Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by KimKat on October 4, 2010 at 2:58pm

Hi Missy (glad to see you back on here! We missed you! :) )

When you have D, I think because we all need to be so responsible with it (and it is a big responsibility!) that kind of makes one grow up faster (this is especially true for those who were dx'd a young age I think) - all of a sudden you have this big burden to carry with you and it isn't temporary. I think you automatically mature more with it. No matter what age you are but I think it would be especially tough and maturing when you are young. I can't even imagine how I would have dealt with this when I a wee one.

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Permalink Reply by Miss Miss on October 4, 2010 at 3:13pm

Hi KimKat. For me 'd' was the easiest thing for me to deal with at the age of 19. I already had a handful of others medical issues I was dealing with already befor 'd'. But I do agree with you that having 'd' has made me more responsible in taking care of myself and in life in general.

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Permalink Reply by Kelly WPA on October 4, 2010 at 4:01pm

I was 24 when I was diagnosed. I was pretty much always an introvert and shy. Once I got past my teen years, I have been neat. I have always been organized & punctual. I was not an early riser pre-diagnosis unless I had to be up for work. I am pretty much always up early now. Getting involved with the DOC has helped me express my opinions more – I used to just keep my mouth shut no matter what I thought. When I was first diagnosed and would go to a doctor, I didn’t question things and just went along with what I was told. Now I research and question everything and make up my own mind and don’t just follow what the doctor said. I know there are too many “and”s in there, but I don’t know how else to say it!

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Permalink Reply by Cathy Jacobson on October 4, 2010 at 4:11pm

I have become more motivated to eat, exercise, and take care of me. I used to be the person who took care of everyone else but me. Now I spend some time with others, a lot of time with my family, and set aside a goodly piece of the day for me. I have learned more about my body, paid attention to what it is telling me, become a super organizer, concentrated on the people in my life, rather than the food we are going to eat when we are together. I have learned the names of vegetables and fruits that I never knew. I have grown to love fish and chicken, sworn that beef is beef, but just because i live in a beef producing state, doesn't mean I have to eat every cow in it. I have become an advocate for health issues, ie. diabetes, no smoking, disabilities, etc. I am still working on controlling my stress level, but it will come.

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Permalink Reply by caprifoglio on October 4, 2010 at 4:17pm

introverted/extroverted and friendly/shy

I'm more introverted than extroverted. I'm friendly but guarded. The average acquaintance generally has no idea what I'm really like. I don't show all my cards ever, and the ones I do show take a while to be revealed. It's more a trust issue than anything.

Having diabetes has forced me to reach out and talk to people about topics that I would normally not broach for many months. If at all. I think it helps that y'all are cyber people, lol! That being said, some of the people I've met here I'd greet like old friends if we ever met face to face.

early risers/night owls

My hubby is a night owl, so I've kind of adapted. Mostly I'm a middle of the day person, and definitely NOT an early riser. Having diabetes has not changed that.

punctual/not punctual

Well, let's just say if the person I'm meeting is punctual, then I'm punctual. If the person I'm meeting tends not to be, then I'm not going to be getting to our meeting destination early either. Diabetes hasn't changed that either.

organized/unorganized

Organized when I have to be. Honestly I like a break now and then from schedules and discipline, but with diabetes there is none. I'd love not to prepare my lunch every night for work and just eat whatever I want to whenever I want to. But ok, it's not that much time and I do want to be healthier than not.

neat/messy

Neat enough for me. But not for a compulsive cleaner. Whatever. And diabetes has not changed that.


spoke your mind/let others do the talking/kept your opinions to yourself

I am outspoken when I am passionate about something, and I've also learned to choose my battles over the years. No use wasting breath on people who have no interest in even listening to another side. This applies to all my interactions, in person and on line. Diabetes has not changed that either.

Now I'm winded and am going to go be a hermit and not talk to anyone for a while, lol!

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Permalink Reply by Amy on October 4, 2010 at 4:48pm

I am shy to begin with so that never changed. What has changed was how much I eat! I use to be able to eat so much and not feel it. Now I have to stop and say I cant eat that when my sugar levels are in the 200s or I cant drink OJ like I use to. that what has changed. The way food has changed for me. I use to enjoy eating but now I get worried about whether or not I'll spike or am I already high. My life has changed as far as hanging out my friends as I need to check my levels first then order whereas before I would just order. I now have to use the rest room to do my meds, etc. so i feel I dont have that freedom. I will once I am on the pump but for now, i have to stop for a moment.

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Permalink Reply by Pastelpainter on October 5, 2010 at 2:27pm

Carol, I do hope you can come to terms with your diabetes. I was 70 when I was diagnosed with T2 and admit I had a bad couple of months, but after a struggle I am coming to accept it and since I am slowly losing weight have even come to be a little thankful for it. Chin up and keep smiling!

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Permalink Reply by JeffD on October 7, 2010 at 12:55pm

for example, before 'd', how many of us were naturally:

introverted I was more extroverted before was diagnosed, but now I am careful who I share with and what I say.

extroverted I am not as trusting that others won't run away when I start talking about D

early risers That was never me

night owls Same as before, I am just getting up to speed when the sun is going down.

punctual/not punctual I have been more often late in the morning because of all I have to do now with D.

organized/unorganized A little more organized all the new stuff I have to keep track of.

neat/messy About the same as before. Medium neat, moderately messy

friendly/shy A little more shy than before I was diagnosed.

spoke your mind/let others do the talking/kept your opinions to yourself

I am a little more aggressive about speaking up when someone says something blatently stupid about D.

(what could/should be added here?)

I have been much more active in my hobbies since my diagnosis, fishing, playing music, sailing, etc., feeling a lot more fragile and mortal. I figure that during my final lap I am more likely to regret the stuff I didn't do than regret anything I have ever done.

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