November is Diabetes Awareness Month and chances are, diabetes probably affects you or someone you know. That is why I believe it’s important to share information and spread awareness about this disease, and share my story of how it impacted two very important people in my life.
While I lived oceans apart from both of my late grandmothers for many years, they were both very influential figures in my life. I have learned so much from them in terms of how to succeed in life, both personally and professionally. Both were great story tellers, and both inspired me to be the best version of myself. It was through their shared and different life experiences that I learned how to take the good with the bad and appreciate everything that I have.
Both my grandmothers experienced the hardships associated with WWII and living through the Holocaust (one was in the concentration camps and the other escaped to Russia). However, their lives were different post war. One lived a more luxurious life while the other lived a moderate lifestyle. Both were happy though and both did everything in their means to care for their kids.
Later on in their lives, they both developed type 2 diabetes. I clearly remember the daily tests one of my grandmothers did (pricked her finger to test her blood sugar levels) and how she would always tell me that she can only have a ‘nibble’ of something sweet because of her diabetes. My other grandmother had to have her leg amputated because of her diabetes. Sadly, both my grandmothers died of heart-related complications.
Here’s the thing… I never actually knew that heart disease is related to diabetes, and now I wonder if my grandmothers, or anyone else in my family knew. In fact, heart disease is the number one cause of death for Canadians living with type 2 diabetes.
While diet and exercise may help reduce cardiovascular risk factors for people living with diabetes, such as high cholesterol and blood pressure, sometimes it’s not enough to combat the risks of heart disease. However, there are medications available that may reduce the threat of early death from heart disease. I wish my family knew this years ago so we could have asked my grandmothers’ doctors the right questions.
If you or someone you know has type 2 diabetes, it’s important to take an active role investing in the protection of your heart. Speak with your doctor about type 2 diabetes treatments that may help prevent early death. Visit www.myheartmatters.ca to learn more.
This content was sponsored by two of Canada’s leading pharmaceutical research-based companies, but opinions are my own.
I’m glad you shared this important information.