Learning to Limit

Sometimes Type One can be very overwhelming. I know this as a fact both in our life with diabetes, and many other T1Ds that I've communicated with.

This put me to thinking . . . What are some ways one can limit their diabetes?

First, let me establish an important point. Limiting one's diabetes has nothing to do with diabetic care. When we quit using insulin or we neglect to monitor our blood sugars- it a simple fact: we (any Type One Diabetic) will die. T1Ds are not insulin-resistant, but insulin-dependent. It makes a big difference.

Okay, so now for my "limiting diabetes, live-life somewhat normal" idea.

The first step to limiting the diabetic overload: "Do what you love".

For me, this is running. I know that sounds simple, but it ends up being rather complicated. When I go for a simple four mile run it entails 4 blood sugar tests, eating an average of 12 glucose tabs throughout the run, suspending my pump, and closely monitoring my blood sugars for the rest of the day. I love running! It helps me think, helps relieve stress, and helps me feel normal. Though it takes a lot of extra management, it's worth the effort. 

Second step to limiting the diabetic overload: "Take it one day at a time"

When you look ahead of today, you will be overloaded by the enormity of the disease. It's lifelong, difficult, and painful- both mentally and physically. Learning to take diabetes one day at a time will prove to help in "stress-management". All you have to get through- is today.

Third step to limiting the diabetic overload: "Never stop Hoping"

This past week I have heard a good bit about new advances in endocrinological research. Some people see the new bionic/artificial-pancreas as functional within three years, however, other researchers see that as a full lifetime before it can truly be realistic. Frankly, I have no idea who to believe. Whether it is a cure- or a bionic pancreas, one thing I do know is that miracles do happen, God is in control, and that nothing is impossible. 

Sure, some researchers say such feats of science are impossible- but so did the critics of Frederick Banting . . . 

and he discovered insulin.

It isn't skin deep

Many people view Type One as a disease that has already been cured. 

This is an unfortunate mishap that we have encountered, and now live with. I would like to believe it is in my imagination, but the "mishap" was told to me by a pediatrician.

A major part of Type One that people often miss is that there is more than what we see on the surface.

Type One isn't skin-deep. It's not something you "get over" and it's not something that "goes away."

There is no simple fix.

T1D isn't just blood testing, shots, new sites, fresh insulin . . . those are obviously a vital part of "being a pancreas," but diabetes management far surpasses these externals. 

There is a emotional side and a mental side: continual stress that never ends.

Every day living with Type One is full of repetitive tweaking and adjusting insulin dosages, rollercoastering blood sugar levels, and adapting to the physical affects of bad blood sugars.

There is a constant dread of a low blood sugar during the night, a high blood sugar when taking a test in college, a low or high blood sugar while driving a car, constant ketones that threaten to hospitalize, bad sites that skyrocket blood sugars, warm insulin from being in the sun - the list goes on and on . . .

My point is: Type One isn't cured. Insulin is an incredible tool, just like

a meter or pump - but it can't end here. 

 

One day I hope to be able to say the same thing as 3,000,000 other T1Ds,

"I had Type One Diabetes."

A Daily Choice

Type One takes away from you . . .  it is natural. 

Type One would like to consume our hopes, ambitions, plans, future, happiness... the list is endless. 

Every day is a choice.

Every time we bleed a finger, insert a port, give a shot, or correct a high or low - we are in a place of decision.

 

Every time we are discouraged, hurting, overwhelmed, or emotionally spent - we are in a place of decision. 

 

Yet, Type One can be both positive or negative.

Type One can provide the fuel to help others - to reach out. It provides the purpose to meet other incredible humans who battle the same disease every day!

What I mean by "fuel" is to give energy and motivation to do more! It can either fuel one to reach out, or prevent them from taking those steps to go forward. Diabetes is the fuel that can make one stronger or weaker. It is fuel that can provide empathy towards other hurting people, or sometimes hurt you.

 

The choice is simple, yet complex;

 

daily, yet lifelong.

 

The choice. . . is yours.  

 

 A bit of inspiration ;)

The Gift of Today

So here is my first guest post! How fitting that it be written by the one who never stops giving to the Type One Trio. My mom is truly amazing! I hope you enjoy her post as much as I have! :)

 

Four years ago, if someone would have told me I would be writing about type one diabetes- I would have laughed.  That I would be writing about my 3 type one children would have been shockingly unbelievable. 

And yet here I am…here we are.

I am the mother of 5 precious children; four boys, and a girl at the end. 

Our three youngest were diagnosed with type one in three years.  More of my children have it, than don’t.  A statistic that is still overwhelming.

This is a “club” that no one wants to join,

A road no one would choose to go down,

A new normal that never goes away and is constantly changing.

So how do we do it?

We do today.

This is our life now.  It is our story.  Most importantly it is God’s story.

As a mother, I want to protect my children from pain. To shield them from the weight of life… at least until they are older. To fix what is wrong.

Diabetes has shifted my thinking.  I can no longer protect them from pain- it is now a constant companion. 

I can’t delete diabetes from their lives - it is here to stay.

I can’t make this road an easy one - because it stinks.

How do we do today, you may ask.

One step at a time- One finger poke at a time- One blood sugar reading-  One treatment of lows or highs . . .

One day at a time.  One hour at a time.  Sometimes, even one minute at a time.

There is only enough grace for the next step.  If we shine the light to the future, we would all crumble. 

It is too big.

We show love minute by minute. 

You see- love bridges.

It carries the one that is down.

It changes our perspective.

It laughs at things that used to cause us fear.

It believes in a higher purpose.

It is thankful that you have a child that is living, even with a chronic life long disease.

Love is seeing purpose even when surrounded by pain.

It is reminding us that God is good.  Even when He chooses things we don’t understand.

Today is a gift.  One to cherish and be thankful for- no matter what the circumstances. 

That is how we do today.

We take the next step.

And we don’t look back.