Hi All,
My girlfriend and love of my life is living with Diabetes and had been for many years now. She is one of the strongest people I know and does an amazing job managing her care. Since I am relatively healthy I don't know how to relate to her or know when to offer help or assistance. For those who have Type 1, what is the best way a significant other can help you through your battles?
Thanks!
This article written by David Edelman is cool. He's active in the diabetes community because his wife has type 1. www.diabetesdaily.com/.../marrying-into-diabetes-a-husbands-perspective
I'm the one with diabetes. General advice that has helped my husband and I is that I test anytime he asks. He can usually tell I'm low before I can. It helps him feel more in control and prevents him from having to argue with a crazy low blood sugar crazy person (that's me) about drinking a glass of juice.
The best thing my husband does for me is he doesn't bug me about my specific glucose readings or why they may be off. I understand that perfect blood sugars are theoretically possible, but in real life most of us make trade offs in managing our diabetes. I'm okay with having decent blood sugars the majority of the time and treating the highs and occasional low as they happen. I do my best, but sometimes I fall short. I appreciate that my husband doesn't give me the 3rd degree or react in shock if my blood sugar is 280 or if I forget to take insulin to cover a meal.
I do let him know if my blood sugar is going to affect our day. We were helping friends move last weekend and the heat made me more prone to lows. Over Memorial Day my pump died; in the mornings my blood sugar was 400 despite numerous shots and I gave him a heads up I'd be kind of cranky.
Just like any other relationship issues, work together, be honest, help one another, be quick to forgive. And definitely have a sense of humor.