Monday, January 23, 2012

Not A Joke

I am going to try my hardest to keep calm and carry on from that experience I just had in the diabetic education centre.   It wasn't that they were awful to me or that they picked on me...(maybe a little) but it was the feeling that I had as they looked through my past two weeks and the comments that they made.  I think all diabetics in some way or another feel this exact why when they meet with their endocrinologist or diabetic education nurses.

In my last blog post I talked about being a good advocate for yourself - this is something I stood by and still do after today's session. I wish so badly I could have recorded the conversation, I wish everyone could take home a nice recording of their visits to let everyone know what the feeling of being on trial in a doctor's office really feels like.

First of all, we are diabetics 24/7 like a Super Walmart or a Variety store.  We don't get time off, we don't put away our pump and meter at 5 pm and pick it back up at 9 am.  Our tools that we work with are on hand all the time, our blood drips from our fingers anytime we want to eat and our body takes a daily beating when we stick needles into it like it is our personal pin cushion.    We are the diabetics that are responsible for our body and yes we know that we slack sometimes, but what have you ever done perfect on?

Today I went into the office really excited to share the news of my upcoming successes. I thought I would be writing down my Youtube link or promising to send them a copy of the newspaper.  Instead, I found myself on the hot seat as they realized I wasn't quiet checking four times a day - always.  Hey, I admit it, sometimes we just don't have time to be the ideal diabetic that is just life.  Unfortunately, despite being a full time diabetic, I am also a full time - a lot of other things.  

The idea of a scare tactic in order to 'smarten' up' is beyond me.  Why would you tell someone, you know we can take your pump away if you don't check four times...    Well although this is the case, and I am sure it happens, my A1C is 7.7 and I am fully taking care of my diabetes to the best I can at this moment.   I haven't ever had D.K.A and I am far more involved in the diabetes community than most.    

You see, threatening to take away an insulin pump is not a joke.  Would you threaten to take away an oxygen tank? Would you threaten to take away an Epi pen?  When you threaten to take away a Wheelchair?  Probably not.     I realize that the pump is government issued in Ontario and that part of the requirement is to check four times, but give me some slack! What you see is my last two weeks, not the three years I have been diabetic.

Going to the diabetic education centre is supposed to be a place of help, not an episode of Judge Judy.  You shouldn't have to defend yourself or remember what you ate twelve days ago. You shouldn't have to feel pressured or threatened. None of this should be happening, because what does a diabetic do that gets pissed off at a doctor's appointment - well this one writes about it!

Kayla

6 comments:

  1. If it's any consolation, they won't give me a pump

    because my A1C is too high

    they won't give me a device that'll give me better control of my diabetes because I don't have good control of my diabetes.

    Oh, okay.

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  2. So frustrating, especially when the majority of them aren't even diabetics themselves!!!

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  3. I just stumbled across your blog while on facebook. I loved reading it and completly understand where you are coming from. Although I am not a diabetic myself, I do have a 4-year-old daughter who is. I think that reading some of your stories to her would be helpful.

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  4. I guess I don't understand why they can threaten to take away your pump. In the US if you purchase it, it's yours. The insurance company will pay for only a part of it. I'm sorry you had some problems with the doctors.

    I've been lucky in the 46 years of being a diabetic. My doctors have allowed me to be in control of my diabetes. If I need help, then I call them. I don't see an endocrinologist or diabetic education nurse.

    I also don't have a pump nor do I want one. I'm glad you're doing good with yours.

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  5. They can't take shit away from you. It's your pump.

    Your 'educators' sound like a bunch of clowns.

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  6. I am a new reader to your blog, I have been a type 1 diabetic for 22 years and do not have an insulin pump by choice and have researched the dispensing device very thoroughly.. I'm a 26 yr old female who also faced non stop obstacles with this disease and can relate to your frustrations.

    I have been through countless endocrinologists and dieticians due to the fact the medical field chooses to hire self absorbed, insensitive doctors who only care about the steady pay cheque.

    Moving on, the stipulations that are behind this device is to my personal opinion unrealistic, due to the fact anything can trigger an issue to our health , have it be: Illness, stress, high insulin intake and much more. So having that said the government thinks by bullying you to be unrealistically aware of every little thing is ridiculous.

    Here is my advice to you, unfortunatley the rules and regulations that is detailed in fine print for this device is government created and what they say goes. But know they don't control your life, there are alternative options, if by chance they do decide to take it away then take the time before they address that choice to self educate yourself with penlet needles and insulin types, at first new situations are overwhelming but this gives you the opportunity to make and adjust your decisions with your disease.

    I also have other medical issues:
    -thyroid disease
    -gastroparesis
    -acid reflux
    -celiac disease
    -lactose intolerant

    None of the above gets me down either, I am a healthy mother of a 3 year old son, who has graduated college several times for different careers and now are a successful makeup artist.

    Diabetes isn't the end, its just the beginning of your journey.
    If you ever have any questions or concerns or are interested in personal experiences then feel free to ask me.

    Tamara85

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