D-Blog Week: Share and Don't Share.

Day 1 post for diabetes blog week!

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?

I feel like my doctor and care team seem to understand what my daily life with diabetes is like- I REALLY DO. I give myself such a hard time about my control and constantly need to remind myself that the numbers aren't always going to be perfect. LIFE HAPPENS. Luckily, my care team is always on my side. In fact, at my last appointment, I was explaining my current situation to my APRN. I was throwing out all these ideas of how to achieve better control. One idea in particular was to stop eating fruit at breakfast (an idea I got from gestational diabetic nutrition therapy). MY APRN quickly shot down that idea and reminded me that I'm 22 years old. Go out, have fun, eat good food, take my insulin, and test my blood sugar. LIVE LIFE AND ENJOY IT. I love this woman. Ever since visiting her, I have felt so much better. This is why I feel like my doctor and team understand what my daily life is like. There's no need to explain anything to them.

It's not my medical team that I wish could see what my daily life with diabetes is like...but there are other people in my life that I wish could see how difficult it can be. I don't appreciate being called a "bad diabetic." I take better care of my health than a lot of people out there...just ask my care team. I get upset and cry if my A1c is above 6. All they want to see is one below 7.

I think the reason people sometimes says this to me is because they see the type of food I'm eating. Let's face it... I love food and refuse to deprive myself of one of my greatest pleasures in life. This is why I have an insulin pump. I eat what I want and bolus for it. I just want to be treated like a "normal" person without diabetes. Please don't tell me I'm a "bad diabetic" when you see my heaping bowl of froyo or my cranberry vodka at the bar. I know my body and I know how to work my insulin pump/glucometer. There are a million and one thoughts that go through my head on a daily basis when it come to taking care of myself. Am I low, when was the last time I tested, we're going for a walk??...better eat a little something before we go, do I have my starbursts with me, how much insulin do I have on board, do I have enough insulin left in my pump, how many carbs are in this....the list goes on and on and on. I honestly don't need the comments.

I'm so happy to get that off my chest. Thanks for reading.....and a BIG THANKS to my diabetes team for being so supportive. That includes my doctor, APRN, mom, and close friends. I love you all.