Stumble It!
Three Years and Counting… Gifting the Beast
Today marks exactly three years since the harrowing experience of my diabetes diagnosis. When I mentioned to my CDE that my anniversary was coming up, she asked, “Does that bring up any issues for you?” I was a little taken aback. Hell no! But, weeeelll, sort of… Definite maybe. No, I’m fine!
I have a tradition: I buy myself little D-presents to “celebrate” this anti-versary. Last year it was a beaded medical ID bracelet, and this year I thought about a couple of different things: maybe a nice 
little USB memory stick to record my medical records. I do love flash drives! And the E-HealthKey hangs right on your keychain, containing your entire medical history. But it didn’t seem that practical after all, because I’m not sure I want to carry my full medical and family history with me at all times. I’m not sure how quickly anyone could plug the thing into a computer in case of an emergency. And most importantly, my keychain is already pretty darn full!
I also shopped on the aDorn designs site for a nice, new D-designer purse: one with special pockets for all your diabetes supplies — even a water-tight ice compartment! But no, I can barely close my closet doors for mass of handbags as it is.
Another idea: LifeTag adhesive medical IDs. These things stick on your watch band, bracelet, driver’s license, insurance card, wallet, pager or cell phone. A neat way to get your medical ID anywhere you want it. Hmmm, maybe next year…
For this year, I decided to go for yet another pretty-pretty medical ID bracelet, this time with a leather strap. I love the look of the “Londontown” from Fiddledee IDs, and let’s face it, a girl can
never have too much (medical) jewelry. Check out their nice men’s collection, too.
So do I have “issues” with my diabetes diagnosis anniversary date? Well, yes. Don’t we all feel a little like cursing the day to everlasting hell?! But not to worry, in my case. It’s nothing a little Retail Therapy can’t soothe.
Explore posts in the same categories: Diabetes Product Parade, Self-Disclosure
I got my results on April 1st. I can’t remember the year without really thinking about it, but the day, absolutely. You’ve done a tremendous amount not just to take care of yourself, but to educate others and to further the cause. You do have cause to celebrate. You’ve taken a challenge and done good things with it.
Posted by: Zazzy | May 21st, 2006 at 8:46 pmI agree with Zazzy – you have done so much for all of us out here.
Accepted the challenge and have grown along with it.
Posted by: Scott K. Johnson | May 22nd, 2006 at 7:11 am3rd antiversary – I gave myself a tattoo between thumb and forefinger: “DM2″, just in case
Posted by: penas | May 22nd, 2006 at 3:46 pmHaving diabetes for 22 years I just let my “anniversaries” slip by unnoticed instead of dwelling on the date as if it’s some kind of big deal. I’m not even sure of the actual date except that I know it’s some time in the middle of March. I guess the focus for me is not year to year with D but day to day. Maybe that’s a product of the length of time I’ve had D.
Posted by: Sean Wilson | May 23rd, 2006 at 7:37 amHaving been diagnosed 35 years ago I too can not remember the date. It was not that traumatic at the time. I was sixteen and not happy about it but not devasted. Of all the chronic diseases to have it is one of the better ones.
Posted by: L | May 24th, 2006 at 8:47 pm