I remember receiving Diabetes Forecast in 1988 for maybe a few years. And then I stopped for a long time and only started receiving the magazine again when I started blogging. (Always looking for new ideas and topics!)
And you know what? I just don’t like reading it. I never have.
I do my best. I really do try to read the whole thing through without getting upset. But it just doesn’t make me feel good to read it. Ever.
I’m not sure how much has to do with the fact I feel that a large part of the magazine directed to type 2 diabetes doesn’t apply to me or my disease, but I don’t really think that is the true issue that might explain my discomfort with reading the magazine.
I just don’t like looking at all the Don’ts and the Eventuallys and the Watch Outs.
I don’t like being told I’m a potential victim. In fact, I hate it. I hate it so much I’ve pretty much designed much of my life to combat the thought in advance.
I don’t like reading about how to eat fewer carbohydrates. I don’t like reading that eggs might be bad for people with diabetes. I don’t like seeing ads for socks and comfortable shoes.
I simply don’t like it.
Maybe I’m denying this truth of diabetes. It feels more like I’m questioning how true these complications really are. For ME.
Paging through the December 2010 issue I see:
– Know when to ask for help before things get out of control. Talk to your doctor or diabetes educator or to a trusted friend or family member.
– In 2008, 1 in 5 U.S. hospitalizations involved patients with diabetes.
– More than 60% of lower-limb amputations that aren’t caused by injury occur in people with diabetes.
– The story of metformin’s past, present, and possible future
– Help me fight a silent killer
See, living with diabetes isn’t just about doing my best to keep my blood sugars in check and eating well and exercising to keep my body working as well as possible all the time every day no matter what else is going on in the world or my personal life or career.
It’s also about seeing articles about heart attacks and morbid obesity and losing feet or toes and answering questions and explaining and hearing and seeing advertisements for blood sugar meters that seniors can’t understand and are complaining about the pain of checking their blood sugars twice a week.
I don’t need the fear motivation. I don’t need to discuss the pain of finger pricks. I have lived with my disease for nearly 23 years. Each and every day. I’m not one who needs convincing to take care of myself.
I could use some humor; I could use some motivation and encouragement. I think we all could.
How about it, Diabetes Forecast?
I’ll look for some of that in the next issues but I’m sad to say, I won’t hold my breath.
