Piercings

1-23-12

I have been dealing with my diabetes now for 6 months. My last checkup said I have it in check. So why is it that I froze when the consent forms for my piercing this weekend said I had to inform the piercer that I had diabetes?

In fact, I didn’t tell him. I was so freaked out about the possibility of not being able to get it done; I just skimmed over this part.

This has a couple of really bad things associated with it. First and foremost, it says that I am not really being as serious about my disease as I should be. That warning isn’t on the form because the piercer thinks he will catch it. It is there because when people have a condition like diabetes, there is an increased risk of healing poorly. A consent form wants to make sure the person getting something either pierced or inked knows all of the information before they have a needle jammed into their body.

I kept the line to myself, and then this morning I did my Google search on why it was that they would include it. I have gone to several classes on Diabetes, read my share of web sites and brochures, but really, they don’t tend to cover the possible scenarios of body modification. I didn’t see the pamphlet in the endocrinologist’s office saying “So, you want to put a ring in your nipple!” Perhaps they should have this, but being that they don’t, I as the patient need to be more diligent about my checks and balances when it comes to things I used to take for granted.

Thankfully, I don’t think I have anything to worry about on this adventure. Not only are my numbers good as far as A1C’s and glucose levels, but  the piercing looks amazing with barely even any blood. I am also one of those crazies when it comes to following the aftercare.

What is really sad, though, is I still don’t think I will tell the piercer when I go back for more in a few weeks. The fear of him telling me he won’t pierce me is too great. The fear of me not being able to be ‘normal’ keeps me silent.