Thursday, December 23, 2010

Hammer Down


Tis' the season to eat lots and lots of carbs. We are faced with treats that only come out once a year and anyone who can resist those type of treats just are not living! I know that I cannot resist eating sugary treats and even though people tell me I cannot have those or should not have those - I just cannot resist!

Today, I had my D.E.C appointment at the Brantford General Hospital and of course like always, it went well. My a1C is higher than last time, and unfortunately I lost the challenge against Mitch. But hey, I was honeymooning for awhile and now it's time to focus hard on my diabetes and beat him next time. Hey Mitch, can I treat you to some doughnuts? haha!

As I left the appointment I began to think about my diabetes and how far it has brought me. I also thought about how I can really turn my diabetes into a chance to really get to know my body. I can download charts from my pump that give me all the details about my blood sugars, highs, lows and even site changes. This is all important because you can see patterns and with that - you can make change to improve.

Now, it's going to be a little hard to start hammering down even more now since I mentioned there are a lot of goodies this time of year - but I know that I can improve - like always and start focusing on how I can be the perfect pancreas for myself.

That will be the greatest gift to myself.

Kayla

Monday, December 20, 2010

Cell Phone


I was told that once I get the pump, many people will think that it is a pager or cell phone. I am sure a lot of people of thought that, but only twice have I been 'told' it was a phone. Today at the daycare a little girl asked if she could see my cellphone - and I was confused, knowing that I had no cell phone on me.

Then it hit me, my pump was hanging from my back pocket and I knew that the little girl had mistaken my purple pump for a purple cell phone. Once I let her know that it wasn't a cell phone; rather, something that gave me medicine. Everyone seemed intrigued by the device that I had on!

It's funny because I know a lot of adults have the same interest that these children do, yet no one wants to ask. Personally, I don't mind explaining my diabetes or pump - and love to spread the word about diabetes and what I have been doing to make a difference.

So be curious! There is nothing wrong with it!

Kayla

Friday, December 10, 2010

Winter Wonderland


Well, I haven't really had the time or chance to update. In this long stretch of time many of things have occured and really should be noted. First off, I am currently in the North Pole a.k.a London, Ontario. With more snow than anyone really knows what to do with - even school was closed for three days - now when does this ever happen for post secondary . . . well rarely and if you could see the mountain like snow piles and snow piled high on the roof tops - you'd understand.


So unfortunatly or fortunatly I was stuck at home away from all the snow - I had an extended weekend during what was supposed to be exam week. This would have been a great time for studying, but unfortunatly I had NO NOTES and beyond studying, I HAD NO SUPPLIES for my pump.


I had run out of all stashes I had saved for just in case of an emergency and even though I wasn't panicking my mom was! I wasn't really sure how long it would be until I got back to London. Thankfully Jen, a helpful diabetic gave me an idea to prolong my pump.


So, I made the trek back to London on Wednesday. The ride there is a completely different chapter, but let's just say I am glad that I brough extra snacks, juice, meter and a long playlist.
But now I am safe and sound and staying with the Maheu's!

I know now that if I am going to come home in the winter I need to bring lots and lots and lots of extra supplies....

Kayla

Thursday, December 2, 2010

It's that time of Year!


Okay, diabetics it's that time of year again!

December has arrived and as the malls get busy, and invitations to Christmas parties pile up; diabetics everywhere are dreading some aspects of this delightful occasion! Why? well it's not for all the reasons that non-diabetics are thinking, here's the list:

1. It's time to eat treats full of sugar - we are diabetic not dead; therefore, pies, chocolates, candy canes, squares, chocolate chip cookies, egg nog, punch, dates, mints, m&ms, gingerbread men, sugar cookies, rum balls, chocolate truffles, shortbread cookies, cheesecake, cupcakes, and brownies are NOT OUT OF BOUNDS. I'd personally say that the most asked question of all time is, "Can you eat this?" or "You can't have this right?" - well sorry to say, but I can have anything - and most likely will have everything!

2. Now to go along with the first statement - yes we can eat all that stuff and to the crowd we will appear just as non-diabetic as all the other guests as our plates pile high. However, yes we are going to have to get our pump trigger fingers ready and apologize ahead of time to the tips of our fingers. Even though we enjoy the foods everyone enjoys - we must be ready to pump or inject like there is no tomorrow. Bolus, Bolus, Bolus - personally, it's worth it.

3. You will be given sugar free candy. Unless you've told people that sugar free candy is a. gross or b. makes you sick, chances are you will be getting a nice bag of sugar free Reese Cups or sugar free Hershey bars - let me tell you two things - they are gross and they will make you sick.

4. Finally, the stress of the holiday - all that shopping, wrapping and waiting in large lines can cause your sugar to either go up or down. If you're like me, your sugar will go down, but you will be in luck because there are so many treats waiting for you to eat. If your sugar is bound to go up, than you are out of luck and will have to remember to bolus before shopping.

Other than these four things - Christmas is a wonderful time for diabetics and non-diabetics!

Kayla