Dr Ashley Ng

Dia-what-sary?

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Ashley Ng

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The 9th of February 2014 will mark five years of living with diabetes for me. I love the endearing term the Diabetes Online Community have for it – my Diaversary. It’s not something you would say ‘Happy Diaversary’ for. It’s not really a celebration. I mean, who celebrates living with a chronic medical condition for xx number of years? But the more I thought about it, I guess there are some things to celebrate and give thanks to.

Firstly, thank you diabetes for not killing me yet. You’ve thrown some interesting curve balls at me, but I’ve always come out on top. Here’s to another year of whopping your butt.

Secondly, thank you diabetes for making me a stronger person. You have inspired me to get fit and not to take my health for granted. You have also shown me the good (and bad) in everyone and taught me some very important lessons in life. Here’s to another year of mental and physical wellbeing.

Thirdly, thank you diabetes for the opportunities you have inadvertently created for me. Didn’t expect that did you? You ignited that passion in me for wanting to help others. You gave me something to channel my efforts on and subsequently, put my career on track. Here’s to another year of professional growth.

These are only some of the ways that diabetes has made a positive impact on my life. So should I celebrate my diaversary? Some people do. They may do something special every year, or hold big parties for ‘milestone ages’ such as an 18th or 21st.  I know many people that acknowledge it but don’t make anything special out of it. But what I would really like on my diaversary, is for someone to count the carbs in all my foods for me; to test my blood sugars and then interpret how much insulin I will need based on that number. People don’t realise the amount of work and motivation it takes to keep our sugar levels in check. Not to mention the frustration that comes from sitting at the dinner table and multi-tasking. Here you are, trying to hold a conversation, count the carbs in front of you, figure out your insulin dose and inject yourself while everyone else has already devoured half of their meal.

So for my diaversary, I would like a day off from all the counting and testing. I would also like for others around me to know that even though it looks like I’ve got it all under control, there are days that I still have no idea what I’m doing.

#truestorybro Photo credit: type1diabetesmemes.tumblr.com
#truestorybro
Photo credit: type1diabetesmemes.tumblr.com

4 responses to “Dia-what-sary?”

  1. Betty Seeney Avatar
    Betty Seeney

    Hello Ashley,
    I replied to this post but it vanished so will do it again.
    I too used to do what you are doing but not any more.
    I found and bought (not sure if it was free or I paid for it but if I did, it was as cheap as chips) and App for my iPad called Diabetes Personal Manager and also another App, Carb Counter (same as the Traffic Light carb counting book). Both are brilliant. The Diabetes Personal Manager under Meals…just add your current reading, put in the number of carbs you are about to devour and presto…tells you how much insulin to have and Save it. It is pretty accurate. In Settings you just choose what range you want to be in and if your carbs are right, it is pretty accurate. I choose 6.2 to 6.8 for my range and it does keep me in that range. You do that for each meal and snack…awesome. The Carb Counter app is so handy if you dont know your carb count….both work brilliantly. Not sure if Carb Counter was free or not but it was by no means expensive.

    They both really do work and it has taken all the guess work out of the equation for me. For me, the amount of insulin I used to use was just a stab in the dark, gut feeling and straight out guesswork…a lot of times I got it pretty good but other times was way off the mark…now I dont have that stress any more. Just give it a try and you will be surprised.

    Cheers
    Betty

    Reply
    1. Ashley Avatar
      Ashley

      Hi Betty,

      Thanks for dropping by and I’m sorry the internet are your original reply! Those apps sound fantastic. It’s the same for me, I just need to get better with my carb counting skills, particularly with new foods. Sadly there aren’t many good carb counting apps like the calorie king on android.

      Thanks again for sharing, I’m really keen on checking out these apps 🙂

      Regards,
      Ashley

      Reply
  2. Allison Nimlos Avatar
    Allison Nimlos

    I love reading about what people think about diaversaries. I created a line of greeting cards for diabetes, and diaversaries are one of the lines. For me, I celebrate the life lived *after* the diagnosis, not the diagnosis itself. Celebrating the diaversary means celebrating a life well lived, accomplishments in persevering and staying healthy, and just to recognize the work that goes into managing this terrible disease. It’s about the person, not the disease. Anyway, happy diaversary and I hope you do something fun to celebrate your life well lived! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Ashley Avatar
      Ashley

      Hi Allison,

      Thanks for dropping by. I’ve seen your card before and I loved the idea of them! You notion of what a diaversary sounds awesome and spot on what it should be. Here’s to many more fun years and adventures!

      Cheers,
      Ashley

      Reply

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