Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Sixty-Four


It was great to see how many people were in support of JDRF yesterday at Fanshawe. I know that most college students are barely getting by financially, yet many had at least a quarter to donate in support of Juvenile Diabetes.

In total yesterday Justine and I raised $64.00, which to me is amazing! If we hadn't found such an outlet this money would not have been made. In the process of collecting money, I met a few diabetics as well as a few family members of type 1's. It's great to know that diabetics are also getting involved since it is so easy to stick to the routine and not think about ways to break away or make change.

I know, since I put so much work into this table that any outcome at all shows that my time was worth while. I enjoyed making the posters with Clinton, so I really don't think of it as a waste of time by any means.

We have 3 Tuesdays left before the end of the semester and I am looking forward to seeing the end result!

I want to thank Justine Peltz for being such a great supporter and helping me run this table. Thank you!

Kayla

Monday, March 29, 2010

Give Back


I don't know if people realize how excited I am to have this opportunity this Tuesday because this means more to me than just having a table. Diabetes hasn't been a part of my life as long as being a normal baby, child and teenager has. I spent almost 18 years of my life not knowing what it was like to put my heart into something and believe in myself. Of course I had love for many people in my life as equal as today but I didn't have the passion that I do now.

Little things like scrap booking were a big part of who I was, and I did take pride in what I accomplished; however, I didn't look at my achievements as great ones. In fact a year plus ago if you were to ask me what I was good at, I would have sat there looking at you not knowing exactly what to say. If I thought of something I'd probably say that I was crafty as if being crafty wasn't anything to be proud of.

I didn't think I was good enough to go to university; therefore I failed to apply. I didn't believe that I had any skills that could be applied to anything practical. Where this lack of ambition and confidence came from, I don't know? But I do know that I am not the only one that went through something like this.

Where I am now in life is much different from where I was then which to me proves to anyone out there that if you put your mind to it you can achieve it. Like I stress, it took me a disease to figure this out but it doesn't have to be like that for you.

Thankfully I have confidence and ambition now and I have applied that to not only achieve good marks but to give back. I always think, man if only I could have all of these traits I gained from diabetes and just leave the diabetes behind but unfortunately that is not the way that it works.

Kayla

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Going Low at a Rock Show


Before I tell the story, it must be known that I should have been more prepared. I should have carried sugar with me but with the switch between purse and clutch it just didn't happen.

Yesterday Sam, Michelle and I went to go see Down with Webster at a bar in Brantford. To say the least it was a crowded mess. The concert although hectic was good. The bouncers by far 'tried' to have a handle on things but failed.

So what exactly is diabetes? Well I know and you know but just how many people don't really care. You would think that some type of training would have been made when handling someone in a medical emergency or was there training and this was just lack of understanding and caring.

Just before DWW played amongst the moshing, Sam, Michelle and I worked together to check my sugar. At 7.9 I knew that by the end of the 3 hour concert was only heading for a low. I knew that I had taken correctional insulin earlier and just had a gut feeling that I was going to be going low within an hour or so.

So I wasn't completely low when I needed a chocolate bar but I was definitely in no position to go find one. Stuck in the corner of the bar, around crazy people pushing one another there was just no way I could get by without losing my spot.

I told the bouncer I was diabetic and low, (a little stretch of the truth) he told me he couldn't do anything for me but escort me to the table where there would be food. So at this point do you wonder if he would have asked me if I needed medical attention? Well stop wondering because he didn't once ask me if I was a. okay or b. in need of medical attention. In fact he dumped me in a line to wait for a chocolate bar and said he would be right back.

This brings me to me point of not caring or not being understanding. Maybe I am being too hard on the poor mid 20's bouncer but frankly I don't believe that the situation was treated very well. The bouncers are more than happy to pull a drunk girl out of the crowd, but not so keen on helping a diabetic girl find food.

Thankfully I've got amazing friends who gave up their spot to find me. As for that bouncer, he never did come back.

This only gives me more reason to write. How could 300 000 Canadians live with type 1 diabetes and half the population not care or give a helping hand. Is it that diabetes isn't a disease you can depict from just looking at someone. I do not look ill therefore I am not ill.

