I recently discovered that I have superpowers. Well, I’ve actually had them ever since I became a diabetic. But I’m only just starting to realise them, thanks to Tuesday’s OzDoc Twitter chat. And chances are, that if you’re a diabetic, you probably have them too!
Like being able to force myself out from under those cosy covers in the middle of the night to check my Blood Sugar Levels. Just to be sure that they are not too low. And not too high either. But just right.
Like waiting for the right moment to make a mad dash from the dinner table to the bathroom when I’m eating out. Dialing up a big dose of insulin for all that mouth watering food I probably shouldn’t have eaten and hoping for the best. Trying to dial up my insulin as quietly, as discreetly as I can so that person outside my cubicle won’t notice. Won’t think I’m a weirdo. Won’t think I’m taking drugs.
Like being able to check my blood sugar levels in stealth mode during the day. Concealing my meter under the desk or heading over to the corner of the room. And being able to hastily finish and quickly hide those items the moment I hear footsteps. The moment I hear voices. The moment I can sense that someone is near.
Like being either a super gifted mathematician or a really good guesser when it comes to the carbs in my food. Working out that golden formula that goes something like “if I’ve eaten x grams of carbs, that means I need x units of insulin.” And “if 1 unit of insulin brings my blood sugars down by 3 mmol/L, then I need x units of insulin to bring me back in range.”
And being able to pick myself up again after a low point. After some diabetes related frustration. After some anger. After some shouting. Even after slamming things. Even after comfort eating. All without even letting it show to those around me. And being able to start all over again.
But above all of these ‘superpowers,’ I believe that just being able to live and deal with something as dynamic as diabetes day in, day out sure is worthy of superhero status in itself.
And the superpower I’m still waiting for? A personal diabetes assistant who can carb count, bolus, test me while I’m asleep and correct for me!
I couldn’t be more thrilled that I’ve finally realised my superpowers. I’m afraid I have to leave you now and use those mathematics superpowers to rescue my blood sugar levels from today’s breakfast!
I completely understand those superpowers! I swear when I wake up in the middle of the night I go into “survival” mode to find my tester to make sure I’m not too high or too low. Though, I may come off a little crazy when doing so. Great post, and I look forward to following your blog!
Thanks Brianna. Great blog, I hope you’re settling well into your new city 🙂
Glad I’m not the only one that slams things during diabetes frustration. We are pretty special aren’t we!
yeah i know right, I think I could dedicate a whole post to this stuff haha
Haha. I actually did! Tester tantrums i called it
haha awesome can’t wait to read it!
The best superpower I’ve acquired is two-fold. My Dexcom (for day and night vigilance) and my Omnipod (for adjustable basal and calculations for all of those boluses). I can relate to the not wanting to bother people with the sights of testing and shots. The pump eliminates the shots in public. As for the testing, well, I’ve come to realize that there aren’t that many observant people. I was a little conscience about wearing my pump on my arm to my son’s field trip because it was a hot short sleeve kind of day. I didn’t get one comment or question. And it’s painted bright green with burgundy flowers on it.
Yeah, I’ve heard so many good things about Dexcom from other bloggers. I’m just worried that I might spend too much time over-analysing the numbers if I had it. And that’s so true about others not noticing – I think we worry ourselves more than we need to!