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18 Best Diabetes Blogs to Help Manage Diabetes

the diabetic journey blog

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which your body fails to maintain normal blood sugar levels. There are two types of diabetes:

popular blogs about diabetes

  • Type 1 diabetes , in which your pancreas does not produce enough of the hormone insulin required to control your blood sugar
  • Type 2 diabetes , where your body becomes insulin resistant and does not respond to the hormone normally

Both these conditions cause chronically elevated blood glucose levels. High blood sugar levels can lead to dangerous and deadly outcomes if not managed properly with diet and medication.

Getting a diabetes diagnosis may be distressing but it is not the end of the world – and certainly not the end of your baking hobbies! It is perfectly possible to live a normal life with diabetes with some lifestyle changes and mindfulness.

This article provides a list of blogs about diabetes that can help you learn how to manage and navigate the everyday challenges brought about by diabetics.

Criteria for Selection

Diabetes affects millions of people around the world. Type 1 diabetes is mostly not possible to reverse. However, type 2 can be reversed if caught early enough, and the treatment revolves around maintaining your blood sugar at normal levels. This can be done via dietary and lifestyle changes, medicines, or insulin injections.

Since diabetes is a chronic condition that requires regular monitoring and care, many people may feel overwhelmed or confused about how to proceed after a diabetes diagnosis.

While your doctor remains the best source of information for you, there are several blogs on the web dedicated to diabetes management. These blogs provide first-hand accounts of other people suffering from diabetes , dietary tips, inspiring stories, and medical information.

This article presents 18 informative and popular diabetes blogs, which were selected on the following criteria:

  • Concise, easy-to-understand writing style
  • Regular updates
  • Educational and useful tips
  • Content quality
  • Number of followers
  • Reliable information

Top Diabetes Blogs to Follow

1. a sweet life.

ASweetLife blog

A Sweet Life is a well-written and informative blog managed by a diabetic couple, Michael Aviad and Jessica Apple.

After learning how to live a healthy life with type 1 diabetes, this husband and wife duo decided to start an online blog to help others do the same. They post inspiring stories and first-person accounts of people with diabetes, detailing their struggles and achievements.

The site also offers many diabetes management tips, including recipes, latest research reports, new nutritional information, and helpful apps and devices. Recently, they have addressed the issue of diabetes management in the COVID-19 era.

2. All Day I Dream About Food

all day I Dream About Food blog

Carolyn Ketchum was always a passionate cook. Hence, when she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes during her third pregnancy, she did not let the diagnosis stand in the way of her love for baking or cooking.

She spends a lot of time tweaking everyday recipes to turn them into low-carb and keto-friendly meals.

Her blog features all kinds of easy keto recipes that can help you manage your blood sugar levels without giving up good food.

3. Battle Diabetes

Battle Diabetes blog

Battle Diabetes is the place to go if you have been recently diagnosed and have a lot of questions about diabetes.

This blog contains comprehensive and easy-to-understand answers to common questions, such as how alcohol consumption affects diabetes and whether vinegar is good for people with diabetes.

This blog contains articles on dietary modifications required for diabetes, medical breakthroughs and information, lifestyle changes, etc., that can help you literally battle diabetes .

4. Blood Sugar Trampoline

Blood Sugar Trampoline blog

Run by Gráinne Flynn, a mother of two who has been living with type 1 diabetes since she was 20 years old, Blood Sugar Trampoline is a blog dedicated to solving the day-to-day challenges faced by people with diabetes.

It helps educate people about the best medical devices, lifestyle modifications, and diabetes support groups near them.

Gráinne’s blog is a near-perfect mixture of humor and hope that has helped many diabetic people learn about diabetes management.

5. College Diabetes Network*

*Updated on [14/11/2022] – URL removed as it’s not working anymore

College Diabetes Network

The College Diabetes Network functions as a blog as well as an online diabetes support group for young people suffering from diabetes.

It provides several resources and information on the disorder and connects you to other young people juggling education and diabetes.

6. Decadent Diabetic

the Decadent Diabetic blog

Decadent Diabetic is a blog run by Ward, a seasoned chef with plenty of experience in the restaurant industry. He has type 2 diabetes and his blog is filled with delicious diabetes-friendly recipes.

A strong family history of diabetes taught him that a healthy diet is immensely important for living with diabetes.

Armed with his cooking experience and knowledge about the disorder, Ward decided to take it upon himself to make low-carb recipes that diabetic people can indulge in without worrying about their blood sugar.

7. Diabetes Dad

DiabetesDAD blog

Tom Karlya is a father who was motivated to advocate for diabetes awareness and research when his 2-year-old daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Currently a father of three, Tom has two kids with diabetes. He is the Vice President of the Diabetes Research Institute.

Tom started the diabetes dad blog to help educate other parents and children with the condition. His blog has won several awards and is well reputed in the diabetes community.

8. Diabetes Self-Management

Diabetes Self-Management blog

Diabetes Self-Management provides in-depth information on the latest diabetes research, blood sugar management tips, and healthy recipes. It also provides the latest reports on diabetes management during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They also have posts regarding mental health awareness and research reports.

9. Diabetes Stories

Diabetes Stories blog

Diabetes Stories is owned by Riva Greenberg, a healthcare professional who has spent many years advocating diabetes management awareness around the world.

Living with type 1 diabetes since she was 18 years old, Riva has personal as well as professional experience with the disease. She includes various inspirational stories, latest news, personal notes, and blood glucose management tips in her blog.

10. Diabetes Strong

Diabetestrong blog

Diabetes strong, run by Christel Oerum, is a perfect mix of a fitness blog and a diabetes blog.

Christel is a fitness instructor who has type 1 diabetes. Not letting her diagnosis get in the way of her very active lifestyle, she now manages her blog to help others do the same.

You will find important information about the best exercises for diabetic people, health and nutrition tips, and insulin resistance information on this blog.

11. Diabetesaliciousness

diabetesaliciousness blog

Kelly Kunik has a good sense of humor and an even better sense of self-awareness.

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 8, she has spent her entire life living with the condition. Now she aims to help others do the same by providing blood sugar management tips, the latest news in diabetes research, and other important information on her blog – Diabetesaliciousness.

Diabetesaliciousness is a light-hearted and graceful take on diabetes awareness.

12. Diabetic Foodie

diabeticfoodie blog

Diabetic Foodie is a blog specifically made to provide necessary nutritional and dietary information for diabetes management.

Run by Shelby Kinnaird, this blog contains healthy recipes, and tips on mindful eating, weight management, and calorie management with diabetes.

The blog also provides special recipes for people on vegan, paleo, or gluten-free diets.

13. Diabetogenic

Diabetogenic blog

Diabetogenic is a blog run by Renza Scibilia, a woman living with type 1 diabetes since 1998. She is a diabetes patient advocate who regularly attends conferences on diabetes management and records her thoughts and experiences with the disease on her blog.

Renza’s blog posts are humorous and educational and provide an insight into the challenges of living with chronic illnesses.

14. DiaTribe

diaTribe blog

DiaTribe is a blog that offers a comprehensive, in-depth analysis of diabetes. The blog lists everything from the latest treatments, research, and medicines to dietary advice. They have recently featured a brief report on the different A1C values in different races and ethnicities.

The DiaTribe team is connected with researchers and doctors around the world and they have significant expertise in diabetes management.

15. Gestational Diabetes

gestational diabetes UK blog

Gestational diabetes (GD) is a term used to describe high blood sugar levels in pregnant women. People with GD are usually at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

A GD diagnosis can be stressful for women who are already dealing with the challenges of pregnancy.

Gestational Diabetes is a blog run by a woman who had GD during her own pregnancy and details everything from recipes, personal stories, and support centers to post-partum care for other women with the condition.

16. The Happy Diabetic

the Happy Diabetic blog

Robert Lowe is another chef-cum-type 2 diabetic patient who is on a mission to promote healthy eating to manage the condition.

The Happy Diabetic blog aims to make living with diabetes easier by providing delicious and easy-to-cook recipes that are fit for a diabetic diet. Robert’s favorite recipes include roasted fish and shrimp scampi – tweaked to be low on carbs and high on flavor.

17. Type 2 Musings

Type 2 Musings blog

Corrina Cornejo was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2009. She started writing the blog Type 2 Musings to record her thoughts and journey with diabetes. This blog contains everything from recipes to anecdotes and information about the health care system.

Corrina hopes to make people aware of the many challenges faced by people suffering from chronic illnesses and how to navigate them.

18. Wildly Fluctuating

Wildly Fluctuating blog

Wildly Fluctuating is owned by Gretchen Becker, a writer with type 2 diabetes. Gretchen has a background in biological sciences and has also spent several years as a newspaper reporter.

She combined her writing experience with her biology knowledge to start a blog meant for raising diabetes awareness among patients.

She urges readers to take the disease seriously and follow mindful eating, exercise, and other tips to keep their blood sugar levels under control. Gretchen also regularly posts about the latest research and advancement in diabetes treatment.

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TheDiabetesCouncil.com

What Does Your Diabetes Journey Look Like?

