Day 7 of #DBlogWeek
I've quite enjoyed my first DBlogWeek. I've read (and honestly am still reading - there's a lot of them!) many new blogs! The two I'll point out here, which are by no means the only two I enjoyed, I pick out for two completely different reasons.
First, one of the new friends I made at #DUnCon2015, Laddie, has a wonderful blog I'd like to share. She blogs at Test, Guess and Go, and I really enjoy not only her puppy Abby's contributions, but Laddie's dialogues on long term Type 1 Diabetes. While she hasn't had it quite as long as me, we've been through many of the same trials and tribulations, and having met at #DUnCon, and then again for lunch near home later, I really feel a great new friendship has formed.
The second blog I'd like to point out is that of Brian from TuDiabetes. His Type 2 Diabetes blog, particularly this one, I find inspirational and educational about Type 2. I've tried to explain so many times to people, even my own father-in-law, that Type 2 is NOT "all their own fault", that's there is so much more to it. Most of the Type 2's I know don't even fall within the awful stereotype. My own father developed Type 2 in his 80's, is very thin and guess what - he still has it! Public perception of Type 2 needs to change.
OK getting off my tiny soap box now. Brian has some great observations of Type 2 from one who lives it and who is very in touch with the medical community and the Diabetes community as a whole. I urge anyone who has any interest in Type 2, or Diabetes in general, to take a look.
OK that's all for this week. I hope you all enjoyed!
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Motivations
Here we are, Day 6 of Diabetes Blog Week, and today's topic is:Favorites and Motivations.
If you have been blogging for a while, what is your favorite sentence or blogpost that you have ever written? Is it diabetes related or just life related? If you are a new blogger and don't have a favorite yet, tell us what motivated you to start sharing your story by writing a blog?
Obviously I'm pretty new to this blogging stuff, so I'll stick with motivations.
What is my motivation? Well, I'll have to blame the Diabetes Unconference (DunCon for short) for that, at least in part.
What was DunCon? DunCon was, in effect, a group of people with diabetes (PWDs) of all types, lengths of time, and experience, gathering together to share trials, successes, challenges and ideas, with the intention of spreading the learnings with other PWDs outside the conference. March 2015 was the first occurrence ever of this conference, and for me it was quite the eye opener, in many ways.
Understand, for 44 years I have been a - well... Lone Diabetic - of sorts. I have met a couple other PWDs in that time, but I haven't been close with many. A few years back I met a few online, and we have our own little group who shares some of life's tribulations, which has helped me in times of struggle (Joanna, Carol, Jessica, Delanna, Kate and so many more). Let me tell you tho - meeting a large group of 90 some-odd PWDs with the intention of sharing our innermost struggles about this beast we all struggle with from day to day, was absolutely enlightening.
I got to meet people I followed for some time on blogs, who I so related to the life stories and struggles, and other bloggers I hadn't seen the blogs of yet, but now follow avidly, More importantly, I connected with other people about our disease with the urgent feeling as a person thrown a life saver while drowning off a boat (which I would never do as I'm an awesome swimmer). I came home speaking of nothing else for weeks, with the burning desire to "do more".
But how?
Well, I thought about that, a lot, and still do.
In a perfect world, I would quit my job today and go work as a
volunteer for JDRF, or ADA, or some other charity serving the
people who share this life with us.
This isn't a perfect world.
Someday we want to retire.
So I need another means.
Hence - "The Blog"
After 44 years with Diabetes, I must have something to share, right?
Even if it's just the occasional story of something I encountered,
Or some struggle I found a way through,
Or a joy I found,
I want to do more, and when I figure out how,
I will
Until then,
Enjoy!
If you have been blogging for a while, what is your favorite sentence or blogpost that you have ever written? Is it diabetes related or just life related? If you are a new blogger and don't have a favorite yet, tell us what motivated you to start sharing your story by writing a blog?
Obviously I'm pretty new to this blogging stuff, so I'll stick with motivations.
What is my motivation? Well, I'll have to blame the Diabetes Unconference (DunCon for short) for that, at least in part.
What was DunCon? DunCon was, in effect, a group of people with diabetes (PWDs) of all types, lengths of time, and experience, gathering together to share trials, successes, challenges and ideas, with the intention of spreading the learnings with other PWDs outside the conference. March 2015 was the first occurrence ever of this conference, and for me it was quite the eye opener, in many ways.
Understand, for 44 years I have been a - well... Lone Diabetic - of sorts. I have met a couple other PWDs in that time, but I haven't been close with many. A few years back I met a few online, and we have our own little group who shares some of life's tribulations, which has helped me in times of struggle (Joanna, Carol, Jessica, Delanna, Kate and so many more). Let me tell you tho - meeting a large group of 90 some-odd PWDs with the intention of sharing our innermost struggles about this beast we all struggle with from day to day, was absolutely enlightening.
I got to meet people I followed for some time on blogs, who I so related to the life stories and struggles, and other bloggers I hadn't seen the blogs of yet, but now follow avidly, More importantly, I connected with other people about our disease with the urgent feeling as a person thrown a life saver while drowning off a boat (which I would never do as I'm an awesome swimmer). I came home speaking of nothing else for weeks, with the burning desire to "do more".
