Got a message the other week from an old friend from my younger carefree days. She was upset,scared and worried she had just been told she was T-2. She asked about helpful websites what was the first to pop into my head? DING DING DING you guessed it Tudiabetes. I was amazed at the actual information I was able to give her about T-2. I think the first question I asked was family history of T-2. Followed by things like "Did you have gestational diabetes with your kids?","Have you ruled out LADA since you don't fit the standard profile of a T-2?","Did you get a GAD or CPEP test?","PCOS?". I felt a little bad like I might have been asking to much personal information but made a point of telling her this are questions she needed to ask her doctor as well as herself.
She later told me that her doctor was holding off on prescribing her a meter because the Metformin might just do the trick. Told her she should demand a meter that she should demand control. That diabetes of all types was about self management and self control, without a meter you truly can only guess at your control as a person new to diabetes she needed to see not only how her medicine was doing but how things like food and exercise affected her blood sugar levels. Warned her tonight that if the Metformin is not keeping her in range they may put her Lantus.
Its funny I at first didn't think that I could be much help to her, due to being T-1 but the information I have learned from the people here just poured out. Not only information but the desire to help and support. It has reinforced an idea that has been floating in my head for a few months about switching majors from Social Work to Nursing and then getting certified as a CDE, still have yet to look into KY's standards for CDE certification but for once my state is ahead of the game. in some ways. Of course the NCBDE is not a fan of KY's licencing regulations and hopefully they and the state will come to an agreement. I know as a social worker I can get certified but I had considered nursing in the past as well as it being a 2 or 4 year degree over needing a Masters.
Going back to the shock of being a T-1 helping a new T-2 it has also got me thinking about some of the negative interaction between T-1s and T-2s. We have all seen the flame war, the we want our own name/condition etc. At times yes it can be a bit frustrating, but people need to think do cancer patients get upset when you just say cancer. Let also not forget those with Diabetes Insipidus you don't hear about them getting angry at all of us.