Connected

November is Diabetes Awareness Month because of this, there are many websites promoting and selling diabetes related merchandise such as jewelry, clothing, t-shirts, etc. I have mentioned previously that my sister has Type I Diabetes too. I enjoy this month because there is so much promotion for Breast Cancer Awareness (which is greatly needed and I support fully), it feels good to know people are still working on a cure for diabetes. I have always worn my diabetes as a badge of honor and will gladly talk about it if someone asks. My sister has always been more reserved about health issues, especially her own, but this month I found these bracelets we could get to show our solidarity in this battle we fight throughout life together. I was actually really pleased and thankful when I sent the link to my sister suggesting we get these bracelets and she agreed.

I have to give her credit. She lives in a completely different world than I do. In her business, health issues are seen as a weakness or risk. Her career and environment are not exactly compassionate to human pitfalls, but it is such a rewarding field and she is so passionate. They say, "If you're going to work for the rest of your life, do what you love and it won't be work." To take this back a bit, I also want to credit her for following her dreams. Like many with chronic illnesses, diabetes stopped her career path dead in its tracks. She took a minute, evaluated the situation, put her head down and kept on trudging. She may not do what her childhood mind dreamed up, but she found a way to be involved in what she loves despite the evil of diabetes while still making a living.

Needless to say, being two time zones away from my sister makes the distance feel even greater at times. With these bracelets, even when I cannot talk to her I will look at it and know we are connected. This was my thought as I was looking at the merchandise. Then I had an epiphany- not only are we connected as sisters, we have this remarkable connection through diabetes. There are things we can understand about each other that cannot be described in words. We have a trust in each other that is so steadfast and the illness has made our unbreakable bond even tighter. This thinking turned into reminiscing, which brought to light another epiphany.

Our father, Don, was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes at the age of 5 back in the 1950s. In those days it was such a different diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. It was so much more difficult to manage. In adulthood it was thought that diabetics would have greater infertility rates. My parents were blessed with one pregnancy during which they were told the child will only have about 25% chance of having Type I as well. That was my sister, born healthy. A second pregnancy three years later produced another healthy baby, ME. Unfortunately we lost our father this month in 1987. Throughout childhood everyone kept a watchful eye on us, but doctors had determined that the 25% statistic was wrong and we should not worry about the eventual development of Type I.

I, of course, had my first minor scare with chronic illnesses in my pre-teen to early teen years. Type I was ruled out and not feared thereafter. Somewhere deep in my gut though, I always thought it was in my future. About three or four years after my fears should have been relieved by the rule out, my sister called from college with the news that she had Type I Diabetes. It was a devastating blow to our family. I cannot imagine what it must have been like for her to go through that process basically alone away at college. She was 20 years old.

For the next few years I watched her learn to live this new life (in snapshots during her visits home). Type I is usually diagnosed in childhood, previously known as juvenile diabetes. A 20 year old college student with only a mild cardiac history is definitely not the typical Type I victim. She was treated as a Type II patient for a while, which made her much sicker, until the determination was finally made that it was, in fact, Type I. An astonishing realization for us all. I also think the label itself mattered to her because we had lost our Dad to this very thing only a little more than a decade before. With this news, I thought that gut feeling I had all my life must have been misinterpreted. It was not my fate but my sister's...or so I thought.

I rested easy for all of about 20 minutes. My own health started flaring up about a year after her turmoil started. I managed my thyroid problems and stress as that is where they thought my symptoms stemmed. Three years after my sister's roller coaster ride into a Type I Diabetes diagnosis, I had to call her to take me to the ER because I had spent the day going about my now college life without being able to see clearly, dying of thirst, and feeling unbelievably awful. Within minutes of getting to the ER, the inevitable was seen. My blood sugar was 427 (I will never forget). The irony of this, I was the same age my sister was (almost to the day) when she was diagnosed. An irony that has been pointed out by many doctors as eligible for research.

When I was pregnant with my own son (an unplanned pregnancy) I asked as many questions as possible. I state that it was unplanned because it is never a good idea for a diabetic to get pregnant without good management and an "all-clear" from one's doctor. I was only 22 and only a year and a half out from my own diagnosis. I was told by prenatal experts then that Type I Diabetes is not as closely linked to genetics as Type II is. It was described to me as being more of a deformity like a missing thumb or a third nipple ;-) . With that said, I was told that my son has no more of a chance of developing Type I Diabetes than his peers; if anything the percentage was not even statistically relevant.

Knowing all of this now, and getting back to the amazing connection my sister and I had, that second epiphany struck me. We have this remarkable connection with our dad. I move through life, especially right now with my recent health upheaval, longing for my dad's physical presence. I have so many questions. I want him to hold my hand through this. I have complaints and concerns only he would understand and not try to dismiss. But, he is here with me daily. I have this connection with him. The three of us have this connection that so many others will not. You may think this is a sad or dark thing, but that is not how I see it.

