Everyone Else Was Doing It...My 30

This week is National Chronic Invisible Illness week and since everyone else was doing it I thought I would get in on the fun.



MY 30:

1. The illness we live with is: Type 1 Diabetes, it is not my illness it is my 5 year old daughter Cara's.

2. Year of diagnoses: 2009 at the age of 3.

3. But she had symptoms since: I really think that Cara was showing symptoms for 2-6 months previous to her diagnoses.

4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: the way I think and plan and deal with FOOD.  Before food was just that...food.  Now food has become just soooo much more.

5. Most people assume: Most people assume that type 1 is really no big deal and that I have EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL...this is NOT TRUE on both counts!!

6. The hardest part about mornings are: The hardest thing about mornings are MORNINGS...I hate mornings.  Since I do night time checks, my husband does mornings.  6 kids, all hungry, all whining "I'm huuuuungry" and then you add in math...UGH I hate mornings!!   Here is just one example of why mornings are not for me.

7. My favorite medical TV show is: Not so much into the medical dramas any longer however I do love me some criminal minds, I have a little crush...can you guess with who??

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: Of course Cara's blood glucose meter is a gadget I would not want to live without and wine...is wine considered a gadget??

9. The hardest part about nights are: I think the hardest thing about nights is the guilt.  You want so bad to sleep because you are tired and you are human and you NEED sleep but on the other hand you must get up to make sure your type 1 is OK.  I always feel so guilty lying there pressing the snooze...just 5 more minutes when those 5 minutes may be critical for Cara.

10. Each day I take ___ pills & ___ vitamins: Nothing more then life saving insulin...thank goodness!

11. Regarding alternative treatments I: Alternative treatments as in a teaspoon of cinnamon a day will control blood sugar...NO THANK YOU!!  Eating this or drinking that will cure type 1 diabetes...I DON'T THINK SO, complete bull shit.  However a healthy attitude and a positive way to express your feeling as in therapy art...ALL FOR IT!

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: I'm not the one with the illness however I would believe that Cara would totally be all for the invisible illness.

13. Regarding working and career: As for now my children are my career, I think I would go completely mad if I had to work and take care of 6 kids.  As for a career for Cara, whatever this little Miss puts her mind to she can achieve.  I do hope that running/racing is somehow involved in her future, I can't wait to see this little one kick butt on the track. 

14. People would be surprised to know: I'm terrified of squirrels and I cry when I get really mad.  Are you surprised??
      
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: I'm always waiting for our next diagnoses.

16. Something I never thought I could do with this illness that I did was: Not to sure if I ever thought that Cara could not do something because of her diabetes.  However she is only 5 so I'm sure there is a lot of time for that.

17. The commercials about their illness: Oh, you mean the ones with bg meters of 5.2mmols or are you talking about the ones made for 70 year old type 2's.  Oh wait...I think you mean the commercials that really piss me off and make me want to throw something at my t.v.  I don't think I have ever watched a commercial about type 1 diabetes, very sad.

18. Something I really miss doing since they were diagnosed is:  Something that I really miss doing since Cara's diagnoses is just getting up and going.  Everything has to be planned now, every single little detail...UGH!

19. It was really hard to have to give up: I can't think of anything that I HAD to give up that I REALLY wanted to do.  We just make it work!!  And again it has only been 2.5 years so I'm sure there is a lot of time for that as well.

20. A new hobby I have taken up since their diagnosis is: Well...BLOGGING would be one little hobby that I have taken up since Cara's diagnosis and I'm so thankful that I did.

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: send my kids to a babysitter.

22. My daughters illness has taught me: When you fall down get right back up and kick some D ass.

23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: I hate when people say "Well, at least it is not worse...at least it's not cancer"  What the hell am I suppose to say after that??

24. But I love it when people: who are not affect by type 1 support us and try and learn as much as they can.  Thank You! 


25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is:  Mother Knows Best (I wish this was true but I love that my kids believe it)

26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: You are not alone.

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: I still can't get over the strength and toughness of these kids and adults.

28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: let me sleep...when I'm not feeling well all I need is some sleep...PLEASE!! Oh and some drugs...that is it, Thank you!

29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: Kerri did it, Abby did it, Penny did it,Meri did it, Reyna did it, now I am doing it. (stolen from Meri)

30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: really, really happy :)