Symptoms

Note: Beta Cell is an audio podcast and includes emotion that is not reflected in text. Transcripts are generated by human transcribers and may contain errors. Please check the corresponding audio before quoting.

Craig: Back on February 11, I get a text in a group chat from my Aunt Laura. She starts, "Okay. It looks like we are still in a bit of a limbo. Doctor's not sure whether it's type one or two until he gets an additional lab. The lab he needs won't get back to him until Friday or early next week. He wants me to go and insulin one time a day." This was the first I'd heard of any of this, which made sense because it turned out I wasn't supposed to get that text. She had sent it to the wrong group chat by accident. We got on the phone, and she caught me up with what was going on.

Last week, you started feeling weird, right?

Laura: Well, it was actually the week before I didn't feel so hot, but I wasn't sure what it was. I felt like not excessive thirst, but my mouth just felt funny and tasted funny.

Craig: Like dry mouth?

Laura: Yes, like dry mouth. I was just like, "Oh", and in the past we've been watching my A1C levels because they were higher than they should have been, but my doctor had said he's had several patients who have had higher levels their whole life, and I've never gone into needing diabetic treatment. When I knew it didn't seem right, and I knew this could have been symptoms, I called last week and asked for a physical and blood test. Well, my doctor was out of town last week, but his colleague went ahead and ordered the blood tests for me. I went in and had the blood test and scheduled actually the physical for-- no, it was September 18 or 19th, but I knew if it was high, my blood sugar, that they would call me. On Friday, they called me and said, "The doctor wants to see you on Monday." I asked what my blood sugar was, it was over 300, they didn't have the charts, and they couldn't tell me my A1C, but I knew was probably high. I went in Monday morning. Of course, it was a bad weekend because I-- being a registered dietitian, I knew the differences between type one and type two, and what those two things meant for lifestyle changes.

Craig: You also know me?

Laura: Correct. I knew what you went through and your change of your life, change for your family's life because you were diagnosed young and then it also says I'm a registered dietitian, early in my career. I did a lot of diabetic counseling. I probably know much more than the average person who gets diagnosed. They're told in a doctor's office, "You're diabetic and you need to start changing your life right now."

Craig: Yes. When you were feeling weird two weeks ago, did you think about your symptoms and remember what I went through? Was that 18 years ago?

Laura: Well, it's interesting because when I look back at when you were diagnosed it was an emotional time for our family. Your grandmother was ill and then died, and you were a teen. There's expected growth during that period, but I do remember seeing the photo of you with your siblings and thinking, "Wow, Craig was really thin.", which was taken at that time, and then when your mother called me and said, "Something's not right." I was just like, "Just go to the doctor now.", so I wasn't around you enough to know that you were showing the symptoms like drinking a lot.

Craig: Yes.

Laura: Your mother, of course, probably didn't know that was--

Craig: We didn't know it was the symptoms. Yes, we didn't know what to look for.

Laura: Yes, all right.

Craig: When you go to a doctor, they're testing for type one, they're not just assuming it's type two.

Laura: When they did the initial test, it was me just saying I need a lab done. I was the one who actually said, "I really want to get in and see him because I am having these symptoms that I think could be happening to me." Now in the discussion because I ended up losing over 10 pounds.

Craig: Who you are the doctor thought you should do the tests just to make sure it's not type one? Was that something you pushed for?

Laura: My doctor, who's just a general internist? I think he was grappling with how to make sure that I'm type one, and in that misdiagnose me as type one or type two. He wanted to do this additional test to make sure. He said it's rare, but it's not uncommon. It does happen. He didn't want to just jump the gun.

Craig: Because then you go through so much time doing the wrong thing.

Laura: Right. Doing the right thing, which I think is common. I think that happens to a lot of people.

Craig: Yes, it's really common.

Laura: It does put you through a range of emotions. To be honest with you, I've just decided I have type one and if it's not, then I’ll be amazed.

Craig: Then it's a relief--at least you have prepared for the worst.

Laura: I'm just going through the emotions of having type one. That's a lot, but I need to start it now. I don't want to just be hanging on waiting for something that may not happen.

