so… I spoke too soon. kind of. everything was going smoothly until I kind of forgot that I do my weekend thing where I raise my insulin rations and corrections and basal (lantus). Which basically means I have been running higher all weekend. No fun. At all. I go for a run yesterday- woke up at 276. ate breakfast. gave insulin for food and correction. Drank water. Go run. Come back- 440…. WHAT??? Ugh. So inconvenient. It happens though. Just learn from it and keep going. Just got to tell myself it is just a number. Since I don’t have classes anymore- I have kind of lost track of time and what day it is. I better get on that though- I leave soon and I have so much to do!

I also seemed to have misplaced my travel letter for the trip- great. Go Me! Mistakes happen right? Just irritated- I feel slightly embarrassed. and asking for a new one right now- is kind of last minute. I sent an email and left a message about it. Hopefully, it all gets figured out. I would love for my doctor to be reading this right now actually, Hey doc, I would really appreciate another travel letter please? and a copy of my prescriptions? Sorry for my mishap!

Day 1 of Diabetes Blog Week- Here we go!
Prompt- Often our health care team only sees us for about 15 minutes several times a year, and they might not have a sense of what our lives are really like. Today, let’s pretend our medical team is reading our blogs. What do you wish they could see about your and/or your loved one’s daily life with diabetes? On the other hand, what do you hope they don’t see?

Endocrinologists-

Well here’s the thing- at least for me anyways. Up until this year, I have seen the same endocrinologist since I was diagnosed when I was 7, on March 8, 2000. So… my Diabetes team – knew me longer than most people have actually known me. They basically knew almost everything there was about me, and they were always there to help me out- Didn’t have to even be Diabetes related. They wished me luck with college. They were there for me when my dad passed away. They always listened to my concerns and rants. So- if they were reading my blogs- I feel like they would already know what I have written, and they could probably visualize me saying these things as well. I would want them to see everything.

My new endocrinologist, he’s only seen me once so far. But I am already impressed and excited. He took time to get to know me in my fist appointment, and he also sent a personalized letter about my test results and the appointment- no general mumbo jumbo. I would be perfectly fine if he saw my blogs and tweets- that way he could get to know me a little better.

Everybody else… this is where I’m a little well… hot-headed.

They are a whole different story! They need to read mine and everyone’s blogs. Because they don’t spend much time with patients (not always the case), problems happen, and I have sadly and often found that they don’t even know that much about me and my Diabetes. Especially Type 1.

So often, they blame small ailments on my Diabetes. Sprained ankle? It was my Diabetes apparently. Wait a moment… What? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I have been told I am killing myself. By the eye doctor because my a1c as a 14 year old was 7.5. I tried to explain to him that Type 1 and 2 were not the same, and during my teen years hormones liked to instill a lot of fear and havoc in my life. I said I was trying my best. But being a teen and having Diabetes is hard for many reasons (more on this later I’d say). He flat out told me I was wrong. He continued to tell me I wasn’t doing enough to take care of myself, what… ummm. you read my mind? you walk in my shoes?

I now have a new policy- if anything like that happens with a health care professional, and they don’t listen to me or anything- I NEVER GO BACK.

I would gladly welcome them reading my blog- They would learn about my Diabetes, and me as well. They would also see a post like this one, and realize that it isn’t okay to do some of those things. Maybe they’ll stop if they are doing these things? Maybe they’ll stop others? Educate others? What I said above, that it does happen a lot, and in all honesty- it sometimes bothers me. I know and have seen that not every healthy care professional has done this. But happens too often (Another reason why I’m going to law school).

I’m a pretty open person- especially when it comes to my Diabetes- so I welcome them and anyone to reading my blog. I have nothing to hide. I promise, except maybe a few pair of converse I may not have gotten rid of like I was supposed to.

I want them to know about my life- maybe not all the intimate details- But in my Medical Sociology class this semester we spent a lot of time talking about this very thing. Doctors and other Health Care Professionals may not know the whole story. Well. They should. Everything in your life is important- especially in regards to your health. Everything in your life impacts your health, your healthcare utilization, how well you can take of yourself, your culture, if you have time, if you can afford it- etc etc. Doctors who are seeing patients of lower SES (socioeconomic status) and everything- this happens a lot more- different doctors each time, maybe not even 15 minutes, very little charts, etc. If they know a little more about you- maybe it will be easier to get the help you need, and it may be easier for them to help you-  so it helps- on both ends.

I know that they are busy… but… isn’t it important…. all the same. won’t it save more money in the long run? Just a few more minutes? Just a few more words on the patient chart? Couldn’t that help? Just a thought.

Love, Words, Inspiration, and Insulin! -Until next time! and until there’s a cure!

 

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We’ll both be glad you did! -Mindy