Recognition, celebration, and re-commitment

Today’s guest blog is by Stacey’s personal friend and type 1 comrade, Katie Aliferis.  You can check her out at Katie’s Health Journey

Stacey emailed me a few weeks ago asking if I would ever be interested in being a guest blogger for Act1. I replied immediately with an enthusiastic “yes”! Then, the time came. I started thinking about what to write; things affecting me right now, like fighting insurance to get a CGM, the inconsistencies of diabetes, exercise affecting sugars, diabetes and weekends (which are very different from my weekdays), diabetes and vacations, and the like. I was having a hard time picking one topic. Or one train of thought.

So here’s a question for you all: What should I name my Dexcom CGM (because I am insisting, this time, I will fight until I get it…)? I was thinking about “PAL” – Personal Assistant Life-saver. Other ideas?

And here’s the meat of my blog: my letter to diabetes, 2 days before my 24-year D-versary (my diagnosis was on February 7, 1986)…

Dearest diabetes,
24 is a magical number. In my 24th year of life I accomplished many things. I transitioned from a mediocre job into a great career. I decided I was finally ready to go on the pump. I started taking much better care of myself. We’ve been together for 24 years now. You’ve given me a lot, and taken a lot away. I can’t blame you, it’s not your fault. I blame Mr. Immune System. But I can’t focus on the blame, the fact is, you and I are together for life, so I guess I just have to make the best out of our time together. In honor of our 24th anniversary, here are 24 commitments that I am making to you to celebrate our near-silver anniversary:

1.  I will always try to improve our relationship
2.  I will always try to put your needs high on my priority list
3.  I will always take you with me on my travels… We’ll see the world together!
4.  I will always look into ways to improve our relationship with better technological advances
5.  I will always donate to our cause with either time, money, advocacy, or other work
6.  I will always work towards being healthy in all other areas of my life, so that you are not negatively impacted
7.  I will always keep in mind how fickle you are, and do my best to forgive you and move on
8.  I will always give you a treat now and then
9.  I will always give myself credit for the efforts I put into our relationship
10. I will always get emotional when things are bad between us, but I will always work to make it better
11. I will always keep you in my mind – I’m in this for life, baby!
12. I will always keep track of how we are doing, so changes can be made when necessary
13. I will always try to follow our procedures: 15/15 rules, temporary basals for exercise, etc.
14. I will always give you the things (medication, insulin, etc.) that you deserve… I won’t hold out on you
15. I will always do my best to count my carbs, I apologize in advance for the times that I may count incorrectly
16. I will always remember the bad times as learning experiences
17. I will always treasure the good times and learn from those as well
18. I will always appreciate the lessons you have taught me in my life, and carry them over into other aspects/areas of life
19. I will always share our story with others: so people can know that anyone can have a good, yet imperfect, relationship with their diabetes
20. I will always try to focus my energy into the positive aspects of our relationship, and let the rest roll off my back
21. I will always honor and respect you since not doing that enough could really impact my life and the lives of my loved ones
22. I will always work to decrease my insulin needs, I know you don’t want me to have to take too much
23. I will always see you as a life partner, and try not to see you as a burden
24. I will always celebrate our anniversaries with recognition, celebration, and re-commitment to these things

I can’t wait until next year. Aren’t you supposed to give me jewelry for our 25th anniversary?

xoxoxo,
Katie