5 years ago today, I developed a yeast infection that I couldn’t get rid of. I scheduled an appointment with my NP. I walked into the exam room hoping to get relief from the itchy feeling I had but instead I walked out with something I didn’t expect…I walked out with diabetes. The first person I called was my mom, couldn’t call my husband because he was in Iraq. I cried. I read all the information I could from the internet. I asked questions. I gained knowledge for a disease I was clueless about. I counted carbs and maintained my blood sugar. 5 years later, I am still going strong.
I am blessed- I haven’t been in the hospital due to diabetes. I am blessed, I have a supportive husband who made the lifestyle change with me. He holds my hand, sits through some of my frustrated times and tells me when I maybe too high or too low. I refuse to let diabetes steal my JOY. I refuse to let diabetes take over my body. If I have to give up cakes, pie’s or ice cream to live a long life with diabetes I will. But If I was to ever developed complications, at least I can say I tried.
Diabetes has been a blessing in my life. I am still new at it but it doesn’t matter how long someone has been living with diabetes, it’s not an easy task for anyone at any stage in the game. I have met a lot of interesting people, gained friendships and formed bonds with people who understand diabetes. I’ve heard their stories and have a new found respect for them. They are no longer just my friends with diabetes, they are my brother’s and sister’s.
I don’t look at diabetes as a curse. I don’t hate diabetes. I show it love, I embrace it. I was taught “If you can’t fix it, why complain about it?” I stopped complaining about it along time ago. I want to take what I’ve learned about diabetes and living with it to a whole different level. I want to educate the world one person at a time. If I can change 1 person’s evil thoughts about diabetes, that means I’ve done my job. I am more than just a number. I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. I am a person living with diabetes.
I am blessed and thankful to lived 5 years with diabetes. I pray for many more years to come.
Be Blessed
Cherise
Diabetic_Iz_Me 
June 14th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
My friend, My sister!…I love ya! Well written! Even through the rough times, the frustrating times I have to think of the D as a blessing…with each new year I have a genuine appreciation for the fight and my compassion grows deeper for people living with chronic & invisible diseases. HUGS!
June 15th, 2009 at 2:47 am
You go girl!!! I love you too:)
June 15th, 2009 at 12:18 am
Cherise:
Bless you! You always take a cloud and turn it over to expose its silver lining. When I’m down, I know I can come to you. You are my hero!
June 15th, 2009 at 2:49 am
Jill-
Bless you too! ok, why am I about to cry? Thank you soo much. I can count on you too! that’s friends/sisters are for.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:31 am
Cherise:
There ARE gifts in diabetes, ABSOLUTELY! We just need to open our eyes, and sometimes that’s difficult to do.
Diabetes gives us tenacity, humor, the ability to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps because we must, (everyday- no matter what!) and of course,the diabetes online community!
Diabetes has given us you-a positive, awesome “Chicklet” whose positive outlook is contagious!
HAPPY D-DAY
YOU ROCK!
Kelly K
June 15th, 2009 at 2:51 am
Kelly-
You are awesome! I agree, sometimes it hard to open our eyes. we have too! keep tweeting those jokes and writing those funny blogs.
June 15th, 2009 at 1:43 am
Congrats Z-Pod!
Happy 5th Dversary!
I am so glad you are here. I am so glad to have “found” you.
Sisters through a commonality. I am So ok with that. 😉
I try to concentrate on the blessings that having T1 has brought me.
The biggest and Best gifts have been sisters like you. Thank you diabetes, Thank You.
Keep up the great work. Here’s to many, many more years.
Love ya woman. ((hugs))
June 15th, 2009 at 2:53 am
Cal-Z,
Thank you! lol, correction–I found you on twitter and you had your account locked. hahaha I had to “beg” you to unlock your account…hahahaha
It is hard to do but we have too do it.
D-sister’s 4 life!
June 15th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Great post sis – you are a positive influence on many of us!
June 16th, 2009 at 2:59 am
I love your positive attitude! If I could bottle it up and sell it, I would be a millionaire! Seriously, thanks for sharing with all of us out here!