One Part Diabetes, Two Parts Planning
Going out to a bar with your friends takes a certain amount of thought and planning on its own. Who’s coming, who is going to drive, which bar are we heading out to? Adding diabetes to this mix is not impossible, but requires extra special planning.
Like many people – diabetic or not – I enjoy going out dancing with my friends. I like having dinner with my boyfriend and sipping a Martini. I like laughing and being ridiculous with my buddies. Why should I sit home and watch Perfect Strangers reruns when I can enjoy the life experiences available to my 27-year-old self just as much as anyone else?
How does a diabetic prepare for a night out, you ask?
After careful selection of a shirt and finding the right pair of shoes, I clip my pump to my jeans and grab a purse. I disassemble my testing kit so that only the meter, a bottle of strips, and the lancet device are tucked into my purse. A tube of cake gel weasels its way in, as does a sleeve of Life Savers candy. (I’ve never met a candy more appropriately named). My cell phone, with speed dials to my parents, my doctors, and my boyfriend, also joins the fray. I test my bloodsugar before leaving the house and if I’m within a manageable range – for me, anything over 90 (5.0 mmol/l) and under 200 mg/dl (11.11 mmol/l)– I consider my body capable of handling a few drinks.
Though I’m perfectly content with hanging out at the bar with my friends and downing diet sodas, there are times when I want to have a few drinks. And, for the most part, diabetes doesn’t affect that decision.
You wouldn’t know that I’m diabetic by looking at me. I hardly have a tell, save for the little black clip peeking out from the pocket of my jeans, attached to my Paradigm insulin pump. And while their purses hold lip gloss and cell phones, mine has the added baggage of my blood glucose meter and other assorted diabetes supplies.
When you do decide to have a few drinks, which ones do you choose?
I’ve done some careful analysis of the drinking process. Sugary drinks don’t work for me. I don’t indulge in pina coladas, strawberry daiquiris, or dessert wines. I don’t have the Irish coffees (though I bet they are delicious). I stick to two drinks: a glass of Pinot Grigio or my friend, the Madras. I have the Madras down to a science. I’ve tested the hell out of this one. When the glass of vodka, cranberry juice, and orange juice hits my hand, I know exactly how much insulin it takes me to cover the juice. And I know, almost with precision, how long it will be before the alcohol causes my bloodsugar to drop. From when I start to drink straight through the close of the night, I am sure to test at least every hour, just to monitor the bloodsugar progression.
It’s not to say that this system hasn’t experienced glitches. I’ve had low bloodsugars at the bar. I’ve spiked up to 265 mg/dl (14.72 mmol/l) because I’ve miscalculated a bolus. I don’t feel any shame or regret for these instances. Things happen.
This is life.
And when things do happen, I have my friends. They lived with me in college and they’ve seen their share of literal highs and lows. Each one knows how to treat a low bloodsugar. They all know who to call in case of an emergency. Three of them know how to use my testing meter. Two are registered nurses. They all know I’m diabetic. And they all know I am responsible. I never consume so much that I am unable to test my own bloodsugar or respond to the readings. I know that I am accountable for my actions.
My mother once told me, “"I want you to come to the end of your life and not feel like you missed out on anything. Not on anything at all."
And I know that, with careful planning, I can enjoy every little bit that life has to offer.
Comments
I am so happy to hear this kind of stuff, and to see it posted right on DLife makes me smile. I am a 22 y/o woman living with diabetes and I love to go out and enjoy myself as well. I drink "malibu bay breezes" all the time and have them down to a science!! I always get picked on by my friends for drinking and eating chocolate (my all time favorite food!) and its so hard for them to understand, that I can handle any food (in moderation) and still maintain my tight control. Thank you Kerri for words of reality!
Posted by: Cassie | August 27, 2007 03:37 PM
My fiance is a Type I diabetic and I don't think he will every give up drinking with his friends for his disease. It always worries me when he has one too many though if he is still able to take care of himself. He sticks to light beer as his drink of choice.
Posted by: Air | February 26, 2008 11:28 AM
well ladies and gentlemen it is nice to hear us talking about having fun and being a diabetic. this is a much nicer topic then discussing all the complications you can get. I have diabetes for 31 years since I'm 5. and you better believe I have great control with no complications thanks to diet and regular exercise. but I also like to have a couple of drinks. I drink light rum with crystal light lemonade and it has no carbs so I don't have to take any insulin to have a drink. I make sure to have a handful of nuts and a handful of raisons to off set any lows from the alcohol. when I met my boyfriend (now my husband) he was shocked at how well I take care of myself. His parents passed away many years ago from complications that they developed because they didn't have the education. I strongly reccomend every diabetic type 1 or 2 should have a diabeties educator. Even if your insurance doesn't pay for it, it could save you life. Best of health to all Sharon Bassett
Posted by: Sharon Bassett | February 26, 2008 02:05 PM
Kerri, thanks for sharing your story. I was just diagnosed 1 year ago and am still struggling with it. I play in a rock band and need an occasional drink to play and sing. I don't get waisted but a little relaxed makes my performance better. I have not learned how to do this right, I usually have a scotch on the rocks and drink a lot of water. A non-alcoholic beer seems to work for the bar image but I do miss the real thing. good luck and thanks for the info.I'm in Utica MI, with the RED River Band.