Whatever the case it will be my goal to let people know that diabetes isn't a walk in the park or something you can just deal with or get over. Yes, it's manageable but since when is it not an emergency.

Kayla

Friday, March 26, 2010

Good Days


You know those days when you just feel lucky, you may wake up and think this is going to be a good day or something occurs early in the day that makes you believe it will be a great day. Sometimes I have days like this but ultimately I wonder why we don't feel like this every day.

When you think about it; each day is a new day. We can't go back to tomorrow but we can easily make today a lucky or great day. I am lucky to be healthy, in college and have amazing support, many people don't have either one of these things.

I know we easily sink into bad days the first time something goes wrong but I am trying hard to get rid of those bad days. It's okay to be upset or get mad but I want to be able to realize just how lucky I am and it is not worth the upset.

I'll admit sometimes diabetes gets the best of me. I get frustrated and angry about having to deal with this extra baggage that I definitely didn't ask for. It's not fair for anyone to get a disease that they could not prevent. It is not fair that I have a million other things to think about and on top of that I have to be careful of a million other plus things. But what use is it to rant about why it's not fair.

If I spend the days wondering why I was given diabetes I could drive myself nuts. If we spend hours punishing ourselves for doing poorly on a test or spends weeks mad at our friends we are simply missing out on the days that we only get once.

I am not saying that from now on I won't 'waste' time away boggling my mind on stupid arguments but I am going to try hard to eliminate this unnecessary stress on my life.

Kayla

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Toonies!


I am so excited to share that I will have a table set up in Forwell Hall at Fanshawe College to collect money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation!

This table will be there every Tuesday until the end of the semester and all the money will go directly to the JDRF. I am excited because I have never took on a project like this before and I am looking forward to organizing it and raising a lot of money for diabetes.

This reassures me to never give up because I could easily have sat back and collected money just through friends and family. I find it extremely exciting to be able to do something like this. Like I was saying to Clinton, raising money helps me reach goals that I have set for myself, just like he sets goals in hockey.

I will keep everyone updated in how my table does. But besides the table I have also created a group on Facebook called, Toonies for Diabetes which allows anyone on Facebook to donate a toonie to the JDRF. So far I have made 100 dollars for the JDRF from this group!

Kayla

Monday, March 22, 2010

Make Change


After joining various diabetic groups on Facebook I have come to realize that there are a lot of diabetics out there that need support more than anything. I feel like a lot of diabetics are confused and not okay with their disease.

One diabetic guy that I met said that he was going to have to start reading from the start of my blogs because there was no way that I was this positive about diabetes from the start. I had to tell him that unfortunately if he was looking for negative blogs they would be rare.

I realize that everyone takes things differently and honestly I cannot tell you why or how I have maintained being so positive about diabetes. I do have bad days but so does everyone else but there is never a constant time period where I just give up or complain about my diabetes.

It's important to me to get across the message that diabetes is hard but manageable and with diabetes comes a lot more lessons than living a regular life. There are so many things to be learned when dealing with diabetes and at times it can be overwhelming but in the end you have so much life experience and knowledge to make change.

I really wish that those living with diabetes are able to find the support that is needed. Of course there are days where I say, "Diabetes sucks!" but in the end I cannot let that mentality take over me.

It is and has been my mission to make sure I can reach out to as many diabetics as possible. I want them to know that support is there and diabetes is manageable. This is my dream and I will do everything in my power to make change.

Kayla

Friday, March 19, 2010

Learning about Pumpin'



Today I had an appointment at the diabetes education clinic in Brantford! I was excited to go to my appointment because I hadn't been in a very long time. To me, having such a great support system there is important and makes it a lot easier to share any problems are issues that I am having in comfort.

Today we mostly talked about the pump since I have made a choice to start insulin pump therapy this summer. My therapy starts in June and my nurse says that I may be well on my way by the end of June! I am really excited to go through this experience and be able to share it with everyone since I know going on the pump is a really big challenge.

