Chyes. It’s good for dat.
I should never worry that I won’t have enough to blog about, because I never need to look any further than my gym for anecdotal, unintentional, borderline ridiculous diabetes humor. It’s truly remarkable how often hilariousness occurs in that joint. Case in point: my Saturday kickboxing class.
I walked in to the gym on Saturday morning, stoked for class with my favorite instructor, only to find that the new kid on the block was subbing for him - a young Russian gentleman who had been a pro fighter back on his home turf, complete with a heavy Russian accent. Even though my blood sugars were steady, I didn’t want to risk being in a situation where no one was aware I had the ‘betes, or more embarrassing, the teacher thinks I’m checking my cell mid-class when it’s really my CGM.
“Hi, I’m Alexis, are you teaching this class?” I ask the young man.
“Chyes! Chyes I am, my name is ______(insert unpronounceable, bad ass Russian name here).
“I just wanted to let you know I have diabetes, nothing you need to worry about, but —-”
“De vat?” he asks, cutting me off and leaning closer, quizzical look on his face.
“Di-UH-be-tes….” I respond, more slowly this time.
His face registers the word: “Ah ok!! Deeyabaytez….no problem!” he says.
As soon as my brain connects the dots to understand we’re actually saying the same word, I go on: “I’ve never had a problem here at the gym, but sometimes I come off the bag to check my sugars, so if you see me go over to my stuff, don’t worry, I’m just checking.”
“Oh chyes, no problems! You should only do what you are able to do in the class. It’s ok!”
Uhm. Hmmm. Somehow, that discussion led him to believe I might not be able to keep up with the class. Or maybe that’s what he believes about people with diabetes. Either way, I’m ready to rebuttal - you guys know I can’t stop the Diabetes Education Booth from happening….
“It doesn’t limit me in what I can do physically. I’m just letting you know that I sometimes might stop, very quickly, to check my blood sugar, then I jump right back in. You don’t need to worry about me,” I explain, slowly, but firmly.
“Oh chyes!! Anytime you need you go outside and you get the fresh air, you have need for dat. Good for dat. The deeyabaytez!”
There you have it folks - here’s what we’ve all been missing in our diabetes treatment - the fresh air. Clearly I should have been getting my doses of fresh air along with my boluses this whole time. Shoot, I coulda moved to the mountains and been cured by now!
I smiled at the young Russian fellow, turned, and began to warm up for class, chuckling to myself. Sometimes you just have to laugh and let it be. Laughing - it’s good for dat!
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ROFLMAO!! I also know “da fresh air” very good for deeyabaytez, especially this past weekend when I got around 2.5 hours of air on a fast, hot 30+ mile ride with Coach Julio and 4 other Red Riders from Harbor Drive to Coronado Landing. So different being with other PWD than around normies, especially when exercsing or meals.