D blog week day 4

Yesterday we opened up about how diabetes can bring us down. Today let’s share what gets us through a hard day.  Or more specifically, a hard diabetes day.  Is there something positive you tell yourself?  Are there mantras that you fall back on to get you through?  Is there something specific you do when your mood needs a boost?  Maybe we've done that and we can help others do it too? (Thanks to Meri of Our Diabetic Life for suggesting this topic.)


After writing yesterday's post and reading many other blogs, I admit I was feeling a little down.  So today its time to look at the other side of the coin. There are many things I do to get though a hard day.  The one time I seem to be able to forget about diabetes is when I am exercising.  I go to a Dance Fit class (think Zumba on steroids, with planks, burpees, jacks, free weights, jump squats and more).  I think my brain doesn't have time to think about anything else during that hour. 
  
  But the one thing that gets me through a hard day more than anything is when I hear M say "I love you Mama!"

D blog day three. What brings me down

Our topic for today is What Brings Me Down.  May is Mental Health Month so now seems like a great time to explore the emotional side of living with, or caring for someone with, diabetes. What things can make dealing with diabetes an emotional issue for you and / or your loved one, and how do you cope? (Thanks go out to Scott of Strangely Diabetic for coordinating this topic.)




  Diabetes has been in our house for a little over a year know.  I am much better emotionally now than I was a year ago.  However there are still those times when diabetes brings me down. Here are a few.

When I think that less than 100 years ago T1D was a death sentence.

When I think what life would be like without my sweet girl.


When I think that in some parts of the world T1D is still a death sentence.


 When my daughter has to come out of dance class because she feels low.


 When I have to explain to my daughter that right now is not a good time to eat a certain treat because
     her blood sugar is too high.
 
When I am looking up carb counts on my phone at a restaurant and people assume I am being rude.

When I look at pictures of her before diagnosis.  (In fact I haven't gotten back to scrapbooking because of  
      this)

When I think of future complications.

When my 8 year old is already worried about leaving home to go to college because of her diabetes.

When I realize that in 10 years or so I will not longer be dealing with T1D, but my sweet girl will have to
    deal with it the rest of her life.
         

D-blog week day 2...Wild Card, Tell me a story

   Today's original prompt was to write a piece of poetry about Diabetes.  I decided instead to use one of the wild card topics. I know it says to write about a supply you use every day, but I chose to write about a supply that I hope I never have to use.

Write a short story personifying a diabetes tool you use on a daily basis. A meter, syringe, pump, pill, etc. Give it a personality and a name and let it speak through you. What would it be happy about, upset about, mad about?  (Thank you Heather of Unexpected Blues for this topic.)




   Hello.  Let me introduce myself.  I am one of  my girls many diabetes supplies.  I am the one thing in her bag that she if afraid of.  She simply calls me "the Big Red Shot"  My real name is Glucagon.  Out of every thing that she carries I am the one she has never used.  That does not mean that I am not important.  I know Insulin is the main superhero that she uses, but I consider myself to be a superhero also.  She just hasn't needed me.


   I sit at the ready watching her dance and swim and play.  I get carried in lunch boxes, and purses and backpacks.  I go everywhere that my girl goes.  I have been to school, on field trips, camping and to amusement parks to name a few.  Every once in a while my girl's mom pulls me out of the bag to show me to someone and tell them how to use me in an emergency. 


   Two times this year I was taken out of the bag, ready to assist my girl.  Once was at a swim party when her blood sugar dropped to 33 and the other when when she had a stomach bug.  Both times the every day heroes juice box and glucose tabs saved the day.  But I was ready.   I will always be here watching and ready for my turn to save the day.



  

    




 

D-blog week day 1. Change the world

 This is my second year participating in Diabetes Blog week.  Last year I enjoyed reading everyone's blogs and seeing different opinions and statement on the same topic.  Can't wait to see what is written this year. 

 Day one's prompt is Change the World
   Let’s kick off Diabetes Blog Week by talking about the diabetes causes and issues that really get us fired up. Are you passionate about 504 plans and school safety? Do diabetes misconceptions irk you? Do you fight for CGM coverage for Medicare patients, SDP funding, or test strip accuracy? Do you work hard at creating diabetes connections and bringing support? Whether or not you “formally” advocate for any cause, share the issues that are important to you. (Thanks go out to Kim of Texting my Pancreas for inspiring this topic.)

  Anyone who knows me knows that I am not very outspoken.  I am not one to get "fired up" about things.  But having a daughter, especially a daughter with Type 1 Diabetes has change things.  I will advocate and fight for her and speak up for her, because at this point she cannot do it for herself.

   I fight the insurance company to get the supplies she needs to stay alive and healty.  I am her advocate with the school, making sure she is safe at school, on the bus and at any after school activities.  I educate teachers at school, daycare, dance and Sunday school about Type 1 diabetes so that she will be safe when in their care.  I educate her friend's parent and family members so that they will feel comfortable when she is at their home.   I participate in JDRF fundraisers so hopefully someday there will be a cure.

   I teach my daughter that diabetes cannot stop her.  I teach her to care for herself so that she can be independent.  I teach her that she can do anything and eat anything that she did before diabetes .  I teach her that diabetes is not her fault or my fault or anyone's fault. 

   I may not formally advocate for diabetes, but I feel I advocate and educate every day.  Just on a smaller scale.