The Sexy Diabetic

  Thought I’d keep the timeline to help me be able to remember what happened when…   15 March 2022:          blood test 29 March 2022:          diagnosis by Dr. L 31 March 2022:          call from dietician at CDEPO 14 April 2022:            group Zoom with CDEPO 26 April 2022:            Zoom with dietician 28 April 2022:            ?? sometime in next few days: receipt of                                                        loaner   sample CGM  following 2 weeks:                ...

photo by Charles Earl   Charles and I have been trying some diabetic friendly recipes, including Morroccan lentil soup and a lasagne dish that uses zucchini instead of noodles, both were terrific. He’s learned to make really good omelets as well. There have been some cooking disasters, like when I burnt the oatmeal in the slow cooker. Maybe it was the pecans, I substituted for the almonds? I dunno. On that day I did dishes, over and over again. The fridge was stuffed with fruit and vegetables and I felt overloaded, overwhelmed and I admit I burst into tears and went out for my walk which I saw as a mandatory walk. We talked and I got through it, thanks to Charles. This is a very different lifestyle from the one we  had pre-diabetes diagnosis, and that’s less than a month ago.   Today I had a good Zoom meeting with the dietician from the Community Diabetes Education Program of Ottawa (CDEPO). She was impressed by how much we’ve changed things and also reminded me that th...

  photo by Charles Earl When I experienced my health crisis, I received emergency and immediate treatment. This is what I’m used to. I have been overwhelmed and frustrated since my diabetes diagnosis because I’ve expected emergency and immediate treatment. I finally realized that diabetes is a long-term condition. Well, duh. I know, I know. I should have probably understood this from the news of the diagnosis, but I didn’t. As a result I’ve been struggling, trying to solve things right away and expecting medical professionals to have the same attitude and response. I’m at the stage where diet and exercise will help. Will it alleviate the condition? I’m not sure. For now, the main thing is to learn, to figure out what works and what doesn’t. I also realized that I have to take charge of this. I can’t expect anyone else to figure things out for me and provide me with all the answers. Firstly because the answers aren’t easy or obvious, and secondly, because it’s not an emergency. That...

  This afternoon I had a group Zoom session about diabetes management with the team from the Community Diabetes Education Program of Ottawa (CDEPO). It was informative and somewhat reassuring. The biggest takeway for me was this: “Diabetes can be overwhelming! We don’t expect you to be perfect. Small sustainable changes are the key and can take you far!"   I don’t have to count carbs (unless I want to); I just have to visualize the nutrition plate and try to aim for that for each meal: half veg, quarter starch/carbs, quarter protein. And I have to aim for more physical activity. They emphasized that they weren’t asking people to join a gym but rather to move every day, every hour, focusing on both cardio and resistance. I’m close. I don’t move every hour; I often sleep for hours in the daytime. I already do my fitness class three times a week and I do walk, just not daily, so I’ll try to change my walking to a daily half-hour.   Stress can also cause trouble, so as t...

  photo by Charles Earl I thought about what it might be useful to know in order to figure out how to work out my diet and various other routines that might have to change due to the diabetes diagnosis.   RELATIONSHIP/SEX   I have been with Charles, my husband since 2001. We have no childern. We are polyamorous and in an open marriage. I have a high libido and will often spend weekday mornings in bed for self-pleasure. I rarely have penetrative sex (I don’t orgasm during vaginal intercourse). My husband and I give each other orgasms once or twice a week typically and are always intimate and affectionate. We can talk to each other about anything. We are best friends, confidantes and lovers. I haven’t had much in person sexual involvement with others during the pandemic, I had a one-time encounter and a three time encounter in fall 2021, when we had a lull between waves.   I engage sexually with others via apps or sites online.   HEALTH   I am 5...

the pink lady takes the sun after the breakdown, and with Charles’ help, I’ve done some thinking. I’ve been bending over backwards trying to solve this diabetes thing as if I somehow have the answers based on my internet research. I’ll do my best but I can’t do much until I’ve received the necessary guidance. I haven’t even been told or given support to monitor my blood sugar levels yet. I always take on all the responsibility for things myself and try to fix things or resolve them quickly. this is not a scenario where I can do that. I will read and I will avoid simple sugars as much as I can, I will do more fitness when I am capable. that’s the best I can do without guidance. so I’m going to stop beating myself up over my inadequacy at taking care of this.   today, I slept in and skipped my fitness class. I’ll do the recorded one tomorrow. instead I went for a long walk in the sun. this is what I needed. my fitness instructor, a charming United Church minister and former baske...

i am full of anxiety   I’m not sure when I saw the doctor to get the diabetes diagnosis, but last week the dietican called to set up an appointment. as I’ve said she was very caring, but booked up until the end of the month. I will participate in a group workshop of some sort mid-April. I’ve been trying to figure stuff out on my own, including diet, but also exercise. I thought I would also be talking to a nurse from the same clinic, but haven’t heard from any yet. I know medical staff are extremely busy and overwhelmed as well. I like to sort things out for myself and help as much as I can.   Yesterday and today I had a breakdown. Charles has been helping me through it thank goodness, but it’s been difficult. I want to do everything right. I don’t want to fuck up. I researched and tried to figure out how to balance my lack of a colon issues with good food for diabetics and came up with a few ideas, but not really a lot.   I tried eating an apple with almond butter....