What brings us together
Well yesterday at the hospital I work at I was walking back from the cafeteria with a co-worker. I know a lot of people there because the job I do, but today was a little different. My co-worker Jeff is a long time diabetic on the same pump I am. He was asking me questions on my CGM because he wants to get onto it. We passed a girl that I know from a different site.. and yes she was a pumper too! She asked how I was and all we talked about was our experiences with our pumps. Another lady walked up behind I have known for a few years but had no idea she was a D educator and she never knew that I was a diabetic. She asked me to be part of her classes for the kids she works with.
I had another one of these D meetings today. I was working in a clinic after hours installing a computer and I heard something in the hallway. I made myself known that I was there and he walked back. I recognized the name but not the face Dr. Twist. He is a urologist and guess what? Yes he had a pump on his side too!! And I said “so you too huh?” Showing him mine.. and he said “yep.. since I was in my 20’s in med school” we had a conversation about the struggles with D.. he told me that dealing with D is the hardest thing he ever had to do. I expressed that to see someone with his training and expertise first hand experience with D makes him a better Dr.
I came home tonight to turn on the TV and seen a story on the news about a new friend of mine on facebook “The World Guy” Eric Bendl who walks from state to state to raise awareness of D. This disease effects SOO many of us but is also a fiber that binds us all together. We don’t have to do it alone. Not now, Not Ever!
I had another one of these D meetings today. I was working in a clinic after hours installing a computer and I heard something in the hallway. I made myself known that I was there and he walked back. I recognized the name but not the face Dr. Twist. He is a urologist and guess what? Yes he had a pump on his side too!! And I said “so you too huh?” Showing him mine.. and he said “yep.. since I was in my 20’s in med school” we had a conversation about the struggles with D.. he told me that dealing with D is the hardest thing he ever had to do. I expressed that to see someone with his training and expertise first hand experience with D makes him a better Dr.
I came home tonight to turn on the TV and seen a story on the news about a new friend of mine on facebook “The World Guy” Eric Bendl who walks from state to state to raise awareness of D. This disease effects SOO many of us but is also a fiber that binds us all together. We don’t have to do it alone. Not now, Not Ever!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kelly Rawlings on -
After many years of feeling lonely with diabetes, I always smile at stories about diabetes sightings in real life! I like your phrase: "a fiber that binds us all together!"
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Permalink Reply by TimmyMac on -
diabetes sightings? so we're like bigfoot now? lol
"theres one! Quick, get a picture!"
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Permalink Reply by Sarah on -
Yes, pretty much!
But once you've seen a 5 year old completely *light up* because she realized that you're wearing the same pump that she is... you realize that it is pretty amazing to run into another.. especially for some kids :)
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Permalink Reply by Kristin on -
I once made a 6 year old light up because we used the SAME syringes (I think that all syringes looks the same). I wrote a blog post about it here.
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Permalink Reply by Karen on -
I am glad to hear from a medical professional that it is the hardest thing he has ever had to deal with. Wish friends and family understood that.
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Permalink Reply by LaGuitariste on -
Ditto. My non-diabetic sister's an RN and she seems to think that it should be so easy to manage all this. I can hear the skepticism in her voice every time I talk about hypos or morning highs or anxiety about complications in the future. It's like I can see a cartoon "thought bubble" over her head saying, "Geez, how hard could it be? Eat right, exercise and take your meds. Simple."
It's nice to hear that even a doctor finds it hard. Because you know what? It IS hard.
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Permalink Reply by Amy on -
Jean, shame on your sister for thinking this especially considering she is a RN. Diabetes regardless of the type is never easy or simple. The body and the mind create challenges constantly despite due diligence and then add in the being human factor.
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Permalink Reply by LaGuitariste on
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I think the "being human" factor is what is hardest for non-diabetic medical professionals to comprehend.
I've even had a doctor tell me once, "I tried writing everything I eat down for two weeks -- it was too hard." I had to laugh. I thought, try being a diabetic on MDI or a pump for just 48 hours.
I think this should be a requirement before a doctor can get licensed to treat diabetics:
Give them a test kit, some syringes and a bottle of sterile saline and let them be us for two weeks. Test five to eight times per day, inject four to six times per day. Write everything down -- to the IU, the md/dl, the minute. Everything. Calculate each meal and each shot. Weigh and measure -- or skip it if you can't be sure what's in it. Try to get the timing perfect no matter what else is going on.
Even without the threats of hypos, DKA and complications over their heads, they might learn something about the constant vigilance required.
And NO CHEATING doctors -- because diabetes never takes a break.
Better yet, let them try it for 90 days -- they should be good and humbled by their many mistakes by then. ;0)
Maybe they could program the test kits to throw a high or a low at them once in a while FOR NO REASON and let them suffer through that feeling of failure despite all their best efforts.
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Permalink Reply by Amy on
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Jean, I so agree, but let them have a day or two of roller coaster blood blood sugars not just an occasional high or low. That will humble them quickly. I am so lucky that I have an Endo and a CDE that do understand how difficult it can be.
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Permalink Reply by TuDiabetes Administration on -
Funny you point this out, Robert.... it turns out a couple of days ago, we uploaded the video of the World Guy on our Videos section. You can see it featured on our home page, on the left side.... inspiring!!
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