by Julie Fraker

Created on: March 07, 2007   Last Updated: April 18, 2007

In October, 2005, at 39 years of age, I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. I thought my life was over. While hospitalized, I was overwhelmed with doctors and knowledge. I was poked and prodded, stuck and tested relentlessly. I was informed that I would be insulin dependent for the rest of my life and that I would have to take daily injections. I had always been one to run screaming from anyone carrying a sharp, pointy thing.

So, here I was, sickly thin and reeling from the knowledge that my life was irrevocably changed. I had just left my husband of 15 years and was in the process of a divorce. My life was spinning terribly out of control and I was powerless to stop it.

I decided that I was not going to let this terrible disease control me that I would grab the tiger by the tail as it were and deal with this thing head on. I began to do research on better eating habits and what I could do to improve my health in an attempt to cut down or cut out completely the numberous medications I was now taking.

Well, anyone with diabetes can tell you that this disease resembles a snowball rolling down a very steep hill. New and interesting things began happening to the body. The first new sensation that I was treated to was neuropathy in my hands. This is a nerve condition that is very painful which is very similar to putting very cold hands in very hot water. My eyesite deteriorated almost overnight - ok... glasses it is. My teeth began breaking and cracking...major dental work. Now, it seems, I have contracted yet another wonderful disease known as Polymialgia which is muscle disease. Basically, it is where the muscles began attacking each other causing severe weakness and exhaustion.

Well...I can let this disease control me or I can control it. I choose the latter. They say that a positive attitude can do wonders for healing of the body and mind. So be it! I will wake up every morning and live my life to the best of my ability. I will attempt to take each new change in stride and meet it head-on.

I heard the most wonderful saying that I believe can help. I don't have to change the world today...I just have to go to work. If I can do this, I'm ahead of the game and I intend to stay there.

For all of you out there that may be dealing with the more difficult aspects of life, keep your chin up and just work on tackling the minute, hour or day ahead - get through the first one and move onto the next.

Be well.

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