1. The illness I live with is: type 1 diabetes
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: October 28, 2008
3. But I had symptoms since: umm, probably months before, since at diagnosis my fasting sugar was 690 . . . but I didn't notice symptoms until about a month before.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: needles - I still hate them, but I'm much more used to them than I was three years ago (no crying anymore!)
5. Most people assume: that I can't eat anything with sugar. Or that my pump regulates my sugar for me.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: getting out of bed (absolutely nothing to do with the 'betes, just something I really don't like - although I've been better at that here in Florence)
7. My favorite medical TV show is: Grey's Anatomy - I'm considering getting a season pass on iTunes
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: umm, definitely my pump. While it doesn't automatically regulate my sugars, it does make my ability to regulate them ten times better and more precise.
9. The hardest part about nights are: worrying that I'll be too high or way too low in the mornings - I don't always worry, but when I do I end up setting my alarm for various times throughout the night just to double-check. I think I build it up in my mind more when I think about not having anyone living with me, and who would notice if something terrible happened and I couldn't summon help.
10. Each day I take 0 pills & 0 vitamins. But I infuse insulin 24/7 through the pump. And I'm thinking maybe I should start taking vitamins. . . . Thoughts? Comments? Recommendations?
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: Hmm, well, I know that keeping myself healthy (mentally and physically) helps me with my sugars and with my commitment to keeping it in control, BUT, there's not actually an alternative to insulin, which is sort of the problem. . . Keep up those trials - things keep improving.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Invisible. I like that I get to control who knows, and when they know. Right now I wear my pump visibly, and I'm happy about that, but I also like that if I want I can hide it, and hide signs of being diabetic. I thought about this recently as I went on some all-day job interviews and made the decision to keep the diabetes hidden. While I hope that it would not be a hiring determiner, since I can keep that off the table, I chose to.
13. Regarding working and career: In terms of interfering with my work, it doesn't, really. I took more sick time in the last two years than before the diagnosis - some of which had to do with the trial I was a part of. I think it has made me more interested in Health Promotion, which is part of my job, so that's good. Also, when there are students with diabetes, we identify together and can go through the trials and tribulations of the 'betes together. Which is especially nice here in Florence, and we have one student who is also Type 1.
14. People would be surprised to know: umm, I don't think that people would be surprised about anything, I'm pretty open about all aspects of it - sorry if I'm too open! - But I find that people are always surprised when they first learn that I've only been diabetic for just under three years. I was a late bloomer in the Type 1 world. :) Oh, and that I HATE the way my tummy looks with the pump inset on it - I'm actually kind of happy that I will have fewer occasions to wear a bathing suit than in Florida.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: that it won't ever go away. I resent that. While for the most part it's fine being diabetic, there are times when I get really frustrated that this will be a lifelong thing.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: be a healthier person (in a sense) - I go to the doctor more regularly; have had my eyesight checked three times!; and eat less food that is crap for me (because it is also usually high in sugar). So that's a good thing. Also moving to a foreign country - although I haven't actually started navigating the health insurance program yet, so we'll see if I take back that part!
17. The commercials about my illness: irritating and/or irrelevant because they only seem to be marketed for Type 2 diabetics
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: making my own insulin :) - no really, it's being able to indulge in some candy or cake without doing mental math, also being able to go about my daily activities without carrying around an arsenal of gear - oh for the days of leaving the house with just a wallet and keys, or even a small purse!
19. It was really hard to have to give up: small purses - see 18 - not a big deal, but minorly irritating
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: umm, I haven't . . . is there some kind of diabetes hobby group that I'm not privy to? Can I join?
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: spend the day not thinking about it, eating lots of little tastes of sugary goodness
22. My illness has taught me: to appreciate the health you have
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: Anything telling me what to do (or eat or . . . ) Hey, want to know a secret? I CAN. I can eat what I like, I just need to be conscious - and use moderation.
24. But I love it when people: love me for me, and not because of or despite diabetes.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: "Hate the diabetes. Love the diabetic" (written on the t-shirts of a team participating in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation walk - thanks Rita, for getting me one!)
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: that it gets better, and better. And that life can still be normal and awesome and a-mazing.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: that not as many people actually know what diabetes is, and what the difference is between Type 1 and Type 2 - having a parent with diabetes skewed my perception of what was normal to know about the disease.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: bake me a sugar-free cake for the birthday just after I was diagnosed.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: Honestly, I've never really written about diabetes, and I wanted to.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: that you're an awesome blog follower - Thanks!!
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: October 28, 2008
3. But I had symptoms since: umm, probably months before, since at diagnosis my fasting sugar was 690 . . . but I didn't notice symptoms until about a month before.
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: needles - I still hate them, but I'm much more used to them than I was three years ago (no crying anymore!)
5. Most people assume: that I can't eat anything with sugar. Or that my pump regulates my sugar for me.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: getting out of bed (absolutely nothing to do with the 'betes, just something I really don't like - although I've been better at that here in Florence)
7. My favorite medical TV show is: Grey's Anatomy - I'm considering getting a season pass on iTunes
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: umm, definitely my pump. While it doesn't automatically regulate my sugars, it does make my ability to regulate them ten times better and more precise.
9. The hardest part about nights are: worrying that I'll be too high or way too low in the mornings - I don't always worry, but when I do I end up setting my alarm for various times throughout the night just to double-check. I think I build it up in my mind more when I think about not having anyone living with me, and who would notice if something terrible happened and I couldn't summon help.
