Pink Sherbet Photography

Sometimes I really want my friends to know about my diabetes. Other times, I really hate that they know anything about it at all.

My mom always told me to be open about being diabetic so that my friends would know how to treat lows and what to do in case of emergencies. She's right (why are mothers always right?!?). My friends need to know where my glucagon is in my house. They need to know the symptoms of low blood sugars. My friends need to be prepared for the emergency situations that come about when you're diabetic.

Sometimes they don't need to know what my blood sugar is at any given moment. They don't need to know what my control is like. They don't need to know all about my infusion sets (including seeing them unless I volunteer). My friends don't need to know why my blood sugars are so out of range one day (as in, they don't need to know about that chocolate shake last night).

Don't get me wrong: if someone is interested in learning about diabetes, I'll be the first to step up and spread the word. But that doesn't mean I have to be their diabetes quizmaster! I want my friends to be educated on the disease, I really do.

But that can lead to a lot of trouble on my end. The more they know, the less I get away with in my diabetes world. If they know I shouldn't eat when my blood sugar is above 150, then I'm probably going to be reprimanded when I eat dinner when I'm 225. When my friends know that a certain kind of food skyrockets my levels, I'm less inclined to enjoy that certain kind of food (that includes those yummy Jack-in-the-Box shakes) even when I'm really wanting it.

So as much as I want my friends to be educated on diabetes, I really prefer them to play a little dumb. Occasionally, I want to indulge. If I'm out with a group and I'm in the 200's but the bread basket just came, let me enjoy a slice, please! If I crave a chocolate shake, let me have one without giving me your commentary! Don't single me out because of my diabetes. I don't single you out for your non-diabetes!

I know my friends are just looking out for me. I love them for that! They can still look out for me without invading my diabetes world. Watch for low blood sugars, help me if I'm feeling bad from a high (after that shake, of course), and help spread the word about diabetes. My friends should realize that diabetes is a serious, chronic illness. Don't downplay it just because it isn't the center of my life! But don't force me to put it in the middle of everything either.