flash
My diabetes was triggered by a very long and persistent flu virus. I
used to be a professional camerawoman. Sometimes it was tricky to fit
the blood glucose checks and insulin injections into the commercial
breaks of live shows. Security also didn't like me fiddling with
syringes. For me, the worst thing about diabetes is not being able to
have any Christmas cake or biscuits. I don't miss the other sweets so
much, though.
I started on multiple daily injection therapy (MDI). My glucose values tended to fluctuate a lot then. They would be very high in the morning (Dawn Phenomenon), so my diabetologist suggested I use an insulin pump. It worked really well, and my levels got much better in the morning because I was better adjusted during the night. Still, I felt restricted by the pump, and it bothered me a lot in my everyday life. I am now back on MDI and use a pen. I find my life more relaxed that way and I don't really care whether I need to do six or eight injections a day.
I started on multiple daily injection therapy (MDI). My glucose values tended to fluctuate a lot then. They would be very high in the morning (Dawn Phenomenon), so my diabetologist suggested I use an insulin pump. It worked really well, and my levels got much better in the morning because I was better adjusted during the night. Still, I felt restricted by the pump, and it bothered me a lot in my everyday life. I am now back on MDI and use a pen. I find my life more relaxed that way and I don't really care whether I need to do six or eight injections a day.
If I haven't checked my blood glucose level for a while,[br]I will definitively do so before getting behind the wheel.
When I'm driving a car for a long distance – and I don't always take
enough breaks – I sometimes feel the need to check my blood glucose
levels. If someone is in the car with me who knows about diabetes, I
just hold out my right hand and he or she pricks my finger to check my
levels. If I'm by myself, though, I stop and check myself. Usually I am
pretty good at feeling my blood glucose level going down. I always keep
glucose tablets, sweets, and juice handy in my car.
I've been a smoker for a long time. I've wanted to quit on and off but then I tell myself, since I can't eat chocolate, I at least want to be able to smoke. I'm not the kind of person who lights their first cigarette at eight in the morning. I usually smoke my first cigarette in the late afternoon and sometimes a bit more in the evening, when I go out to a bar, see friends or go out for a meal. I don't feel restricted at all.
My advice to you: Take a positive stance on diabetes because it forces you to really think about things, to be ‘connected’ with yourself – take it as an opportunity!
I've been a smoker for a long time. I've wanted to quit on and off but then I tell myself, since I can't eat chocolate, I at least want to be able to smoke. I'm not the kind of person who lights their first cigarette at eight in the morning. I usually smoke my first cigarette in the late afternoon and sometimes a bit more in the evening, when I go out to a bar, see friends or go out for a meal. I don't feel restricted at all.
My advice to you: Take a positive stance on diabetes because it forces you to really think about things, to be ‘connected’ with yourself – take it as an opportunity!