Blood Sugar: 76
Continuing in my "I'm still behind on this" style...
The next blogging assignment is to talk about our biggest supporter. My biggest supporter, without question, is my husband, David. David and I have been together since 2002 and married in 2005. He has always been just what I needed whenever I needed it. When I finally decided to take control of diabetes instead of it controlling me, he was on-board for the endeavor. I struggled through new diabetes regimens and doctors...he was right there with me. I tried being reasonable with these doctors and I tried to accommodate the expectations that they set, but it became a bigger and bigger problem. Finally I decided to try to get on an insulin pump, I was connected with a doctor that wanted me on a pump too...I learned about carbs and counting them, I learned about managing blood sugars and taking better care of myself. I figured out how many blood tests I needed to take a day to achieve the proper numbers when I went to the doctor and David was right there with me for every terrifying step of the way. I love him for it. His support and involvement has really opened my eyes to how wonderful life can be and how lucky I am. It has also given me the confidence to be supportive of other insulin-dependent diabetics, including our 2 year old niece, who was recently diagnosed. I can be a comfort to her and have a wealth of information to share with her parents! It's amazing how things work out and the paths that open up for us when we choose to see the shiny side of the coin!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Making The Low Go
Blood Sugar: 103
Next up on the daily diabetes blog post...which is significantly behind like 4 days!!! The criteria calls for "your favorite way to treat a low." My favorite way to treat a low is to over-treat it apparently, because that is what I ALWAYS do. When I was young, I remember going low and stumbling to the kitchen and not being able to figure out how to make a sandwich or a bowl of cereal....Pesky lows that leave me confused and scared are my least favorite. I have a pretty decent low-tolerance and can fully function at 60, although I don't like letting it go there, but after 60 you just never know what's going to happen...You could find me lying in the kitchen floor wondering why I am there, or maybe looking at the bread and the bologna and trying to make that "thing with the bread and the bologna"...Yes, I've had that conversation with my husband.
Recently, my favorite fix is an overloaded bowl of Fruity Pebbles. I love Fruity Pebbles and I don't care who knows it, but I rarely eat them because I found that the serving size of the cereal rarely matches the serving size of the milk and the whole bowl just becomes a bitter disappointment...but when I'm low, I just pour cereal and milk until it almost doesn't fit in the bowl anymore! I also keep a stash of glucose tabs that I'm not afraid to use. A lot of people complain about the chalky taste, but I just call them candy and I'm fine. I especially like the fruit punch flavored ones from Wal-Mart and have heard that the sour apple kind found at Sam's Club is also tasty, so I'll have to check that out.
So with this kind of regimen going on, I can safely say that I have never treated a low blood sugar without a significant spike later...which is much easier to deal with now that I am on the OmniPod, but still a real pain in the butt.
Next up on the daily diabetes blog post...which is significantly behind like 4 days!!! The criteria calls for "your favorite way to treat a low." My favorite way to treat a low is to over-treat it apparently, because that is what I ALWAYS do. When I was young, I remember going low and stumbling to the kitchen and not being able to figure out how to make a sandwich or a bowl of cereal....Pesky lows that leave me confused and scared are my least favorite. I have a pretty decent low-tolerance and can fully function at 60, although I don't like letting it go there, but after 60 you just never know what's going to happen...You could find me lying in the kitchen floor wondering why I am there, or maybe looking at the bread and the bologna and trying to make that "thing with the bread and the bologna"...Yes, I've had that conversation with my husband.
Recently, my favorite fix is an overloaded bowl of Fruity Pebbles. I love Fruity Pebbles and I don't care who knows it, but I rarely eat them because I found that the serving size of the cereal rarely matches the serving size of the milk and the whole bowl just becomes a bitter disappointment...but when I'm low, I just pour cereal and milk until it almost doesn't fit in the bowl anymore! I also keep a stash of glucose tabs that I'm not afraid to use. A lot of people complain about the chalky taste, but I just call them candy and I'm fine. I especially like the fruit punch flavored ones from Wal-Mart and have heard that the sour apple kind found at Sam's Club is also tasty, so I'll have to check that out.
