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My blood glocuse levels have stabalised a bit. It took a week, but they hover between 4 and 12 which is getting there. Occassionally it jumps up to between 18 and 20 if I eat too many carbs. It's hard to get that right - really hard.
Now I'm about to enter a honeymoon period. This is a period when my last remaining beta eyelet cells start to work again because the stress on them is gone. During this period I may be able to lower my insulin dosages.
The reason it's called the honeymoon period is that those last few beta cells are destined to die. There is no way to save them. They have a limited life span and exactly how long that'll last is completely unknown. It could be a day, a week, month, or even years.
Given my slow onset of the symptoms I'm not too hopeful that I'll have much of a honeymoon at all (if any!) because it 'feels' like my body was fighting all the way up until a few weeks ago when it simply got too much.
If I do get a bit of a honeymoon period, then at least I can mourn the passing of the last of my beta cells. Poor things.
Spirits are higher than earlier in the week. This is still an overwhelming thing and it'll take me a while to adjust. But it is a definite quantity, a known: ie: I know how to treat it, I know how long I'll have it and I know there's no more surprises left. Finally I know why I've been fatigued for years and finally it is being fixed.
One side effect though - my confidence is shot. Totally shot. I had a chance to go meet a girl last night at a bar and I wimped out. Totally piked. It'll take me a while to get that confidence back. I think perhaps the choice of venue didn't help - I'm not about to start drinking after only one week of being diagnosed with Diabetes Type 1. I'll just mark this one down as 'not my type' even though I didn't even meet her.
By Rich Demers on September 2, 2006, 8:23:10 pmComment by Rich Demers
Michael,
Do keep in mind that a lot of people, myself included, respect you and the projects you have taken on in the last few years. You're a smart and ambitious guy; you'll go far. It's just a speed bump that you've hit.
Regards...Rich
By Michael Lucas-Smith on September 2, 2006, 8:33:20 pmThanks Rich
By Jason on September 4, 2006, 5:58:10 amHey, don't give up on the girl! At least, not permanently. If you ever feel like meeting her in the future, just tell her the truth. I bet she finds it cute.
By James T. Savidge on September 4, 2006, 9:05:19 pmWhat if she is also someone who has Diabetes? Even if not, never underestimate the ability of a woman to understand or sympathize. :-)
By funny ringtones on September 6, 2006, 1:37:17 am
By Troy Brumley on September 6, 2006, 1:43:04 pmComment by Troy Brumley
I have to laugh, I had the same sort of maladaptive thinking as you describe with regard to women. An excellent therapist once asked me why I felt entitled to decide for women whether or not they might like me.
It's your choice whether or not you make yourself available, but it's always their choice as to whether or not they are or stayed interested. You've got a period of time here where your not likely to make yourself available, and that's completely natural--you are coping with some head-bending stuff right now. But, at some point you should put yourself back in circulation. Sure, some women might be put off by a medical issue, but my experience is that the ones who are worth my time aren't.
You're an intelligent and interesting seeming guy from all I hear and read, those attributes are much more important than the medical issues.
By Patrick Logan on September 8, 2006, 3:02:35 pmGive it time. 13 years for me as Type I.
Ease into the alcohol thing. I drink a light beer or three a week. Sam Adams Light in the US is as good as I've found. If you like Heinekin then their new light tastes close to their usual. Otherwise in the US, Bud Lite, Coors Lite, Miller Lite all become. quite. passable. over. time.
I occassionally have "fuller" beers, just budget for it and stick to one. Getting too tipsy in itself is not great for diabetics, so sticking to one of whatever drink your having is a good idea. So one glass of wine, one high ball, etc. under the right circumstances works OK for me now and then.
You'll learn you get to eat good food and drink good beverages in moderation. Which is a reasonable philosophy for anything, right?
There is no reason to feel uncomfortable around a girl. None that should last long anyway. But if you think you're more handsome after a few drinks then... that might need an adjustment anyway. The girls may find you're more fun sober?
One other thing -- if you find it helps to have a drink in your hand at a party or a bar then you can hold on to one if you have the discipline not to drink it, or to do so very slowly. Better yet is diet ginger ale looks kind of like a high ball. Just remember to act stupid over time or people might get on to you.
Bottom line -- you'll just get into a routine and find it's not all that bad. And that people are supportive and curious.
Best of luck.