As with most things in life, it is easier to see the negative in yourself and diabetes is no exception. I have many weaknesses and strengths. In fairness I will list an equal number of each, and end with the strengths.
Weaknesses
- Bolusing 15 minutes before eating. This is HARD, and not just when eating out. Even at home I have a tendency to bolus as I'm walking to the table with my plate. I want to make sure I know the amount of carbs I'm going to be eating, and the best way to figure that is to have my plate filled first. That creates the problem of sitting there while everyone else is eating and my food is getting cold. So I bolus right as we start to eat.
- Carb counting. This is HARD. I've taken the classes. I've studied the books. I've read every label in my house and I still S.W.A.G. it most of the time. One of the items that really throws me for a loop is homemade bread. I make the bread for my family (ok.. that sounds way better than it really is. I throw the ingredients in my bread machine and hit start. Three hours later.. voila!) and my bread machine doesn't attach a label telling me the carb count, nor does my cutting skills make the same size slice each time.
- Logging my numbers. To be truthful, I don't do this at all. Between my meter, my pump, and my CGM they are all basically logged for me, right?
- Keeping supplies on hand. This may sound simple, and it truly is, but oh so nice. A couple years ago I had the great privilege of switching insurance companies right after having my three month's supply of insulin, test strips, and pump supplies filled. This meant I had to get new prescriptions for everything BUT I could get them filled right away without there being a delay because of the "too soon to reorder" issue. There are times it is tempting to let my reorder slide a little longer because of what I have on hand, but then I remind myself that there may be a time when I can't get them or afford them. By having a good stockpile I feel I'm a little better prepared.
- Keeping my doctor appointments. I hate going to the doctor as much as anyone. Even though I always have my book and my phone with me to keep my occupied while waiting, I still hate the wait. There are a couple doctors I REALLY don't like to go to. For the most part, they are nice, but I just don't like it. The eye doctor for instance. Dr. I is pleasant and thorough, but oh so monotone.
- Changing my infusion site every three days. Ok.. this one is a cheater strength (but not logging numbers was a cheater weakness.. so fair is fair). We're supposed to change sites every three days no matter what. It helps prevent scar tissue, and absorption issues, and darker than necessary funky tan lines from the tape (it's summer now). Right now, I go through a full cartridge in my pump every three days, give or take a few hours depending on the occasion.
