Introduction

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the family hon - Know you have support here, and know you

can ask any question you want - We are all here for you.

I look forward to getting to know you better...

Hugs

Deanna

Founder & Owner

>

> I don't think I have posted on the list before but here is my basic

> info:

> I am 40, with 4 kids, 2 of which are handicapped. The boys are in

> assisted living arrangements. I have a 17 yr old boy at home who is

> currently being home schooled, not something I would recommend for

the

> feign of heart.

> I have been married almost 20 years to an amazing man who has

supported

> me thru 5 years of school, I went back to school at 32 to get a

degree

> in Chemistry. Now he is supporting me in dealing with the

frustrating

> process of getting a diagnosis. All the symptoms say Lupus but a

> negative ANA and other labs that were borderline have prolonged the

dx.

> I work for our state environmental agency. The work is fun but it

> requires me to climb ladders, work in the sun, and work in all

kinds of

> weather. I believe the fluorescent lights are causing some

problems. I

> am hoping for more time in the lab and with a dx I can get the

lights

> changed to a more friendly type of lighting.

> I have several hobbies that include playing an online

game " everquest "

> also know as Neverquit, Eversmack since it is so addicting. Lol I

also

> read....ALOT...3 to 4 books a week. And I belong to a group who

recreate

> the Middle ages, The Society for Creative Anachronism. My husband

and 17

> and 22 years old sons also play with us. In fact next week is a big

> event for us in the South called Gulf Wars, not to be confused with

the

> Real Gulf War. About 2000 people getting together in funny cloths,

> camping in funny tents and hitting on each other with rattan

swords. I

> am so excited. This is our yearly vacation, though we have cut it

down

> to 4 days due to concerns about my health.

> God has blessed us. I have finally been given the grace to accept

my

> illness and the changes in my life that will result. We found out

last

> week that a supplemental Cancer insurance, that I was angry with my

> hubby for getting, will also cover Lupus. This means that all of my

> deductibles and copes will be covered. I seem to be in remission,

or at

> least feeling a heck of a lot better so our camping vacation is a

go.

> Thanks for all the great info that this site is providing. I also

want

> the let ya'll know that this group has been a godsend for me. I

> subscribed to another grp but there was so much negative energy

that I

> could not maintain a positive outlook and read the messages. I am a

> glass half full kinda girl and when I cannot maintain that attitude

I am

> lost.

> Ok this is long enough and it is lunch time.

>

>

[Guest guest]

-Hi I m Frances K You know sometimes the dx is as hard to get

as is disability when it comes to needing that. My daughter was 12

had a seizure went in the hospital to be examined and 6 weeks after

shes home they call and tell me she has lupus i freaked. I was dx in

96 after having had seizures for 27 years so things are so wierd. I

had to have a nervous breakdown before getting the right dx so you

stick to your guns girl keep going to the doc you wont always have a

posit ana so dont let them tell you so listen to she knows the

test you can take just ask you take care H & K frances fkerr11-- In

LUPIES , " Gulledge, " <gulledge@a...> wrote:

>

> I don't think I have posted on the list before but here is my basic

> info:

> I am 40, with 4 kids, 2 of which are handicapped. The boys are in

> assisted living arrangements. I have a 17 yr old boy at home who is

> currently being home schooled, not something I would recommend for

the

> feign of heart.

> I have been married almost 20 years to an amazing man who has

supported

> me thru 5 years of school, I went back to school at 32 to get a

degree

> in Chemistry. Now he is supporting me in dealing with the

frustrating

> process of getting a diagnosis. All the symptoms say Lupus but a

> negative ANA and other labs that were borderline have prolonged the

dx.

> I work for our state environmental agency. The work is fun but it

> requires me to climb ladders, work in the sun, and work in all

kinds of

> weather. I believe the fluorescent lights are causing some

problems. I

> am hoping for more time in the lab and with a dx I can get the

lights

> changed to a more friendly type of lighting.

