The combination of applying a new insulin pod and watching the nineteenth century framed classic, “Sense and Sensibility”, left me in a peculiar state of English tongued thought:

Can the trials bestowed by diabetes ever leave a notion of temporary withdraw from its present course, lest we imagine the worst? At what point would one reprieve to dwindle its preoccupation? And namely- how the heck do you take a break from diabetes!?

Not seeing the doc for most of the year is a start.

January 11^th, ’08 marked the most recent visit to my endocrinologist's office. That makes eight months without a co-paid visit where I inevitably go through the same procedure. I will assure him that everything is running smoothly, I am possibly due for some refills on prescriptions, and maybe get a quick blood draw. And I forecast in my head that the next visit will be just like the last.

Aside from quarterly A1c checks, I don't like the poke and prod atmosphere. Step on the scale, do a finger stick, check blood pressure... ya ya ya. It can be stressful stepping through those beige doors. The A1c results are the only part of these visits that interest me as of late. And even outside the doctors office, this past summer has involved a needed break from diabetes.

The question is though... has this hiatus compromised my overall diabetes health? I say- not a chance. In fact, it has even spawned a bit of internal well being within the largely diabetes focused part of my brain that stays so busy.

Without neglecting my daily numbers or ignoring my insulin pump's beeped requests, I have pushed diabetes more to the wayside. I've skipped a doctor's appointment flat out, sucked down a little more regular soda than normal, and have eaten all the tortilla chips I could get my hands on.

The good news is, I don't expect much movement in my A1c, and daily swinging blood sugars were kept in check... for the most part.

They say all good things must come to an end. I say, without a foreseeable end to diabetes, good things must be cherished in the moment.

I have a new endo appointment coming up shortly, and a new set of insulin pods on their way too. I have reached the point where I need to give my diabetes care a once over, and make sure everything is still on the right track. It makes it easier to flip on the diabetes auto pilot, and say good day to unwanted diabetes preoccupation, when I know my good health is still in check.