For 25 years, Gloria McCune has lived with adult on-set diabetes that results from her body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that unlocks the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. Without that hormone, her body cannot metabolize sugar.

The 62-year-old Hanford woman must carefully manage her diet, her weight, and limit many kinds of foods that could drastically alter her blood glucose levels.

But for 15 of those years, McCune refused to accept that a change in her lifestyle was needed. "I was in denial and not willing to accept that I had diabetes," she admitted.

McCune did not exercise or watch her diet during this time. It was just in the last 10 years that she began to realize that a change was needed or she wasn't going to win this fight.

"I was caught up in the daily grind of life," McCune said. "I had kids to raise, so I couldn't focus on myself."

Does McCune regret not taking her quarter-century struggle with diabetes more seriously?

"I do regret it," McCune said. "I wish that I had realized many years ago how important it is that you manage it early. I should have listened to my doctors then."

In California, diabetes ranks seventh among the leading causes of death.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.

The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

There are 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7 percent of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, 6.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

Besides sweets, McCune must avoid or limit many kinds of grains, fruits and vegetables.

McCune wears an insulin pump at all times. The device, about the size of an iPod, keeps a continuous drip of the clear liquid seeping into her bloodstream. Another device helps her measure her blood glucose levels throughout the day.

Sitting at her kitchen table with her two dogs, McCune talks of the frustration of having a disease that is slowly destroying her body. She said that she needs to find at least a part-time job to work a few days a week, but in recent weeks she's been unable to work due to health problems.

McCune had to stop working full-time about a year ago because of her illness. Her income has tumbled, as managing diabetes can be very expensive. She currently lives off her husband's survivor benefits.

"I'm going to have to do something," she said.

In recent months, McCune's health has been so erratic she has a kidney specialist, heart specialist, eye specialist and an endocrinologist to help her manage her diabetes.

McCune can barely remember what it's like to feel at full strength. She suffers from a staggering list of maladies, some that are connected to diabetes and others where there is no clear link. They include compromised kidneys, a hemorrhaged eye and open heart surgery.

McCune is no longer in denial, but in a partnership with all her doctors to manage her diabetes.

"You have to be disciplined." she said. "I feel like I need to be pro-active to get the best health care."

It's this new attitude of McCune's that has her endocrinologist eager to help her manage her diabetes.

"Diet and exercise is key," said Dr. Prem Sahasranam, McCune's endocrinologist. "You must diet and exercise if you have adult on-set diabetes. There is no substitute for it. (And) if you want to prevent getting diabetes, diet and exercise is key."

McCune is a living testament that a healthy diet can work magic with diabetes.

"This is the best that I have felt in a long time," said McCune. She has lost some weight and watches what she eats these days.

"I can't get back the lost time," said McCune. "I take it seriously these days."

(July 1, 2008)