> I have several hobbies that include playing an online

game " everquest "

> also know as Neverquit, Eversmack since it is so addicting. Lol I

also

> read....ALOT...3 to 4 books a week. And I belong to a group who

recreate

> the Middle ages, The Society for Creative Anachronism. My husband

and 17

> and 22 years old sons also play with us. In fact next week is a big

> event for us in the South called Gulf Wars, not to be confused with

the

> Real Gulf War. About 2000 people getting together in funny cloths,

> camping in funny tents and hitting on each other with rattan

swords. I

> am so excited. This is our yearly vacation, though we have cut it

down

> to 4 days due to concerns about my health.

> God has blessed us. I have finally been given the grace to accept

my

> illness and the changes in my life that will result. We found out

last

> week that a supplemental Cancer insurance, that I was angry with my

> hubby for getting, will also cover Lupus. This means that all of my

> deductibles and copes will be covered. I seem to be in remission,

or at

> least feeling a heck of a lot better so our camping vacation is a

go.

> Thanks for all the great info that this site is providing. I also

want

> the let ya'll know that this group has been a godsend for me. I

> subscribed to another grp but there was so much negative energy

that I

> could not maintain a positive outlook and read the messages. I am a

> glass half full kinda girl and when I cannot maintain that attitude

I am

> lost.

> Ok this is long enough and it is lunch time.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you. I will check into this one.

~Sheri

>

> May I suggest this book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316737844/qid=1137701354/sr=8-

1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/104-7198969-0903942?n=507846

<http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316737844/qid=1137701354/sr=8-

1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/104-7198969-0903942?

n=507846 & s=books & v=glance> & s=books & v=glance

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you. I will check into this one.

~Sheri

>

> May I suggest this book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316737844/qid=1137701354/sr=8-

1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/104-7198969-0903942?n=507846

<http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316737844/qid=1137701354/sr=8-

1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/104-7198969-0903942?

n=507846 & s=books & v=glance> & s=books & v=glance

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you. I will check into this one.

~Sheri

>

> May I suggest this book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316737844/qid=1137701354/sr=8-

1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/104-7198969-0903942?n=507846

<http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316737844/qid=1137701354/sr=8-

1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/104-7198969-0903942?

n=507846 & s=books & v=glance> & s=books & v=glance

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to the list and a very recently diagnosed visually impaired diabetic.

This is going to be a very difficult post for me, as I am not adjusting very

well to the fact that I am a diabetic.

I guess I will just jump right in and give you some random info and hopefully

everything will somehow be somewhat coherent when I am through.

My name is Lynn Mester-Shields. I lived near Pittsburgh, PA, all of my life,

until 2007. I now live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where I am a Low Vision

Technician at the Community Low Vision Center, Winston-Salem Industries for the

Blind. I love my job and very much enjoy helping others.

My current husband, Shields, formerly from Colorado, is a totally blind

diabetic. My first husband Bob Mester, passed away in 2003 from a heart attack

and complications of diabetes, paying the ultimate price for not taking proper

actions to control the diabetes.

I was diagnosed with diabetes on July 7, 2012 with a finger stick level of 330.

I also had a urinary tract infection and that is how the diabetes was

discovered.

As of now I am on tree meds, and hopefully that will be the limit. My body does

not do well with meds and I usually try to avoid taking them unless absolutely

necessary. I know all the things I sure do and am trying very hard to change my

eating habits and do all the other proper things to keep my levels as low as

possible.

Something I do need some assistance with is selecting a glucometer. I do not

necessarily need one that talks, but that would be fine if it would talk. I

don't even really need a large display, but that would be fine as well. I am

looking for one that I can test on alternate sites besides the fingers. I type

a lot at work and home and also lift boxes and pack orders at work, so I really

want to keep my fingers as pain free as possible.

I know my Humana plan covers some Prodigy meters and another one called

something life Life Scan, or something on that order. Any suggestions will be

greatly appreciated.

I have good days and bad days since being diagnosed. I really have been quite

depressed a great deal of the time because I am usually the one giving the help.

