The Diary of a 23-Year-Old Type 1 Diabetic: Lingo

Jerri Pittman

Blog Post #3:

The Diary of a 23-Year-Old Type 1 Diabetic: Lingo

Every diabetic has developed their own lingo. We deal with checking our blood sugar 4+ times a day and are continually poking and prodding ourselves. It's only natural that we develop slang. The only problem is that sometimes we forget that strangers and acquaintances aren't as accustomed to our casual phrases as our close friends and family are.

I've put together a short, humorous list of moments that have warranted (and always will warrant) strange looks in public and/or serious concern by new friends or co-workers who weren't aware of my diabetic situation. Enjoy.

#1:

"I'll be right back. I need to go shoot up."

OK sure. I had it coming. Strangers in public aren't going to automatically assume it's life-preserving insulin. But after 9 years of taking 4 shots a day I've earned the right to edit "I'll be right back. I need to go inject myself with Novolog before I eat in order to maintain normal blood glucose levels since my pancreas does not have the ability to produce insulin on its own," into whatever jargon I like. Don't you think?

#2:

"Crap! I'm out of needles!"

And here we are at another illegal drug reference. Most people get very uncomfortable at the mention of the word "needle," and rightfully so. But to me needles are as normal as nuts in a fruitcake so I throw around the word like "amen" in church.

I am currently in the process of moving apartments. As one of my hired professional movers was hauling a box upstairs to my new place he read the label "Needles and other drug supplies," and just laughed. "That's funny," he said, "I love it when our clients put joke labels on boxes." I just smiled and nodded. Sure, buddy.

But on a positive note, at least modern medical technology has allowed me to upgrade to simple insulin pen needles rather than full on syringes. Want to talk dirty looks and whispers? Try dropping a handful of actual syringes in your high school bathroom in front of half a dozen hometown southern Baptist PTA moms. Oh yeah.

#3:

Basically any form of "I need a shot," "I took a shot," or "I'm going to take a shot."

Why do I get raised eyebrows after saying any of the above mentioned sentences? Because when normal people hear those phrases they assume tequila. I cannot count the number of times I've said "I just took a shot" and friends assume I've just started the party early. If only.

Last night at dinner when I casually said, "I need a shot," my good friend said, "OK!" My waitress said, "We don't serve alcohol."

So you're welcome, guys. Next time you hear me or my fellow diabetics mention shooting up or taking drugs, don't call the cops. Just give us a high five.

Who is the Smart One, Really?

Courtney Avila

When someone is described as smart, many people assume that person does very well in school. They probably know all about the subjects of the classes they are taking, they don’t have anxiety when they are about to take an exam, they mostly get all A’s on their report cards and have a high GPA. In my eyes, those characteristics describe someone who is educated. But if a person knows the concepts and definitions inside in their textbooks, will it be easier for them to live in the real world once they graduate?

I have always been an average student though I give a lot of time and effort into school. Test taking is extremely difficult for me and is one of the scariest things in the world because I feel like the outcome of it will define other people’s opinions of me. Even though these things are true, others consider me a smart person. I have a lot of common sense, I know about current events, I know how connect with people I meet and I am a hard worker. Basically I would call myself street smart rather than book smart; and that to me is a success.

Though I do agree that education is extremely important, I believe that there is too much of an emphasis what your GPA is. Just because you got an A on your last accounting test doesn’t mean you can participate in an intelligent conversation about current events going on in the world with business associates and land the account you have been working on. School takes up a big chunk of your life, but it doesn’t define your life’s success. I believe that having experience, having life skills, and knowing how to communicate are important for success.

The pressure to be successful in school is taking away from being a successful person. Learning to study well and ace a test is important to pass classes in college, but I won’t need the information that I memorized for my science class to be able to make good life decisions and be a good person with depth. I want to be hired based on the person I am and because I’m capable of doing the job well and that I will be an asset, not because of what my college GPA was.

           

My First Time

Everyone has a first time for everything and my first time came when I was in the car.

And, whoa, it’s not what you may think…

My first time as a bridesmaid came when my best friend handed me a small, white envelope while we were in her car driving to Walmart (of all places).

 As soon as I opened the envelope, my heart dropped with immediate, overwhelming excitement.

And if you could imagine any scene in a movie, you can believe I was the girl who just hit that incredible high-pitch scream of excitement while happily flailing my arms with the envelope in my hand. Yes, I was THAT girl.

I just couldn’t believe it!

Well, I mean I guess I could because I couldn’t possibly imagine her not inviting me…. I mean, after all, I am her best friend, duh? But I still couldn’t contain my excitement in the least bit! While every woman looks forward to the wedding she may have one day have and dreams about the wedding dress she will wear, I have always wondered about what if felt like to be a bridesmaid in a wedding. Sure, I’ve been to plenty of weddings as a guest, but never a wedding where I had a personal, unique connection to the couple getting married.

This was my best friend. I HAD to be at her wedding. Not just at her wedding, but IN her wedding.

I couldn’t wait to help celebrate her marrying the love of her life and help do all the things that bridesmaids do.

Ever since last September when she asked me to be her bridesmaid, I helped share in her memories as a bride including helping her decide on THE dress.

Besides, you know you’re a true bridesmaid when you convince the bride – your best friend – to have all the bridesmaids wear boots instead of heels. I mean, after all, we are talking about an outside wedding that took place at a beautiful spot in Weatherford. Why in the world would we wear boots? Who are we kidding?

Holding her hair while she’s puking her lungs out.

Consoling her when her heart is broken and telling her boys are stupid.

Sharing clothes so much you get confused whose is what anymore.

Being the ‘wing man’ for one another.
Hold her hair extensions for her so she can curl them.

Having code names for people that others will never understand.

Picking her up at a gas station at 2 a.m. in the morning.

Having your stuff over at her house so much that it’s practically your house too.

Jamming out to N’Sync and Backstreet boys together with no shame.

This is my best friend – a sister I never had – and we have done everything together. Well, almost everything…

This was her first time getting married and meeting the man of her dreams.

This was my first time as a bridesmaid.

And I don’t think either of us could’ve been more excited that day.