I've Got th' Sugar

I feel like I always turn here to rant.  I don’t mean to, it’s just … easier.   Maybe because I know people reading this understand (truly understand, as in first-hand) what I’m talking about.  Sometimes, saying these things to my friends or family – I feel like I get this blank look back, and I get it – they couldn’t possibly feel it in their guts the way we do. They aren’t diabetic.

Here are the facts:  I’ve been type 1 since I was 3.   That was KIND OF a long time ago.  I’m 40 now.  So I’ve come into this weird space where – things have shifted. People no longer assume when I talk about diabetes that I’m type 1. They automatically assume that I’m type 2.    That’s pretty messed up in of itself.

But my real beef with this new attitude towards me is … and I get this a LOT …  people acting like the shit I’m going through is … NORMAL.   I get this “It’s tough growing old” response.   WHAT? No.   That’s not what this is.   I’m not that person.  I never took my health and my body for granted – I couldn’t afford to. Ever.   I’m actually in really great shape (ya know – except for type 1 and cancer).    But yeah, I’ve had diabetes for 37 years now – a lot of that wasn’t in this great technological age where it’s moderately easier to take care of yourself (MODERATELY is generous there).   Right now – I’m living the nightmare -  I’ve just finished a second invasive (not the laser) surgery on my left eye because of retinopathy. The doctor just told me Friday that … I’ll not get the vision back in that eye. As in ever.   So, NO… it’s not the same as your f*cking gout. Living without a functioning version of a major organ is NOT equal to your worn out knees.

Newsflash: it’s not normal to have to have cataract surgery at 36 years old.   It’s not normal to have had 10 surgeries on your hands because of joint problems – by the age of 40.   (remember when I said I was in great shape… I guess it’s a relative statement, ha!)   My point is: being steamrolled by a disease – whatever it is, in this case it’s diabetes - NOT THE SAME AS PEACEFULLY GROWING OLD.    Don’t know what to say? Just admit “that sucks” or “I don’t know what to say” or “there’s a turd you can’t polish” … anything OTHER THAN this patronizing fake empathy.

So ... my husband is kind of the best person on the planet.   I know, I know.. everyone has their own awesome people who they would challenge me with. But here’s just another reason why I’m so unbelievably grateful for mine.   This was his post on FB in response to SNL’s  HILARIOUS joke:   

So this “humor” is infuriating to me on many different levels.

First of all, there is the basic assumption that diabetes is caused by poor lifestyle choices. The cliche is obese, weak willed folks who would rather sacrifice their independence for another bite of cotton candy.

Diabetes kills more people each year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Diabetes is hilarious.

By the way, where are the jokes about the slobs who gave themselves breast cancer or AIDS?

Oh I forgot, the poor children that get AIDS from blood transfusions, and the ladies who are genetically prone to cancer or exposed to environmental factors. It's not their fault.

Wonder what my wife did to give herself diabetes at age 3? She must've done something to make her immune system render her pancreas useless. The laughs keep coming.

Type 2 is lifestyle though...well if that were the case how many of you bacon eating, craft beer swilling paradigms of health and fitness would have diabetes? It's still genetic. Sure lifestyle choices can exacerbate health challenges but show me a person who gave themselves diabetes and i will show you the unicorn they rode in on.

“But so many diabetic people are fat fatties.” Where my bro-science gym bros at? We all know insulin is a growth hormone right? Maybe you've read about competitive bodybuilders supplementing insulin to get BIGGER?

So imagine your pancreas doesn't work right you gotta take insulin to balance out blood sugar levels so you don't die. You inject insulin, a growth hormone (makes tissue BIGGER, fatty tissue, muscle tissue), but it's not an exact science because so much affects blood sugar; stress, exercise, other hormones in the body. So your sugar might crash….. and pancreas still don't work. You gotta drink a lot of a sugary beverage or eat mass amounts of simple sugars like candy to raise the blood glucose level, again, so you don't die. Those calories get stored somewhere. Sure diabetics have a choice. Most choose not to die, and we vilify them for being overweight.

The Flame of Hope is an eternal flame that honors Sir Frederick Banting's discovery of insulin, as well as all those who have been affected by diabetes. Simultaneously, it serves as a reminder that insulin controls diabetes but does not cure it; ultimately, it stands for the hope that a cure will soon be found.

The Flame will only be extinguished when a cure for diabetes is developed. The team responsible for finding the cure will be flown in to do so.

Stephen Colbert