Modified: Sep 3, 2020 by Jasmine Burns · This post may contain affiliate links ·

the diabetic journey blog

We recently reached out to 90 of our readers with diabetes to see what their diabetes journey looked like in terms of just the basic stuff. The responses were overwhelming, and the participation was high.

Let us look at the questions and see what the responses were.

WHERE DID YOU GET MOST OF THE INFORMATION ON DIABETES FROM (E.G. WHAT TO EAT, HOW TO CHECK BLOOD SUGAR, HOW TO MANAGE YOUR DIABETES, ETC.) WHEN YOU WERE FIRST DIAGNOSED?

We are always interested to see where most patients and readers get their diabetes related information from when they are first diagnosed with their diabetes. Since the primary doctor officially diagnoses the patient, it is fitting to know that 61% received the information from them. Surprisingly, the second leading source of information for people with diabetes is either a family member or a friend.

The internet, as a well of knowledge, is not tagging too far behind since in today’s time and age, it makes it easier to gather information easily and efficiently. The internet could encompass websites such The American Diabetes Associations, Diabetes Daily, The Diabetes Council and online diabetes forum.

I recommend reading the following articles:

  • How to Stay Motivated with Diabetes
  • I Lost a Relative Because of Diabetes, Will This Happen To Me?
  • What are Blood Sugar Target Ranges? What is Normal Blood Sugar Level?
  • Diabetes Experts Share Ways To Lower Your A1C Levels
  • What is Glucocil?

A nurse or a Certified Diabetes Educator were the two last sources that provided patients with information. This could be because once a diagnosis is given, patients are unsure as to who to go to first to receive education on managing their diabetes. Once they have come into terms with their diabetes, it is possible that most of their official education might come from a nurse or a CDE.

the diabetic journey blog

It is important, at the time of their diagnosis, that patients were given the most accurate and appropriate information. That information will set the tone for effective management of their diabetes. This is further confirmed by the responses we received regarding this. About 79% of participants believed that the information they were provided with at the time was indeed appropriate and useful.

the diabetic journey blog

HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR HEALTH OVERALL?

Currently, 49% of the participants describe their health as being good. It is encouraging to see that only a mere 1.41% percent describing theirs as very poor.

Good management of diabetes comes from understanding what works and what doesn’t work for you. Lifestyle changes in nutrition, exercise levels, cutting smoking, sleeping enough, taking the appropriate medication can contribute to a smooth sailing. Effective management also includes making sure you are constantly checking your blood sugar levels and that they are within your target range.

Anytime that you find yourself struggling with keeping within target ranges, consult with your doctor on treatments which may help you. Not managing your diabetes, in the long term, will contribute to complications such kidney problems, stroke, eye problems and much more.

the diabetic journey blog

As mentioned above, one of the ways to manage your diabetes is by taking the prescribed medications. Taking your medications on time and regularly can make the difference between a normal day and a day with high sugar levels. But what are some of the challenges that people with diabetes face when it comes to taking their medications?

Taking them daily more than once or twice can truly be painful. 27% of the participants fear taking medications due to the potential side effects they may have in the long term. This is not surprising taking into consideration that some of the medications have not been tested in the long run to show any negative impacts on other parts of the body. Discuss your fears with your doctor and they will have material for you to read on regarding your medication. If the doctor is prescribing them to you, it is likely that they have proven to be effective in managing diabetes.

If you are worried about the complications of side effects you may have because you are taking more than two medications, once again, bring your fears up to your primary care giver.

20% contribute their challenge with having to remember taking the medications. This can be tricky if you are young and/or much older and suddenly have to be on a schedule to take your medication on time. Having a family member or an app remind you to take your medication on time can go miles in preventing emergency situations. Take them daily at the same time, before or after doing something that you do (i.e. reading the newspaper, taking your breakfast). In most cases, your doctor would have already prescribed the specific time to take them. In that case, put an alarm on your phone or calendar which can give you a heads up that you need to take your medication.

I suggest taking a look at these articles:

  • Can Tea Help With Diabetes? Is It Beneficial?
  • What Can You Eat If You Have Diabetes? Foods To Eat & Avoid
  • Ultimate Guide to the A1C Test: Everything You Need To Know
  • Registered Dietitians Share Healthy Recipes for Type 2 Diabetes
  • Inside the Mind of Someone with Diabetes: Trinity Roggensack

A high number of people contribute cost as the biggest challenge. Diabetes management is costly. The medications can wreak havoc on people’s financial situation. Look up for organizations that help with diabetes supplies and medications. Look into your insurance and/or Medicare to see what is covered and how much. Make a financial spreadsheet when it comes to your diabetes management to ensure you stay within your budget.

There were some participants who also claimed that they are just tired of taking so many medications. It can be discouraging to be the person who takes more than 5 or 6 medications every day. But remember, if you take them regularly and follow a healthy lifestyle, you may bring your blood sugar targets to the range where you may stop taking some one day. Always speak to your doctor about your medications. Bring up concerns if you have any when it comes to the challenges. They are a repertoire of knowledge and should be able to direct you the right way.

the diabetic journey blog

DURING THE LAST MONTH, HOW MUCH OF A PROBLEM WAS IT FOR YOU TO FEEL OVERWHELMED WITH THE DEMANDS OF LIVING WITH DIABETES?

It is no surprise that living with diabetes can be very challenging. The pressures and the demands that come with effectively managing it can be extremely overwhelming not only on you but also your loved ones, especially if you are struggling with keeping your blood sugar levels in the target range.

Diabetes and the complications that come with diabetes make patients frustration and even push them into a state of depression. 39% of the participants have a slight problem with the demands and only 3% had very serious problems with their diabetes.

Anytime you feel that your diabetes is out of control and that you may be in a depressive state as a cause, please seek out the help of a professional. There are many resources out there to help you with this. If you are unable to afford a professional, look into joining diabetes groups in your community or online. There are people who are going through the same struggles as you. You can share tips and experiences to not feel alone. Sometimes, talking to someone in a similar situation as you can help alleviate your mood and make you feel better.

the diabetic journey blog

If you have felt like you are failing in your diabetes, you are not alone. About 27% of our participants have felt with feeling the same way. There were about 16% who felt that they were seriously failing with their diabetes routine.

Controlling diabetes can reduce the risk of blindness, renal failure, neuropathy and other diabetes related complications. If you feel like you are failing at your diabetes routine and management, it is scary to think that you may increase the risks of such complications.

It is important that on days when you feel that way, to remind yourself about the importance of getting back on track. Humans have a way of getting stuck in negative thought patterns. You need to discuss with your doctor or CDE on ways you can improve at your diabetes routine. It could be a matter as small as changing the time you take your medications at, or a slight change in your eating habits.

the diabetic journey blog

The future, if you have diabetes, can sometimes be bleak, especially if you feel like your diabetes is out of control. It is hard not to try to fortune tell your situation by what is happening today. However, it is never too late to get on top of your diabetes. It may seem impossible but with the right support and resources, you can too get your numbers back in target range.

The journey may require a lot of work and riddled with disappointments, but once you are there, you will be happy you worked hard to get there. What you do today will impact your tomorrow. Every time you are tempted to eat that extra chocolate cake, remind yourself of the future you would like to have. 30% of the participants were moderately concerned about their future and the possibility of serious complications with diabetes.

The best way to beat your diabetes is to change your lifestyle if you still haven’t, follow your doctor’s directions, work with a CDE or a registered dietician who can help you come with an appropriate meal plan. Put together a diabetes care team who is there to look out for you and who you go see with appointments are made. Surround yourself with family members who support you in following a healthy diet and who will join you on that nightly walk you take or the weekend hike you want to go on. Friends are a huge support to. They will lend a hearing ear without judgment and will refrain from giving unsolicited advice.

the diabetic journey blog

Losing excess weight is one of the first recommendation that your primary doctor will give you once you are diagnosed with diabetes, especially type 2. Losing the weight can help patients to become less insulin resistance, so that their body can use insulin better.

Exercising helps in giving you extra energy, in lowering your cholesterol, help in controlling your blood sugar levels, strengthen your heart. Exercise also releases the happy hormones that can help you become positive. The benefits of exercise and losing that weight your doctor has asked you to is beneficial of you in the long term.

Further reading:

  • Diabetes Sentry: Sleep Sentry Review
  • CDE Interview: Carol Farris
  • Diabetes Logbook For Adults & Kids
  • Should I Tell Others About My Diabetes, Or Keep it a Secret?
  • Carbonated Water: Is it a Good Drink for Diabetes?

Experts suggest that losing even just a 5 to 7% of your weight can demonstrate a decrease in your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. Therefore, it is no surprise that 62% of the participants are trying to lose weight to better manage their diabetes.

the diabetic journey blog

We hope that the survey and the responses helped you put into perspective your diabetes journey and struggles in relation to others who are going through the same. Please let us know what you thought this piece and if you would like to see more survey pieces like these. Was it helpful? Was it informational? Please leave your comments in the box below! And if you have any suggestions write them as well, thanks!

