Diabetes Blog Week 2016 Day 5: Tips and Tricks

Click for the Tips and Tricks - Friday 5/20 Link List.
Let's round out the week by sharing our best diabetes tips and diabetes tricks. From how you organize supplies to how you manage gear on the go/vacation (beach, or skiing, or whatever). From how you keep track of prescription numbers to how you remember to get your orders refilled. How about any “unconventional” diabetes practices, or ways to make diabetes work for YOU (not necessarily how the doctors say to do it!). There's always something we can learn from each other. (Remember though, please no medical advice or dangerous suggestions.) 

Today’s topic is “Diabetes tricks and tips.” I’m not sure I have many new tricks for you (something something can’t teach an old PWD new tricks) that I didn’t use up the last time Diabetes Blog Week used this prompt.

I can say that I’ve downgraded to a smaller purse than ever before by separating my meter remote from its casing and just packing a lancing device, bottle of test strips, tube of glucose tablets, and the remote itself into the purse. In my change and card purse sit a vial of insulin, an empty cartridge, plunger and needle, and a syringe for emergencies. Other than having to change the syringe out more often because the numbers sometimes rub off, this makes everything much more compact. Seriously, I have no idea how I’m able to carry a purse that qualifies as “cute” and “small” rather than “boat-sized,” but it works for me.

Anyway, the best “trick” I have for diabetes is actually this:

Just keep going.

Doesn’t seem much like a trick, I guess, but it’s the best thing I know to do.

Bad reading? Just keep going. There will be another million readings.

Skipped exercise today? Go tomorrow. Just keep going.

Low blood sugar? Treat it and keep going. My blood sugar is low right now, and I’m writing three articles simultaneously while that’s happening. Three! Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t sit or lie down for a while if you feel like crap. Taking time for yourself is one way to keep going.

Despairing for a cure? Don’t wait for it to do something. Keep going.

Uncaring doctor? Keep going. Keep asking the important questions. Keep pressing on for the sake of your health. If it’s possible to switch to a better doctor, that’s another way to keep going.

Can’t figure out the best treatment regimen? Keep going. Keep trying new things. Stuck in a rut? Keep going. It’s the only way to get out.

Remember that not everyone’s ability or definition of “keep going” is the same, but whatever it means to you, keep going. This may seem vague and undefined, but in a world where diabetes often leaves us powerless, our greatest power is to define for ourselves what our lives will mean and what we'll do with them.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being part of this big, bold, and beautiful community, it’s that we all keep going. Even when we’re burned out and frustrated and depressed and despairing. Even if we don’t do everything exactly the way someone else says we should. Even if it’s using the smallest of steps. I love you all for it. I think we deserve that love.

Just keep going. It’s a tip, it’s a trick; it’s all we can do.