Friday, May 2, 2008

My Late "Not in a book."



Scott tagged me. Even though it's very late... here is the meme!

Meme:

Five Most Important Pieces of Advice ... You Won't Find in a Book!

Rules:
Post five of the most helpful pieces of diabetes management advice on your blog.

Link to this Wikibetes entry where we will be tallying up all of the great advice. You are welcome to add your advice directly.



Here is what I've learned about diabetes after living with it for the last 32 years.

1. A number is just a number.
It isn't good, it isn't bad. It's just a number that gives information.
This is something that I continue to work on every day. I used to really feel horrible when I would test and see a number that I wasn't expecting, or didn't want. Now, most of the time I look at the number on the meter and talk out loud to myself. "That's just information."

2. Keep trying.
With diabetes, there are good days/moments and bad days/moments. What's really important is to get up each day and keep trying.

3. Be ready and open to learn about diabetes management
When I was in college, I used to believe that I could just coast with diabetes, and didn't need help from doctors, etc because I knew everything. Fortunately, as I matured, I figured out the value of information from others. (doctors, other people with diabetes, etc.) There is always something to learn. It might not be earth shattering (like finding out you could use a baby sock to put your pump inside), but it's important.

4. Be forgiving. Of yourself and others.
It doesn't help to beat yourself up because you "screwed up" with your diabetes management. Same is true from friends and loved ones who offer help.

5. Connect with other people who have diabetes
This is probably the most important thing that I learned. It is important to be connected to people who "walk in your shoes." It's comforting to be able to talk about daily life with diabetes, and not have to explain all the vocabulary. It helps to learn from each other.

7 comments:

Scott K. Johnson said...

Great list Molly!

I especially like #2 - Keep Trying! That is what it's all about. Diabetes is sure to knock you off the horse every now and again. It's the way we all get back on and keep trying that makes us who we are.

Minnesota Nice said...

Great list Molly. It is sooooo easy to throw in the towel and give up - I have done it for long periods of time and it is not helpful.

Anonymous said...

great list! I agree, number 5 is soo important. Now that I blog I don't know how I spent all those years not really being able to talk to anyone else who walked in my shoes

Anonymous said...

Molly I am writing/researching a story about a local 6yr old girl with a service dog like Dixie. Do you mind sharing any information with me about your experience with Dixie?

Thank you for your time and consideration
Vinnie
vcaiozzo@wtvo.com

meanderings said...

You're tagged!
Here are the guidelines:
Once you’ve been tagged, you have to write a blog with 10 weird, random, facts, habits or goals about yourself. At the end, choose 6 people to be tagged, list their names & why you tagged them. Don’t forget to leave them a comment saying “You’re it!” & to go read your blog. You cannot tag the person that tagged you, so since you’re not allowed to tag me back; let me know when you are done so I can go read YOUR weird, random, facts, habits and goals. Have fun!

Anonymous said...

Why wasn't my recent post posted?--age 50 person who needs advice.

I really could use some advice about my recent diabetes diagnosis and my difficulty dealing with it it.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the lack of help re: my diabetes depression, and for not posting my post. Yuur lack of empathy is very nice.