I was just wondering some interesting things that people have experienced or learned about themselves or anything since being diagnosed!
Since I was diagnosed 2 1/2 months ago, I’ve already learned a lot of things…
Having an Italian boyfriend is not the best mix with a diabetic! (Italian = Pasta, Pasta = BAD!) I still love him though!
Being a perfectionist and having to do insulin injections sucks! Everything needs to be perfect before I do it!
McDonalds ice cream does not raise my blood sugar at ALL (I am usually about a 5.0 after!)
Everything else from McDonalds does, and it is TOTALLY not worth it
I’m so much healthier because I am eating a lot better, and I know I wouldn’t have been able to change my lifestyle so much if my health didn’t depend on it.
I always get to eat dinner first, because everyone is scared I will go low too fast after injecting!
I can’t go anywhere for more than 3 hours because my body goes all wacky and I need to eat
I am a hell of a lot stronger than anyone I know!!
Diabetics lead two different lives, the real one like everyone else, and a metabolic one that takes way more time than one might think. And it all goes on in the background while you’re trying to accomplish one of life’s errands. Can you imagine what most of the non-diabetic world would think if they could hear your thought process when you calculate an insulin dose for a meal?
We’re talking insulin:carb ratio, insulin sensitivity factor, nutritional composition and portion size, whether alcohol is factored in, any corrective doses needed, immediate vs. extended pump boluses, insulin onset, peak, duration, pre-bolusing, and whether you’re planning any exercise after the meal!
And then consider all the mundane paraphernalia that you have to have on hand at any given moment in any given day: insulin, insulin pump, extra syringes, pump batteries, blood glucose meter, extra meter strips, glucose tablets, food bar, CGM remote, and a medical ID bracelet to name an incomplete list.
I have found out that my 15 year old son, dx’d 1 1/2 years ago can roll with the punches when life throws a curve ball at him. From being in a diabetic coma to moving on without missing a beat. I DID ALL THE CRYING!! He wears a pump, a cgm, we weigh load of foods in grams and many times pre-bolus meals while he waits to eat. Life is more difficult now, yet I am so lucky to have strong son that can handle it.
So true Terry, even our closest family (outside our home) can’t grasp the variables my son and I have to consider everyday (even every 15 minutes sometimes!). I know they think, we just over think it, and there is suppose to be some hard, fast answer for all situations!
Hi ChristineLynn, I love the positive spirit in your post. I had a few comments:
Italian = antipasti and most antipasti are low in carb. Buffalo mozzarella and tomato salad, grilled peppers, zucchini and eggplant, salame, prosciutto, artichokes. Yum! Also I like the traditional Italian way of primi and secondi. It’s totally OK to just have antipasti and a secondo and it’s totally normal for the meat/fish secondo to be ordered with a contorno/side dish that is non-starchy veggies.
Being a perfectionist helps with diabetes management
Yay! I think a McDonalds kiddy cone actually contains a surprisingly low level of carbs.
Have you tried throwing out the bun? I actually prefer my new low-carb way of eating BigMacs. Bun-free.
Sounds like you are doing great. I wish you all the best!
Emily - My hat’s off to all parents of young diabetics. I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to try and manage someone else’s metabolism. At least I have the benefit of primary information and 24/7/365 engagement with diabetes. You, on the other hand, have to exercise intuition and detective work just to become aware of the salient facts, let alone trying to figure out a plan of action!
Your job as parent is more than twice as hard as the typical parent but I suspect your potential satisfaction is larger too.
