It's not about the Insulin

I breeze past news reports about inhaled insulin or insulin in pill forms, because, for me, it's not about taking insulin. I think (especially with a pump) the act of taking insulin is the easy part.

I'm not saying that's true for everyone. I know there are many people with type 2 or gestational diabetes who dread the idea of taking shots. And I know that for weeks, maybe even months after diagnosis, I dreaded them. And the thought of an 18 month old needing multiple daily shots... well, let's just say I totally understand when shots are the biggest challenge.

Most days though, I'd personally be happy if all I had to do was take insulin. It's the counting carbs, gathering of supplies (I think my meter/lancet device/strips repel each other - how else can I exlain the fact that they end up in different places?), figuring of doses, frequently failed efforts to squeeze in some exercise, and (of course) the daily doses of guilt that get me.

I don't need an endocrinologist as much as I need a professional organizer and some solid math skills!

I once had an endo say to me "managing diabetes only takes 10 minutes a day." Technically, he was right (he'd counted it up one day, clocking all the steps it took to check blood sugar and take insulin). But as far as understanding the burden of diabetes? I don't think he could have been more wrong.