Andy is a diabetic.  Andy didn’t care about being a diabetic.  He cares about it now.

When I first met Andy he didn’t bother too much with his diabetes, in fact he ignored it.  Chocolate cake, soda, candy, he just didn’t give a fuck.  Once, we’re were going to the lake and he scarfed down an entire case of soda.  That dropped him into a frothing at the mouth diabetic coma.  Cancel picnic, got to the ER.  Another time he spent two weeks in the hospital while the doctors tried to save his leg.  They did. Now Andy pays attention to his diabetes and takes care of it.

Diabetic nerve damage has left Andy numb from the hips down.  Aside from walking funny, he watches his feet for wounds that could become a problem.  He had one on  his foot.  When it grew big enough he went to the doctor.  He had a compound fracture of his foot and the bone was working its way through his skin. Fuck.  Surgery was required of course.  he got a pin in his foot.

Andy worked as a building custodian at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  A cushy State job.  One night he dropped a chair on his foot and broke it.  The same foot.  Another surgery and another pin.  More of plate this time.  Work put him on light duty working at the recycling center.  Not much walking and a lot of sitting around waiting for stuff to come in.  His foot broke again.  This time, spontaneously.  The bones that the plate and pin were attached to shattered.  Back to surgery.  Now he walks on a titanium tripod imbedded in his foot and has to wear a supporting boot for the rest of his life.  He can’t work but with his State pension and disability payments he has enough to live and pay his medical costs.  Obamacare won’t cover him.

Common warnings signs of diabetes include:

• Increased thirst.
• Increased hunger (especially after eating)
• Dry mouth.
• Frequent urination or urine infections.
• Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry)
• Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
• Blurred vision
• .Headaches.