Diabetes happens in a life that already has a story. This book, composed of nearly 40 personal narratives, based on taped interviews, about the lives of actual patients with diabetes, draws upon the collective experience of an endocrinologist and two nurse practitioners who worked together for 25 years.

The people who describe their experiences with diabetes range from teenagers to physicians, immigrants, athletes, pregnant women, accountants, a prisoner, and a dairy farmer. They speak of the variety of ways they handle monitoring, diet, insurance coverage, sports, and fashion. Some talk of how they manage to drive trucks for a living or, for recreation, fly airplanes or go spelunking. Many speak frankly of their anxieties and frustrations.

The book provides a wealth of information about diabetes, including material on prevention, complications, and new technology, but it is not intended as a textbook on diabetes or as a self-care manual for patients. Rather, the book provides a textured account of the health professional's view of diabetes control and the perspective of the patient whose life is complicated by diabetes.

The book is published by Vanderbilt University Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.