For anyone who has no idea what an insulin pump is, I can briefly explain. The insulin pump is a small device that is around the size of a pager or a little bit bigger. The pump is worn outside of the body so there isn't any surgical procedure or anything of that nature. Basically the pump delivers insulin through a plastic tube. You have to insert the plastic tube yourself in a site like your stomach or butt. The site can be the same for about 2-3 days and then you have to change sites. The pump mimics the pancreas by giving you insulin constantly and precisely.

I hope I explained it throughly! Considering I really don't know everything about it. I did get to put a site into a fake stomach today, so I can say that I have put one in, but not on myself yet!

Soon enough I'll be pumpin! I just can't wait!

Kayla

Thursday, March 18, 2010

One Big Worry


I've made it through one of the most hectic weeks yet of college. I am home one day early because I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow; however, I have had to cram two weeks into four days so I don't mind the day off.

This week seemed like task after task. Whether it was writing an essay, doing an assignment or doing a midterm, either way I had my hands full of chores. My sugars have not been cooperative this week and I believe it is due to this crazy schedule. I have been rather higher than usual yet eating the same things.

I often think whether or not this would be easier without diabetes. Of course it would be one less thing to worry about but I know on the other hand I may not be where I am without diabetes.

I lived almost nineteen years diabetes free. Pretty much lived without a health concern or in fact any concern at all. I didn't worry about what I was really eating and I didn't even think about the chance of fainting, getting dizzy or feeling sick. However, as a teenager I did have worries like everyone does.

The things I worried about was what to wear and looking good, stupid problems that I still worry about every now and then but don't stress over. With diabetes I have learned that those problems are minor and of course every now and then I am going to pull out every single shirt that I have but in the end there are much bigger issues out there.

I never had to worry about diabetes and school. This entire college experience was new to me this year and matched with diabetes I have learned so many more lessons beyond psychology, sociology and English.

I will never know what it is like to do college without diabetes but I can't guarantee myself that if I didn't have diabetes that I would even be where I am today or doing as well as I am doing. Diabetes gives me strength and courage unlike no other worry I have had before.

Even though diabetes is one big worry it's a bunch of other things and that's why I am the person I am today.

Kayla

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

March 16th


This is where it all began. A year ago today I let everyone know what I had been up to the past week but slowly it turned into informing everyone about what I was doing each and every day. Who knew it was was a start to something big.

My simple updates became more than just updates. Slowly my writing became words of inspiration to some when to me they were just my own thoughts and experiences. I began to realize that what I had started was never going to end, rather I was going to take this opportunity with open arms and make something of it.

My first note was on March 16th 2009, and I quote, "Since everyone is asking, which is so understandable, I thought I would sum it all up on a little note," I laugh now because it turned out to be one little note after another.

As the notes increased so did the readers, or at least I think so. It's hard to tell who reads my blogs or not since there is no way of knowing but every now and then I get a message from an unexpected reader that totally makes me smile and glad that I do what I do.

It's crazy to look back at 215 notes and think about how much I have changed and learned in the past year. I am so glad that I have been able to share it with all of you and I appreciate everyone for taking the time to read them.

Kayla

Sunday, March 14, 2010

What's Next?


Yesterday was an absolutely amazing time spent with two wonderful people. It was important to me that my one year of diabetes was celebrated but most of all that it was celebrated with people that have supported me throughout the entire process.

Unfortunately Clinton is in Florida so I didn't get to see him last week or this week but I will be sure to make sure he knows how much I appreciate his support and dedication to our relationship. To me it's important not only to celebrate my achievements but also what other people have done for me in the past year. Giving my family a bouquet of flowers cannot even begin to show them how much I appreciate their support and unconditional love.

Yesterday Michelle and Sam came to my residence to help me celebrate. Michelle brought me cute pink flowers while Sam brought me 5 amazing balloons! It was such an amazing time because we have had such an amazing friendship over the past 2 years.

I want to thank everyone for their support. Let this second year of diabetes begin! What's next!

Kayla

Saturday, March 13, 2010

One Year Later


Here I am a year later after being diagnosed. I would have never guessed I'd be where I am today, and I definitely would have never imagined what I would have accomplished in 365 days. It's visible in my scrapbook that I've made good progress with my diabetes but beyond that it's visible how much closer I have become with my friends and family.

