Shannon Patrick

1. Knowing that — even under the best management — it will shave 10-15 years off my life span.
2. Constantly monitoring how I am feeling — am I thirsty? are my feet feeling numb? is this really a headache or a sign that my blood sugar is low? etc.
3. Having to use my stomach as a pin cushion. I inject 3-4 shots into my stomach per day.
4. Even though the injections don’t hurt, every once in a while something goes wrong and I end up with huge black bruises on my stomach.
5. Along with the injections, I have to take two massive horse pills to help my body process the insulin I inject.
6. Having to always remember to bring my insulin and a needle every time I leave the house — even if I am just running up to the grocery store.
7. Being slightly paranoid and worried that the twins will break one of my viles of insulin or get into my needles.
8. It’s more difficult to lose weight when you are insulin.
9. Always thinking about the temperature of my insulin. If I go to the beach or on a long car trip (especially in summer), I have to make sure my insulin is in a bag of ice or cooler.
10. Dealing with freaked out Homeland Security folks at security checkpoints in the airports. They get weird when they see all of my needles and viles of a “clear liquid” when I fly.
11. Constantly worrying about my feet. Monitoring numbness and stiffness.
12. Praying that I don’t accidentally get cut when I get pedicures.
13. Always wearing shoes — even in the house — because I can’t risk stepping on something that could cut my feet.
14. Being terrified about losing my health insurance.
15. Not being able to drink a big, icy Coke every once in a while.
16. Fighting with my insurance company every month when I use more insulin than they think I should. I take what my doctor says I should take, which is not the same as the non-M.D.s at my insurance company.
17. Remembering what life was like only 4 years ago when I wasn’t a diabetic (gestational diabetes that stuck around).

What’s Good About Being a Diabetic…not much except…

1. The twins don’t freak out when they have to get shots because they see me giving myself shots all the time. They don’t see shots as a scary, painful thing.
2. I’ve developed a stronger sense of urgency about my life.

The reason for this post…I had to go to the Emergency Room at 3:30 AM Tuesday because I unexpectedly ran out of insulin and didn’t realize it until after the pharmacy was closed. I think it scared my mom more than it scared me. They gave me a shot of insulin to last me until 8 AM when the pharmacy opened. (And, no, I couldn’t go to a 24 hour pharmacy because I have a special relationship with my pharmacist. He hooks me up with insulin a few days before my insurance agrees to pay for it. This relationship saves me $400 per month.) Anyway, I missed two injections and my sugar readings were scary high. I’ve never had numbers that high before, and apparently I was acting and feeling drunk.