We diabetics typically acknowledge the challenges of our disease and I’m wondering how many of us are in touch with the impact of our disease on our loved ones? Such people are dubbed Type 3 diabetics by several online newsletters and web sites.

Recently, there was an informative exchange of information at Diabetes Daily. Please click the following link to read and comment as appropriate http://www.diabetesdaily.com/edelman/2012/01/marrying-into-diabetes-a-husbands-perspective/comment-page-1/#comments. This extensive communication is worth reading if for no other reason than for education.

I had a roller coaster ride with my diabetes yesterday and I know that my wife, Susanna was impacted. I gave myself permission to have a crumb bun with my coffee around 9:30 AM and that began my sugar saga. My day began with a reading of 115 at 5 AM and my blood glucose was again good (108) at 7:15 before breakfast. I took 12 units of Novolog to compensate for the crumb bun, thinking this amount of insulin would work as it had in the past. This time, my blood sugar went to 350 at 11:30 AM, so I took more insulin. By 1:55 PM, my BG was at 83 and I felt relieved; however, at 3 PM it was at 54 and I felt very shaky. I ate crackers and peanut butter and by 5:45 my sugar was at 136, so I took 3.85 units to handle the 35 grams of carbohydrates in my dinner. At 7:40 PM, my sugar was 276 as the ups and downs continued and my bedtime reading was 338. What a ride…not!

My wife and I had planned to catch a movie last night, but I felt as though I’d been run over by a truck. In short I felt terrible and Susanna missed the movie too—the price she pays for living with a diabetic. I’ve been on insulin for over 15 years and my Type 3 partner has always been supportive. She read the information found at the link above and this gave her a new insight. The ghastly stories shared by those commenting at the referenced site gave her a renewed sense of how lucky she is to have a husband who is in good control. She also now knows the results that can happen to we diabetics, even those of us in good control. I am so grateful to have Susanna as my partner—she’s the wind beneath my wings and I honor her.

My recommendation to readers is to build strong, supportive relationships with those who share some elements of your diabetes. My daily life would not be as joyful without my wife. Thanks, Susanna. I love you.