A reminder to everyone to check the batteries on your smoke detectors, change air filters, oh and change your lancets!
I wish I were waking up to this!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Daylight Savings
I've mentioned before that I just adore the fall. From the beautiful colors of the changing leaves to the yummy in season foods like pumpkins. I also love when Daylight Savings rolls around for the sole reason of getting an extra hour. Who cares if it reeks havoc on my schedule and blood sugars for a day or two. It means an extra hour of sleep!
A reminder to everyone to check the batteries on your smoke detectors, change air filters, oh and change your lancets!
I wish I were waking up to this!
A reminder to everyone to check the batteries on your smoke detectors, change air filters, oh and change your lancets!
I wish I were waking up to this!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Travel Warp
I feel like I am in a weird travel warp (like a time warp.) After two weeks of traveling I am finally home for more than one night! Such a welcome relief.
Today has been a difficult and stressful day where, as though on cue, diabetes stopped playing nice. The good news is no travel until Christmas.
Right now I am going to go heat up some soup and then crawl into bed. Quite the rockin' Friday night!
Today has been a difficult and stressful day where, as though on cue, diabetes stopped playing nice. The good news is no travel until Christmas.
Right now I am going to go heat up some soup and then crawl into bed. Quite the rockin' Friday night!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
The Joys of The DOC: Not Alone
At many times diabetes can feel like a very isolating disease. From the moment of my diagnosis I have felt like diabetes was my disease and mine alone. Sure my family had to learn all about it and how to manage but in my 7 year old mind THEY didn't have it. It was MY body not theirs who revolted. How could it be their disease too?
Oh how wrong was I! The entire concept of Type 3's has completely changed my way of thinking. The DOC gave me a title to all those people who are affected by my diabetes. I can turn to my Mom or to Steve and see that they GET IT. Sure, they don't know what it feels like to have non-stop low's or highs, or those roller coaster days that leave you totally wiped out. That's what I have you, the DOC, for. But for the most part they get it. When somebody makes some stupid comment about diabetes Steve shoots me a look that says "they are not one of us, they don't understand."
Not only has the DOC opened my eyes to just how well Steve and my mom get it the DOC has also made me feel like I'm not alone. I no longer feel so isolated. Sure in my offline life I am not constantly running into other T1's and if I do we don't spend the time chatting about the big D. I get online to find comfort that I can't find elsewhere.
At the Taking Control of Your Diabetes Conference this past Saturday I had the pleasure of meeting two members of the DOC: Ninja George from Ninjabetic and Jaime (@JaimieH). We didn't get to meet up until the very end of the conference but we were able to sit and chat for a little while. Let me just say that they are both such warm welcoming people. I really wish I had had more time to sit and talk with them. Neither of them realized it but our short seemingly unimportant conversation was the finally little push I needed to not only blog more but to make some blog changes I hope to make soon. (Details on that to come!). The entire day of the TCOYD conference was nudging me but talking to them was the finally little push I needed. So thank you guys. Both of you are total Ninja's Kickin D Booty! (Yes, I will do a recap/thoughts post on the conference soon.)
I'm a fairly new member of the DOC. Less than a year. In that time though my A1c plummeted from 10.2 to 7.2 (and still working to get it in the 6's. The psychological toll diabetes was taking on me is so much easier to deal with then it was before. Most importantly I no longer feel alone. I wish I could go back 22 years and tell 7 year old me that I am not alone.
Thank you DOC, from the bottom of my heart.
Oh how wrong was I! The entire concept of Type 3's has completely changed my way of thinking. The DOC gave me a title to all those people who are affected by my diabetes. I can turn to my Mom or to Steve and see that they GET IT. Sure, they don't know what it feels like to have non-stop low's or highs, or those roller coaster days that leave you totally wiped out. That's what I have you, the DOC, for. But for the most part they get it. When somebody makes some stupid comment about diabetes Steve shoots me a look that says "they are not one of us, they don't understand."
