It’s stressful to plan a wedding. It is an exciting and wonderful time in many people’s lives. However, there are a million details and people to please. We all know how important planning is for those who have chronic illnesses. Do I eat before or afterward? What should I bring? Am I taking enough medication? Am I well enough? This list could go on.
Being a person with chronic illness, I am a master planner. It is crucial to use your planning skills when planning something so important as your wedding. These are the steps I took to make sure I could enjoy my wedding day, even though I have Type 2 diabetes.
Communicate Effectively
First, I made sure my day-of coordinator knew everything about my diabetes. This included what I might need (like sugar to replace my low glucose) and my glucometer for checking my glucose levels. We have discussed the location of juice and glucose tabs as we walk through the venue together. She will also have glucose gel and my glucometer with her.
Tailor-Made Comfort
Although picking my dress was a great experience, I was nervous about how I would handle my insulin pump on the big day. I decided to add a pocket to the under-dress petticoat so my pump could be easily accessed and worn comfortably. It was a bonus that my seamstress also had a T1D-stricken daughter. She measured my pump and added the perfect pocket with a huge smile on her face.
All Care Options
When planning my day, I thought about taking my insulin pump off and switching to multiple daily injectables (MDI). This means that I would get two shots for meals and one long-acting shot to maintain my blood sugar levels throughout the day. My pump has been so well managed and under my control that I didn’t want to let it go. It is part of how I function, so it should be there for me on the big day!
After I decided to keep my pump connected for the big day, I spoke with my doctor about managing my insulin levels. My blood sugar levels can spike when I’m stressed or excited, so I need to take in more insulin. If I felt comfortable, she suggested that I do a temporary rate (the minimum amount required to maintain normal daily blood glucose fluctuations). However, it wasn’t necessary. I’m fortunate to have health professionals who trust me that I can monitor my diabetes and adjust my lifestyle to suit my needs.
View as Learning Experience
Every new experience can be a learning opportunity, as many people living with chronic illnesses have discovered. My illness has forced me to inform many of my wedding team members, including the videographer, coordinator, photographer, and caterer, about how I feel. This allowed them to make the day enjoyable and facilitate a successful wedding. These situations are an opportunity to educate others about my illness.
Knowledge Is Key
It cannot be easy to give up control over any aspect of your wedding. It isn’t easy to control everything. You want it all to go perfectly, so you need input on the music, flowers, centerpieces, cakes, and everything else. It is not about giving up control. It’s allowing others to help. Make a plan and let others take the load off your shoulders. So I could enjoy the day as Carrie, the diabetic, and Carrie, the bride.
