Diabetes is sexy!

This blog is by Katie’s girlfriend, Kiran.

When Katie first suggested the idea of loved ones guest blogging for ACT1, I was a little hesitant. I have conflicting thoughts about the entire “Type 3” (or is it Type 4?) concept; yes, Katie’s diabetes is a major and constant part of my life. However, no matter involved, affected or scared I may feel, it’s not my disease and I have to accept that and let Katie maintain sole ownership over it. I know from experiences in my own life that when we have struggles, especially ones for which we know there may never be a complete solution, we must maintain ownership over the struggle and having that ownership taken from us can often feel worse than the challenge itself.  

So I write all this with the ultimate acknowledgment that I do not have diabetes and I will never completely understand what living with diabetes means, no matter how much I love and care for Katie. All disclaimers finally aside, here’s what I think is sexy about diabetes! 

#1: Watermelon glucose tablets breath. She may go low at awkward moments, but those sugary kisses are as intimate as anything else. 

#2: Lantus (now Levimir) alarm. 10 o’clock will always make me think of Katie, no matter where I am or what I am doing. And if we’re together, it means it’s time for me to drudge up memories of middle school acting class, put on my insulin accent, and come calling. Maybe one day I will upgrade it to a song and dance… 

#3: 15/15. Ok, lows suck. I would never venture to claim to know how much, but I can tell that they suck. And I have heard from a lot of people with diabetes that the fifteen minutes of waiting tafter the fifteen carbs is really hard, which makes total sense, given even just my outsider impression of how lows feel. But when I can fill the fifteen minutes with a shoulder or foot rub (or the Katie special of a tummy rub) while keeping orange juice handy, it tends to go by a lot faster and we both have a little fun. 

#4: ACT1. I could spend this entire post doting on Katie and reiterating how proud I am of her, but I realize only a sentence or two of that is really palatable for public consumption. ☺ But seriously, I’ve picked Katie up from sidewalk extensions of support group meetings, hosted ACT1 meetings in our apartment and participated in the “Plus 1’s” meeting, and I am floored by the strength and determination of these women. I love nothing more than having our very small apartment overrun with the loudest, sweetest, most motivated women I know.  

I have watched Katie go from refusing to ask for help, to seeking help and being rejected at every turn, to creating a support system herself. It never surprised me that Katie of all people could create this space, but I still love it every time she tells me that another PWD is interested in the group. And I think to myself, that person is so lucky to have found Katie, Katie is lucky to have found her/him, and I am lucky and forever grateful that I have been let into Katie’s diabetes world – both the sexy and not-so-sexy aspects!