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August 7th, 2008
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I know I said I enjoy educating folks about diabetes, but I think I might keep my stinking mouth shut from now on.

 

The scene was a birthday party. I skipped my Symlin for the dinner portion because I didn't want to sneak away to inject. Looking at my plate of hamburger, baked beans and potato salad, I took my pump off my belt, SWAG bolused and went about the rest of my meal. No one seemed to notice my pump; if they did, they didn't say anything.

 

After presents it was, naturally, cake time. Ice cream cake to be exact. The Mr. and our friend A. cut while I helped distribute. When we got around to asking G. how big of a slice he wanted, his wife answered, "Just a little one. He's diabetic, that's why." Apparently, her comments got lost in the noise, because she repeated herself.

 

"Well, I am, too," I said to C. I should have just stayed quiet. My pump was covered by my shirt, no one had asked about it, I should have just shut up.

 

"Oh, really?" C. said. "Are you on shots?"

 

"No," I said smiling. "I have a pump." I lifted my shirt to reveal Toohey.

 

"That's a fancy contraption you have there," A. said. "I have a friend at work who has a pump. She keeps it in her bra."

 

C. looked at me. "You must have it really bad then," she said.

 

I gave her one of those well-aren't-you-stupid smiles and said, "Actually no. Any kind of diabetes is bad. The pump is actually the gold standard of diabetes care."

 

We continued talking while I ate my slice of ice cream cake. C. watched as I pushed Toohey's buttons. Since G. and C. run their own business, insurance coverage is pretty bare, C. told me. G.'s diabetes is managed with insulin, but the insurance won't cover a pump, C. said. And based on how uncontrolled G. sounds to Dr. Kowalski, my guess is that roller coaster blood sugar to C. equals "bad diabetes." I got the feeling from this conversation that no matter what I said she'll still think I have the bad kind.



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oooo....I remember the first time I was called a 'bad' diabetic. I was so shocked, I didn't say anything. Wish I could have thought up something to say....like, "Are there GOOD diabetics? How can I become a GOOD one?"
Welcome to the club, Michelle! You are my inspiration! Tomorrow my doc and I talk about the PUMP! I'm scared spitless!
Mousie
p.s. and don't you just LOVE it when everyone else manages YOUR carbs???? uuugghhh


I get all sorts of weird assessments, too: Just remember: "You can't fix stupid" comments from the uneducated!


I have gotten the "Riley must have bad diabetes" so much that I once said, "Yeah, it's a shame he couldn't get the good kind of diabetes."

Not nice of me, I know. But, I bet that person doesn't say that again.


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Michelle Kowalski
Michelle Kowalski, a writer, editor and photography hobbiest living in Phoenix, has had type 2 diabetes since February 2005. In January 2008, as part of her quest to start on an insulin pump, Michelle learned that she actually has type 1 diabetes. (Read More)

Latest Posts: Better To Have and Not Need | Speak Loudly, Carry a Big Stick, Do More, Be Heard, Make a Difference | Diabetes Demon

Robert Hudson
Rob Rummel-Hudson is a writer and Type 2 diabetic living in the Dallas area. His book, Schuyler's Monster, will be published by St. Martin's Press in 2008. He can also be found at Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords.(Read More)

Latest Posts: Cold turkey is for the birds | Missing the Gobbler | Staring into the Abyss with a Party Hat on my Head

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