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  • With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators

    Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

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  • Living with diabetes blog

  • Dec. 21, 2011

    Diabetes: Don't forget to laugh

    By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

18 comments posted

Controlling Your Diabetes

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Diabetes management is serious business, but every once in a while, you need a good laugh. You've probably heard the saying, "Laughter is the best medicine."

After a hearty laugh, have you noticed how good you feel? I feel more focused, alert and relaxed. Several research studies demonstrate that humor relieves stress and tension, decreases pain and often diffuses conflict. Humor reduces stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies. You feel good after laughing because laughter releases endorphins, the "feel-good hormones" that promote an overall sense of well-being and help relieve pain.

I've recently read a few humorous diabetes-related stories from fellow bloggers. One man wrote that he had a sister who left her insulin needles on the floor of his car. He was stopped by a police officer for failure to stop at a stop sign. When the officer noticed the used needles on the floor, he pulled this poor guy out of the car. It took a call to the driver's sister and some convincing of the police officer before he was let go! (I don't recommend disposing of needles like that!)

Another woman recalled a story from when she was newly diagnosed with diabetes. Her classmates thought it was cool because she got to eat candy all day. So, she decided to share her glucose tabs with her friends. After they'd had all they wanted, she told them they were going to get "the trots." She had them fooled until she revealed that, no, they weren't going to get diarrhea. They didn't ask her for any treats after that!

I'm collecting humorous diabetes-related stories. Do you have one to share?

Have a good week.

Peggy

18 comments posted

blog index
  • April 23, 2013 8:53 a.m.

    Christina, Made my morning, gave me a big smile and made me laugh. Thank you.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • April 20, 2013 12:30 a.m.

    Newly diagnosed and sitting in my Doctor's office - he was pleased with my efforts to get my glucose down - but looked at me and said in all seriousness, if you are planning to have a baby in the near future, you should probably wait until we have your levels more stable. It was probably very good advice - except for the fact that I am 50! I burst out laughing and asked him how old he thought I was - he glanced down at my folder to check my birthdate as he said 'mid to late 30s?' I could have kissed him!

    - Christina

  • February 20, 2013 8:04 p.m.

    When my two chilren and I are out at a resturant and I need to take my novalog (type1, mealtime dose 3x daily), both of my children will stand beside me either facing me with their eyes closed to sheild me from onlookers--or they will stand facing outward like my own private body guards...they want others not too look, and they know that I need my shot to eat..I love my kids. Even if we are at the state fair, and my sugar is low..they will take time too do what is needed to keep me healthy! My support group is my immediate family, my closet sibling..my brother is also a type one diabetic!

    - tammy

  • April 26, 2012 9:29 a.m.

    Louise: Thanks for sharing! Love your stories.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • April 21, 2012 5:26 a.m.

    Joke ... Guy has a girlfriend who is diabetic, he says "I call her sweetie". Take care, L

    - Louise

  • April 21, 2012 5:25 a.m.

    Yes, just like Pam @ airports etc. I usuall take enough "stuff" to start up a diabetic only chemist in a small country, once customs have clocked JUST HOW MUCH STUFF this woman is carrying she could only be diabetic. YOu diabetic? Yes - that's it, off you go. Had a few questions regarding my glucagon (mother of all needles) but even so, just get asked questions and then off we go. When we were away for a year, my rucksack was 80% diabetic stuff and 20% clothes etc. Soon learnt that I can buy whatever I need clothes wise, easier to take all all my diabetic stuff and then some .. just in case (can you tell I was a brownie guide ... all that "just in case stuff"?) Enjoy whatever you're doing, currently got a head cold so diabetes a bit whacky, happy days oh and it's raining! Lou x

    - Lou

  • April 21, 2012 5:18 a.m.

    I read this somewhere a few years ago ... A woman who was diabetic used to regularly feel low when she got off her bus after work. She'd rush into a local newsagents and head straight for the pick and mix boxes, then scoff down as many sweets as possible that were in the boxes of pick and mix. Apparently this happened quite often, the lady always paid for her sugar fix and the newsagent got used to this event. Take care, Lou x

    - Louise

  • April 21, 2012 5:13 a.m.

    This is brill, having a laugh at what's really quite serious ... when I was little (I was diaggnosed Neo natal diabetes Mellitus @ only 4 days old) not only was I diabetic but a bit of a show off - so I'd love nothing better than to get the old syringe and bottles out in public view, to see the effect (old days, old equipment see Dark Ages for further info). Some people ignored me, some openly gauped and then I'd add my icing on my show off cake I'd give myself a jab in my stomach. Strangers weren't the only ones to "suffer" this performance ... my lovely uncle HATES needles so I'd sit next to him and with the usual performance draw up insulin and stick it in my leg, saying that if he moved I'd hurt myself, he'd cringe and go white but never moved. Good old unc! he still loves me even after this. From Lou in UK enjoying life as a full fledged professional diabetic and mind coach. xxx

    - Louise

  • March 12, 2012 2:00 p.m.

    Bill: Now that is a humorous story! Thanks for sharing. We got a good chuckle out of that one.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • February 19, 2012 10:34 a.m.