Now I am the one needing assistance. The biggest problem I am having is the fact

that the diabetes now controls my life. That is a very difficult reality for

me.

Well, I think I have rambled enough. Please feel free to ask questions of me,

or pass along any information or advice if you would be so kind to do so.

Hope everyone is well and having a good day.

Lynn Mester-Shields

[Guest guest]

Hello, Lynn,

Well, you've indeed come to the right place!

Where to start. Okay. First, you say you don't need a talking meter, so you must

be low vision. Your choices are greater. Most meters will do an adequate job. If

you do decide you want a fully audible meter (there is a difference between

fully audible and one that speaks the reading), you only have 2 choices. Either

the Prodidgy Voice, or the Solo V2. Each has their strong points and IMO, a weak

point or 2.

Next, you say diabetes is in control of your life. Here's where we need to get

something straight. You are in control of your diabetes. Period. It will mess

with you, but ultimately, you are the manager of this disease. I gather you are

a type 2 since you mentioned " meds " and you haven't mentioned insulin. I happen

to be a type 1 (insulin dependent), and have been for about 46 years. I got

diabetes in 1967 at the age of 11, when we were still in the dark ages of

managing diabetes. The lack of knowledge and the ability to check blood sugar

levels at will back then has caused a lot of problems with type 1 diabetics,me

included. After 20 years, and just when meters were coming out, I developed

diabetic retinopathy. Thankfully, I've been managing my diabetes very well for

the last 20 years, an upward movement on a slowly ascending graph, and I can now

say I indeed manage my diabetes, not the other way around.

I seem to have gotten off track! I was talking about meters. Your meter is your

best friend. Use it as much as you think you need to, and you are the one who

tells your doctor how many strips you use per day. And this is something the

doctors don't necessarily want to recognize. But it's the way it is, and you can

educate your doctor if he/she isn't with the program. Checking frequently,

especially when newly diagnosed, is key to you understanding how diabetes and

your body react together. I should say, how your meds react with your diabetes.

If you are a t2, you'll want to check a minimum of 4 times daily. You should

vary the times you check. Check in the morning, before breakfast, and check

before meals. But also check 2 hours after eating. The latter is ultimately the

supreme test of how well your meds (or how poorly) are working. Blood sugar

peaks around 2 hours after a meal. This will be your highest reading of the day.

It's possible you might keep this number below 120, but not necessarily. And it

probably isn't completely necessary. Mark, who will chime in I'm sure, will tell

you his story, and he is much more disciplined them me (and most of us!). He'll

say you can keep it under 120 all the time!

Anyway, you don't need to feel like the world is coming to an end. I know it's

easy for me to say. You've demonstrated your willingness to talk to us, to share

what's going on. And this is soooooo important! Pat, a type 1 diabetic, has had

diabetes since dinosaurs roamed the earth! She'll have some great wisdom to

impart also. As many on the list will.

One more thing. Don't worry about occasional high readings. And also, don't

expect to get all this immediately. In time, you'll get with the program, and

before you know it, you'll be offering advice and assistance to another newly

diagnosed diabetic!

Dave

~~ Available now! -- A Time To Build -- From Desert Breeze Publishing ~~

Marshall is stunned when Hallie Grover returns to town, thirteen years

after he committed perhaps the biggest mistake of his life. Or was it? While

recognizes Hallie, she doesn't recognize him. never gave God much

thought, until Hallie came back into his life. Can a tainted past become a

hopeful future? Can two people build on patience, and love?

Visit: http://www.authordavidbond.com

Other available books:

The Attaché -- January, 2012

Upcoming books:

SWEET MUSIC -- October, 2012

A TIME TO HEAL -- February, 2013

OUT OF THE DESERT -- July, 2013

A TIME TO DANCE -- November, 2013

Introduction

Hello Everyone,

I am new to the list and a very recently diagnosed visually impaired diabetic.

This is going to be a very difficult post for me, as I am not adjusting very

well to the fact that I am a diabetic.

