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What I like about being Diabetic

Discussion in 'Diabetes Discussions' started by gemma6549, Apr 1, 2015.

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  1. gemma6549

    gemma6549 · Guest

    So I thought I'd go for a new angle :)

    Firstly, I was diagnosed at 15 and finding out finally gave me the push I needed to move in with my dad, he was type 1 too and it gave me a whole new understanding of what life was like for him, meant I was better equipped to help him with hypos etc, and generally brought us closer together.

    Routine, I like routine so the regular blood testing somehow satisfies that part of my personality, when I test and get a result in target range I feel really happy and proud of myself.

    Free prescriptions, you have to admit it can be really handy!!

    HCP's, I've met some great ones in my time and I'm so grateful for all the work the NHS and it's staff do, we are so unbelievably lucky in this country. I would love to move to America but I couldn't afford it!!

    Regular monitoring with the doctors means that any other issues are picked up on in advance and other health issues are also dealt with in a more urgent manner because of the effect it can have on diabetes.

    Other diabetics, particularly when I did the DAFNE course, I met some great people.

    It encourages me to live a more active and healthy lifestyle, if I wasn't diabetic I might be a bit of a bum :)
     
    • Like Like x 28
    #1 gemma6549, Apr 1, 2015 at 9:12 PM
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2015
  2. gemma6549

    gemma6549 · Guest

    Oh and free eye tests, there was a time I had to pay for those
     
    • Like Like x 2
    #2 gemma6549, Apr 1, 2015 at 9:16 PM
  3. PunkyRob

    PunkyRob Type 1 · Member

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    You are very positive about diabetes. I hope that the positivity from people like you rubs off on me.
     
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    #3 PunkyRob, Apr 1, 2015 at 9:19 PM
  4. gemma6549

    gemma6549 · Guest


    It's really not so bad, if I was gunna get a lifelong condition and had a choice I would definitely choose this one :)
     
    • Like Like x 4
    #4 gemma6549, Apr 1, 2015 at 9:20 PM
  5. PunkyRob

    PunkyRob Type 1 · Member

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    I suppose so. Free eye tests and prescriptions are a Brucey bonus.
     
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    #5 PunkyRob, Apr 1, 2015 at 9:22 PM
  6. gemma6549

    gemma6549 · Guest

    I thought of another....if you have to go in for a day patient procedure/minor op in hospital you usually get the priority morning slot because of fasting beforehand :)
     
    • Like Like x 8
    #6 gemma6549, Apr 1, 2015 at 9:38 PM
  7. noblehead

    noblehead Type 1 · Guru
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    Some great points @gemma6549, pleased that you can see the positives in what can be a very difficult condition to live with.......... :)
     
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    #7 noblehead, Apr 1, 2015 at 9:46 PM
  8. gemma6549

    gemma6549 · Guest

    Even the possibility of a reduced life expectancy means I tell my husband he has to let me retire early ;)
     
    • Like Like x 6
    #8 gemma6549, Apr 1, 2015 at 9:56 PM
  9. gemma6549

    gemma6549 · Guest

    At the works Xmas do I get cheese and biscuits for dessert even though it's not on the menu :)
     
    • Like Like x 6
    #9 gemma6549, Apr 1, 2015 at 10:06 PM
  10. Mrsass

    Mrsass Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    Love this post @gemma6549 I like a lot of things about being diabetic too, I didn't always feel like this! But I've never felt more okay with it as I do now.

    I was diagnosed aged 3 and as awful as it was for my parents I'm happy I was diagnosed then rather than a teen onwards, It was just a way of life for me, can't imagine my life without it really, I do think I'd be a different person.

    I like that I can freak people out with needles & blood.

    I like that I feel really clever when someone asks me a diabetes related question.

    I like that I can eat sweets coz me blood is low (who else can actually use sweets to 'fix' themselves?!)

    as you mentioned, free prescriptions - winner.

    The people I've met on here - love.

    I'll be back with more coz I know I could go on for ages but my brain is really sleepy lol x
     
    • Like Like x 10
    #10 Mrsass, Apr 1, 2015 at 11:05 PM
  11. gemma6549

    gemma6549 · Guest


    Love this too :) sometimes I do get a bit excited about a hypo and make the tricky decision of what sweets to have
     
    #11 gemma6549, Apr 1, 2015 at 11:10 PM
  12. gemma6549

    gemma6549 · Guest

    I also like that it's made me so much more educated on other things, health issues , what different tests and results mean.

    I get a little sense of excitement if I see someone testing their blood or injecting and feel like I somehow know them in someway, I almost want to wave my hands at them and say "me too!"

    I developed an eating disorder I don't think I would've had without diabetes, but again it's made me so much more knowledgable, stronger, and meant that I've been able to help others in their recovery
     
    • Like Like x 6
    #12 gemma6549, Apr 1, 2015 at 11:14 PM
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2015
  13. Pipp

    Pipp Type 2 · Expert
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    Not where I live!
     
    #13 Pipp, Apr 2, 2015 at 12:32 AM
  14. gemma6549

    gemma6549 · Guest

    I'm sure there are some positives though.

    That's what this post is about
     
    #14 gemma6549, Apr 2, 2015 at 6:13 AM
  15. Mrsass

    Mrsass Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    Yeah I feel like I'm instantly connected to someone if I see them injecting/finger pricking! Like we're from the same 'place' haha
     
    • Like Like x 14
    #15 Mrsass, Apr 2, 2015 at 7:37 AM
  16. PatsyB

    PatsyB Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    Have to agree here... there are more of us with this lergy than we think :***:
     
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    #16 PatsyB, Apr 2, 2015 at 7:43 AM
  17. AndyS

    AndyS Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    loving this thread.

    Oddly my boss has since found that he likes my condition too since he now uses me as a weathervane to decided when to give the team a break if we are working some fairly phyical tasks.
     
    • Like Like x 9
    #17 AndyS, Apr 2, 2015 at 9:09 AM
  18. Pipp

    Pipp Type 2 · Expert
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    Sorry, did not mean to rain on your parade.
     
    #18 Pipp, Apr 2, 2015 at 9:58 AM
  19. gemma6549

    gemma6549 · Guest

    That's ok I just wanted to do a positive thread, we have a tendency to enjoy moaning more than we do being positive :)
     
    • Like Like x 2
    #19 gemma6549, Apr 2, 2015 at 10:01 AM
  20. misswhiplash

    misswhiplash Type 1 · Well-Known Member

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    This is a very lovely thread :)
    I also have lots of things that I like...

    In particular, I LOVE a nice gadget, and what with pens, pumps, glucose meters and freestyle libre, I am well equipped with those :)

    I also like a nice spreadsheet and a bit of data to play with, so that's all good too!

    And as already mentioned, free prescriptions and CHEESE are bonuses too ;)
     
    • Like Like x 12
    #20 misswhiplash, Apr 2, 2015 at 10:18 AM
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