A Girl's Reflections

“As another Diabetes Blog Week draws to a close, let’s reflect on some of the great bloggers we’ve found this week. Give some love to three blog posts you’ve read and loved during Diabetes Blog Week, and tell us why they’re worth reading. Or share three blogs you’ve found this week that are new to you.”

This is the last topic, which I am writing a couple of days late. I tried to read as many Diabetes blog week posts, however there are so many of them.

It is going to take me a few weeks to get though all of the blogs. Below are a few of my favourites so far.

Melissa at Sweetly Voiced’s “Podetry” is as creative as it is beautiful.

Disease is never beautiful,
But the human condition is.
Compassion, Dignity, Determination,
Blossoming in adversity.

Reva at TypeONEderful’s diabetes art is amazing

Meri at Our Diabetic Life’s touching poem to her three diabetic sons’ is incredible.

A great big THANK YOU to Karen Graffeo for putting together and hosting for the fourth time, the 2013 Diabetes Blog Week.

Today’s prompts is Diabetes Art -

“This year Diabetes Art moves up from the Wildcard choices as we all channel our creativity with art in the broadest sense. Do some “traditional” art like drawing, painting, collage or any other craft you enjoy. Or look to the literary arts and perhaps write a d-poem or share and discuss a favorite quote. Groove to some musical arts by sharing a song that inspires you diabetes-wise, reworking some song lyrics with a d-twist, or even writing your own song. Don’t forget dramatic arts too, perhaps you can create a diabetes reality show or play. These are just a starting point today – there are no right or wrong ways to get creative!”

Carbohydrates & Insulin – A Diabetes Story, is what I call this picture.

Today is Freaky Friday –

Just like in the movie, today we’re doing a swap. If you could switch chronic diseases, which one would you choose to deal with instead of diabetes? And while we’re considering other chronic conditions, do you think your participation in the DOC has affected how you treat friends and acquaintances with other medical conditions? (Thanks to Jane of Jane K. Dickinson, RN, PhD, CDE and Bob of T Minus Two for this topic suggestion.)”

Whenever I pass by or I’m dealing with another person, I try to remember the saying – Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

I believe all chronic diseases come with their own unique set of challenges. I cannot see myself switching chronic diseases because I do not wish type 1 diabetes on anyone.

I decided to do the next best thing and go in search of how others live with their chronic disease. I found this YouTube video by Hank Green, in which he talks about living with ulcerative colitis and how extremely lucky he feels for having the support of family and friends and his Internet community.

Take a moment and watch the video.

I spent the decade following my diabetes diagnosis hating diabetes. I did not ask “why me” or feel sorry for myself, I just hated diabetes.

However, hating diabetes made me hate myself.

I was diagnosed as an adult and I thought I knew who I was. Unfortunately, who I was, was wrapped within the commercial sense of “love yourself”, because “you are worth it”.

You know, like the TV commercial that tell you to reward and indulge your successes and good deeds. I grew up equating that with self-love.

Diabetes management was easy in the beginning. My health care team praised me, they told me they wished all their patients were like me. I was their star. Great numbers made me feel good about myself and my team made me feel special.

Then slowly diabetes got a lot harder to manage, I became one of those patients, and I was not a star anymore. I felt bad about myself, I felt like a failure.

How can I love myself when I hate a part of me?

I needed to value all of me, including diabetes. I needed to cultivate a respect habit, everything I do, I needed to do with care. The quality of my actions matter, I try to pick up and put down my diabetes care tools with respect.

I try to test my blood sugar purposely and respectfully.

I endeavor to respect every supply I buy, use and dispose of. There is a choice in every diabetes moment, between acting out of love, or out of fear.

Learning and continuing to act with love toward diabetes is my big and small accomplishment.

Today’s prompt is – Accomplishment, big and small

“We don’t always realize it, but each one of us had come a long way since diabetes first came into our life. It doesn’t matter if it’s been 5 weeks, 5 years or 50 years, you’ve done something outstanding diabetes-wise. So today let’s share the greatest accomplishment you’ve made in terms of dealing with your (or your loved one’s) diabetes. No accomplishment is too big or too small – think about self-acceptance, something you’ve mastered (pump / exercise / diet / etc.), making a tough care decision (finding a new endo or support group / choosing to use or not use a technology / etc.). (Thanks to Hilary of Rainie and Me for this topic suggestion.)”

There is nothing I love more than to travel and explore. I love getting lost in someone else’s city. It was during one of our travels to London that we decided to hop a cheap flight to Paris for a day.

I was so over joyed I could barely sleep the night before we caught our 6am flight. We were in front of the Champs-Elysees before 9am Parisian time, blending in with commuters and tourist we headed east towards La Place de la Concorde.

I was beyond excited.

The crisp autumn morning slowly began to warm; I took my scarf off and soon after took off my jacket. We walked and talked mapping out our day as we went.

I started to sweat, still smiling ear-to-ear and filled with excitement, I noticed everyone around including my travel companion was still bundled up.

“How come everyone is cold when it is so hot?”

As I asked the question I suddenly realized I was having a low blood sugar episode. My hypoglycemia symptoms were completely masked by my excitement.

A bottle of Orangina and crepe Nutella later I felt, as cold as everyone else, my scarf and jacket were back on and Paris, for that day was our oyster.

That day is my most memorable diabetes day. Today’s prompt is Memories –

“Today we’re going to share our most memorable diabetes day. You can take this anywhere…. your or your loved one’s diagnosis, a bad low, a bad high, a big success, any day that you’d like to share. (Thanks to Jasmine of Silver-Lined for this topic suggestion.)”