TheDiabetesCouncil Article | Reviewed by Dr. Sergii Vasyliuk MD on May 29, 2020

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the diabetic journey blog

About Jasmine Burns

Jasmine Burns is a certified diabetes educator, registered nurse with extensive experience in diabetes care and management. When not writing you will find Jasmine reading and exploring her local community.

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A Personal Journey With Type 2 Diabetes

Agnes Czuchlewski shares her story

Courtesy of Agnes Czuchlewski

Meet the Author

Agnes Czuchlewski is a patient advocate for women with heart disease and diabetes. She currently facilitates the WomenHeart of Lenox Hill support group.

For the longest time, I’ve had a small plaque in a green rustic wooden frame on my desk. I know my sister gave it to me, but I have no idea when. It was that long ago.

It’s a picture of a lighthouse on a rocky outcropping, surrounded by water. At times I would look at it and see a tranquil picture filled with greenery, a lone pine tree, and ocean breezes; other times, I could see the waves coming up the rocks and slamming into that little island.

The caption of the picture reads, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” And that is how I see my life with diabetes: always a journey, sometimes with breezes and sometimes with crashing waves that threaten to undo me.

Getting a Diagnosis

It was the mid-1990s, and I was in full swing of a high-stress job. I had gained some weight while in my 30s and early 40s but was relatively healthy—too young and too busy to see a doctor. I hadn’t had bloodwork in about seven years, figuring I’d know if anything was wrong.

Add to this my mistrust of doctors in general. Throughout my life, I had the misfortune to run into those who believed that good medicine was administered with a strong dose of bullying, especially about my weight. Therefore, when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes , it was a surprise but it wasn’t surprising.

Agnes Czuchlewski

I had entered the sphere of chronic disease and, frankly, I was scared and confused.

I had a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease, all of which go hand-in-hand with each other, as I would later find out. However, the fact that I thought I was perimenopausal was what got me to see a doctor in the first place. Every time I ate a large meal or something rich, I would break out in a huge, flushing sweat. What else could give me that result? Then came the massive ankle swelling that no one could explain.

As I found out, my initial blood sugar test was over 400. Panic set in: How do I fix this? What do I do first? Next? Where do I start? It took me a while at first to realize that I couldn’t “fix” my diabetes, but I wanted to control it. Then, I would have to decide how I was going to live with this disease as well as the risk factors that came along with it.

It took me a while at first to realize that I couldn’t ‘fix’ my diabetes, but I wanted to control it.

This wasn’t a sore throat that would go away in a few days with proper care. I had entered the sphere of chronic disease, and frankly, I was scared and confused. But I was determined to find out what I needed to do differently and why. I also discovered that, like my family history, my diagnosis also put me at a higher risk for developing heart disease. I knew I would need to make changes to deal with this risk before long.  But right then, I needed to address my new and immediate diagnosis. Diabetes was like the wind, and I knew that if I couldn’t stop the wind, I needed to adjust my sails.

Learn First, Then Consider Options

Once she learned about my diagnosis, my lifelong friend, who just happens to be a nurse practitioner and a Certified Diabetes Educator, came over with a meter and test strips in hand. She taught me the essentials of testing my glucose levels and explained some of the basics of the disease to me, which greatly eased my anxiety. At least I was starting to understand what I needed to know.

The first doctor I saw was a local general practitioner who was recommended by many of my mom’s elderly friends. When I visited her, I began to understand why. There was no conversation, no instructions, and no empathy. I just got a point-blank question: “Do you want pills or a shot?” When I said I didn’t want either, I received an odd look in response, as if to say, “I’m the doctor—pick one.”

Patient advocacy wasn’t even a phrase at this point, but I realized that I needed more than this.

This was the first time I ever challenged a doctor, and it was a revelation. Patient advocacy wasn’t even a phrase at this point, but I realized that I needed more than this. I responded, “I want training.” To my surprise, I was told, “No one has ever asked for that before.”

I was given information for a two-day training session to learn about the care and management of diabetes. It was wonderful but overwhelming. Sort of like a disease-based boot camp. I learned what I needed to know and, most importantly, why I needed to care of myself and my new life partner: diabetes.

I learned that diabetes is not a one-size-fits-all issue. Everyone’s metabolism is different, exercise is a major key, and it’s not just what you eat but when and how much. I learned, personally, that high fat impacted my numbers as much as sugar and starch (ah, the hot flashes!). I began to define the outcomes I wanted and what the “long haul” of my life would look like. And I went into action.

Know Your Options, Know Yourself

As I had told the first doctor, I didn’t want pills or a shot. What I realized I wanted was a new doctor. Someone who would work with me to take control and explain why some things worked while others didn’t.

I wanted someone who would let me watch my diet, learn the disease, and lose the weight on my terms—that is, without medication until the time came when it was necessary. My body and my numbers would let me know when I got to that point.

I learned that diabetes is not a one-size-fits-all issue.

In the subsequent six months, I was able to lose 65 pounds, got my A1C down to under 7.0, and began to understand what I was facing. I was learning not only what is in my control but why I should control it. Being told to “take this” was unacceptable. I found out that if I couldn’t discuss questions with my doctor, I needed to move on.

One of the doctors I saw, who was also diabetic, would give me intense talks about managing my care and numbers, but then we would end up discussing food and the latest restaurant visit. While extremely enjoyable, this conversation was not moving me to where I needed to be.

On the other hand, there was a doctor who treated me as though my diabetes was my fault because I was obese and, therefore, brought it all on myself.

When I finally found the right match with a doctor, it was a wonderful way to learn, to feel supported, and to have the partnership that moved me to what I wanted to do.

Other Risks of Diabetes

I've learned that having type 2 diabetes can also put you at risk for other conditions, like heart disease, stroke, and vision problems.

On December 28, 2015, I had a heart attack. I had a stent placed the next day and was home for New Year’s Eve. Physically, it might have been simple, but the mental impact was significant. I was back to asking the same old questions: What now? What did I do wrong? What’s next? But no simple or comforting answers were appearing. Only grim statistics.

While I healed very quickly, I had a lot of time to think of the implications of the event.  I started to obsess over whether it was going to happen again. If it did, would it be more serious? Ultimately, would I live? I was feeling new things happening in my body, but no one was explaining things to me.

Always patient, highly skilled, personable, and willing to take on whatever inquiry was on my mind, my cardiologist, Dr. Rachel Bond was a godsend for me. Finally, she gave me one piece of advice that I still carry with me and which has become an ongoing mantra to me: “ Go live your life .” It gave me permission to stop asking for the answers to the unknowable.  What would happen would happen, and as long as I did what was necessary health-wise.

Dr. Bond did one more life-changing thing for me: she recommended that I attend a new support group that was starting that week. So, three weeks after my heart attack, I joined a small group of lovely women of all ages and backgrounds who were gathered to share their “heart stories.” 

Some of their tales were horrifying, some were told with a wink of the eye, and some, like mine, weren’t terribly challenging but led to a discovery about dealing with chronic illness. Most importantly, we were all survivors, and this was the start of a new chapter of my life journey: WomenHeart .

The meetings were enlightening. I learned so much and was able to share my knowledge and fears in a supportive atmosphere. After telling my heart story to several branches of the media, I was chosen to go to the Mayo Clinic to become certified as a WomenHeart Champion.

For five days, I and a cohort of close to 100 other “survivors” from all over the country learned so much about heart disease, group leadership, and so much more. What was most incredible was the connection that we felt to one another, our “heart sisters.”

Since then, I’ve been facilitating the WomenHeart Support Network of Lenox Hill, and it has been an inspiring opportunity to meet so many amazing women!

When Good Is Too Good or Not Good Enough

Going back to right after my cardiac mishap, however, I stepped up my medical care by adding additional doctors to my roster of support. In addition to seeing my cardiologist regularly, I started to see an endocrinologist at Lenox Hill in 2016 and found Dr. Emilia Liao in July of 2019. She’s terrific, kind, and a great listener who gives wonderful advice. She has really helped get my A1C under control.

I admit I can be a bit of a perfectionist. Or perhaps it is more of a desire for approval for a task done correctly. In either case, I discovered on my journey with diabetes that I can make adherence almost an obsession when I put my mind to it, driving myself and others to near madness!

My life became a list of “should and shouldn’t.” I shouldn’t eat that, I shouldn’t cook that, I should work out, I should test my blood again, I should cut my cravings, I should only eat healthy foods, and on and on. I realized that to do my best to follow my life’s health plan, I was, as a friend called it, constantly “should-ing” on myself.

Cut yourself some slack. It is very easy to berate yourself and to focus on guilt rather than progress.

The lesson learned was to cut yourself some slack. It is very easy to berate yourself and to focus on guilt rather than progress. I needed to establish an “abuse-free zone” for myself, in my life, relationships, and medical interactions. If you don’t do it right today, there is tomorrow to try again.

And as time went by, the fervor with which I adhered to my care routine at the start began to wane. I believe it is a natural progression of things with a lifelong disease; it’s what I began to call “roller-coaster time.”

