dblogweek

The Other Half of Diabetes

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Today is day 2 of Diabetes Blog Week, an annual event in the diabetes community created by Karen at BitterSweet Diabetes. Here is today’s prompt:

We think a lot about the physical component of diabetes, but the mental component is just as significant. How does diabetes affect you or your loved one mentally or emotionally? How have you learned to deal with the mental aspect of the condition? Any tips, positive phrases, mantras, or ideas to share on getting out of a diabetes funk? (If you are a caregiver to a person with diabetes, write about yourself or your loved one or both!)

Being diagnosed with diabetes as a young adult has presented it’s own unique challenges. I had already lived a significant portion of my life without it, which I am extremely grateful for. However, everyone around me knew me without diabetes. It wasn’t just automatically there, which made acknowledging my diabetes publicly a very difficult task. It essentially entailed a new conversation and fielding a whole lot of questions. It’s a risk, and sadly some people react insensitively. Even today, many people still don’t know, or remember that I live with diabetes.

I was diagnosed at an age where I wanted to manage my diabetes myself. I didn’t want to burden others around me with my diabetes. I was, and still am extremely stubborn. The more time that passed, the more I closed myself off. I didn’t talk about diabetes. I struggled to even acknowledge what was going on in my head. I distinctly recall moments where I was struggling with the frequency of my hypos. I was slamming my fists into the wall, and then getting emotional and comfort eating my way well out of hypo territory behind a closed door.

I was very self conscious around my diabetes. I wanted to be seen as normally as possible. I didn’t want to be seen as the sick, “diabetic” kid. I didn’t want people to see me managing my diabetes and pity me. There were times where I didn’t want to test my blood sugar levels in front of others. I’m still very self conscious about injecting insulin in front of others.

Beginning this blog 18 months ago was a big step out of my diabetes comfort zone. I quietly began following other people with diabetes online. I nervously stuck my head into OzDOC chats. I began sharing more about my diabetes than I ever acknowledged in my own life.

Much to my surprise, I began genuinely connecting with other people online. I became extremely interested in diabetes. I became far more motivated around my own management, and standing up for what I want from my healthcare team. I entered the pumping world yesterday, as a result of a decision that I made happen myself. I had the privilege of travelling to Sydney last week, and making some online to in real life connections.

Today, I am still fiercely independent in managing my diabetes. The specifics around my diabetes is still a very personal topic. I don’t often talk about what’s going on with my numbers, my food, and other individual elements of my day to day management. I set the agenda, and my family respects that.

I am, however, more motivated to talk about my diabetes in a broader context. About what I expect from my healthcare team. Elements of my management that I’m hoping to make changes to, or do better. Talking about how diabetes makes me feel. Commenting on the news, and the politics around diabetes. My blog posts are often the subject of dinner table conversations, too!

Today, I am not so afraid of talking about my diabetes in front of others. I comfortably bring it up when it adds value to a conversation. I feel much more confident in the way that I express myself around my diabetes, that I no longer feel so conscious or so pitied. I feel that I am so much more of a “switched on” patient, and in a much better place with both my physical and emotional health.


I would say take a step out of your comfort zone. Take an interest in diabetes. Connect with others. You don’t have to do it all at once. Set some boundaries you are comfortable with.

I feel that the progress I have made with my diabetes over these past 18 months has been so worth it.

To read other posts related to today’s prompt, click here.

Diabetes Blog Week…One More Wrap

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Its been a really cold, wet and miserable weekend. Actually the perfect weather for rugging up, curling in front of the heater and reading d-Blog Week posts!

Anyway, I know that yesterday I said I was burnt out and dying for some much needed rest. But I’ve decided that I’m not yet done with d-Blog Week.

Yesterday I sorta did a wrap on my first Diabetes Blog Week experience. It really has been one of the most humbling and eye opening experiences to me as a fairly new blogger. On Twitter this week I have been sharing and retweeting some of my favourite posts, which made yesterday’s wrap a pretty easy task of highlighting the topics and linking back to the posts that resonated with me most.

