Diabetic Recipes
Cure. Disappear. Diabetes.
The one nightly newscast that I trust and enjoy the most threw those words out there tonight. Carelessly.
I am absolutely fuming, and I can't ever remember feeling like this over a news story.
Granted, Brian Williams on his newscast initially said "type 2 diabetes", but then the lines got blurred and type 2 diabetes became just "diabetes." The Associated Press story on the MSNBC web site, does not make a distinction; it buried a mention of type 2 (not even a whisper of type 1) toward the end of the story. This makes me even more mad.
I'm speaking as a person who masqueraded as type 2 for three years, too.
The story summarizes an Australian study that reveals that gastric bypass or lap-band surgery can "cure" diabetes. Brian Williams says type 2, the AP story just says diabetes.
OK, let's separate these issues for a second. Yes, type 2 diabetes is more easily controlled with weight loss; type 1 diabetes, however, has no cure. What I'm mostly worked up about is the use of the words "cure" and "disappear."
The story talked about study participants losing weight with surgery or with more traditional diet and exercise techniques. Since these folks haven't put the weight back on, I'm assuming that they're maintaining a good diet and some sort of exercise regimen--otherwise they'd wind up overweight again because weight loss surgery isn't a cure for obesity, either.
These people are not--NOT--cured of their diabetes. It may be in remission, but it is not gone. It's still there, in the background, lurking.
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October 13th, 2008
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01-22-2008 8:31 PM EST by Michelle Kowalski
Categories: Type 1 Type 2 Emotions In the News Real Life
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Categories: Type 1 Type 2 Emotions In the News Real Life
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Views: 2026
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Michelle Kowalski, a writer, editor and photography hobbiest living in Phoenix, has had type 2 diabetes since February 2005. In January 2008, as part of her quest to start on an insulin pump, Michelle learned that she actually has type 1 diabetes. (Read More)
Latest Posts: Going With the Flow | Mayo Said Yes! | The Trouble With Designer Boluses
Nicole has lived successfully with type 1 diabetes for 25 years. She hopes that by writing about her experiences, she can help others to face diabetes - and its challenges - head on.(Read More)
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You are so right Michelle. I was diagnosed Type 2, lost 85 pounds in 14 months and then we found out I was Type 1 because I failed all the oral drugs. Insulin is all that works for me. Losing weight doesn't cure us, I'm proof of that!!
p.s. I made it through Friday's antibody and c peptide test. With no insulin, I ran 300 all day and could barely walk. I'm switching to the pump in June! I'm scared but excited....
Mouse
Absolutely! I read the AP story first thing in the morning. It's atrocious. Come on, journalists! This is not difficult!
There is a cure for both types of diabetes but we are not allowed any access to that information...there are a lot of pharmaceutical companies, doctors , and the food industry that will be economically affected by such a cure. This is all about making profits. Just look at this page and you'll soon realize that is all financed by the same companies that want to keep us sick. And by the way, these same news repots are all sponsored by these companies. Wake up, people.
Look, Mr. Williams isn't doing the news for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetics. The words have to be written so that someone with a remote control doesn't go over to Foxnews. It was introduced properly. Yes, Type 1 and Type 2 got mixed as the story was told. And to the conspiracy theorist, the words aren't being dictated by a pharmaceutical company. Glittering Generalities are easy and usually wrong. Spend your time checking blood sugar
Michelle,
I have to agree with you. Both my 14 yr old daughter and I are Type 1. When I saw the headline, I thought there may be hope for my daughter. Then I read it and realized it was talking about Type 2. I really think the two different types of Diabetes should have 2 different names. It bothers my daughter when news stories say kids get diabetes from eating junk food and being couch potatoes since she is not overweight and is an athlete. I think its time for more differentiation between the 2 types of the disease.
Airstrike 7
In response to humalog's comment about someone with a remote doesn't go over to Fox news----going over to Fox News might be the best thing for one's mental and physical health---fair and balanced reporting---TRY IT!
I am 20 pounds overweight---I am 63, don't smoke or drink--guilty of not exercising like I should and I have been controlling my Type II diabetes for over 15 years with an oral pill (Metformin).....however some say that one day I will probably have to go on insulin because the pills just won't work anymore--and to that I say I will just have to suffer the ravages of the disease because I have a very solid fear of needles and could never inject myself using a needle---JUST WON'T HAPPEN-----Anyway I would like to know if there are others out there who have this dread fear of needles and what they do about it------
walkabout, I have lived with diabetes and insulin for over 50 years. I HATE needles too, but they are a necessity if you want to live well with diabetes. For the last few years I have used a pump--a needle is still involved but only every 3 days. It is usually pretty painless. If you need insulin down the road, don't be afraid, do it. The needles get to be just a way of life.
Walkabout--I thought I would never be able to do it either, until I had to.
Granted, with me it was easier because I started on insulin when I was very ill in hospital. They just gave me the shots and I was too sick and groggy to freak out much. Then, I guess I just got used to it.
Hopefully you will never need it :)
Michelle, I was equally incensed with an identical story that was broadcast yesterday on a local channel in Pittsburgh. I was glad to hear others were upset too. I have been type 1 for 42yrs. I would sure like a cure. People have died from complications of gastric bypass. How dare the media support such a drastic measure. If you have any pull, get the word out. And Humalog--do you work for NBC??
I don't care to watch CNN or many other "News" channels anymore. They are mostly commentary and should not even be taken seriously by the public. This report does not in the least suprise me from CNN
What annoys me the most about this---they promoted the surgery as the best/only option. While I know people who desperately needed that surgery, I also know three people who died from complications from gastric bypass (I know they were talking lap band in the story)
One doctor featured claimed that the it is 'impossible for an adult to maintain a 25 lb weight loss without the surgery'. i am sure that was edited, but still REALLY upset me!!
I have lost 50 lbs and changed my lifestyle..I attend a 12 step program to help me through my difficulties with food, reduced insulin requirements big time (1/2 of what I was taking before). It is possible to lose the weight to be healthier. it is not a quick fix, but a possibility!!
Thanks for letting me vent!!!!
I thought this story was upsetting too. It sounds like they are encouraging people to get major surgery without trying other methods to control it. They are never quite clear on whether the result comes from the weight loss or from some other digestive effect (at least in the broadcasts I've seen).
And the word "cure" is like a red flag to me too! It would be so wonderful if there was an actual cure, but there isn't and getting people's hopes up or convincing people who don't have diabetes that you must be choosing to be diabetic, because anybody can be "cured" of it... it is frustrating.