.
Hi Robyn! Welcome back. We've missed you.
I guess I look at this disease a little differently than others. My grandmother, father and his brother all have it. When my father was losing weight left and right, feeling tired all of the time we were really worried, obviously. My mom was really panicking that he had cancer. When the diagnosis came back as diabetes, I was relieved. My grandmother had it all of my life; I didn't remember her not having it. And ultimately, she did not die from this disease. This is a livable disease. I'm not dismissing the problems that it can lead to, mind you. But you can control this disease, it doesn't have to control you. My father just had bloodwork done last week. Everything came back good. His blood sugar levels were totally under control. No, this is not a death sentence. And your friend obviously feels the same way!
Love,
Julie
My mother has diabetes. It is a struggle for her each day. Thanks for a great post.
What a great friend you are! Great post!
Yes, diabetes is an awful thing to have and hopefully they will find a cure for it one day. I work for a "diabetes company"...I won't say who it is here but send me an email. I have something to send you for your mom and friend.
Hi Robyn,
Glad you are back to blogging.
Thanks for the post today. We all need to learn more about these things.
Have a great evening,
Rosemary
you sound like such an incredible friend, supporting those you love & walking beside them as they go through life's journey.
yeah for your mom! & best wishes to your friend on her new journey to take control of this disease.
xo
Good morning, dear friend! I have so missed you! I am proud of Adrien and her dedication to taking care of herself.
Very Lovely post!
Sandra Evertson
Wonderful post,you are a great friend to have!
I also wanted to say thank you so much for your Prayers for sweet baby Rori, they are truly appreciated!
Stories that are inspiring and encoraging that's what we all need. Nice post.
Diabetes is a dreadful disease. My best friend's father has it and i know how wretched the disease can get. The sad part is somehow, people aren;t really aware of how bad the disease is. I mean somehow the media keeps talking of aids/cancer and other such fatal diseases. Diabetes can be prevented or even if it runs in your family, it can be postponed by some preventive measures. But somehow I feel, people are just not aware of how bad it can get. I don't really know how people look at it in the USA but back here in India people take it so very lightly. Having diabetes is just not a big deal here. Only the ones who suffer form it, know how bad it is.
It's amazing how you are supporting your friend. My best wishes to your friend.
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