So with this kind of regimen going on, I can safely say that I have never treated a low blood sugar without a significant spike later...which is much easier to deal with now that I am on the OmniPod, but still a real pain in the butt.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
A Day In The Life...with Diabetes
Blood sugar: 104
The criteria was simple. Write a blog every day for seven days about the different aspects of diabetes and how it affects your life. Sounds simple enough. I saw this on another diabetes blog, so I'm a few days behind, but better late than never...so here it goes.
The first assignment was to take the reader through a "quick rundown of an average day and all the ways in which diabetes touches it." Sounds simple until you really think about it and realize that diabetes has it's nasty little finger on every moment of your day. For instance, let's talk purses. I'm a self-proclaimed over packer and over pack everything, every day. I carry a larger purse just so I can drop my little 'bag of supplies' into it. Would I carry a larger purse if I didn't have to accommodate my diabetes supplies? I can't answer that because I don't really remember a time before having to carry the extra supplies. Sure I would leave the house without checking and making sure that everything I needed was in there, but the fact remains that I still had a bag.
There's no time for random eating...birthday cakes, while not forbidden, are a real pain in the finger. I check my blood sugar, guess at the carb amount and eat the cake...but did I guess close enough to not have to pay for the cake later? It's a crap shoot...so while I cannot run down a list of times and activities, I can safely say that there is nothing typical about any day with diabetes. Each day has it's own learning curve and you just have to cope the best way that you know how to. And each day, you just get through it. Sometimes you are fighting lows and sometimes you are fighting highs, but in the end, it doesn't really matter as long as you keep fighting.
The criteria was simple. Write a blog every day for seven days about the different aspects of diabetes and how it affects your life. Sounds simple enough. I saw this on another diabetes blog, so I'm a few days behind, but better late than never...so here it goes.
The first assignment was to take the reader through a "quick rundown of an average day and all the ways in which diabetes touches it." Sounds simple until you really think about it and realize that diabetes has it's nasty little finger on every moment of your day. For instance, let's talk purses. I'm a self-proclaimed over packer and over pack everything, every day. I carry a larger purse just so I can drop my little 'bag of supplies' into it. Would I carry a larger purse if I didn't have to accommodate my diabetes supplies? I can't answer that because I don't really remember a time before having to carry the extra supplies. Sure I would leave the house without checking and making sure that everything I needed was in there, but the fact remains that I still had a bag.
There's no time for random eating...birthday cakes, while not forbidden, are a real pain in the finger. I check my blood sugar, guess at the carb amount and eat the cake...but did I guess close enough to not have to pay for the cake later? It's a crap shoot...so while I cannot run down a list of times and activities, I can safely say that there is nothing typical about any day with diabetes. Each day has it's own learning curve and you just have to cope the best way that you know how to. And each day, you just get through it. Sometimes you are fighting lows and sometimes you are fighting highs, but in the end, it doesn't really matter as long as you keep fighting.
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010...Can't Wait To See You
Blood Sugar: 156
Doing a lot of thinking today...many people are considering new year's resolutions and while I have things I want to change this year, I am looking at things from a whole new prospective. I seriously cannot see out of my left eye. It's cloudy and portions of my line of sight are blocked by blood that has collected in the vitreous lining of my eye.
So today, for me, is more about perspective than exact steps to change my ways of doing things. I have to re-evaluate my lifestyle and habits and have to come to some kind of resolution to change based on my future years on this earth instead of basing it on starting the new year on the right foot. Reality is dictating my steps versus desire...the harsh reality is that I could potentially lose my sight. It's something that has been said for the last 25 years, but it's real now. It's happening now. My decisions are based on my fears now instead of my desires...things are not the way that I want them to be. I don't want to face complications of diabetes and I don't want to change the way I do things. I am more suited to just roll with the punches instead of choreographing the steps. Whether that's good or bad is irrelevant...it's factual. My attitude has to change. I have to take the initiative and take control. I have to be actively checking my blood sugars and correcting the highs and stopping the lows. I have to make changes in my eating habits and come to grips with the reality that if I do not do these things, I won't be here for the many things that I want to be here for...more grandchildren, my step-daughter's wedding....retiring and growing old with my husband.
