Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cara on April 2, 2011 at 5:42pm

There will always be people who feel the need to give you advice, no matter what. I've been a type 1 for over 14 years and when I was pregnant with any of my 3 kids, people would always ask me, didn't you see Steel Magnolias? Aren't you scared of dying? I'd tell them we're all terminal, and I can't stand that movie.

I'd smile and nod and say, thanks for thinking of me! And walk off. Not even worth it to get into a conversation most days. Unless it is a good friend, then set them straight.

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Permalink Reply by Korrie on April 2, 2011 at 7:20pm

I usually just say that if it doesn't wiggle or crawl off my plate, it's fair game!

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Permalink Reply by latvianchick on April 2, 2011 at 11:14pm

I know. It is frustrating! People seem to think that they have the right to comment on whatever you are doing or whatever you have! My mother tells me to take insulin when I am low and sugar when I am high! She never says hello or you look nice, but points out that I have a spot on my face and proceeds to tell me that I should wash my face more etc. Actually one is a cancerous lump which I am getting cut out tomorrow!!

With my mother I might argue, but with others, I would say that there is no cure and that I have had it 27 years and have done well on it so far and usually know what to do!

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Permalink Reply by latvianchick on April 2, 2011 at 11:21pm

I know about the stigma too! I am a member of a church and was once called in to see the Pastor and my Councelling Tutor (who is an ex nurse!) and was told that I could not continue the course because I had a drinking problem. I have heard this time and time again. I showed them my blood glucose monitor for the time that showed that I was high (I had a chest infection). I told them that if they paid for a private blood test to prove that I have not had an alcoholic drink in 6 years then I would happily undergo it - and they backed down!

Another time I was starting a course in a local prison to help the prisoners in restitution. I recognised that there were some who needed some help and thoroughly enjoyed the first session. I fully expected to go back there for the next course and was told that I could not go back because I was diabetic!! That is sooooo prejudiced!

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Permalink Reply by dickengel on April 13, 2011 at 4:26pm

well sometimes i would get my dry erase marker out and draw curves of insulin peak activity and then demo pump and explain things like basals and bolus and just maintaining balance between food exercise and insulin. That is if they asked - fortunately I did not have too many try and preeach -0 most of them i would try and ignore - if they have their miond made up it can be difficult to open it to the facts.

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Permalink Reply by acidrock23 on April 13, 2011 at 6:15pm

I try to minimize it. This has been much easier since I started exercising a lot and then since I got a pump. Now I would warily say that I am probably in better shape than many of my peers in the office and am also inclined to find solutions to things like running outside in Chicago during the winter (meters don't work when they are frozen and I've had a few of my colder runs where the screen on my pump eerily faded from the chill so I'd switch it around and tuck it inside of my pants to thaw it out?

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