9 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me at Diagnosis

There are so many things that we are told when we get diagnosed, and in all honesty, most of them are not very uplifting or positive. Yes, we absolutely need to understand insulin, carb counting, exercise, and medications, to name just a few. While that is all necessary, I wish someone had told me how to get support, that not being perfect was okay, that my life wasn’t over! So, in honor of PLAD’s 6-month anniversary, I wanted to list out the top 9 things that I wish I was told about my “new normal.”

1. Your life isn’t over

Your life is not over, my friend; you have a “new normal.” No, things will never be the same again, but that does not mean that you can’t live life to the fullest. When I was diagnosed, I thought I was doomed. That was it. This is the end. That was my shock and depression talking.

2. You can still have food that you love

There will be many times when you are told that diabetics SHOULD NOT or CANNOT EAT certain things, but depriving yourself of the food that you love is not the solution and, in fact, not even smart. Yes, you can still have birthday cake, pizza, Skittles, etc. The key now is moderation and to fully ENJOY it when you do have it.

3. You can live a long and healthy life, complication-free, with WELL, not PERFECT, managed diabetes

There have been so many advancements in technology, medications, and management techniques that the probability of developing complications due to diabetes has decreased SIGNIFICANTLY. The key takeaway here is that your numbers don’t have to be perfect. No one expects them to be, and they don’t need to be. WELL-managed diabetes (defined as 60 – 70% “time in range,” which is 70 – 180 mg/dL, and an A1c below 7.5%) is what you should be working towards—not beating yourself up over fluctuating numbers.

4. You HAVE to be your biggest advocate

This is a big one, my friend. You NEED to take an active role in your health. You need to ask your doctor, pharmacist, nutritionist, coach, etc., questions to further your understanding of YOUR disease. This is something that you live with, not them, so make sure that you are working with them to learn from their expertise. Not sure what medications you are on or even why? ASK! Interested in pharmacy savings cards, discounts, or samples? ASK! Want to have your cake and eat it too? ASK! You have a whole team of people who have made it their profession to help you, so take advantage.

5. Everyone’s diabetes management is different

There are definitely guidelines to follow when it comes to diabetes, but there is not a one-size-fits-all magic formula. For me, I need to take insulin for coffee… Plain black coffee… which has no carbs… This is not the same for any of my other diabuddies. However, whenever they have a drink (wine or mixed), their blood sugars always drop, while mine either stay the same or skyrocket. So, learn from your other diabetic friends, but don’t compare, because how one person responds does not automatically mean that another will.

6. Involve your support system

It took me a long time to do this one. Everyone in my family and friend group offered to help in any way that they could. They wanted to help. I did not let them, though. I was mad, scared, bitter, depressed, and in denial. I did not know how to handle this “new normal” in the beginning. I decided that I was going to do it all on my own because they did not, nor ever could, understand how I was feeling. You know what? They still don’t completely understand what I am going through, and I never want them to, but I let them help me! Now they understand how I act when I am going low or high. They know what to look out for and how to help me. They might not ever understand, but they could save my life.

7. You are not ALONE

This is a big one. It is easy to get caught up in the idea that no one understands you and that you have to go through this by yourself. That is not true. There is a HUGE community of people who understand EXACTLY what you are going through and are looking for others to connect with. Whether you need to vent, talk recipes, workouts, or discuss burnout techniques, there is an entire WORLD out there willing and wanting to help you go through something that they feel too.

8. Having feelings of depression and sadness is OK!

Whether you call it burnout, exhaustion, being tired, or not wanting to deal with it anymore, it is completely normal and even healthy to acknowledge.

9. Give yourself some grace because sometimes you could do everything right and still not get the results you want

Einstein defines insanity as “doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results.” Well, Einstein, you obviously never dealt with diabetes, where you do the exact same thing over and over but get different results! Every day is something different, and it will show. You can literally sleep the same amount, eat the same thing, at the exact same time, with the same insulin, stress level, and activity but get different glucose readings… with no reasonable explanation. I am not telling you this to scare you or discourage you. Quite the opposite, actually. I am telling you this so that you know it is normal, even expected! Give yourself some grace. Understand that there will be ups and downs (pun intended). Celebrate the small victories.

If someone were to come to you right after their diagnosis, what advice would you give them?