Diabetes Blog Week Day 4 - Changes
Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 8:54AM Today let's talk about changes, in one of two ways. Either tell us what you'd most like to see change about diabetes, in any way. This can be management tools, devices, medications, people's perceptions, your own feelings – anything at all that you feel could use changing. OR reflect back on some changes you or your loved one has seen or been through since being diagnosed with diabetes. Were they expected or did they surprise you?
The first thing that comes to mind is changing the power numbers have over us.
When I check my bg and see a number I don't like people around will usually ask, "well what is it supposed to be?" I always want to say, "It's supposed to be that I don't have diabetes!" But I don't.
For years I would check my blood maybe once a month. Maybe. Seeing a number that was "not where it was supposed to be" made me feel like a failure and an idiot. I need no help feeling that way so better to just ignore it. Yeah right!
The turning point for me was ending up in the hospital with DKA due to stomach flu. It was at that point I knew I needed to get over this whole denial thing (which was not as easy as I just made it sound) and figure out how I needed to handle this diabetes thing (see last parenthetical note).
After I got out of the hospital I found an endo and he checked my A1C which was 12.5. At the time I had no idea what an A1C was so after he explained it to me and how important it was for me to check my bg's, I started on my journey to the DOC.
My feeling now is this, there is no such thing as a bad number! Or actually, I would say the only bad number is the one you don't know.
If someone tells me they have a bad A1C, I tell them, "If you know your A1C then it is a good number. The only bad A1C is the one you don't know!"
Same goes for bg tests. We should get a pat on the back before the "test" since really that is where the pass/fail mark it. If you have a machine and you have strips for it, then the "test" should not be about the number so much as just getting the number.
A+ on your bg test! Now here is your number!
This is something I feel needs to change. We need those bg numbers and A1C's to design a plan that keeps us as healthy as possible. Those numbers are the markers along the way while we journey through life diabetes. They make sure we are not straying too far off path and staying safe.
Numbers should not determine if we are good or bad or failing or succeeding or anything like that! Knowing your numbers is where we should be focusing. The data we get from those "tests" are just the information we need to make the next decision about our health.
So please, give yourself a high five everytime you go to a doctor appointment. Toss up some confetti when you get your labwork done! And pat yourself on the back whenever you check your bg*! You've earned it!
*You may want to check your shirt for blood spots at the end of the day.
Reader Comments (14)
Great post and I love the point you made that the only bad number is the one we don't know!
This post makes me so happy. I think we should all get an A+ just for living with diabetes.
Also, I'd like to request glitter be thrown whenever I test.
So true! Numbers are just data but they do show that you are doing something..you are at least testing. A1c show what was it does not always reflect what you are doing today. Numbers are tools not pass/fail, good/bad. Thanks for the reminder!
"It's supposed to be that I don't have diabetes!" made me laugh. I might have to start using that.
I loved this post - especially the only bad number is one we don't know part!
Great post, George!
Numbers are just data, but we should get an A+ just for living with diabetes.
I love this part – "It's supposed to be that I don't have diabetes!"
There's a powerful message there, brother G!
Yes, you are absolutely right that numbers are not to show that you are succeeded or failed instead number are the way to know the progress and where we lack behind, what steps we must take in order to overcome the place where we have not still improved. BG number is one of those ways to overcome your Diabetes.
Your perspective on numbers is spot on and I believe gaining that perspective is key for any diabetic to have a healthy view of themselves and diabetes. I'm glad I ran across your blog, thank you. I've shared this with other people hoping they will be kinder to themselves and that their families will freak out less.
Hi, I loved your post! I love numbers! and since I was diagnosed at 18 years old (10 years ago) I realized the importance of to know my A1C and BG constantly. But, being honest, the numbers are not random or magical, we need to really work hardly to know how our bodies works, the kind of nervous system we have, the rates of our metabolism, the exercise we do, allergies, weight, kind of skin and family history, then I would recommend to use supplements for get the equilibrium, my life had changed since im close to the equilibrium, no more hypos or hipers! I used to live at limit, very high or very low, and we all know how it feels to live like that, but know im feeling like the inner peace of the life, if im out of equilibrium one day I know what to do or what no to do for no to end up at the hospital paying thousands of dollars or most important not to let my beloved to worry because of me.
Thanks God I had understood the science behind this disease and with some help from the nature and chemistry I can be a real ninjabetic :p. I had tried some products that im vey happy to had found! but I don't like to promote in public blogs because people think im trying to sell those! bit if you are interested contact me :D, Always ready to help.... Im sorry about my bad English, im still Learning, Im from Mexico :) God bless you all.
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