Finding Balance: Living With Diabetes
According to the American Diabetes Association, 1.6 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in people aged 20 years and older each year in the United States. That diagnosis can be especially shocking to those who receive it, because diabetes is often associated with other medical issues. Women with diabetes like Cecile Burbridge are examples that it is possible to be healthy and be a diabetic. This mother of two, exudes an energy and positive attitude that makes her appear to be the picture of good health. That is why people are often surprised to learn that she has been living with Type 1 diabetes for 28 years. She says, "Everyone has their challenges. This is one of my challenges."
Cecile has an appreciation for the technology and opportunities available to help diabetics now. She says, "If I had lived one hundred years ago, living a long life would not be a possibility."
When her diabetes was diagnosed, Cecile benefitted from the advice of a good friend who was also diabetic. At the time, blood glucose monitoring had been available for a few years, and Cecile started using it right away. Another benefit was that she was already a vegetarian before she was diagnosed, and she credits having that structure in her diet with helping her transition to a diabetic diet.
Empowering Education
Soon after receiving her diagnosis, Cecile attended a session of classes offered through the University of Michigan Health System which she says were very helpful. She also joined a support group for diabetics. Cecile says, "I learned a great deal from other diabetics. I educated myself and took responsibility."
The Convenience of the Pump
It took several years of Cecile's endocrinologist suggesting participation in an insulin pump study, before she decided to try it. At the time, Cecile's second son was still young, and she hoped the pump would help with the structure that can be difficult to maintain when parenting small children. Once she experienced it, Cecile says she would "never go back" to life without one. She says, "It is so helpful for blood sugar control as well as flexibility."
Insulin pumps provide rapid or short-acting insulin for 24 hours through a subcutaneous catheter. Insulin doses are separated into basal and bolus doses. The bolus is taken to cover carbohydrate in meals, and correction or supplemental doses. The basal insulin is delivered continuously over 24 hours to keep blood glucose levels in range between meals and overnight. It is possible to program different amounts of insulin for different times of the day and night.
Another advantage of the pump is that for women, insulin rates can fluctuate with menstrual cycles and hormone changes, and pumps can be programmed for multiple basal rates for different times of the month.
Highs and Lows
Cecile is also grateful for healthy, full-term pregnancies with both of her sons who are now 21 and 16. She describes herself as "very zealous" about her health during her pregnancies. She was extremely careful, although she was less anxious when she was pregnant with her second son.
Cecile says "control" is not the best word for describing how you live with diabetes. You can't control it. "You have to find your balance with it," she says. "When you're not in balance, it can be very frustrating." There are still the "little glitches" like occasional frustrations with changing the catheter site for her insulin pump or not getting good insulin absorption at a site. Food, stress, and exercise can contribute to high and low blood sugars. On those days when things aren't quite right, she is reminded how diabetes can throw your health off balance. Thankfully, those days are few, but they are still a reality for her. Cecile says, "There are messages about awareness daily. I don't take my health for granted. I work for it."
Get Educated
The University of Michigan Comprehensive Diabetes Center web site offers a range of resources.