A year ago I was not who I am now. Sure I looked relatively the same but I was just not in the same place. 2190 finger pokes and 1463 needles later and I am doing alright but better yet I've become mature, adventurous, fearless and inspired. The list of adjectives could go on forever.

It hasn't been quiet a year for the blog, not until March 16th, however I can't believe how many notes I have managed to write. I am happy that I have been able to help so many different people diabetic or not. Please if you're reading this know that I appreciate your dedication and support whether I know you're reading it or not I am glad that I can share my story with you.

Diabetes is not just a disease it's a journey. I am never going to give up this fight and when it is cured I will be thankful of the learning experience that I have gained from it. I am looking forward to the blog that announces that I, along with 300, 000 other type 1's are cured.

I have had ups and downs like no one can believe. I have cried tears of pain and sadness but I have also smiled more than ever before. I have experienced friendship bonds that can never be broken and also have felt alone. Diabetes has brought me along a journey unlike no other but I would never change a thing.

To anyone that knows me, they know I embrace diabetes. Just like we proudly state, I AM CANADIAN, I will gladly let you know I AM DIABETIC. I have used my disease in a way to teach lessons but not only to teach lessons to others but to teach myself to be a better person.

Diabetes isn't for everyone, that could explain why not everyone gets it. But diabetics work with what they're given and make the most of it, and for those who don't I can only hope to reach them in time. Life is precious.

It's been a crazy year and I couldn't have done it without the amazing people that have supported me. Every single one of you.

This coming year I am going to live a little more, push myself a little harder and I can only hope but to inspire a more people. I will never give up. Never.

Kayla

Friday, March 12, 2010

Reaching Our Goal


Raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is important to me. It's not only going to bring a cure closer to me but to over 300, 000 Canadians living with type 1 diabetes. As more and more technology is discovered to help change the lives of diabetics it is truly exciting to think what is next.

I am lucky to have such great people around me who are eager to raise money for JDRF. It shows me how much a cure means to them as well. For some of them it would also mean curing not only me but their father, neighbour or even themselves.

This year Team KK is ready to take on the challenge of raising $3500 which is $1936 more than we raised last year. Reaching our goal is incredibly important for us and without the supporters we would never be able to reach it.

I realize that a lot of people have other things to do and money saved for other things but any amount of money makes a difference!
Kayla

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Clueless


A year today I didn't know what the future held for me. I didn't know how much my life was about to twist and turn. If we were to go back to March 11th 2009, two days previous to being diagnosed I was in a much different place, physically and mentally.

I was absolutely clueless. Clueless! I hadn't even gone for blood work at this point yet I was drinking litres of liquids and visiting the washroom almost every half hour. Not everyone was clueless however at this point. My mom had an idea and I am sure she was just waiting for the day that I'd be diagnosed at this point.

In two days I will celebrate my one year anniversary of being diagnosed. Anyone who knows me knows that I wouldn't let this day go down without a little bit of a celebration. What am I celebrating you may be questioning? I am celebrating happiness, health and achievement.

I am happy with all of the amazing people that I have met thus far and my blogs have made it that much easier to connect with diabetics all around the world!

A year ago today I was clueless that soon I'd be a diabetic. But today I am very aware and living every moment of it with strength and inspiration.

Kayla

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Lead the Way


So when life knocks you down you have to brush off your knees and get back up again.
You have to look ahead and not behind you.
You have to remember but move on.
You have to have no fear but you can be scared.
You have to know that there are people there for you.
You can't pretend that nothing is wrong, yet you can't live as if everything is wrong.
You can't change who you are.
You just can't.

I may have just jotted down those quick 8 thoughts in a matter of minutes but I have been thinking about them this past week. Since I have had time off after being in the hospital it's hard not to think about where this past year has taken me. Although in a short 4 days I will have had diabetes for a year it seems as if I may have had this disease for my entire life. Yet at times it feels like just yesterday that I was diagnosed.

