Till death do us part

He's a very successful, handsome young businessman. His life is exciting and he has managed to live his dreams. Madly in love with Carmen, they get married and they get along real well. Little Luna is their little princess and they love her to pieces. Every now and then, he meets other women and needs their love and approval to feel better about himself. Carmen knows about the cheating, but she forgives him for his enthusiasm and his boyish personality. 
Fate strikes. Carmen gets diagnosed with breast cancer. Although Stijn is very supportive of her, he has a tough time dealing with this struggle in their life. Roos is the woman he confides in. She comforts him and offers him a refuge, away from the cancer and away from his tormented family. He needs this escape from reality despite his deep love for Carmen. 
Carmen faces a breast amputation and her world falls apart. Stijn breaks up with Roos, to spend more time with Carmen. She won't live much longer and they agree to quit jobs and enjoy each other for the little time they have left. Carmen forgives him for the numerous affairs and he strokes her back when the chemotherapy makes her vomit at night. 
She's ready to leave for the other side and asks her husband to call a doctor. Euthanasia is her last wish.. 

This (Dutch) movie gave me the chills. The moment when Carmen had to say goodbye to their 5 year old princess, was devastating. I let my tears run wild. My blood sugars were totally messed up. I think I'll watch it again. "Komt een vrouw bij de dokter... "

What would you like to accomplish before you die?

For those who read my blog on a regular basis, it will be pretty obvious that diabetes plays a major role in my life. It's part of who I am and many of my friends are diabetics as well. Over the last 10 years, I have tried to educate myself on the subject, by listening to peers, by surfing on the Internet and talking to my doctors and diabetes nurses. I agree that life with D isn't always easy. Not for us diabetics, but not for the people around us either. It's good that them too know what diabetes is about. Okay they will never understand what it's like to feel sick when ketones enter your body or how low blood glucose makes you lose control. They do witness those episodes at times and it's probably weird and occasionally even frightening. It is important for them to know, that we do the best we can to control our condition and to make our life and the lives of the people around us, worth living.

I'm having visitors this afternoon. A few people from a production house are coming over to make a commercial on Type 1 diabetes. They contacted me with the question if I was willing to tell my story in front of a camera. The clip will be shown during a diabetes symposium on a big screen. I didn't doubt one second. If I can help spread the word on diabetes, I will. Awareness is so important and a positive attitude will help us move on. I see it as a goal in life, to bring awareness to the people around us.
I'm curious and anxious and nervous and chipper. Keep your fingers crossed for me, okay?