Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, One… What I Have Learned From Diabetes!

We are doing a new type of theme day here at the science and health channel. We are compiling a top 10 list channel wide. That’s right, each and every one of us has created our own take on the top 10 list. And this is my take on it. I was thinking of listing clinical implications of diabetes. No, that is too boring! Then I thought, “why don’t I share what I have learned about living with diabetes over the last few years- the good, bad and the ugly, and sometimes very humorous”.

So, here we go. I am going to share with you the top 10 things that I have learned about living with diabetes. Now remember, this is MY personal list. So you can laugh, smile or get all fired up at what I have to say. And if you would like, send me your top 10 list of what you have learned living with YOUR diabetes… and I can post them with your permission. It is always nice to share.

Kendra’s Top 10 List Of What She Has Learned About Living With HER Diabetes…

1. Different glucometer’s will register different numbers, especially the programmable kind. Make sure that you have the correct lot number of the strip in the glucometer. So yeah, my blood sugar wasn’t really 45, just incompatible numbers!

2. No, I may not have that second piece of cheesecake. No matter how good it is- and oh boy does Debbie make some good cheesecake. I may have one very thin, small slice and be happy with it! Really I shouldn’t have any but I have to allow myself a little bit of sweets every once in a while, or I would be craving that sugar constantly.

3. Exercise is imperative! Do I even need to elaborate?

4. I will never know everything about diabetes. Every day there is something “new and improved” out there. It is a constant learning process.

5. Being a nurse helps me help myself. I have a bit of extended knowledge and many more resources that the average Joe. Now, if I would just use everything that is right under my nose, I would be set!

6. To be totally honest, I will just have bad days. That’s right, there will be days where my blood sugar is up, up, up and I will have no clue why. Just know that tomorrow is another day.

7. My kids know all about diabetes at the ages of 3, 5 and 7. They understand the basics behind diabetes and sugar control and know if mommy is ever “asleep” and can’t get up to call 911 and Mom Mom or Daddy. They also enjoy sticking their mother, little boogers!

8. There are some darn good low sugar and sugar free recipes out there! That is good for diabetics as well as wild children like the ones that I claim. Sugar makes them crazy! So, yes we eat a lot of “diabetic type” recipes.

9. I can always get a lunch break. Yes, sometimes you can throw the diabetes card. “I am feeling a bit low and need to eat”. Uh huh, it can work in your favor.

10. Diabetes has taught me self control and allowed me to blog about something that I have a passion about. I have been able to write every darn day. And yes, that means that sometimes I say, “I need to get on the computer and write, you have to watch the kids for a bit. I will be up when I am finished”. Am I always researching diabetes and staying on task? Heck no! I love the junk blogs and celebrity and entertainment type news, go Perez Hilton. I guess I just blew my cover. Sorry Big Guy, now you know my secret.