    First tiime i went to an endocronologist the pretty female dr checked my blood sugar , weight etc. Then she closed the door, took off her glasses, let her hair down and took lab coat off and said ok now i'd really like to take a look at yr feet and smiled. I'm like wow , whats going on here. At the time i didnt know about neuropity etc. I thought she had a foot fetish. I was to embarrassed to tell her my thoughts about that for about 3 years. Still no idea why she took off glasses, lab coat and let hair down.

    - Bill

  • February 17, 2012 12:48 p.m.

    Just checking in with all of you "Type 2's". How is the New Year going? Are you making better food choices? Have you found anything to laugh about, even though you are fighting with a very tough disease? I'm thankful for a lot of things, and one of them is this column and the great diabetic educators we have to give us good tips and a ton of encouragement along the way. Keep being positive. There's something good about every day! Any day "above ground" is a good day! Even if it's a day full of struggles and tough choices, you are above ground. Call your clinic and talk to a diabetic nurse educator -- they are wonderful to talk to and will back you up 100% ...... and give you so much help. Keep fighting the good fight! Best wishes to all.

    - Linda

  • February 16, 2012 10:02 p.m.

    I agree with Linda. I have had Type 1 diabetes for 30 years and even though I have excellent control I also have had the enevitable Hypo's. My friends and family recall the stories of what I have done or did in these episodes and give me a great belly laugh as I accept that this is part of the condition. Laugh at life and it never can never beat you. I am grateful that I have supporting family and friends that has enabled me to live a full life. The funny story happened at Bangkok Airport. We were needing to wait in the international part of the Airport for a few hours. My son kept commenting about the number of security staff with rifles that are around. We went to check into our departure lounge and noticed another 2 close by. As I was being scanned security approached me and asked for my bag, I turned to my son and one of the security guards was behind him with their rifle. Yes, they had scanned my luggage and saw all the syringes, needless to say I was let through no problem.

    - Pam

  • December 30, 2011 1:37 p.m.

    To "susie": Good grief, woman! Take a break from your negative attitude. LIFE itself must be laughed at. It's an awesome way of keeping a realistic perspective and "moving on" to more positive behavior. I, too, am a type 2 -- and am doing wonderfully well! Why? Because I TRY. Try! I work closely with my doctor and his great team. I thank God every day that I was caught in time -- BEFORE I got kidney disease, BEFORE I had a stroke.....BEFORE I had to have amputations..... or even blindness! Give your negativity a rest, girl. Work harder with your medical team -- get up every day and thank the good Lord that you are ABLE to get up. Yes, it's a very tough-to-control disease. NO ONE is laughing about THAT! Instead of sitting on your bum and just whining, "Oh, poor me, I have a disease...", get up -- get active -- mentally, physically and emotionally active. LIFE IS WHAT WE MAKE OF IT -- ALWAYS! Be thankful that you even HAVE life. So many are sitting on dialysis. So many have had amputations! Get a grip and go forward into 2012 with a new commitment to do better and live better and reach out to your medical team -- they are there for YOU! Best wishes, "susie", for a better year ahead! Keep trying!

    - Linda

  • December 27, 2011 10:57 p.m.

    G'day from Australia! Have just read your blog and I totally agree with Peggy's advice, "Don't forget to laugh". As people with Diabetes, (I've been diagnosed for 22 years with Type 2), we need to take time out occasionally to have a good hearty laugh and not take ourselves too seriously. Life's too short to be miserable! I can't think of any funny diabetes anecdotes but I'm sure lots exist. In the meantime, put a smile on your dial and have a giggle with your mates, as we say here in Oz, you'll feel better for it! Season's Greetings to all Diabetics wherever you are from Australia!

    - Jock

  • December 27, 2011 10:01 p.m.

    What a lame column...as usual. Notice I do not say blog. Maybe your resolution for this year would be to write useful information. There is nothing funny about diabetes...but is there anything funny about any disease? I, for one, am tired of being marginalized just because I am diabetic. I do have one story (not funny) I had been vomiting for ten hours. Went to Urgent care for rehydration and was told , after bloodwork, that I was having a "silent" appendicitis...my blood sugar was high and my "bands" were spreading. I said but WBC is not elevated. Was threatened that I must go to hospital. Transported and spent many hours without ever having pain. Was given fluids and discharged. Total co-pay $50 to urgent care and $100 to hospital. I do not find this funny just marginalized because I am type 2 diabetic. If you can find nothing informative maybe it is time for someone else to educate about this serious disease.

    - susie

  • December 27, 2011 6:28 p.m.

    I always ate a very healthy diet and exercised and never thought I would get diabetes, no known history of diabetes in the family at that time. Sadly my health had deteriorated so much and I am always so tired I don't even want to go out anywhere. I am trying to cheer up like you have suggested but I can't seem to do it.

    - Janet

  • December 27, 2011 10:45 a.m.

    I've had type 1 diabetes for 26 years, and I can't think of a single "humorous diabetes-related story." I think I manage my diabetes very well. But I never think of it as funny.

    - Nina

  • December 23, 2011 6:00 p.m.

    Could you please talk about diabetes & fasting in Ramadhan?

    - Jane

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