Sugar Turned On Me

When I found out I had diabetes, in addition to all the other unwelcome worries that came with the diagnosis, I found myself worrying about my wife. It wasn’t a huge worry and it wasn’t about her health. It was the worry that having to change my eating habits was going to complicate her life.

Lifestyle changes come with an area of effect. When it comes to food, it effects everyone who ever makes you food and to some extent it effects those who eat with you. If someone eats with you everyday, that effect is much more apparent.

Consider the fact that if you live with someone, you are probably eating the same dishes at dinner. This means that if you have a dietary restriction, then they have to deal with it too. Sure, you can eat different foods, but then the question comes are you doubling your grocery bill? If the diabetic has a salad while the non-diabetic has pie, will that make the non-diabetic feel like they’re a glutton? Will it make the diabetic feel left out and hurt?

Fortunately, I hit the jackpot when it came to the game of significant others. My wife embraced my new diet along with me. We were already trying to eat healthier and the changes I needed to make were small enough that all we really did was get another reason to continue doing what we were already doing. The change didn’t really hurt.

Also, she was good about asking me if I’d taken my blood sugar, what my numbers were like and all without making me feel weird. She helped me deal with my depressed moments and got happy with me when positive changes started become apparent. She even took her own blood sugar once, just out of curiosity.

Fortunately for us, the area of effect is mostly just us. We don’t have kids and while we have people over, it’s no problem to make something that works out for all involved. I’m not sure what the complications would be like if a larger family were a consideration.

My doctor gave me good advice. People on the internet provided me tips. My friends offered kind words for which I will always be grateful. But the person who helped me adjust the most was my wife.

If you’re diabetic and you live with someone, be aware of how much it affects the others in your life. Let them know what their support means to you.  Diabetes isn’t just about your health, it’s about your life.

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