Been There, Done That

Christel Marchand’s type 1 diagnosis in April of 1983 didn’t stop her from living life to its fullest, which at times, unfortunately, meant ignoring the disease. Throughout her teens and twenties, she grappled with body image and eating issues, as well as her control and acceptance of a chronic illness. It was the gradual realization that while she can’t live forever, she can take care of the body that she has – and still enjoy every day.

Raised in New England, Christel lived in Canada and Europe before making her home in Florida. Now in her-mid-thirties, Christel is a real estate agent and REALTOR®, and the host of the podcast, www.diabeticfeed.com.

In her column, Been There, Done That, Christel shares her thoughts and ideas of living realistically with diabetes from one woman’s perspective. Sometimes tongue-in cheek, often heartfelt, and always honest, she chooses to share her moments openly and fearlessly. From acting out as a rebellious teenager to the struggles of preparing for future motherhood, Christel discusses how her perceptions of the disease impact the world around her and offers insight on how to survive – and celebrate – who and what we are.

Postcards From Stupidsville
It’s one thing to talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?

Heaven And Hope And All Things Good
One woman’s heartbreaking fight for her future child.

Thirty Four
A low blood sugar moment serves as a wake-up call.

Rest Unassured
Making sense of the health insurance maze.

Wit's End
A decision to pump insulin paved the road back to good health.

Being Mindful
Using yoga to soothe both muscles and mind.

Thumbs Up
Knitting to relieve stress triggered another problem entirely.

A Still Spot in the Noise
Ways to manage stress when life starts to boil over.

National Diabetes Month
Shedding some light and making our voices heard.

Looking on the Bright Side
A little humor doesn’t cure you, but it does keep the blues at bay.

Purple Haze
Diagnosing, accepting, and dealing with diabetic retinopathy.

Fears
Dealing with diabetes may mean facing fears head on.

The Manual No One Gives Us
The facts about those delicate women’s issues.

Just Like Everyone Else
Accepting that diabetes isn’t a test you can pass or fail.

One Lump or Two?
Unexpected diabetes complication masquerades as cancer scare.

Through Thick and Thin
Balancing societal pressure with good diabetes management.

Moments
Realization of diabetes came one day at a time.

Disclaimer
dLife's Daily Living columnists are not all medical experts, but everyday people living with diabetes and sharing their personal experiences. While their method of diabetes management may work for them, everyone is different. Please consult with your diabetes care team to find out what will work best for you.