Hi All

[Lee73]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to the boards. Thought I would introduce myself here before I started posting in other threads.
I do not have diabetes, but I come from what I call a "diabetic family". My father was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes when I was an infant. My younger sister was diagnosed with type 2 when she was 9 years old. She is now 30. So, pretty much, I grew up speaking diabetes. Nice to be in a place where I am understood.

Off I go......

Lee

[Lee73]

Hi,

Lee again...I need to correct myself. My father and my sister actually have type 1 diabetes (and I said I spoke diabetes :confused: ). I mix them up. Back when they were diagnosed it was called juvenile diabetes. Sorry.

Lee

[BeadieJay]

Hi Lee and welcome.

I'm sure you'll learn a lot here, and have some fun too :D

[daddyo]

Hello Lee wecome to the forum lots of good info here just ask and somebody will answer

[buzzborne]

Welcome to the forums Lee :) You have found a great place!

My Dad is also diabetic T1 (the same as me) and has been since his early 20's.. though I only found out when I was diagnosed and taken into hospital at the age of 11.

Don't hesitate to ask anything.. that it what the forum is about!

Welcome aboard! :)

[HeatherP]

Welcome Lee. It's great that you're interested in finding out more about
Diabetes- I'm sure it will be appreciated by your family. I hope you'll visit with us often and make some new friends!

HeatherP

[am1977]

Welcome Lee! :)

I think it's great that you are interested in this forum, being that you are not diabetic yourself. It shows that you are making an effort to learn more about diabetes and what your family members go through on a daily basis. That's something I wish my own family would do more...I mean, try and educate themselves a little bit about my experiences with this disease. Anyway, I think your family will appreciate it! ;)

I also have Type 1- just over 2 and a half years, I was dx'ed at 24. All in all, I've done ok managing things, but like I always say , there's room for improvement. I guess we all struggle with it at times.

Anyway, welcome and hopefully we'll see you around! ;)

[sparkle9]

I agree with Andrea. I think it's great that you're interested in participating in the forum. I know my family and friends care about me, but I guess they figure I'm capable of handling my diabetes on my own since I've been doing it for such a long time. Actually I am capable, but it would still be nice if they showed a little more interest!

[MegaGirl42]

Hello and welcome Lee :) This is a geart site to learn more about diabetes.There are alot of wonderful people here. I have asked alot of questions and recived much help. I hope you get what you need here at this fourm. Everyone here are very supportive and friendly, so I hope you make some friends. Take care and see ya around! ;)

[Dewey]

Hi Lee and welcome aboard. Hope to see ya around lots more, and look forward to more chats! :D :thumbsup:

[nantomsuethom]

Hi Lee. Welcome aboard!! :)

[buzzborne]

Hope to see ya around lots more, and look forward to more chats! :D :thumbsup:

hmmm this have anything to do with the ''lounge'' last night...?! Who was chatting up who?! :p :hypocrite

[mg_2204]

hmmm this have anything to do with the ''lounge'' last night...?!

Perhaps I've started a new trend? :cool:

[buzzborne]

Maybe Marie.. Just maybe!! :p

[Karon]

Hi Lee and welcome. I think it's great that you want to learn more about diabetes and what effects it has on your family members.
Karon

[Lee73]

Wow. Thanks for all the warm welcomes. I know that Marie took an immediate liking to me :D .

Yeah in my house diabetes was a family affair. My father had it since I was born, he was diagnosed in early his early thirties (it had gone undiagnosed for a while) and my Mom was great about dealing with it and educating us all about it. Then, when my sister was diagnosed at 9 years old (alot like buzzborne's story) we all sort of became involved. It had a huge effect on our lives, we became much more aware of all the ways we could really take care of ourselves. My father even started seeing an endocrinologist (finally, ugh).
Now, the present. My father had full renal failure last april and is on peritoneal dialysis. Unlike hemo dialysis, peritoneal allows my father to do it at home. We all know how to help him with the dialysis, but he is very self sufficient and claims that it is a "piece of cake". I have three sisters and we all offered my father a kidney, but he did not feel comfortable accepting a kidney from one of his children and ultimately we had to accept that. He has had some major setbacks with his health (heart attack and triple bypass surgery) that do not make him a very good candidate for a transplant at this point. Still, I am really amazed by my father's strength. He has completely adjusted to the dialysis. He has had a lot to deal with in his life and he has always dealt with it with as much grace and bravery as possible.
Again, thanks for all your responses. It is great to talk with people who understand.