Challenges & Victories - Day 27 WEGO Health Blog

I'm participating in the WEGO Health Blog's 'Health Activist Writer's Month Challenge' where bloggers are asked to write about their conditions. The goal is to write from these 30 health related prompts for 30 days in April.

Today is day number twenty seven.
5 Challenges and 5 Small Victories. Make a list of the 5 most difficult parts of your health focus. Make another top 5 list for the little, good things (small victories) that keep you going.

5 Challenges and 5 Small Victories

5 Challenges

1. Carb guessing

Yep, swagging the heck out of food in a restaurant or a place we stop to eat, or homemade food. We do pretty well, but some of the time, it just feels like one big crapshoot.

2. Blood draw

The annual blood draw sends me into a corner. My gal Grace doesn't like it (who does???) one bit. And neither do I. We just go and do it. And we celebrate with a giant chocolate chip cookie from the hospital cafeteria when we leave. And we totally guess the carbs on it.

3. Keeping Diabetes in perspective

It's diabetes. But she is here and alive and can do everything she wants to do. It's diabetes and we can handle it. We can do this. We can do it well.

4. Remembering our kit

When she goes to a neighbor's house to play now, I make Grace take her diabetes kit with her. I used to keep it at home, as she was just one or two doors away. Now that she has taken over her care when she is on playdates, she takes it with her. And it's a fine line between reminding, and nagging, that she take it. Believe me, a fine line.

5. Staying connected

A challenge? Maybe. I force myself to stay in the loop. To stay connected with other moms who have kids with diabetes who care for their child in the same way, without being overbearing or lighthearted about it all. I try to find sameness. It's like 'water seeks' it's own level.' Like that. Connection makes all the difference to me.

5 Victories (and I refuse to call them 'small')

1. OmniPod pump

It rocks our world and is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Which is 12 grams of carb a slice, mind you. It allows Grace to have freedom, control and go about her life. I cannot say enough good things about it. It has revolutionized her care.

2. Independence

Grace is growing up, and seeking more independence with her care. And I am all for it. I find it thrilling and exciting to see this next chapter in our lives. 

3. This blog

I started this blog after Grace was diagnosed in 2009, as a way of getting my story out into the world, in hopes that it helped me. I found connections and friends through this blog. It is one of the greatest things I have done, for myself (yes, I actually did something for ME!) since her diagnosis. And to find out that it has helped, or encouraged, or connected with others is another blessing in my life.

4. Our family

We are a strong unit here. We ebb and flow. We rise and fall. But we do it together, all the time. And for that, I am lucky. I am privileged to call these three kiddos and hubby mine, and for all the strength we provide each other.

5. DOC

The Diabetes Online Community. You all, and you know who you are, saved my life. I thought I was alone, silly me! And I wasn't, by any means. And my story often matched other people's stories. And I found faith in the DOC, and strength and friends who will be with me my whole lifelong. And I found out that I CAN do this.