Hi there,
First of all
to you. I know how difficult it can be to worry about a sick mother!
My mother also ignored her diabetes for 30+ years. Two years ago she passed out and was rushed to the hospital in complete renal failure (due to the diabetes). At that point they kept her in the hospital for almost three months and stabalized her on insulin and on a regular diet and started her on dialysis. She hated it but it was the best thing for her. Sadly, she is now a permanent dialysis patient. I was tested to be a kidney donor and I am a perfect match but my doctor does not want me to donate because of my weight AND history of diabetes in the family.
How guilty do you think I feel? Being a perfect match but being to fat to donate??
I've lost a lot of sleep over it thinking that Mum could die because I am too fat to give her my perfectly healthy kidney. It has taken time, but I've come to realize that she may die. But not because of me, because she ignored her illness for so long. Her struggle has motivated me to lose these pounds and hopefully not develop diabetes myself.
At some point people have to wake up and realize the danger they are putting themselves in.
I have a hunch that this terrible accident may be it for your Mum.
My mum did snap out of it. For the most part she is very good. Some days are better than others. For her, the social workers at the dialysis center and the kidney foundation in general have been a tremendous source of information and help with her diabetes. They have provided a dietician to keep her diet accountable. They also provide menus for her.
She is eating much better and takes her insulin and checks her blood regularly.
I am sure the doctors that are with your Mum now will figure out she has not been taking care of herself and will bring in the right people to help her.
Be strong! Take care of yourself and hope that this will be the turning point in her life to get her back to health.
You could try the Canadian Diabetes Assocation website for some information. Also, most hospitals provide dieticians at no charge.
Anyways, I hope some of this info is helpful to you.
If you would like, pm anytime.
Lisa