DIABETES CROSSWORD

I made this here.

Diabetes Awareness Month

G N E S T U B I N G H V H M N G B M G N R Z C G T
R D S S E B X H W V C B P P E Z E L J L G A G S A
Z Y O H I T D I A B E T E S S T U D C A R Y M K Q
W N C X I N E H A I R T K C W C E Y S B E Y G H P
T U U Z R K F B J Y D F P J A N I R O R X G W N S
J X L H Z J V U T X X D Z G H S N H Y I E P W D Y
I K G N I X S O S A L V O H E U Y M I B R U G E S
Z P C D N B M E R I E N L O N D K H M R C M I S X
S R I Y X I J X O I O W P D R Q A U V U I P E Z K
X S C I M W L S F Y N N S A A U Z E Z L S Q P W T
G O W J V W C U G O R V T Z V V W L Z X E H S Z X
K C U V Z S F Y S P Z E B T O O K U N M D C B P Y
R W C D D M N G V N J V L E B W H Y Z O W D J C L
A T A V Q A D T Z X I E Z O D C T S M K J W J B U
S S O T Q R E P A W X J V M O I F Y L Z J L F B D
H K I D M C T W W E G A N R N G H S T R F I P C A
U Z A K N J I A L J Z H I U I O Y W A G Y T Z V D
E C N A R E V E S R E P M P P E R U C G N R H L L
V K L W J W I G Y H V M R E M G K N T R T V U S J
E O J T F A Q M R C O H O U B H X P X Z B S G K X
F Z R X F C B W X C M U F G N Q O O A B V G Q I C
R X A L I Y J M J R R F T E G N I R Y S M U J N T
M Y U A W R O J E W S X E T A W S S Y U G L Z I T
T W N A U L U L Z W S G M D B R B W G Z S N X H A
X X D K P W Q B H V T A S C O X J M T K T Q O S A
CARBOHYDRATE
COMMUNITY
CURE
DIABETES
EXERCISE
GLUCAGON
GLUCOSE
HOPE
INFUSION
INSULIN
LANCET
METER
METFORMIN
PERSEVERANCE
PUMP
SWEATBETES
SYRINGE
TUBING

Solution tomorrow!!

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Awareness Month is Coming!

November, in case you weren’t aware, is diabetes awareness month. Here are some things I am participating in that you might want to participate in too:

 

• Blue Fridays – wear blue every Friday in November
• The Big Blue Test 
• National Blog Posting Month (nablopomo) 
• World Diabetes Day 

More info coming soon, but you can find a bunch of info on the linked sites above. I am so excited, I can’t wait! I have my blue finger nail polish and hair ribbon ready to go!

And NaBloPoMo Wraps.

National Blog Posting Month for diabetes bloggers officially comes to an end today. To be quite honest, this year was harder than last year, but I can tell you that I am glad I did it, and I’ll probably do it again next year, because let’s face it, I like talking, especially when I’m pretending people are listening.

There was one advantage to posting every day this month. While I didn’t have any grand events to attend or any money to donate, I did take the time to get myself back on track, diabetes wise. And I’m not going to guess at what my A1C would be if I had it taken tomorrow (read: still high), but I am at least dosing insulin, testing my blood glucose levels, and I even wore a sensor for ten days. (Note to self: download data).

But November brought lots of other things into my life. It brought a new relationship that I can’t say I’m anything but happy with. It brought my first Thanksgiving without my family, but the realization that the people you love and are close to are your family. It brought a range of temperatures from 75 to -10 F here in Northeastern Utah, along with the first snow of the year and 20 degree hikes.

And even though I’m dealing with the “other D” (read: it’s dark and cold out and my brain chemicals apparently dislike that), trying to frantically finish the last class I need for a college diploma (more on that later), mourning the fact that my roommate is moving out on Saturday (and I get to live alone in the cold Utah winter in the middle of nowhere, What The Heck?), I’m calling November a success. Because things don’t have to be perfect all the time for life to be good.

And trust me, Diabetes or no Diabetes, Life Is Good.

That thing where I list search hits and wonder why these people clicked on my blog.

Search hits are always fun to look though, and WordPress makes it easy (one reason I switched from blogger). It’s also that time, the “it’s the end of November and I’m starting to suffer from diabetes blogging burn out” time of the year. So this is what you get. Search terms and my responses. Enjoy!