Craig: Yes. What are those emotions?

Laura: Okay, well, it's funny. I think it's probably the emotions that most people have when they get diagnosed with something I don't know, but this is the way I feel. First, you go through that, "Did I do something wrong?"

Craig: The guilt?

Laura: "Maybe I should have exercised more, maybe I should have--", but the reality of my mind knows if it's type one it was going to appear, sometimes, it was going to happen. The realization of a huge life change of testing sugars, really making sure I'm paying attention to portion sizes. I already watch what I eat, sadness about the fact that I love to bake. Now I'm not going to stop baking. I can't do that.

Craig: [laughs]

Laura: It's like part of me, but also knowing that as a type one and you as a type one, you eat everything.

Craig: You know that I know because I eat everything you bake.

Laura: Yes, knowing you is helped in the fact that I know how much a diabetic treatment has changed and technology has changed. It's just a matter of adjusting. It's a big adjustment in your life and it's just the way it is. You have to do it. Some fear, you hear the stories about low blood sugar of people do die from complications, but people die from complications of other diseases too. I keep balancing it back and forth with, "You can do this. It's okay." Just a little bit of setting.

Craig: It's just a fear of the unknown, right, especially at this point where you don't know if it's type one or type two, but then either way, what does that have in store for your lifestyle and your life, like something will change either way?

Laura: Right things will change.

Craig: If it's every day and eating less carbs and right size, and more if it's taking insulin and testing your blood sugar every time you eat, either way, it's a change.

Laura: It's a change whenever they diagnose you with high blood pressure, they do diagnose you with even just overweight, heart conditions, you have to make changes and change is hard. Now knowing how well you controlled your blood sugars, and I know it can be done. I keep thinking, "Okay, if, Craig I can do this, I can do this."

Craig: If Craig can do this, anyone can do this? [laughs]

Laura: No, I just mean you're so much more active than I am. You're so much more-- you know what I mean?

Craig: Yes.

Laura: My life is a lot different than your life. I know I'll be overwhelmed on some days, but I also know that many people have diabetes, and they're fine. They get through it.

Craig: Yes, it's interesting because I feel like when I was diagnosed and I was only 13, but I was also so sick going up to it. Then it was just so sudden. That it was just like, "Okay, you have diabetes." I don't remember a period of worry or mourning. I think part of that was just ignorance. I knew so little about it, even after I was diagnosed, that I didn't know. I don't know, that ignorance is a bliss kind of thing. My life now just changed because I was told by the doctors and parents and whoever that this is what I had to do. I didn't really know enough to think any different.

Laura: Didn't you feel better once you were diagnosed?

Craig: Oh, my God, yes. I felt so miserable.

Laura: I think that's the other. That's what I mean. I think when you're really, really that sick and you all over sudden realize, "Well, I feel so much better." I think that helps.

Craig: You left the doctor-- Did you see the doctor yesterday on Monday?

Laura: Yes, I saw the doctor and then healthcare is a big limbo, as you know. I was trying to schedule yesterday. He wants to put me on insulin, long acting until he got a diagnosis. Yesterday, I don't know. We couldn't set up an appointment for me to go to get the training to administer the insulin. I just tried not to stress. [laughs] I did go get my blood, the monitor so I could test my blood sugar and that helps me because I can know where I'm during the day. I can know that if I got excessively high I would know about it. I also changed my eating. Limiting my carbs and mainly eating things that are meat based.

Craig: Well, because without insulin you have no other options right now. That's your only option, just not eat carbs. Was that your first time testing your blood sugar,besides the nurse doing it?

Laura: Yes.

Craig: What was that like?

Laura: I have the acumeter. We did step by step. My husband helped me. It was fine. I had a few where I've pricked my finger and I can't get enough blood out. I think that's because I'm more dehydrated. I'm still learning how much blood to get on my finger before I put it to the strip.

Craig: So you don't waste the strip?

Laura: I will tell you when I first started as a dietitian many, many years ago this pricking and is not fun pricking everyday. I'm not saying that.

