But my shoes were not my only inconvenience for the night. My attire for the evening was a skirt and top. Without pockets, there was limited places where I can discreetly secure my insulin pump.  I often strap it around my thigh, but that night I secured it under my skirt near my hip. Although unnoticeable, it was also inaccessible in public. I sacrificed quick access to my pump for appearance, a trade-off that I was willing to make. However as the night progressed, I began to doubt my decision.

During the evening, the wait staff walked around holding plates of various delicious hors d’oeuvres while the massive dessert table enticed me with arrangements of all sorts of treats. The indecisive person that I am, I would decline an appetizer only to cave in the next round or decide to finally sample the chocolate and peanut butter mousse that had been beckoning me from the table. What this meant was constant trips to the bathroom to give more insulin as I sampled more food. I was trying to limit my indulging and therefore didn’t want to give too much insulin, but ended up having to keep going back to give insulin for the grazing that occurred over the course of the night. And just when I thought I was done, more food was revealed. Stations of make your own tacos, coneys, and french toast sticks.

There was a moment when I was deciding if I wanted a taco that I was standing next to my friend who also has type 1 diabetes and an insulin pump, his pump in his pocket. For that brief moment, I thought about how sometimes having type 1 diabetes must be easier for a man. Well not easier, but more convenient at times. But then I reminded myself that it was my choice to wear a skirt that night when I could have also worn pants with pockets.

So that night I dealt with my two inconveniences, my aching feet and my inaccessible insulin pump. But you know what? I’m glad I did. I didn’t let my diabetes stop me from wearing what I wanted and that’s what is important. Yes, I may have taken a few extra trips to the bathroom, but I still had a great night.

On a side note, I’m beginning to appreciate the feature of being able to bolus from your meter for the Animas pumps. I’m going to have a tough decision to make when it comes time for a new pump…