It is easy for your voice to be lost in the day to day of diabetes.  Surrounded by a long lists of things you should do: check your blood sugar, not eat to much, eat on time, count carbs, assess injection sites, order supplies, prepare for every scenario, make appointments, exercise, notice trends, treat lows, avoid highs, figure out the causes of lows and highs and more.   And many people will remind you of what you “should” be doing to maintain your best health – parents, family members, doctors, dietitians, nurses, diabetes educators, school nurses, teachers, friends, colleagues.  It can feel like your choices and wishes are last in queue.  It is easy to feel like you get lost in the “shoulds” of diabetes.

Finding your voice

As a member of the healthcare profession, I know how important it is to get detailed information from a patient.  There can be many subtle little clues to what is going on and how best to plan for treatment.  But in the hustle-bustle of caring for patients, we often fall back on the short list of questions about the most significant issues.  It seems like that is pretty much my doctors always ask me – just the short list of questions.  There is also a progression of treatment options.  In most cases, you start with the least risky and intrusive options.  If the desired outcome isn’t achieved, you go to the next set of options.  What I have seen happen time and time again, is that patients don’t communicate that plan A isn’t likely to be successful.  They go home and try to do what they were told, not wanting to disobey the doctor, but also knowing they would have a hard time making the changes with the resources they have.

This is where YOU must use your voice and speak up.  You are allowed and it is appreciated, when you share details from your life, your wishes, and your dreams.  You have to give the providers this information about your “inner secrets” so they can tailor you care to your needs.  It is impossible to ask every question of every person so every aspect is accounted for in the plan.  When your doctor is telling  you to lose weight, change lifestyle, or that you need to inject insulin, that is the time to mention your previous struggles or phobias.  If you are a pastry chef and have Type 2 – it will be a major impact to your work life.  You will need much more support and guidance to make it work.  If you are a swimmer and that is something you enjoy doing, make sure those accommodations are addressed.  Work nights?  They need to know.  Have a passion for deep sea diving?  Tell your provider.  Speak up!  In all the things you “should” do, make sure the things you WANT to do are heard.  It makes life so much more fun!

#FeelBetter,