So how could I not ask her to guest post during this moving week, As I venture back to Colorado again?!
Enjoy!
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It hurts me, in a way any wife would understand, to see the judgmental looks some people give Husband when they find out he is diabetic. That look that says, “well if you would take better care of yourself this wouldn’t be an issue.” Or the well-meaning but off-base advice telling him how he can cure his disease. He has appointments at the Barbara-Davis Center, a leading facility in diabetes treatment and research, every three months. We are fairly confident we would be informed of any cure.
I write about how most days it is barely a thought and others, like when he was hospitalized for diabetes/hyperthyroid issues, it is all consuming. We are so grateful for modern medicine and how it has made it possible for those diagnosed with diabetes to live long, healthy lives. Of course, we still wish for a cure, but we will take what we can get!
Sometimes as I navigate the insurance companies, hospitals, and doctor’s offices I wonder how I could really only be 24 years old. But then I remember Husband has been dealing with this since he was diagnosed in middle school. Others, like my former boss’ son, will never remember a life without it.
Yet I don’t see the Big D when I look at Husband. He is not defined by it. I rarely notice the insulin pump clipped to his belt. While a lot of time, money, and determination go into treating his diabetes, I only see him. My wonderful, loving, incredible husband who knew I was the one in less than two months of dating and who proposed just short of six months. The man who takes care of me just as I take care of him. The man who knows how lucky we are to have each other.
Diabetes is not always easy on our relationship – any disease brings its fair share of trials to a romantic relationship – but we have learned it can’t define us anymore than it can define him. Love, we have found, is worth it.
What a wonderful to explain how it feels to have to live with a misunderstood disease. Sounds like both of you handle it with such grace.
I too have a misunderstood disease and dealing with the ignorance gets tiring.
Kristina, my kindred spirit, thank you for your kind words. It was an honor to compose a guest post for you!
LOVE me some LittleSilkDress! the way you wrote about your husband in this post is breathtaking and precious. seeing your guest post on here is a double dose of beauty–you and kristina together!
That was a beautiful testimony to the vows “for better for worse, in sickness and in health”. I loved and had a husband for 23 years and we both never saw anything for each other before the sickness and dying. You guys sound perfect!
What a lovely guest post you have written there for us. It must be very hurtful for you when people take that attitude towards your husband’s diabetes. It was a beautiful post you wrote about the love you have for each other.
Diabetes is not such a bad thing to have ok it isn’t great either but there are worse conditions. It is a lifestyle adjustment when you find out that you have it. I have type 2 diabetes and take tablets to keep mine under control. In my family both my parents are diabetic along with one sister we are all type 2.
If you love someone then you don’t worry about whether they have something like diabetes.
Thank you for the kind words, everyone. They mean more than you could possibly know. Ms. Rambling, I am sorry to have made you feel isolated. That was never my intention. I am glad you are able to manage your type 2 with pills and wish you continued health and happiness. There are certainly worse things Husband could have and we are very grateful he does not have anything more than type I diabetes and Graves disease (both of which are endocrine related), but type I does require quite a bit more care than pill consumption and/or a balanced diet. There are similarities between the two types, but they just aren’t the same. His pump is his pancreas, something that will always be the case unless there is a medical breakthrough; and even with constant testing of his bg levels there is only so much a human operated device can do. There is always potential for error. While it doesn’t consume us, there certainly is worry that surrounds a disease caused by Husband’s body attacking and completely killing the insulin producing part of his body. Without close monitoring and a careful balance between food and insulin consumption, he would die. At the very least, not maintaining tight control can eventually lead to other very serious health problems like heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, etc. We have had some pretty scary moments in the last few years due to aspects of his diseases that are beyond his control. Feel free to check out http://www.sixuntilme.com, a blog written by a type I diabetic about what it is like to live with the disease. It is phenomenally honest and favorite read of mine.
I hope you have a lovely weekend and again wish you continued health and happiness.
Thank you for sharing your and your husband’s personal health struggle. It is moving to read. You have depicted not only the reality of living with Diabetes type 1 (and how it is different from type 2), but also the grand love you have for each other. My prayers go out to you both.
-Ella