Yesterday I received a phone call I had been dreading. It was a call telling me a 15 year old member of my family had died. We as a whole expect the next generation to out live us. In this case it didn't happen. I remember 7 years ago watching the impact of the death of a close friend on his parents. It is just devastating to bury ones child. More after the break.
A little history to set the table. I come from a family where diabetes has run rampant on my mother's side of the family. My mother, two aunts and two uncles had or have it. Insulin is as common in my family as aspirin. Four of them ended up having legs amputated. Very few have lived to 70. His grandfather is one that has it and lost a limb.
So know this, you can understand that certain steps have to be taken on the prevention front. They weren't in this case. This child was obese from early age. His eating habits were not good. He was diagnosed as a diabetic two years ago and went on insulin. Still the behavior wasn't as needed. In March he ended up in the emergency room because of problems with his heart. We found out it was only working at 10%. He was sent to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. He weighed over 300 pounds when admitted. He was put on the list for a heart transplant. He needed to lose 100 pounds before they could even do surgery. He had lost 60+ at the time of death. His sister graduates this year and he won't get to see it.
The main reason I am posting this is to beg others to pay attention to the health and well being of others. This didn't have to happen. It easily could have been prevented. Know your family medical history. Do constant research. Work you ass off to make sure you and your family lead a quality life. I know there is much more I could have said here but I am still numb. Part of me is grieving and the other part is pissed off. Universal health care is a great ambition but it doesn't do squat if we don't do the necessary things to help ourselves.