Saturday, September 20, 2014

Diabetes Didn't Win (#showmeyourpump)

Diabetes may have won the battle of carrying a tiny purse.

Diabetes sometimes wins when I say no to a cute dress because it'll be too hard to find a way to attach my insulin pump to it.

Diabetes often wins the battles over dessert. Making smart food choices is a big deal when I know that I will pay for my choices with nasty blood sugar highs and lows later on.


Diabetes did not win over what I most wanted to do last weekend.


It started several months ago when one of my running buddies talked about doing a Triathlon. I was promised that a Sprint Triathlon wasn't really all that bad and that this particular race was very well run. More importantly, several of my friends were going to do it.


I started thinking -- I run regularly, I used to swim fairly well, and I'm sure I could ride a bike for that long. Then I started thinking about the logistics of competing with diabetes. I wasn't at all sure how I'd manage for a triathlon, but I didn't want diabetes to win before I even started the race.

I was able to leave my pump with a volunteer by the side of the pool so that my continuous glucose monitor could reconnect easily after the swim portion. I checked my blood sugar with a finger stick during each of the transition times and breathed a huge sigh of relief when I realized that the cgm was indeed keeping an accurate track of my numbers. The rest of the time I could focus on competing.

Perhaps my favorite picture from last weekend was one taken as I existed the pool area. I'm reconnecting my insulin pump after the swim.


I didn't let diabetes stop me.


Last weekend, Miss Idaho wore her insulin pump during the Miss America Pageant. Many people lately have posted pictures with the #showmeyourpump hashtag that she coined. I'm proud to post my own #showmeyourpump picture to encourage others.

Finishing last weekend's race was more than just finishing a race for me. It was proof that diabetes doesn't have to stand in my way.


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2 comments:

  1. I just want to say what an inspiration you are. It is too bad your diabetes got way out of control and you need an insulin pump but you have persevered and shown your strength and are not going to take over your life. I have found there is a natural solution to possibly reversing diabetes in others that are diabetic or even pre diabetic. It was created by a well renowned Dr. who has studied diabetes for many years. His approach is a proven method. It might be of interest to you or others that you know are pre diabetic or diabetic. It is a very interesting read. http://tinyurl.com/oww25wr

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