Finals & Diabetes

Today's entry is about something I thought of today: How to manage Diabetes during Finals week at college or SOLs/SATs. I’ve been A type 1 diabetic since age 12, so I got to deal with all the above while managing my diabetes.

The most important thing to do during this hectic period of time is to watch your blood glucose levels like a hawk. I test quite a lot currently, but I check probably 9 times a day during these stressful times. The stress & worry of upcoming finals or whatever can cause your levels to elevate. Just make sure you check, check, check & correct accordingly & try not to stress if possible.

Next suggestion is to watch what you eat. No, not a diet. Just don’t eat too much or too frequently, because there’s nothing more agonizing than trying to study while feeling sluggish & tired. Either eat lighter or spread your meals & snacks apart.

The last thing I do (depends on your religious affiliation) is pray. I am very religious & I pray about everything that goes wrong in my life & let God handle it.

When it comes to the day/s of the finals or SOLs/SATs, make sure to test before you start the exam & have water & a low BG snack just in case & be vocal with your professors.
I hope this blog has helped & good luck on your upcoming exams!

You can hear this in audio format by clicking HERE

Thanksgiving Being A Diabetic

    First off, Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers! I hope you have a great time with your loved ones & that your BGs don't suffer too much. With Thanksgiving comes food, SO MUCH FOOD! And with such food comes family members who "Have your best interest at heart" & do things that drive you mad, like watching you [the diabetic] as you get your plate (well plates for me) or stare at your pate as you chow down. Kind of looks like the above picture right? This article is to tell you how to keep calm & enjoy Thanksgiving.
   
    First off keep in mind that they actually have your best interest at heart. Most are afraid that their diabetic loved on/s will end up on dialysis like their friend's sister's husband's grandfather or believe eating right will cure diabetes. They do care about you, just have a hard time with the fact you're diabetic. If you have one of both of the instances mentioned earlier, just try your best to hold your tongue. I know how hard that is trust me.
 
  Second,  If you expect glaring glances or eyeballs watching what you eat or put on our plate, probably indicates that you are eating too much & know it. I've been this way at times & know how hard the temptations are to pass (sweets etc...) & all diabetics have times where they cave in & have a piece of pie or something. Now, I don't eat sweets hardly ever & if I do, it's delicious! Just have to keep an eye on my BG. But just know when enough is enough.

Lastly, if you know the people that are like I mentioned, have a talk with them before the event (when you're not upset at them) & tell them how you feel. I always assure my relatives that do this that I am the diabetic & I know the do's & don'ts & if I under-bolus/over-bolus for the feast, I will handle it & appreciate their love & concern for me. Talking beforehand may ease the tension for some.

How do you overcome these types of relatives?
Comment below or tweet me @insulin_junkie9
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Starting next semester of college I will have more time to blog, so expect more!
Again, Happy Thanksgiving everyone & God Bless!