Putting a Face on Diabetes: Tony Rose

As I mentioned in a previous post, we’re starting up a new feature here at Diabetes Notes. I’d like to highlight all the terrific people who deal with diabetes on a regular basis so we can get a glimpse into what it’s like to have the disease.

For this episode of Putting a Face on Diabetes, we are talking with Tony Rose, who writes Blogging Diabetes. Tony has had diabetes for ten years, and blogs about things like control, types of diabetes, food, complications, and real life in the diabetic world.

Enjoy this interview:

Photo from Tony @ www.bloggingdiabetes.com.

What type of diabetes do you have?

Type 1 Diabetes.

When was it diagnosed, and how?

I was diagnosed in June 1998. I was working as a painter during the summer between my junior and senior year of college. I knew there was a problem when I had to go to the bathroom 17 times in an 8-hour workday (yes, I counted). I didn’t think too much of it because I was constantly thirsty and drinking a lot. Also, I went camping with my brother and our two wives (my girlfriend at the time) and had to get up every hour during the night to go to the bathroom, which kept waking everyone up.

My girlfriend, now wife, went to my mom and said she thought there was something wrong. I was completely oblivious to diabetes and had no idea what the symptoms were. There is no history of diabetes in my family and I was not overweight. I didn’t even know anyone with diabetes. My mom scheduled a physical with my physician and I found out that day that I was a diabetic. I think my glucose level was in the 500s. Devastated and shocked are good descriptors that come to mind.

Like many others, I first started on pills. They became increasing ineffective and my doctor suggested I start insulin therapy after about six months from being diagnosed.

What’s the biggest challenge in managing your blood sugars?

My challenge is that I am ALWAYS hungry. I am in good physical condition and have been working out since age 16 (I’m now 32). I typically do weight training and cardio, but find that I am always hungry. As you probably know, the more you eat, the more insulin you need. Due to my food intake, I typically struggle with highs more than lows. Also, I just can’t seem to figure out why my body reacts in the ways it does when it comes to my glucose level. Stress is another aspect that I sometimes struggle with, which can drive erratic glucose levels.

Tell me more about yourself: Hobbies? Favorite way to spend time? Family life? Etc.

I am a proud dad of a daughter and have one on the way, due in April. I have been married since 2000 and like reading, spending time with my family, playing golf and staying fit. I have a bachelor’s degree in Finance and an MBA in Management. Some of my favorite books are by Nelson DeMille, George Martin, R.A. Salvatore and Dan Brown. I also read a lot about compensation, analytics and data visualization, which are my field of work. In an effort to take better control of my diabetes, I have recently founded Blogging Diabetes, which is a blog that talks about real life struggles with diabetes.

How has your life changed (if it indeed has) since you got diabetes?

I received some really bad advice that I thought was good at the time from my doctor. He said, you can still eat whatever you want, but you just need to take more insulin. I thought it was good at the time, but now know how bad that advice was. It definitely helps to limit high sugar and carbohydrate loaded foods. About 3 years ago, I took the plunge from multiple daily shots to an insulin pump. I always was against the pump because I didn’t want to feel always connected, like having a pump would make me feel. My doctor, who I didn’t really like, actually said to me that he didn’t like to prescribe pumps because of all the paperwork it caused him. Seriously, I couldn’t make this stuff up. I think out of spite, I had him start me on a pump and have never looked back. The pump is convenient and gives me a lot more flexibility about when I want to eat and the unexpected. The downside of a pump is the few times I go to the beach or pool. I never wear my pump in the pool even though the manufacturer says a pump is water proof. I test my sugar about five times a day and change my site location every 3 days.

What keeps you motivated to stay positive?

What keeps me going and staying positive is looking into my daughters eyes and wanting to be around (and healthy) to see her grow up. Also, I am just a determined individual who doesn’t back down from a challenge. I have always been a “glass half full” type of person and truly believe that everyone has something wrong with them like, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, poor eyes, back problems, etc. I frequently tell myself that at least I have a manageable disease.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Thank you for allowing me this opportunity. I welcome any comments, suggestions or feedback. I can be reached at: tony[at]bloggingdiabetes.com. You can also read more about me and my real-life struggles with diabetes, as well as, tips and general diabetes information at Blogging Diabetes.

Thanks, Tony. We wish you continued good health and positive thoughts!