Author Archives: janekdickinson

Telling the truth

Posted on May 7, 2018 by janekdickinson

At diabetes and other health-related visits, there are forms to fill out, questions to answer, numbers to report. Do you tell the truth to health care professionals? Believe it or not there is a belief out there that people with diabetes … Continue reading →

Posted in diabetes advocacy, health care, health care providers | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Telling the truth

diabetis vs. diabeteez

Posted on April 19, 2018 by janekdickinson

From time to time I hear complaints about the way some people pronounce diabetes. They seem to really hate hearing “diabetis” instead of “diabeteez.” For me, hearing “diabetis” actually takes me back to my childhood. When I was first diagnosed … Continue reading →

Posted in about diabetes, diabetes-related language | Tagged | Comments Off on diabetis vs. diabeteez

Proper use of an oxygen mask

Posted on April 18, 2018 by janekdickinson

  Yesterday I traveled by airplane early in the morning and then back last night. On one of the legs the flight attendant announcing safety instructions made a big deal about putting the oxygen mask over both mouth and nose, not … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Proper use of an oxygen mask

Lesson(s) in flexibility

Posted on April 16, 2018 by janekdickinson

I’m supposed to be in Minnesota right now; they are having a major Spring Blizzard, so instead I’m in Denver. I was actually supposed to fly two days ago, then yesterday. Now I’m flying tomorrow (I hope). Lessons learned: 1) … Continue reading →

Posted in diabetes care | Tagged , | Comments Off on Lesson(s) in flexibility

Diabetes is boring

Posted on April 13, 2018 by janekdickinson

Except when it’s not! There is new information almost every day. New technology, new medications, new combinations of medications, new ways to take medications, new gadgets and gizmos, new research findings. And yet it’s the same old, same old. Numbers, … Continue reading →

Posted in about diabetes, diabetes care | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Diabetes is boring

Non-nutritive sweetened beverages

Posted on April 12, 2018 by janekdickinson

I recently facilitated a discussion where a participant pointed out that he doesn’t like plain water. He drinks artificially sweetened flavored water instead. A health care provider in the room commented about a study where drinking artificially sweetened beverages led … Continue reading →

Posted in diabetes and food, diabetes care | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Non-nutritive sweetened beverages

Improving communication for the right reasons

Posted on April 11, 2018 by janekdickinson

One really can’t avoid articles about communication in health care these days. Patient-provider communication, provider-provider communication, it’s all over the place. Communication has always been key; we just seem to be catching on finally. There are still some gaps, though. … Continue reading →

Posted in about diabetes, diabetes advocacy, diabetes care, diabetes-related language | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Improving communication for the right reasons

Forgiveness

Posted on April 10, 2018 by janekdickinson

It turns out that when we forgive, we unlock energy. We have to forgive to move forward and get on with experiencing life. People with diabetes often live with anger, blame, and shame. A lot of that is self-inflicted. Consider forgiving … Continue reading →

Posted in diabetes care | Tagged , | Comments Off on Forgiveness

Relatedness, competence, and autonomy

Posted on April 9, 2018 by janekdickinson

As human beings we usually want to be happy, healthy, and successful. We are most likely to achieve those three things if we connect with others (relate), learn to do what we need/want to do (be competent), and think for ourselves (have autonomy). … Continue reading →

Posted in diabetes advocacy | Tagged , | Comments Off on Relatedness, competence, and autonomy

Hearing correctly

Posted on April 6, 2018 by janekdickinson

Have you ever had an experience where you heard something differently from the way someone else heard it? I’ve met with patients who, when asked what type of diabetes they have answer, “I don’t have diabetes. No one has ever … Continue reading →

Posted in about diabetes, diabetes advocacy, diabetes care, health care, health care providers, health information | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Hearing correctly