Lietta’s Story

Site created on January 3, 2019

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Journal entry by Lietta Ruger

My mother died in August 2017 after her diabetes 2 morphed into a cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) was the last dx, a cancer which had metastasized to other organs.  She had NASH or non-alcoholic fatty liver dx along with the diabetes 2 dx for which she was being treated.  Within the year of her death, I was also dx with diabetes 2, however, to a degree I attribute the dx to caregiving for her these past years.  I was what is called prediabetic via my blood glucose numbers, and I moved over the top to dx of diabetes.  That is the background.  Since my dx, I have lost weight, doing keto and low carb food intake (reluctant to call it diet, as it is a Lifestyle!), researched and learned so much more about diabetes 2 than I knew, even, having attended a 6 week session with my mother on the subject offered by a non-profit public education organization.   Intended it for her, how could I know it was going to be for me as well.  

Only recently have I learned about NASH, as I knew my mother had the non-alcoholic fatty liver dx, and was tormenting myself wondering if she was consuming alcohol now, even though my brain knew she was not.  Still though, she kept it in her house for others in family who did consume alcohol, and I wondered if she was imbibing as the sleepiness took over her life in those last months. I accompanied her when she had the biopsy after taking her (over her objections!) to main hospital where multiple tests that determined the liver issues were given her.  

Newest concern I have is that I have a nephew who has Wilson's Disease, which is copper deficiency, which is genetic from both parents.  One of the parents is my sister, his mother, who I am now concerned has NASH background of which she does not know, or better said, medical does not know, therefore how can she know?  Even so, she has healthy eating, plenty of exercise, yet drinks daily.  Another sibling, my brother, is full blown alcoholic.  Another sibling sister may have a vascular disorder, we reviewed it together at my mother's death, although now she is unlikely to acknowledge it may be in the background I am trying to explore. 

Moving on though, it is my three children who I have concerns about as I was not informed to educate them during their growing up years, and their early adult years, as to what to look out for in treating the potential of diabetes 2.  Fortunately one of the daughters has decided to lose a lot of weight, using Keto lifestyle.  She is encouraging another daughter to do likewise.  My son, concerned for his own daughters, has shown concern for his mother (which I greatly appreciate), and there is so much for me to yet teach him.  He too has healthy lifestyle with foods, exercise, and even at that, there is more to be learned. 

I expect I will be gone (departed from this earlthly form) by the time their concerns are raised, which is the purpose of why I have decided to make this website.  Thinking for a time when the groups of them, children, grandchildren, siblings, and friends will wish to look at my writings.   My husband, whom I have asked to co-write with me, is the strongest and greatest support I could ask for as we pursue the years ahead living with diabetes 2 and all it's manifestations.  Thank you Arthur Ruger, my heart loves you and your amazing loyalty!

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