Day 23 - A Gift Day

I’ve been taking part in a Photo Challenge for the past month on Facebook where those that participate change their cover picture daily/sharing it at the groups wall – explaining why they chose that particular photograph.  It’s been nice not to be involved in something that isn’t ALL diabetes related – but guess what – with some of the topics …  diabetes somehow sneaks itself in!!  It plays a role in some of my picture descriptions for one reason or another – yuppers – always the advocate – that I am!!!

Today’s topic was difficult (so far – as I compose this blog – I seem to be the only one that’s posted a picture on the Photo Challenge group page).    I actually was stumped  - Day 23 – A Gift Day – but then something dawned on me today – after meeting up with someone – of all places – Wal-Mart – in the baking isle – and my picture idea came to fruition ....

To fully understand the meaning behind the picture posted above – click on this link

Here I was, shopping list in hand (for items that were on sale from the flyer  - trying not to veer off track– you know me – Frugal Queen) .  Meanwhile, trying to cope with lugging a hand cart around as my strength started to ebb (I’m so dumb at times - why not choose a cart with wheels) –since I was now dealing with a low blood sugar (BG).  Glucose Stick (formerly known as Quick Sticks) to the rescue as I try to make my brain function just abit longer – to get the last items on my list.  Trying not to drip sweat all over the isle floor (I’m not sure if it was a heat flash due to menopause or the low – it’s sooooo confusing sometimes to distinguish between the two that make your hormones go flippy flop all the time).  I then come to what I am wanting …. cake mix (think of the Simpsons theme  playing here) – sinful to many die hard low carb eats – but in my low flying BG mind –a quick little treat to make up for those “I want to have something sweet treat” or be a bad-A** diabetic.

I noticed a woman pulling a package out of Butter Pecan  – and she started to tell me in French that this cake mix was so good – just warm out of the oven … and then she lost me – while my low in gear brain tried to keep up with the fast pace of French.  Hmmm, did she say she put frosting on it? Isn’t that high in sugar?  Diabetes – rears it’s head again - stop taking over my sponge brain  ….

I then started to tell her I was a Type 1 diabetic – blah, blah, blah – she then switched to English when she heard me stumbling with my French (later I told her – glass of wine – or funny smoke stuff makes me better at understanding ANY language thrown at me – or my speaking it).  Then she reveals - she is diabetic too - a Type 2.  Je suis trop bête!! 

Of course, her Type 2 is not your usual  diagnosis – being overweight / older / etc. – but because of  having pancreatic cancer.  What is left of her pancreas (and here I was invisioning how small the pancreas is – and that the surgeon managed to leave a teeny tiny portion of it there) seems to be performing okay but her doctor was talking to her about going onto an insulin pump.

Viola!! As my blood sugar started to creep back to normal  - and my lips keep on flapping (yes – I was breathing inbetween my yapping – and listening to her as well) – up goes my t-shirt – George Michael my pink insulin pump flashes his pearly whites - "hello baby" – and well – you know the rest – showing the infusion set (now – who doesn’t do the same thing as I do – I’m proud to show my tummy to total strangers).

So, the good thing out of all of this?  After exchanging contact info - I now have someone who is interested in learning about insulin pumps - how I've done it all these years since the 60's (I guess they think I know what I'm doing ).  Though I may try to educate her on trying out MDI ((multiple dosage injections) ) prior to going onto a pump first – since she’d be paying out of pocket as she’s self-employed (I can give her suggestion for applying for Disability Tax credit (put link here).

In the end?  I got home, feeling so hungry that even the cat food I doled out in their dishes made me lick my lips (oh oh – is the real cat woman coming out of me again???) – I realised that the gift I really appreciate is the food I can buy – that normally is considered not good (though in the picture there is some “not so bad” food – remember – I can cheat – I’m on insulin).  

BTW, the pizza ... DELICIOUS ... the almond chocolate milk (my first time having this) ... OMFG DELICIOUS (forget beer with pizza - chocolate milk wins hands down - well at least for me today).