Monday, October 31, 2011

The Three Amigos


I've had diabetes for 2 years and 8 months and have had my pump for 1 year and 4 months! Over the years I have found 'slang' for my diabetes related stuff - I guess it would be called, diabetes slang!    The people around me have sort of picked up on it because they seem to know what I am talking about.

But for those who haven't picked up on them I thought I'd take the time to give you a definition chart:

Check my Sugar:   Checking my blood (sugar)

Pump:  Insulin Pump

I'm High!!!!!!!!: My blood sugar is high

I need to bolus (not said often):  I need to take insulin

Ugh, low reservoir: I need to put more insulin in my pump

I NEED candy:  (Sometimes I just want candy)  But, usually:  My sugar is low!

These are just a few that come to mind, but more recently Vince has given a new 'diabetes slang' name to my three most used tools (minus the pump)   My Finger Pricker, My Meter and My case of sugar checkers (Okay there is another slang word...  Sugar Checkers are blood strips)

Vince has appropriately named these three things, The Three Amigos and I think it shall stick!  It all started with anytime we are out and I need assistance we count to three to make sure we have all the things I need.  Sugar Checkers, ONE, Finger Pricker, TWO, Meter, THREE!  Then we are good to go!


Kayla

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Halloween!


It's that time of the year again! Where we think it's okay to eat 1200 mini chocolate bars, but god forbid at any of the other time we buy a whole chocolate bar ... because then we have to say, "well, I did walk up the stairs in my apartment today, so I deserve it..."

The mini chocolates and small packages of candy seem to be okay no matter what, even if you haven't left your house all weekend and refuse to where nothing, but 'comfy pants'  either way it's that time of the year we can at least be guilt free until it's over then we will regret the candy, but maybe not that much because we did  have to walk around the block or at least to catch a cab right?


For me I find the little chocolate to be a little more of a challenge than eating just one normal size chocolate bar.  It seems that we set out to have a couple 'little' candies, but end up polishing off a box or bag.   But, beyond this there are SO many snacks at Halloween especially if you're at a party or hosting one.  Snacks Galore = Blood Sugar out of CONTROL.

But, we don't know yet because my Halloween festivities have not started until tonight!    I am really excited to have a good time and keep my blood sugar under control for the most part. Alcohol does lower blood sugar, so it may be good that Little Red Riding Hood will be carrying some candy in her basket tonight!


P.s   have you heard of the Fairy Tale Little Red Riding Hood, you know the girl with diabetes...


Kayla

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

7000!


Last night my blog reached 7000 individual views! I was really surprised at how fast it approached 7000 within an hour about 64 people read it making it hit 7000 around 11:30 p.m.    Now, an extra 50 have read it!  I guess I am still wrapping my head around the idea that people enjoy what I write and that writing about living with diabetes isn't just for diabetics, somehow I have managed to attract non-diabetics! Are these people envious that they don't have diabetes? Who wouldn't be?

For the past 2.5 years I have talked about everything there is to know about diabetes and how I deal with the big D.  It's not always easy, but it isn't that bad! There are so many type 1's out there that are doing the same daily routine as me and that very thought gives me the strength and courage to know that I can get by each day despite having diabetes.

Living with diabetes has become a part of my life as much as school and other things have.  I have had some pretty big changes occur in the past 2.5 years like moving away from home, going to college and then to University and even a break up of a long term relationship.  All of these changes have sent my life in different directions and despite that I have managed to come out smiling every single time.

I am proud of myself and it feels good to admit it.   I am proud that I have created this blog and that so many people have benefited from it. I am also proud of what I have achieved academically at Fanshawe and now at Western.  I think I am in still in shock that I am a Western student to begin with - I don't think I ever thought I would come so far.  I am proud of all the friends I have made and all of the life lessons I have learned! I am just proud!

I also want to give a big thank you to everyone who follows and reads my blog.  Without readers I wouldn't have kept this up.  With all kinds of positive comments and feedback I have managed to stick to this.

Thank you!

Kayla

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Accomplished!


Although it seems that the biggest dream of mine would be for a cure; I rarely think about a cure for diabetes.   It may some where down the road be possible it just isn't the first dream that I have for myself.    Diabetes does suck and every now and then when my pump is dangling from my bed or I need to readjust it or find somewhere to hide it, I think to myself, "It would be nice to not have to rely on something other than my body parts to keep me alive." 

