Is Diabetes Management Really Just A Big Game of Jenga? Duh.

I do like definitions, and that’s where we’ll begin the Jenga and risk management discussion: “To assure uncertainty does not deflect the endeavor from the goals.” When it comes to diabetes management, what is our endeavor and what is the uncertainty?

The possible endeavors can be divided into two distinct camps: today’s and life’s.

My life’s endeavors tend to aim in the big picture category; or they amount to very specific things in which I hope won’t happen, in regards to diabetes: keeping my feet, maintaining my vision, seeing my grandchildren graduate from high school, traveling to places I haven’t yet imagined, and having an incredible marriage.

My today’s endeavors include the reach for more immediate goals; albeit important priorities to get the most from the moment: be able to exercise when I want to do, have my mind in a place to write, genuinely connect with people, and continue to grow into a healthier, complete person.

The two seem intertwined. If I can put myself in a good place (aka mitigate risks), then my today’s goals should naturally lead into a chance to endeavor toward my life’s ambitions.

Now, if we look back at the original quote about risk management — “To assure uncertainty does not deflect the endeavor from the goals”– we’re forced to ask ourselves whether or not the uncertainty we’re introducing is derailing our endeavors? Like pulling the riskiest block. The uncertainty — in diabetes management — being what we bring into our lives that could derail blood sugars. This is tough. If we know our endeavors, and we continue to do things that aren’t real good for us, that’s pretty poor risk management. After all, we all want to keep our feet. We all want our vision.

This sounds simple, but I’ve been lured into significant uncertainty before, possibly jeopardizing the future. Take training and running a marathon, or even a triathlon. Due to the sheer bulk of stress, plus cardiovascular exertion, blood sugars are sent on a wild ride for months; at least in my experience, that was the case. If I were to mitigate the risk, say take out the marathon training, would my blood sugars have been better? Undoubtedly. Was I assuring that uncertainty didn’t deflect my endeavor from my goal? No I wasn’t, because I had a new goal that didn’t fit in the diabetes map of my future. In that case, I guess I was okay with introducing the uncertainty and the possible deflection of future endeavors.

That’s the real question when it comes down to it. Is this worth it? There’s no right or wrong. Just a knowing of which block we’re pulling.