Perhaps one of the absolute worst parts of having diabetes is putting up with the expectations of others. When someone hears "diabetes" they expect to see you eating "right" all the time, avoiding sweets all the time, and worshipping your body all the time.

We all know that just doesn't happen. We are human. Everyone needs a break from the chains that bind us.

Over the last week or so, I have found myself defending a person I never in my adult life thought I would defend. My incredible half-sister told me recently that her mother has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. With a sister and a mother with diabetes, she is, naturally, completely freaked out that she's next. Not to mention scared for our health and our future.

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Yesterday my daughter Gillian decided to wear this shirt to school.

When we did the ADA walk last November, I made shirts with different sayings on them and Gillian’s says, “My Dad is #1” but right under the number sign there is the word “type” in very small letters.

When I got home and saw that she had been wearing it all day I asked her, “What made you want to wear that today?”


“I dunno, I just wanted to. A lot of kids asked about it and I told them all about diabetes.” She was so proud.

“Well what did you say?” (READ MORE)

juliaf

Today would have been my father's 59th birthday and as I was thinking about him I started thinking about all the people who have been important in my life and especially in my diabetes life.

My band director in high school was the one who asked the now fateful question, "Are you feeling okay?" It was drum rehearsal on Monday October 2nd 1990. I told him I was feeling a little light headed but that was it. He said that I looked pale and that was something I don't think I had ever heard before in my life. I have very dark skin since I am both Puerto Rican and Cuban so pale was not a norm for me. (READ MORE)

Okay, I will warn you up front that this post is a total rant and has no other substance besides the fact that I need to let off some steam. I am also looking for some of you who have dealt with this annoying stereotype.

As I was minding my own business here at my desk the janitor comes up to me and asks me if I have to take shots everyday. I realize that he was listening to a conversation I was having with a co-worker about insulin and so on. A total eavesdropping moment right? So I answer, "nope." And totally leave it at that.

He says, "Oh you got off of insulin. That's good. Just a diet now or pills?"

"No I have an insulin pump."

"There is a gal in another office I clean that has to shoot up every day." Then he does it. He does this sort of motion with his right hand towards his left upturned arm. As if he is shooting up heroin or something right into his vein! (READ MORE)

I consider myself a diabetes veteran even though I was diagnosed only three years ago. But considering where I started and where I am and how I got here puts me in that category.

What I mean by "how I got here" is self education, without which I would not be where I am.

When I was (wrongly) diagnosed as pre-diabetic, I really thought my treatment method was proactive. I was diagnosed by a nurse practitioner, who said, "Even though you don't have diabetes yet, let's treat you like you do." A technique I thought was absolutely excellent. He started me on oral meds, I started randomly checking my blood sugar (as instructed), I started an exercise routine and counted carbs. It worked great. Or so I thought--because, frankly, I didn't know any better at the time. (READ MORE)

As is my way, I sat down to Thanksgiving yesterday with my insulin pen next to my plate. Just prior to sitting down, I was talking to a family friend, who happens to be a nurse.

"Will you inject before or after you eat?" she asked while also quizzing me about how I know how much insulin to take.

"I'll inject before I eat. And with a meal like this, I'll just have to guess how many carbs I'm going to have."

She nodded in understanding. She's a school nurse at a junior high and helps many students manage their diabetes. I suspect she was comparing management techniques. (READ MORE)