10. Each day I take 0 pills & 0 vitamins. But I infuse insulin 24/7 through the pump. And I'm thinking maybe I should start taking vitamins. . . . Thoughts? Comments? Recommendations?
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: Hmm, well, I know that keeping myself healthy (mentally and physically) helps me with my sugars and with my commitment to keeping it in control, BUT, there's not actually an alternative to insulin, which is sort of the problem. . . Keep up those trials - things keep improving.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Invisible. I like that I get to control who knows, and when they know. Right now I wear my pump visibly, and I'm happy about that, but I also like that if I want I can hide it, and hide signs of being diabetic. I thought about this recently as I went on some all-day job interviews and made the decision to keep the diabetes hidden. While I hope that it would not be a hiring determiner, since I can keep that off the table, I chose to.
13. Regarding working and career: In terms of interfering with my work, it doesn't, really. I took more sick time in the last two years than before the diagnosis - some of which had to do with the trial I was a part of. I think it has made me more interested in Health Promotion, which is part of my job, so that's good. Also, when there are students with diabetes, we identify together and can go through the trials and tribulations of the 'betes together. Which is especially nice here in Florence, and we have one student who is also Type 1.
14. People would be surprised to know: umm, I don't think that people would be surprised about anything, I'm pretty open about all aspects of it - sorry if I'm too open! - But I find that people are always surprised when they first learn that I've only been diabetic for just under three years. I was a late bloomer in the Type 1 world. :) Oh, and that I HATE the way my tummy looks with the pump inset on it - I'm actually kind of happy that I will have fewer occasions to wear a bathing suit than in Florida.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: that it won't ever go away. I resent that. While for the most part it's fine being diabetic, there are times when I get really frustrated that this will be a lifelong thing.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: be a healthier person (in a sense) - I go to the doctor more regularly; have had my eyesight checked three times!; and eat less food that is crap for me (because it is also usually high in sugar). So that's a good thing. Also moving to a foreign country - although I haven't actually started navigating the health insurance program yet, so we'll see if I take back that part!
17. The commercials about my illness: irritating and/or irrelevant because they only seem to be marketed for Type 2 diabetics
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: making my own insulin :) - no really, it's being able to indulge in some candy or cake without doing mental math, also being able to go about my daily activities without carrying around an arsenal of gear - oh for the days of leaving the house with just a wallet and keys, or even a small purse!
19. It was really hard to have to give up: small purses - see 18 - not a big deal, but minorly irritating
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: umm, I haven't . . . is there some kind of diabetes hobby group that I'm not privy to? Can I join?
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: spend the day not thinking about it, eating lots of little tastes of sugary goodness
22. My illness has taught me: to appreciate the health you have
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: Anything telling me what to do (or eat or . . . ) Hey, want to know a secret? I CAN. I can eat what I like, I just need to be conscious - and use moderation.
24. But I love it when people: love me for me, and not because of or despite diabetes.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: "Hate the diabetes. Love the diabetic" (written on the t-shirts of a team participating in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation walk - thanks Rita, for getting me one!)
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: that it gets better, and better. And that life can still be normal and awesome and a-mazing.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: that not as many people actually know what diabetes is, and what the difference is between Type 1 and Type 2 - having a parent with diabetes skewed my perception of what was normal to know about the disease.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: bake me a sugar-free cake for the birthday just after I was diagnosed.
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: Honestly, I've never really written about diabetes, and I wanted to.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: that you're an awesome blog follower - Thanks!!
Ok, so being diabetic in Florence:
I've actually found that I use less insulin now than when I was in Florida. And I think that there are quite a few reasons for this. One, I walk EVERYWHERE, and walking lowers my sugar. Also, portions seem to be smaller here than in the states. And finally, I haven't really gone grocery shopping for real, so I don't have things to snack on, which are usually sugary - at least in part.
As I mentioned above, I have yet to go through the process to become part of the Italian healthcare system. I should be able to start it this upcoming week. In order to do so, I must be an official resident of Florence, which means I need a paystub to show that I pay taxes here - I just got my first paycheck yesterday (yay!) so I can go to do that this week. Then, a police officer will pay an unscheduled visit to my apartment to make sure I actually do live here, and then I'll be a resident. Then, I can go register in the healthcare system and go about getting an endocrinologist. Good thing I brought months of supplies with me when I came.
The only other thing is getting used to a new group of colleagues that don't know about me and my diabetes. Everyone at Lynn was so good and knew lots about it, like what I'm like when I'm low, and what I need, and also that I can eat what I like, as long as I'm aware. There's a lot of sensitivity around the 'betes here, and I think (hope) that it's just because they don't know all of these things yet.
#2. coming up on your 3 year, congrats on coming so far since then! especially on #4, I'll always remember doctor's appointments with you as a kiddo :'(
ReplyDelete#6. just blame it on the betes ;)
#10. i take a multi vitamin. not sure what good it does but i haven't been sick in a while
#13. sweet that you have another type 1 student - will they be able to do the same health care as you?
#15. see #16, sometimes these things are blessings in disguise - seems like there are serious pros...
#20. becoming an insulin expert isn't a hobby? recording blood sugars? i think that's enough there, but becoming more active in other newly diagnosed type 1s could be a good next thing to do! (#26)
#22. for real
#24. i love you for you
#30. yes, yes i am. you are welcome
I can only imagine how hard it is to have a chronic/permanent disease that requires as much thought as diabetes. But you are doing what’s best for yourself and you never know how this has changed your life for the better, albeit frustrating and time consuming and worrying at times, so way to go – you can do this, Tricko!