- 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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Nov. 17, 2009
Coping with the ups and downs of managing diabetes
By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
I recently found out that someone from my past, whom I had lost contact with, died several years ago at age 51. This young man had a special place in my teenage heart and I'm grieving his death. I was also informed that he had developed type 1 diabetes, after my knowing him (it's my understanding his death was unrelated to the diabetes).
Lately, I've been feeling a little more philosophical and I've been thinking about the ups and downs we all face in life. Just when we think everything is going well, we hit a speed bump, a roadblock or even our own demise. I think being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes would be a definite roadblock — or more likely make you feel like you got hit by a Mack truck.
How does one, day in and day out, cope and continue to cope with a chronic disease such as diabetes? Is there ever a halcyon time? "Halcyon" comes from a bird identified with the kingfisher, and in an ancient legend it nested at sea during winter solstice and just by its very presence calmed the waves during incubation. Does it seem that there periods when managing your diabetes is easier than usual, and other times it seems like no matter what you do the blood sugars are out of control?
I see in my practice some people who never find a halcyon period in coping with their diabetes. We all know that everyone has different coping skills, and I've seen individuals with diabetes who have great coping skills. To them, diabetes is little more than an inconvenience.
What are good coping skills and how do we develop them? Try these tips:
- Avoid negative thinking — "It doesn't matter what I do, I'll get diabetes complications anyway (not true)."
- Self talk — It's OK to talk to yourself, you'll feel better.
- Play music — I play the drums and there are times they really vibrate.
- Do something — Walk, dance, clean the house, wash the car.
- Call someone — Friends are good.
- Pray — Someone who always listens.
- Ride it out — Experience the wave of emotion and let it go.
- Take a bath and add candlelight
- Help someone else — Take the focus off yourself (poor you).
- Write a blog — This week it was a helpful coping skill.
Have you found any coping skills that work for you in managing your diabetes? Please share.
This week I dedicate my blog to Mike H., who brightened my life and will always have a special place in my heart. Have a good week everyone.
Nancy
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