You start at a peak, with all the adherence you can muster, then you begin to relax, thinking, “I can do this, I can take a break.” Then, as you see your success and results starting to slip, you recognize the need to recharge your efforts, to reinvigorate the focus on the success you had in the first place.

Find Success By Being “LATE”

It’s been over 25 years since my initial diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There have been so many changes that it’s impossible to count. There have been extremely valuable advances, not only in the drugs of choice, but in attitudes and opportunities as well.

There are new doctors with new conversations about linked topics, such as metabolic disorders , diabetes, heart disease , and so on. There is so much you can learn on the internet about health. Just be sure the “knowledge” gained is factual. And don’t drive yourself crazy with what you find.

I’ve come up with an acronym to remember how to take in and assess new information: LATE .  

  • Start by learning what you need to know, from the internet, your healthcare provider, or another resource.
  • Advocate for yourself. It is essential to ask! Ask for what you need: help, information, support, understanding, and verification.
  • Test not only your blood but your decisions. Don’t be afraid to modify what isn’t working for you (with your doctor’s partnership, of course).
  • Evaluate any preconceived notions or fears you might have that are keeping you from your journey forward before making a final decision.

Lighthouse Mentality 

Many people might question why I would want to share my journey with diabetes, saying it’s too personal or intimate. I would counter by pointing out that it may be personal, but it isn’t unique. With the increase of type 2 diabetes in the general population and heart disease being the number one killer of women and impacting over 48 million women in this county alone, many people are finding themselves at the start of their journey.

I’ve spoken to groups of cardiologists about listening to their patients and about the power of patient advocacy. I’ve spoken to various media outlets about the impact and symptoms of heart disease, specifically in women. The message is getting out there, but we still have a long way to go.  This is why I continue to tell my story. 

When I think of the lighthouse plaque on my desk, I ask myself: Do I become the lighthouse that stands alone on this rock and concentrates on being buffeted by the wind and waves? Or do I do what I was meant to do, shine my light to help others?

Through it all, there is a little pine tree that stands next to the lighthouse, which has seen both sides of this life and has thrived. If sharing my experience, empathy, and knowledge can support anyone on their journey, then my life’s journey is a success.

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100 Best Diabetes Blogs

the diabetic journey blog

Diabetes Blogs

Here are 100 Best Diabetes Blogs you should follow in 2024

1. Diabetes Strong

Diabetes Strong

2. Diabetic Foodie

Diabetic Foodie

3. Diabetes Dad

Diabetes Dad

4. Diabetes Stories

Diabetes Stories

5. Diabetogenic

Diabetogenic

6. Hangry Woman

Hangry Woman

7. Yoga For Diabetes Blog

Yoga For Diabetes Blog

8. Scott's Diabetes

Scott's Diabetes

9. Viasox Blog

Viasox Blog

10. Diabetes Daily

Diabetes Daily

11. Diabetes Health

Diabetes Health

12. Beyond Type 1

Beyond Type 1

13. DiaTribe

DiaTribe

14. The Diabetes Times

The Diabetes Times

15. The Low Carb Diabetic

The Low Carb Diabetic

16. Diabetesaliciousness

Diabetesaliciousness

17. T1D Exchange Magazine

T1D Exchange Magazine

18. Gestational Diabetes UK

Gestational Diabetes UK

19. Integrated Diabetes Blog

Integrated Diabetes Blog

20. Beyond Type 2

Beyond Type 2

21. Dream Big, Travel Far

Dream Big, Travel Far

22. Cecelia Health

Cecelia Health

23. Diabetes Care Community

Diabetes Care Community

24. MyDiabetes

MyDiabetes

25. Diabetes Core Update Podcasts

Diabetes Core Update Podcasts

26. Diabetic Sock Club Blog

Diabetic Sock Club Blog

27. Diabettech

Diabettech

28. Anodyne Blog

Anodyne Blog

29. The Mastering Diabetes Blog

The Mastering Diabetes Blog

30. The Diabetes Link Peer Perspectives

The Diabetes Link Peer Perspectives

  • Diabetes Bloggers
  • Diabetes Strong
  • Diabetic Foodie
  • Diabetes Dad
  • Diabetes Stories
  • Diabetogenic
  • Hangry Woman
  • Yoga For Diabetes Blog
  • Scott's Diabetes
  • Viasox Blog
  • Diabetes Daily
  • Diabetes Health
  • Beyond Type 1
  • The Diabetes Times
  • The Low Carb Diabetic
  • Diabetesaliciousness
  • T1D Exchange Magazine
  • Gestational Diabetes UK
  • Integrated Diabetes Blog
  • Beyond Type 2
  • Dream Big, Travel Far
  • Cecelia Health
  • Diabetes Care Community
  • Diabetes Core Update Podcasts
  • Diabetic Sock Club Blog
  • Anodyne Blog
  • The Mastering Diabetes Blog
  • The Diabetes Link Peer Perspectives
  • Diabetic Foot Blogs

Diabetes Blogs By Country

Diabetes Stop Here About - A Blog about Diabetes and Those Inspired to Stop it. We fund research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes. We deliver services to hundreds of communities. We provide objective and credible information. We give voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes.

diaTribe Learn | Making Sense of Diabetes About - diaTribe, our patient-focused online publication, is part of The diaTribe Foundation mission to improve the lives of people with diabetes. diaTribe seeks to empower our readers with useful, actionable information that gives them hope for a better future, and helps them live happier and healthier lives. Our tag line is “Making Sense of Diabetes.”

Diabetes Dominator by Daniele Hargenrader About - Instead of diabetes being perceived as a weakness or a curse, diabetes can actually be a great source of strength if we choose to let it. You really can live a healthy life with diabetes. Let Daniele Hargenrader, Diabetes Expert, Certified Personal Trainer, and Health Coach show you how.

Diabetes.co.uk - The global diabetes community | Blog About - To use digital media to shape the future of healthcare. Whether that's through our health education programs helping to manage type 1 diabetes and prevent/reverse type 2 diabetes/prediabetes or communication and interactions on the forum, Facebook or other services, we seek to improve health outcomes in every aspect of diabetes care.

Diabetes UK - Know Diabetes.Fight Diabetes | Blog About - Welcome to the Diabetes UK blog site, We are the leading UK diabetes charity that cares, connects and campaigns for people affected by and at risk of diabetes.

JDRF | Stories from people living with type 1 diabetes About - We fund research to cure, treat and prevent type 1. We work with government, academia and industry to accelerate research in the UK and within healthcare policy to ensure that the outcomes of research are delivered to people with type 1 in the UK. And we give support and a voice to people with type 1 and their families.

Diabetes Canada About - Diabetes Canada will be the driving force to build awareness of the disease and its implications, which are often misunderstood. Diabetes Canada will be the national voice for millions of Canadians living with diabetes or prediabetes.

Diabetes Care Community About - Diabetes Care Community is a network of people living with diabetes, friends and family as well as health care professionals involved in diabetes care. Together we will make a difference.

Diabetes Advocacy About - Diabetes Advocacy was created to provide information, support and research to people living with diabetes. We share our own trials, experiences, as well as much information as we can gather from the world of diabetes.

Diabetes Australia About - Diabetes Australia was established in 1984 and is the national body for people affected by all types of diabetes and those at risk. Through leadership, prevention, management and research, Diabetes Australia is committed to reducing the impact of diabetes. We work in partnership with diabetes health professionals and educators, researchers and healthcare providers to minimise the impact of diabetes on the Australian community.

Diabetogenic About - This site provides general information about my experiences of living with type 1 diabetes. I’m not a health professional so please don’t consider what I write as anything other than my own story.

Yoga For Diabetes About - Diabetes patient advocate; writer; gorgeous girl's mum; musician's wife; wearer of stripes; baker; punctuation nerd. Follow the blog about real life with diabetes.

Diabetic Pick About - Diabetic Pick A Complete Diabetes Stores, Our Vision to serve the customers with the best diabetic related products from all Over India.

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Diabetes Dialogues

Diabetes Dialogues is ADA's storytelling hub where people living with diabetes and their caregivers can share their experiences and read others, while also enjoying video conversations and interviews from people throughout the diabetes community.

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Competitive runner Kaila Jackson knows that getting a diabetes diagnosis doesn’t have to stand in the way of your goals.

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These are the personal experiences of individuals living with diabetes and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with qualified health care professionals to meet your individual health and medical needs.

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Browse videos to learn how diabetes impacted their life. View all videos .

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the diabetic journey blog

the diabetic journey blog

the diabetic journey blog

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Our mission is to not only prevent and cure diabetes, but to improve the lives of all those impacted by it. By sharing your story, you can help us raise awareness of diabetes so we can bend the curve on it once and for all. Share your story and help spread the word.

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With your support, the American Diabetes Association® can continue our lifesaving work to make breakthroughs in research and provide people with the resources they need to fight diabetes.

My Diabetes Journey: A Cautionary Tale

BY BARBARA STEINBERGER October 27, 2023

bubbles and stars illustration, symbolizing a patient's struggle with diabetes management

[Originally published: June 29, 2022. Updated: Oct. 27, 2023.]

