- With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
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Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Nancy Klobassa Davidson and Peggy Moreland
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., B.S.N, C.D.E
Nancy Klobassa Davidson is a registered nurse who has worked in diabetes education for 17 years. She is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) and is currently in graduate school working on a Master of Science in nursing (M.S.N.) and health care education.Nancy works with adults who have type 1, type 2 and other forms of diabetes. Nancy is coordinator of the Diabetes Unit's intensive insulin therapy program within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Nancy has worked extensively with insulin pump therapy and continuous interstitial glucose sensing.
Peggy Moreland, R.N., M.S.N.
Peggy Moreland is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.Peggy graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Care Education from the University of Phoenix and is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. A certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.), Peggy enjoys working with patients to set and achieve diabetes self-management goals.
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Living with diabetes blog
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Feb. 6, 2010
Grief is a natural reaction to diabetes diagnosis
By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
We received a great response from you to the "Diabetes and Your Emotions" posting that Peggy wrote last year. The strong emotions associated with diabetes are a normal part of living with a chronic disease. One of you reminded us not to forget about grief. Let's talk a little bit about grief.
Grief is a reaction to a major loss. People with a chronic disease such as diabetes experience a loss or potential loss of quality of life. The grieving process is natural. Everyone experiences it in their own way. There can be five stages of grief, but they don't necessarily occur in a specific order or manner. Not everyone experiences all of them:
- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
- Acceptance
When someone is newly diagnosed with a chronic disease, it's necessary to deal with grief. Any loss isn't easy and there will be periods of denial, sadness and anger. You may ask, why me? Anger can be directed towards your healthcare provider, family and friends. You may have feelings of guilt and ask yourself questions like, "Is it my fault, could I have done something different?" Are you fearful of complications? These concerns are all a part of the grieving process, which can come and go.
Over time, most of you will be able to accept the fact that your lives have been changed and find ways to adapt healthy coping skills. Accepting your diabetes has nothing to do with giving in to it. Accepting is when you stop trying to change the reality to make it fit your expectations, accept the change and begin taking care of it.
As humans, we're social creatures and need each other. Having another person for support, a support group, friend, or family member can help get you through the change and sorrow associated with grief.
If you're feeling alone in your grief or your diabetes in general, ask your healthcare team for information on diabetes support groups in your area.
Diabetes and grief; what are your experiences with it?
Nancy
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