How Our Family was forever changed by one disease...

by Marybeth A. Traut
(Pennsylvania, USA)

The on-line definition of family: The group comprising a husband and wife and their dependent children, constituting a fundamental unit in the organization of society.

My definition of "my family": Two parents who gave all of themselves so that their children would have and three children who not only loved both of their parents, but respected and treasured both equally as high. Five people who held their love and friendship and lives above any and all arguing and bickering that may have occurred. For, yes we are human and no we are not, nor were we ever, perfect.

My name is Marybeth Ann Traut. I am the middle child of C. Robert Bob and Isabella Izzy Traut. I have an older brother, Patrick Traut, who is a diabetic. I have a younger sister, Linda Traut, who is a diabetic. Both of my parents were diabetics. I am the only one of five who does not yet have diabetes.

My brother, sister and I watched for many years as diabetes ravaged our parent's bodies. Not only did it have a tremendous affect on their lives, but on ours as well. We walked each step of their journey with them. We tried to do the best that we could to help them in their pain, but unable to cure them, we held their hands as they took their final trip home.

When our father was battling his disease, we began sharing our story with others who were just beginning their stories of diabetes. At times, I was not sure if it was to help those who had no idea what lay ahead or if it was more for our benefit. As we spoke and as we shared our tales, it helped in easing our pain. We all knew what was in store, but we just didn't want to face it at that particular time and place. By removing ourselves and focusing on someone else, we were allowed that momentary lapse of reality.

When our mother faced the torture of diabetes, it took the disease to a whole new level. Her decline was so much faster and so much harder. We didn't have the luxury of time to adjust that we had with Dad. We were now facing a loss at a much quicker pace.

Wanting to remove ourselves and wanting to begin a somewhat normal existence without diabetes was a major goal for all of us. The disease had taken so many years away from all of us and had given us so much more information than we had wanted.

It was in one of the last conversations, on one of the last days that we had with Mom, when she asked for 'One Last Wish'. We had been having a conversation about everything and nothing. I could see that she was uncomfortable and in pain. In the days prior, we had all tried to make her as comfortable as possible. We thought we were doing the best we could.

We thought we were helping. We will probably never know for sure. I know if we hadn't been helping, she never would have told us. She would have put on a face of comfort so that we would feel better.

The conversation continued, and I could see that she wasn't getting any more at ease. I asked her if there was anything that I could do to make it easier. I thought she would reply with the desire for a move of the pillow, an adjustment of the bed, or me rubbing her legs because they were cramping. It was none of these. She asked me for a promise, a promise that I would never let anyone forget, a promise that I would never let anyone else go through what she and Dad had gone through, a promise that no family would have to endure what we had endured. Taken aback, I agreed, reluctantly. At the time, I didn't give it a second thought. Later, when I reflected, I wasn't quite sure how I would fulfill her promise.

How could I ensure that no one would go through what we had all endured? How could I stop a disease that had no cure from destroying another person's life? How could I never let anyone forget?

I have always had a gift of talking. Some would think of it more as a curse, but I could talk. So, talk I would until someone made me stop. So, here begins our story” a story that I have told before and will tell again and again until diabetes is no more.

And so our story goes...

To Read the rest of our story...

Pick up your copy of
"Diabetes In The Family"
at www.marybethtraut.com

Let's all work to find a cure. Let's all work to educate and inform all of those touched by diabetes. We can do it if we work together and control diabetes and not let it control us.

God Bless and have a GREAT Life!! Live it, enjoy it and share it!