1. starlix or symlin or bromocriptine or repaglinide or janumet or sitagliptin
   Alright, well, this is interesting because I imagine that you only got a hit of of the word “symlin” because I have no idea what the rest of these are. I hope I was informative. It’s interesting you clicked on my blog five times from this search. Maybe I’ve mentioned Symlin five times in my blog. Not sure.
2. insulin bottel
   Oh lord, this is just proof of my inability to spell and inability to edit my own blog.
3. still lifes diabetes supplies
   Perhaps this is a reference to diabetes art day? my project was more abstract than still life, but it was still using diabetes supplies so there you go I guess.
4. insulin penns
   More evidence of my own spelling errors? Yeesh.  

5. dori
   YES! Just keep swimming.. 

6. thyroid mishawaka
   Yes, my family is from Mishawaka, and yes, many of us have thyroid problems. You gotta problem with that?  

7. carbohydrate hangover
   Maybe this was a post Thanksgiving search, and I gotta believe they hit on my hot pocket post a few weeks ago. But seriously, if you’re having carbohydrate hangovers, it’s probably time to get tested for diabetes.
8. biohazard bag ouch
   Hahaha, the biohazard bag. Every diabetic woman has one.  

9. lady cats drexel high school basketball
   Aww! This is so sweet. I attended Drexel High my 7th and 8th grade years, and you probably found my diagnosis story when you searched this, because that’s where I mention the Lady Cats, I think.  

10. emotional eating blogs
    Again, yeesh. Do I really talk that much about emotional eating? Although I did do weight loss week, even though it didn’t help me lose weight much. 

11. what it feels like to have diabetes
    It kind of sucks. But it’s different on different days. Maybe I’ll dive into this topic more later. Something tells me I already have. 

12. which is the earliest break through in diabetes type 1 and when its going to be work
    I hate to leave this on a sour note, but this one made me really sad, because I don’t have the answer and I know this person is probably desperate if they clicked on a person with type 1’s blog looking to cure their illness. I hope there are breakthroughs, and I hope they work soon. I feel you. I hope with you. But until then, we’re all in this together, for better or worse.
    

I Love my Brothers and other Tales of Diabetic Siblings

Diabetic siblings are special kids. Not siblings with diabetes, but siblings of kids with diabetes. That’s why Sherry, mother of a type 1 and a non-d kid, who blogs at Jenna’s Pet Monkey, And Alexis, author of Justice’s Misbehaving Pancreas, also a mother of a type 1 as well as a non-D kid, have come up with the idea of a special day for d-siblings.

I don’t remember diabetes being a particularly huge concern in my house. I was almost 12 when I was diagnosed and could pretty much take care of myself. My mother and father never did my blood sugar tests or gave my shots for me, I always did all of those things myself. My brothers probably don’t think of diabetes when they first think of me.

One of the memories of the day I was diagnosed involves my brother. I’m not sure he knew what was going on, but he knew his sister was going to the hospital. He gave me a long hug before we left. I remember that so well. I think after I got home and it seemed like I was not sick, he realized that I wasn ‘t dying or anything and resumed his normal little brother antics. I also remember that he related to me becasue earlier that year he had his apendix removed.

The biggest thing that stands out in my mind is the temper tantrums that sometimes showed (show?) up when my blood sugar was high. My brothers had to endure these, and sometimes my youngest brother would even stand up for me! He hated hearing my parents and I yell at each other.

My brothers are 21 and 16, and I’m 23. I hope that they’ve always looked up to me, and I hope that they respect me for being strong when it comes to dealing with diabetes. They are amazing kids (slash young adults?) and I am forever thankful for them.

Me looking ridiculous and my brothers and my brother's girlfriend. L-R China, David, Sarah, Jon

The Idiocy of a Diabetes Civil War

Ever since this article came out concerning what I can legitimately see outsiders calling “the diabetes civil war” in the blogosphere, there has been some discussion. This post was originally a comment on Renate’s post at The Diabetic Duo. Renate is the mother of two type 1’s.

The article basically talks about people who want a new name for the disease, people who get angry and frustrated at assumptions that they have type 2 diabetes or can treat their type 1 like it’s type 2 diabetes, and the frustrations of both types of diabetes.

Stereotypes of type 2’s hurt type 2’s too. And while I get frustrated living with the comments I receive, especially being an overweight type 1, I wouldn’t want to live with type 2 either. It’s not an “either, or” it’s a “we’re all in this together.” I enjoy talking to type 2’s about their management. My favorite thing is when they ask me about taking insulin, and I am able to share with them the freedom insulin therapy brings!

In my opinion, the article doesn’t describe either type of diabetes very well. It does not use the terms “insulin resistance” “auto immune” or “beta cells” at all. That, from a scientific perspective, is frustrating because I feel as though they are misinforming their readers on important issues.

