For the past two summers my job has become more enjoyable due to the fact that I have a diabetic coworker. He may be ten years younger than me but when it comes to diabetes the age gap is nonexistent. Just the other day I saw him drinking a regular soda at break and jokingly said "diabetics can't drink regular soda!!" When he turned and saw that I had my own soda he laughed and asked "How low are you?" My coworkers have a great understanding of my disease but I can't have diabetic humor with them. Having another diabetic on the crew is like having a twin.
Last summer I felt like I was back in middle school and was scared to talk to the cool kid because he may not like you. At the age of 28 I was scared to talk to a 17 year old because I wasn't sure if he embraced his diabetes. As the summer went by we would test in front of each other hoping that the other person would open the lines of diabetes communication. Towards the end of the summer the nervous diabetes tension left and we built a good friendship. While coaching at the high school I would always see him and make it a point to say something to him. As this summer began the relationship started to grow stronger, everyday at lunch one of us will ask the other "what was your blood sugar?" Whoever has the blood sugar closer to 100 has bragging rights for the next 24 hours.
As elder diabetic I feel that I need to have that diabetic heart to heart with him. The truth is he was the model high school diabetic but when he begins college in the fall will he continue the great control and discipline he has had for long. I feel that I need to ask that question, I'm sure he has questions and fears. Although I was the worst college diabetic I feel that I can help in someway. Doctors are great but getting advice about parties and college life from them is tough, I believe we all feel that we are getting the professional answer and not the real human answer. That is where I feel I can help, it wasn't that long ago that I was in that situation. Now that I have control of my disease I can put myself in his shoes and understand where the question is coming from. The best thing is that I can be honest, I can tell him my mistakes without upsetting anyone.
Last summer I felt like I was back in middle school and was scared to talk to the cool kid because he may not like you. At the age of 28 I was scared to talk to a 17 year old because I wasn't sure if he embraced his diabetes. As the summer went by we would test in front of each other hoping that the other person would open the lines of diabetes communication. Towards the end of the summer the nervous diabetes tension left and we built a good friendship. While coaching at the high school I would always see him and make it a point to say something to him. As this summer began the relationship started to grow stronger, everyday at lunch one of us will ask the other "what was your blood sugar?" Whoever has the blood sugar closer to 100 has bragging rights for the next 24 hours.
As elder diabetic I feel that I need to have that diabetic heart to heart with him. The truth is he was the model high school diabetic but when he begins college in the fall will he continue the great control and discipline he has had for long. I feel that I need to ask that question, I'm sure he has questions and fears. Although I was the worst college diabetic I feel that I can help in someway. Doctors are great but getting advice about parties and college life from them is tough, I believe we all feel that we are getting the professional answer and not the real human answer. That is where I feel I can help, it wasn't that long ago that I was in that situation. Now that I have control of my disease I can put myself in his shoes and understand where the question is coming from. The best thing is that I can be honest, I can tell him my mistakes without upsetting anyone.
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