Tag Archives: DOC

Thinking. About You.

July 30, 2012 – 7:33 am

I don’t know why, but I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my fellow PWDs. Particularly about those who go through tough times.

Sometimes our diabetes is the issue. Sometimes our diabetes is collateral damage, caught in the crossfire.

We all have moments that challenge us. Moments when we are insulted. Moments when we are marginalized. Moments when things are beyond difficult. Moments when we just want to give up. Even if just for a moment.

I hope you know that you’re not alone in those moments. In those moments especially. You already know that there are hundreds of resources… hundreds of people here online who believe in you and are ready to lend an ear. Ready to lend a shoulder. Able to validate what you’re going through. When it seems like no one believes in you, the Diabetes Online Community stands with you. On your side.

I’ve been thinking about that lately. And thinking about you lately, whoever you are. I don’t know why. But if you ever need anything, feel free to leave a comment or use the e-mail link in the upper left part of this page. Or just click on one of the links in my blogroll to the left. Those links will connect you with many more people who know a lot more than I do. No, you are not alone. Not today. Not ever.

I believe in you. In your most difficult moments. And I’ll be there to celebrate you. In your greatest triumphs.
 
 
 

By StephenS | Posted in Additional Inspiration, Support | Also tagged , , | Comments (0)

Super Dia-heros

April 26, 2012 – 11:08 am

The world needs more Superheros!

I suppose so. But I can think of a few Superheros that I would like to retire… as soon as possible.

The Great Spousal Unit is a Superhero (Supershero?). She’s always got my back. In the middle of a road trip, or in the middle of the night, she’s always there when I have an issue. For all 21 years of this disease, she’s been a rock. I would like to give her a break. She’s earned it after all these years. I don’t want her to worry about me anymore. Without me asking.

The Live-In Niece has been terrific. I’m the first, the only, diabetic she’s ever known. Or known about. She knows nothing of hypoglycemia or ketoacidosis. But she asks a lot of questions. And she never makes me feel bad for being a pain in the ass because I had a low or I’m mad at the diabetes today. Without me asking.

Prior to the Live-In Niece was the Live-In Nephew. My Godson. Probably the relative I’m closest to. And diabetes freaks him out. But when he was confronted by something that freaked him out, he was able to help me. Without me asking.

I’ve had a couple of crappy doctors over the years. But I’ve had a couple of super ones too. That’s you, Dr. Mowry in Cincinnati, who originally diagnosed me after two doctors couldn’t be bothered to take the time; and you, Dr. Pao in Baltimore, who speaks my language and gets me thinking about adjustments to make things better, instead of always staying the same with lesser results. Thank you, thank you.

Thank you Diabetes Online Community. For the first time in I don’t know how long, I feel validated. Can’t tell you how much it meant to find out that others have the same experiences, the same hurdles, the same highs and lows. I not only feel validated… I feel more confident that I can live in this world. That I belong in this world.

Where would I be without JDRF and ADA? Your advocacy has brought us countless advances in care, support, and on, and on, and on. It’s easy to take you for granted. But these two groups are full of thousands of Superheros.

And what about the companies that have developed technology or drugs to help us continue to live a life that means something? Medtronic, Animas, Dexcom, Novo Nordisk, Aventis. That’s right.. I’m givin’ props to you, big Pharma. I’ve made it as far as I have in part thanks to you.

There are many Superheros in my diabetic life (Diaheros?) But I would like to retire all of you. I hope that soon, very soon, you can find the time to focus on someone else. Another cause. Or maybe a vacation. In the meantime, thank you sooooo much for being my Superheros.

By StephenS | Posted in Diabetes | Also tagged , , | Comments (1)

The diabetes game.

April 24, 2012 – 2:34 am

Step right up, Mr. and Ms. PWD! You too can take part in a unique challenge involving skill and daring… it’s the game the whole family can play… Diabetes!

Our first round is the diagnosis round. In it, you’ll go through the difficult first few weeks, before you even know you have diabetes. You’ll be thirsty all the time. You’ll go through the lightning round where you try to make it 45 minutes between trips to the bathroom! You’ll feel sluggish, and you might even lose a few pounds a few weeks. At the end of the round, a medical professional will confirm that you’ve got a disease for which there’s no known cure. But watch out for our two whammies– ketoacidosis, and doctors who want to make sure you know about all of the “risks of complications that you need to be aware of”.

If you survive the diagnosis round (literally), you’ll move on to the maintenance round. We’ll test your stamina (and your psyche) with new terms like hypoglycemia and hemoglobin A1c. You’ll go toe-to-toe with well meaning individuals who refer to you as a ““burden on the healthcare system“, and insurance actuaries who determine how many supplies you need to live based on their company’s or your employer’s profit & loss situation.

Still in the game? If you’re one of the lucky contestants who makes it through the maintenance round (literally… but really, you’re always in the maintenance round), you can reach the stage of diabetic maturity. You’ll find the diabetes online community, where you’ll encounter additional players in this game. People just like yourself. Members of the DOC will provide much needed validation, plus valuable information you might not find anywhere else. You might even get a chance to blog yourself, volunteer, or mentor others through the various stages of the diabetes game.

Make it through everything, and you’ll be eligible to win our grand prize! A chance to keep on living. A chance to take advantage of advances in care and technology. A chance to hang in there until a cure is within reach. NOW is the time to celebrate all the milestones in our life. Every birthday, every diaversary, even if they’re not our own, is worth its weight in gold. We’ve earned them all.

Are you ready contestants? Here we go…

By StephenS | Posted in Diabetes | Also tagged , , | Comments (0)

Hello from Baltimore

April 9, 2012 – 2:25 pm

Welcome to another blog from a type 1 diabetic.  I’m not sure I’m doing the right thing in starting this blog, but after posting comments on several sites in the last few months, I started feeling strange about remaining an anonymous face in the crowd.  So here I am!

My goals are modest.  My rules are few:

1. Don’t expect to be read.  Don’t expect to get comments.  I’m doing this to keep a written record of my life, not to be a web star.  Stay humble.  Rinse.  Repeat.

2. Where I can, be an advocate for others.  Not a necessity as a blogger, but I need to remember that it’s not always about me.  And there are always people who need help more than I do.

3. Enjoy

I’m starting this on my 50th birthday!  Not only that, but my closest living relative, my nephew, became a father today!  Let’s celebrate all of our milestones.  It’s great that we’ve all gotten this far.  And we’ve all got a lot more to give.  Let’s try to keep the proper balance between the highs and lows in our lives.  Let’s keep searching for, and when we find it, keep living in, the happy medium.

Stephen Shaul
April 9, 2012

By StephenS | Posted in Beginnings | Also tagged , , | Comments (2)