“Living with diabetes (or caring for someone who lives with it) sure does take a lot of work, and it’s easy to be hard on ourselves if we aren’t “perfect”.  But today it’s time to give ourselves some much deserved credit.  Tell us about just one diabetes thing you (or your loved one) does spectacularly!  Fasting blood sugar checks, oral meds sorted and ready, something always on hand to treat a low, or anything that you do for diabetes.  Nothing is too big or too small to celebrate doing well!”

There are a number of ways to approach this one, as I am a person living with diabetes and I care for a person living with diabetes. Hi Dayle!

Yes, living with diabetes can be a bummer. And yes, caring for a person with diabetes means you share the bummer-ness. But I think both of those things cancel out. I’m not entirely sure on that math on that one. Let me get back to you after I check my work.

As far as Dayle goes, she has been great about being patient about my eating habits. It’s been well documented over the years that my culinary excursions aren’t exactly Man vs. Wild in metaphor. I come from the philosophy that there’s nothing a good Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich can’t solve. (Grape jelly, mind you). (Oh, and creamy peanut butter).

Slowly but surely, Dayle has encouraged a more diverse diet into my life, and as a result, into our lives. I’m not making Iron Chef meals featuring a random ingredient but at the very least, I’m eating a lot more vegetables and other fun things like fish. It’s not a perfect diet and I know I’m not perfect. But she doesn’t judge.

I do my best to curb cravings for things like pizza, especially knowing how tricky it can be for both of us to manage those post meal spike-spikes. I don’t want to be a burden on her diabetes because I’m the picky eater but I can’t change my habits overnight. She’s been more than incredibly patient with me as I expand my dietary horizons. And for that I am incredibly appreciative.

I’m working on returning the favor(s). Foot rubs may not be high on the exchange rate, but it’s a start, right?