Hello, December. The silly season is in full swing, and no doubt almost every place, business or shop window you can think of will be adopting somewhat of a festive theme. In anticipation of all of the newsletters, articles, social media posts, well meaning relatives and other diabetes interactions that I’m likely to encounter over the coming weeks, I can already tell you what’s not on my Christmas wish list this year. Or any other year, for that matter.
I don’t need to be reminded that I have diabetes at this time of the year. That’s pretty much a fact that isn’t going to change until the cure arrives in another five years time. I do diabetes every other day of the year on my own through rain, hail and shine, so I hardly think that Christmas is worthy of any extra attention.
I don’t want to see any ‘helpful’ and highly unsolicited advice on how to manage my diabetes over the Christmas season, no matter how well intended it is. I don’t need suggestions of what I should and shouldn’t be eating throughout the festive season, or advice on how to keep my blood sugars in tow. If I require some assistance in that department, I’m more than capable of asking. Otherwise, please treat me like any other guest.
I don’t need to be shamed for any of the food choices that I may choose to indulge in on Christmas Day (or any other day of the year, for that matter). Please, resist the temptation to ask a person with diabetes how they manage their blood sugars at the dinner table. Rather, an acknowledgement that I do this on the other 364 nights of the year that I’m not eating dinner at your house would go a long, long way.
I don’t need insinuations that just because I tuck into the likes of chocolate, pavlova or potatoes, I’m not taking care of myself. I take a great deal of care in managing my diabetes year round, and to be honest I’m damn proud of those efforts. I refuse to be made to feel that guilty for numbers that may fall outside of my target range during a time where I just want to be Merry. Nor do I need to explain! Besides, what makes you think that a slice of pavlova is any less healthy for me than it is for you?
I really don’t care how the likes of diabetes organisations, diabetes websites, healthcare professionals, other people with diabetes, or support people for that matter, feel that I should be managing my diabetes over the festive season.
The way I choose to manage my diabetes is, quite frankly, nobody’s business but mine.
At the end of a long year, I look forward to Christmas and the ability to wind down after a long year and spend some quality time with my loved ones.
Diabetes is most definitely not the focus of that.
Pat Keating
In saying that Frank, I will be eating drinking and being Merry Xmas day. I do try to be mindful but sometimes I’m naughty, can’t help myself.🤣😜
Cindy
Hate the can you eat this day. Do the same l do everyday eat what l want and bolus. Merry Christmas.
Marijke
I Agree Frank. Good story again! I ate chocolate letters because of “Sinterklaas” (Dutch/Belgian December 5th children’s party).
I have a present for the past for all the dibetistypeones-wishlist; The artificial pancreas from Robin Koops from the Netherlands. Have you heard from him? I can send you some information from the website from the Dutch Diabetes Fund: https://www.diabetesfonds.nl/help-mee/dit-is-diabetes/kunstalvleesklier. (you can translate by googletranslate)
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you!
Jennifer Brodie
totally with you. The well meaning among us are the hardest to deal with and often they dont listen anyway. Combo bolus for me over the festive season.I’ll make the pump earn its living. Merry Christmas.
Rick Phillips
Actually, I am over it all. I am not beyond getting my feathers ruffled over the insensitivity of others. But I am also not at the point of caring to much either, Age does bring good things sometimes.
Anna Kiff
Your words are spot on!!! Off I go to have a cuppa tea with some fruitcake (my fav thing at this time of the year!!!).
Ivan
I eat whatever I want all year long not just at holiday time.
sugarfreebruno
“what makes you think that a slice of pavlova is any less healthy for me than it is for you? ” – Brilliant! May you have a Merry Christmas. x