Diabetes Musings

Surviving My First Year of Diabetes Appointments

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Ever wondered what the healthcare system is like in Australia for a newly diagnosed type 1?

I’ve had access to a comprehensive diabetes clinic at my hospital outpatient ward. Being government funded, it’s cost me absolutely nothing to this very day.

My diabetes educator, Gwen, told me that getting through my first year of diabetes appointments would be the biggest hurdle to overcome. Today I am well and truly past that first year, and I couldn’t be happier with life on the other side.

I’ve written about that journey during my first year for Insulin Nation, which you can check out here (with a much better title than I was able to come up with!):

http://insulinnation.com/living/type-1-outpatient-support-team/
Let me know what you think!

My Dad on the Day of My Diagnosis

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Where would I be without my Dad? He was always my protection growing up. When I was four, he would sit beside my bed every night because I was scared of the dark. When I woke up sick in the middle of the night, I would run across the hallway calling out for him. And when I’m miserable and talking negatively about anything, he’ll be the first to tell me to stop talking rubbish.

Dad was the one who drove me to hospital on the day of my diagnosis five years ago. I was sitting in the car fazed, panting, nauseated and thirsty. My pulse was beating ever so rapidly, and I had no idea what was happening to me. I was sitting there, next to him, with no honest idea whether I would survive the car trip there. But I knew that I could rely on him to get me there, and get me through it.

Dad was there by my side as I was helped onto a bed in the emergency room, and almost certainly diagnosed with diabetes the minute I lay down. My fazed self had heard the word diabetes, and I was devastated. I thought that it was my fault. I was terrified at the thought of needles. And I can even remember asking Dad if they were sure that it was diabetes and not something else. Reassuringly, Dad told me that the doctors had said that I would still be able to live a normal and healthy life.

One thing me and my Dad share in common is that we have both been through life threatening conditions during our lives (admittedly his was bigger than mine). And today, we are both dependent on prescription medication for the rest of our lives because of it (mine being insulin, his being something completely different). We usually go to the Chemist to get our prescriptions filled together. While we are waiting, he usually points to things like jellybeans to remind me if I need any. It’s one of those annoying Dad things that he loves to do, even at home, but I appreciate it anyway.

Being diagnosed at the age of 17, my Dad hasn’t had the diabetes duties that many other d-parents face. But he did perform a big diabetes duty that day in helping to save my life. He got me through that day. And I am still here today, writing this story because of it.

Happy belated Fathers Day, Dad. And Happy Fathers Day to all the other Dads and d-parents in Australia for yesterday.

September Goals, Of The Diabetes Kind

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I always tell myself that I’m going to do all of these new things. I’m going to eat healthier, exercise more, get my BGLs down, finish my book and take more time out for myself. It’s so easy to imagine the better person that I’m going to be for it, and I always get swept away at the thought of achievement and success.

If only reality were that simple. I have been absolutely terrible at sticking with goals in the past. And I always get laughed at for the things that I quickly give up or put away, such as the new book on my bedside table every week, or the bike and helmet sitting out in the shed. I doubt that I’ve kept with a single one of my goals in the past. Until now, that is.

One of my personal goals at the beginning of this year was to start a blog. And never in a million years did I imagine what would come from it. For one thing, I never thought that I’d be able to keep at it for so long. Or that I would enjoy writing it so much. Or that people would actually read it. I never thought that I would actually become interested, or dare I say passionate, about diabetes. I never would have guessed that there was a massive Diabetes Online Community out there, and that I would have friends all over the world because of it. And I never would have imagined writing an advocacy column for Insulin Nation that was noticed by Diabetes Australia and resulted in a small policy change.

Today, setting some new goals finally seems realistic. And I actually have some confidence in myself that I might achieve them, or at least give them a red hot crack.

Return to good overnight blood sugar levels

I enjoyed 2 weeks of waking up to perfect blood sugar levels, and it was honestly the best feeling in the world. I woke up with so much positive energy and enthusiasm to go about my day, and I would love to return to that.

Set some social media free time

I heart the DOC. It’s the best thing that’s come from having diabetes, ever. But I do feel that it has gotten to the point of being a little overwhelming and time consuming. I would love to get into a routine of switching off before bed. I feel a lot calmer and happier when I make time for myself, and sleep easier.

Finish my book

A year ago, I eagerly trekked into the city to grab a copy of Under the Dome by Stephen King, yet I’ve lacked all motivation to read it. I picked it up again a few weeks ago, and I’m now more than halfway through.

Be more positive

I would love to be a little more positive. I often curse, complain, sigh and let the frustrations that occur throughout the day get to me. I would love to be able to just shrug them off and see more positives.

Read more diabetes blogs and interact more in the #DOC

I kind of feel guilty that I write a diabetes blog, but don’t read as many others as I’d like. I also feel guilty for all the support I receive from the #DOC but don’t return back. I’ll often spend time crafting a response to a tweet or blog post, overthink my comment, and then end up deleting it. I need to just go with it!