Not only has the DOC opened my eyes to just how well Steve and my mom get it the DOC has also made me feel like I'm not alone. I no longer feel so isolated. Sure in my offline life I am not constantly running into other T1's and if I do we don't spend the time chatting about the big D. I get online to find comfort that I can't find elsewhere.
At the Taking Control of Your Diabetes Conference this past Saturday I had the pleasure of meeting two members of the DOC: Ninja George from Ninjabetic and Jaime (@JaimieH). We didn't get to meet up until the very end of the conference but we were able to sit and chat for a little while. Let me just say that they are both such warm welcoming people. I really wish I had had more time to sit and talk with them. Neither of them realized it but our short seemingly unimportant conversation was the finally little push I needed to not only blog more but to make some blog changes I hope to make soon. (Details on that to come!). The entire day of the TCOYD conference was nudging me but talking to them was the finally little push I needed. So thank you guys. Both of you are total Ninja's Kickin D Booty! (Yes, I will do a recap/thoughts post on the conference soon.)
I'm a fairly new member of the DOC. Less than a year. In that time though my A1c plummeted from 10.2 to 7.2 (and still working to get it in the 6's. The psychological toll diabetes was taking on me is so much easier to deal with then it was before. Most importantly I no longer feel alone. I wish I could go back 22 years and tell 7 year old me that I am not alone.
Thank you DOC, from the bottom of my heart.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Wordless Wednesday: San Diego Edition
After 11 days of traveling to visit family in Denver and San Diego I'm home for less than 24 hours before heading to Florida for a fun work project I cannot wait to tell you all about. I'm absolutely exhausted from traveling yesterday and the time difference between the west coast and the east coast so I'm doing a quick post with a few pictures of my trip. I have more but these make me smile especially since it is only in the 40s here in DC.
Pacific Ocean from La Jolla
La Jolla Cove. It was stinky because of all the pelicans but still a beautiful view. On one of the rocks near the water were 3 Seal Pups. I couldn't get a good picture because all I had was my iPhone. So cute!
Here is the Daddy Seal who was being very loud. The Mommy Seal was swimming with him not to far away from the pups.
On my flight back to DC we flew over the Rockies. Old Man Winter has arrived in the mountains! My parents are getting excited for ski season.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Election Day Travel
Today is ELECTION DAY 2010! I never talk politics here and I won't start now but it is important to get out and vote.
Right now I'm packing and getting ready to fly back East after 11 days with family in Denver and San Diego. It has been exhausting but so much fun and good for the soul. I swear I feel like my batteries have been recharged. This is great for my diabetes control.
Tomorrow I turn around and get back on another airplane for yet another trip Wednesday night although I'll be back home Friday night. Just thinking about it makes me tired!
Hope everyone has a good day!
Monday, November 1, 2010
22 Diaversaries
For the first time in, well, ever probably my Diaversary is not accompanied by sadness or anger. For that I have the D-OC (Diabetes Online Community) and the Taking Control of Your Diabetes conference I attended on Saturday. I will talk more about both this week but for now I just wanted to give everyone in the D-OC a great big virtual hug. You all are awesome.
Thinking about what to write about today I realized I had written about my diagnosis earlier this year over at Nacho's blog. I'm going to repost it here today. Over the next few weeks I will be writing more about my diagnosis. Without further ado....
There are certain days in every person’s life that stand out: day you got engaged, married, children were born, and the day you were diagnosed with diabetes. Wait, what? Day you were diagnosed with diabetes?
Ok, so the vast majority of the population won’t have the memorable day that is D-Day. Frankly, it would be better if nobody has to have that experience but those of us with diabetes clearly remember the day we were diagnosed. Of course if you were diagnosed at a really young age your parents, I’m sure, have that day etched forever in their memory.
I was diagnosed at age 7 on November 1, 1988. Day after Halloween. The previous year was full of changes for me: mom got remarried and 5 months before I was diagnosed my baby brother was born. I guess things do come in three’s because then it was diabetes.
