Did you see that episode of ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ when Mac decides to “cultivate mass” and ends up with Type 2 Diabetes? Now please note that I am fully aware that type 2 diabetes doesn’t work that way nor does everyone find shows like ‘Always Sunny’ as funny as I do.
I was still in my transition as a new person with Type One diabetes when I saw this episode. Besides all the many ways this episode was inaccurate in how Mac handled life with diabetes as well as mishandling the tools involved with diabetes care, there was a scene that absolutely stood out to me.
Mac and Dennis were sitting at a high top table at Paddy’s Pub talking about who knows what and eating chimichangas out of a garbage bag. The table is stacked with food. Mac with giant chimichanga in hand, without hesitation, jabs an insulin filled syringe into his bulging belly. He then continues to eat and talk with his friend like nothing happened.
At this point, I was still closing my eyes and my heart would sink into my tummy as I waited for my glucose number flash across the screen of my meter during checks. I would also carefully select the spot of my next shot on my abdomen before I slowly stuck the needle in. Well, duh, that would would hurt.
What if I did it without hesitation? If Rob McElhenny, the actor who plays Mac, can plunge a syringe in his belly to get a laugh…then I can definitely do it to effing save my own life every day.
My next scheduled shot was at around 10:00pm that evening. “I’m gonna do it.” I thought to myself, determined. I took out my Lanuts pen, screwed on my pen needle, cleaned my injection site, and jabbed. I jabbed quickly and without hesitation. Guess what? It didn’t hurt. I couldn’t believe it. It was so quick in that I didn’t even notice the prick. I pressed the button down, held it there for a few seconds, (I count to 8-it’s my favorite number) and removed it. Success!
Who knew I would end up learning something about my diabetes care from dark comedy? Who knew my sense of humor was sicker thank my pancreas and even more twisted than my sweet demeanor gives off? Who knew?
I’ve been jabbing ever since. Thanks Mac! Cheers!
Cut the B.S. 
5 replies on “How I Learned to Take Insulin Shots From ‘Always Sunny’”
I ate my orange three times in in the hospital. I knew I could and was not worried, but damn I was hungry. Those were the best three oranges I have ever had.
I always wondered if anyone ever ate the oranges they tested on…they never gave me an orange…I shot directly into my belly. Maybe it was because of the adult onset. Thanks for reading, Rick! How about that Indy 500??? Good race huh? Except our D-guys had a rough day.
This is hilarious! A. I love that show too && I have to admit, I know I probably shouldn’t have but that episode made me laugh out loud so hard! We should all be as unabashedly unashamed && out there with our diabetes care as he was. So many diabetics try to hide their disease && management in the dark corners like they’re ashamed of it. I say let’s jab out bellies and cheers our chimichangas!
I’ll drink a test strip shot to that @doubleampersand!!!
I was actually a bit hesitant to post this but clearly, I can’t be the only one that has to laugh at my diabetes once in a while.