I begin with saying when life knocks you down you have to brush your knees off and get back up again. Life took me right off my feet a few times and it's been hard to get back up I must admit. But some how with amazing support I've managed to carry on without having the speed bumps completely stop me from continuing on. I know that I am not the only one who deals with heartache, anger, pain, sadness and confusion. I know for a fact that there are people out there who have so many things to worry about beyond their control that I can only wish I could help them with. It's important that we all realized that we all go through these hurdles and we need to be there for one another even if that means lending a hand to help someone up.

I have to look ahead and not behind. My past incident did indeed scare me, but I cannot let that past incident stop me from looking ahead. I cannot be afraid of what is to come because the future is unwritten and if it is written we at least don't have permission to see the script. I will have scary moments to come and I know my life won't be a complete walk in the park but I cannot let the past scares predict what my future is. I am strong enough to lead the way.

Even though we cannot live in the past we cannot forget what has happened. Diabetes happened to me, it will always be 'happening to me' and what it brings to me along the way will only make me a stronger person, a stronger diabetic. What happens in life is strange, but it is also a bunch of lessons. Take the lessons and move on.

Don't fear the future. It's okay to be scared but you cannot have fear. We are all strong individuals who are scared of being hurt and taking risks but we can all conquer those battles with support from our family and friends. Be fearless.

Diabetes has given me the chance to build amazing relationships with my friends and family. I can personally guarantee every single one of you that there are people that are unconditionally there for you. Just know that you are not alone.

Things in life go wrong all the time, no one that I know of lives a perfect life, although it may look like it from afar. Things will go wrong all the time, nothing works out to be perfect but it's those little imperfections that make the moments more special and memorable. Some things will not work out but that doesn't mean nothing wont.

You can't change who you are. You are who you are. I am a diabetic but that's not only who I am. I have found myself through my disease and everyone can find themselves through different changes in their life. In the end you cannot be someone you're not. You have to work with it.

One simple incident has changed my entire life. It has made me appreciate my health and think about that special things in life that have made me who I am. I have realized just how fragile life can be.

Kayla

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Monday Morning


Early Monday morning I woke up with a stomach ache around 1:30 a.m and I took Gravol thinking that it would take away my stomach ache so that I could go to sleep, for I had a midterm that day. Unfortunately about an hour and a half later, 3:00 a.m I realized the Gravol wasn't working and the pain in my stomach was only getting worse. Slowly I got out of bed, put my glasses on and went over to my desk to check my blood sugar. Before I knew it the room was spinning, I remember looking at the phone and it was just one big blur.

After that I don't recall what my motive was. I don't know if I was going to get help or if I was going to try and lay down. Either way I crashed down to the ground hitting the left side of my head off the hard door. After waking up I came running out of the room to get help. Thankfully Olivia was awake with her door open so she came to my rescue!

It was definitely scary and I am glad that Olivia was there. After checking my sugar I was at a 6 which is considered to be normal. I also checked and saw that my blood did go through my meter before I fainted which was 5.6. The scary part about that is that my sugars were completely normal yet I had this incident.

I called my mom as soon as things settled down and she immediately wanted to come get me from London and bring me to Brantford. At this time I was pretty stable so I was okay to drive home with my mom. In Brantford, my mom dropped me off at emergency and took my sister home. I was checked into emergency and stayed in a bed for about 6 hours while they ran tests. They didn't find anything wrong in my blood and my sugars were stable.

For now I am resting at home. My mom believes I have the flu and therefore I am taking sometime off school. It's really hard to be off school right now because it is a very busy week, but I know that if I am not well than there really is no point being there.

This was definitely a scare and I just have to make sure I don't let something like this stop me from achieving my dreams. I can't have fear.

Kayla

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Buy That Bikini!



Since I will begin pump therapy soon I have started to think more about my health. I always have had an interest in fitness and eating healthy and I would say that I am pretty good at following a schedule if I put my mind to it.

On average I probably eat healthier than most people my age in college. I don't eat late night McDonald's or overindulge in chips. In fact I rarely ever eat Fast Food unless it's Subway. But it's time to narrow things down and put some more nutrition into my meals.

