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The Diabetic Partner Follies, Act 21: Heart Troubles
Welcome to the latest edition of the Diabetic Partner Follies, where the partners of people with diabetes (PWDs) come to share their stories. Ginger and her husband Doug have had it tough; his health issues go beyond struggling with blood sugar. Understandably, she is scared. And worn out. And — well, let’s hear it from her:
Hi Amy,
I just last night tried to find something out on why diabetics do not heal well. I came up empty and frustrated. Just tonight as I was on the phone with my sister talking of this very thing, I found YOU!!! Thank GOD!!!
My story is somewhat different. My husband has type 2. We did not even know that he was diabetic until he had a massive heart attack at the age of 46. That was almost 8 years ago. I am now 45, and sometimes it is hard. In his case this has so effected his heart. We are no longer able to control his diabetes with diet and a pill. He is on insulin and even with that, it took over 7 months to get it right, all the while further damaging his heart. It got to the point last year where I kept a bag packed with all my essentials that I use daily to be ready to go to the hospital. So I literally lived out of a suitcase. I never told him of this. But every noice he made would worry me. He had nine caths last year and I have lost count of the stents he has had placed. One month after the heart attack he had open heart surgery.
In October of last year he had to have a pacemaker/defib placed. This was a total shock to both of us. We really were not prepared for that. He felt he was to young to have one. I on the other hand wanted it done like ASAP. That is how quickly the diabetes was taking over. Then we were told that he would need an insulin pump — if we ever wanted to stay out of the cath lab every two to three months, not to mention all the other things that a diabetic goes though. By the grace of God, not a month later the latest insulin took over and worked! He has not had surgery since January. That is nothing short of a miracle! He had his “first” normal stress/echo test in over three years this past March. We are lucky we have great doctors and our insurance is good. We are now into summer and things are still good. Just one small place that we may have to have treated. I feel for people who do not have this opportunity. The only thing that our insurance does not pay for are the testing supplies.
We are now just starting to deal with the healing thing. He injured his leg and we are having a time with that. Doug is such a strong person, he still manages a multi-million dollar project.
There are times that we both get so weary and want to just give up! But we get through it and and go forward. We refer to our health issues (his) as hills or mountains. The last ones have been mountains. But the valley is sweeter every time we climb that mountain and get to the bottom.
Thank you for listening and your site! I feel so good that I found it and some great info!
Sincerely,
Thanks for sharing this reality check, Ginger: some people have been hammered harder by the diabetes than others. We feel for you. And Doug’s testing supplies should be covered!
[Editor’s note: If you have your own partner story to share, or a question for the community, please contact me via email here.]
Explore posts in the same categories: Personal Stories, The Diabetic Partner Follies
Per the law mentioned in Texas:
Also, antioxidants, particularly Alpha Lipoic Acid, reverse cardiac autonomic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathies. Since at a cellular level, damage from D is caused by oxidation of free radicals produced from glycolysis/krebs cycle, supplemental antioxidants prevent D related damage-this includes retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy. However, gastroparesis is “special” and does not always improve through antioxidant supplementation.
http://www.amazon.com/Antioxidants-Diabetes-Management-Oxidative-Disease/dp/0824788443
Here’s a “free” version of this book….
http://rapidshare.com/files/90582735/anoxindima.rar
An antioxidant that the French most commonly prescribe to reverse retinopathy.
http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2000/01/01/1755.html
Last, Dr. Bernstein’s book, which describes how he reversed his complications, after 40 years with D. This is a must read.
Posted by: Monica | July 3rd, 2008 at 6:53 amhttp://www.amazon.com/Dr-Bernsteins-Diabetes-Solution-Achieving/dp/0316167169/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214021629&sr=1-1
There’s a state law for Texas, requiring the insurance companies to cover supplies-as I posted above, insulin pumps, test strips, meters, syringes, and insulin. I live in Texas, and unless there’s something I am clearly missing or something that was not stated in the letter, the insurance company can’t legally do that in TX.
Here’s the law…..
http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/IN/content/pdf/in.008.00.001358.00.pdf
I found it here
Posted by: Monica | July 3rd, 2008 at 7:00 amhttp://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/diabetes.htm
I cannot believe your insurance will not cover testing supplies or other meds. Something is not right there. In the meantime ,at least for testing stuff, CVS has had the best deal. If you buy there true track meter the test strips are very reasonable. I pay arouind 51.00 for 100 strips and about 32.00 for 50 strips. Ask for samples from your doctor everytime you go and definitly look into the laws and statutes in your state.
Diabetes is a very emotional rollercoaster. Whether you are the diabetic or the person living with the diabetic,or in my case both, learning all you can is half the battle. I keep educating myself,both here and on medical blogs. Every diabetic is different. Every case is different. My treatment may not work for my husband. His not for me. You and your spouse are your best advocates for getting done what needs to be done. as good as your physician is when they do not have diabetes they can never really know what is like day to day.
Posted by: LindaB | July 3rd, 2008 at 9:15 amFor the both of you talk to each other about concerns and issues. talkto a neutral party,counselor, diabetic educator, etc. talk to someone else with diabetes.This is a good place to start we all have it or live with a person who does and whether we all rant or rave,complain or anything else,there is always someone dealing with alot of the same stuff and DOES understand. Sometimes just kniowing you guys are not the only ones makes all the difference in the world.
As for insurance not covering things, I am a type 1 diabetic in CA and my insurance does not cover INSULIN, let alone test strips, supplies, syringes, etc. I wish there were a federal law requiring these things to be covered.
Posted by: LaurenK | July 3rd, 2008 at 9:57 amThat’s shocking about your insurance not covering test strips. Have you considered calling your state attorney general’s office? I hope you can get this straightened out. I can’t even imagine using a pump without being able to test.
I’ve just switched meters and don’t have time to get a new prescription right now. It’s a WaveSense KeyNote meter and found an online supplier that lists these at $19 for 50 strips, which was a pleasant surprise. E-mail me if you want more details.
Posted by: Bernard Farrell | July 8th, 2008 at 1:46 am