(Blogger ate this post, so I am reposting it. I'm sorry your comments were lost, but I read every one and I want to thank you for you sweet words of encouragement!)
So if you haven't noticed, I'm different.
I have three boys who have Type 1 Diabetes.
Sometimes I don't feel like I have a lot in common with the other moms. Sometimes when I pick up the boys, I just wish I could bust out with a little diabetes lingoed epiphany and get an AMEN from the peanut gallery.
Sure, most of the time I can fake my normalcy and talk freely with the mothers in the hallway...but sadly, sometimes I'm just in another world with my thoughts.
On this note, I would like to present to you...
Ten things I can't say to the other mothers at school:
Don't you hate it when your son is high and you have to give him more drugs..like more than his usual amount, just to get him down again? Or when he is low and you have to do a full on drive by carbing?
Don't you hate it when you shove your hand down in your purse to find some change and you shunk your finger with a lancet that's top has popped off?
Don't you hate it when you drop your son off at school and the minute you get home there is a phone call that their pump battery is now dead?
Don't you hate it when you step on Legos, or Hot Wheels, or 19 test strips that fell onto the floor when you are doing a 1:00am check?
Don't you hate it when your child goes on a field trip and you need to load up his pockets like he is a mule going on a desert sabbatical?
Don't you hate it when your sons pillow is covered in little red dots and they don't come out? Don't you hate it when your son asks to draw dot to dot to see if there is a picture hidden in it? Sure you flip it over so it doesn't show...but then there is another nighttime check coming in a few hours anyway, right?
Don't you hate that there are parties like every other day at school with donuts, ice cream and cupcakes...all to be washed down with full sugar-strength lemonade?
Don't you hate it when your pharmacist looks at you like you have three heads when you ask for BLOOD ketone strips? I swear it's like they don't understand a word you say, like your speaking Vulcan or something! (And don't you hate that as you type the word KETONE, it isn't recognized as a viable word by your spell-check?)
Don't you hate it that as far as the media is concerned, it is still 1962 when it comes to the misconceptions about diabetes? Every time I turn on the TV it's like the soup Nazi on Seinfeld continually yelling, "NO SUGAR FOR YOU!"
Don't you hate it when three of your children, who's very existence keep your heart beating, are diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes?
...
Yeah...
I can't say that one to many people.
Awkward.
I just can't think of a funny number ten.
Sometimes...Diabetes can just suck it.
(This is my submission for Diabetes Blog Weeks, who's prompt was to list 10 things you hate about diabetes. You can click the embeded link and find the list the other blogs that are participating.)
I love this. You and your fabulous writing never fail to make me laugh and go "Aww /tear" all in the same post.
ReplyDeleteNo you certainly can't chat away with these points. Particularly the party food one. I just don't understand why people are so invested on huge cupcakes with cookies on the side washed down with sugar water. It's not optimum of anyone.
ReplyDelete*Hugs*
ReplyDeleteAMEN to the Pharmacist and blood ketone strips!!!! Also, it doesn't matter that I am there once or twice a month for four years now; they still always act like they are delivering news that will cause me to pull a gun when they ring up the insulin and strips. I promise, I am aware of the insane cost! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThat last one makes me want to cry. I have a feeling you will go down in history for being an amazing example of a mom who does this times 3. It blows my mind what you do and the humor and positivity with which you do it.
ReplyDeletePerfect ending, which sums it up so completely. Want to reach into the screen and give you a hug, Meri. Thanks for this great list, complete with heart and humor and even a wonderful Seinfeld reference.
ReplyDeleteVULCAN?! HA!
ReplyDeleteAnd...the "ketone" think is annoying. It also doesn't recognize many of my more "colorful" descriptors...they are always highlighted in yellow along with "ketone".
xoxo
Oh Meri, you have totally made me laugh out loud! I totally get you!
ReplyDeleteYpe...no talking with the other moms here about those things either. But so glad I can come here to "talk" with other moms who "get it". Love the post...especially the Seinfeld reference...can totally hear it, lol!
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing we have each other cause I can't say those things either - well, without get a WTH look from a non-D-Mama.
ReplyDeleteSuck it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
that one was my fav!!
that is why I cherish my d-mom get togethers...and the DOC.
ReplyDeleteBreathing your air on the blood ketone thing. I am now told that Abbott is no longer manufacturing them. Say what?
ReplyDeleteWe scored a few that were still in stock but why on earth isn't someone making blood ketone strips?
Yep, you are so right! No one else would understand any of this.
ReplyDeleteThe blood ketone strips. ARGH! It took me FOREVER to get the pharmacist to understand I needed BLOOD ketone strips. Seriously. it took 3 days for them to straighten it out.
That last one made me cry. My heart hurts bad enough for my one. I can't imagine how much it would hurt for 3. :(
heh heh... mule.
ReplyDeleteSeriously Meri. That last one made my heart hurt (to quote Elise). You are a rock star.
So true once again... love the pillow case! I am always embarrassed for G.
ReplyDeleteNot anymore :)I forget we are not alone here.
ps... I just remembered this tip (not that I take time to do it, lol..) Learned in the ER one night, and it does work - Hydrogen peroxide DOES take blood out! fyi! xoxo Take care Mer
Your list is amazing - and as always made me laugh and... cry.
ReplyDeleteOr stepping on lincoln logs or little plastic dinosaurs with about a HUNDRED spikes!?!?!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed, Diabetes can suck it.
Ah, so true, so funny, so messed up, all of it. That's what's so great about the DOC, yeah?
ReplyDeleteI just posted my "10 things," and ended it with a big "suck it diabetes" too! Great minds... ;) great post.
ReplyDelete@sarahmart
Meri, as always your posts are funny, poignant and so real. This one especially so. You are such an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteBut you can say all of those things to other dmoms and pwds in the DOC and we totally feel ya!!
ReplyDeleteHUGS!
Oh, Meri, I'll be your peanut gallery! Amen!!
ReplyDeleteI do totally understand, and I just hate all those things. I'm sorry. Holly
Say it all to us, Meri! We get it! We'll give you that AMEN! :)
ReplyDeleteI like your spin on this topic. Awesome list! One of my faves from today!
UGH! The Legos... that is one of the ones I lost when blogger crashed and I forgot when I re-did the post.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I have one diabetic and a hypoglycemic that they think is developing diabetes. Doesn't matter. Still two to check, and watch. And one to count carbs, give insulin...etc. Its amazing how often I have to educate, how shocked people are that it is my son and not me getting poked. Etc, etc, etc. This...this says it all.
ReplyDeleteI stopped putting light colored pillowcases on just because the drops of blood made me feel so sad, although Isaac thought it was cool...boys! I think one of the most interesting thing is that no matter where in life another parent of a CWD is once you know they have a kiddo with d and vice versa there is an instant comfort and connection. But on the other hand we just got an invite to a bday party and the parent said, don't worry I have sugar free candy for Isaac. BLECH!
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah diabetes can suck it!