The Human Pancreas

I've never heard anyone truthfully say that they've got life all figured out.  It's a journey that requires a constant vigilance to stay on course.  There are learning experiences, threats, and rugged terrain that make it a battle until the end.  

If our whole lives are this way, then it is no surprise that all of the intricate details of our lives follow this same model.  Diabetes is certainly no exception.  The following are 4 milestones I've identified in the life of a diabetic: provider discretion, seek and learn, trial and error, and the human pancreas.  They are not isolated steps or events, but rather weapons that can be acquired for the fight. 

1. Provider Discretion:  It is essential to have a medical team that is knowledgeable on diabetes.  I recommend having at least an endocrinologist, and a certified diabetes educator (CDE) or dietitian.  This will ensure that you stay current on medical recommendations for diabetics of your type, and in your age group.  The more experienced you become, the less you will rely on your team for daily care, and the more you will rely on them for your overall picture of health.

2. Seek & Learn:  If you want to succeed in controlling your diabetes, then you should be ready to obtain a degree in diabetes control-ology.  The more you know about how this disease operates, the better equipped you will be in managing it.  In short, know your enemy.  There are several trustworthy resources online, including JDRF and ADA.

 

3. Trial & Error:  No matter how much you educate yourself, you will find that still there are certain situations or outcomes that are very unexpected.  This is because you are a unique individual with unique life experiences.  And because there are so many factors that influence blood sugar, it is wise to expect the unexpected.  One way to shorten the learning curve is to keep a notebook of foods, activities, etc., and how they affect blood sugar.

4. The Human Pancreas:  This is the advanced level of diabetes control.  At this point, you are using the previous 3 milestones to dominate everyday.  You become proactive rather than reactive; your desire to have perfect numbers overrides temptation; doctor visits actually become enjoyable; and last, but not least, you embrace the struggle.  

All of this hard work is required to replace the work of your pancreas.  Since it doesn't work like it once did, you have to pick up the slack.  I don't know how to be my own pancreas, so I have to strap on my boots everyday and learn.  Join me in this journey; and let's be less than seven, greater than low.