Diabetes,  Diabetes Blog Week

Second Chances, Supportive Friends – #DBlogWeek Day 1

05/11/2015 /

Diabetes Blog Week, Day 1 – Topic: I Can: In the UK, there was a diabetes blog theme of “I can…”  that participants found wonderfully empowering.  So lets kick things off this year by looking at the positive side of our lives with diabetes.  What have you or your loved one accomplished, despite having diabetes, that you weren’t sure you could?  Or what have you done that you’ve been particularly proud of?  Or what good thing has diabetes brought into your life?  (Thank you to the anonymous person who submitted this topic suggestion.)

Today is the first day of Diabetes Blog Week, and what better way to kick things off than with a post about a couple of good things that came as a result of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

A second chance

I’ve made no bones about the fact that if it weren’t for diabetes, I wouldn’t have found out that I had congestive heart failure before it was too late.  The yeast infection I developed, which is common among people with diabetes, led to that life saving doctor visit.

Quite simply, my diagnosis presented me with a new beginning; a clean slate on which to plan and develop a healthier, more fulfilling life.

I was forced me to take a hard look at many aspects of my life, including my eating habits and the amount of physical activity in my life, and ultimately make decisions necessary to gain some resemblance of control over the situation.

I’m eating better, getting more exercise, and have lost some weight; all things that I’ve struggled with for years, yet have come about as a result of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes & CHF.

Supportive friends

You might not believe it, but I was no where near as outgoing before my diagnosis as I am now.  I was something of a loner, or a hermit if you will.  I was OK with that.  And I certainly never thought about traveling to meet people that I met online.  That was just out of the question.

My diagnosis with type 2 diabetes and congestive heart failure changed all of that.  My search for knowledge and support lead me to the Diabetes Online Community and all of the wonderful people whom I now call my friends.

I’ve been fortunate to have had opportunities to meet many of my D-OC buddies in person, and hope to meet many more of them.  I have grown close enough to some that I  consider them like family.  And I’m thankful to have all of them in my life.

My brush with death has taught me that I truly have nothing to lose, yet everything to gain, by reaching out to others.  And through it all, I’ve relearned the value of having loving and supportive friends.  Thanks to diabetes, I now have more of them than I can count. 

Second chances at life are a rare occurrence.  I am thankful to have been blessed with another chance, and with my amazing friends by my side, I know I’ll never have to go through it alone.

Lots of Love!

Living with a Confusing Pancreas and a Broken Heart at age 36 #Diabetes #LADA #CongestiveHeartFailure. #MakeDiabetesVisible Creator, #ALittleHeartCanDoBigThings Creator, Advocate, Blogger, Nature Photographer.

19 Comments

  • Frank

    05/11/2015 at 10:23 am

    A touching story and so wonderful to hear you have gained so much from your diabetes diagnosis. Thanks for sharing.

  • Kate Cornell

    05/11/2015 at 11:09 am

    Great minds DO think alike! I think that’s just a testament to how important it is that we pay attention to our health and that like-minded people can make the path easier. I’m glad to count you among my online friends…one that I’ve actually met! I look forward to repeating that soon.

  • Kelly Booth

    05/11/2015 at 11:56 am

    I am glad that you have a second chance also Mike. Hopefully I will get to meet you some day – maybe diabetes will get me out of my “afraid to travel” closet!

  • Karen

    05/11/2015 at 3:13 pm

    Yay for hermits – deep down I’m still one. But I love my DOC friends and I love that they push me out of my hermit comfort zone. I’m so glad to call you one of those friends – you sure set a great example for me to follow.

  • Laddie

    05/11/2015 at 4:49 pm

    Wonderful post, Mike, and you are truly taking advantage of your second chance. You know that I think the world of you and I do hope to get to meet you in person some day. Besides getting to talk with you, I want to spend some outdoor time with you and your camera!

  • Mike Hoskins (@MHoskins2179)

    05/11/2015 at 8:49 pm

    Here’s to being a hermit — me, too. Wish these dual-diagnoses never would have came into your life, but I’m so happy to know you and be able to consider you a friend. Here’s to traveling to see friends, no matter how we came to be friends. Thanks for sharing this, Mike.

  • Marie Smith

    05/11/2015 at 9:32 pm

    I’m celebrating community, too. Because of diabetes, I met you and got to become your friend. Here’s a virtual hug. The next one will be in person.

  • Naomi Kingery Ruperto

    05/12/2015 at 12:46 pm

    I’m proud of the way you’ve handled your second chance and think it’s great that you have a new support system. Keep up the great work…and all those steps on FitBit…phew!!

    • Mike

      05/16/2015 at 8:17 pm

      Naomi, you’ve been such a great supporter from the very beginning of this second chance, and I really appreciate it. Lots of love, my friend.