It Takes a Family

I don’t have time for diabetes!

That was my first reaction when the doctor gave me my diagnosis. I was in my endocrinologist’s office at the Mayo Clinic—we live 20 minutes away so that’s our local hospital.

She went over the results of my blood tests. They confirmed what she’d suspected: I had type 2 diabetes.

“Diabetes can be controlled,” she said, “but you need to follow a plan. You’ll have to lose weight, change your diet, get regular exercise, test your blood glucose twice a day…”

How would I fit all that in? My days were packed as it was. Homeschooling my two children, James, 12, and Heather, 15. Doing the bookkeeping for my husband Peter’s small business. Leading the women’s Bible study at church. Checking in on Peter’s mom.

I was so busy that I’d put off seeing the doctor even though there had been signs for months that something was wrong: swollen feet and legs, blurred vision, extreme thirst.

And sure, I was overweight—that’s why I hated having my picture taken. I looked so…worn out. But wasn’t weight gain a problem for most women my age, especially those with my sedentary lifestyle? I was always at the computer or behind the wheel, taking the kids somewhere.

The endocrinologist gave me a list of diabetes-management guidelines, a prescription and the name of a dietician who was going to work with me on a healthier eating plan. Feeling overwhelmed, I walked out to the waiting room, where the kids sat.

James and Heather looked up from their books—we’d stopped at the library earlier—and Heather asked, “Mom, what did the doctor say?”

“It looks like I have diabetes,” I said, trying to sound casual, like it was no big deal. I didn’t want to burden my kids with my health problems.

“So, what did she say you need to do now?” Heather pressed.

“I’ll have to see a dietician,” I said. I could just imagine how hard it would be to find foods I could eat that the rest of the family would like. Going to the supermarket would be a nightmare. Maybe I’d even have to cook two sets of meals…as if there was time and money for that. “And get regular exercise…”

Heather must have sensed my anxiety, because she said, “We’ll get through this, Mom, like we always get through things together.”

As soon as we got home, I sat down at the computer and went on the internet to get some facts.