Write another column for Insulin Nation

I wrote a fantastic piece for Insulin Nation in July about access to test strips in Australia. It triggered an overwhelming response and was one of my proudest advocacy moments. I’d love to come up with another story as well written as that one, and I know that they would love to have me back to write for them again.

It goes to show that you should dream big. If you believe in it, others will see it.

Like my blog? Follow me on Facebook: facebook.com/type1writes.

Everything in Moderation Will NOT Cause Diabetes

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Okay, so I was sucked into part 2 of Sunday Night’s report on the Paleo diet again last night. If you’ve been living under a rock, reporter Mike Willessee undertook the Paleo diet for 10 weeks with the help of My Kitchen Rules judge and chef Pete Evans (I’ll call him Paleo Pete from here on in).

Admittedly watching the program last night, I was able to learn a little more about this diet. Basically, there are two sources of energy that the human body can use for fuel: carbohydrates and fat. I hear from a lot of people with diabetes who live and advocate for a Low Carb, High Fat (LHCF) diet. I completely respect that, and I’m sure that your body could be fuelled by fat. I myself have seen some merits in reducing “unnecessary” carbs and sugars in my diet, such as bread on my dinner plate and high sugar snacks such as muesli bars or breakfast cereals. But I do still eat carbs. I don’t feel that I could realistically cut them out completely and still be a happy man. But I completely respect those that do make that choice.

I just can’t fathom how Paleo Pete was quick to dismiss healthy, nutritious foods such as Dairy, Legumes and Grains. I also didn’t appreciate the way he referred to all of these carbohydrates as sugar, which is NOT true. And I can’t fathom how you could expect a human being to live without coffee!.

He went as far as suggesting that a diet of “everything in moderation” would cause type 2 diabetes among a string of other threatening diseases. Paleo Pete, you know absolutely NOTHING about diabetes. Don’t make an empty threat on the base of a common stigma. As my Twitter friend Lala brought to my attention, he even suggested that people who follow the Paleo diet are all exclusively healthy.

Paleo Pete is a chef. He is not qualified to provide nutrition or dietary advice. As one Twitter user commented, being around food doesn’t qualify you to provide nutritional advice. It would be like having a passenger fly an aeroplane. The Dieticians Association of Australia is qualified. LISTEN to them.

Paleo Pete also makes a lot of money off of Paleo. He has a series of cookbooks and other money making products that I don’t really care about. It’s a bit hard to take his claims of “speaking the truth” and “never feeling better” seriously.

As I said last week, Paleo Pete also works for the television network that aired this story. He is a judge on cooking show My Kitchen Rules. So is this story just a convenient case of networks keeping their talent happy?

At the end of his 10 week challenge, reporter Mike Willessee said that Paleo had opened his eyes to some of the his food choices. I feel exactly the same way, particularly after watching the similarly themed That Sugar Film earlier this year. What Mike Willessee neglected to mention was whether he’d stick with Paleo or not. I suspect his view would be similar to mine. There are some aspects that I’d take away from Paleo, but I won’t be rushing to clear out the cupboards and fridges of anything even remotely delicious.

I’m finally on Facebook, and I’d really appreciate it if you would like my page: facebook.com/type1writes.

A Letter To My 17 Year Old Classmates

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To My 17 Year Old Classmates,

While you were getting ready to buy your first bottle of alcohol, I was getting ready to buy my first blood glucose meter.

While you were nervous about getting past the bouncer, I was nervous about getting past my first insulin injection.

While you were applying for your proof of age card, I was applying for my National Diabetes Services Scheme card.

While you were busy planning your next wild night out, I was busy planning my next diabetes appointment.

While you were surviving from 4 cans of Red Bull a day, I was surviving from 4 insulin injections a day.

While you were in a state of extreme drunkenness, I was in a state of extreme ketoacidosis.

While you were in hospital getting your stomach pumped, I was in hospital getting insulin pumped.

While you were procrastinating on your uni assignments, I was desperately trying to get an extension from my hospital bed.

While you were out there partying, my blood sugar levels were out there having a party of their own.

While you were getting a 2am hangover feed from McDonald’s, I was getting a 2am hypo feed from my jelly bean tin.

While you felt wrecked after partying all night, I felt wrecked from dealing with diabetes all night.

While you were getting through a hangover, I was getting through a hypo.

While you were boasting about how many beers you’d had, I was boasting about how many good blood glucose readings I’d had.

While you were counting the number of jello shots you’d downed, I was counting the number of carbs that I’d downed.

While you had been abusing your body for a while, I was a fairly sensible kid.

While you were the one that deserved this more than me, I was the one that got diabetes instead.

And while I wouldn’t wish diabetes on you or anyone else, it would be nice to see you treat your healthy body with a little more respect.

Your classmate always,

Frank