But how?
Well, I thought about that, a lot, and still do.
In a perfect world, I would quit my job today and go work as a
volunteer for JDRF, or ADA, or some other charity serving the
people who share this life with us.
This isn't a perfect world.
Someday we want to retire.
So I need another means.
Hence - "The Blog"
After 44 years with Diabetes, I must have something to share, right?
Even if it's just the occasional story of something I encountered,
Or some struggle I found a way through,
Or a joy I found,
I want to do more, and when I figure out how,
I will
Until then,
Enjoy!
Friday, May 15, 2015
My Wild and Crazy D-Life!
OK it's not that wild or even that crazy, but in the interests of Day #5 of #DBlogWeek, I'll pulling the Crazy Stories Wildcard today: Diabetes can sure bring some crazy moments. So tell us your Top 3
craziest D related stories! If you can't think of three, don't worry.
We're just as happy with one or two . . . .
Let's see...
The earliest story I remember is from elementary school. I was a toddler when diagnosed and don't remember that time at all. I remember from kindergarten sitting on a garden swing and drinking juice. It turns out, what I don't remember, is that I wandered out of class, down a few roads, across a small highway, across the Electric company Right-of-Way and into this nice lady's backyard and sat on her swing. She somehow got my phone number out of me and called home, where I believe my Mom told her to give me juice. How I eluded teachers and got that far safely is beyond me, but it all turned out well. Same thing happened - later the same year I believe, but the principal was driving by and picked me up off the highway where I was walking. I think, ultimately, I was going home. Home was quite a bit further away but I was going the right way!
Hmm...
Another story is more fragmented. My lows - what I called insulin reactions growing up, changed over the years. From a young age I hallucinated - that's the earliest manifestation I remember. When I got a little older - say pre-teen - a much scarier type happened. The first time, I woke up, knew something was terribly wrong, sat up and screamed "Mom!!" and was then paralyzed. I couldn't move a muscle. The parents came in and saw me awake, with my eyes open, but stiff as a board. They moved me downstairs somehow, carrying me awkwardly. I wasn't talking. I think they thought I lost my ability to understand, because they talked to me, then said the same things slower, I understood everything going on and what they were saying - I just couldn't respond. They finally started feeding me something - juice with sugar probably - or honey spoonfuls (gag!). Just before they decided to bring me to the hospital I started coming out of it. It only happened a couple times, but it was pretty bad. I had less serious occurrences in college twice, but each time I could at least walk (sort of) and get myself juice... And call a friend... and scare the hell out of her saying nothing but "Iiiinnnnnsssulliiiiinnnnnn" - Heh - but that's another story.
Third story - well I won't go in depth into it here, because Andrew Curry, working with ADA, did it for me here: Going Low. The only additional info is that I saw my sugar at 60 but the meter actually read 40 - and when I came to, it was 37, so I literally spent 8 hours between 40 and 37 unconscious on the floor. I changed my life and care a bit after that one.
Well that's my crazy D-Life! I hope you "enjoyed"!
Let's see...
The earliest story I remember is from elementary school. I was a toddler when diagnosed and don't remember that time at all. I remember from kindergarten sitting on a garden swing and drinking juice. It turns out, what I don't remember, is that I wandered out of class, down a few roads, across a small highway, across the Electric company Right-of-Way and into this nice lady's backyard and sat on her swing. She somehow got my phone number out of me and called home, where I believe my Mom told her to give me juice. How I eluded teachers and got that far safely is beyond me, but it all turned out well. Same thing happened - later the same year I believe, but the principal was driving by and picked me up off the highway where I was walking. I think, ultimately, I was going home. Home was quite a bit further away but I was going the right way!
Hmm...
Another story is more fragmented. My lows - what I called insulin reactions growing up, changed over the years. From a young age I hallucinated - that's the earliest manifestation I remember. When I got a little older - say pre-teen - a much scarier type happened. The first time, I woke up, knew something was terribly wrong, sat up and screamed "Mom!!" and was then paralyzed. I couldn't move a muscle. The parents came in and saw me awake, with my eyes open, but stiff as a board. They moved me downstairs somehow, carrying me awkwardly. I wasn't talking. I think they thought I lost my ability to understand, because they talked to me, then said the same things slower, I understood everything going on and what they were saying - I just couldn't respond. They finally started feeding me something - juice with sugar probably - or honey spoonfuls (gag!). Just before they decided to bring me to the hospital I started coming out of it. It only happened a couple times, but it was pretty bad. I had less serious occurrences in college twice, but each time I could at least walk (sort of) and get myself juice... And call a friend... and scare the hell out of her saying nothing but "Iiiinnnnnsssulliiiiinnnnnn" - Heh - but that's another story.
Third story - well I won't go in depth into it here, because Andrew Curry, working with ADA, did it for me here: Going Low. The only additional info is that I saw my sugar at 60 but the meter actually read 40 - and when I came to, it was 37, so I literally spent 8 hours between 40 and 37 unconscious on the floor. I changed my life and care a bit after that one.
