Find out what Diabetes Blog Week is all about. Check out the topics for each day’s posts, and even see a list of this year’s participants. Thank you, Karen!

The question I’m answering today? What would I most like to see change about diabetes, in any way? OR reflect back on some changes I’ve been through since being diagnosed with diabetes.

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This is a great topic, and my mind goes in so many different directions. Changes with diabetes? Are you kidding? Yes, please!

I don’t have to explain that a lot has changed in the past thirty years with diabetes. We’re making great strides in many areas. We have a better understanding of how diabetes works. We have better ways to check blood sugars. We have more convenient ways to take medicine. It’s all really great, and I’m thankful for it. Really, I am. (more…)

Find out what Diabetes Blog Week is all about. Check out the topics for each day’s posts, and even see a list of this year’s participants. Thank you, Karen!

The question I’m answering today? What’s in my diabetic closet that needs to be cleaned out?

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There are a few different directions I could take here, but I really like the angle around diabetes emotions.

My head is a mess. And I’m afraid to dig in and look at it.

What do I mean? I don’t think I’m sick in the head, but to some degree, I think we’re all a little crazy from living with diabetes. There are things I do, repeatedly, that just don’t make sense logically. Like my unbalanced diet. There are psychological issues at the root of my eating behaviors that I’m just afraid to deal with, even though I know I should.

I think of it like a big, chaotic garage or old basement that needs to be cleaned out. Lots of dark corners full of giant spiders, messy stuff, and things I don’t know what to do with.

Dig in, investigate, shine a light

I worked with some terrific coaches over the years, and I wish everyone could have someone in their corner helping them (somewhat) objectively explore self-improvement.

I learned that it takes a long time.

I learned that there are no shortcuts.

I learned that it is really hard work.

I learned that it can be exhausting.

And I learned that even the darkest, scariest corners of my mental messy garage weren’t that bad once I really got in there and started sorting things out, squashing bugs, and cleaning up debris.

If I slowly attack one messy section of my mind at a time, with reasonable expectations (and asking for help when needed), who knows what my garage might eventually look like…

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This is part of Diabetes Blog Week, where a standard set of prompts encourages a ton of really great blog posts from around the community. Here’s today’s prompt: “Yesterday we kept stuff in, so today let’s clear stuff out.  What is in your diabetic closet that needs to be cleaned out?  This can be an actual physical belonging, or it can be something you’re mentally or emotionally hanging on to.  Why are you keeping it and why do you need to get rid of it?  (Thank you, Rick, of RA Diabetes for this topic suggestion.)”

Find out what Diabetes Blog Week is all about. Check out the topics for each day’s posts, and even see a list of this year’s participants. Thank you, Karen!

The question I’m answering today? What aspects of diabetes do I choose to keep private from the internet?

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My friend Bennet says that your diabetes may vary, and I agree 100%. With that in mind, I work very hard to keep clear of personal dosing, ratios, factors, rates, calculations, or any other sort of things that sometimes work for me, but might be dangerous for other people.

I am blessed to know a lot of people living with diabetes, and I’ve seen that we all manage in very different ways. It’s amazing, really. And sometimes it sheds some light on why we might collectively drive the endocrine society crazy.

But it’s also really beautiful, and I’m really beginning to appreciate that.

Thank you, Bennet, for giving us all such an easy way to describe such a very difficult idea.

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This is part of Diabetes Blog Week, where a standard set of prompts encourages a ton of really great blog posts from around the community. Here’s today’s prompt: “Many of us share lots of aspects of our diabetes lives online for the world to see.  What are some of the aspects of diabetes that you choose to keep private from the internet?  Or from your family and friends?  Why is it important to keep it to yourself?  (This is not an attempt to get you out of your comfort zone.  There is no need to elaborate or tell personal stories related to these aspects.  Simply let us know what kinds of stories we will never hear you tell, and why you won’t tell them.) (Thank you Scott E of Rolling in the D for this topic.)”

Find out what Diabetes Blog Week is all about. Check out the topics for each day’s posts, and even see a list of this year’s participants. Thank you, Karen!

The question I’m answering today? What have I done that I’ve been particularly proud of?

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Over the past few years, I’ve accomplished some major things that I’m very proud of. But what I’m most proud of might surprise you.

I learned to run, then ran some races (an 8k with Gary Scheiner, then a half marathon with Dana Lewis).

I won some prestigious awards.

I rode my bike for 102 miles in a single day.

And I celebrated 35-years of living well with type 1 diabetes.

I’m very proud of every one of these things. But most proud? No. What I’m most proud of is…

Fighting the little fights

What I’m most proud of is fighting the little fights that make up these big accomplishments.

The little runs that built up to running an 8k and then a half-marathon. The little rides that built up to riding 102 miles. The day-by-day grind that built up to a week with diabetes, then a month, then a year, then a decade, then three decades.

I’m most proud of pushing forward a little bit each day.

I’m most proud of not giving up when that would be the easy thing to do, and when nobody is watching.

I’m most proud of the hard work I do every day.

I’m most proud of working hard even when I’m scared, afraid, and uncertain.

I’m most proud of fighting the little fights.

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This is part of Diabetes Blog Week, where a standard set of prompts encourages a ton of really great blog posts from around the community. Here’s today’s prompt: “In the UK, there was a diabetes blog theme of “I can…” that participants found wonderfully empowering. So let’s kick things off this year by looking at the positive side of our lives with diabetes. What have you or your loved one accomplished, despite having diabetes, that you weren’t sure you could? Or what have you done that you’ve been particularly proud of? Or what good thing has diabetes brought into your life? (Thank you to the anonymous person who submitted this topic suggestion.)”

Topic for today:

Click for the Accomplishments Big and Small -Thursday 5/16 Link List
We don’t always realize it, but each one of us had come a long way since diabetes first came into our life. It doesn’t matter if it’s been 5 weeks, 5 years or 50 years, you’ve done something outstanding diabetes-wise. So today let’s share the greatest accomplishment you’ve made in terms of dealing with your (or your loved one’s) diabetes. No accomplishment is too big or too small – think about self-acceptance, something you’ve mastered (pump / exercise / diet / etc.), making a tough care decision (finding a new endo or support group / choosing to use or not use a technology / etc.). (Thanks to Hilary of Rainie and Me for this topic suggestion.)

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This topic is actually much harder than it seems.

You know why?

Because when you live with diabetes, or care for someone with diabetes, your self-critiquing tendencies get amplified a whole bunch.

High blood sugar? What did I do wrong?

Low blood sugar? What did I do wrong?

Perfect blood sugar? Won’t be there for long!

With diabetes we always have to plan for the worst case scenario. It’s a survival mechanism! Can you imagine what it does to your mind when you are constantly planning for the worst?

But we have to.  Can we leave the house without planning and preparing for the worst low blood sugar possible? No! Can we go on a trip without planning for the most catastrophic pump failure ever? No!

We have to be prepared. We have to always be prepared. Our very lives depend on it — LITERALLY!

So with that in mind – I am going to say that my biggest accomplishment has been learning to be more kind to myself.