On the day after my 60th birthday, I had a medical emergency that may have saved my life.

I was out celebrating with friends when I had (what I later found out was) a transient ischemic attack (TIA) , a temporary blockage of blood flow to part of the brain, also known as a ministroke. In the middle of dinner, I started saying and doing things that made no sense. I knew what I wanted to say to my friends, but I couldn’t get the right words out. My friends decided that dinner was over, and they drove me to the hospital.

Fortunately, the symptoms lasted only about an hour, and there was no permanent damage, according to the emergency department doctors. But the effect of that ministroke was life-changing. (More about that later.)

I’ll start at the beginning. In 2006, when I was in my 40s, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes , a chronic disorder in which my body is unable to properly use insulin, resulting in high blood glucose levels. Those elevated levels can lead to a number of serious health issues if they’re not managed properly—often a difficult task for those with the condition. Diabetes patients and their physicians have to find the right balance of medication, diet, and exercise to maintain good blood sugar levels without letting them get too high or too low, which can be just as dangerous.

Up until I had the ministroke in November 2021, my diabetes was, as doctors say, completely “uncontrolled.” I have had a lifelong love affair with sugar, and I ate as much ice cream, candy, and carbohydrates as I wanted, despite knowing that I was diabetic and how that behavior would affect my blood glucose levels.

After all, I felt fine. I had been blessed with good health for most of my life. In hindsight, I guess I was trying to prove to myself that diabetes was not going to change anything. Even worse than my diet was the fact that I didn’t take my medications regularly. I figured if I was eating so badly anyway, what was the point?

But as I’ve come to learn (and you’ll read below), diabetes can be an insidious disease. You can be without symptoms for years and feel completely fine. But once the complications of diabetes start to take hold—and eventually, they will—they can affect virtually every area of your health. That’s because excessive sugar in your blood damages blood vessels and nerves throughout your body.

The three most common complications of diabetes involve damage to the nerves (neuropathy), the eyes (retinopathy), and the kidneys (nephropathy). As a result of my poor diabetes management, I ended up having all three of those complications.

From 'tingling' feet to eye injections

The first diabetes symptom I felt, which began around 2010, was a mild tingling, or “pins and needles” feeling in my feet. Over time, this gradually worsened and became numbness in portions of my feet, a condition known as peripheral neuropathy, which results from damage to the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord.

More than half of all people with diabetes will develop some type of neuropathy. Many experience sharp, stabbing pains in their feet. I’m fortunate that I’ve never had that; I've just experienced numbness and cold feet due to diabetes-related circulation problems. So, the neuropathy never really bothered me. I rationalized that I could easily live with a little numbness in my feet.

The really worrisome complications of diabetes started about six years ago. After a routine dilated eye exam, I was told I had the beginnings of diabetic retinopathy , and was advised to see a retina specialist as soon as possible. I’ve always been very squeamish about my eyes, so I put that off and retreated into my familiar world of denial. Then, one autumn evening about a year later, I was having dinner outdoors with a friend. She said, “Look at those stars—there’s the Big Dipper!” I looked up and all I saw was black sky. No stars.

That scared me. I finally went to a retina specialist, and sure enough, by that time I had fairly advanced retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when too much sugar in the blood leads to blockages in the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina, the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye. As a result, these vessels can start to leak fluid.

In some cases, they can close off completely, and the eye attempts to grow new blood vessels. But these new vessels don't develop properly and can leak or bleed easily, which can lead to a buildup of fluid (called edema) in the macula—the center portion of the retina. If left untreated, these macular edemas can cause permanent vision loss.

Sometimes, laser treatments are used to stop or slow this leakage in the eye. Another treatment involves injecting medications into the eye to help stop the growth of new blood vessels and decrease fluid buildup. I was told that injections would be the best option for me.

I am so sensitive about my eyes that I have never even worn contact lenses. Now, I was faced with the prospect of literally getting needles in my eyes. But thanks to topical anesthesia that numbs the eye and a very kind retina specialist, it wasn’t that bad.

I have been getting the injections for several years now, and it’s gotten easier over time. It’s amazing what you can get used to, especially when the alternative is potentially going blind.

Gastroparesis—another warning sign

In addition to developing neuropathy and eye problems, I was hospitalized twice within a six-month period in 2017 and 2018 for uncontrolled vomiting. I was throwing up relentlessly, every five or 10 minutes, even after I no longer had any food in my stomach.

While I never received a definitive diagnosis, the cause—according to my doctors—was most likely gastroparesis, a condition in which the stomach does not empty properly. Gastroparesis can occur when high blood sugar damages the enteric nervous system, which governs the functions of the gastrointestinal tract. Digestion slows down and food stays in your body longer than it should. Symptoms can include heartburn, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, and feeling full quickly when eating.

The two times I was hospitalized for uncontrolled vomiting, I came in with blood sugar levels of around 500 mg/dl, which is extremely high. Desired blood sugar levels for diabetics are about 100 when fasting (first thing in the morning), and under 180 one to two hours after a meal.

The main way that clinicians monitor your long-term blood sugar control is through a hemoglobin A1C test , which measures your average blood sugar level over the past three months. When sugar enters the bloodstream, it attaches to hemoglobin, a protein in your red blood cells; the A1C test measures the percentage of your red blood cells that have sugar-coated hemoglobin. The higher your A1C, the higher your likelihood of developing complications from diabetes. For most diabetics, the goal is for your A1C to be under 7. For most of the time that I have had diabetes, my A1C level was in the 13-14 range and occasionally even higher, reflecting an average blood sugar level of about 325-350.

Each time I was hospitalized, doctors told me that I was playing with fire and that such high A1C levels were extremely dangerous. I believed them, and I vowed to change. And I absolutely meant it. But then I would feel stressed, anxious, angry, or sad, and in that moment, Ben and Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Chunk ice cream was more important to me than the long-term consequences of diabetes.

“I need relief now ,” I told myself, “and I still have plenty of time to get my act together and lower my A1C. This will be my last sugar binge, and tomorrow I will start taking care of myself.”

But hundreds of “last binges” were gradually destroying my health.

Peripheral neuropathy and amputation—a real possibility

Remember how I said that a little numbness in my feet didn’t bother me? Turns out I was wrong about that, too.

The danger of peripheral neuropathy is that you don’t feel pain in your feet, so you may have a foot injury or infection and not realize it. Damage to blood vessels caused by high blood sugar slows blood flow to the feet, increasing the odds that small injuries will become infected; it also slows wound healing.

In the summer of 2020, I was attending an annual family gathering in upstate New York, when I noticed a small cut on my toe. I washed it out, put some Neosporin on it, slapped on a Band-Aid, and forgot about it.

A few weeks later, a friend pointed out that my left foot was bleeding. I turned my foot over and discovered a very large, open wound on the underside of my big toe. It was clearly infected—the open part of the wound was a yellowish-green, and the toe itself was red and swollen. “That must really hurt,” my friend said. But I didn’t feel anything.

Even though I still did not fully grasp the gravity of the situation, I went to the local urgent care center. As soon as the doctor and nurse saw my infected toe, I could tell from the looks on their faces that this was serious. At one point, the doctor used a scalpel to cut away some of the dead skin around the wound, and he warned me that it would hurt. He seemed shocked when I didn’t even flinch—I couldn’t feel a thing.

I was treated with strong antibiotics and told to see a podiatrist as soon as possible, which I did. At the appointment, when the doctor examined my toe, I said, jokingly, “It’s not like I’m going to have my toe amputated, right?”

I was shocked when she said, “Amputation is a real possibility. We’ll have to wait and see.” If the infection had spread to the bone, she explained, I would probably lose my toe. She took a series of X-rays, and, luckily, the infection had not spread to the bone.

diabetes patient

"With the help of some 'tough love' from family and friends, I finally realized that if I didn’t change my ways, I would be an invalid—or dead—within a very short time," says Barbara Steinberger—the author of this article—on her struggles with diabetes management.

But I was not out of the woods. She told me that if I did not significantly lower my blood sugar levels, the wound on my toe would never heal. And if it never healed, the toe would likely—eventually—have to be removed.

So, in addition to wearing a special boot and treating my foot as the podiatrist prescribed, I started to eat right, take my medications, and monitor my blood sugar regularly. And miraculously, my toe started to heal. It was the first time I had seen such a dramatic example of “cause and effect” when it came to blood sugar.

The good news is that my toe made a complete recovery. The bad news is that once my toe was completely healed, I went back to my old ways of eating and not taking my medications regularly.

More diabetes ‘wake-up calls’

I have had many “rock-bottom” moments since I was first diagnosed with diabetes. But somehow, getting injections in my eyes and almost losing my big toe still weren’t enough to motivate me to make long-term changes.

More wake-up calls came in 2021 and early 2022. The first involved muscle loss. For a number of years, my legs were gradually becoming weaker. When I walked—especially up stairs or hills—my legs would burn, as if I had just had an intense workout. The problem was compounded by lower back pain.