I guess I will just jump right in and give you some random info and hopefully

everything will somehow be somewhat coherent when I am through.

My name is Lynn Mester-Shields. I lived near Pittsburgh, PA, all of my life,

until 2007. I now live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where I am a Low Vision

Technician at the Community Low Vision Center, Winston-Salem Industries for the

Blind. I love my job and very much enjoy helping others.

My current husband, Shields, formerly from Colorado, is a totally blind

diabetic. My first husband Bob Mester, passed away in 2003 from a heart attack

and complications of diabetes, paying the ultimate price for not taking proper

actions to control the diabetes.

I was diagnosed with diabetes on July 7, 2012 with a finger stick level of

330. I also had a urinary tract infection and that is how the diabetes was

discovered.

As of now I am on tree meds, and hopefully that will be the limit. My body

does not do well with meds and I usually try to avoid taking them unless

absolutely necessary. I know all the things I sure do and am trying very hard to

change my eating habits and do all the other proper things to keep my levels as

low as possible.

Something I do need some assistance with is selecting a glucometer. I do not

necessarily need one that talks, but that would be fine if it would talk. I

don't even really need a large display, but that would be fine as well. I am

looking for one that I can test on alternate sites besides the fingers. I type a

lot at work and home and also lift boxes and pack orders at work, so I really

want to keep my fingers as pain free as possible.

I know my Humana plan covers some Prodigy meters and another one called

something life Life Scan, or something on that order. Any suggestions will be

greatly appreciated.

I have good days and bad days since being diagnosed. I really have been quite

depressed a great deal of the time because I am usually the one giving the help.

Now I am the one needing assistance. The biggest problem I am having is the fact

that the diabetes now controls my life. That is a very difficult reality for me.

Well, I think I have rambled enough. Please feel free to ask questions of me,

or pass along any information or advice if you would be so kind to do so.

Hope everyone is well and having a good day.

Lynn Mester-Shields

[Guest guest]

Welcome aboard Lynn. You have come to the right place for help and good advice.

In 1987 I was first diagnosed as a diabetic following my first heart attack. So

far I have survived three of them, and I definitely recommend that heart attacks

are to be avoided if at all possible. 16 years later I became an insulin

dependent diabetic, and today I am under fairly good glucose control with two

forms of insulin Lantus long-acting insulin and Humalog short-acting insulin for

bolus control. My indocrinologist recommends the One touch Ultra2, which my wife

reads, since it is not a talking monitor. If you have useable vision you may be

able to use it either without or with a magnifying glass

hth, Harry

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynn,

Welcome to the list. I was diagnosed with Type 1 (insulin dependent)

diabetes in 1991. I am now 30 and have had diabetes for 21 years. I work

as an Assistive Technology Specialist for a blindness agency and, like

you, truly love my job!

I echo what Dave said about diabetes. It seems overwhelming now, and

there will always be some times that seem overwhelming, but over time

you will learn to manage your diabetes as best you can. Getting good

blood glucose control is really a matter of figuring out how food and

other factors (exercise, stress, illness, hormones, even weather!)

affect you, and then trying to avoid or adjust for the ones that you

know make you high. Of course, it's not all that simple (especially for

those of us who use insulin), but collecting such data and learning how

your blood glucose reacts to various events is half the battle.

As for glucose meters, almost all modern meters can use alternate site

testing. If you need a meter with a high-contrast screen, the Accu-Chek

Nano and the Bayer Contour USB both have excellent screens for people

with low vision (although both are difficult to read in direct

sunlight). The OneTouch meters all have large results displayed on their

screen, too.

Good luck in your continuing adjustment to diabetes. Any new diagnosis

is overwhelming at first, but diabetes perhaps more than others because

you have to learn to become your own healthcare provider. In time, you

will know more than most doctors about diabetes. Feel free to post to

the list whenever you have questions, everyone here is very

knowledgeable and willing to provide advice and encouragement!