But I really didn’t want to have to make the hard decision of singling out individual blogs. However, after seeing all the d-love being spread around thanks to the “Continuing Connections” prompt, I feel compelled to do so. These are three new blogs that I’ve discovered/connected with over the past week:

*drumroll…

Tamsin of Type 1 Diabeater:

Every day this week Tamsin and I have commented back and fourth on each other’s blogs. Although she usually beats me to number 4 place on the link list, leaving me to settle for number 5 (unforgiveable!) Tasmin, I really love the way your blog brings together your passion for adventure and travel with type 1 diabetes. I cannot believe you don’t eat carbs and have the hba1c level of a non diabetic person. You really are an inspiration. Please keep Tamsin in your thoughts as she is currently unwell, which you can read more about on her blog.

Pumplette of Understudy Pancreas:

Being diagnosed at 17, I really didn’t know a lot about diabetes in young children. I read a lot of inspiring stories of d-kids and d-families, however none struck a chord with me more than Pumplette, daughter to the author of Understudy Pancreas. And there’s more to her than her innocent face. She’s a JDRF Ambassador, one of the youngest members of the UK Youth Parliament and might one day be your local vet! If she can face diabetes with such determination at her age, we all can.

Ally of Very Light, No Sugar:

There’s just something about the way Ally balances her humor while also hitting the more serious notes to life with type 1 diabetes. I really laughed reading about her apartment that would qualify for a Diabetes edition of Hoarders, while I was also really touched by the recollection of her school days with diabetes. Ally, as you said to me earlier this week, I am so glad I have discovered your blog.

Honourable mention to Kelley of Below Seven – I think I’ve seen your comments on almost every blog post – including many of mine – that I’ve read this week. Thanks for bringing such enthusiasm to dBlog Week!

Also, just wanted to take this opportunity to say thanks for reading and for all the positive support in the last week – its been pretty overwhelming. Particularly to those of you who used me as your ‘Continuing Connection’ – I truly am humbled.

And finally, dBlog Week has also inspired me to add a proper Blogroll, which you can check out here. Enjoy!

I’ve written this post as a participant in Diabetes Blog Week 2015. Follow #dBlogWeek on Twitter for the latest from the event and participants.

Diabetes Blog Week…And That’s a Wrap!

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Shameless plug: If you like what I’ve had to say this week, you can find me on Twitter @FrankSita.

I must say that I’m pretty overwhelmed at the response to my first Diabetes Blog Week. I was pretty daunted at the prospect of writing 7 posts in 7 days, but was also up for the challenge. To stretch myself creatively. Over the past 7 days I’ve had very little sleep, instead being tempted to stay up way past my bedtime to read and comment on as many of the 100+ blog posts that my eyes will let me. Of course, it didn’t help that while you dBloggers in the UK and US were waking up and posting, I was yawning and fighting the urge to go to bed.

It really has been a fantastic experience for me, as a fairly new blogger. Its really connected me with the Diabetes Online Community, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading and discovering many great blogs/bloggers that I never even knew existed! And even though this event has been running for 6 years, I really think Karen Graffeo of Bitter Sweet Diabetes deserves a massive thankyou. Thank you for all your hard work in organising the event and for allowing me to participate in this experience.

Last night as I was telling my parents about dBlogWeek at the dinner table, my Mum asked me what I had learned over the course of this week. Well, a lot actually…

Firstly, type 1 in young children. I was fortunate to be diagnosed at 17, but there are so many who are diagnosed as young children. I could not even imagine. I read some really touching youth stories (thanks Very Light No Sugar). Of d-parents who get up in the middle of the night to test their little one (thanks Diabetes Advocacy). Of d-kids who are taking control of their disease (thanks Understudy Pancreas). I admire you all.

Secondly, Pumps and Continuous Glucose Monitoring devices. I’m on Multiple Daily Injections, but I’ve read so many stories about people’s lives that have changed for the better thanks to pumping. You’ve definitely motivated me to go and find out more.

