Favorites and Motivation

Some of my favorite blog posts that I have written deal with "Dear Diabetes". When I can get all my feelings out and tell diabetes what I really think of it. It's ugly and full of emotion but in the end I feel better. You can read it here.

My motivation is easy...it's my girls! My blogging is my journal. If I am able to help one person then I consider it well worth writing. In those first initial months you feel so overwhelmed and alone; so being able to give someone a spark of hope and to let them know they are NOT alone is key. I like to share (or over share) because I know there are others going through the same thing. It's nice to know that we are all in this together and cheering each other on!

My motivation!

A guest post from my daughter, Nora...

So apparently, I've passed on the blogging bug to my girls. I LOVE it!! Sometimes it's so much easier to write down how you feel and I respect that. We are all so busy living and putting on a brave face that sometimes we just need to get it out. And that's what my baby did...

Dear Diabetes,

It's me,Nora. Why do you have to make my life so miserable? Why can't I just be like most of the other 12 year olds in the world? You surely get in the way of a LOT but, it doesn't stop me though. I just walk right past you. I really hate you but...one thing I do like about you, is that you ONLY make me strong. So I guess no thank you but thank you? Goodness...you are complicated. Whenever I'm playing a sport you just HAVE to mess with me. I mean like excuse me but, when I play sports it's MY free time, not yours. I am not being selfish. If anyone is being selfish...it's you. You just take my life away and not in a good way. This past summer you just had to get into my sister. Is this a joke to you? It's not a joke to anyone else. Well...I'm not waisting anymore time on you right now.
Not Yours Truly,
Nora

p.s. to anyone else that is suffering with T1D ��STAY STRONG��

Dear Diabetes,

To say that I hate you seems too simple and yet so obvious. I'm angry at you for sure and have been for almost 7 years, since the day you barged into our lives and ruined Nora's youth. The anger just builds with each high blood sugar reading, for every faulty insulin pump site, every trace ketone, lost sleep, CGM calibration in the middle of the night, LOWS, when you interfere in her school day or her sports, robbing Nora of her childhood and the FEAR of her not making it through the night.

There are days where you push yourself front and center and it hurts. I'm not going to lie...there are nights when I wonder why Nora? Why couldn't it be someone else...anyone else but Nora. Why couldn't it happen to the family down the street whose parents are so self absorbed and their kid is looking for attention? Because with diabetes I'm giving TONS of attention to Nora...so much attention that she's asking me to stop giving her so much! (I really don't wish this disease on anyone else but sorry, to shock you reader but it IS my thought at times!)

But I've got a secret for you...every time Nora has an "in range" blood sugar, I am able to sleep through the night because she has a flatline of 130, a day without a low, she makes it through school with only the specified blood sugar checks and no extra visits to the nurse, when Nora runs and plays and enjoys life like kids without diabetes...guess what?!?! YOU LOSE!!

I've got another thing to tell ya too! If it weren't for you, dearest diabetes, I don't think I would be as compassionate to other people with "invisible" diseases. My family wouldn't be as close as it is today. I wouldn't have met some pretty awesome people in the DOC. I wouldn't have YEARS of volunteer hours tucked under my belt or cherish the time I have with my kids every. single. day! I've talked with members of Congress, CEO's of corporations and all because of you, diabetes. You have given me something to wake up to, to fight for my daughter and ALL diabetics. I'm sure I would've had a great, content life without you in it. But because you are, I've got a passion to talk about, learn about and teach about all things D.

In case you haven't noticed...we are a pretty powerful group, the DOC. We will be the change! We will make a difference! We will make you cower in a corner until we have completely annihilated you! We have seen too much suffering but we see the light at the end. And it's got a big 'ol party going on with cake and ice cream and you aren't invited...we are done with you!

So I know you'll stick around and mess some numbers up and keep us sleep deprived but know this...your time is coming! If I were you....I'd run!!

Not so sincerely,

Jen
Mom to Nora dx'd 6-13-05

Six Months...a birthday and a countdown!

Today is a BIG day!! We, as in BHS, turn 6 Months old!! It has been wonderful sharing with you, all things diabetes, these past few months. We've grown so much so quickly and it's all because of YOU!! Spreading the Blue Heel love in your community and throughout the DOC! We are blessed to have you all!!

AND...it's the countdown to World Diabetes Day 2012!! I encourage you to start thinking of events to have,  to turn all things blue in your community 11/14/12!! So, in honor of WDD we would like you to continue the sentence...

"Dear Diabetes,"

I will be sharing my "Dear Diabetes" letter this week with you. If you feel compelled to share please send us an EMAIL or PM on our Facebook page and we can feature your letter in our blog posts (anonymously too if you wish). We realize these will be very personal but thought it would be good therapy to just lay it all out and tell Diabetes just how you feel WITHOUT judgment!

 And who gets it more than the DOC??

I know, speaking for myself, that even though I have a VERY supportive spouse and family that sometimes I can't say how I feel. I'm too busy functioning.


When's the next pump site change, next calibration, how many carbs are in that...etc.

I just want to say it (or scream, cry or rejoice...yes, rejoice) and I don't want a pat on the back or an "oh, I'm sorry it'll get better". I just want to vent and move on...

NO RESPONSE...

just say what I need to say and get it off my chest! Just writing it out, even on paper, and then crunching it into a ball and setting it on fire is freeing enough!! BUT...if you want to share please feel free to do so. 


One, you might feel better and two, you might just make an impact on someone out there that needs to know they aren't alone!

"Free your mind...and the rest will follow..." 

(yep. En Vogue...sorry, it was in my head for some reason!!)