Why is “D” so isolating?

I think that the “diabetes blogosphere” (aka the O.C.) has really taken off, and is growing every day. It’s great. I can’t tell you all how much I enjoy reading all that people share, and there is a connection with almost each and every blog and post.

For me, diabetes can be very isolating. My family (both immediate and extended) are great, very supportive and understanding. But, there is a special connection that happens when you compare stories with another person who has diabetes.

Stories about low blood sugars that are very scary, but for some strange reason we can look back on them and chuckle. Centennial lancet changes, and stories about just how many boxes of lancets we have collected over the years. Stories about “oh shit” scenarios, and how we somehow managed to pull through them. Shared frustrations on how we are doing everything “right” but our numbers just won’t cooperate. Battles with depression about the never-ending physical, mental and social demands that diabetes forces onto us. The list could go on and on.

I think we can connect with each other because we have ourselves experienced many of the same issues, or issues similar enough that we can easily relate.

Diabetes is isolating to me, and I’m willing to bet that I’m not alone in feeling that way. We each carry one hell of a burden, and no one can help us bear that.

It is a nice feeling to connect with others that bear a similar load.