Diabetic Recipes
"So you missed my big health news last week," I said to my boss this evening as we were working late.
"Oh, no, I know. K. told me," she said, "that you're going on the pump. That's great news. Are you hooked up?"
"Yes, I got all set today," I said lifting my shirt slightly to show off my pump. "But the bigger news is that we discovered that I'm actually type 1 and not type 2."
Enter blank stare.
With a type 1 brother in law, I really thought I was talking to an understanding audience, but I was (partly) wrong.
Over the last few days, I've encountered a lot of these misunderstandings that I didn't really expect. One day last week, I called my sister to let her in on the news of my new diagnosis and about the pump. It was really a process to explain to her that this was all no big deal.
You would have thought that I'd have learned. But no, I'm stubborn. Saturday morning when I walked No. 1 down the street to get his hair cut, I was wearing my yet-to-be-attached pump. Still in my grubbies, it was well concealed. R. has been our stylist for about six years; I consider her a friend of mine.
"See my new medical accessory," I said proudly.
The color left her face. I think she thought I was on death's door. More explaining to assure R. that I am indeed fine and that my pump is actually going to make things better.
It's been challenging over the last few days to remember that while I'm absolutely thrilled with my pump and all it will do for me, there is still a level of misunderstanding by those who don't have diabetes or don't know someone with diabetes. And I suppose that I'll have to get used to people looking like I have only moments to live when it is one way or another revealed that I have a piece of medical equipment attached to me at all times.
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December 1st, 2008
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01-14-2008 10:04 PM EST by Michelle Kowalski
Categories: Type 1 Type 2 Insulin & Pumps Emotions Real Life
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Views: 582
Categories: Type 1 Type 2 Insulin & Pumps Emotions Real Life
Tags: (none)
Views: 582
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Michelle Kowalski, a writer, editor and photography hobbiest living in Phoenix, was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 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: The Greasy Wheel | Waiting Impatiently for CGMS OK | Back to the Find-A-Doctor Drawing Board
Nicole has lived successfully with type 1 diabetes for 25 years. She hopes that by writing about her experiences, she can help others to face diabetes - and its challenges - head on.(Read More)
Latest Posts: Family Onslaught | You Can't Always Lose... | From the Shore
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Just wanted to let you know I'm enjoying your posts.
My son was diagnosed with Type 1 at the age of 3. (He's 5 now.)
It is interesting to see what it's like to go from one diagnosis to the next. Your description of how people view the pump is so true.
When people see Riley's insulin pump they will often say, "Oh, he must have bad diabetes." To which I respond: "I wasn't aware there was a good diabetes."
Penny, it's interesting that you say "bad diabetes" because so often since I've gotten my "new" diagnosis and I tell people about it they will say "That's the bad kind, right?" I've started saying, "Well any kind of diabetes is bad." I'm definitely taking a step back and not outing myself as much as I have been the last two weeks. Sometimes I just want to avoid the discussion.
I have the pump for 2 years now. I wish I got the pump years ago before I got complications from diabetes. now I am homebund and can hardly walk because of complications. when I first receive the pump I got the same reaction from people. they thought I was dying or that it was pain medicine. I am use to it now. I love it. I am so glad that I have the pump. It is a better way to live with diabetes instead of taking 6 needles a day.........you will like it to.
Hey Everyone!
I am new to this site and have just started reading about the pump. I am starting my research on it now and have no clue about its operations but it seems that it has worked well for you all. Is it mainly for Type 1?
Sorry if the answers have been asked before
Generally, yes, there are more people who are type 1 on the pump than those who are type 2. However, that doesn't mean that the pump is specifically for one group. It's for anyone who would benefit from insulin therapy--no matter what type you are.
Ok, kool. I will check it out because the industry that I am going back to will need me to be very flexible.
Michelle,
How is it going? Thinking of you and your new 'friend' . I have to have the c-peptide tomorrow afternoon. No insulin all day for me and I have to eat anyway. I'm scared! I feel totally rotten with no insulin!
Mouse
Hey Mouse. It's going fine. Read my next post to see why I'm frustrated today.
My sympathy with you...I am what is called a brittle diabetic....it is very hard to control my sugars...I wear a pump and test my blood at least 7 times a day. I never know if my sugars are going to go up or down. Recently, my old pump was dying and it was so difficult to get a new pump that would make my life so much easier.
In addition, even if I don't eat, my sugar levels up. My liver thinks I need sugar so it poors it out. It is very frustrating dealing with a disease that you often have no way of knowing what to do. My schedule during the week is very busy. Since I have a long drive to my office, I don't take any insulin until I get to the office because I am always afraid to drive if my blood sugars are lower than 160. I have had my sugars drop very very quickly in just a matter of minutes....it can go down more than 100 points in less than an hour. I am no stranger to dealing with diabetes...however, it is very frustrating and I feel like I am walking a tight rope. The only thing that does help is taking readings all the time. I would love to have a continuous monitoring systen. My pump will work with it, but my insurance company will not pay for this part of the pump...talk about insurance dictating what medications people can and cannot have...I don't even want to touch that subject.
Having a pump was the very best thing my doctor suggested over 5 years ago...with my pump, I no longer have to have 5-7 shots a day. My blood sugars are more under control. I also use a lot less insulin now than I did before. I recently got a new pump...pumps have improved so much within the last few years. I can't wait until things improve to the point where we have to do less and the pump is more like a computer...