Ever wondered what it’s like to be on the other side of diabetes – the partner of someone with diabetes? Here at Sweet Life, we’ve always thought it’s such an important (and under-appreciated) part of living with diabetes. That’s why we have a whole series of Family articles: for the husbands and wives, the moms and dads, the friends and colleagues of people living with diabetes.
Victoria wrote to me last week with this glimpse of life with a Type 1 diabetic husband…
We got married at a very young age, maybe because we felt we living on borrowed time. Everything you think marriage entails is amplified when everyday is a fight against a mountain of testing, insulin, highs and lows. Waking up in the middle of the night, placing your hand on him to make sure he is still breathing and okay. 2am and 4.30am testing sugars… Rushing to get something to eat to prevent that low.
Every doctor’s visit you hold your breath, getting the bad news that his kidneys are failing and his high blood pressure medicine is basically killing him. In and out of hospital trying these pill, trying those pills. Eating no meat for months to help the kidneys build back up.
Looking at this wonderful man that will argue with you to give the homeless man the bread he asked for while busy going into DKA, keeping him awake and alert while rushing him to hospital. What did he do to deserve this?
Worrying about him 24/7 and then even more. He loves so fully and laughs so loud. He lives despite everything this disease has thrown at him.
When you’re young, you dream of getting married, having kids and this amazing wonderful life, but sometimes God has another plan for you and things you wanted aren’t in the books. But I would for sure not trade anything.
He is my always and forever.
– Victoria
Photo by Julie Johnson on Unsplash
Our preys are with you and most especially my son may God bless both of you love you lots Mom
<3 <3
I can imagine it not easy my dear. Life can be so unfare to the good people. But you two keep heads up high and enjoy all the good things in life. Love Daddy !
Truly insightful, you can read into this the true life experiences, and hardships these People have already gone through, we that don’t suffer from this terrible disease, can be so grateful for good health we have, include People like this in your everyday prayers.
I take my hat to Victoria . What a wonderful lady Keep praying and believing. Love
You guys. DAd.
Thank you for sharing this painful, but to you by now, very ordinary glimpse of your lives. It’s true that the focus is on the person experiencing the imbalances that the body throws around. I’ve a good friend who walked this path some years back. God was and is her strength, and she fought her husband’s battles with him. He always told her to make sure to begin each day with a goal and to rest each day with thanks for every part that had been achieved.
The fact that you can share is proof that victory is not reserved for the end of this war, but is found every time you touch each others’ hand. We hear you Victoria.
Thank you! <3
It is true that most people have no idea of the struggle that comes with
diabetes. It is not something that a person lives with, it is something a Family lives
with. And it is a daily struggle, but it is most definitely worth every moment because
there is nothing that we will not do for Jay.
My husband has been diagnosed +-2yrs ago by accident when he had an accident and broke and fractured both is feet. Keep in mind he is a active mid 30’s thin atheletic man. He started at reading between HI and 33 and was put straight on insulin injections amd was kept in hospital for 2 weeks. Again He landed in hospital this yr with DKA for two weeks not recognising me or our kids to now with finally looking like the right injections 4x a day @ 14units at a time his readings is down to +- 10. But each day is still a worry anf struggle for all 4 of us cause we never know when is our lifes together cut short.
So sorry to hear this Sonel, sounds like you’ve had a really tough time… Has your husband got a good diabetes specialist? It can make such a difference.
You’re not alone in this, please keep in touch on Diabetic South Africans on Facebook as well. We’re all in this together!
People don’t understand stand that it’s a 24/7 job we are here for you and him through every step he is my brother life would suck without him xoxo
Your little sister