“Could I talk to you for a minute?”
“Sure.”
“Let’s go over to the desk.”
“I’m going to see my diabetes specialist on the 3rd of February in the afternoon. I wanted to work until 12 and then take the rest of the day as sick leave. I’ve got a letter underneath my form here to say where I’ll be.”
I stood there, waiting. Confident that she would sign my leave form. Sub consciously thinking that this is the second time that I’ve requested leave for my diabetes since November. Knowing that she was pretty understanding. But still half expecting a comment. (And no, this was not the person who told me I Should Be Making My Appointments Outside of Work Hours).
“How’s it all going?”
“What?” I replied, stunned, and a little bit lost for words.
“Are you managing it alright?”
“Um. Yeah, okay, I guess. I can only do the best I can, I suppose. I’ve got the type of diabetes that isn’t caused from being unhealthy.”
“I know. It’s just that your insulin’s not there. My friend has a hard time with it, too.”
“It’s hard. But I’ve only had it for a couple of years. I’m lucky that I got it when I was 17. Some kids get it from a very young age.”
“Yeah, she got it when she was an adult, too.”
“I can only do the best I can” I repeated, almost trying to convince myself of that fact, rather than her.
“Cool. I’ll sign it and payroll can put it through for you.”
Sometimes people can surprise you. That little conversation was enough to make an ordinary day brighter. It’s never a simple question to answer, but it was enough to help me to remember why I do what I do.
Happy Monday!
