Need a crash course in Diabetes-can't watch Dad kill himself

[cruelshoes]

My Dad has had diabetes for years and has refused to manage it. He is about to undergo his second foot surgery caused by complications from diabetes. He had one toe removed in October. This time, he will be getting the 4 remaining toes and a large portion of the foot removed.

I cannot stand around and watch my father die. I need to take a crash course in Type II diabetes and figure out what I can do to help. Can anyone recommend any good books or websites? The Internet is full of information, but I really need to learn a lot and quickly.

I think my Dad is really scared this time, and maybe I can do something to help him get better. Thanks for any help.
_________________
-Colleen
Dx 8/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
9-YO son Dx 11/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
Daughters have negative bloodwork - so far!

A woman is like a tea bag-you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. - Eleanor Roosevelt

[krisiw]

I used to do so much research on diabetes but it's been so long now that I don't know any websites off the top of my head--I'm sorry! I know it's got to be hard to watch your dad's health deteriorate but if he wasn't willing to take care of it, there's not much anyone could do. If he is willing to do something now, that's great; good luck finding info. There might be some good info here:
http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/conditionsatod/a/Diabetes.htm
http://www.raysahelian.com/diabetes.html

Also, if he's not already doing so, I would reccommend looking into a chromium supplement.

[toothpaste]

Oh, hugs.
We've been through this with my fil. It's so hard to watch, but he has to want to change, or you'll just have double the pain in wanting to help and having him resent what you are trying to do. We've always found the scare wears off quickly with Dad. I hope that isn't the case with your dad!
Still, like celiac, no one else can make you go on a safe diet- it takes a willingness to change on your own part.

A big part of dealing with diabetes is portion control and watching fats as much as sugar. Most doctors have information on hand for how to cook for diabetes- drop by your doctor's office and see if they have a pamphlet on hand.
Lean meats and steamed veggies are a good place to start, and avoid heavily processed grains and white rice. Cook only enough for each meal so that it's hard to get seconds, but cook enough so that he doesn't feel like you are starving him.
_________________
GF since May '07, positive blood-test results.

[The Edifying Conscience]

Oh Colleen! I'm sorry to hear that your dad's diabetes has caused more complications in his feet. If I knew anything about diabetes I would gladly give you a primer as it is I don't. Sending healing vibes your family's way....

[ali]

I'm so sorry for what you are going through, right now. I pray the surgery goes smoothly and he heals quickly.

This site had some good info:

http://www.joslin.org/LearnAboutDiabetes_Index_home.asp

and this site had some good sounding recipes, since most diabetics I know feel deprived that they shouldn't have certain foods:

http://www.diabetic-recipes.com/

My thoughts are with you!
_________________
"The electrocution was not my fault. You refused to wear the rubber underpants!"

www.85percentconfusion.etsy.com

[celiacmaine-iac]

Colleen,
This must be so hard for you. Many people just don't understand how serious diabetes is, so they don't have a lot of incentive to manage it carefully until a big crisis comes along. I'm so sorry it had to come to this with your dad. I used to do hemo-dialysis for a living, and many of my patients were diabetics, so I know first-hand the ravages of the disease.

The most important thing is very tight control of your dad's blood sugar levels. You didn't say if he is on insulin, but I'm guessing that with what you've said, that he is. I'm sure there must be some local resources for diabetes education in your area. It would be important for your father to take advantage of that, and if you will be involved in his care, it would help you as well. Most, if not all, hospitals have some type of diabetes education program available. You might also contact the American Diabetes Assoc. for help and info. Here's their web-site.
http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp

Make sure you take a really positive attitude with your dad, and let him know you are ready to help in any way you can, but that he needs to do his part too. He probably is feeling pretty overwhelmed right now, and even though it sounds like he didn't take it seriously at first, you can only go from where you are now.

As you know, there are good web-sites, and bad ones. Be sure any information you take from them is accurate. Edited to add: this last paragraph was not meant as a comment about any of the web-sites that anyone recommended, I haven't even looked at them. I just meant that with something as serious as diabetes, it is important to be very careful that any info is accurate. A life could depend on it.

Praying for your family,
Steph

[aklap]

OH NO! Sorry to hear that.

http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1286

http://diabetes.about.com/od/whatisdiabetes/What_is_Diabetes.htm

Peg's Dad is feeling the effects of a relatively non compliant lifestyle. His kidneys are starting to shut down.

Thoughts and prayers heading out west...
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[Fidissimus]

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. I hope it goes smoothly.

DH's Dad also had diabetes but uses a (I'm not sure what it's called) but it's attached to him all day and automatically adjusts his insulin levels as he eats. He still needs to monitor his sugar intake but doesn't have to deal with injections or too much in the way of food eliminations. Could your Dad do something like that?

This site may help: http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes.jsp
_________________
Cheers!
Jenn

GF BD: Feb. 2001
Free of wheat, barley, rye, oats, rice, dairy, eggs, almonds, pineapple and brewers yeast.
http://graindamaged.blogspot.com/

[ostrich]

I'm really sorry to hear that Colleen! Good vibes are headed your way.

My grandma's in the same boat. She eats whatever she wants, then complains about how sick she feels, which makes her eat more, etc. I know how hard it can be.
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of

[cruelshoes]

Thanks for all the links and support, guys. I will dive in and try to learn as much as I can. When I talked to him last night, he sounded a bit hopeful. He said he has kept his blood sugar under control all week, and has even lost a little weight.

My dad's idea of vegetables is iceberg lettuce. He isn't a very adventurous eater. So getting him to try newer healthier things is an uphill battle. I have reserved "diabetes for dummies" from the library (honestly - is there any subject that there is not a dummies book for? ). Hopefully there are some good ideas in that. He keeps telling me it's hard to change the way you eat. Well, I think I know a little bit about making hard diet changes, don't you think!?!!?!
_________________
-Colleen
Dx 8/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
9-YO son Dx 11/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
Daughters have negative bloodwork - so far!

A woman is like a tea bag-you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. - Eleanor Roosevelt

[ostrich]

Perhaps the fact that you know how hard it is to change your ways will help. Maybe you guys can have a "venting session" about diet changes. Then he'll know you understand what he's going through, and that he's not alone.

I'd also gather a list of his favorite foods (I'm sure it'll be a short list). Then you and he can work together to make them more diabetic friendly.
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of

[aklap]

Has he ever been to a dietitian? That might be a good place to start. I know Peg's mom and dad didn't/don't understand about eating in a particular way. Sure they know sweets and some about the carbs, but I don't think they understand about how strict you need to be in counting all that stuff. FIL, just has no patience doctors or their nonsense! He got is cage rattled by his eldest DD [Peg], for not taking some of his meds for his kidneys. It was on the families "Christmas Day". Peg felt bad after jumping on him.

It wasn't until just recently they finally had a health care professional explain things to them in a way that made sense. They're not like their kids - if they don't get something - we'll say "You're not making any sense, what does this mean?".
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[cruelshoes]

[aklap]

Peg's mom will try to make the things that he needs, but he doesn't like or won't eat it. Then he blames her for not feeding him the right stuff...round and round it goes...ugh!

Sounds like we need to get all 4 of 'em in the same room...
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[ostrich]

Don't do that. The massive amount of b*tching that would ensue might cause the world to implode.
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of