Jen

--

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;

they just make the best of everything they have. --Unknown

[Guest guest]

well it really can be a kick in the teeth when you first find out you are a

diabetic, but life certainly can be lived in a fine way if you will figure out

how to control it and not allow it to control you. I allowed my sugar to run out

of control for many years and got a heart attack because of it and many more

heart issues to boot. these grate fine folks on this list have a lot of the

right answers only if you will listen better then I did. They have been there

and none it most of there lives and are very old in some cases! It really isn't

that scary if you get a handle on the disease and you control it, instead of

letting it steel your life away. I actually never really knew how bad I was

feeling with my sugar out of control until I got it under good control. my body

was so use to having high sugar, that it thought that was how I was suppose to

feel. I've had lots of kinfolks in my life that never took the disease to heart

and never tried to control it and now most of them are dead or in very bad

condinsion because of the complications from diabetes. I was one of the blessed

one's that lived to tell of my first heart attack that done 20% damage to my

heart 5 years ago to night. found out I was a T 2 in 2002, but like a lot of

folks I simply ignored it and the damage it could do to me. I suppose I figured

that the bad things happened to every one else and not me. I figured if I

ignored the folks who had the good advice on how to get control of the disease,

then it could never get a bad hold on me or destroy my health. nursing homes are

full of those who had the same attitude that I had. have not a clue why some of

us like me are so hard headed, mule headed or just stupid! T 2 diabetes can

actually be prevented if you eat right and exercise when you are young, but once

you get T 2, you can still control it and be very close to normal and hold it at

bay. the T one's can't do like we T 2's can, but even they can keep it from

destroying there life and putting them in a early grave. once we get pass the

shock of knowing we are a diabetic, it isn't the 3 headed monster that we first

believe it is. I had a A1C back in February of 13 and in only 3 months took it

down to under 6! by simply eating right and exercising daily. count those carbs

and watch what you eat and how much you eat of it, then plan to do some kind of

exercise each day of the week. I don't miss a day of exercise unless I just

can't help it. start missing 2 or 3 days a week and soon you will be missing 2

and 3 weeks of exercising. plus your meter is one of your very best buddies!

why? well a real good buddy that loves you for who you are as you are won't lie

to you and neither will your meter. it won't lie to you about what your sugar

reading is when you take it. your buddy the meter isn't trying to hurt your

feelings, but it is planning on telling you the truth, so it really is your best

friend and you should never guess, but always test! these folks here on the list

will tell you right and point you in the right direction if they don't know the

answers you need. they won't sugar coat it though and they some times will tell

you things that may hurt. the simple truth is, diabetes doesn't have to stop you

or me from living a fine life unless we make the choice to ignore it and allow

it to have it's way with our bodies. if we face up to it and learn all there is

to know about it, then we can control it and not allow it to destroy us and

steal our life from us. always remember? there is no such thing as a stupid or

silly question that you can ask these folks on this list. I think they have

heard it all at least once and I know they have for a fact saved me from

allowing the disease of diabetes to rob me of my life. it is a fine plan to

ramble and you just feel free to ramble your silly head off. you can't learn if

you don't ask and at the same time lots of others are also learning from what

you are asking. glad you are here with us, but sad you had to be diabetic to

join our happy group. Good luck and God bless!

Introduction

Hello Everyone,

I am new to the list and a very recently diagnosed visually impaired diabetic.

This is going to be a very difficult post for me, as I am not adjusting very

well to the fact that I am a diabetic.

I guess I will just jump right in and give you some random info and hopefully

everything will somehow be somewhat coherent when I am through.

My name is Lynn Mester-Shields. I lived near Pittsburgh, PA, all of my life,

until 2007. I now live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where I am a Low Vision

Technician at the Community Low Vision Center, Winston-Salem Industries for the

Blind. I love my job and very much enjoy helping others.

My current husband, Shields, formerly from Colorado, is a totally blind

diabetic. My first husband Bob Mester, passed away in 2003 from a heart attack

and complications of diabetes, paying the ultimate price for not taking proper

actions to control the diabetes.