Thirdly, those of you who have been living with diabetes for a long time. It really made me realise how lucky I am that I live with diabetes in 2015. Like the fact that we never had Lantus (long acting insulin) to keep our BGLs stable overnight (thanks Test, Guess and Go). Like the fact that we weren’t able to check our Blood Sugar Levels at home back then. That insulin wasn’t always safe or readily available. And that diabetes was once a life sentence (thanks RADiabetes). Today, we have inspiring people like the Type 1 Diabeater who are travelling the world and having all sorts of incredible adventures. With Diabetes no less.

And then there were the funnies. I read a Pancreas Eulogy (thanks Just Normalash). There were posts mocking all those “diabetes cures” (thanks Running Without Sugar). And all those fad diets (thanks Carb Counting Kids). A hilarious timeline of what diabetes status updates would look like (thanks Lazy Pancreas). I was fascinated at how many people were hoarding diabetes supplies (I won’t single you out!). And there were memes.

Like this one (thanks Coffee and Insulin).

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And this one (thanks Grumpy Pumper).

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And this one (thanks One Sweet Cookie).

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Thanks to everyone who has participated in Diabetes Blog Week. I just love the way its really brought the Diabetes Online Community together in a positive way. Thanks for sharing all of your stories, your advice, for inspiring me and for making me laugh. I only wish I could have read them all! Thanks for reading and commenting and for all the positive feedback. If anything, I feel even more passionate about diabetes. I feel even more empowered to write and to advocate. To read more great blog posts and make more connections going forward.

But right now, I feel absolutely burnt out (which I never thought I’d say about blogging!). And I’m dying for a good night’s sleep. See you again next year.

I’ve written this post as a participant in Diabetes Blog Week 2015. Follow #dBlogWeek on Twitter for the latest on the event and its participants.

Chasing My Dreams

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There are two posts that I’m particularly proud of on this blog. The first is my diagnosis story, “Happy 5 Years (With Diabetes).” And I poured all of my diabetes related frustrations into the second one, “The Things I Don’t Tell You About My Diabetes.”

These would by far be my favourite posts on this blog because they are so raw, so real. They are definitely worth a read if I may say so myself! As I was writing those two posts and reliving the memories in my head, the thoughts pretty much flowed straight from my mind onto the computer screen. Its the closest you’ll get to being right inside my mind, or the mind of a diabetic person.

Diabetes is such a complex disease to live with. There are so many different lifestyle factors that influence it. Like what I eat. What I drink. My physical activity (or lack thereof). Emotions. Stress. Illness. Wellness. My Blood Sugar Level. My Insulin dose. My routine. My sleeping habits. My life. And, after 5 years of living with this bloody disease, I felt I had a lot to offer. I had learned so much, experienced so much, that I might have something unique to offer through a blog.

I’ve always been fascinated by computing, technology and social media. I also love being creative. And writing. Writing is my passion. Its something I became even more passionate about after completing a degree in Marketing and Communications at uni. And I figured that a blog would be a good testament to a prospective employer. Particularly a good one.

Truth is, I spent a lot of time over thinking the concept of blogging. What would I name it? What would I write about? How often would I post? How much time would I spend on it? What blog design would I pick? How would I promote myself? How would I make it successful? Did I choose the right name? Should I change the design? Should I edit that post I drafted? It really drove me crazy. And I hate to admit it, but I probably wasted several months obsessing over something that didn’t even exist yet.

And then one day I just started writing. The more I wrote and the more I took an interest in the Diabetes Online Community (DOC), the easier it was for the ideas to come to me. Twitter is a fantastic tool for this. For every diabetes tweet you send out and every diabetes account you follow, you will probably find two more interesting articles, blog posts, people to follow and groups to join. It truly is amazing, and I daresay I have become even more passionate about diabetes since joining the blogosphere and DOC. Ironically, I didn’t even think there was much of a Diabetes Online Community, let alone diabetes blogs, when I started all of this! How wrong was I?