I see my illnesses as guidance. I believe they give me knowledge I would not seek out, a compassion unmatched, wisdom beyond my years, and they keep me grounded and focused on what is really important in life. With diabetes this is constant because we check our blood sugars up to ten times a day sometimes. That reminder that I am not in control and I am not entitled to anything is there, always. This, I believe, makes me a better person. Truly, a blessing in disguise. Adding another layer of blessings, this bond/ connection between Dad and his only children, my sister and me. We have a new understanding of what his life was like and how amazing he must have been to make such an impression on everyone around him. We have an understanding of each other that no one else, not even other sisters, could achieve. Now, I want these bracelets even more.

My sister and I talk daily. Thanks to modern technology, we are constantly connected. I am even connected with my mom in New Mexico and my aunt in Utah and my cousins in California.... I have not felt "connected" to my dad in that sense since I was four years old. I now have a new perspective on our connection. It goes beyond father/daughter, it goes beyond two people suffering with Type I Diabetes, it goes all the way to the top. I have ALWAYS felt like my dad watches over me and helps guide me through life, making decisions and life choices or holding me through hard times. I now feel like he laid the path for my sister and I to walk down hand-in-hand. I feel his smile shining down on us, proud that we have grown into such amazing women and that we are closer than we could have ever thought as bickering kids.

In this day of Facebook and blogs and Instagram and Twitter and email and cell phones and text messaging, we get lost in these sometimes superficial connections with people. Let's make a conscious effort to put down or shut off the electronics and celebrate the REAL connections we have in our life. The connections with those who are truly important to you. The connections you desire to nurture and tend to are the connections you will carry with you through good and bad times to come. At the end of the day, all you need is love. Right, Lennon?

Reducing Stress

It is winter and we are in the midst of the holiday season.  A time for joy.  A time for togetherness with loved ones.  A time of giving and being gracious.  So many pleasures wrapped up in just a few short months.  Let's be honest though, the holiday season can be a very stressful time.  This stress is often heightened for those of us dealing with chronic illnesses of any nature.  I thought it would be important to talk about some ways to help lower the stress level throughout the season so that we may all enjoy the moments we share.

Since diabetes is such a prevalent disease in our nation and across the world right now I believe this is a good place to start.  Stress affects Type I and Type II diabetics very differently and yet still has a great affect on the control of one's blood sugar levels.  Both Type I's as well as Type II's are cautioned to keep stress levels low in an effort to maintain some sort of balance with blood sugar levels.  I found a very useful link pertaining particularly to diabetics that is very useful http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/stress.html
Not only can the information on this sight be useful for diabetics, it has information that we can all use across the board.

For those of use with food restrictions such as Celiac Disease, Diabetes, or food allergies there are some quick easy ways to make your holiday season even brighter.  Often times going outside of your own home to eat with diet restrictions is very difficult.  Many hosts don't know of possible food allergies or diet restrictions of their guests.  Plus, it is difficult for any host who is not accustomed to your specifications to try to accommodate.  I have found for myself, because my digestive system is so sensitive and my symptoms can become debilitating quickly, it is easier for me to eat beforehand.  That way I can casually sip a drink or just enjoy the company at the outing.  Another thing I like to do is prepare a meal before, preferably an easy one or left overs, and pack them to go with me.  I may get a few looks or a question or two, but I just politely answer with whatever information I am willing to divulge.

I have found that it is important to focus on the moment.  Not only do I say this for the enjoyment of the moment, but also to prevent feeling overwhelmed.  No one person around you is going to understand your perspective of the world or how difficult the holidays can be for someone with a chronic illness.  Do not let their opinions or lack of knowledge influence how you take care of yourself while still being included in traditions.  It is easy to get caught up in what is going on around you, and you should, but remember who is number one.

A routine is something health professionals as well as mental health professionals emphasize as a stress reducer.  Throughout the holiday season a routine is nearly impossible to stick to, and yet with a chronic illness it is often important in the management of your disease.  With travel and feasts and traditions this can be difficult.  Do not beat yourself up over a few indulgences or strays from your daily routine.  Do your best with what you have around you and be proud of your efforts.

Most important remember how badly you feel when managing your disease gets out of whack.  Many diseases, in a state of stress, get exacerbated.  When this happens and you don't feel like yourself, it leads to irritability, fatigue, and opens your body up to risks of complications from whatever you may be suffering.  This, in itself, should be a motivator to keep you on track, let you loosen up enough to enjoy yourself, and that will allow you to not become overwhelmed.

This is a time of joy and excitement.  This is a time to remember how grateful we are to have one another.  This is not a time for our disease to control us.  Just like a rope is woven with many strands, our disease is only one strand of the rope that makes us who we are- STRONG.