The pump nonetheless can make you feel robot-like.   My robotic pancreas can dangle 23inches away from my body, smack into oncoming objects and hook on to doorknobs and handles.    Despite the pump being a pain, I know that it is beneficial to my health.   If they do find a cure or even a way to give insulin without me having to see, look, touch, or DEAL with it then that would be great.

In the meantime I have other dreams and wishes that I want in life.  I want to graduate from University, get married have children and a great job as well as do a bunch of amazing things in my life.  To add to that, I want to say I accomplished it all while living with diabetes and hey if they cure diabetes by the time I accomplish some of these things then I won't mind saying I accomplished some of this with diabetes and then I was cured and accomplished some more!  

Kayla 

Monday, October 24, 2011

Success with Diabetes


Diabetes hasn't always been a part of my life.  But, a huge part of me cannot imagine what it was like to live without.  I spent nearly nineteen years of my life diabetes free - wow, what an accomplishment!    I guess since diabetes has pretty much consumed my entire life I can't imagine knowing nothing about it.   The words, basal, bolus, prime, rewind, insulin and pancreas are common words in my everyday life and if you're a friend of mine chances are you're catching on to these terms as well (and if you're not a friend of mine, then Hello! Nice to meet you!)

I think it is safe to say that diabetes has managed to welcome itself into my home, my bed, my classroom and even in my bra!  For something I knew nothing about 2.5 years ago, I really have a lot of proof to show that I now have my Masters in Diabetes Education...or Diabetes Living.

My whole mindset has changed and my lifestyle has readjusted, but nonetheless I have proved that living with diabetes isn't a big deal. Yes, I've heard you can lose your leg or go blind, but those are the things that diabetes takes away from you, more people need to talk about what diabetes gives you like courage and strength...all of these poor diabetics being told that if they don't 'tighten' their blood sugar or else...why not give them the real life stories of success with diabetes!

Kayla

Friday, October 21, 2011

Explaining Diabetes


Living with diabetes we just know what it is all about, so when we have to explain something to someone it can get a little repetitive or even complicated to explain.  Add being low or high into the mix and you've really got a messy situation.   The past two nights my sugar has plummeted past 4.0 and both times I was with Vince who is still patiently learning about diabetes (even taking the time to do some research on his own).

Unfortunately though there is one misconception when my sugar goes low as much as I would love a feast it just isn't plausible considering I need something quick.  I think this is the biggest part of diabetes that confuses non-diabetics next to a couple other things, "omg you can eat sugar?" and the whole issue of what does insulin do lower your sugar or make your sugar higher?

Both times I have gone low he asked me if I wanted stuff like pasta, pizza basically a meal meanwhile I was stuffing cookies in my mouth agreeing to all of these food choices because every diabetic knows when you're low you're  HUNGRY!    I feel bad because I was also trying to explain that when my sugar drops I need something immediate and fast acting.   He then asked what that would be and I gave him a good list off the top of my head of what would be good.

Needless to say the next day he said to me, "I know where we keep the honey in the house now..."


Kayla

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Becoming Diabetic


It's mid October and I haven't wrote in awhile.  I don't really think it is because I have had nothing to say because let's face it, living with diabetes is part of living an eventful life. I have just been busy with school and I guess, a social life that I haven't been able to sit down and really press out my thoughts on the blog.  I feel in a way I have left a few people hanging, so I am going to try my hardest to keep on this.

My life with diabetes has been a little slacking. I am finding it harder and harder to be on the ball with my diabetes with everything else that is going on around me.  Thankfully the people in my life remind me daily of what diabetes entails and what I should do.   I have found myself what I like to think the guy I was looking for in my diabetes ad and so far he has been putting up with all the requirements to be a Type 3 Diabetic.

This kind of leads me to think that when you meet a diabetic in some way the non-diabetic must feel like they have themselves become diabetic in a sense.  The whole idea of keeping up to date with blood sugars and making sure that the unprepared diabetic is okay when the meter is lost or the pump rips out.   Vince even had a dream the other day he said, that he had a pump.   He laughed when he told me that in his dream he knew exactly how to use it and that he carried it on his arm like one of those iPod holders for the gym.  Somehow I have turned him diabetic!

Diabetes isn't just a disease for one person. It takes a lot of learning from people around you and the relationship you share with them is a little different than most.   For me, I have developed a lot of great relationships with people over the time that I have diabetes and even though some of those people are no longer in my life; I know that those who care about you take your disease into consideration 100% and I have been lucky enough to find all of those type of people!

Kayla