I was diagnosed with type 2 about 10 years ago but was not on any meds till the last 7 years. I responded well at first and always had sugars below 100 and a a1c of below 6. Within the last 6 months they was upping my meds and I ended up getting sick. I went to the er and I had lactic acidosis. I am an otr truck driver so to go on insulin would kill my carrier. They took me off the metformin and put me on glipizide. My sugars shot up to over 300! I was being told by my dr that I was going on insulin. I fought with him on this and he set me for some education. I Thought I was going to lose my job for sure unless I could get my sugars under control. After my education I was told about byetta. This has been a byetta drug for me. I eventually went back on metformin and got my sugars under control. I was at 7.9 and after the new med change I went down to 6.5! I am now starting to lose weight as is one of the side effects of the byetta. As a constant reminder to myself and to raise awareness I went and got my first tattoo as you see in the picture. I am not one to ware id bracelets and this can never be lost. There is hope for everyone and you just need not take no for a answer. I did research and found a solution so I could keep my job and support my family.

David Maklary
burlington, WI