Posted by: Tony V. | February 26, 2008 02:39 PM
well ladies and gentlemen it is nice to hear us talking about having fun and being a diabetic. this is a much nicer topic then discussing all the complications you can get. I have diabetes for 31 years since I'm 5. and you better believe I have great control with no complications thanks to diet and regular exercise. but I also like to have a couple of drinks. I drink light rum with crystal light lemonade and it has no carbs so I don't have to take any insulin to have a drink. I make sure to have a handful of nuts and a handful of raisons to off set any lows from the alcohol. when I met my boyfriend (now my husband) he was shocked at how well I take care of myself. His parents passed away many years ago from complications that they developed because they didn't have the education. I strongly reccomend every diabetic type 1 or 2 should have a diabetes educator. Even if your insurance doesn't pay for it, it could save you life. Best of health to all Sharon Bassett
Posted by: Sharon Bassett | February 26, 2008 04:39 PM
While I frequently read these articles, I have never responded to one. You have such an upbeat message of hope tempered with the right control. I learned some tips on how to do things. I am very impressed with your approach to managing the disease, not letting the disease manage you. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing such a positive message. You have a GREAT life!
Posted by: Tom L. | February 26, 2008 05:27 PM
Hey Tony V., scotch on the rocks has no carbohydrates. If you're anything like me, rocking out (I assume, as a player/singer, you must by nature be "rockin' out") drives your blood sugar lower, so maybe a mixed drink would work better for you. Then again, maybe that's taboo for a guy... Regular beer has a bunch of carbs in it. Maybe a real beer would help you stay a bit more stable?
Posted by: Dana H | February 27, 2008 12:27 AM
I am new to diabetes and I was diagnoised with Type 2 Diabetes. I would like to know about taking a drink.
I was told any distilled spirit with diet soda or crystal light. What do you suggest?
Lynn M.
Posted by: Lynn M. Kelley | February 28, 2008 08:32 PM
I've had Type 1 since age 11 and managed to live through all those college parties, wedding parties and poker parties. With each experience I add on new skills for the next. I've come up with having a separate basal setting on my Paradigm that I use at the beginning of my night to prevent those early morning crashes (low lows). My favorite drinks are vodka based, and it is so much easier now that they are in flavors, no real need to indulge in all those extra calories in the added mixers. I just ask for Citron and Soda (not tonic) and I'm good to go. Also great are all the Crystal Light to Go options. Also just started on the CGMS, and it also makes a night out a little easier on the brain.
Enjoy life with a little diabetes on the side!
Kiwi
Posted by: Kiwi | February 29, 2008 05:29 PM
I like to read @ others experiences with this widespread disease. I, like many others, thought this disease would never enter my life. I am a very active 35 year old. I have been doing aerobics for apx. 16 years. I own my own home and have to do repairs and yard work (including working on all the snow we get in NH). I watch the fat intake and % of carbs in all that I eat. I am a chocoholic and do drink here and there. Last year I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes. I was depressed and shocked! Diabetes is not know in either side of my family. My weight is perfect and I even did some modeling in the past. Goes to show that anyone can get this disease. I have hypo and hyper-glycemic pre-diabetes. I now do aerobics 5 days a week instead of 3 and monitor my blood sugar every morning. I am much more strick with my sugar intake and eat nothing WHITE. When I have a drink now I use Bacardi Superior. I drink Bacardi with diet soda and sometimes blend it with ice, frozen berries, splenda and diet soda. Fantastic! I will not let this disease get me!
Posted by: katherine darling | March 9, 2008 12:33 PM
I have a 19-year-old son who got type I diabetes at the age of 7. He's started binge drinking with his friends. I'm not sure how much, but I think he might consume as much as 10 beers a night on occasion. I'm scared to death for him and he won't listen to me. He says he knows all the complications and is very careful to check his blood sugars, probably obsessively. I'm worried about immediate consequences and also long-term complications. Any ideas for me?
Posted by: Rebecca Pearson | June 27, 2008 05:45 PM
I am trying to get a recipe that was on your show on June 15,2008.
It had cabbage, potatoes, and onions.
Posted by: Ray Greene | June 30, 2008 02:23 PM