Been a couple of months since I put some thoughts in a blog, but this thought has been with me since a meeting of my diabetes support group on Monday the 13th of June.
I'd arranged the speaker way back in September 2012, a psychologist member of the clinical team from my local Health Trust, Dr Graham, a very accommodating Dr who was more than willing to engage with patients.
One of the issues for people with diabetes that Dr Graham raised was 'loss' and it really made me stop and think, one of the things diabetes creates is LOSS.
What kind of loss?
Loss of Control? Loss of Freedom? Loss of Life?
Control - Diabetes creates a control culture - we have to learn to control a condition, but on top of that, if you're on med's that control the level of glucose in your blood, well then there's a whole new loss of control you have to learn to live with, and that loss is pretty damn frightening, everyone can experience a low blood sugar, its a natural thing, but no-one without diabetes will experience the impact of hypoglycemia brought about by medication.
A hypoglycemic incident is one of the most terrifying things in the world to experience, more frightening than any roller-coaster ride, you lose all sense of you, in the most severe cases you become useless, you have total loss of control.
Freedom - The treatment of diabetes as a condition has changed remarkably over the years, there is much more chance for those on insulin to live a 'normal' life, but the reality is diabetes will impact on your ability to drive, your employment prospects and even something as simple as going out for dinner, drinks and a night out...its not that you can't...its simply that you have to programme in so many different equations...what will the carbs be in my meal choice?...what if they have no diet mixer for my drink?..what will drinking do to my blood glucose?
Life - Yes, diabetes is that serious...with all the other loss this is the one that those without diabetes don't think will happen..sure its only not eating sugar, diabetes isn't that serious...well sorry no, and excuse the pun...its bloody serious...every day is a challenge...every day is coping with loss and trying to achieve control whilst doing our best to enjoy freedom....and if we don't get the balance right...well then life ends.....