Being at school, it's hard to maintain eating healthy for every single meal. I don't have an oven in my suite so a lot of stuff is pretty quick and easy to make. I find that there is a lot of variety out there ;however, that you can do with a little budget and limited supplies.

At home before coming to school I made some low carb blueberry muffins. They are only 12 grams of carbs and 2 grams of fibre not to mention only 70 calories. Now, they don't taste like any muffin from Tim Horton's but they aren't too bad!

As far as fitness goes I am going to try and start running here. My friend Justine has offered to begin running since the weather is looking much better. Hopefully between running on campus and eating right I will be healthier in no time.

Going on the pump isn't the only reason that I want to get in better shape. I more so want to be happy and energetic. Confidence is beautiful and the only way that I know I can achieve that is through a healthy diet and exercises regime. Anyone can do this!

I will be sure to document my triumphs. First being, accomplishing a rocking climbing wall that I didn't think I could do. Yes, there were almost tears but I pushed myself (with a little pressure from below, Clinton) and did it. This is a fitness challenge that I took head on and accomplished. There will be many more to come.

So if you're interested try this lifestyle out with me. Push yourself! Buy that bikini you always wanted and work towards feeling confident in it. It's not about the numbers in the scale, it's about how you feel.

The pump isn't an excuse to get in shape but it's an accomplishment to works towards. The healthier I am, the better fit I will be with my pump and the more successful I will be with my diabetes.

Kayla

Friday, March 5, 2010

Brant News


Yesterday I was featured in Brant News. It was an amazing opportunity to let the rest of Brantford know what I am up too .

With only a week and one day left before the anniversary of my diagnosis it was a great way to finish my first year of diabetes. With countless amounts of personal achievements I am happy with the way the year has past by.

The title in Brant News was, "Living Life to the Fullest," and personally I couldn't have named it better myself. This is more than just diabetes this is a complete lifestyle. I am truly dedicated to working with this disease not against it and with that comes dedication to my future, friends and family.

There are people out there living with diabetes that believe there is no support. There are people that believe that they are the only ones. I want to be there for them all to show that there is support and you're not alone.

Thank you to Brant News for giving me the opportunity to share my story and thank you to all the readers that have given me strength and motivation.

Kayla

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Don't Hide


It's a debatable topic that Clinton and I have discussed from time to time. I am quite sure that those who read this note will have their own personal opinion as well. It is the topic of where is an appropriate place I should give myself needles and check my sugar.

Personally, I believe that I have every right to give myself my medication at any given time or place. Okay, so there will be times when it is completely uncalled for (maybe) but the majority of the time being in public with diabetes shouldn't be a problem, should it?

This disease is pretty scary to people who are unfamiliar with it. Needles are a major fear, in fact it's called Trypanophobia, where a person has an extreme fear of medical procedures that involve injections. Not everyone fears needles to this extreme but a lot of people just can't stand to look.

So that's what I am thinking, don't look! None of us diabetics choose our disease. We didn't wake up one day asking for our pancreas to step aside so we can give insulin ourselves. We are people just like everyone else.

Not only can I bring fear to people through my needles but I can also scare people with my blood that I squeeze out of my fingertips. It seems as if diabetics cannot win in pleasing the people around them.

To be completely honest, half the time people do not even notice that I have given myself insulin or checked my blood sugar. Usually the people around me have already consumed half their meal by the time I have picked up my fork to begin.

I guess the argument is whether or not it's okay to do it in front of children, strangers or at a nice dinner. Strangely I don't believe that this issue is about manners; however, maybe some people do.

Clinton asked me if I give myself needles when I babysit or if I am working at the daycare and I said, of course! Clinton seemed a bit puzzled by this but I never even thought twice about hiding diabetes from children.

Type 1 diabetes also effects young, young children and most likely the children that I am exposing my diabetes to knows someone with the disease or will eventually meet someone along their life path with it. Perhaps their Grandma and Grandpa check their sugar every now and then. My reasoning is that it is usually very discreet, the needle is barely noticeable and the blood sample is less than that that comes from a picked scab. Children have seen needles and blood before, it's unlikely that they have never fell or gotten a medical shot at some point in time. The more we expose to children the more life experiences they can learn from it.