The response to Diabetes Blog Week has been overwhelming and has given me a lot of confidence in my blog. And reading other dBlogs has given me a lot of inspiration for my own diabetes management and a lot of perspective for my blog going forward. I only wish I had time to read all 100 of them!

My dream would be to one day turn this blog into a career. To be a diabetes advocate. Be paid to write. Sure, its hard work. Sure, it will take time. Sure, its not realistic. I’m just chasing a dream. But I’d much rather try and fail than fail to try.

I wrote this post as a participant in Diabetes Blog Week 2015. Follow #dBlogWeek on Twitter for the latest updates on the event and participants.

My Diet (On a “Good” Day)

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I’m sorry, I just couldn’t get myself excited about this post. The thought of documenting my day’s food sounded a bit boring. I really needed some inspiration in order to actually get this post up and running. So here goes…

I’ve never really been one to document my every move on Facebook or Instagram my every meal. I just don’t think people would find it interesting. And I think its pretty hard to be honest on social media when all we are really thinking about is the number of likes and “OMG babe” comments that photo will get. (Then again, I suppose I am seeking some form of attention through this blog – contradictory?)

Diabetes Blog Week has been a real challenge for me, because I would never be able to write 7 posts in 7 days – let alone quality ones! So in order to continue to stretch myself creatively, I’ve gone with something I would never do – a photo blog. This would represent a normal work day for me – I hope its not too boring!

Here goes…

When you have to be at work by 6am, the only thing that gets you out of bed is the thought of a good coffee (coffee machines are, like, the BEST thing EVER invented!)

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Followed by a quick bowl of cereal. I was eating Special K (pictured) up until recently. However, I’ve recently switched to WeetBix because it has virtually no sugar and the same nutritional benefits of good breakfast cereals like Iron, Protein, Fibre etc.

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By 10am I’m starving – time for morning tea! Its usually an apple and a muesli bar. Carman’s Muesli Bars are fantastic because they are Low GI, don’t taste overly sweet and have significantly less sugar than most other brands.

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Lunch time and nothing beats a ham and cheese toastie! Plus its super quick and easy to prepare in the morning! I always use Burgen bread as its Low GI and high in nutritional benefits like Iron, Protein, Fibre etc. Its worth the extra cost. And, of course, a nice strong cup of tea (Twinings English Breakfast) – makes for the ultimate comfort meal! Only problem is that by 2pm I don’t want to go back to work!

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The best thing about working is that you have a set routine. You get up at the same time. You eat the same foods at the same time. You don’t have time to open the cupboards and snack, so your blood sugar levels are quite often the same.

That is, until home time hits. I’m usually home by 3pm, giving me a few spare hours to open the fridge and cupboards several times before dinner and snack. Sometimes there’ll be leftover desert if there’s been a special event – that will be an absolute must. Other times it’ll be nuts, chocolate or potato chips from the cupboard. And a coffee, tea or Coke Zero to drink. I’m still struggling with this part of the day. Badly.

I’m pretty lucky to have a home cooked meal on the table at dinner time (thanks Mum!) I’m a pretty good cook myself and help out when I can too. Its usually things like pasta dishes, chunky soup, meat and veg to name a few. We also have stir-frys, tacos, rice dishes and frittatas too. Coming from an Italian family, my diet is a pretty traditional one and I don’t have much exposure to other cuisines (gasp!) or spices (gasp!). My friends couldn’t believe that I’d never eaten a curry until a few years ago! Still not a big fan.

I’m quite good at avoiding after dinner indulgence. I always remind myself of the delayed blood sugar spike that comes from eating junk food that’s high in fat. I don’t want to wake up with a reading of 15. Plus, I go to bed fairly early, so I want a clear indication of my blood sugar levels with most of my rapid acting insulin gone.

Anyway, you now have a good insight into my diet for the day. I hope you’ve found it useful. I’m really interested to see what everyone else writes on this topic today!

I’ve written this post as a participant in Diabetes Blog Week 2015. Follow #dBlogWeek on Twitter for the latest on the event and participants.