November

November is Diabetes awareness month. Yesterday (11/14) was World Diabetes Day. Last year I did a photo a day challenge. This year I just wasn’t feeling up to saying much. I did want to at least acknowledge it though. So, consider it acknowledged.

The last few months have been a struggle mentally. So I just didn’t have the energy. However, I seem to have found some energy and some thoughts today.

A family member of a patient made a comment about the purple ribbon I have on my work badge. Asking if it was for epilepsy or domestic violence. I answered both. I work with epilepsy patients so of course I want to show my support. But the ribbons were actually given out during domestic violence month. It made me think about how so many awareness months and colors overlap and unless you are already aware of the thing you want to raise awareness for you would have no idea. Kind of a catch 22 I would say.

Example, not only is November Diabetes Awareness Month, it is also Epilepsy Awareness Month. Monday was World Diabetes Day and this week is APRN week. All things I care about. How am I supposed to give my attention all of them!!?? I guess November will always be a special month for me.

It has made me think about how some experiences are the same across different chronic illnesses. Living with diabetes means I am constantly walking around prepared for low blood sugar that may cause me to go unresponsive. People with epilepsy walk around wondering when their next seizure will be, if ever. I do not kn0w what it is like to have a seizure, but I know what it is like to walk around with rescue medication in you pocket “waiting for the other shoe to drop” even though it may never drop.

I know that parents of children with diabetes constantly worry about their kids no matter how old they get. Just ask mine. I have listened to parents of children with epilepsy cry on the phone worrying about their kid and I know that it could have easily been my mother.

Anxiety and depression have higher rates of occurrence in patients with epilepsy and diabetes. From the small bit of research I have done for school that holds true for any chronic illness.

Teenagers with epilepsy get anxious and embarrassed about their epilepsy. Just like I did with Turner syndrome at that age. I “wanted to be normal”. Whatever normal is. Can’t say I have achieved it yet lol.

I used to get annoyed that diabetes didn’t have a month to itself. Working closely with epilepsy patients has made me realize that we are more similar than different and we are just screaming to raise awareness. Ugh I know that is cheesy. Sorry.

So,

Happy Diabetes Awareness Month and belated World Diabetes Day!

Happy Epilepsy Awareness Month!

Happy APRN Week!

Happy November!