Facing Forward: Sue

Facing Forward is a series that shares the lives of people living with arthritis and other invisible chronic illnesses. The goal of the series is to see how we are similar and how we are different - and to remind us to keep moving forward because we aren't alone!

Name: Sue

Location: Illinois

Diagnosis: Type 2 diabetes

Age at Diagnosis: 37 yrs (about two weeks before turning 38)

How are you currently treating your condition?

Diet and exercise.

 

What are the biggest challenges you have faced since your diagnosis?

I often get frustrated that I can't eat like everyone else. Other people can sit down with a big bowl of popcorn and watch a movie or go out for ice cream without having to worry how many carbs are in that treat. Balancing my desire for various foods and the need to keep my glucose under control is hard. Type 2 diabetes also has a stigma of being caused by lifestyle. My lifestyle is no different than anyone else. Often I get upset with people who judge and blame people with Type 2 for our diagnosis, making assumptions that aren't true.

What are your favorite tips and tricks for managing everyday tasks?

Planning out my meal beforehand helps a lot if I make sure I'll have enough low carb foods that taste good and satisfy my hunger.

How do you manage to keep facing forward every day?

Moderation not deprivation. I allow myself lazy days and treats. If I'm too strict on myself, I get down about life or find myself binge eating.

If you could go back to diagnosis day and tell your past self one thing, what would it be?

Find your tribe now. Don't wait. Find that group that will lift you up and support you when you need it. Find those people who really know what you're going through because they're going through it too.

Do you have a blog you would like to share?

My blog is Diabetes Ramblings.

Would you like to be featured on Facing Forward? If so, please send an email to mariah@fromthispointforward.com.