I was diagnosed with diabetes on July 7, 2012 with a finger stick level of

330. I also had a urinary tract infection and that is how the diabetes was

discovered.

As of now I am on tree meds, and hopefully that will be the limit. My body

does not do well with meds and I usually try to avoid taking them unless

absolutely necessary. I know all the things I sure do and am trying very hard to

change my eating habits and do all the other proper things to keep my levels as

low as possible.

Something I do need some assistance with is selecting a glucometer. I do not

necessarily need one that talks, but that would be fine if it would talk. I

don't even really need a large display, but that would be fine as well. I am

looking for one that I can test on alternate sites besides the fingers. I type a

lot at work and home and also lift boxes and pack orders at work, so I really

want to keep my fingers as pain free as possible.

I know my Humana plan covers some Prodigy meters and another one called

something life Life Scan, or something on that order. Any suggestions will be

greatly appreciated.

I have good days and bad days since being diagnosed. I really have been quite

depressed a great deal of the time because I am usually the one giving the help.

Now I am the one needing assistance. The biggest problem I am having is the fact

that the diabetes now controls my life. That is a very difficult reality for me.

Well, I think I have rambled enough. Please feel free to ask questions of me,

or pass along any information or advice if you would be so kind to do so.

Hope everyone is well and having a good day.

Lynn Mester-Shields

[Guest guest]

Oh, that is very interesting. It makes sense but I just hnd no idea it

affected hearing. I knew for a long time about blindness caused by diabetes.

Introduction

>>>>

>>>> Hello Everyone,

>>>>

>>>> I am new to the list and a very recently diagnosed visually impaired

>>>> diabetic. This is going to be a very difficult post for me, as I am not

>>>> adjusting very well to the fact that I am a diabetic.

>>>>

>>>> I guess I will just jump right in and give you some random info and

>>>> hopefully everything will somehow be somewhat coherent when I am

>>>> through.

>>>>

>>>> My name is Lynn Mester-Shields. I lived near Pittsburgh, PA, all of my

>>>> life,

>>>> until 2007. I now live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where I am a

>>>> Low

>>>> Vision Technician at the Community Low Vision Center, Winston-Salem

>>>> Industries for the Blind. I love my job and very much enjoy helping

>>>> others.

>>>>

>>>> My current husband, Shields, formerly from Colorado, is a totally

>>>> blind diabetic. My first husband Bob Mester, passed away in 2003 from a

>>>> heart attack and complications of diabetes, paying the ultimate price

>>>> for

>>>> not taking proper actions to control the diabetes.

>>>>

>>>> I was diagnosed with diabetes on July 7, 2012 with a finger stick level

>>>> of

>>>> 330. I also had a urinary tract infection and that is how the diabetes

>>>> was

>>>> discovered.

>>>>

>>>> As of now I am on tree meds, and hopefully that will be the limit. My

>>>> body

>>>> does not do well with meds and I usually try to avoid taking them

>>>> unless

>>>> absolutely necessary. I know all the things I sure do and am trying

>>>> very

>>>> hard to change my eating habits and do all the other proper things to

>>>> keep

>>>> my levels as low as possible.

>>>>

>>>> Something I do need some assistance with is selecting a glucometer. I

>>>> do not

>>>> necessarily need one that talks, but that would be fine if it would

>>>> talk. I

>>>> don't even really need a large display, but that would be fine as

>>>> well. I am

>>>> looking for one that I can test on alternate sites besides the fingers.

>>>> I

>>>> type a lot at work and home and also lift boxes and pack orders at

>>>> work, so

>>>> I really want to keep my fingers as pain free as possible.

>>>>

>>>> I know my Humana plan covers some Prodigy meters and another one called

>>>> something life Life Scan, or something on that order. Any suggestions

>>>> will

>>>> be greatly appreciated.

