Hi everyone. So I have to give a speach on behalf of JDRF next Tuesday and my theme is going to be "Diabetes & It's Lesser-Known Side Effects", something a little different then the usual speach about statistics & blindness & getting poked multiple times a day. So I wanted to ask all of you if you had any thoughts on way that diabetes effects you or shows in your life that people don't think about. I need both visual & unseen ways.
Here are a few of mine =]
VISUAL..
- The bottom of my purse is ALWAYS littered with used test strips
- When I go prom dress shopping I have to find a dress that I can hide my pump in
- I had to twisty-tie my homecoming clutch closed because of all the D-supplies in it
- One of the drawers in my bathroom for make-up is filled completely with pump supplies
- I have 5 cell phone cases & use none of them for my phone
- 4 of my finger tips are rough & callused
- Whenever I hear a random beeping sound I start frisking myself, thinking it's my pump
- I routinely say "Boy, do I feel high" in public. PS. most ppl look at me funny
- I often have marks on my back from old pump sites, not flattering in a bikini
- I get told by teachers/coaches that don't know me to "TAKE OFF THAT IPOD!"
- I carry a stash of band-aids wherever I go incase the pump set gets loos
- My laundry sometimes smells like Orange or Fruit punch because I washed the glucose tabs again
NON-VISUAL
- I know the carbohydrate content of basically every food I eat by heart
- I argue with my parents more about diabetes management more then all the normal stuff like curfews & grades & boyfriends
- I have to be careful not to accidently rip my pump site off when I am goofing around with friends or playing any type of sport
- I worry about complications in the future a lot
That's all I have so far but I am sure you all have a lot of clever ones that I havent even thought of so please share =] The fundraising breakfast is raising money for a cure!
Thank you.
Katie
--I never eat anything without inevitably picturing its nutrition panel in my head and adding up the carbs, protein, fat and calories. Ever.
--Test strips are my most loyal friend...they hang out in my car, in my bathroom, in the nooks and cranies of seats and bags...they're everywhere. :)
--I feel guilty when I eat carbs late at night 'cause I know it's quite likely going to send my blood sugar soaring hours later while I'm asleep.
--There's one thing I think about all the time, every day, every hour whether I want to or not: my blood sugar level.
Ginger :)