I went to a ladies retreat with a friend and her mother-in-law (I'll call her MIL) on Friday/Saturday. We roomed together, and had a wonderful time. MIL is a delightful lady who has Type 2. I have Type 1. Spending some time with her really brought it home how these are such different diseases. Each has it's own unique challenges, but it's hard to fathom how they can be discussed in the same breath. Sort of like if I mentioned that I went to a game at the American Airlines center (our local indoor professional sports venue). I'd have to tell you what kind of game it was -- hockey or basketball -- Stars or Mavericks -- in order for us to have a meaningful conversation about it. That is, if any conversation about either sport is meaningful. OK, so that's a whole 'nother suject (hope my hubby doesn't read this)!
MIL recently started on Byetta, but decided not to bring it to the retreat with her since it has to be refrigerated. I wore my insulin pump and brought an extra vial of insulin and 2 set changes with all the accessories, an extra vial of test strips, and extra batteries for the pump just in case (for a one night stay). MIL gets her Byetta from a mail order pharmacy, I get my insulin from a local pharmacy because I don't want to take the chance on a screw up via mail order, or on not being able to get a quick refill if I drop a bottle. I asked MIL how often she tests. She said she hasn't been lately, but needs to get back to checking it in the mornings. I tested six times on Saturday to make sure I stayed in range to feel as good as possible so I could enjoy the retreat. We talked about food, and she works to spread her carbs out over the day. I do to a certain extent, but feel more free in varying the carb count since I know I can compensate w/ insulin. She seems to feel some guilt about her diagnosis. I don't.
Of course, we are two individuals, and there would likely be differences between us even if our conditions were switched. We each have our own unique struggles, but these are two drastically different diseases that should never be discussed as one. That, among other things, was very clear this weekend.
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3 comments:
This reminds me of a psychologist I saw at a major diabetes clinic here in town. He had type 2 and our first session was centered around him convincing me that there was no difference between his condition and mine...........
Oh my! Makes it hard to trust them when they claim to know about something and you realize they are clueless. Same thing happened with my opthamologist. He told me how bad my breakfast had been and tried to sell me supplements. He is no longer my opthamologist. Clueless is OK, admitting cluelessness is OK, claiming to know and being clueless = not OK.
I am always amazed at the differences too. I work with several Type 1s and a couple Type 2s. The guilt is probably the biggest emotional/mental difference. Anytime I tell a Type 1 that I have Type 2, I can feel them weighing me with their eyes. And if I don't say it quickly enough, they are sure to say "Well, they're totally different diseases." The maintenance drug - insulin - is the same in some cases. The measurements - bgl meter and HbA1C are the same but that's really about it.
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