I spend a lot of time figuring out how to get out of Type 1 diabetes (i.e., a cure) and complaining about Type 1. After 27 years, I still find things to complain about. But, I know it could be a lot worse and maybe I should just take time every now and again to smell the roses.
1) We can bring food and drink where it's forbidden.
2) Carb counting is second nature. 3) We are attuned to our bodies. We learn early on to pay attention and if something does not seem right, we know it right away. 4) It's party time when our blood sugar is good! 5) It's a bigger party when our A1C is good!
6) We can mess with people . . . "What are you doing?" "Shooting up."
7) Sometimes our public low blood sugars will get us a free juice or candy bar. And hey, who doesn't like free? 8) We get a confidence in knowing that the disease does not control us . . . we control it. It can and will retaliate, but we get it back in line.
9) We feel a tremendous relief when our lab tests come back showing that nothing has gotten worse. A relief that calls for a bottle of wine! Or a stiff drink with diet soda. 10) There is an excitement in the air when a new Type 1 product becomes available.
There are things people without Type 1 diabetes just don't fully understand. They need to experience these things first hand.
1) The value of a juice box. This is HUUUGGGGEEE!!! Juice boxes have saved my ass countless times. I do not share my juice boxes with anyone. My daughter knows not to ask for them anymore, because she knows I will tell her no. I keep a supply in my house, some in my car and in my purse. When a low blood sugar hits, they are a life saver!
2) What we can eat. Trust me. Upon diagnosis, we have to visit nutritionists. And we keep seeing nutritionists on and off through the years. Telling a diabetic what he or she can or cannot eat is a cosmic no-no. We got this shit down.
3) Cynicism in a cure. Type 1 diabetes generates billions of dollars every year. Because of this, many Type 1 diabetics believe a cure will never be found. A cure might show up every once in a while in the headlines, but it quickly goes away and is never heard about again. Do not tell us we are being cynical. This is a belief that is firmly engrained in a lot of us.
4) It cannot be controlled 100 percent of the time. This is well nigh on impossible. So many things can throw Type 1 diabetes off track - exercise, diet, illness, stress, emotions, sleep, excitement, road rage, alcohol - the list goes on and on. Do not expect us to be in control all of the time. It will not happen. As one of my endocrinologists told me, you have to be a detective to figure out what the problem is when it goes wacky.
5) Apocalypse = death. The long and the short of it is, we need insulin to continue breathing. If the apocalypse hits, we are not going to live very long. The only chance we have is looting every pharmacy we come across.
6) The feeling of a perfect blood sugar. One can only describe it as euphoric. It does not happen often. To me, that perfection is 100. Not 101. Not 99. That one single number can make my day . . . at least until I test my blood sugar again.
7) The feeling of a too high blood sugar. HOLY SHIT! That is what you scream in your head (or out loud) when you get an ungodly high number. Not only do you feel terrible physically, but your brain is all cloudy from the excess sugar floating around in it. Insulin is your only hope and if you are not careful, you can take too much, which will plummet your blood sugar, which will cause you to reach for one of those precious juice boxes.
8) An indifference to needles. We have taken so many injections throughout our lives, needles no longer scare us. And we will laugh at them unless they look like they should be stuck in a horse. The only problem I have when I get vaccinated is I want to give myself the injection. I'm a pro and I hate giving over my professional power.
9) The feeling of coming out of a low blood sugar and finding you had a free for all pig out. This has happened to me a lot. I come out and I see empty juice boxes, cookie crumbs, empty chip bags, half filled microwave popcorn, melting ice cream. I hate myself afterward because I am way too full and I know my blood sugar is going to kill me in about an hour.
10) The bond with a fellow Type 1. When we come across one of our own (unless we're at a child's diabetic camp), we feel an attraction, a desire to strike up a conversation. It usually starts with asking about how much insulin is used each day and then war stories are shared. Sometimes the bond lasts for years. Other times, it is short lived, but it is still there.
One of the easiest ways to experience something different in your life is to try different foods. I'm a big believer in it, but I'm not looking to go overboard. I know in some countries, they dine on knee cartilage. I don't think so. But, I can still have culinary experiences without getting the heebie-jeebies. And so can you. Here is a list of foods that everyone should at least try before they die. Give it a shot and you might open yourself up to a new favorite.
1) Sushi. Obviously. Everyone should try this at least once.
There are many different kinds of sushi. If you are leery about eating raw fish, start with a sushi roll that has a mixture of crab and vegetables. I love to dunk mine in soy sauce. Tony loves to drench his in soy sauce and wasabi. But beware the wasabi. It will burn your sinuses.
2) Rocky Mountain Oysters. Bull balls. Mmmmm. I've had plenty of opportunity to try these, but I have been too chicken
to do so. However, I know of a place in Rapid City, SD that serves them. You can bet the next time I go, I will order some and split them with my husband.
3) Haggis. Again, one I have not tried, but really all I have to do is attend a Celtic festival and it will be there. The thought
of eating internal organs stuffed in a stomach has never really appealed to me, but Tony said it's really not that bad. He said it's very savory and has a nutty flavor.
4) Pheasant. Yes, it's a pretty bird. PRETTY TASTY! Pheasant is a white meat. It almost tastes like chicken, but it has an extra zip that is difficult to
describe. It can be fairly expensive if you buy it in a restaurant or in a grocery store, so it's best to shoot the bird yourself and then eat. Be careful cooking it, though. The meat is delicate and can easily dry out.
5) Gumbo. This southern Creole dish can be made many different ways. It is a thick soup that I love to serve over rice. I usually make mine with crab, shrimp, okra and sausage. I have two varieties - mild and nuclear.
6) Peach Pie Juice. Technically, not a food, but this is probably the healthiest item on this list. And it's really easy to make . . . if you have a juicer. Juice three carrots and one peach. Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon. Mix it all together and VOILA!! It's my favorite juice - flavorful and nutritious.
7) Baklava. The king of the Greek desserts! Although the origin of this crispy, flaky, honeyed delight is debatable. The
layers of phyllo dough melt in your mouth and the honey coats your tongue. The nuts are cooked perfectly, not being too crunchy or too soggy. If you're a diabetic, take extra insulin.
8) Indian Taco. The crowning jewel of this dish is the frybread. Moist and flavorful, all of the taco meat and fixings are piled on top of it. If you attend an Indian taco feed, try to get a piece of frybread that is a lovely golden brown. If it's too dark, it will be a little tough to eat. If you make Indian tacos at home and you have leftover frybread, it can be used for breakfast in the morning. Stick the frybread in the microwave, slap some jelly on it and you're done.
9) Crickets. I was so close to trying crickets at the Tulsa Fair this past year, but I couldn't find the vendor that had them. I finally worked up the nerve AND I COULDN'T FIND IT!! I was disappointed. From what I hear, they are delightfully crunchy and nutty. And a good source of protein.
10) Kuchen. The German word for cake, there are different varieties, but the one that I love the most is the official dessert of South Dakota. It is a pie with a thick crust and a custard-like filling. There are varieties to try. A very popular one is rhubarb. I prefer the cheese kuchen. A lot of people love the peach and also the apple.
I spend a lot of time figuring out how to get out of Type 1 diabetes (i.e., a cure) and complaining about Type 1. After 27 years, I still find things to complain about. But, I know it could be a lot worse and maybe I should just take time every now and again to smell the roses. 
