Thursday, March 18, 2010

Emotional yo-yo into action

I read somewhere shortly after my diabetes diagnosis that Type 2s are prone to depression.  "Not me!" I thought.  "Those are the people who just can't accept their diagnosis and move on."  What a shock I was in for when later I found myself over the "newness" of the disease.  I won't say I've fallen into clinical depression, but I will admit that there are some days where I just sit in the corner and pout.  I thank God for my children who keep me moving.  Yesterday my youngest took my hand and forced me outside to see crocus blooming.  That cheered me up instantly!

I'm trying to turn any sadness about diabetes into action.  Instead of getting upset about the odds working against my children (Type 2 is on my side and their dad's side), I joined the ADA's Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes as a virtual walker (since all of the walks are too far or not a good date for our schedule).  I'm even working on getting some of my friends to join me.  Yes, even those reading my blog.  Just click on my link to make a donation or join my team.  Of course I'd also encourage people to find a walk close to them if they'd like to join in on the fun.

5 comments:

  1. :hug:

    I am sorry that you have been down, but glad to hear you have such a good positive plan. I hope it goes well!!

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  2. The depression hit me before I knew it was common. I was terrified of diabetes, I could have handled being told I had cancer better (I think). I was in major depression for the first 3 months after my diagnosis, I think part of it was the stupid blood pressure meds they put me on. I am a lot like my sister, if a pill is going to have side effects, Im going to have them all in spades, and the BP pill caused me some major problems.

    I was so unprepared to be diabetic, my grandparents on my dad's side developed it late in life..but other than that, its not really in the family. The doctors think mine was caused by my hemochromatosis (I have it but not as bad as Branwyn) and that it will only get worse with age. I will not be one of those that will be able to come off meds when I get to an "acceptable" weight. Knowing I would have a disease for the rest of my life really hit me hard, and out of left field.

    I am one of those people that over educates themselves on everything, so I prob know more about diabetes than a lot of people that have it. I was not willing to just take my pills and do what the dr says, I have to know the "whys and what fors".

    Im happy to say now, 1 year and almost 6 months into my diagnosis I have pretty much come to terms with it, I do have a day here and there, especially when someone comes to the office with donuts (which happens to be a big love of mine and also a HUGE trigger for my sugar to over react, why couldnt it have been corn or something lol), but I have accepted my fate and done what I could do to minimize the effects. I changed my way of eating so much that I lowered my cholesterol 41 points in one year with NO medication for it. I've managed to lose about 30 pounds, but I think that is mainly due to the fact that my stomach will NOT get used to the metformin and everything goes straight thru me.

    As long as you're only sitting in the corner once and awhile, its ok.

    Have you gone to any diabetes education things? Dave and I have done that, and I tell you what, it helped a LOT to find out that, while people may not experience the exact same things as me, they had weird things too. AND I found out I'm not the only one that has a cat that will wake them up in the middle of the night when their sugar crashes!!

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  3. Liba, thanks for the hugs! Shannon, diabetes runs in my family. My mom has it as did her father, but they were both older when they were diagnosed. I had gestational diabetes during all five pregnancies. Honestly I would have been shocked if I hadn't become diabetic at some point in my life. I was just hoping to wait a few decades. ;) I did the diabetes education while pregnant and I read a lot (yeah, I read too much sometimes, too). I would actually love to become a CDE but they require some other kind of medical degree first which I'm not willing to do at this time.

    I don't write this blog for pity. I write this blog as a healthy way to let out my emotions. I share it hoping that someone will read it and realize they're not alone. I'm not upset or angry about becoming diabetic (thought I do get frustrated with the disease). I'm not upset or angry at my mom or grandfather for passing on their genetics. I love them both very much and could never blame either one. Honestly I get frustrated with my hair more than my diabetes, but that wouldn't make for a very interesting blog, now would it. :)

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  4. oh sure it would...lets start a frustrated hair blog....I absolutely hate mine, I just dont have the guts to do things to it like my sister does lol

    I love the diabetes classes, there are always lots of vendors there giving away free cool stuff. Its not uncommon for Dave and I to spend a saturday at one.

    I WAS upset and angry...Im not anymore, its just really inconvenient when you have to plan every activity you want to do around where the closest bathroom is, or risk not taking your meds that day so you can actually go hiking in the mtns!!

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  5. There's a list of diabetes expos on the ADA site if you're interested. Someday I might go to one.

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