That’s a really interesting perspective. I’ve found that reflecting on the mental side of living with T1D can be just as valuable as focusing on the numbers. Wishing you continued insight and success on your journey!
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I have horror stories about an End I had to use. HMO - so the advice often given by other T1D folks , “get a new doctor” is hard. Aside from the overall shortage of Endo’s and internal Med docs that are experienced with D (especially T1D) means we have to stick with the “Endork” in order to have access to the Rx pad. At times I wish that Endo’s would lurk on the various social media groups to see that there are many of us who are engaged, competent and can do well. But then, I’d have to change my user name to a fictitious one (again the Rx threats). I was told it was impossible for someone like me to have such good labs. I reminded the Endork that photo ID’s are checked at the lab. I also brought out my mother’s MENSA card (if I hold it right, you can’t see the first name). I wanted to add that the only other human in my household was a 6’6" male (I’m a 5’5’ female). I also wondered where in his training was he taught that anyone Dx’d with an y type of D MUST be Dx’d with 3 co-morbidities: Stupidity, Laziness and a Propensity to Lie. He refused to look at my hard copies of monthly uploads of my pump/CGM data. That same Endo disagreed with my request for enough test strips to accommodate my 15-20 fingersticks a day. He thought 4-6 a day was enough. After telling him what I thought was the minimum (8) I explained the point of the fingersticks was to provide before and after data. I also said that I did a fingerstick every time I was going to drive. He scoffed, and asked why I would do such a thing. I answered him with a quesiton of my own: when he was in his residency rotations, and working in the Emergency Dept, did he ever accompany first responders to an accident caused by an impaired driver. He was offended at the question as well as the fact that I even asked a question. WHen he said “never” to my question, I informed him that I have been “on scene” so many times I’ve lost count. And that I was never going to be “that” driver.
I have found that NP’s are are also CDE’s opt only have more info on life with T1D, they usually have a personal connection to T1D (they have it, or a close family member does). They know about walking the walk.
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