I have diabetes type 1 so I take insulinMy grandma has been helping a lot... in fact, she helps too much... I know she cares but she cares too much
Blood sugar doesn't stay the same every day, it's bound to go up and down right...?
well when it's high, my grandma, well she actually gets mad at me! I hate it when she gets mad so I always feel like I have to lie to her when she asks me what my blood sugar is... I feel bad because she's been helping but it doesn't help me when she gets mad, I can't help it.... I eat properly and take my insulin but sometimes it just gets high... I do get stressed sometimes and I get sick easily because I catch the flu easily whenever my dad or my brother gets which is a lot because they don't take care of themselves... and when they get sick, I easily catch what they get... my grandma also gets mad at me when I say I'm sick too... I just wish she would back off me a little... I know she's trying to help but she's not helping when she gets mad and that just gets me stressed
my question is...
what is the nicest way of telling my grandma to back off without hurting her feelings or making her think I'm not grateful?
SunsetRose - Is she angry with you or with the situation? My husband gets upset when my sugar goes high but that is just frustration. As far as he can see, his wife is sick and there's nothing he can do about it.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about there seeming to be no rhyme or reason to blood sugar levels at times. Diabetes is pervasive, after all, and while it's mainly about food, there are many other factors to consider.
When speaking with elders, it is always best to be respectful and calm. They have lived a long time and that takes guts. Try to find out what exactly upsets her about your blood sugars going high. Nicely explain your perception of her being upset and that you are scared to tell her what your levels are. There is, most likely, something being lost in translation.
Another thing you can do is keep a detailed journal and let her look at it whenever she wants. This will help both of you understand the science of this disease and the fine line you must follow. A really detailed journal has readings before each meal and before bed. It also has readings for two hours after you've finished eating. There should also be room to list any exercise you are getting and what you are eating at each snack and meal (and the carbs in each thing you eat.) Room for medications is important. There should also be room for notes where you can record abnormalities such as stress, illness, injury, schedule upset, low blood sugar and what you did for it, etc. If you are female, your hormones, cycle and emotions can play a very small part too... Although this is very slight. I know this sounds like a lot to keep track of, but it's not that bad. I got a form from my diabetes educator that allows me to fit my whole day on one side of a regular piece of paper. If you have a smart phone there are cool apps that do the same thing.
Monica Robinson - Speaking from a "grandma's" point of view.
ReplyDeleteWe worry about our grandkids, we love them dearly
and only want to help. We think that nagging and worrying
is helping. bless our wrong hearts cause we do not know any better.
Serious, I am always after my daughter about money money money.
It is hers, she works for it, she uses wisely for the most part, but danged
if i'm not in there trying to counsel her every paycheck with how to use it to
stretch it further....I agree with the other replier that being calm and matter of fact is
the best way to go. If my daughter is upset with me about something she tells me
straight out, I dont like it, it hurts my feelings...
I know you said 'grandma" but because I am first a mom then a grandma, it applies the
same way. she has 4 kids and I watch them ALL WEEK! that makes me feel entitled to
tell her what to do, to get mad at her, to feel I have some control over her life, etc..
Be kind to granny, she only wants what is best for you, to help you, she thinks she is
helping you by getting upset and that getting upset will control you so you wont get high numbers..
its a control tactic..I agree with the jounal thing too, let her read it daily or when she has questions, ask her to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem..good luck!
buffalo - If you are actually doing all you can do then tell her that you are doing all you can do and when you harp at me ,it seem to make my sugar higher.
ReplyDeleteTake care
Buff
Noccie - A person with diabetes should not be punished based on the numbers on the glucometer. I think you need to be direct and simply say what you put here "Grandma, I am grateful for your help, but you are stressing me out so much when you get mad about the numbers." Keep a good log of what you ate and what your blood sugar was before and then two hours later. Look for patterns of highs and lows. Perhaps you bolus ratio to carbs has to be adjusted. When you have some good data ask grandma to help you see patterns and then work on what to do to change them.
ReplyDeleteNobody's blood sugar stays the same. If fluctuates every minute. The idea for a person to blood sugar is to try to keep the numbers within normal as much as possible.
Maybe you need to talk to your dad about your grandmother's "help" and tell him that she sometimes is doing the opposite and making things worse for you.