While watching the Braves today, the announcers reported that pitcher Buddy Carlyle (one of our favorites already) has diabetes. Apparently he hasn't been feeling well for a while and he had lost quite a bit of weight. Now that he's started insulin, he's already feeling better. Even though I'm sorry that he's diabetic, I'm glad that someone with his character will be able to be a role model for my kids, especially Daniel who really watches athletes. I found this article on Braves.com that tells more about Buddy. I'm wasn't at all surprised when I saw that he wants to help kids deal with diabetes. Well be keeping up with Buddy and hope that he's feeling much better soon.
(Article from Braves.com) The right-handed reliever went on the disabled list May 26 with a back/neck strain. But after losing nearly 20 pounds in recent weeks, Carlyle went in for bloodwork Wednesday that revealed an extremely high sugar level.
Tests confirmed he had type-1 diabetes, once known as “juvenile diabetes.” It’s usually diagnosed in children and young adults. Diabetics’ bodies do not produce enough insulin, a hormone needed to convert sugar (glucose), starches and other food into energy for daily life.
It’s a serious disease, but one that can be managed if treated properly. There have been notable athletes with type-1 diabetes who have continued successful careers, including NFL quarterback Jay Cutler.
Cutler lost considerable weight and zip on his passes before being checked out and diagnosed with diabetes. He now carries insulin with him in a pouch.
Carlyle experienced a loss in energy and a decline in his fastball velocity over a period of several weeks this season, and his ERA ballooned to 8.84 after a string of rough relief appearances that included two grand slams allowed.
“Now it makes sense,” he said, describing how something felt wrong during that period, when his energy level wasn’t normal and he couldn’t keep his weight up. “It’s given me and my family some relief, knowing what is wrong and that it’s something that’s treatable.”
Carlyle was holding a syringe and insulin as he spoke to a reporter Friday afternoon. He was about to go to a private area of the
Braves’ clubhouse to give himself his first injection, the first of five-daily injections he must take.
“I’m going to do everything right, treat this the way you’re supposed to,” he said. “It’s definitely a life-changer. My plan is to get back to pitching, and I’m going to try to use this as a positive, to help other people out, kids who have a hard time dealing with it after being diagnosed.”