If I'd only known then, what I know now. If as a child I was more able to understand the impending complications that diabetes brings...if only I could be more accepting of things as they are because I've created them. How do you wrap your mind around such 'grown up' things when you are 8? You don't and you have to deal with the consequences of the choices you made when you were a child. I wish I still had that innocence and naivety that would be so wonderful right now...
Doing a lot of thinking today...many people are considering new year's resolutions and while I have things I want to change this year, I am looking at things from a whole new prospective. I seriously cannot see out of my left eye. It's cloudy and portions of my line of sight are blocked by blood that has collected in the vitreous lining of my eye.
So today, for me, is more about perspective than exact steps to change my ways of doing things. I have to re-evaluate my lifestyle and habits and have to come to some kind of resolution to change based on my future years on this earth instead of basing it on starting the new year on the right foot. Reality is dictating my steps versus desire...the harsh reality is that I could potentially lose my sight. It's something that has been said for the last 25 years, but it's real now. It's happening now. My decisions are based on my fears now instead of my desires...things are not the way that I want them to be. I don't want to face complications of diabetes and I don't want to change the way I do things. I am more suited to just roll with the punches instead of choreographing the steps. Whether that's good or bad is irrelevant...it's factual. My attitude has to change. I have to take the initiative and take control. I have to be actively checking my blood sugars and correcting the highs and stopping the lows. I have to make changes in my eating habits and come to grips with the reality that if I do not do these things, I won't be here for the many things that I want to be here for...more grandchildren, my step-daughter's wedding....retiring and growing old with my husband.
If I'd only known then, what I know now. If as a child I was more able to understand the impending complications that diabetes brings...if only I could be more accepting of things as they are because I've created them. How do you wrap your mind around such 'grown up' things when you are 8? You don't and you have to deal with the consequences of the choices you made when you were a child. I wish I still had that innocence and naivety that would be so wonderful right now...
Monday, December 14, 2009
She's Got Diabetic Eyes
Twenty-five years before the first signs of uncontrolled diabetes has reared it's ugly head. 2 surgeries on my hands last year and and now it's time to work on my eyes.
I noticed early last week some 'disturbance' in my vision. After educating myself, via WebMD, I found that these little things that were in my way had a medical term: floaters. It didn't sound too prestigious to me either. So I made an appointment with my family doc, because that's what WebMD said I should do. She was "very concerned". Now let me tell you what that said to me...Karin, we are going to have you see a specialist, but we are going to have to remove your eye. OK, so that's not WHAT she said, but that's what I heard. I made the appointment with the specialist at the office she recommended and went to see him today.
It wasn't a good visit...definitely not the way I wanted to start my relationship with a new eye doctor...I saw the first doctor and he said that I should just sit for a few and he'd send in the surgeon. Excuse me, did you say surgeon? Yes, yes he did. So in comes the surgeon and he repeats all the things the previous doctor had done. Problems, problems, problems. Everything that can go wrong with a diabetic's eyes is going on with one or both of mine. I'm reading the stuff, trying to find out about co-pays and what is and what is not covered by my insurance and I have my first appointment in the laser clinic tomorrow. I'm not really in the mindset to go into specific diagnosis and verbage right now. Right now, I'm scared. I'm scared of going blind. I'm scared I can't afford the payments for the treatments. I'm scared that I won't be able to work. I'm scared I won't be able to drive. I'm scared I won't be able to read my Bible. I'm scared I won't be able to watch my granddaughter grow up. I'm scared about so many things.
I don't know if anyone even reads my blog. I know that I don't faithfully write here, but maybe one day I won't be able to anymore. I just keep thinking about all the things that I could have done differently and then thinking about why God had this in His plan for me...and then I wonder why when I'm at one of the scariest points of my life, I sit and question the God that I want everyone else to believe in. Maybe this is about prioritizing the things in my life...maybe this is about setting an example...maybe this is about finding out if I am strong...maybe the reasons are not meant for me to know.