The fact is, people don’t care about curing type 1 until it affects them directly. I think that type 2 exposure is helping, somewhat. But people don’t talk about curing type 2, they talk about preventing obesity. They talk about starting programs in schools and they talk about taking personal responsibility for your health. Type 1 gets washed by the wayside. I have written before about “life like a type 2” for type 1’s. I try to think that way about myself sometimes. Yes, I can eat that, but I shouldn’t, no one should really eat a double cheeseburger with an extra large fries and a fried pie or giant milkshake for desert. Who’s that good for? A salad would be less likely to spike my blood sugar, and repeatedly choosing that salad would make my A1C better and lessen my chance for complications. The exact same thing applies to type 2’s. After Thanksgiving dinner, I went for a walk and I was only stuck in the 200’s for about an hour rather than all afternoon. It’s not typical type 1 behavior, but it works. We can learn from each other. Similar to the way I try to learn from type 2’s, type 2’s can learn from type 1’s.My good friend Bob is a type 2. He once told me that he pays attention to our type 1 talk in the D.O.C. sphere because, being that t2 is a degenerative disease, he knows he may be taking insulin, counting carbs, and fighting lows one day and he wants to know how to handle it now so he is ready for the shock.

As far as the name similarity goes, it bothers me from merely a scientific aspect. The disease is caused by different things and yet is treated as the same disease. Beyond that I am not concerned. I know how to defend myself from people who assume I have type 2 because I am overweight. I would never have animosity towards type 2 diabetes. Sometimes people in the DOC compare diabetes to AIDS. That’s an interesting comparison, because for so long people living with AIDS were seen as having done something wrong in order to contract the disease (and in many cases still are looked down upon). Type 2 is looked at similarly, only perhaps with less social stigma. I won’t get into that, but blaming someone for a disease they have even if it was manifested because of a destructive lifestyle is wrong and harms that person. There is no cure for AIDS, but with the correct medication, people who are HIV positive are living longer than ever. There is no cure for either type of diabetes, but if managed correctly, you can live with diabetes for a very long time.

The point is, we’re all in this together. I blog because I have type 1 diabetes, and if it means something to someone with type 1 diabetes, that’s great! I’m so glad. But I know that there are more people in the world living with type 2 diabetes, and certainly hope and pray that it means something to them as well.

Thanksgiving Hike

So, how do you tame those Thanksgivng blood sugars? I’ll tell you how I found out… my friends and I decided to go for a two mile hike in 20 degree weather! Pictures:

Starting out on the trail. There was some snow. It was so pretty!

Me looking dorky

What's that up there?

ANIMAL TRACKS! Mule Deer, specifically. Or Reindeer?

The Payoff!

More Payoff! Gorgeous!

We found a rock my neighbor calls "CD Stack Rock"

We decided to climb it!

surfing sandstone?

Thumbs Up.

Starting Blood Glucose: 223

Ending Glucose: 82.

Nothing short of awesome.

Seven Days of Thanks: Day Seven

Thanksgiving, it’s here!

First of all, I want to let everyone know that I have the honor of being the guest poster over at the Diabetes Social Media Advocacy blog today! Check it out here!

Diabetes Social Media Advocacy, or DSMA for short, started as a twitter chat that is hosted by Cherise, who blogs at Diabetes Daily and tweets @Diabetic_Iz_me. It takes place every Wednesday at 9 eastern time and is fantastically fun.  Now it’s not only a twitter chat, but a blog and a live radio show! You can listen to the show on Thursday nights here! It’s pretty sweet.

Yesterday, in case you missed it (it went up late), I talked about my family’s Thanksgiving traditions and the way I handle diabetes on Thanksgiving. As promised, here are my last seven items of thanks.

• Access to clean, fresh, cool water. Many people do not have it and it is becoming more scarce, especially here in the west.
• A fresh delivery of three months of insulin and, as I said to my roommate, “I can live for three months!” the refreshing knowledge that I HAVE what I need to be alive for the next three months.
• My college education – despite my debt and my continuing to fight and work for my degree, I know it will pay off in the long run.
• Did I mention that I am thankful to be partaking in a Thanksgiving meal today? Thanks again, neighbors!
• Thankful for my extended family – and sad I won’t get to see them this week. Praying I will get to see at least some of them next month!
• Motivation to organize my house. I finished up my yoga/exercise room last night and it looks pretty fantastic if I do say so myself.
• New opportunities – Did I mention I’ll be spending March through June in South Carolina?

