Blogging Diabetes

Are you too busy to check your blood sugar? Are there too many things going on at work to take a few minutes to check your sugar? Is the to-do list too long to fit in a little exercising or diabetes care? I’m sure this list could go on and on. A little while back, I brought you the story about Larry Miller, the Utah Jazz owner who lost part of both legs to complications from type 2 diabetes.

If you haven’t heard yet, Larry lost his battle and passed away on Friday. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. By any standards, Larry seemed to be successful in life with five kids, an enormous empire in Salt Lake City, and multiple charities and community service. But, passing away at 64… That’s entirely too early. I have no details about Larry’s condition and don’t want to speculate. However, it kind of scares me to think that someone who was so successful in life, had money at his disposal, and built an empire, couldn’t beat or tame his type 2 diabetes.

So, I now turn to how I opened this post.

Are you too busy to test?
Is there too much going on at work to test?
Too busy to see an Endocrinologist a few times a year?
Are you embarrassed or feel awkward to test when others are around and might see you?
Did you forget your medicine?
Is taking 30 minutes out of your day to exercise asking too much?
Are you too busy to stop to take your injection before eating?
If someone was going to bet on you would they take the over or under on age 64?

Sometimes, it’s about the little things that can add up to really big things that matter the most. Don’t be too busy.

Stay tuned for an upcoming vlog about depression and diabetes.

Like what you see? Subscribe to Blogging Diabetes to stay updated on what’s new with diabetes.

Canadian Pharmacy

6 Comments

JaimieH Said,

February 23rd, 2009 @11:39 am

after his story came out …I was googling and came across some pictures of him at games … I was showing my husband and we both just could not believe it …reality is so tough to take sometimes

I did not hear he passed away…wow….

This is a great post Tony! and oh so true….

Rachel Said,

February 23rd, 2009 @3:59 pm

This is actually something that scares the hell out of me! I don’t want to think of Tristan cutting his life short because he didn’t manage his diabetes properly.

Cherise Said,

February 24th, 2009 @12:20 am

Great post! Great reality check. I tell my step father all the time, “If you don’t straighten up, all the terrible things will catch up with you. Not taking care of yourself will catch up with you.”. I wish he would listen. I hope his soft head doesn’t make a soft behind.

Cherise

Shannon Said,

February 24th, 2009 @2:38 pm

I was going to post a very similar post to this one! When I heard of his passing all these same thoughts came to mind. It is hard to think that even though you have so much, there is one thing that may be put on the back burner. I really hope that as my daughter grows she never follows that path. Thanks for your thoughts! It was nice to know I wasn’t the only one thinking them.

Jason Said,

February 24th, 2009 @9:49 pm

I’d be interested to know when he found out about his type 2 diabetes. I’ve been type 1 from 14 but my grandfather was type 2 from about 60, he died at 70 from complications and lived in denial from the day he found out about it. He was also quite “stuck in his ways” and really didn’t want to face up to the lifestyle changes he really needed to make. One of the issues some of my family have had who also contracted type 2 diabetes was that it was not diagnosed until late in life but they may have been suffering the complications for years before it was discovered.
I think it was quite easy for me to learn to live with my type 1 because it’s been part of my life from quite an early age and I don’t really know any other way, I’m sure I’d feel differently if I contracted type 2 quite late in life.

Tony Said,

February 25th, 2009 @9:31 am

@Jaimie – Thank you for the nice comment!

@Rachel – Baby steps and just take one day at a time.

@Cherise – educate and help motivate by loving reminders may help. If subtle hints don’t work go big for the shock factor.

@Shannon – Great minds think alike Just help your daughter each step of the way and make sure she doesn’t get in the mindset that she is too busy.

@Jason – Yeah, I would love to know the details about when he was diagnosed and more about his care over the years. There may have been some of the old school thinking involved where he was in denial or just not educated on the seriousness of the disease. It’s just hard to imagine not taking good care of yourself if money isn’t an object.

Thank you all for the great comments!