Diabetes Blog – Happy-Medium.net

This is more than just a photo of my dog. This is from the home screen of my mobile phone.

That part in the middle of the screen, where you now see – – –, you would usually see a number from my continuous glucose monitor. When I took this screenshot, I had no number. About fifteen minutes later, the number was back.

There are a lot of reasons why I wouldn’t get a number from my Dexcom for a short time. The biggest reason this was happening last week is because I was wearing my sensor longer than I’ve ever worn one before. The reason for that is because I forgot to order new sensors in time to have a fresh supply when the one I was wearing gave out.

Brilliant, right? The thing is, sensor ordering isn’t one of those fun, sexy things you get to do when you live with diabetes. The real secret is, there aren’t any fun, sexy things you get to do when you live with diabetes, but you get to do a lot. Actually, you have to do a lot just to have the best life possible.

That includes ordering sensors on time. But you know, ordering sensors is just one thing. I also have three doctor visits I need to schedule, a full time job outside of diabetes, a few advocacy subjects to stay on top of, a new dog, insulin and reservoirs and infusion sets to order too.

The next time you hear someone talk about the burden of living with diabetes, try to hear it differently. The emphasis should be on living with diabetes. And it’s no walk in the park.

But… the sensors still needed to be ordered. In fact, they were ordered last week. It has been processed, and I asked for expedited shipping, because I love paying for my mistakes by paying extra to get my supplies in a hurry (not).

Someone not living with a chronic condition might miss phoning a friend on their birthday, or might forget to pick up something at the grocery store. Inconveniences, but easily rectifiable.

I rely on my Dexcom to help me stay alive. I rely on my health care team, which includes multiple doctors in multiple offices along with back office staff. I rely on my insulin pump. I rely on the diabetes community to keep me informed, and sometimes keep me laughing. All of these help me manage my diabetes better than ever before.

I’m kicking myself for waiting too long to order new sensors. In the meantime, I just have to do the best I can with what I have left, which last week meant dealing with a sensor working into its fourth week. What else can I do?