>>>>

>>>> I have good days and bad days since being diagnosed. I really have been

>>>> quite depressed a great deal of the time because I am usually the one

>>>> giving

>>>> the help. Now I am the one needing assistance. The biggest problem I am

>>>> having is the fact that the diabetes now controls my life. That is a

>>>> very

>>>> difficult reality for me.

>>>>

>>>> Well, I think I have rambled enough. Please feel free to ask questions

>>>> of

>>>> me, or pass along any information or advice if you would be so kind to

>>>> do

>>>> so.

>>>>

>>>> Hope everyone is well and having a good day.

>>>>

>>>> Lynn Mester-Shields

>>>>

>>>>

[Guest guest]

Neuropathy from diabetes can affect any nerves in the body, including any

organ or limb, or specific nerves in your brain.

_____

From: blind-diabetics

[mailto:blind-diabetics ] On Behalf Of Lora Leggett

Sent: Sunday, August 05, 2012 7:04 PM

To: blind-diabetics

Subject: Re: Introduction

Oh, that is very interesting. It makes sense but I just hnd no idea it

affected hearing. I knew for a long time about blindness caused by diabetes.

Introduction

>>>>

>>>> Hello Everyone,

>>>>

>>>> I am new to the list and a very recently diagnosed visually impaired

>>>> diabetic. This is going to be a very difficult post for me, as I am not

>>>> adjusting very well to the fact that I am a diabetic.

>>>>

>>>> I guess I will just jump right in and give you some random info and

>>>> hopefully everything will somehow be somewhat coherent when I am

>>>> through.

>>>>

>>>> My name is Lynn Mester-Shields. I lived near Pittsburgh, PA, all of my

>>>> life,

>>>> until 2007. I now live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where I am a

>>>> Low

>>>> Vision Technician at the Community Low Vision Center, Winston-Salem

>>>> Industries for the Blind. I love my job and very much enjoy helping

>>>> others.

>>>>

>>>> My current husband, Shields, formerly from Colorado, is a totally

>>>> blind diabetic. My first husband Bob Mester, passed away in 2003 from a

>>>> heart attack and complications of diabetes, paying the ultimate price

>>>> for

>>>> not taking proper actions to control the diabetes.

>>>>

>>>> I was diagnosed with diabetes on July 7, 2012 with a finger stick level

>>>> of

>>>> 330. I also had a urinary tract infection and that is how the diabetes

>>>> was

>>>> discovered.

>>>>

>>>> As of now I am on tree meds, and hopefully that will be the limit. My

>>>> body

>>>> does not do well with meds and I usually try to avoid taking them

>>>> unless

>>>> absolutely necessary. I know all the things I sure do and am trying

>>>> very

>>>> hard to change my eating habits and do all the other proper things to

>>>> keep

>>>> my levels as low as possible.

>>>>

>>>> Something I do need some assistance with is selecting a glucometer. I

>>>> do not

>>>> necessarily need one that talks, but that would be fine if it would

>>>> talk. I

>>>> don't even really need a large display, but that would be fine as

>>>> well. I am

>>>> looking for one that I can test on alternate sites besides the fingers.

>>>> I

>>>> type a lot at work and home and also lift boxes and pack orders at

>>>> work, so

>>>> I really want to keep my fingers as pain free as possible.

>>>>

>>>> I know my Humana plan covers some Prodigy meters and another one called

>>>> something life Life Scan, or something on that order. Any suggestions

>>>> will

>>>> be greatly appreciated.

>>>>

>>>> I have good days and bad days since being diagnosed. I really have been

>>>> quite depressed a great deal of the time because I am usually the one

>>>> giving

>>>> the help. Now I am the one needing assistance. The biggest problem I am

>>>> having is the fact that the diabetes now controls my life. That is a

>>>> very

>>>> difficult reality for me.

>>>>

>>>> Well, I think I have rambled enough. Please feel free to ask questions

>>>> of

>>>> me, or pass along any information or advice if you would be so kind to

>>>> do

>>>> so.

>>>>

>>>> Hope everyone is well and having a good day.

>>>>

>>>> Lynn Mester-Shields

>>>>

>>>>