Nope, this post is not about Thanksgiving or the dawning of the Holiday Season.

It's about the calls I receive from my family that are diabetes -related.  Often, I don't hear much from them on this front.  But lately, it's been a flurry of calls...

First, about the insulin syringe recall. Frantic calls from both of my brothers, who are apparently aware of my insulin sensitivity (ie: "2.5 times your usual dose would probably KILL you") but not aware that I've been using an insulin pump...  

Then, the diagnosis of the daughter of a family friend last week found me on the phone with Bob's mom, agreeing to serve as a resource for this newly diagnosed family.  "Sure, I'm happy to do whatever I can."  I said through tears.  Knowing exactly what they're up against.  

The call volume peaked at about 10:00 yesterday morning.  "Did you see???"  "Did you hear???"  "Oh, my God, what comes next???"  My mother, Bob's mother, both brothers, my father, all in succession.  Having heard the news about a possible breakthrough cure, they all wanted to be sure I knew.  

My mother was surprised I wasn't more excited. 

As I explained to her that it appeared the drugs used to cure these mice had some pretty serious potential side effects and that some drug interactions might even make use of one of the drugs impossible for me, she commented "Well, they wouldn't be announcing it on TV is it wasn't a real breakthrough, right?"  

"I guess," I said.  "We'll see what happens."

"Well it sounds like good news to me..."  

My brothers wanted to know how soon I'd be getting this cure.  They are both afflicted with half-listening syndrome, I think.  They heard "diabetes" and "cure" and tuned out, "up to 5 years away" and "human trials far off..."

Bob's mother was very excited and wanted to know whether she should call the family she'd called me about just a week before to share with them the wonderful news of this breakthrough cure.  I advised her against it, telling her that they'd very likely hear about it at the hospital.  I also recommended she read all she can so that she could have an informed conversation with them should the topic come up.

And then there was my dad who, thank goodness, seems to be on the same page as me about this development.  Cautious, careful, guarded, suspicious.  "It's cancer drugs, some of those can be poison," he pointed out.

"I know," I said - going on to list some of the potential side effects and drug interactions.

"Well, it's far off anyway.  Let the doctors figure out the ins and outs and then - if or when - I hope when - they kick this out to humans - you can make the decision that's right for you."  My dad said.

Wise man, that dad of mine.  

What kind of calls do you receive from family that are diabetes-related?  And how do the tone of those calls change when the words "possible cure" come up?