[laughter]

Laura: It's not as invasive as it used to be. The needles were thicker. The technology that they have now is really amazing for you to just digitally find out what your blood sugar is. To me, the pricking, you prick it and you're like, "Ugh." Then I also do a lot of embroidery and I prick myself.

[laughter]

Laura: I decided, you know what, "I can live with it." Down the road, if I'm type one, then I probably want to go to-- isn't there more electronic monitoring?

Craig: Is that continuous glucose monitor that I could have just--

Laura: Yes. I was planning to update my phone, so I would update my phone so I could have that. I think that would make life a lot easier for me. At least comfort wise to know where I am with my sugar all the time.

Craig: When do you get your insulin pen? Is that today?

Laura: Well, we ordered it and then they had to ask the doctor if I could have the generic version. I'm assuming it's there, but until I get an appointment to train how to use it--

Craig: I feel like we could create time and I could just show you how to do that.

Laura: I know, but I should probably go. I'd feel better going.

[laughter]

Laura: They're going to cover other stuff. At this point, like I said this is like kind of crazy. I don't know if there's a way I could just hold out till Friday, doing my blood sugar and eating. It's formal days of me not-- well, it would probably be through the weekend. Then if Monday, if I could see a doctor, get the-- you know what I mean?

Craig: Yes.

Laura: I could really hit the ground better, than starting this and learning this and do I go back? Because whatever they're going to train me in just the one and then I'd have to go back for the meals and-- that I could call you because if I go get the training for the one and then I do have it and I have to start giving myself before meals, well, I can't wait for that.

Craig: Yes. You can just call me [crosstalk]

Laura: I would go back, but I would call and say, "Hey, walk me through this for this meal." Then at least, there's so many like I said, I'm going to update my phone too, so I can get the better Apps that show you carb counts and stuff. I know that's a big difference than when I was counseling 25 years ago and you had to get people [crosstalk]

Craig: I remember my book. My calorie king book that I carried with me to every restaurant. Flipped through yellow tortio, white tortio. That was crazy.

Laura: How many carbs? That's the way it was. You didn't have. This is what I mean at least technology has brought all these new advances.

Craig: Yes. It's weird to think it felt like thinking back now it seems like such a stone age in comparison. Carrying around books and log books with pens and paper. The vials and syringes. If there was ever a time to be diagnosed now would be the time.

Laura: it's like this emotional roller coaster. [laughs]

Craig: Yes. We'll check back in when you get your test results hopefully, Friday.

Laura: He did say he was tending to a type one, which was good. He was honest with me. He was also concerned because I had no auto-immune disease at all. Again, like you said, having you as a nephew.

Craig: Yes, sorry about that.

Laura: Hey, I'm sorry you got it. The day your mother called me I just thought, "Oh, life is going to be different." Especially since you didn't eat anything before that.

Craig: True. I was very good at diet.

Laura: [laughs] If anything, it made you eat healthier, there you go.

Craig: Yes, it did. Absolutely.

Laura: Tried to look at the bright side of things. I know you tried to do that too but there are--

Craig: At the very least you know if it is type one, you've had 60 years without it. Which is nice.

Laura: Right. It's the way it is. You have to just look at it as this is what is. I guess if I looked at it as, whichever one I have, I'll tell people because I want them to understand you still need to pay attention. My doctor said to me,. "I do not like the word juvenile diabetes." He gets it. He's like, "No, adults can get it." I said, "I knew adults could get it." I knew that. I was just hoping [laughs]

Craig: You were just hoping it wasn't you.

Laura: I was the one who was going to get. I was like, "Why do I have to be an oddball?" That's what it is.

Craig: In the next episode of Thicker than Water, we see if aunt Laura is an oddball or not.

Thicker than Water was a production of Beta Cell as produced by me, Craig Stuberg. A very special thanks to my aunt Laura for letting me record the show about her. If you haven't yet subscribed to Beta Cell, wherever you're listening the podcast to get all of our shows download down to your listening device automatically. If you love any or all of the Beta Cell shows, you can support us on Patreon. There you can get bonus clips as well as our brand new supporter only show Out of Range After Dark.

I'm Craig and this is Thicker Than Water.