I have decided to change my diabetic story. I was diagnosed

during a difficult time in my life. I knew the symptoms because my father had been a diabetic for years. I borrowed my father's meter and my number was 517. Strangely I was very accepting of it at the time. I was dealing with difficult issues and I guess this was put on the back burner.

I was able to control my diabetes for a long time with just metformin, glipizide,

and diet. I thought to myself "diabetes is a breeze. Why do people make such a big deal about it?'. I gradually learned. I was later put on a blood pressure med that raised my numbers high enough that I had to have a little bit of insulin. I hated the thought of insulin. Somehow thought that was a failure on my part, but I know that is silly now. Got put on a psych med that made my readings jump up 50 points but when your mentally ill sometimes you don't have a choice. Then again lately I was put on another blood pressure med that raised my numbers another 100

points. It is strange that my psychiatrist and my pcp do not take me at my word.

I know my body and how it reacts to various meds.

I am my own best advocate. I am responsible to take care of myself to the best of my ability. It is my place to stand my ground. It is my place to educate myself about everything relating to diabetes. It is my place to put it into action. I am trying my best to do those things even though I stumble I still get up to try another day.