16 November – Today I took part in the JDRF challenge to be a T1 Diabetic for a day, and while this simulation certainly does not even come close to the reality, and I already "knew" about the constant needle sticks to monitor blood sugar levels, and paying close attention to food and exercise and its affect on blood sugar levels, and the insulin shots and/or pump monitoring the levels of insulin, this day served to make me even more thankful that I do not have to deal with the reality of diabetes on a daily basis. And it deepens my prayers for the artificial pancreas and/or another form of a cure for this disease to become a reality in the nearest future. Thank you Brent for making me aware of the challenge and an extra dose of love to my nieces Annie and Sara... :)
@grammyn Thank you! Really it was a very minor annoyance to just check a text every hour or two, but each time I read one I thought of what I would really have to do if I truly were a T1D...
It is a constant challenge to have to plan every outing in case you decide to want to stop for something to eat, or how long you are going to be out. You have to take the pharmacy with you all the time. If you stop to eat, will the service be fast or slow, will the server [PC] understand your frantic request for a glass of milk or juice if you take you shot a little to far in advance. How many diabetic-friendly restaurants are there???
What an interesting shot and very compelling narrative Marilyn!! I will have to see if "the diabetic gang" in our family were aware of it....we have quite a collection and they are all grown up now, but still experimenting with various ways to get their doses delivered. As kids they went to diabetic camps where they were pushed to their limits in safe surroundings so that they could learn to cope with hypers and hypos.
