Diabetic Recipes
I debated where to wear Toohey today: in my pocket (out of sight) or on my belt as I always do. Prior to this morning, I had been to my new office three times: twice for interviews and once to sign my offer letter.* All three times Toohey was tucked neatly in my pocket, no tubing was visible, I was a normal-looking person.
So I debated for several days and ultimately decided not to hide, to wear Toohey on my belt as always, to be myself. I decided though to not come out and say "Hey, I have diabetes" on my first day. I just wanted it to flow, to just happen naturally. I really thought I would have had some questions since Toohey was so visible.
It was a much different feeling to have one foot in the closet. I didn't hide when I checked my sugar throughout the day, but I also didn't make it obvious that I needed to go check. (I also ran extremely high all day today, I'm sure in part because for the first time ever I forgot to reattach Toohey last night after The Mr. and I had some *ahem* personal time. I didn't realize this until I woke up this morning -- a whole sevenish hours without insulin. A high-carb dinner last night also contributed, not to mention the excitement I had all day today.)
Part of my team took me out to lunch. Again, I didn't hide Toohey when I bolused for my reuben sandwich (I probably looked like I was checking a message on my cell phone), but it wasn't until we were standing to leave that I noticed one of my coworkers really staring at my hip. It was out of the corner of my eye and I really anticipated a question to follow, but it didn't. And I didn't offer anything up. Just let it ride.
Since I really hoped and had anticipated someone asking me about my pump today and facilitating a conversation, I think I will bring it up tomorrow. It will be a much different approach than I have taken in the past. This will be a much more calculated discussion.
*Yes, I started another new job. Three months ago I blogged about starting a new job in a new city. The long and short of it is that I wasn't happy, was extremely over-qualified for the job and found something better.
I know I should not post this, but diabetes stops me from trying to get a new job.
Congrats on yours!!!
I have the same anxieties about my pump with interviewing and starting new jobs. I always feel like I've been deceitful by purposely hiding it until they're already stuck with me, but I worry about discrimination. I'm job-hunting now, and actually taking a break from writing a cover letter. It's a job halfway across the country, and it might work to my advantage to disclose the D, so I'm giving that a try. If they call, cool, if not, at least I won't have to pack up and move :)
I felt the same way, but I do temp work alot and don't bother hiding anything. I don't point it out either. At my last assignment, one of the girls was stunned to hear that the thing on my pocket was a pump, not a cell phone. I asked her what she thought the tubing was...Frankly, I don't make it an issue because I don't want to give people a reason to be wary.