It’s Diabetes Blog Week 2017 and I am excited to participate. It’s been a while since I successfully posted everyday of #DBlogWeek, but I am up for the challenge this year.

Today’s Topic: Diabetes and the Unexpected

When I think about the unexpected things that have happened to me since being diagnosed with diabetes, the health care system is at the top of my list.

When you go from rarely seeing a physician to having your calendar full of appointments, your perspective on things change- a lot!

I had no idea that some people were having to decide between insulin and organic groceries, until that was me.

I had no idea that some people were being charged $70 copay fees each time they saw a physician and they needed to see one 2-4 times a month sometimes, until that was me.

I had no idea some people with Type 2 diabetes were only given 50 strips per month which isn’t enough to test twice a day, and were told “If you want more, you go to the pharmacy and pay full price,” until that was me.

I had no idea that full price for 50 strips was $79.99 and that some people had to decide between those test strips and gas in the car for the week, until that was me.

I had no idea that some people had to reconsider which service they went to on Sunday mornings so that they could go to church and the gym in one shot to save on gas (so they could pay for medical expenses), until that was me.

I had no idea that some people didn’t change lancets or reduced the amount of insulin or pills or reused needles or skipped dosages to save money, until that was me.

I had no idea that some people in other countries don’t pay a dime for the same diabetes medications that others in America are going bankrupt over, until that was me.

I had no idea that some people who barely made ends meet each month went from a little balance to a negative balance at the end of the month due to medical expenses, until that was me.

I had no idea that some people with chronic illnesses will always need to have a line in their budget for medical expenses each month, until that was me.

I had no idea that some people get tired of dealing with the health care system, nurses, physicians, insurance companies and whomever else because it is just exhaustive, until that was me.

I had no idea that some people who deal with microaggressions, racism, and discrimination have to deal with the same thing even while being ill, vulnerable, or just trying to get medication to stay alive, until that was me.

I had no clue that some people feel like some people shouldn’t have access to health insurance and deny those in need of coverage, until that was me.

Until that was me.

Unexpected things have happened to me since being diagnosed with diabetes.