Comments on: On Failure, Success, Perfection and Judgment

By: Lauren

Lauren — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 04:43:00 +0000

What is the lowest blood sugar you have ever encountered? My roommate came in today and saw that I was “out of it,” so she gave me 2 cups of orange juice. About 10 minutes later, she checked my blood and it was 22. I think it was in the single digits or teens. My hypoglycemia episodes are scary and I am praying for a CGM. I do not know what to do about such lows, but a similar episode happened on Sunday when I did not wake up until 11am and my blood was about 30. Just wondering how low other people get?

By: diabetes diplomas

diabetes diplomas — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:57:28 +0000

How to control the diabetes?
Which of the ways are the best : Life style habits, Tablets, Insulin injection.. Best routine plan for diabetic patient and varieties of food person can enjoy even with diabetic.

By: Call Me Ishtar

Call Me Ishtar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:02:19 +0000

I’m afraid I’ll have to be the naysayer here. Usually I’m a gentle and compassionate soul, but I have to tell you, it annoys me no end when T1s complain about numbers that run consistently in the 140s, which, as you admit, translates to an A1c of less than 6.4. Have you ANY idea how many people would be thrilled with such numbers?! Clearly not.

My T1 was diagnosed more than 50 years ago, and i’ve been pumping for almost 15 years. I still struggle, often, with the challenges and heartbreaks and frustrations and huge fears of this disease.

But if my numbers were as consistent as yours, Amy, especially in light of all the other things you’re accomplishing in your life, I’m thinking I’d be taking a moment to thank my lucky stars (and my own hard work and perseverance) for doing so well, instead of beating myself up over something that is so clearly not worthy of beat-up-ableness.

Frankly, when I read this:

“A quick look at my meter averages doesn?t paint a very pretty picture: 14-day average = 142, 30-day average = 149, 60-day average = 148. If you go by the charts, that?s still an A1c of under 6.4, but daily averages in the 140?s are still crap in my book. I know I can do better if I?d only ‘apply myself.’”

my immediate reaction is, “Get over it. You’re doing great. Get back to me when you start having real problems. In the meantime, perhaps you should seek help more for your Type A obsessions than for your diabetes.”

You ask, “Who is to judge?” The answer is that people will judge you as a reflection of the way you judge yourself. Other people’s judgments (a pejorative term, after all, at least here) can have no negative affect on you if you refuse to let them, and if you are secure in the notion that you’re doing the best you can under the circumstances.

By: CMPA

CMPA — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:23:12 +0000

what a inspiring post, I love your work amy.. very inspiring.

By: Diane

Diane — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 03:29:02 +0000

Boy, can’t we all relate to this article?! So true that we’re constantly in a state of “guilt” if we’re not “perfect” – always feeling the need to do better…be perfect….where our BS readings are concerned. But we are a very busy society, for the most part. It’s pretty nearly impossible to do it all and do it all “perfectly”. But that doesn’t mean we don’t keep trying. Great article.

By: dan 2

dan 2 — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:05:08 +0000

Thanks for a honest thought and feeling.
I have lived through no numbers and the current period of a large volume of numbers. Sometimes this is a guessing game. Is it the food or lack of food or a change in eating patterns? Is it exercise or lack of exercise or a change in exercising patterns. Dealing with the temperatures in single digets and ten inches of snow with the clean up does bring a unique set of numbers. Taking blood samples from cold fingers is so much fun! Is it the insulin and delivery, the lack of insulin and delivery or a change in the potency of the insulin? All of the above are external items that we all attempt to balance as we travel through our lives. The final variable is our own bodies. How we feel, what is on our mind and the stresses and strains contained within our internal bodies. The numbers are a compass point and when necessary may need an adjustment to take action. Adding a deep breath and quick prayer can do wonders. Hope this helps and have a great day.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:25:07 +0000

I am so glad I have found this blog… I have been looking for some kind of a support group for a while!
I’ve had T1 for almost 20 years now (omg), and blood sugar readings totally are emotional for me! My fear, on top of the horrible consequences possibly waiting for me, is that this disease should rule my life! I do not want to be 1) a T1, and *then 2) Jamie. I refuse to be ruled by my diabetes! But then this might be something I should go see my counselor for
After 20 years of diabetes, I am fearful on complications. I don’t always have great control, and I’m worried that my husband will have to take care of decrepid me Especially after having just read the diabetics are 1.5x more likely to have dementia!! Ugh.
Amy, I don’t know about you and your doctor, but I know that my doctor and I are aiming to have my A1C at about 6.5 or so – we’d be ecstatic over that, though that’s my personal control goal. From my understanding, that’s pretty close to “normal”.
Good luck anyways

By: Windy

Windy — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 19:20:47 +0000

It seems as if we can all relate. I don’t think there is a concrete answer for this question, and I think at one point or another we ALL have our days where diabetes doesn’t make the priority “to do” list. That’s why this community is so important. It keeps us accountable, but also lets us know, “Thank God I’m not alone in feeling this way!”

By: Jan

Jan — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 16:25:33 +0000

Numbers consistently in the 140s, even 150s, you are doing a really great job! If you know you can do better, you can strive for that, but I think you are being too hard on yourself. I have found when her meter consistently reads in the 150s, her A1c is in the low sixes, even high fives. In other words, her meter sports a higher number than her A1c actually is. Yes, she has lows, but no more than she has always had since dx. You may be surprised to find your A1c in the 5 or low 6 range.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:11:43 +0000

This post definitely resonates with me. What I particularly hate is when I make extra efforts to be good (like a long strenuous workout) only to have it backfire with a roller coaster of lows and highs afterward.

Probably a dose of gratitude for the complications you _don’t_ have would be a good antidote for the judgments? Maybe?