Sam Fuld - Diabetes

Diabetes

" definitely a battle every day; something that's always on my mind, and never quite figured out. It's like hitting in that way."

Fuld was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 10 years old. He recalled, "I was losing weight, I was thirsty all the time, just classic symptoms, so my parents knew something was wrong and the doctor diagnosed it right away. It was tough, but when I realized there was no other alternative, I just looked at it as a challenge."

At the age of 12, he met pitcher Bill Gullickson, who also had diabetes, and talked to him for 10 minutes. "That was enough to inspire me", Fuld said. "Any time I can talk to young diabetic kids, I look forward to that opportunity", said Gullickson.

Former Cub All Star third baseman and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Ron Santo was also afflicted with Type 1 diabetes. Santo hid his ailment from others during his playing days, because he was afraid they would consider him weak. Santo later had both his legs amputated, because of complications caused by his diabetes.

Now, at least six times a day Fuld opens a small black case, withdraws a glucometer, pricks a finger ("It's pretty painless; I've got calloused fingers"), and checks his blood sugar (a 30-second process). He does it whenever he feels he should check his blood sugar level, even if he is in the clubhouse or the dugout during a game. He gives himself shots of insulin in his stomach every time he eats, which can be as many as five times a day.

Fuld is also comfortable handling the kidding in the clubhouse regarding his treatments. "We dish it out pretty good about his insulin shots," said his AA manager Pat Listach. "We always give him stuff about putting needles in the refrigerator, and shooting up in the clubhouse. He takes it all in stride. He's a good guy."

Asked whether he thinks about his blood sugar level when he is chasing fly balls, he answered: "For those brief moments, it's out of my mind. I get back to the dugout, and it definitely crosses my mind. 'OK, my face is intact – what about my sugar?'"