Hey y'all!!
It has been a hot minute since my last post, if you noticed the blog title has changed! Very excited about the project I have decided to take on with this blog. Many good things to come!!
Originally, this blog was focused on living on a budget. I started blogging a long time ago, took a long break and came back feeling like this wasn't really what I wanted this blog to be about anymore. Yes, I am still a blonde on a budget (LOL!!) however, I wanted to indulge in something more self satisfying. That being said, I want this blog and its posts to portray who I am as a person.
About a month ago, I went to a new endocrinologist which is a medical provider that specializes in all things endocrinology (thyroid, diabetes, hormones, etc.). My last endo was absolutely horrible, I went once and he attempted to tell me that I am "not really a diabetic and needed to manage my chronic illness with diet, to not really worry about it". Insert blonde face palm emoji here ugh!! He completely made me gun-shy of going to any endocrinologist again, I am nearing my sixth diaversary (anniversary of my type one diabetes diagnosis) and I have only been to an endo twice. Anywho, so I get referred to an endo by the doctor I currently work for. Up until then, I was vaguely checking my blood sugars and doing injections based on a whim and guessing. Not much control going on there, you'd say!! I cancelled this new patient appointment about 5 times, in my defense they called to reschedule me and I cancelled completely. I was an anxious mess about going, even on the way there I cried for a tad while driving. I have never completely faced my diabetic demons. My little brother is also type one, he was diagnosed in the same year and is on a pump. He would constantly tell me how easy it was but I was not hearing it. That all changed when I met with this endo. First off, I was completely lost getting there and called twice with a hot head attitude to the receptionist who obviously didn't know where I was. When I finally arrived, nauseous and heated, I was ushered in almost immediately by the RN for vitals and whatnot. I was surprised to find out she was also a T1D, on a pump and, after chatting, made me realize that I am not alone in this. Immediate relief!!
After talking with the endo, I realized how clueless I am regarding this disease. Bless his heart, he explained everything as if I was back in that hospital room newly diagnosed. He recommended to start controlling my diabetes with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) which is implanted into your subcutaneous skin for about 10 days continuously reading your blood glucose, hence the name. This was a mind fuck (excuse my language). He said I could also do a pump if I wanted but I declined and we decided to change my basal or long acting insulin to Toujeo and my short acting or bolusing insulin for meals to Humalog. I was good with this and left pretty confident but anxious about the CGM. My boyfriend or man child, as I often refer to him, has been a God send. He talked me through the anxiety and reassured me that it was okay. Well, after back and forth with the supply company, the Dexcom G6 arrived on a fateful Saturday to my mom's house. The drive bringing that intimidating ass box home about gave me a coronary!
Putting the Dexcom G6 in for the first time was so nerve racking but actually not that bad. I had watched multiple videos so I felt prepared. The next time I do a site change I will try and video it, I went from the abdomen to the arm this change, it was not painful but it did bleed and was sore for a few days. I have read from the forum on Reddit that people put them all over so it will be mostly trial and error.
It has been a hot minute since my last post, if you noticed the blog title has changed! Very excited about the project I have decided to take on with this blog. Many good things to come!!
Originally, this blog was focused on living on a budget. I started blogging a long time ago, took a long break and came back feeling like this wasn't really what I wanted this blog to be about anymore. Yes, I am still a blonde on a budget (LOL!!) however, I wanted to indulge in something more self satisfying. That being said, I want this blog and its posts to portray who I am as a person.
About a month ago, I went to a new endocrinologist which is a medical provider that specializes in all things endocrinology (thyroid, diabetes, hormones, etc.). My last endo was absolutely horrible, I went once and he attempted to tell me that I am "not really a diabetic and needed to manage my chronic illness with diet, to not really worry about it". Insert blonde face palm emoji here ugh!! He completely made me gun-shy of going to any endocrinologist again, I am nearing my sixth diaversary (anniversary of my type one diabetes diagnosis) and I have only been to an endo twice. Anywho, so I get referred to an endo by the doctor I currently work for. Up until then, I was vaguely checking my blood sugars and doing injections based on a whim and guessing. Not much control going on there, you'd say!! I cancelled this new patient appointment about 5 times, in my defense they called to reschedule me and I cancelled completely. I was an anxious mess about going, even on the way there I cried for a tad while driving. I have never completely faced my diabetic demons. My little brother is also type one, he was diagnosed in the same year and is on a pump. He would constantly tell me how easy it was but I was not hearing it. That all changed when I met with this endo. First off, I was completely lost getting there and called twice with a hot head attitude to the receptionist who obviously didn't know where I was. When I finally arrived, nauseous and heated, I was ushered in almost immediately by the RN for vitals and whatnot. I was surprised to find out she was also a T1D, on a pump and, after chatting, made me realize that I am not alone in this. Immediate relief!!
After talking with the endo, I realized how clueless I am regarding this disease. Bless his heart, he explained everything as if I was back in that hospital room newly diagnosed. He recommended to start controlling my diabetes with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) which is implanted into your subcutaneous skin for about 10 days continuously reading your blood glucose, hence the name. This was a mind fuck (excuse my language). He said I could also do a pump if I wanted but I declined and we decided to change my basal or long acting insulin to Toujeo and my short acting or bolusing insulin for meals to Humalog. I was good with this and left pretty confident but anxious about the CGM. My boyfriend or man child, as I often refer to him, has been a God send. He talked me through the anxiety and reassured me that it was okay. Well, after back and forth with the supply company, the Dexcom G6 arrived on a fateful Saturday to my mom's house. The drive bringing that intimidating ass box home about gave me a coronary!
 |
The elephant in the SUV  |
Fast forward to the present: I am loving the CGM and have decided to jump in feet first with the insulin pump. The current, latest and greatest pump that works with the Dexcom G6 is one from t:slim X2. Hoping that this will make my life even easier and better! I have also decided to get the tattoo I have been talking about since my diagnosis which represents this battle I fight daily. My little brother and diasibling is getting the same one in the same spot. He has honestly become a support pillar for me! So glad I have someone in my family who is pancreatically challenged! Yes, we have some interesting terms! I have also become obsessed with a podcast I found recently, I am fairly new to podcasts and loving this one!! It is so helpful!!!!
My mom and I joking about the woes of diabetes
The best podcast ever!
Love having my readings on my wrist!
Honestly, for many years I was ashamed of my chronic illness and vowed to be "normal" until recently when I decided to accept it. Diabetes is apart of me, it is a daily battle that I and many others fight, it is highly misunderstood and confused with type two diabetes. I thoroughly enjoy using the hashtag #notyourgrandmasdiabetes on almost every post. Thank you for taking the time out of your life to read/watch my blog!! Hoping to keep up with it and update it weekly!!!
Can’t even tell I have it on!!
..xo the diabetic blonde
Comments
Post a Comment