My Story (page 5)
Exactly 6 months after being diagnosed and of taking shots, I was done with it. My attitude didn't change - I was still highly motivated and making the best of my situation. I had read about an insulin pump that you could attach to your body and have a constant flow of insulin. I could sleep in! I could have fewer shots! The hospital requires that a patient must take shots for at least 6 months to insure that they know how to manage their diabetes. In fact, even after that, they've never had a patient who wanted to go on the pump immediately.
They tried to stall me, but they couldn't deny me. Never had they seen a patient so determined and eager to jump to the next step. I was approved and began using the pump on July 7, 2002.
Elated that I did not have to take shots anymore, I had a new issue to realize and accept. I had a pump attached to my body with 42" of tubing. I felt like I had become a robot - a real life C3PO. At first I wore it on my waist like a pager. As a result, I had to explain what it was every day.
"No, it's not a pager."
"No, it's not an MP3 player."
"Please don't push that button."
I decided that I needed to make this invisible. As much as I loved the freedom it gave me, I did not love how visible it was. I made a pump strap to wear around my calf, just below my knee. When I wear pants, you can't see it at all. I made a variety of straps. A "going out" strap embroidered with beads. A "Flirty Strap" that is pink with black lace. A "Functional Strap" that is a cool gray that matches everything. The list goes on.
So why am I sharing all this with you? While I am not happy to be diabetic, it has taught me so many things about myself. I am proud of my attitude, and dedication not only to my own health - but to all of yours as well. I think that we have all experienced such different things; different tests not only of our physical health, but our emotional health as well. And both are equally important. So let's help each other. Let's show the world that Diabetties are smart, sexy, and supportive.
Thank you for reading my story. I hope you feel that you can share yours with me.
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