I noticed early last week some 'disturbance' in my vision. After educating myself, via WebMD, I found that these little things that were in my way had a medical term: floaters. It didn't sound too prestigious to me either. So I made an appointment with my family doc, because that's what WebMD said I should do. She was "very concerned". Now let me tell you what that said to me...Karin, we are going to have you see a specialist, but we are going to have to remove your eye. OK, so that's not WHAT she said, but that's what I heard. I made the appointment with the specialist at the office she recommended and went to see him today.
It wasn't a good visit...definitely not the way I wanted to start my relationship with a new eye doctor...I saw the first doctor and he said that I should just sit for a few and he'd send in the surgeon. Excuse me, did you say surgeon? Yes, yes he did. So in comes the surgeon and he repeats all the things the previous doctor had done. Problems, problems, problems. Everything that can go wrong with a diabetic's eyes is going on with one or both of mine. I'm reading the stuff, trying to find out about co-pays and what is and what is not covered by my insurance and I have my first appointment in the laser clinic tomorrow. I'm not really in the mindset to go into specific diagnosis and verbage right now. Right now, I'm scared. I'm scared of going blind. I'm scared I can't afford the payments for the treatments. I'm scared that I won't be able to work. I'm scared I won't be able to drive. I'm scared I won't be able to read my Bible. I'm scared I won't be able to watch my granddaughter grow up. I'm scared about so many things.
I don't know if anyone even reads my blog. I know that I don't faithfully write here, but maybe one day I won't be able to anymore. I just keep thinking about all the things that I could have done differently and then thinking about why God had this in His plan for me...and then I wonder why when I'm at one of the scariest points of my life, I sit and question the God that I want everyone else to believe in. Maybe this is about prioritizing the things in my life...maybe this is about setting an example...maybe this is about finding out if I am strong...maybe the reasons are not meant for me to know.
Monday, September 21, 2009
30 Things About My Invisible Illness
1. The illness I live with is: type 1 diabetes
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 1984
3. But I had symptoms since: I just recall the weeks leading up to it...
4. The biggest adjustment I've had to make is: having to plan every footstep so that I'm accommodating the demands of diabetes.
5. Most people assume: that I wouldn't have diabetes if I lost some weight.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: waking up with a blood sugar that is too high or too low.
7. My favorite medical TV show is: I used to watch HOUSE, but I saw that episode with the tape worm that was like 30 feet long and I lost my desire to tune in.
8. A gadget I couldn't live without is: my Insulin pump.
9. The hardest part about nights are: having low blood sugars in the middle of them.
10. Each day I take 2 pills & vitamins: I'm not really good about taking pills...but I'm very good at taking insulin.
11. Regarding alternative treatments: I don't think there really are any alternatives to insulin, but I'm open to suggestions and willing to be a guinea pig.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: How do you choose something like this...I'll stick with invisible and my type 1 because at least I know how to deal with it.
13. Regarding working and career: I am thankful that I am able to work because many illnesses leave people unable to.
14. People would be surprised to know: that diabetes affects each person differently and you can't compare one diabetic person to another when discussing food choices and treatment. The same things are just not right for everyone else.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: in 1984, it was not being allowed to eat Strawberry Shortcake cereal, but now, I think it's the harsh reality that I'm not going to live to be 90 because of all the damage I allowed diabetes to do to me while I was younger and ignoring it.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: I never thought I would live to graduate high school...uh, hello 30's! LOL
17. The commercials about my illness: they have commercials about my illness?
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: nothing now since I have a pump, but when I was younger there was a lot of issues about food choices and NO SUGAR...now it's about moderation and carb counting.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: hoping for a cure--thanks Kerri
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: I'm really into trying to get my blood sugar within range. I'm a complete failure, but I do get excited!
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: eat cheetos out of the bag and drink several fountain coca-colas from White Castle.
22. My illness has taught me: that no one's perfect and that's OK.
23. One thing people say that gets under my skin is: when they talk about how their grandma couldn't eat that or their uncle had to have both legs amputated...they are not me and I'm trying not to head there...
