Andrea was diagnosed with diabetes five and a half years ago because of abscesses on her face and hands that would not heal. Her blood work showed a fasting blood glucose of over 300 mg/dl.
She learned of DiabetesSisters while doing an online search and loved that the organization was about Sisterhood. "Plus, I really liked the logo. It could be any woman and that really appealed to me." Andrea joined her DiabetesSisters at the most recent Weekend for Women Conference in Washington, DC.
I would hazard to guess that many who know me would consider me a smart, well-adjusted woman. I have a wonderful family and friends, love to laugh, and a wonderful career as an executive in an organization that helps people in need. Like the impact of diabetes on the body, however, so much can be going on inside psychologically (fear, anger, guilt) while we look perfectly fine outside.
I think one of my defining moments of coming to grips with being a diabetic was sitting on my couch one day about a week after being diagnosed and checking my blood sugar. I burst into tears thinking, "I have to poke myself for the rest of my life". Afterwards, it dawned on me that I have a rest of my life. I had to be grateful for everyday and that this disease is not a death sentence.
One of things I took away from the Weekend for Women Conference in Washington, DC, was to remember that fear really is "False Evidence Appearing Real". I will not say how long it has been since I had an eye exam, let's just say my decision to avoid this annual procedure was risky, irresponsible behavior. My grandfather was a diabetic and lost his sight to glaucoma. I have (actually now, I can say "had") a fear of being diagnosed with glaucoma and going blind. I love my eyes. I am a visual learner. It is how I best process the world and the thought of no sight was paralyzing. So I avoided even being in a position to hear such a thing. What set me free at the conference was learning that if eye issues are caught, there is a 90% chance that there will be no incidence of blindness. I felt giddy when I saw that statistic; literally I bubbled over with joy. You know the feeling you get when you reach into a pocket and find an unexpected twenty dollar bill or wake up to get your work day started and remember that it is Saturday? Well, multiply that by about 10,000 and you will be in the ballpark of how I was feeling. It gave me the courage I needed to face concerns and fears about diabetes complications instead of feeling like I could not bear to add another concern to an already over-extended life.
The informative and, at times, intensely intimate sessions left me with my second “take-away”. It is all about me. Sounds selfish, right? As women we often focus on responsibilities and forget that taking care of ourselves is a responsibility and a right. Time to exercise, eat right, and re-energize are actually selfless acts that put us at our best for the people we love. As the feature speaker, Claudia Graham, MPH, PhD, noted at the conference, I am with my body 8,760 hours a year. I know better than anyone what foods makes my mind feel foggy or saps my energy? I know what exercises boost my energy and keeps my numbers in a healthy range? My body is a temple. Temples are highly regarded, respected and treated with reverence. I have been treating mine with french fries a little too often. Eating on the run while attending to the needs of others is the excuse. Embracing the idea that “it’s all about me” is going to help lead me to the solution.
My final take-away: I am not alone.
Support is important because it increases accountability, but also encourages me to take care of myself and remember that I am worth the time it takes to take care of myself. My mother and grandmother, both of whom are diabetics, have been great supporters. My mother gently chastises me and reminds me to slow down and take care of myself. My grandmother who has been a diabetic for about 30 years is often told by her doctor that he wishes all of his patients were like as diligent as my 83 year old grandmother in controlling their diabetes. Her mind is as sharp as a tack, she takes care of herself and reminds me to eat beans and greens to keep my blood sugar numbers under control.
Learning about DiabetesSisters was serendipitous. I was scrolling through articles online when I saw an ad for the organization. Instantly, the name drew my attention, but I admit to being skeptical. In our age of information overload and misleading websites, one can never be too careful. I had been searching for support groups in hopes of connecting with other professional women dealing with diabetes. Quite honestly I wanted to be accountable to and encouraged by a community that could relate to the challenges of balancing a demanding career schedule and managing a disease that can seem like a consistent, persistent and unwelcome companion. Diabetes is called a “dis-ease” for a reason, but engaging with a community of women, some living with diabetes for decades, who are vivacious, energetic and healthy was inspiring.
DiabetesSisters reminded me that I for the past five and a half years, I have been in this fight standing alongside very courageous women and like them, I am very much capable of being healthy, vibrant, motivated, encouraged and joyful. Diabetes does not dictate this. I dictate this and I declare it to be so. Live on purpose my sisters!