By the summer of 2021, just walking to my mailbox was painful, and any walk longer than that became impossible. I’ve always loved walking along the country lanes near my summer cottage; now, I couldn’t even walk to my neighbor’s house. Until I talked about it with my primary care doctor, it never occurred to me that the problem could have anything to do with my diabetes.

But it turns out there could be several diabetes-related causes, including a decline in skeletal muscle mass known as diabetic myopathy. Another possible cause could be peripheral artery disease , a circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the legs. Making things worse was the fact that I was having balance problems and felt unsteady, which was a result of the neuropathy in my feet.

Then, last November, I had the ministroke. It was the combination of that and finding it so difficult to walk that finally scared me to my core. With the help of some “tough love” from family and friends, I finally realized that if I didn’t change my ways, I would be an invalid—or dead—within a very short time. So, I completely changed my diet, took my medications as directed, and started seeing a therapist to help me with my food issues.

But the biggest shock was still to come.

Kidney disease: the 'rock-bottom' moment

While I was in the hospital for my ministroke, I was given a diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) . I was referred to a nephrologist, but I felt sure this was a one-time incident caused by dehydration. My primary care doctor had mentioned in the past that I had elevated protein levels in my urine, but until my hospitalization it had never seemed like an urgent situation.

After conducting urine and blood tests, the nephrologist informed me that I had chronic kidney disease (CKD) , a complication that occurs when high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels that act as filters in the kidneys. Over time, the kidneys lose their filtering ability.

Worse yet, I later found out that I had stage 4 kidney disease, with stage 5 being kidney failure. Once the kidneys fail, I would require either a kidney transplant or dialysis, a procedure to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys can no longer perform those functions. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure.

I was stunned. Kidney damage cannot be reversed; all you can do is try to keep it from getting worse. In addition to controlling my blood sugar, I was prescribed a number of medications to lower my blood pressure and potassium levels, both of which contribute to the progression of kidney disease. I had to avoid high-potassium foods like bananas, tomatoes, avocados, and oranges. My nephrologist said that she would work with me to try to avoid dialysis or at least put it off for as long as possible. But in most cases, stage 4 kidney disease eventually progresses to stage 5.

Perhaps the greatest blow came when my nephrologist referred me for an evaluation to see if I would be a suitable candidate for a kidney transplant . My walls of denial came crashing down, and I was overwhelmed by the seriousness of my situation.

“A kidney transplant? I’m not ready for that,” I told her.

She explained that it can take an average of seven years to get a donated kidney (from a deceased organ donor), so while I may never need a transplant, it’s best to start the process as soon as possible. During my evaluation, I learned that it’s actually preferable to get a kidney from a living donor , if possible, because they generally last longer.

So, I now find myself embarking on another journey, one that I never would have envisioned for myself: looking for a kidney donor.

Living well with diabetes

Looking back, I wish I had taken my diabetes seriously and taken control of my blood sugar a lot sooner.

But considering everything, I have been very lucky. I didn’t sustain permanent damage from my ministroke. I still have fairly good vision, thanks to those eye injections. I still have all my toes. My heart seems to be in good shape. And I am alive. For all of those things, I am extremely grateful.

But there is a price to be paid for my many years of poor diabetes management . I take a ridiculous number of medications , and most weeks I have multiple medical appointments. I am on a low-sugar, low-salt, and low-potassium diet . I still have trouble walking. I will probably be getting injections in my eyes for the rest of my life. And there’s a very good chance that I will require dialysis and/or a kidney transplant in the future.

In my most recent A1C test, I was down to 7.2—by far the lowest it’s ever been, and a huge improvement from the 13.6 A1C I had when I was in the hospital for my ministroke. When I have my next test, I’m hopeful my A1C will be below 7, the recommended level for people with diabetes.

I’ve only had about seven months of good blood sugar control after 15 years of poor diabetes management, but it’s a start.

So for now, I’m just taking things one day at a time, and taking some measure of comfort in knowing what it feels like to finally take care of myself.

Visit the Yale Medicine Diabetes Content Center for more diabetes-related articles and videos.

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The Diabetes Journey to Purpose

More than 38 million Americans are living with diabetes. Each person has their own unique journey and experience managing it. For some, diabetes even helped them find purpose in life supporting and helping others. Read the personal stories of real people living with diabetes.

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Ashley's story

Diabetes denial.

Photo of Ashley James

Ashley James has been living with type 2 diabetes for 12 years. Although she's successfully managing her diabetes now, she admits that wasn't always the case.

When Ashley was diagnosed, she was 31 years old and was in complete denial. "I just didn't want to accept it. My doctor would go over my treatment plan and I'd fill my prescriptions. But I refused to take my medicine."

One day Ashley talked with a nephrologist (kidney doctor) colleague who gave her a wake-up call. He explained that unmanaged diabetes could result in serious complications like vision loss, heart disease, kidney disease, and more.

"That was the turning point for me," Ashley says. She knew she had to make a change. She says it wasn't easy at first, but after making small changes, it got easier. She started eating better , being physically active , and taking her medicines as her doctor prescribed.

Diabetes education

"I'd heard about diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) , but it wasn't offered in my area," she says. "Since this was before the days of telehealth, I'd have to drive an hour away just to get DSMES."

Ashley realized if distance was a barrier for her, many others in her community could also be missing out. This inspired Ashley to become a diabetes care and education specialist to help people in her community.

Ashley took her personal diabetes experience and knowledge as a diabetes care and education specialist to local churches. "Pastors are trusted people in our community. I wanted them to help clear up the stigma and misconceptions surrounding diabetes," she says.

Now, she helps others learn from her story. Managing diabetes can come with challenges, but acceptance was her biggest challenge. "The sooner you accept your diagnosis, the sooner you can do something about it."

Tiffany's story

Early diagnosis.

photo of Tiffany Witschen

Tiffany Witschen was 11 years old when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes . Tiffany's older brother had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes a few years before. Tiffany's mom knew what type 1 diabetes symptoms looked like.

Tiffany remembers going to the doctor and learning that her blood sugar levels were dangerously high. She immediately went to the local children's hospital, where she spent 4 days getting her blood sugar levels stabilized. During this time, Tiffany remembers watching videos on diabetes and the nurses using oranges to teach her how to inject insulin .

Back at home, Tiffany learned the realities of being a kid with diabetes. Her days were filled with checking her blood sugar, counting carbs, taking insulin, and learning about healthy food choices. "I was also the only kid with diabetes at school," she says. "I felt different from the other kids."

Summer camp and a purpose

Tiffany's mom found a summer camp for kids with diabetes. This experience would shape Tiffany's future. "I remember going there and feeling like I wasn't the odd person out," she says. "Talking to other kids who have the same thing going on made diabetes tolerable for me."

Tiffany returned to camp every summer and made lifelong friends. When she turned 18, she became a camp counselor and helped other kids learning to live with diabetes.

Being a diabetes care and education specialist

In college, Tiffany studied nursing and specialized in pediatric endocrinology (treating hormone problems like diabetes). Today, Tiffany is a diabetes care and education specialist and teaches people with diabetes skills to manage their condition.

Tiffany knows all too well the physical and emotional challenges of living with diabetes. She feels that her own diabetes experiences help her patients relate to her. She's living through it right along with them.

Barbara's story

Delayed diagnosis.

photo of Barbara Bachar

Barbara Bachar's diabetes story began 32 years ago. She was working for a company that offered health screenings. Barbara's results showed that her blood sugar was in the diabetes range.

She was advised to see a doctor. But she convinced herself that her results were due to her being a busy mom and neglecting herself. She didn't feel sick or have any symptoms, so she didn't worry about it.

A few years passed before Barbara made that appointment. When her doctor told her she had type 2 diabetes, she wasn't completely surprised. Barbara didn't know much about diabetes then, or anyone who was living with it. At the time in the early 1990s, diabetes education programs weren't as widely available as they are today.

With patience and trial and error, Barbara kept her A1C at the target her doctor set for her. Having a daily routine helped her plan and stay on track, but this changed when she retired. A friend recommended that she get a referral from her doctor for DSMES services.

Barbara says the skills she learned with DSMES have been valuable. Her favorite part has been trying new foods. She now cooks vegetarian meals for her granddaughter, and appreciates how DSMES taught her how to eat healthy on a budget.

Today, Barbara is a diabetes education volunteer at the same clinic where she received DSMES.

Lessons learned

One lesson Barbara learned along the way is to start out slowly. "Don't think you're going to change everything all at once," she says. "Make small changes in small increments."

She also learned to allow herself to not be perfect. She says she doesn't judge her diabetes management as successes or failures, but rather as just results.

Finally, she's learned that support is critical. Barbara's children are her support system, and her grandchildren are her purpose for staying healthy.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. About 1 in 10 Americans has diabetes.

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We’re introducing a new wave of Microsoft Copilot innovation with Business Chat and Copilot Pages, updates to Copilot in the Microsoft 365 apps, Copilot agents, enterprise data protection, and more. In this blog we’ll share new education insights, recap the latest innovations coming to our customers with Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot, and provide resources to support your AI journey.