24. But I love it when people: ask me about my insulin pump and why I'm testing my blood sugar. I'm all about teaching and getting rid of the ignorance.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: it's just knowing that I'm not alone with this...there are other people that deal with the same things I do and that God is always with me.
26. When someone is diagnosed I'd like to tell them: that I'm here if they need me.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: that when you have a support team that gets involved, it makes it a little easier to deal with.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn't feeling well was: when David helped me check my blood sugar.
29. I'm involved with Invisible Illness Week because: well, I'm more involved with this questionnaire than anything...I didn't know it was a whole week thing.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: that you understand me and my invisible illness and little better and will take that knowledge and help someone else.
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 1984
3. But I had symptoms since: I just recall the weeks leading up to it...
4. The biggest adjustment I've had to make is: having to plan every footstep so that I'm accommodating the demands of diabetes.
5. Most people assume: that I wouldn't have diabetes if I lost some weight.
6. The hardest part about mornings are: waking up with a blood sugar that is too high or too low.
7. My favorite medical TV show is: I used to watch HOUSE, but I saw that episode with the tape worm that was like 30 feet long and I lost my desire to tune in.
8. A gadget I couldn't live without is: my Insulin pump.
9. The hardest part about nights are: having low blood sugars in the middle of them.
10. Each day I take 2 pills & vitamins: I'm not really good about taking pills...but I'm very good at taking insulin.
11. Regarding alternative treatments: I don't think there really are any alternatives to insulin, but I'm open to suggestions and willing to be a guinea pig.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: How do you choose something like this...I'll stick with invisible and my type 1 because at least I know how to deal with it.
13. Regarding working and career: I am thankful that I am able to work because many illnesses leave people unable to.
14. People would be surprised to know: that diabetes affects each person differently and you can't compare one diabetic person to another when discussing food choices and treatment. The same things are just not right for everyone else.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: in 1984, it was not being allowed to eat Strawberry Shortcake cereal, but now, I think it's the harsh reality that I'm not going to live to be 90 because of all the damage I allowed diabetes to do to me while I was younger and ignoring it.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: I never thought I would live to graduate high school...uh, hello 30's! LOL
17. The commercials about my illness: they have commercials about my illness?
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: nothing now since I have a pump, but when I was younger there was a lot of issues about food choices and NO SUGAR...now it's about moderation and carb counting.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: hoping for a cure--thanks Kerri
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: I'm really into trying to get my blood sugar within range. I'm a complete failure, but I do get excited!
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: eat cheetos out of the bag and drink several fountain coca-colas from White Castle.
22. My illness has taught me: that no one's perfect and that's OK.
23. One thing people say that gets under my skin is: when they talk about how their grandma couldn't eat that or their uncle had to have both legs amputated...they are not me and I'm trying not to head there...
24. But I love it when people: ask me about my insulin pump and why I'm testing my blood sugar. I'm all about teaching and getting rid of the ignorance.
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: it's just knowing that I'm not alone with this...there are other people that deal with the same things I do and that God is always with me.
26. When someone is diagnosed I'd like to tell them: that I'm here if they need me.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: that when you have a support team that gets involved, it makes it a little easier to deal with.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn't feeling well was: when David helped me check my blood sugar.
29. I'm involved with Invisible Illness Week because: well, I'm more involved with this questionnaire than anything...I didn't know it was a whole week thing.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: that you understand me and my invisible illness and little better and will take that knowledge and help someone else.
Friday, April 17, 2009
When Things Fall Apart
Blood Sugar: 182
Ok, so it didn't fall apart, we disassembled it. This is the interior of my pod. Who knew that you could fit all that stuff in the little thing I wear on my body that keeps me ticking? I think this is really an amazing piece of work. I guess this is my moment at 'art'! LOL I think the inner-workings of my pod is very symbolic of life with diabetes. It's a culmination of a million little things that make diabetes doable...livable. Every spring,screw, and piece of plastic has a purpose to fulfill in keeping me going...just like every blood test and every carb I count has a purpose to fulfill. Interesting, that something so complicated and intricate comess in a small plastic dome that I wear. Who knew?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)