I used to wake up and reach for my cell phone on my nightstand. I’d open my eyes just enough to see the screen and check my email as well as to see what crime had occurred overnight (for my job). Whether something major happened in the wee hours of the morning determined the pace I set getting ready. After email, I’d troll Twitter and Facebook and click open my Google Reader. After spending several minutes reading the day’s news, I’d manage to roll out of bed and hit the shower.
But now, all that’s changed. My routine is completely different thanks to diabetes technology. Now, I roll over and reach under my pillow for Ben, my continuous glucose monitor. I push the “OK” button and see what my blood sugars have done all night. I then reach for my infusion site to make sure I haven’t ripped it out overnight (which has never actually happened, I just think it will someday). I then follow the tubing to find my pump and go ahead and program my morning bolus for dawn phenomenon.
I still read my Google Reader and check my email from my cell phone, but it’s no longer my priority. Now, my focus has shifted to what my body did overnight. How were my numbers? Did I sleep through a high or a low?
As my morning moves forward, it continues to remain all about the diabetes. I keep Ben in the bathroom with me because I have a tendency to rise in the morning. After showering, I have to dry quickly so I can dress and reconnect Jerry (my insulin pump). In the past, I would get ready first and dress last, but that’s changed, too. I have to have somewhere to clip my pump while I’m running around fixing hair, ironing clothes and brushing teeth.
So along with so many other things in my life, diabetes has shifted my morning routine — or rather — diabetes technology has shifted my morning routine. While I am extremely grateful for Ben & Jerry, it’s easy to become solely reliant on them. I already know I am. I’ve grown accustom to knowing what my blood sugar is at any given moment. I know what it’s been overnight, I can see what it is while exercising and I can spot trends to correct them. For that freedom and that type of resource, I am forever grateful.
But wouldn’t it be nice, if for just one day, I didn’t have to worry about it? I could eat a meal without doing math. I could eat ice cream without a SWAG. I could ride a bike without carrying glucose tablets. Or if I could wake up and … and nothing, just wake up.
Well, I think that technology (read about the Artificial Pancreas Project here), that’s a possibility down the road. To support the APP research, you can donate here.
I know how frustrating this can be. I often don’t test first, and I pay for that later in feeling crappy. I think it’s so important to keep our bodies in the best shape to feel good in order to do those others things that happen in life!
It’s hard to even remember back to when I didn’t have a pump/cgm…and when my meter took 2 minutes to tell me what my blood sugar was (after putting a drop of blood on the strip, waiting a minute, wiping it off, waiting a minute).
I’m excited to see what comes of the APP!
I have times when the technology makes feel like a “diabetic” rather than a person with diabetes. I haven’t reached the “I need a break” stage from my pump, but my CGM and I got there after about 10 months and now I only use it one week a month. It’s a fabulous tool and I’m grateful to have it, but it took over my life! Now we have more balance and it’s a happier relationship (and I get more sleep!)
so well said, my friend. i can’t wait for that day to arrive.
Great post, Victoria. The joys of having diabetes as our morning (or whenever) routine. Good times. Thanks for sharing this.