Welcome to Day Four of the Sixth Annual Diabetes Blog Week. As we pass the halfway point of the week I hope you’ve been having fun and discovering some great new blogging friends. I know I sure have, so thank you to everyone participating!Today’s topic is Changes. Today let's talk about changes, in one of two ways. Either tell us what you'd most like to see change about diabetes, in any way. This can be management tools, devices, medications, people's perceptions, your own feelings – anything at all that you feel could use changing. OR reflect back on some changes you or your loved one has seen or been through since being diagnosed with diabetes. Were they expected or did they surprise you?
I can't help but think about today's topic as my past, my present and my future.
When I was diagnosed, dinosaurs roamed the Earth and we used spikes from Stegosaurus tails as lancets. Okay, okay, I might be exaggerating a bit. But things were very different. Urine testing. Exchange diet. One injection a day. R and NPH insulin. Sugar was strictly taboo. Control was poor. Today, things have changed quite a bit. Blood sugar testing and CGM. Carb counting. Insulin pump. Apidra. Nothing is off limits if I work to make it work. Instead of “control” I try to say “management” and it’s better than it was 35 years ago.
So does that mean I’m happy to hold this status quo for the future? Hell no! There is still too much diabetes work involved in our lives. Things need to be smaller and easier and more automated. Three decades ago my family got our first cable box - a large push-button device that didn’t come with a remote. That’s right, we had to get off the couch every time we wanted to change the channel. Today I can program the DVR in my living room in Connecticut while I’m in California. (I’m not in California, but I could do this if I flew out.) This is what I want for diabetes. Big advancements that I can’t even dream up yet. (Because when I pushed those clunky cable box buttons I couldn’t have imagined the sleek DVR boxes and smartphones I’d be using today.)
I may not be able to tell you specifically what I want and how it can happen. I just know we still need much better.
Here are more Changes - Thursday 5/14 posts.
What is Diabetes Blog Week? Click here for an explanation and to sign up. You can also check out a list of participants over here.
Working for JDRF and meeting researchers first hand, I am always in awe of the thoughts of what can be from these people. Some of them not even living with diabetes-they're just passionate about making OUR lives better. THESE PEOPLE ARE THE BEST. This is why I fundraise!!
ReplyDelete"Stegosaurus tails as lancets" ROTF
ReplyDeleteI love the cable box analogy! I'm hoping for a DVR experience for diabetes!
ReplyDeleteAnd every new idea begets another new idea. So I'm all for new ideas!
ReplyDeleteHahah Oh my goodness! Could you imagine if we had to use Stegosaurus tails as lancets?! Hahahah (although then I'd probably be using a new "lancet" more often than I do now :-P
ReplyDeleteCome here Stego! It's time to test again! No, don't eat me, I need to check my blood sugar!
Is your DVR FDA-approved?All this (necessary) regulations are slowing things down. Good there are projects like #WeSreNotWaiting.
ReplyDeleteJochen
New ideas sound wonderful
ReplyDeleteDinosaurs roamed the Earth? Jeez, then I must be...ancient! ;-) I wish for your dreams to all come true.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post, Karen! Since I was diagnosed just a few years ago, it's good to be reminded of the positive changes that have happened over the years. But, like you, I want to keep fighting for much better!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Karen. Lots of love!
ReplyDeleteYou want things that haven't even been thought of yet? Fabulous! That's the type of disruptive innovation we need! Not just taking the things we already have and making them smaller, faster, and accurater (?)... but finding something that will radically change everything. If you happen to think of it, let me know and I'll get right on it! :)
ReplyDeleteStegosaurus tails...now there's an innovative idea!
I love how you think!
ReplyDeleteBig advancements I can't even imagine are already happening. Dexcom blew my mind and then Share re-blew it. As aunt Gerry says when we blow out the candles, what blow job!