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.
Over a decade of high levels of glucose and geekery.
Showing posts with label d-blog week 2013. Show all posts
Showing posts with label d-blog week 2013. Show all posts
Friday, May 17, 2013
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
D-Blog Week Day 2: We, The Undersigned
It's D-Blog Week...join your favorite diabetes bloggers as we write
about/share/mouth off about different diabetes-related topics all week.
Links and learn more at: Bitter-sweet Diabetes!
Tuesday: Recently various petitions have been circulating the Diabetes Online Community, so today let’s pretend to write our own. Tell us who you would write the petition to – a person, an organization, even an object (animate or inanimate) - get creative!! What are you trying to change and what have you experienced that makes you want this change?
A PETITION FOR GREATER SEXINESS AMONG PEOPLE WITH DIABETES
(I'm pretty much addressing the grownups here. D-Moms & Dads, I'm not trying to make your kids grow up too fast, but face it. Your kids will be my age one day. This is just to say...we're all grownups at some point. We'll be okay.)
We, the undersigned, hereby believe that people with diabetes are just as hot as people without diabetes. Many, many people with diabetes are in successful domestic partnerships and marriages. Many people with diabetes have rich, interesting dating lives. We are tired of seeing various postings on the internet that reflect self-doubt over body image or worthiness of loving relationships, just because of having diabetes.
Say what you will about Halle Berry, she does look pretty good in a bikini. Recent scientific studies have shown that people with guitars have greater sex appeal, so what about Crystal Bowersox? And there's always the cutie-patootie from the days before One Direction, Nick Jonas. There's delectable chef Sam Talbot. There are actors, musicians, athletes, racecar drivers, and Supreme Court justices, all with their own brand of hotness.
The point we are making is that people with diabetes are cute, sexy, wonderful, loveable people.
We, the undersigned, agree that:
...we have the right to walk out on any date who would consider our diabetes a dealbreaker.
...we can be confident happy people who ask for what we want in bed, even when what we want is a glass of juice because we're going low.
...it is not a burden to check a BG or disconnect a pump before getting intimate.
...diabetes alone is no excuse. You can have a love life/sex life just the same as anyone without diabetes.
...there are challenges we may face as people with diabetes in relationships, but people in any sort of relationships have challenges. Always remember you're not alone.
...PWD are allowed to be just as kinky as people without diabetes...and we're not talking bent cannulas or insulin pump tubing.
...we are dateable.
...we are worthy of finding partners we can love and trust.
...we can be just as gorgeous and confident as any celebrity. We can strut in our favorite non-diabetic shoes. We can get nekkid with an infusion set on. We are just as smiley and charming as anyone.
...we're sexy, and we know it. Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, yeah.
PS--How dare I leave out the intellects, artists, authors and scientists with diabetes? You guys, statistically speaking, are probably the ones I'm most attracted to. Sexy smarts, grrrrowl.
Tuesday: Recently various petitions have been circulating the Diabetes Online Community, so today let’s pretend to write our own. Tell us who you would write the petition to – a person, an organization, even an object (animate or inanimate) - get creative!! What are you trying to change and what have you experienced that makes you want this change?
A PETITION FOR GREATER SEXINESS AMONG PEOPLE WITH DIABETES
(I'm pretty much addressing the grownups here. D-Moms & Dads, I'm not trying to make your kids grow up too fast, but face it. Your kids will be my age one day. This is just to say...we're all grownups at some point. We'll be okay.)
We, the undersigned, hereby believe that people with diabetes are just as hot as people without diabetes. Many, many people with diabetes are in successful domestic partnerships and marriages. Many people with diabetes have rich, interesting dating lives. We are tired of seeing various postings on the internet that reflect self-doubt over body image or worthiness of loving relationships, just because of having diabetes.
Say what you will about Halle Berry, she does look pretty good in a bikini. Recent scientific studies have shown that people with guitars have greater sex appeal, so what about Crystal Bowersox? And there's always the cutie-patootie from the days before One Direction, Nick Jonas. There's delectable chef Sam Talbot. There are actors, musicians, athletes, racecar drivers, and Supreme Court justices, all with their own brand of hotness.
The point we are making is that people with diabetes are cute, sexy, wonderful, loveable people.
We, the undersigned, agree that:
...we have the right to walk out on any date who would consider our diabetes a dealbreaker.
...we can be confident happy people who ask for what we want in bed, even when what we want is a glass of juice because we're going low.
...it is not a burden to check a BG or disconnect a pump before getting intimate.
...diabetes alone is no excuse. You can have a love life/sex life just the same as anyone without diabetes.
...there are challenges we may face as people with diabetes in relationships, but people in any sort of relationships have challenges. Always remember you're not alone.
...PWD are allowed to be just as kinky as people without diabetes...and we're not talking bent cannulas or insulin pump tubing.
...we are dateable.
...we are worthy of finding partners we can love and trust.
...we can be just as gorgeous and confident as any celebrity. We can strut in our favorite non-diabetic shoes. We can get nekkid with an infusion set on. We are just as smiley and charming as anyone.
...we're sexy, and we know it. Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, yeah.
PS--How dare I leave out the intellects, artists, authors and scientists with diabetes? You guys, statistically speaking, are probably the ones I'm most attracted to. Sexy smarts, grrrrowl.
Monday, May 13, 2013
D-Blog Week, Day 1: Share & Don't Share
It's D-Blog Week...join your favorite diabetes bloggers as we write about/share/mouth off about different diabetes-related topics all week. Links and learn more at: Bitter-sweet Diabetes!
Monday: Often our health care team only sees us for about 15 minutes several times a year, and they might not have a sense of what our lives are really like. Today, let’s pretend our medical team is reading our blogs. What do you wish they could see about your and/or your loved one's daily life with diabetes? On the other hand, what do you hope they don't see?
