D-Blog Week 2013: Dearest Diabetes (And Non Diabetes) HealthCare Professionals......

It's The First Day of Diabetes Blog Week, 2013 and today's topic is to Share, don't share - As in what we'd like share with our healthcare professionals... or not. 
To quote Karen over at BitterSweet Diabetes: Often our health care team only sees us for about 15 minutes several times a year, and they might not have a sense of what our lives are really like. Today, let’s pretend our medical team is reading our blogs. What do you wish they could see about your and/or your loved one's daily life with diabetes? On the other hand, what do you hope they don't see?
And a big shout out to Melissa over at SweetlyVoiced for coming up with the topic!
You can follow  Diabetes Blog Week on the twitter by following the #DBlogWeek and keep up with today's posts by clicking over to the Share & Don't Share link list page. 
####

Dear Diabetes HealthCare Professionals: 

There are some things going on in this diabetes patient brain of mine that you might not be aware of.

After all, you're very busy seeing patients and dealing with insurance crap and I get that, I really do, 

But if you'd keep the following in mind, next time I (or anyone else with diabetes for that matter,) comes into to see you - We'd all benefit.   

1. Talk with me and to me, not at me. 

Here's the thing, if you look into my eyes and talk with me and not at me, several positive things will occur:

A. My nerves will be calmer, which means I will be calmer

B. My mind will be clear and open to what you're saying, instead of bracing myself for what you're going to say. 

C. My diabetes anxiety will dial down from 11 and I will be more able to give you the results that we both want.

2. Keep in mind that every blood sugar has a story. That 250 at 7 a.m. very well might have been caused by that 50 blood sugar two hours earlier. The one that woke me up out of a sound sleep, had me sweating profusely and eating like a mad woman because I was afraid of passing out. 

That 60 blood sugar at midnight might have been caused for over bolusing for a dinner of stuffed shells and meatballs that I ate 4 hours earlier with friends. Perhaps I over bolused or went a little overboard with my temporary basal rate. But whatever the reason or the number, please remember that I'm trying. 

3. My A1C. As far as my A1c is concerned - If it's gone up, it might be due to the fact that I had bronchitis and was on steroids for two weeks, or maybe something is up with my immunity (shocker,) but  I am trying - regardless of my A1c. Acknowledge the fact that I am trying - and encourage me to keep trying - Because what you think and say matters to me, BIG  TIME. 

And if my A1C has gone down, I don't need a tickertape parade (though that would be very cool,) but I still need your ear and your input. I still have questions that need answers. Also,  a "WAY TO GO, KELLY" would be very much appreciated. 

4. Paperwork. Re: paperwork (bolus and basal settings/basal testing, allergies,) please have those forms available for me to  print out/ fill out on-line. That way, when we do have our one on ones, I won't be spending my time filling out paperwork. I'd rather just be able to fill my paperwork out at home and give it to you when I sign in at the front desk, that way - our valuable time will be spend productively. 

5. My mindset. I think it would really help all parties involved if healthcare professionals kept the patients mindset in mind. 

Are you aware that I've been stressing out over our appointment for at least two weeks prior to my actual appointment? 

Are you aware that the thought of fasting after midnight sends me into a tizzy and makes my head spin. And that the first time I tried fasting for my labs I had to stop because I was low when I woke up and had to "break the fast?" Which of course made the second time I fasted for my labs even more nerve wracking. 

Do you realize that I'm scared to death to hear the results of my labs. Scared your going to tell me the worst case scenarios, scared something horrible will be found? Yep, I'm scared shitless!
And those self deprecating jokes I crack are to cover up my fears and to put my mind at ease -and even when they do put my mind at ease - I'm still afraid.
My fear usually requires the tech to test my blood pressure at least twice because of the whole "white coat syndrome" thing I suffer from. 

Are you aware that I'm scared to death that history will repeat itself - That I will go the diabetes way of my sister Debbie??? And that fact haunts me. 

I need support when it comes to my diabetes, both physical and mental. 

I've had diabetes for 35.6, years and I haven't had a vacation from diabetes for 12,957 days - which is freaking mind blowing when you really think about it. 

There are days when diabetes makes me feel overwhelmed and tired and there are some diabetes cracks in my foundation. 

But cracks or not,  I am tenacious, I am trying and I am doing. 

6. REMEMBER:  I am human and I am flawed.... And I am trying. 

Lastly -  My diabetes healthcare professionals are my Diabetes Pit Crew- I rely on you for my diabetes tune-ups and the likes there of -  And without you I'd be up Shit's Creek. 

We are a team - and I depend on you tremendously, I value your opinions and I want to make all of us proud.

I am not perfect, but I am trying my best. 

Thanks for listening, 

Kelly K~