Well that's my crazy D-Life! I hope you "enjoyed"!
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Changing Minds
Today's topic - Changes
Today let's talk about changes, in one of two ways. Either tell us what you'd most like to see change about diabetes, in any way. This can be management tools, devices, medications, people's perceptions, your own feelings – anything at all that you feel could use changing. OR reflect back on some changes you or your loved one has seen or been through since being diagnosed with diabetes. Were they expected or did they surprise you?
Well, I have been through MANY changes in the past 44 years with Diabetes.
Emotional, physical, attention, methods, you name it, it's changed.
I've gone from a couple of pee-tests a day and one shot of NPH, to a couple of shots with NPH and Regular, to minimal blood tests and multiple shots. to using Lantus and Humalog, to many blood tests, an Omnipod pump and now the Dex CGM to boot!
I could talk all day about those changes, but I won't.
I'm going to reflect, as my buddy at Diabetesaliciousness did, on what I want to change.
I want to change the public's attitude on Diabetes.
Type 1 is not "The most important kind" or the "Bad kind"
Type 2 is not the "Better kind" or "Caused by the patient".
Type 1 does not just happen to kids - 50% are adults on diagnosis!
Type 2 does happen to skinny people - and children!
An A1C of 4.7 to 5.8 cannot be the end all be all of limits
for a healthy patient.
Those above that range are not "non-compliant"
or not trying!!
All people with Diabetes - Type 1, Type 1.5, Type 2, MODY, LADA - require
intense scrutiny of blood sugars, foods, activity, etc.
There is no Bad kind - as there is no Good kind. It all sucks!
There are no non-compliant patients - just those those who don't meet the
sometimes unrealistic standards set for us by the medical community.
OK, I have more to say, but I'll leave it there.
Love to all!
P.S. - If any of the above confuses you - ask, AND read the following
AWESOME explanation of Type 2:
Changing misunderstanding of type 2
Today let's talk about changes, in one of two ways. Either tell us what you'd most like to see change about diabetes, in any way. This can be management tools, devices, medications, people's perceptions, your own feelings – anything at all that you feel could use changing. OR reflect back on some changes you or your loved one has seen or been through since being diagnosed with diabetes. Were they expected or did they surprise you?
Well, I have been through MANY changes in the past 44 years with Diabetes.
Emotional, physical, attention, methods, you name it, it's changed.
I've gone from a couple of pee-tests a day and one shot of NPH, to a couple of shots with NPH and Regular, to minimal blood tests and multiple shots. to using Lantus and Humalog, to many blood tests, an Omnipod pump and now the Dex CGM to boot!
I could talk all day about those changes, but I won't.
I'm going to reflect, as my buddy at Diabetesaliciousness did, on what I want to change.
I want to change the public's attitude on Diabetes.
Type 1 is not "The most important kind" or the "Bad kind"
Type 2 is not the "Better kind" or "Caused by the patient".
Type 1 does not just happen to kids - 50% are adults on diagnosis!
Type 2 does happen to skinny people - and children!
An A1C of 4.7 to 5.8 cannot be the end all be all of limits
for a healthy patient.
Those above that range are not "non-compliant"
or not trying!!
All people with Diabetes - Type 1, Type 1.5, Type 2, MODY, LADA - require
intense scrutiny of blood sugars, foods, activity, etc.
There is no Bad kind - as there is no Good kind. It all sucks!
There are no non-compliant patients - just those those who don't meet the
sometimes unrealistic standards set for us by the medical community.
OK, I have more to say, but I'll leave it there.
Love to all!
P.S. - If any of the above confuses you - ask, AND read the following
AWESOME explanation of Type 2:
Changing misunderstanding of type 2
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
House Cleaning
Well... with regards to the "Cleaning Out the Diabetes Closet" theme, from a physical supplies perspective, I'm doing pretty well.
My husband would interject here - try cleaning out your other closet!
And your dresser!
And your desk!
So other than a few hundred lancets I may never use
(and who doesn't have too many of those!)
My Diabetes Closet could stand to have one thing ditched...
Excuses!!!
Excuses like:
It's too late to exercise...
I'm too tired to exercise...
Basal checks are such a hassle!
I want to train for the Ride to Cure but...
My bike isn't a road bike...
Where will I bike to train?
It's gonna be so hot soon...
OK Cleaning!
I have a bike to start training with!
Biking after hours with water is workable.
Let's do this!
My husband would interject here - try cleaning out your other closet!
And your dresser!
And your desk!
So other than a few hundred lancets I may never use
(and who doesn't have too many of those!)
My Diabetes Closet could stand to have one thing ditched...
Excuses!!!
Excuses like:
It's too late to exercise...
I'm too tired to exercise...
Basal checks are such a hassle!
I want to train for the Ride to Cure but...
My bike isn't a road bike...
Where will I bike to train?
It's gonna be so hot soon...
OK Cleaning!
I have a bike to start training with!
Biking after hours with water is workable.
Let's do this!
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