DR. PONDER: Diabetics don't have to be perfect - Odessa American

  • By zz-omni-cms
  • May 3, 2011


Few would argue that our emotions control our lives. This is especially true for people with diabetes. Our outcomes are heavily influenced by emotions and how we act on them, or not.

Being told that you have diabetes, or might be at risk for it, generates an emotional response. Often that response is denial. You will make excuses as to why your sugar level might be too high or simply ignore the diagnosis altogether. The early stages of diabetes actually conspire with you to deny it since the symptoms may be mild at best: perhaps just an extra trip or two to the bathroom each night. Blurred vision? Just get some new glasses. Fatigued? I must be working too hard. Our mind will always find a way to explain away what it doesn’t want to accept. Sadly, this is the reason that 8 to 10 million Americans remain undiagnosed and untreated each year. Are you in denial too?

...
Ponder has type 1 diabetes and is a professor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center....

Read the full story

Related Stories

  • By Haely Shirley
  • March 30, 2026

38th Student Research Week Successful at Showcasing Secrets of Immune Defense

Student researchers at TTUHSC had the opportunity to showcase their presentation skills at the 38th Annual Student Research Week Feb. 25 – 27.

  • By Kay Williams
  • November 10, 2025

Celebrating Veterans: TTUHSC’s General Martin Clay’s Legacy of Service and Leadership

From his initial enlistment in the Army National Guard 36 years ago to his leadership in military and civilian health care management roles, Major General Martin Clay’s career has been shaped by adaptability, mission focus and service to others.

  • By Suzanna Cisneros
  • September 25, 2025

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing Named Best Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program in Texas

The TTUHSC School of Nursing Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program has been ranked the No. 1 accelerated nursing program in Texas by RegisteredNursing.org.

Recent Stories

Research
  • By Suzanna Cisneros
  • May 26, 2026

TTUHSC Experts Receive Junior Investigator Research Grants through Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) researchers Aric Logsdon, Ph.D., and Jonathan Singer, Ph.D., received Junior Investigator Research Grants from the Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium (TARCC).

Research
  • By Suzanna Cisneros
  • May 26, 2026

CPRIT Awards TTUHSC Researcher $1.4 Million Cancer Grant in Efforts to Expand Rural Clinical Trials

The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) awarded a $1.4 million grant to Erin Barr, M.D., a clinician of pediatric hematology/oncology and researcher in the School of Medicine at Texas TTUHSC. Barr’s research, “Enhancing access to pediatric oncology clinical trials in West Texas,” received funding under the Recruitment or Retention of Clinical Trialists Award.

Education
  • By Suzanna Cisneros
  • May 26, 2026

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center’s Klein Selected to Leadership Role by the Texas Pharmacy Association

The Texas Pharmacy Association announced (May 19) the appointment of Mary Klein, Pharm.D., as assistant vice president of Strategic Initiatives and Practice Innovation.