Shot: Staying Alive with Diabetes

As a general population we are becoming increasingly familiar with type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, however, remains something of a mystery, and it's often conceived as a "just" a chronic condition that means a patient might have to take insulin sometimes and watch what he or she eats -i.e., not that "big of a deal."

This book proves quite clearly what a misconception that is. Ms. Ryan's story illustrates just how serious Type 1 diabetes is, with potentially life-threatening, and often unpredictably-timed, consequences. But setting the medical info aside, to me, the greater benefit of the book is to show the extent to which the disease pervades a patient's daily life -how exhausting it would be, mentally and physically, to have to prick your finger and check your glucose level 10-15 times per day, and then to have to inject yourself with the right amount of insulin at each time; how day in and day out it never changes. Fifteen years after diagnosis, the patient is not only "shot" with medication, but mentally "shot" too. It was, for me at least, a real eye-opener about life with a chronic condition.

The book is not at all negative or depressing, though. By contrast, Ms. Ryan tells her story with good humor and even joy (at times!). She's not embarassed to share the good or the bad and puts a very human face on the disease. One of my favorite parts of the book is when she discusses her decision to convert to an insulin pump, and shares her very real (but something I wouldn't have thought of) concerns about how it could affect intimacy in her marriage! Her experiences with pregnancy were also eye-opening for someone whose only experience with a diabetic pregnancy is "Steel Magnolias" and a gestational diabetes glucose test.

I found the story compelling and a quick, but highly informative read. You should read the book just because it's funny and interesting -but it would be especially great for someone with T1D (even newly diagnosed), or family members of those with T1D or another chronic condition.

Amy Ryan's book is a must read for anyone who has diabetes, has a family member or friend with the disease or just wants to know about what it is like to live with it. She describes her experience in an engaging way and paints the daily picture of what millions of Americans are experiencing every day. If you read her story, you'll know that you are not alone. A terrific read that is well written and engaging.

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Amy Ryan has written a book about the ongoing challenges of living with Type 1 Diabetes. It is not a how-to book. It is not a list of resources. It is a story from the heart of a woman who has been given a life sentence with a chronic disease. Her fears, trials, missteps, setbacks and triumphs are laid out in a well told tale of truly frightening proportions. She was an adult when her diabetes was discovered, and it nearly destroyed her with its many turnings and complications. I can only imagine the horror such a diagnosis would hold for parents of a young child, the normal victims of this disease. She has bravely chronicled her years in a manner that is easily accessible even to those who have only a passing acquaintance with this killer.

Brava, Amy!

Read Best Reviews of Shot: Staying Alive with Diabetes Here

The book is titled "Shot" but it starts with a punch in the stomach.

The author finds out one day that she has to stick needles into

herself everyday for the rest of her life or she could die.

This is a fast paced account of being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes

and learning to live with the relentless demands of a chronic disease.

The book expertly balances nerve racking human drama with

information that should be invaluable to anybody suffering from

diabetes or any chronic disease for that matter. Written in

a narrative style, the book takes the reader along for a ride from

the first days of total fear and confusion to today's era of hope

found in emerging technologies and treatments. I enjoyed the book

very much.

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I really enjoyed this book. Amy took each and every experience that an adult diagnosed with type I diabetes ha,s and got them down on paper in a way that tells a story that is good, true & interesting.

Reading the book encouraged me so much. I've struggled with t1d for 10 years now, and have been in the burnout phase at this point, for sure. While reading this, I remembered that there was a time when I had GREAT control over the illness, and that I know I can get there again. I endured 3 pregnancies with it, and she described the anxiety involved with that to a T!

There were some places she didn't go, that get pretty dark with this illness like the fact that many women diagnosed discover that not only is life a bit easier (in the present moment) when you run high, but you also can eat essentially whatever you want and get *thinner*. This is an aspect of t1d that I struggle with and occasionally feel hopeless to overcome. I hoped she might venture there, but perhaps she will write a sequel.

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