Have a happy Turkey Day, don’t forget to tell the ones you love that you love them, and don’t forget to test your blood sugar! 😀

7 Days of Thanks: Day 6

It’s the eve before Thanksgiving, and I’m having mixed emotions. Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. It’s the three F’s I love: Family, Food, and Football. I am blessed with wonderful cooks in my family (and I guess I am learning). When I was young, we would take trips to my great grandmother’s in northern Indiana every year and meet up with my HUGE family on that side. She had 8 kids, 7 of them are still living today. Family gatherings can get crazy!

When she became sick as she grew older, we stopped having Thanksgiving in Indiana and started having it with my mom’s family. My grandparents have lived in lots of different places, but this year they moved to Springfield, just ten minutes from my parents.

Today Dad called me from my grandmother’s house. He was helping her get ready for tomorrow. I also was updated that my aunt and uncle and cousin are on their way to Southwest Missouri from Iowa. I was sad. I miss my dad, my grandma, their cooking, and the rest of my family. It will not be the same to not stay up late and play spades and farkle like we usually do.

I am trying to convince my adopted “family” out here to play Mexican Train dominoes with me tomorrow. At the very least, maybe I can teach the kids! I am excited to hang out with the few who live in park housing. There will be 8 of us total. I am excited for food and friends – two F’s this year, and maybe some football. Even without family, there are still three F’s. God seems to provide when we need him to.
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Q: How do you manage diabetes on Thanksgivng?

A: I don’t! That’s not completely true. Last year, Dexcom helped a lot and am loking forward to using it again this year. I will probably do a large bolus with either a combo bolus extending after the meal or an increased basal rate to catch the runaway fat and carbs that will hit me later. I will then watch my Dexcom, and after a few hours make a correction.
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Day 6:

• This morning I could not find my glasses. Very thankful for the ability to afford glasses so I can see, and I pray I may never lose my sight to diabetes.
• I’m thankful for avocados. They are filling and although the carb content has been debated, they don’t seem to increase my blood sugars. Yes, I know, you are not supposed to buy fresh fruit and veges out of season, but I love them so much I have to!
• My neighbor kids. They make me laugh and are very cute. The 8 year old girl popped a water balloon in my face today. It had no water in it but it sure made me laugh!
• As much as I hate it, I’m thankful for the cold weather. It seems to have cleared up my allergies.
• I am thankful that I got an extra day off work. I will be having a 4 day weekend next weekend, spending a few last days with my roommate before she is finished with her internship and I am left to live alone. We will head to Salt Lake the day before her flight for some food and window shopping. I can’t wait!
• I’m thankful for my grandma’s corn casserole recipe, as well as butternut squash in general. I can’t wait til my Thanksgiving cohorts try my foods tomorrow, I hope they like it!
• I am thankful for the support I got on Twitter this morning. I rolled my infusion site off in my sleep and woke up well over 300. I needed to tell someone, so I told twitter! Thanks, DOC!

Seven Days of Thanks – Day 5

Today is my fifth day of thanks and I refuse to run out of things to be thankful for! I am so blessed.

• My wonderful and loving and supportive grandparents! I will miss them very much this weekend.
• I may have said this before, but I’m so thankful for my parents! They mean so much to me. They support me in every decision I make, even when I change my mind frequently! I love you, Mom and Dad! And I love our phone calls, and I cannot wait to see you next month.
• I am so thankful to have a warm coat, hat, and gloves with the sub-zero temps coming up here in Utah this week! There are so many who do not have access to proper clothing this time of year. If you have extra coats, or can afford to buy them, find a clothing bank or coat drive near you – it’s so important!
• I am very thankful that I do not have to pay for the propane to heat my house! THANK YOU, NPS, for giving me a free place to live and keeping me warm!
• I am so thankful that I have a wonderful person to talk to each evening, even if that person is across the country.
• I am so thankful for the opportunity to spend thanksgiving with some amazing people on Thursday – my neighbors have adopted me and they rock.
• I am thankful for all the opportunities this internship in Utah has offered me – I will leave Dinosaur in February with more skills than when I arrived, and six months of experience under my belt – and THAT, my friends, is what internships are all about!

I want to add 2 things:

1. Diabetes update: I had NO numbers above 200 today, according to Dexcom. I really think that tool is magic to my diabetes. I gotta figure this sensor issue out because I NEEDS IT!

2. Please stay safe this weekend! We’re supposed to get a blizzard overnight here in Utaloradoming land (That’s Utah/Colorado/Wyoming, like that?), and I can only imagine it’s headed east!

Much Love