A week before I was diagnosed I was in Mexico with the rest of my extended family celebrating my grandmother’s 60th birthday. Before we left for Mexico my 2nd grade teacher notified my mom that I was always out of the classroom; either in the restroom or at the drinking fountain. We sent a urine sample to the pediatrician’s office as we were leaving town. In Mexico my older cousin and I snuck candy and hid it in the bathroom we shared. I’m sure lucky I didn’t end up in DKA.
Upon our return home we were greeted by a bunch of messages from the doctor’s office saying they needed to redo the test. I went in on November 1. The night before, Halloween, my parents took my candy and told me I could have it after the doctor’s appointment. Of course, I snuck some.
That doctor’s appointment changed my life. They redid the urine test and then sent us into the doctor’s office. He was sitting behind his desk when he told my mom I had diabetes.
Next thing I know we were in the elevator going upstairs to another doctor’s office. I remember looking at my mom and seeing her trying to keep her composure. At 7 years old I knew my mom was scared and upset and it had something to do with me. Suddenly I was terrified.
Next thing I know my parents and I are in the hospital learning about shots and highs and lows and food and testing.
I would give anything to not have diabetes but November 1, 1988 helped shape the person I am today. Every year on my D-Day I get sad about “what if I didn’t have diabetes” but I remind myself of all the strength that has bloomed inside of me and the courage that has come from having diabetes. This year when I celebrate 22 years with diabetes I am going to celebrate it and not think about the “what ifs”.
Thinking about what to write about today I realized I had written about my diagnosis earlier this year over at Nacho's blog. I'm going to repost it here today. Over the next few weeks I will be writing more about my diagnosis. Without further ado....
There are certain days in every person’s life that stand out: day you got engaged, married, children were born, and the day you were diagnosed with diabetes. Wait, what? Day you were diagnosed with diabetes?
Ok, so the vast majority of the population won’t have the memorable day that is D-Day. Frankly, it would be better if nobody has to have that experience but those of us with diabetes clearly remember the day we were diagnosed. Of course if you were diagnosed at a really young age your parents, I’m sure, have that day etched forever in their memory.
I was diagnosed at age 7 on November 1, 1988. Day after Halloween. The previous year was full of changes for me: mom got remarried and 5 months before I was diagnosed my baby brother was born. I guess things do come in three’s because then it was diabetes.
A week before I was diagnosed I was in Mexico with the rest of my extended family celebrating my grandmother’s 60th birthday. Before we left for Mexico my 2nd grade teacher notified my mom that I was always out of the classroom; either in the restroom or at the drinking fountain. We sent a urine sample to the pediatrician’s office as we were leaving town. In Mexico my older cousin and I snuck candy and hid it in the bathroom we shared. I’m sure lucky I didn’t end up in DKA.
Upon our return home we were greeted by a bunch of messages from the doctor’s office saying they needed to redo the test. I went in on November 1. The night before, Halloween, my parents took my candy and told me I could have it after the doctor’s appointment. Of course, I snuck some.
That doctor’s appointment changed my life. They redid the urine test and then sent us into the doctor’s office. He was sitting behind his desk when he told my mom I had diabetes.
Next thing I know we were in the elevator going upstairs to another doctor’s office. I remember looking at my mom and seeing her trying to keep her composure. At 7 years old I knew my mom was scared and upset and it had something to do with me. Suddenly I was terrified.
Next thing I know my parents and I are in the hospital learning about shots and highs and lows and food and testing.
I would give anything to not have diabetes but November 1, 1988 helped shape the person I am today. Every year on my D-Day I get sad about “what if I didn’t have diabetes” but I remind myself of all the strength that has bloomed inside of me and the courage that has come from having diabetes. This year when I celebrate 22 years with diabetes I am going to celebrate it and not think about the “what ifs”.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)