I always give myself insulin/check my blood in public whether it be in the classroom or at the mall. To me I don't see the point of finding a public bathroom to do something that takes about 2 minutes or so. I realize that people are always curious and if they aren't they simply won't be looking my way.

At a nice dinner such as the dinners I attended on the last cruise I was on I gave myself insulin right at the table. I was with family and my uncle who also gave himself insulin at the table, so it wasn't as big of a deal but all in all I bet nobody even thought twice about it.

We don't have people check their wheelchairs at the front doors of buildings. We don't prohibit people from setting their weekly pill organizer on kitchen tables and we don't find it rude or unmannerly for someone to expose scars from cancer procedures. There are people living in this world with countless numbers of illnesses and diseases. People with glasses, hearing aids, braces, pace makers, insulin pumps and canes. It may be something that interests, disturbs or shocks people but in the end what you have is a part of you and don't let anyone tell you to hide it.

Kayla

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Living Like Me


It's hard to explain how great of a feeling I have when I am surrounded support. I have never been in a room full of people, some strangers, that were so friendly and interested in one another.

Last night I went to the Brantford Best Western for a presentation by Endocrinologist, Dr. Amish Parikh and Olympian Chris Jarvis. It was amazing to be around people that are living just like me because honestly when you're surrounded by non-diabetics you never truly feel like they understand completely. As I looked around the room and saw other diabetics, young and old I knew that their schedule was similar to mine.

The doctor really gave me some clear information about my diabetes that better helped me understand the insulin pump. Since the majority of people there had insulin pumps it was a perfect opportunity to pick up some information since I start therapy on March 26th 2010.

In particular the lady behind me was a mother of a type one that was on the pump. We both agreed that the concerns of the pump are different for everyone. Personally, my concern was wearing it all the time and what would I do in a dress? Thankfully those questions have been answered and I definitely have been reassured.

Chris Jarvis was very inspiring, for he proves that you can do anything with diabetes. Despite his University coach saying that he couldn't row because of his diabetes, he ended up making it to the Olympics!

Among all the diabetes there was someone in particular that showed me unconditional support, and this particular person was right beside me. Clinton came with me and once again looked more like the diabetic than I did. He was so interested in everything and even began to ask Chris more about his pump. Secretly I think Clinton wishes he could get one too!

Clinton has come to pretty much every event/symposium that I have attended and we are also going to another one next Tuesday. Even though Clinton doesn't have to worry about checking his sugar or giving himself insulin he acts as if he does which gives me the confidence that I will always have someone right by my side.

I will never be able to express how much it meant for him to be there beside me and buying him a double/double from Tim Hortons wasn't clearly enough but he enjoyed it. Thank you Clinton.

In conclusion the day was absolutely amazing and inspiring. I love going to events for diabetes because you can really hang out with a bunch of people that are just like you. I have never truly belonged to a club or team but now I have more than I could have ever asked for.
Kayla

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

One Touch


Thanks to One Touch it's pretty easy to collect all of their mini meters. Reason being is that they come in so many different colours and who doesn't want to have one in every colour. I don't remember if I have told the story about my ideal pink meter but I will tell it now: Just before being diagnosed I saw one of those One Touch Ultra Mini commercials, the one with all the different colours swirling around. For some odd reason I said that I would get a pink one if I ever had diabetes. Strangely enough it wasn't too long after that, that I was diagnosed and guess what? I got a pink one.

Since I have managed to collect a pink, green and purple one it's okay when I forget one somewhere as long as they are not all left in one place. On Sunday Clinton and I went skating and I packed my meter in with my skates, unfortunately after skating I decided to leave my skates at Clinton's house which means that I also left my meter there.

Okay, so I did remember I left it as I reached the end of his street but I knew that he went inside to bed and I knew that I had one back at home. Conveniently enough I had not only my pink meter at home but also my Nano (which I find too technical to use for some reason) so in the end I wasn't too worried about lack of equipment.

One thing about being diabetic is that you must always have back ups. Extra needles in your purse, a second pack of strips and in my case many meters in different colours.

Kayla