AI is reshaping education, and institutions need a plan. With new education insights from the 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Survey, it’s clear that AI use in education is here with 71% of education professionals using it at work. At the same time, 63% reported their institutions lack a vision and plan to implement AI, likely contributing to 81% of education professionals not using tools provided to them—but instead choosing to bring their own AI to work (BYOAI).

As the future of work and education continues to evolve with AI innovation, it’s increasingly important to ensure that educators and students are engaged and encouraged to build AI literacy. 77% of business leaders say with AI, early-in-career talent will be given greater responsibilities, yet many education professionals express reluctance to admit to using AI and say they don’t know how to use it effectively. Learn more about the need for bridging the AI literacy gap and starting AI conversations in our AI in Education Report.

Enhancing Microsoft Copilot with enterprise data protection

Microsoft Copilot is your AI assistant for education, providing secure access to advanced AI models for free so you can focus on what matters most. We’ll continue bringing new models to Copilot, now including GPT-4o, and capabilities like recent chats to reference or continue previous chats. In August 2024, we shared several additional updates to enhance data security, privacy, compliance, and user experience which begins rolling out today. While signed in with a school account, Copilot will offer enterprise data protection (EDP) in a simplified, ad-free interface that can be accessed at Microsoft.com/copilot , in the Microsoft 365 app, and will soon be available in Microsoft Teams and Outlook. 

Enterprise data protection means that your Copilot prompts and responses are protected by the same terms and commitments that are widely trusted by our customers—not only for Microsoft 365 Copilot, but also for emails in Exchange and files in SharePoint. With EDP, we secure your data, your data is private, and your access controls and policies apply based on the underlying subscription plan. Additionally, we help safeguard against AI-focused risks such as harmful content and prompt injections , and your data isn’t used to train foundation models .

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Education institutions like Wichita Public Schools and Auburn University have already leveraged Copilot to empower students, faculty, staff, and researchers. We look forward to continuing to support institutions worldwide in their mission to provide equitable AI access and learning about where Copilot is improving educational outcomes.

Get started with Free AI tools

These updates will be available to all educators, staff, and higher education students aged 18 and older over the next month. We’re also excited to continue our private preview program for students 13 and older, now with enterprise data protection. For more information, review the enterprise data protection FAQ .

Microsoft Copilot Wave 2 innovation

Microsoft 365 Copilot , integrated into the apps you use every day and available as an add-on, has added 150 new features and capabilities since general availability and more than 700 product updates based on customer feedback. We’ve announced three key updates: Business Chat and Copilot Pages, transforming Copilot in the Microsoft 365 apps, and Copilot agents.

Business Chat and Copilot Pages

  • Business Chat (BizChat) is a central hub that brings together all your data—web data, work data, and line of business data—with the rich capabilities of the Microsoft 365 apps. BizChat is where you can work with Copilot like a partner, turning organizational content into a rich database of information and insight.
  • Copilot Pages is a dynamic, persistent canvas in BizChat designed for AI collaboration to ensure the data in your organization is persistent, accessible, and valuable. You and your team can work collaboratively in a Page with Copilot, seeing everyone’s work in real time. In the coming weeks, we’re also bringing Pages to the free Microsoft Copilot when signed in with a Microsoft Entra account.

Updates to Copilot in the Microsoft 365 apps

  • Copilot in Excel is now generally available with new skills, and we announced Copilot in Excel with Python—empowering anyone to conduct advance analysis or visualize complex data—all using natural language, no coding required. 
  • Copilot in PowerPoint now offers Narrative Builder, helping you to iterate with Copilot to build a great first draft in minutes and with Brand manager, Copilot can leverage your organization’s branded templates.
  • Copilot in Teams can now reason over both the meeting transcript and the meeting chat to give you a complete picture of what was discussed and leave no question, idea, or contribution behind.
  • Copilot in Outlook helps you quickly get to the messages that matter with Prioritize My Inbox, which analyzes your inbox and soon, you’ll even be able to teach Copilot the specific topics, keywords, or people that are important to you.
  • Copilot in Word will enable you to quickly reference not only Word, PowerPoint, PDFs, and encrypted documents, but also emails and meetings, and offers the ability to partner with Copilot inline as you work on specific sections of your document.
  • Copilot in OneDrive is rolling out now and makes it easy to gain insights, summarize, and compare up to five files with a clear, easy-to-ready summary of the details and differences within your files—without opening a file.

Copilot agents

  • Now generally available in BizChat, Copilot agents run the spectrum from simple, prompt-and-response agents that anyone can build, to more advanced, fully autonomous agents.
  • Simple and secure to manage, all agents have the same Responsible AI and enterprise data protection promises—your data never leaves the Microsoft 365 trust boundary, and everything happens within your tenant.
  • To make it even easier to build custom agents, we announced agent builder. It’s a new, simplified experience that complements Copilot Studio to enable easy creation of custom agents and realize the value of your organizational data.

Copilot is transforming productivity in the workplace, empowering customers to accelerate research on rare diseases, save customer service agents hours each week, or go from content ideation to production significantly faster, and more.

Helping educators and students save time

In education, institutions like the University of South Florida are preparing students for this new future of work and are already seeing the value for their faculty and staff. We’ll also continue to enhance the value of Microsoft 365 Copilot with capabilities built for students and educators.

Get started on your AI journey

With new innovations and improvements coming every day, one constant is the importance of providing guidance, learning opportunities, and resources. We’ve compiled a relevant list below to help you get started.

Learn from more educators, and students:

  • Discover Smart ways students are using AI responsibly at every level to enhance learning and avoid potential pitfalls.
  • Hear from O’Dea High School and Indiana University educators on how Educators and students now have a secure AI ‘scaffolding’ to support them in the classroom.

Explore and share AI resources:

  • Microsoft Education AI Toolkit : Designed to guide school leaders through the process of integrating AI into their school’s operations and building robust plans for your organization.
  • AI for educators learning pathway : Explore the potential of AI in education, enhance teaching and learning with Microsoft Copilot, and equip and support learners.
  • AI Classroom Toolkit : A creative resource that blends engaging narrative stories with instructional information to create an immersive learning experience.
  • Microsoft Copilot Scenario Library : Get inspired with guidance by departments such as IT, HR, Legal, Communications, Operations, and more.
  • Copilot technical skilling resources : A collection of kits, learning paths, Microsoft Mechanics videos, resources for developers, and upcoming events for Microsoft 365 Copilot.
  • Worklab : explore the latest research insights on the future of work and generative AI
  • Minecraft Education AI Foundations : A set of accessible, engaging materials for building AI literacy with Minecraft for students, educators, and families.
  • AI Guidance for Schools Toolkit from TeachAI : Designed to help education authorities, school leaders, and teachers create thoughtful guidance.

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Midfield Taxiways Spotlight: Inside the Heart of Our Journey With AUS

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When you take off or land at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), the pavement under your airplane might be the last thing on your mind. But just beneath your feet, layers of careful engineering keep your flight safe and support utilities and connectivity across our airfield. As part of our Journey With AUS airport expansion program , the Midfield Taxiways project is paving the way for a bigger and better AUS via new taxiways, Texas-sized utilities, and more. Airfield Project Manager Samantha Pinto sat down with us and helped us scratch the surface of this foundational expansion project.

Conceptual rendering showing plane traveling on one of the two planned midfield taxiways.

Conceptual rendering – Midfield Taxiways.

Can you tell us about your career background? What brings you to AUS?

Samantha followed a lifelong passion for aviation into an engineering career specializing in runway and airfield pavement design. “My heart beats for aviation; I love the airfield. I have jet fuel running through my veins,” she jokes. Samantha started her career as a Civil Engineer focused on airfield design and progressed into aviation project management later in her career. Before landing at AUS, she delivered projects at other major international airports, including Toronto Pearson and Hartsfield Jackson in Atlanta. “Austin has a really exciting program in terms of what we’re trying to build, and the speed in which we are trying to accomplish it all,” she says. “It's really exciting to be a part of that.” Samantha is thrilled by the “once in a career opportunity” presented by the Midfield Taxiways project and its massive scale, from the length of the new taxiways to the size and complexity of its utility elements.

Headshot of Airfield Project Manager Samantha Pinto

Samantha Pinto, Airfield Project Manager.

What is the Midfield Taxiways project? How does it benefit AUS?

The Midfield Taxiways project is building two new parallel taxiways that connect the east and west sides of the airfield, as well as several smaller connector taxiways. Taxiways link aircraft with runways, the terminal, and other airfield facilities – “anywhere an aircraft would want to travel,” says Samantha. AUS’s current taxiways provide an east-to-west connection, but they are in the footprint of the future Concourse B, a new, 20+ gate midfield concourse designed to meet the airport’s long-term passenger demand. Relocating the taxiways allows AUS to construct Concourse B.

The Midfield Taxiways project includes a little over two miles of new taxiways. “The sheer size of the project is incredible,” says Samantha. “The volume of concrete paving is just huge.” 

