Life with diabetes isn’t about the diabetes itself, but about the life it’s a part of. There is a life to be found after diagnosis, and it’s a good one. Being able to take a blood sugar and remove the blame and guilt from that result, focusing only on the actions needed to correct that number or duplicate it? Viewing diabetes as something that doesn’t define you, but instead simply serves to explain why glucose tabs live in your glove compartment and there is a pile of used test strips on the floor by your bedside table? Being active and involved in a life that isn’t ruled by insulin but is instead fueled by it? And realizing that diabetes isn’t something we can perfectly control, but we can do our best to manage it?
That’s the balance I seek. Daily.
I wanted to write book to shine a spotlight on that journey. This book is for the community of like-pancreased people who work hard to make diabetes a part of their bigger whole.
But I didn’t do it alone.
I owe several people a huge debt of gratitude for their contributions, patience, and trust as I worked through the writing process, weaving my words with theirs and trying to share our diabetes stories as a collective. Several of these people have known me for ages, like my much-loved parents, siblings, and friends I grew up with, and many other voices are from the diabetes community, but every voice is one I’m proud to include. I wanted to make sure that, as proud as I am to have authored a book, I’m even more proud of the people I had the honor of working with.
I’m so grateful for their contributions, because there isn’t just “one voice” that represents people with diabetes. Every voice matters. I hope that Balancing Diabetes becomes a resource for people who want confirmation that they aren’t alone, and to hear from the personal experiences of others.
The paperback book is now available for order on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and digital (e-book) versions are available, too. In efforts to not annoy the hell out of people who don’t want updates about the book, I’ll be updating the Balancing Diabetes page here at Six Until Me and the Balancing Diabetes Facebook page with links to reviews, news, and other awkward things.
The support from all of you has been tremendous, and so appreciated. I’m really grateful to have a community like ours to share these moments with. Thanks so much, and I hope you enjoy the book!
Balancing Diabetes: Siblings. Balancing Diabetes: Parenting with Diabetes. Diabetes Blog Week: Message Monday. Walking with Friends.
Congratulations. It was an honor to be part of the fun. Thanks for being so awesome.
Very much enjoyed reading it. Thanks Kerri, and all those you interviewed, for writing it!
I was lucky to get the book by mail last Friday just before we left for a vacation. Even though my kids did not leave me much time for reading and I am only half way though I enjoyed every single page! And it made me think a lot more about the feeleings, fears etc. of family & friends touched by my type 1. Kerri, thanks for writing and all contributors thanks for contributing!
Hi Kerri, I just finished your book. I absolutely loved it! Especially the last chapter. Tomorrow is my diaversary -31 years and this was a perfect read to mark another year with diabetes. Thank you for writing!
I pre-ordered your book and so far I think it’s really good! I like how it make me feel not so alone, which is one of the hardest struggles with this disease.