lisascenic

Diabetes is sometimes the best way to get out of things. It really can be an easy excuse in times of "emergency (parties, dates, movie hunger)."

All through high school and now into college, I've been confronted with alcohol and drugs. For the longest time I just said no because of family history. Social pressure would build. My "friends" (how can they really be friends if they're pressuring you?) wanted me to drink, to experiment, to just try things. Eventually, I realized the greatest "Just Say No" campaign is my diabetes. I can say no because of the hundreds of stories about diabetics dying from drinking (something I'm personally not willing to risk). All social pressure disappeared. Those "friends" didn't want me dead (no matter how badly they wanted me drunk).

Much less deadly but equally important: food. Diabetes is a "get out of jail free" card at any party, luncheon or social gathering. If someone pushes another piece of cake or offers endless appetizers, I have my ever-present diabetes to save me from completely busting my diet. Now I want to point out that diabetes does NOT hold me back from cake or appetizers but personally I put limits on my total daily insulin and have maximum bolus levels at parties. And I make it clear to those at the parties that diabetes does NOT mean "sugar free" or "carb free" or any other food part "free." On the opposite end, lows can be the best excuse to enjoy the cookie I've been eyeing or have another glass of juice (I probably enjoy these things much quicker when low but at least I get a taste).

I really like to have a little fun with my diabetes. I use it to get me out of things, get me into things and just have a laugh. I'm not supporting anything evil, illegal, rude or mean. But diabetes can be a really easy way to get out of sleepovers at a friend's house (I'm kind of odd and really prefer my own bed over all niters with gossipy girls). In high school, lows were a cool way to get out of class early (no I didn't cause lows for myself or ever fake lows). In my Physical Education years, I remember using convenient high blood sugars to get out of an intense workout (again no faking). Occasionally, I use my diabetes so my best friend and I can discuss our dates (out of ear shot) while we get a coke or water to treat lows or highs. My favorite diabetic pleasure is bringing food into the places that always make you throw things away. I get a slightly "evil" joy of bringing crackers or candy into concerts, football games or movies. It's my simple way of getting back at the endless frustration with diabetes.

Sometimes diabetes really does get in the way. When I want another cookie but my blood sugar is already on the rise, it's not an "easy out." When I'm really having fun working out, I hate treating lows and putting more calories in than I'm burning off. When I'm in the middle of a test and I start dropping, it's more annoying than it is a good excuse not to take the test. I especially hate when I'm on a date or out with friends and my blood sugar takes me away from the conversation or stops me from driving. But I really think the negative parallels with the positive (just because I can get away with taking crackers into a concert when no one else can). Maybe some days one outweighs the other but overall it's a blessing in disguise.