A Support System Is The Foundation Of Success
It's been just over 4 months since I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I can tell you; this disease is a lot easier to manage with a good support system behind you. Being able to have people by your side, rooting for your ability to keep on every day, is a great feeling in itself. This disease really forces you to learn how to weed out the negative people in your life, surround yourself with the positive, and focus on your needs. Being the type of person I am, I always used to be worried about everyone else's needs and wants before my own. I allowed myself to be pushed to the back burner, in order for others around me to be happy. This disease has really helped me find my voice. It has taught me to express my needs-- even if I don't want to.
Things are made a lot easier, due to people being understanding of all the trouble that's associated with diabetes. The picture above is of me (left) and my beautiful girlfriend (right). This woman is one of the most important support beams in my life. After spending 9 months apart and getting back together, she learned of my diagnosis and jumped right in to this crazy roller coaster with me. She is doing everything she can to learn with me- the ins and outs of diabetes. She's not afraid to ask questions. She's not afraid to makes suggestions. She's not afraid to branch out and seek help so that she can better help me cope with this. She is my safety net and my rock-- my reason to get up tomorrow. I won't ever be able to express my love and appreciation enough to her, but she truly is an exceptional part of my life and without her support and love I wouldn't have the strength or courage to do this.
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I recently went on a two week vacation to South Carolina with my family. I'd have to say it was, by far, the most interesting and nerveracking experience I've had with diabetes, since my diagnosis. It was a little more challenging due to the fact that, shortly after my diagnosis I had a complete thyroidectomy which now requires me to take a thyroid hormone every day for the rest of my life. For my thyroid hormone to digest properly I have to wait at least 30-45 minutes after taking it to consume any liquids or food. This process requires me to wake up early, make sure my BG is at an acceptable level, and eat breakfast at a reasonable time. I lucked out with a supportive family in the fact that, they never rushed the process. Never made a fuss because we couldn't stop for breakfast right away. They understood and were patient with me.
Throughout the entire vacation, they assisted in making sure I was well. As other diabetics know, visiting the beach for the first time with diabetes is a little nerveracking too. You are faced with the challenge of keeping insulin cool, making sure you have enough supplies to last you your time on the beach, being aware of your surroundings and how your feeling, and eating when necessary. My parents made sure I had everything I needed at all times, and would even cut our time at the beach short, in order for us to eat lunch.
Part of my reason for accepting my parent's offer of joining them on vacation, was to visit family down there. By doing so I hope I was able to relinquish any fears my family had about diabetes and my ability to maintain it. For those who don't have diabetes or have never faced anyone with it, the disease can be a confusing and scary thought. I was one of those people. Before being diagnosed I had many terrible misconceptions about it and quite honestly made many smart-alec remarks jokes about it. All that was said and thought about the disease were based upon uneducated assumptions. After learning as much as I have now, my goal is to educate others around me in hopes to stomp out these assumptions, that I myself once had, and I know many people still do. So, I truly hope that my family is able to sit more at ease with the knowledge I gave them and knowing that this disease does not control nor define me-- I am the ruler of my life, not my diabetes.
