Diabetes is really not a topic of conversation much for me when outside of work. And outside of this blog. I know – hard to believe. But when I am around friends or with my family, there may be a passing comment, but it rarely dominates discussion.

Having said that, we had our neighbours over for dinner last weekend and the ‘Pumpless in Vienna’ story got an airing – and not by me! It was interesting to hear it told from the perspective of one of the main characters in the story.

And then yesterday, while I was in Geelong, I had lunch with my team mate Kim (this is Kim!) and not once in our hour long chat did we speak about diabetes. Not once. In fact, it wasn’t until I got up to leave and mentioned to the waitress that I would love to continue to sit by the fire, but had to rush off to give a talk, and she asked me what the talk was about, did the word ‘diabetes’ come up.

‘Oh. Is it about type 1 or type 2 diabetes?’ she asked. Kim and I looked at each other with surprise – and a little delight. ‘Well, in this case both. But usually we work with people with type 1 diabetes,’ I said. ‘Our waitress over there has type 1 diabetes,’ she continued. It’s possible that Kim and I squealed at that point. ‘I’m so annoyed that I need to leave now – I’d love to chat with her. But Kim here isn’t going anywhere!’ And out I walked. I hope they had a chance to catch up!

I love a good diabetes in the wild story!

Other things occupying my small mind this week.

Cards to send when you don’t know what to say

I love these! They have been all over my social media feeds. They are such a wonderful idea. Emily McDowell has created empathy cards for people with serious health conditions.

I love the one that says ‘I’m really sorry I haven’t been in touch. I didn’t know what to say’ because often that is the case. We don’t know what to say. But if we have a friend going through a tough time, it’s not about us or our awkwardness. This card shows that even though you feel clumsy with words, you are thinking of your friend.

This is my favourite – and probably most relevant to diabetes. Please don’t tell me about you grandmother who lost her limbs because of lemons. Okay?

Life gives you lemons

Numbers mean nothing on their own

I had a very cool Twitter exchange with the super clever Dr Rick Kausman after I tweeted a link to this terrific piece he wrote for The Conversation this week. Numbers (in this article’s case weight) only ever tell part of the story – and often not the most important part!

Quick! Time’s running out for MILES 2

Diabetes MILES 2 is about to close. Do it. Do it now! (Read about it. Read about it here!)

There is a place for Dr Google in our healthcare teams.

While seeking medical advice exclusively from Dr Google isn’t the best idea, there is no denying that the internet and social media are indeed a significant source of information that really can benefit people living with health conditions. I hear blogs are a good source of information and support. Apparently. So I’ve heard.

Have a read of this great piece from MD Joyce Lee. I think she gets it right when she says this:

Healthcare, wake up. It’s not the 1990s anymore. 
Social media, google, and the internet ARE medical therapy.

Dr House was wrong 

What do you know about Lupus? Dr House seems to believe that ‘It’s never lupus’, but actually, sometimes it is. I’ve grown up with an understanding of this autoimmune condition. My gorgeous mum has been living with it kicking its arse for more than 30 years.

Here’s some information to brush up your basic lupus knowledge. And considering that May is Lupus Awareness Month, now is a good time to get some facts!

 

Sorry - couldn't help myself.

Sorry – couldn’t help myself.

Taking a diabetes break

Well kind of. There are some lucky teens taking an artificial pancreas for a spin in the real world as part of a study being run out of Yale. Read all about it!

There will be no sleep

Next week is Diabetes Blog week. It’s gonna be huge!

Happy Mother’s day, Mum!

My Mum is brilliant. She really is. And when she sent me this text message bagging the paleo diet, she hit new levels of brilliance.

mum pete evans

Happy Mother’s Day, Mum. If I can be half the mother you are, I’ll be doing well. Love you. x

It feels like a Ray Charles kind of day.