What have you learned about yourself, since being DX w/ diabetes? What has it taught you?

I know we have all had our ups and downs with being a diabetic; no matter what type you are. We always talk about the negative things associate w/ diabetes and never the positive. I asked myself what have I learned about myself since being dx with diabetes and what has diabetes taught me? I thought I would ask all of you the same questions....

I have to answer the question later because my lovely daughter wants me to watch TV w/ her.

Tags: type, 1, 1.5, 2, diabetes, insulin

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Permalink Reply by Tracy on May 15, 2008 at 8:24pm: This is a good question . I have learned that I am a much stronger person than I ever gave my self credit for . And one good thing I have found from having diabetes is great friends for support I have met a few in person and alot in the net that I hope to meet in the future .; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by tmana on May 15, 2008 at 8:37pm: I have learned that I can meet life-changing events with strength and determination, and that others look to that determination to find their own strength. I have found that without intending to be so, I have at times become a role model for others -- with diabetes, with other health issues, or just... in general. I have written one more chapter in the personal hero tale that is my life...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tracy on May 16, 2008 at 1:04am: Diabetes has taught me to be more compassionate to others - to understand what's it's like to be a little different. It has taught me a lot about nutrition - gave me the taste for the "good" foods and showed me (really well) how bad foods affect the human body. I have also learnt a lot about physiology (we all know a lot about the endocrine system). It has given me an appreciation of how incredible the human body truly is. And.... most importantly...... it's given me a thicker skin. I am a much stronger person thanks to the ups and downs. This is a great topic for discussion! Thanks!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mike Campana on May 16, 2008 at 9:39am: I agree with Tracy here. Having diabetes, I think, gives us all a hightened sense of our bodies and how they work. We can tell if something is off and get it resolved quickly as opposed to letting it fester. We have to, our lives depend on it. I have also learned how to be extremely compassionate. Like others have said it could be a lot worse. Look at the rest of the world fighting wars, looking for survivors. I mean if $5 dollar gas is the worse thing that happens to us. So what??? We are alive and kickin! And free too!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kristin on May 16, 2008 at 3:16am: I learned that we ALL have some major struggles in life! I struggle with diabetes, but I know that everyone around me struggles with something! These struggles can bring us together.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kris on May 16, 2008 at 3:43am: I learned that I can only do things if I can see a clear defined reason to do so.

I'm a very busy person, but also quite a lazy person, so if I can justify to myself not doing something, then I won't do it. If there is a specific reason something must be done, or a set goal, it makes it easier.

Ironically, since being diagnosed with diabetes I'm in the best health of my life, purely because I can see the benefits of looking after my body (i.e. I don't want complications).

So for example, rather than 'eat more healthily', my goal is 'don't feel ill'. Instead of 'do some exercise' the goal is 'minimise chances of complications'.

Also, I always though I had terrible willpower, but I've cut out all products with refined sugars in (jam, cakes, regular sodas, chocolate, etc) and it really doesn't bug me, despite previously having the most enormous sweet tooth in the world.

I'm also kinda glad I got diagnosed after I'd been through university - got a lot of 'self-abuse' in the form of eating badly and drinking heavily out of the way there. Turns out that a diet of takeaway pizza and whisky ain't the great for a diabetic!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sarah on May 16, 2008 at 1:32pm: I like the viewpoint of eating with the goal of "don't feel ill" and exercising to "minimise chances of complications". That's pretty much how I've slotted it in my own head, but hadn't put it into such clear terms as you have. Thank you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by debb on May 16, 2008 at 6:46am: i learned how to take care of me. i know that sounds strange, but every mom out there will understand. my kids are grown now, but a mom is a mom and she never stops taking care of her kids. it was always everyone else first. now i start with me first and everything radiates out from there. i am heading down a better path. life is getting better everyday. guess i should have started that 33 years ago. that's the great thing about humans. we never stop learning. it might take awhile to "get" it but we do. great question!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jenny on May 16, 2008 at 9:09am: Well, if I'm being honest, diabetes has taught me how much my life revolves around food.

And how easy it is for me to be very obsessive.

OTOH, if you have obsessive tendencies, diabetes is the disease to have!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sarah on May 16, 2008 at 1:28pm: A "shrink" family friend once quipped, "if it weren't for obsessive-compulsive personalities the world would grind to a halt. We suffer, but we get things done." The older I get the more I appreciate my own obsessive tendencies and agree that diabetes is a good match for them.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sarah on May 16, 2008 at 1:26pm: The single best thing I've learned about myself since being diagnosed was that I'm the best person to direct my health care. Not a physician (although I found a really great one who correctly perceives that her job is to teach me to direct my own care), not a dietician, nutritionist, certified diabetes eductor (most are clueless about what is effective when it comes to diabetes), certainly not the government, third-party insurers, media, and lobby groups like ADA, but ME and all the other diabetics who LIVE our shared disease 24/7. The 'net is a blessing -- grassroots informing and transforming health care delivery.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by tmana on May 16, 2008 at 2:57pm: Oh, definitely on the self-education and self-direction thing! Especially most of us here, we are proactive in terms of monitoring, treating, and trying to stay In Control. What gets scary (and hurts emotionally) is when adults we love and care about are diagnosed, don't test or change their habits (other than to take a pill in the morning) and, as long as the doctor sees a good A1C, tells them they're doing fine... they do nothing to educate themselves or to take better care of themselves, and are not particularly interested in doing so...; ▶ Reply to This