But the project includes far more than the taxiways alone. According to Samantha, Midfield Taxiways “will be the heart pumping blood into the Journey With AUS program, the heart of what the airport requires to keep going,” as it sets the stage for improvements across the airfield with elements like two new aircraft-rated taxiway bridges, new utilities, sustainability elements, lighting, and more. Samantha shared highlights on some of these features, including:

Taxiway Bridges

The project’s two taxiway bridges add connectivity between vehicles on the airfield and support services. Once constructed, the bridges will allow two sets of planes to simultaneously travel on the taxiways while airfield vehicles cross underneath. As few airports have taxiway bridges or bridge structures on their airfield, Samantha shared that this feature is “really cool and kind of rare.”

Conceptual rendering showing airfield vehicles using planned taxiway bridge to travel under taxiway.

Conceptual rendering: taxiway bridges provide connectivity beneath the new taxiways.

Massive utility structures large enough for a person to walk through – or even drive a car through – will be placed under the new taxiways. “They say everything's bigger in Texas, and they weren't kidding…at least in terms of the size of some of the utilities that we're putting in,” Samantha jokes. 

Sustainability

The Midfield Taxiways project will construct a reclaimed water pipeline and bulk reclaimed water refill station, a sustainability-driven initiative that enables the use of reclaimed water at the southern end of the airport campus for construction of the taxiways, rather than potable water. Once completed, construction vehicles will fill up with reclaimed water for use in earthwork – work to relocate, place and compact soil, setting the stage for construction.

This new reclaimed waterline and refill station will be used throughout construction of the Journey With AUS program, helping achieve the program’s sustainability goals. The Midfield team is also seeking certification through a program called Envision, a framework for evaluating sustainability, resiliency, and equity in civil infrastructure. Working towards Envision certification helps identify opportunities for green ideas and community engagement.

Did you know that all the lights and signs on our airfield provide critical information? “The colored lights and signs all mean something, and they help pilots navigate based on the instructions that they're given from air traffic control,” Samantha shares. “Once you know how to read them, it's really exciting, because then you know exactly where you are on the airfield.”

Fortunately, the Midfield Taxiways project includes a range of lighting elements, such as replacing AUS’s Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (SMGCS), a lighted path to help pilots travel from the runway to the airport in low visibility conditions.

The Midfield Taxiways also include new in-pavement taxiway lights – and like other elements of this project, these lights are supersized to be able to support large aircraft. 

Two images showing utility work on existing taxiways. Left: Workers completing below-ground waterline work within the taxiway. Right: Workers installing large taxiway lighting.

Left: waterline  work on existing taxiway. Right: lighting replacement on existing taxiway.

Which major milestones has the project already completed? And which ones are still ahead?

Midfield Taxiways recently completed its design phase and is moving forward with City of Austin and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) permitting as the team prepares to enter construction this fall. 

From there, Midfield Taxiways will enter a multiphase construction process.  The initial phases include enabling work that lays the groundwork for the rest of construction, like rerouting roads and temporary utilities, site prep, and more. Leading up to the south terminal facility’s anticipated closure in 2026, the project team will phase construction and build a new parking lot and modify roadways serving the south side of the airport. 

Bridge and taxiway construction will take place in subsequent phases. Work will begin in the center and east side of the airfield. “That's where you'll see us in 2025,” Samantha says. The project will start building the foundation of the taxiway bridges and as construction progresses, the team will connect the new taxiways to our existing Taxiway Bravo and build the aircraft-rated taxiway bridges. These improvements will also support construction for Concourse B and add connections to Taxiway Charlie, linking the east side of the airport to the west side.

Will construction of the new taxiways affect flights traveling in and out of AUS?

Midfield Taxiways construction will not change flight schedules or the passenger experience, though you may observe construction on the airfield during your arrival or departure if you’re closely looking for it.  According to Samantha, this is part of “the magic of airfield design and construction… to build in a manner that airplanes don’t know there’s construction happening.” Samantha also shared the secret to keeping that magic flowing: close coordination with all parties, from our airport operations team, to Austin air traffic controllers, to various divisions within the FAA. This coordination helps the team design solutions to keep the work moving safely and efficiently. “It’s the quiet things that you often don't think about,” says Samantha. “But if you look out the window when you're taking off or landing, there's a lot of magic that goes into making that infrastructure possible, safe, and consistent.”

How does the team make design choices today that will serve our passengers for years to come? 

Samantha emphasizes that airfield construction involves “many unique considerations that vary from airport to airport in order to keep operations running smoothly.” It takes a lot of engineering, planning, and coordination to future-proof two miles worth of new taxiways and the utilities and structures below them.

During the project’s planning and design phases, the team drew from federal, state, and local regulatory guidelines and design standards. “We want to make sure that we're meeting or exceeding regulatory compliances,” Samantha says, “and looking ahead at where we anticipate the project is going to go.” Through detailed engineering calculations, the Midfield team then shaped how the project would be built, determining factors like the size and thickness of the taxiway pavement required to support all sizes of aircraft throughout its lifespan. Samantha shares that the “engineering team behind this design is really massive and diverse,” and praises their partnership with small businesses and minority-owned subcontractor firms to find creative solutions. “This project probably has one of the biggest multi-firm design teams that I've ever worked with,” she says, “and they've done a phenomenal job.”

The project’s massive utility structures were sized based on planning studies, examining needs to support buildings and facilities planned within the Journey With AUS program and future development at AUS. These utility structures will support the existing Barbara Jordan Terminal and future Concourse B, and they will also connect to broader utility improvements across AUS through our Journey With AUS Utility Infrastructure Campus-Wide project. “We're future-planning for how we anticipate that the airport's going to grow. And we’re putting a lot of that in the ground today, so that we don't have to come back and disrupt things when those buildings go online,” Samantha says.

As we explored in our West Gate Expansion spotlight , the Construction Manager at Risk project delivery method allows for close partnership between the design team and the construction contractor. Samantha says that the teams came together in several workshops throughout the design phase. “We gathered for multiple strategy workshops and worked through how we are going to build this project.” This collaboration helped the team better optimize cost and schedule, incorporating the contractor’s feedback and experience into the design.

How are airfield projects like Midfield Taxiways different from other civil engineering projects?

To design the Midfield Taxiways, the team considered similar factors to those required in other forms of civil engineering, like accounting for impacts on pavement over time and utility locations.

But Samantha describes airfield engineering as civil engineering on a larger and more complex scale. Elements within the airfield like pavement, drainage, utilities and lighting are scaled up to support heavy aircraft traffic in all operating conditions. “Airfield engineering means building massive and resilient infrastructure in a challenging operating environment,” she says.  Among other considerations, she shares that “from a design perspective, you’ve got dynamic and heavy aircraft loads, jet blast, fuels, and de-icing fluids that are all very damaging to pavement.” While cars and trucks typically have standard axle widths and traffic lane spacing, Samantha says that “the landing gear configuration of airplanes are all different,” which affects the design of the taxiway. Even site management – the process of organizing day-to-day construction  activities – can be more challenging for airfield construction, following stricter requirements to protect people and the environment. Phasing construction, calculating construction work limits, and securing and monitoring construction materials all require careful consideration as work moves forward.

Designing at this scale also presents unique engineering opportunities. “It's really cool to see what goes into building something that could support a Boeing 777, which is one of the largest commercial passenger aircraft,” Samantha says. And ensuring that pavement can safely support everything traveling on the airfield – aircraft, trucks and cars, tugs (vehicles that move aircraft) and people working – requires creative thinking. “It’s exciting, because you get to bring innovative solutions to the table, and that's where you end up with things like parallel taxiway bridges,” Samantha says.

British Airways Boeing 777 service at AUS, October 2015.

British Airways Boeing 777 service at AUS, October 2015.

Airfield engineering requires a higher level of consistency. Pilots from all over the world “have to experience and understand the airfield the same way,” says Samantha, using signage, lighting, and other elements to navigate safely. “Compared to driving, it’s universal. You can drive between states or countries and roads look different. But for aviation, it has to be globally standard. It’s a cool way of connecting best practices all around the world.”

At the end of the day, solving complex challenges like these makes delivering the Midfield Taxiways even more exciting, Samantha says. “This project is going to supply something that will be around for a long time and will help AUS continue moving planes with ease… and that’s ultimately why we have an airport!”

Existing AUS taxiway at sunset.

Existing AUS taxiway at sunset.

Thanks to Samantha for connecting with us about this pivotal project! Learn more about our Journey With AUS here .

About this blog

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is one of the fastest growing airports in the country. AUS experienced a fast and robust pandemic recovery, with more airline seat growth than any other airport between 2019 and 2022. Follow along the airport’s transformation from a medium-hub airport to a large-hub airport with the Fly AUS Blog. Learn about the airport’s expansion and development program, Journey With AUS, get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to operate a 24/7 critical infrastructure facility, learn about career and business opportunities, get the latest on airport concessions, nonstop services and more.

August 2024

The Diabetic Journey

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