National Diabetes Awareness Month 2023
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. About 4 or 5 years ago, I was randomly assigned to contribute an article in the month of November, soon after I had been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Although random, I didn’t view it as a coincidence. It was a great time for me to reflect on the crazy journey I had been on. Now, I purposely schedule myself in November for my article contribution so I can take the time to reflect on my journey and what the year has held. January of 2024 will mark 4 years of pump therapy and about 5 years since my diagnosis.
I am still on my Medtronic pump. Late this summer they rolled out the software upgrade for the MiniMed 780G. I was reaching a point of frustration with my pump for various reasons, but with the new technology I am very thankful for some of the changes and benefits I have seen. Meal detection technology, automatic bolus corrections, less alarms and dinging… (this one excites me the most!!), easier screen navigation, improved time in range, and more. For those that don’t live with type 1 diabetes or walk alongside someone with type 1 diabetes, it is hard to describe the constant mental awareness and effort that it takes to manage it day to day. I am thankful for technology and the support team I have around me!
If you live with type 1 diabetes and on pump therapy, what pump do you use? I would love to know the pros and cons of other technology out there!
Professionally related to diabetes, it has been an exciting time at Lemond Nutrition. Over the past year our team rolled out our Freedom Wellness Diabetes Prevention and Management Program. This is a 6-class course that we partnered with Baylor Scott & White - North Garland and other BSW locations / physicians on. It is a non-weight focused program that really addresses all sides and needs of diabetes whether it be pre-daibetes, gestational, type 1 or 2. As a company we want to be a place where nutrition and behavior meet, so it has been fun to build a program surrounding that. I have to give SO much credit to our Lemond dietitians and office administrative team. Some that have transitioned to new roles and some that remain with us- this effort started long ago and they have executed it beautifully. I am really proud of the way they serve and educate. We are taking the great information they developed for this partnership and are recreating our internal diabetes education materials to better serve those that walk in our doors.
As another year passes, although I probably wouldn’t have picked type 1 diabetes, I am thankful for the platform God has given me as a dietitian living with diabetes. I love the patients and clients I work with on a daily basis. We are all in different places and parts of our journey, but we have the same goal of learning to live well and thrive, not just survive with diabetes.
As I stated in my original post years ago, “As a believer in Christ, I know that God is able and will work all things together for our good for those who trust in Him. I believe this and am seeing evidence of this daily. His good is not always my definition of good. I have a tendency (actually an expectation!) to want perfection in all areas and can be prideful. If type 1 diabetes won’t humble you in this area… I don’t know what will! I have been on the end of striving for perfection with my diabetes and doing everything exactly right, only to find a reading that is mind boggling… Type 1 diabetes isn’t exactly known for it’s rhyme and reason :) . But guess what… there is freedom from these thoughts and expectations. Perfection isn't a requirement!” … I will continue to trust as He guides!
Happy National Diabetes Awareness Month!
Your insurance may cover visits with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). If you are wanting to prevent diabetes, have a diagnosis of pre-diabetes or are a person living with diabetes, give us a call at 972-422-9180 today!