It's another late night. I'm up waiting for my blood sugar to return to a healthy range before I go to sleep (sometimes this takes hours, like tonight). So, I think I'll attempt my first post.
My name is Paul Jones. I'm a professional saxophonist living in New York City. And I love what I do. I am also a Type 1 Diabetic. I was diagnosed with Type 1 just before moving to New York to attend grad school about four years ago. It's been a crazy few years. I've learned so much about music, people, health, nutrition, business, and myself. I decided to start this blog because so often I find myself answering questions or being in conversations about diabetes. Most people (like myself before I was diagnosed) have a very limited understanding of what it means to be Diabetic (and honestly I don't know much about any other major diseases currently). I wanted a way for friends, family, and new people to get an inside look into what it means for me to be diabetic. I want to start a relaxed open conversation about Diabetes.
The way I see things today (side-note: Diabetes is always changing as your body is always changing, so I will probably amend the way I see things a week from today) there are three major areas of focus for Type 1 Diabetics.
1. Learning about Diabetes and how to manage it.
2. Managing Diabetes and the mental aspects of living with a chronic illness.
3. Dealing with Health Insurance and Medical Supply Companies.
(#3 in my opinion is the most difficult. Remember, this is my view. Other diabetics may completely disagree with me)
I guess one of the first things I wanted to talk about has to do with #1: Learning about Diabetes. One of the first things people usually say to me when I tell them I'm diabetic is, "Well, you don't look over weight or unhealthy?" Then I explain about the two different types of Diabetes. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease that destroys all the insulin producing cells in your pancreas and Type 2 is a metabolic disorder brought on by genetics and life style with a result of insulin resistance. The cause and treatment for each type is vastly different. Type 1 diabetics must take insulin to survive. Type 2 diabetics through diet, exercise, and non-insulin medications can reduce their resistance to insulin. But, if a person with Type 2 diabetes is unable to get their health in control, they too will eventually have to take insulin.
It's 6:30am and my sugar levels are looking good. Time to wrap this up. Hopefully through writing about my experience I can offer a deeper view to friends/family and new friends/family into what it means to be diabetic.
Current listening: Mayer Hawthorne - Where Does This Door Go
Ray! - The Soundtrack
