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LadyBlogger #5: Managing the Sweetness Within

Here's the fifth edition of LadyBloggers, where we profile a ChronicBabe who's doing superior writing. There are so many great web sites out there created by, and for, ChronicBabes. But sometimes it can be hard to find them! LadyBloggers is a way to connect you with some of our favorite resources, and offer a peek at why and how these women are sharing their voice in the community. And maybe we'll spark some creativity in you, too! If you want us to profile your web site, let us know and we'll consider your project.

And now, without futher ado, we bring you:

Managing the Sweetness Within, created by Lyrehca

What's your chronic?
I've been a type 1 (insulin-dependent, it's-not-going-away-with-weight-loss-and-better-eating-habits) diabetic for 28 years. I also have thyroid, eye, kidney and cholesterol issues relating to the diabetes, and was treated for an abdominal tumor called a sarcoma two years ago. I'm now also starting to deal with infertility issues, being a vintage chick of 35.

Diabetes, cancer, and infertility - I'm quite the package.

How old were you when you were diagnosed? How old are you now?
Seven for the diabetes, 34 for the sarcoma, 35 for the infertility.

What's your everyday life like?
Oy, do I work. I'm the research editor of a monthly consumer magazine, which means I overseee all the fact checking. This ensures everything in the magazine is accurate before it’s published. I hire staff. I write. I work some long hours. I do a lot of freelance projects, writing and fact checking, for other magazines. I read a ton and I'm working on a novel with a diabetic heroine. I’ve worked in journalism for more than a decade now.

I'm also happily married, so the Mister and I hang out a lot. We see friends, go to yard sales, do stuff around our house, and eat.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing young women with your chronic?
As other diabetic bloggers have noted, dealing with insurance is a big one.

But I'd also say time management. Tight diabetes control takes a lot of focus and tasks and thinking. I am always thinking about what I ate, when I last ate it, how much insulin I took to eat, exercise and stress levels and how they’re all affecting my blood sugar levels.

Trying to get pregnant requires a diabetic to manage her condition closely so she can have as close to normal blood sugar levels as possible. Besides all the above, as well as scheduling the doctor’s visits, testing my blood sugar 10 times a day, wearing an insulin pump, making sure the pump is doing what it should be doing, and oh yeah, trying to enjoy some life beyond the diabetes, my chronics take up a lot of brain space.

How about the biggest issue facing ChronicBabes in general?
I think time management applies to everyone. While I spend a lot of time on my health, as I imagine most Chronic Babes do, I definitely think of myself as a person with other things going on -- I'm a journalist, a reader, a learning-to-do-it-better cook, a person who loves bright colors, a homeowner, a wife, a friend.

I think once Chronic Babes know and understand how to deal with their health challenges, they can better incorporate them into their entire lives. Sure, you might have a chronic condition, but that's just one part of who you are. It doesn't have to define you unless you want it to.

What inspired you to start a blog? When did you start it?
Envy, actually. I’d been reading a few diabetic blogs for a few months and at first thought, "Why write for free?" I’d also had this idea to write a nonfiction book all about the type 1 diabetic and pregnancy. There aren't a lot of books out there dealing specifically with the audience that are also written in a non-medical, non-alarming way.

And then I found a diabetic blog of a woman who'd just announced that she was pregnant soon after finding out she was a type 1 diabetic. In my own neurotic way, I thought, "If that woman writes about pregnancy, she might get the idea to write a book about type 1 pregnancy and diabetes, and I don’t want her to write a book before I do, and therefore flood the market and leave no room for me and my book." (I never said I wasn't a nut; just bear with me.)

Instead, I thought, "I’ll just start my own blog about my own experience and maybe it'll help me with writing the book proposal for my diabetic pregnancy book as time goes on." Plus, I figured, as a longtime diabetic, my perspective would be different than hers. Therefore, we are not really competitors in this game, but instead, just two of many different players on the same field.

So I began blogging in December, 2005, after a few months of trying to conceive and not getting anywhere. And now, a few months later, I’m starting to face infertility issues, too. While I'm still writing for free, I've also found this very supportive online community that’s been quite helpful and reassuring.

It's sort of like those credit card ads: "Living with several chronic conditions? Countless dollars in health insurance and other costs. Writing a blog? No payment yet. Finding a great group of people going through similar situations as you: priceless."

Plus, the woman who writes that original blog is a great read. I’m more admiring than envious now.

What is your main goal with the blog? Have you achieved it, or are you close to achieving it?
Well, I'm trying to chronicle a T1 pregnancy, and it's an ongoing process.

I'm also using the blog to gauge interest in the market for the pregnancy book idea.

Who are some of your favorite health bloggers, and why do you like them?
The Diabetic OC puts all the D-bloggers out there under one umbrella. I like Six Until Me, Noncompliant, and This Body Provides a Comfortable Home, for specific d-blogs.

There are a few cancer blogs I've read and followed, including Cancer Baby and Limbodacious.

And I like BabyFruit for one woman's chronicles through infertility. She has some terrific links to other blogs, too.

How does the blog impact your health? i.e. - Do you feel a connection with others, or do you learn new things? Does it energize you?
It's serving as free therapy for me right now. I've begun a new round of doctor's visits and tests and I like being able to vent immediately afterwards online. It's like being able to tell someone all about the day's experience, without getting interrupted with a bunch of questions.

And yes, I have found a supportive community online and have definitely learned new things about aspects of diabetes, of pregnancy, of insurance, and of managing chronic illnesses. It's also made me spend a lot of time surfing during the day, reading new blogs and checking to see if anyone's posting on my site. And finally, being a writer, I love hearing comments—praise in particular—about whether my blog's been a good read for someone.

What are your future plans for your blog - expansion, partnerships, merchandise, anything at all.
I'd like the blog to be a springboard for the nonfiction book. Beyond that, I hadnt thought about the possibilities: Lyrehca, the t-shirt! Packets of "Managing the Sweetness Within" artificial sweeteners. Becoming a health correspondent reporting on the rigors of managing chronic illness from say, exotic warm locations. I'm open to ideas—email me at Lyrehca@gmail.com.

Do you accept submissions, or do you partner with blogs and web sites to enhance your content?
I cross-link with people who have posted on my site, and I'm listed as one of a gazillion new diabetic blogs on the Diabetes OC. But otherwise, so far it's been all Lyrehca, all the time.

Posted: 3/7/2006 in Cool Tools | Also posted in: Inspiration

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