Diabetes: A Crash Course in Medicine

When my dad asked if I wanted to write an article about what it is like to have diabetes, I hesitated.

I am not ashamed of having diabetes, but it brings no great joy to my life either. It does make me different, and I like to be discriminating about whom I can trust about something so personal.

I finally decided to do this because so many people are so clueless about the disease. One of my mom’s friends is certain that I will outgrow it, and another recommends that I use herbal insulin therapy to avoid toxicity . . . whatever that means.

I find most general health care professionals have little training in the field and are not astute about the everyday workings of diabetes.

So, what is it like to live with diabetes?

Maybe the better question is: What is it like not to have diabetes? My condition was diagnosed when I was 4. I have a faint memory of intense thirst and getting up all night to urinate. I remember my mother sobbing into the night. I thought I did something horrible to make her cry like that. I recall thinking, “Why is everyone around me so sad?” I could not understand what was happening. It’s not easy giving your pinkie to poke when you are 4 years old.

Guess what? It’s no different at 13.

I do not remember not testing my blood sugar every morning, noon and night. I do not remember not taking insulin injections, sometimes three times a day. I do not remember going to the refrigerator and taking any little thing my little heart desired without a voice that said, “Warning.”

Not to say that I’m not tempted sometimes. The consequences are more than I care to think about. My endocrinologist is always reprimanding me to record my blood sugars so that my insulin doses can be adjusted. It really sucks!

Inasmuch as my life differs from my friends’ lives, technology allows me to do more than ever before. I enjoy all sorts of rigorous activities, from karate to dance. I play the piano and love to read.

And along with insulin therapy comes retail therapy. You guessed it. I love to shop. I consider the mall a major physical workout. I simply have to take a little more time and calculate my activities into my food and insulin regimen.

Consistency is essential in maintaining normal blood sugars. I am certain my parents will confirm that I am consistent at doing the mall.

I am beginning to realize that I have to swap spontaneity for good health. It gets to me sometimes, especially when eating out or at a party and I am surrounded by M&Ms; that are calling my name.

Generally, I feel grateful to be living in a time when there is a treatment for what ails me. Though there is no cure, I pray for the courage and strength to take me through whatever lies ahead. I live with the continuous hope that the cures for diabetes as well as all other illnesses are just around the corner.

My parents, family and friends are very supportive. My father, Dr. Michael Harris, is a board member of the American Diabetes Assn. Together, we spend much time and energy trying to raise money and make others aware that there are 16 million people walking around with diabetes--and half do not know they have it or what it could do to them.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is scarier than my sister’s room.

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Erin, 13, lives in Calabasas.