1.) Today, I left my insulin pump at home. I commuted all 40 minutes to work and then realized it was still on the bed. My normal routine was interrupted this morning by a cable/internet installation. I didn't give myself my usual pre-commute patdown to make sure my pump is on my person somewhere, be it in a pocket or under a bra strap. You may think I wouldn't want the healthcare team to know about my snafu, but honestly, I trust mine enough that they were the first people I called. "I have Novolog and syringes. What's my game plan for the day until I can get home to my pump?" We looked up basal rates and bolus amounts. We discussed extra testing and doing corrections. It hasn't been the most pleasant day, but it's been okay. I'm thirsty. I'm tired. I'm getting by. I think I'd really want the healthcare team to know that information in the clutch is appreciated and vital to what could otherwise have become a diabetes emergency. Daily life with diabetes can bring very unexpected things. Your prompt assistance is welcomed!
2.) I wish a lot of healthcare providers could see that many people are shy to talk about what's concerning them the most, even when they say you can tell them anything. In my experience, doctors don't necessarily talk diabetes and vices (sex, drugs, alcohol, rock 'n' roll) unless you really bring it up. Teenagers and college students wishing to experiment with such things, and wishing to experiment safely, don't really have an outlet for this kind of info if they can't trust their doctor/nurse practitioner/diabetes educator. I'm not the only one who's wished we had more resources for learning about what some might consider less-than-appropo topics!
3.) I hope you DON'T just see noncompliant patients who won't do what they're told but walk around like everything is okay. I hope you DO see real people with real stressful lives sometimes, people who sometimes need patience, encouragement, and a game plan that fits their lives so they can manage their health accordingly.
4.) Stop making judgments on the health of people with diabetes before you've appropriated examined things. I have left doctors because they've acted like I've brought a health problem on myself due to uncontrolled Type 1. Do some tests. Give me some scientific proof. I married an engineer, and I'm pretty smart myself, so logically prove to me why and how some issues I have are related to my diabetes, and then we can talk about them. Otherwise, I feel discriminated against. You're a doctor. I expect you to do tests, not to dismiss me based on your personal judgment.
5.) I honestly hope my healthcare team would see most anything. I don't think there's much of anything I'd want them to miss. I feel like having a more personal relationship with our healthcare providers makes us a stronger team together. If it weren't for the great family doctor I saw in Phoenixville, I may not have such an awesome endocrinologist! I may never have gone to a psychiatrist and eventually a therapist to talk about depression/anxiety. I think we should all be able to trust our healthcare teams! Now, whether or not you'd want to tell them your favorite song to sing in the shower or your biggest celebrity crushes is entirely up to you.
Stay tuned for more D-Blog Week dorkiness right here!
Monday: Often our health care team only sees us for about 15 minutes several times a year, and they might not have a sense of what our lives are really like. Today, let’s pretend our medical team is reading our blogs. What do you wish they could see about your and/or your loved one's daily life with diabetes? On the other hand, what do you hope they don't see?
1.) Today, I left my insulin pump at home. I commuted all 40 minutes to work and then realized it was still on the bed. My normal routine was interrupted this morning by a cable/internet installation. I didn't give myself my usual pre-commute patdown to make sure my pump is on my person somewhere, be it in a pocket or under a bra strap. You may think I wouldn't want the healthcare team to know about my snafu, but honestly, I trust mine enough that they were the first people I called. "I have Novolog and syringes. What's my game plan for the day until I can get home to my pump?" We looked up basal rates and bolus amounts. We discussed extra testing and doing corrections. It hasn't been the most pleasant day, but it's been okay. I'm thirsty. I'm tired. I'm getting by. I think I'd really want the healthcare team to know that information in the clutch is appreciated and vital to what could otherwise have become a diabetes emergency. Daily life with diabetes can bring very unexpected things. Your prompt assistance is welcomed!
2.) I wish a lot of healthcare providers could see that many people are shy to talk about what's concerning them the most, even when they say you can tell them anything. In my experience, doctors don't necessarily talk diabetes and vices (sex, drugs, alcohol, rock 'n' roll) unless you really bring it up. Teenagers and college students wishing to experiment with such things, and wishing to experiment safely, don't really have an outlet for this kind of info if they can't trust their doctor/nurse practitioner/diabetes educator. I'm not the only one who's wished we had more resources for learning about what some might consider less-than-appropo topics!
3.) I hope you DON'T just see noncompliant patients who won't do what they're told but walk around like everything is okay. I hope you DO see real people with real stressful lives sometimes, people who sometimes need patience, encouragement, and a game plan that fits their lives so they can manage their health accordingly.
4.) Stop making judgments on the health of people with diabetes before you've appropriated examined things. I have left doctors because they've acted like I've brought a health problem on myself due to uncontrolled Type 1. Do some tests. Give me some scientific proof. I married an engineer, and I'm pretty smart myself, so logically prove to me why and how some issues I have are related to my diabetes, and then we can talk about them. Otherwise, I feel discriminated against. You're a doctor. I expect you to do tests, not to dismiss me based on your personal judgment.
5.) I honestly hope my healthcare team would see most anything. I don't think there's much of anything I'd want them to miss. I feel like having a more personal relationship with our healthcare providers makes us a stronger team together. If it weren't for the great family doctor I saw in Phoenixville, I may not have such an awesome endocrinologist! I may never have gone to a psychiatrist and eventually a therapist to talk about depression/anxiety. I think we should all be able to trust our healthcare teams! Now, whether or not you'd want to tell them your favorite song to sing in the shower or your biggest celebrity crushes is entirely up to you.
Stay tuned for more D-Blog Week dorkiness right here!
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