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How involved do you prefer a significant other (either current or hypothetical) to be with your T1D? Select all that apply to you!
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Hypothetical… (almost live alone with 2 rescues: a PIT and a cat) My nephews and nieces near me know how to test my glucose and give injections. They also know whatever’s available I can eat, I’ll ask the recipe “in conversation.” But even with a “significant other” I’d be afraid they’d get bored or overwhelmed because I’m always reading. I can’t let someone else manage this because this puppy just got housetrained, who knows what she’ll get into so I’d think there be minimal actual medical backup from a “partner.” Maybe goal setting (meals, gardening, outside activity), and of course if the goals are TOO dissimilar might just be the pack and myself again LOL? The curse of being single, happy, too busy to worry?
My husband has been with me for more than two decades and before my T1D. He sometimes came to Endo visits, and learned a bit of the basics in the beginning. I try to show him once a year how to use my tandem and dexcom in case it is necessary due to seizure activity. (I can start random actions for no reason until I am back to normal and have previously pulled on my pump.) I don’t find dealing with T1D greatly difficult but my family all support me. He is now informed of low/high BG through dexcom sharing and will call or come to help. He will recognize a low if it is around or below 40mg/dl or 2.2
My wife can sense my lows before the CGM and is helpful in that way. But she doesn’t care to hear me talk about diabetes or know much about the daily struggles.
My fiancé is an insulin-dependent Type 2 and an RN. It doesn’t get much better than that.
My husband was one of the longest living T1D diabetics in the country and passed when he was 84 years old. When I became a T1D later in life with LADA, he is the one who diagnosed me with his meter. He was my mentor until I could give myself the injections. We helped each other and did T1D together. When our youngest son was diagnosed the endo Dr. said I’m not surprised with his genetic code. So I am alone now missing all of our days walking the stores, eating the same foods, and on the exact same schedule. This year of Covid has difficult for everyone, so I cannot complain.
My husband had to help with glucagon a couple of times but basically is no help. He doesn’t understand.
My husband knows my lows before Dexcom does! He is very knowledgeable about my T1D but wouldn’t know how to insert my sensors or use my InPen or my Lantus pen. But he longer has to wake me up low blood sugars in the middle of the night as Dexcom takes care of that! He wouldn’t know a high blood sugar though. I can’t even describe how it feels and my behavior doesn’t give anyone a clue!
He most always carries glucose tabs or snacks. He is extremely patient and understanding. He does not micromanage me at all. He puts up with my frustrations and ups and downs. He’s an angel about that. With his knowledge now, he would not be able to care for my diabetes on his own. It is just not his strong suit. He does help me on occasion with CGM insertions in difficult places. He researches low carb fun foods I can eat. He’s quite an angel:) I am very fortunate.
My wife was also T1D so we followed essentially the same schedules, diets, etc.
What I would _prefer_ is no assisttance because I need no assistance with my type 1 diabetes! But I appreciate that when my partner cooks, they carb count (and also bring me cutlery with my food). When I cook, I just bring cutlery.
My husband of 37 years is a very knowledgeable scientist who’s goal in life seems to be fixing problems. While usually quite helpful, it often feels judgemental and that I don’t know what I’m doing (T1D 51 years). Having more emotional support would be lovely!
My husband knows the basics and was very helpful with lows before it became not necessary with CGM & pump. Also very into new research, as I do many. Not a lot of nuts and bolts like pre-bolus, counting carbs, when to exercise etc. You know the details that I never really talk about. I keep most of my diabetes stuff to myself, not a lot of detail sharing. Just basic stuff.
I misread the question as asking what my current partner is as opposed to my perfect partner would be. My answers would have been: They could manage my T1D almost as well as I do Other: They can tell when I’m low/high and help WHEN NECESSARY We discuss OUR feelings around T1D, and WE are emotionally supportive
My husband is my partner with T1. Until he came along (in my 40s), the only other person who was interested in understanding how to manage it was my mom.
The question is poorly worded. I would PREFER a spouse who showed a little more interest in how to manage my diabetes, so if I ever became incapacitated I would have a helper. Instead I happen to have a loving spouse who thinks he’s supportive but actually closes his ears if I try to explain why I’m having trouble regulating my blood sugar. He has no interest in the mechanics of treating the disease. He says my numbers are fine and that I make myself tense. He simply doesn’t understand how much work goes into getting those numbers. Years ago my endo had me bring him in for glucagon training. Forget it. He refused to pay attention and we could see he would never be a help to me. I told him he should call 911 and tell them to bring glucagon. Thank God for CGM, so I never get dangerously low.