Reducing Risks

You Don't Really Get By With It: Kim Huckabee

Kim Huckabee Hi there, my name is Kim, and I’d like to tell you a little bit about my big “D-day” diabetes story. . . A day I did not take too seriously, until recently! I turned 48 years old this year, and it scares me to think just what kind of damage all the years of neglect have done. I didn’t get diabetes until the age of 25, right before by 26th birthday. My Grandmother had diabetes, but I never really knew or understood what that meant. Your blood sugar goes high - you take a shot - and Bing-Bam-Boom - Instant Solution – right? WRONG. But for many, many years that’s how I “poorly” managed my diabetes. When I first found out I had diabetes my daughter was almost 5. She had never been around anything like sticking your finger, checking your blood, drawing up insulin, and sticking yourself with a needle. It was all so overwhelming to me, how could I expect a 5 year old to understand? I was so afraid she would see me as a freak, she wasn’t allowed in the room where I was doing my diabetes thing. The fact is, in my ignorance, I think I looked at myself as a freak. So much so that a few months after I found out I had diabetes, I foolishly told myself I wasn’t really sick.

So, I quit checking my blood, I quit taking insulin, and I guess just buried my head in the sand. This is one of the reasons I’ve always said God has watched out for me, even when I didn’t have sense to watch out for myself. The reason I’m telling my story is to hopefully help someone else. You see, diabetes is REAL, and if it is not taken care of it can leave you blind or even dead. One of the things I’ve learned on my diabetes journey is if you eat a whole bag of peanut M&Ms or half a pizza, or a big candy bar, taking a shot of insulin does get you by that time, and then the next time you push the bar even further. That’s what I mean when I say it scares me to think what damage I’ve done. You don’t really get by with it. I’ve learned over these 20 some odd years with diabetes that if diabetes is not taken care of it can cause heart disease, nerve damage, and other serious problems. If I could only say one thing to help, I guess it would be to always take your diabetes seriously, and never let anyone treat you different because you have diabetes.

Let me end with this. I’ve always looked at life as a circle. Often wondering just how complete my circle is. I’ve learned in 48 years that LIFE is precious. Live it. Love it. Take care of it, because there are no second chances. How complete is your circle? God’s grace be with you, and make today the day you take your diabetes seriously.

Kim was born and raised in Jasper TN, where she raised her daughter, and has lived with her husband Jimmy, for the past 34 years. Life has presented Kim with many challenges and she wonders at “the things we do for love!” She believes in keeping life simple; and filling it with worship, good family, good friends, and lots of love. Kim enjoys having lunch with her friends; playing with her dog Princess Leia, and singing Gospel music. Her beautiful solo voice and compassionate fun loving spirit are an inspiration to many.

Diabetes Management Schedule

What you should expect at every Doctors Visit:

Weight & Blood Pressure

Foot Inspection

Review of Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring Records

Review & adjustment of medications to control blood glucose

Review & adjustment of medication to control blood pressure

Review & adjustment of medication to control cholesterol/lipids

Regular use of Aspirin for prevention of Cardio Vascular Disease
(Discuss with your Diabetes Care Team)

Review of Diabetes Self-Management Skills

Assessment for depression or other mood disorder

Counseling on Smoking Cessation and Alcohol use

What you should expect Quarterly:

A1C (twice a year if you are at treatment goals with stable blood glucose)

What you should expect Annually:

Fasting Cholesterol/Lipid Profile (every 2 years if at goal)

Urine test for Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio

Dilated Eye Exam

Comprehensive Foot Exam

Dental or Oral exam (as least 1 time a year)

Influenza Vaccination

Review of need for preventive care or treatment