Tuesday, November 09, 2010

D-Blog Day 2010



Today is the sixth annual D-Blog Day (thank you, Gina Capone!) -- and though I’ve spent little time on the blog over the past year, there’s no way I could let the day go by without posting.

In keeping with this year’s theme, here are six things I want everyone to know about diabetes (along with a boatload of links to illustrate them):

1. Diabetes is a thief.

It steals time.

The time it takes to count carbs, prick fingers, test blood sugars -- and to THINK about what all those bloody numbers mean; the time needed to treat the inevitable high and low blood sugars.

It also steals experiences -- because it cannot be ignored.

And even with the best of care, it steals lives.

2. Managing diabetes forces children to grow up too fast; the risk of complications forces children to grow up too fast.

3. An insulin pump and infusion set does not equal a working pancreas.

Pumps malfunction; cannulas bend -- sometimes with frightening consequences.

And even when fully operational, these tools are only as good as the humans operating them (see #5).

4. Parenting a child is hard; parenting a child with type 1 diabetes is heartbreaking.

5. Just because we’re not perfect, doesn’t mean we’re not trying.

So much about managing diabetes truly is a shot in the dark. You can test and log your blood sugars, watch what you eat, exercise, treat highs and lows as they happen -- use the best technology available to you...

But still.

You will never have perfect (or even near perfect) control all of the time.

Because as much as any of us try to “think like a pancreas,” we will never be a pancreas.

6. Community makes a difference.

The Diabetes Online Community saved me that first year after Joseph's diagnosis. Just knowing we were not alone gave (and continues to give) all of us strength.

(Thank you, DOC!)

And here is my bonus 7th thing...

7. You can help someone who needs insulin, but can't afford it just by watching a video. Really.

For every view of the video below, a donation will be made by Roche Diabetes Care -- up to $75,000 -- to the Diabetes Hands Foundation. This money will be used to help provide
insulin to children in the world’s poorest countries.

Again, all you have to do is watch.



We have to get to 100,000 views by Sunday to get the maximum donation, so again -- please watch!

16 comments:

Bernard said...

Sandra! Good to hear from you. Most days I almost forget about the time thief. It really adds up to a lot.

I hope all the family is having a wonderful Fall.

Allison Blass said...

You rock my socks, Sandra!

That line, "Because as much as any of us try to “think like a pancreas,” we will never be a pancreas," makes me teary-eyed, because it's so true. It's such a futile attempt and yet... we have to.

So glad you joined us again for this year. I miss you bunches!!!

shannon said...

I was so glad to see your name pop up in my blog reader! I miss your posts but realize that life gets in the way sometimes. Thank you for sharing your list and your links!

Sandra Miller said...

Bernard -

So good to hear your "voice" too. Fall has been good, but busy (as usual). Hope things are well with you...

Allison -

Thanks. :-)

Miss you too.

Shannon -

Thanks so much for the kind words.

Unknown said...

Awesome post! Thanks for reposting the video too!!!! Trying and trying and trying to get to that 100,000!!!!!

Carol said...

Terrific post, Sandra. Thank you for all the links. It was so good to go back and read those posts. My best to you and your beautiful children.

Molly said...

I particularly love #2 and #3. You are so right. Today makes me thankful for the people I've "met" in the OC who know what it is all about.

Pam K said...

Reading this post, and some of the linked ones, made me feel both good and bad. The one about how parenting a child with type 1 diabetes is heartbreaking made me get teary-eyed.

My boy is 3, almost 4, and we've been doing the diabetes thing for a year and a half. Mostly, I take it a day at a time, a check and a meal at a time, and keep my head in the sand about the rest. I don't like to think about the road ahead, don't want to think about it until it's here. Sneaking food, giving him the wheel, complications, going to school and being so different... I don't want to do it until I have to.

I think the point I resonated with most is your first one. It strikes me so often, every day, just how much TIME is dedicated to his condition, even if it has become just a part of the routine now.

Back when my son was a baby, before all this, my husband told me something when my son got sick for the first time (a fever or something). "Kids shouldn't be allowed to get sick until they can understand it." I agreed with him, and I agree even more now. But at the same time, it's almost easier, because not understanding also means that they don't really think things could or should be any different.

Sorry to be so wordy, but your post brought out a lot of different thoughts and feelings for me. Thanks (I think).

Unknown said...

As always...great post. You were the first blog I found on the DOC a few years ago...a few years before I, myself started blogging. I too, have a Joe...he is 7, he has diabetes...diagnosed when he was 3.

You know just how to word what I am thinking. Thank you Sandra.

My best to you and your uber-awesome family!

Kerri. said...

Every time you pop your head back in and blog, I realize what a huge impact your voice has in this community. Thanks for blogging, Sandra. :)

Vivian said...

I have missed your writing. You always touch my heart with your words because they are usually what I am thinking or feeling too. Big hugs to your family, hope we hear from you again real soon.

George said...

I would take a post a year! I love whenever I see you have posted!!!

AWesome post BTW.

Kassie said...

Always nice to see your posts! I'll never forget the endo that told me that diabetes takes 10 minutes a day (he knew, because he'd checked his blood sugar 4 times and added up the time). Time thief indeed!

Sherry said...

Awesome post!! I’m going to share on my facebook page. Thank you!

meanderings said...

Ditto all of the above!
Plus, I really miss hearing what the kiddos are up to.

The Diabetic Camper said...

I am excitied to participate. One world one disease.