My hubby's opinion

Have you ever wondered how your choice of diabetes care affects your other half? Maybe you discussed it with them before you got the pump.. or opted for no pump. Maybe he said, "Whatever you feel works best for you." Either way we know they have an opinion, but do the express it.

We all know that diabetes is a family condition. There isn't one single person living with you that isn't affected by some aspect of it. Be it a super grumpy high or a "clean up the carnage in the kitchen" low, the family feels it too. Plans can be delayed, or changed, because mommy (or daddy or sibling) does not feel good. I know I do everything within my power to be as healthy and in range as possible to maintain as 'normal' of a life as possible. But lets face it, diabetes has a mind of it's own sometimes.

Last night my husband notice the spot on my arm where my last Dexcom sensor was.  It left a bit of a red spot and a small bump.  It had been there for three weeks.  (YES.. 21 days, can you believe it.  WOOHOO!.. Um.. I mean.. not recommended... I digress.)  While we were talking about how long my sensor sites stay on and how long my infusion sites stay on, it dawned on me, I never asked his opinion of all my robotic body parts.  We joke about them, refer to them as family members with given names, talk about how they are moody sometimes, etc.  So I asked him, "How do you feel me having a pump and CGM has personally affected you?"  I prefaced it by saying he couldn't refer to me at all in his answer.  He tried though.  After a couple answers where I was still mentioned, I told him to be utterly selfish and think of only himself.  He finally said, "I like the pump and CGM because it makes things feel more normal, and normal feels good."

Mental Health - Post 21

One of today's suggestions was Mental Health.  This topic could fill many many posts in and of itself.

The mental health field has kept me employed for nearly 17 years.  No.. I'm not a therapist.  Some would say that I cause mental anguish, but that comes with working in accounts receivables.  After all, don't you stress when you get a bill in the mail?  Me too.

When it comes to diabetes and mental health, it surprises me, and yet doesn't surprise me, how much they go hand in hand. 

The first doctor I saw when I was diagnosed left a lot to be desired.  I talked about some of it in my first post, but I also wish she would have told me how much of a mental strain there was going to be.  I mourned the loss of "normal" life as I knew it.  I mourned again when I received my corrected diagnosis, and that is just the initial toll. 

Daily there is emotional and mental issues that go along with having diabetes.  I have beat myself up a few times because I could have chosen something better for lunch, or failed to remember my supplies when I knew I'd be running out of insulin before lunch.  We've all been there. 

Daily there is the emotional and mental issues that our Type Awesome's have to deal with also.  I can't count how many times I've overheard my husband talking to someone about how he wished it would have been him and not me.  Or how he wishes there was something more he could do. 

The mental toll of having a chronic condition can be heavy, but with the loving support of family and friends we can make it.

Veteran's Day - Post 11

One of today's post suggestions was to write about a favorite thing that is not health-related but likely improves my life.  Today is also Veteran's Day in the United States. 

First and foremost I want to say Thank You to all veteran's who have served their country, be it the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia or any other country.  There is a special place in my heart for anyone who has and is willing to put their lives on the line for someone else.

My family has a long line of military members.  Both my maternal grandparents, my paternal grandfather, a great uncle, my brother, my husband, my husband's father and his step-father all served.  They represent the Army (6), Navy (1), and Marines (1).  My daughter has been a member of her high school's AFJROTC (Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) for four years.  Many of her friends, and kids that have called me Mama Bear, have joined the military.  One just recently returned home after graduating Marine Corps boot camp.  It was so much fun to listen to him and my husband compare stories.  There may have been decades difference in time, but the stories are the same.

As a small token of appreciation a flag is presented to the next of kin at the funeral or memorial service of any veteran.  I have been given the great honor of being 'Keeper of the Flags' for the family.


Left to right: Maternal Grandfather (Navy), Maternal Grandmother (Army), Father-in-law (Army), Paternal Grandfather (Army), Paternal Great Uncle (Army), Step Father-in-Law (Army).

The Veterans in my life have improved and protected my life in more ways than I can count, and they will always do so.  I will never be able to fully express my gratitude for the sacrifice that each and every member of the military has given.  I just hope and pray they know.

My prayer for today is that each and every member of the armed service is kept safe and that each and every member of their family knows how thankful we are for their sacrifice as well. 

My #ListOf3 - Post 5

My "List of 3" things I'm thankful for was actually given to me by a very very dear friend of mine back in high school.  I have fallen back on this list of three many times and have shared it, with some modification, with many people.  Over the years, each item has changed as to why I'm thankful for it, but never has it fallen off the list. (WARNING: I get a little sentimental at the end.. you might need a tissue.)

1. I'm alive - Never can that be a more thankful thing than after being diagnosed with a chronic illness/disease/condition.  I am thankful every morning when I wake up that I'm still alive to be there for my daughter.  Being able to be there for her and watch her grown into the beautiful, special, talented, and totally awesome young woman that she is turning out to be is a complete blessing in and of itself.  I'm alive by the Grace of God and the miracles of medicine.  For that I am eternally greatful. 
2. The sun is shining - This is one thing that can be taken for granted so easily.  In light of the recent hurricane (bad Sandy) and other storms that have hit/will hit, I am thankful everyday for the sunshine.  In the middle of August when my thermometer says 118, it may be a little harder to be thankful for that same sun, but I just remind myself of those times when it felt like the sun would never come back out and I would never be warm.
3. I love my husband - I love my husband and I am thankful I do.  Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful that he loves me too, but that isn't in my top three.  This is the one thing that has changed the most since I was diagnosed.  I loved my husband dearly before, but I love him even more now.  I love him when he's laying on the kitchen floor with me waiting for a low to come up.  I love him when he's calling me every hour while I'm at work because I had a glucoaster the day before and he is worried.  I love him when he offers to pick me up a box or 6 of my favorite Oreo cookies at Christmas time (the white fudge covered Oreos only come out at Christmas and they ARE. THE. BEST.), even though he knows they will mess with my levels he knows I deserve a treat sometimes.  I love him when he shares stories about seeing someone with a pump or about correcting an untruth he overheard.  I am thankful that I love him and that he is mine to love.