Retinopathy Perspective, Diabetes Anniversary
August 2019: It’s my 49’th anniversary of my diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. I’m currently facing some challenges with retinopathy. Having had two hemorrhages since November, and two injections and some laser…well, nothing much has improved. I’ve recently won two art classes and these I hope to make use of, vision or not! Retinopathy is not fun to deal with, and in my case does not ever resolve quickly. When the laser failed this time around, I was sent for Avastin injections. Those have not worked well either. I can’t really drive and I have numerous things I need to be out doing.
My 49’th Anniversary? Wow! A lot has changed since my diagnosis in 1970. No more urine testing, injections (I use an Omni Pod insulin delivery system), and much more technology. If you are dealing with diabetes and its complications, feel free to leave a comment. And blessings to all of you!
Dancing with Diabetes: Making insulin affordable again
Standing behind current efforts to reign in the cost of insulin. When my HMO refused to put Novolog on the formulary for me in 2018 (I have a Humalog allergy and so that was not acceptable), I had to fight to get it covered for one year. That year will be over soon, and I doubt I will be given another exception. Why?
Certainly if you are in desperate need, you can and should go to a pharmacy and buy old school insulin such as Regular. It will keep you alive. But, while we have this current interest in pricing, let’s fight for lower costs. It’s time. Visit: https://makeinsulinaffordable.org/ for more information.
Have a story to share? Feel free to comment!
#MakeInsulinAffordable
What’s So Simple About Diabetes?
When I started this blog, my theme was simple living, and living by faith. My desire was to get myself and others back to a more simple life. That life was to be centered on God, and the study of His Word. Along with that, my thoughts were toward family, crafts, cooking, and things that just felt less techno.
Of course, it was pointed out to me that blogging is technical, and so was owning anything like an iPad, Kindle etc. Social media was not simple. Oh well. So I did not entirely make the transition to simple living. I’m still working on what that looks like.
One thing that isn’t so simple is my life with Type I diabetes. Diabetes is not simple or easy. After being diagnosed in 1970, I can honestly say that while technology has helped tremendously, it still has not been an easy journey. Where an insulin pump has made life a tad easier, it still requires patience and a life of constant adjustments. It gets in the way of some of those simple things I want to be doing. Diabetes presents a constant invasion of numbers, and musts and have to’s. It is not simple. It marches in and over anything that requires my attention. Activities and moments of real creativity and fun, end up trampled on at times. Because diabetes is a real time snatcher, but that time is a necessary investment.
I hope if I toss this into my journey of faith, dancing with the simplicity of Christian living that you won’t pass by my blog. If you are a PWD (person with Diabetes) of any type, you know it isn’t simple. You might shake your head, and walk away. Upset that such a topic might even make it into this kind of blog. You might be angry with God, or with your circumstances. I for one believe that many people live in countries where diabetes care is less than perfect, and technology is not there to assist. I don’t ever want to forget that.
I could not make the journey of faith without God, because I could not do the diabetes thing without God.
Psalm 119:114 (MSG) 114 You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me.
My constant rock and source of strength through all that is diabetes, is God.
I can’t give you medical advice, but I can listen and share my own story. Yes, even in a blog about simple living by faith. Diabetes can show its face, but it cannot win. It can build courage and determination, but it cannot take over. It can cause your focus to shift to numbers, and meds, and carb counting and the like. But your ultimate goal and focus can be built on faith in God and His call on your life.
We may live in different parts of the world, and our resources for dealing with diabetes may be quite different. I hope to see you on the path of hope and faith. He’s got your back through it all. Feel free to comment……..
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