Coming into her own

Though she includes tips and advice from doctors in Growing Up Again, the book is more a memoir than a how-to for the newly diagnosed. She shares work anecdotes and family tales. She writes candidly about her relationship with her devoutly Catholic father and alcoholic mother, and about her three marriages and her not always emotionally healthy penchant for "alpha" men. She talks about coming into her own in this, her third marriage, finding equity and loving companionship with Levine. She rounds out her story by including reflections from others with diabetes, young and old, and lauds the young people she has met for their intelligence and commitment to managing their disease — something she says they do far better than she did in her early years.

Moore doesn't say other patients should model their lives after hers. She says she just hopes the stories about her losses, the dead-ends and the triumphs she has experienced that have helped her "grow up" will be a comfort to others, with or without the disease, and help them better understand themselves and find new ways to face their own challenges. Of her life overall, Moore says, there have been a few blips along the way. But, she says, "I must say, I did a remarkable job of it." To report corrections and clarifications, contact Reader Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification.

To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference.For people with diabetes, staying healthy means keeping blood glucose levels on an even keel. Sometimes, for reasons that aren't clear, levels dip dangerously low (hypoglycemia) or jet too high (hyperglycemia). Knowing the warning signs, symptoms and treatments is crucial. HYPOGLYCEMIA• What it is: Abnormally low blood glucose levels (typically less ?than 70 mg/dl). The target fasting level for a person with diabetes is 70 to 130 mg/dl.• Warning signs: Shakiness, dizziness, hunger, headache, lightheadedness, moodiness, pale skin.

Confusion, loss of consciousness and seizures are more advanced symptoms.• Treatment: Rapidly absorbable sugar such as fruit juice, regular (not diet) soda, glucose tablets, glucose gel. HYPERGLYCEMIA• What it is: Abnormally high blood glucose levels. Even if a person is treating his or her diabetes correctly, hyperglycemia also can occur when the person becomes ill.• Warning signs: Dry mouth and extreme thirst, sleepiness and confusion can be early warning signs. Rarely, when blood glucose levels become dangerously high, coma and death can occur. More often, chronic, long-term hyperglycemia can lead to health complications, including vision damage and nerve, kidney and heart disease.• Treatment: Physical activity; consistent daily monitoring of blood sugar and adjusting diet or dosage of diabetes medications accordingly under a doctor's guidance.