D-Blog Week, Day 5: Freaky Friday

Friday:  Just like in the movie, today we’re doing a swap. If you could switch chronic diseases, which one would you choose to deal with instead of diabetes? And while we’re considering other chronic conditions, do you think your participation in the DOC has affected how you treat friends and acquaintances with other medical conditions?

When we talk about Freaky Friday, are we discussing the Jodie Foster version or the Lindsey Lohan version?  Because in the end I'd rather be Jodie Foster.  Or Jamie Lee Curtis.  Can I just switch with one of them in real life?  I know there are quite a few jackasses out there who feel feminism is like a disease.

This is a tough question to answer.  My initial thought was that just straight-up hypothyroidism might be simpler than diabetes.  Of course, only having to pop one pill every day sounds quite appealing, then you go out to the internet and read that it has its own complications.

What about a chronically high cholesterol level?  Heart disease is pretty strong in my dad's side of the family, so I don't think that's any better either.

So then I started to think, what if I didn't have diabetes, but had only one of the other issues I've got now?  Yes, I probably wouldn't have worried that my tachycardia was diabetes-related, but would that be more or less comforting?  Sometimes I am pretty sure that tightening up my glucose control would lessen some of my mental health issues.  But would I be more depressed and anxious without being able to attribute some of it to diabetes?  As if to say, "I am having this mood swing out of nowhere, I must be bipolar!" instead of "I am having this mood swing out of nowhere, maybe I forgot to bolus for my afternoon snack!"

Is one chronic disease better to have than another?  I don't really think so.

If I were to personify my diabetes, would I give it a hug and say, "Hey buddy, I hope you stick around forever because I love you"?  Never.  But if I could, would I leave diabetes for something else?  I'm not so sure. 

Actually, I think I just made a decision.  I might trade diabetes for being a Never-Nude.  I might just accept having to wear a bikini in the shower if it meant I never had to worry about blood sugar levels, insulin boluses, or carb counting ever again.