tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81911284005240197062024-03-06T22:34:37.608-05:00Kayla's Life NotesKayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.comBlogger1019125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-89808442329401573082023-11-04T08:55:00.002-04:002023-11-04T09:04:37.450-04:00Diabetes Awareness Month - Two Messages<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;">It has been awhile since I last blogged, and in the year (and a couple months) a lot has happened!</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;">Reviving the blog during diabetes awareness month in order to spread awareness (of course!) but continue to share my growth, hiccups and life changes along the way.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;">As many people know, I started this blog just after diagnosis in 2009. I was freshly out of high school by a year, and was in between stages of my life - High school and Post Secondary. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I knew that life was going to be different after that diagnosis. I knew no longer could I eat without a thought (how many carbs, what will this do to my blood sugar, did I bolus correctly?) and that once seemingly simple things wouldn’t be as simple anymore. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;">Flash forward 13 years later, and here we are. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In this time, not once can I think of when diabetes did not allow me, instead it sometimes acted as a motivation to press on anyways. Don’t get me wrong, diabetes made sure it provided enough challenges for me along the way, but I can confidently say I have not let it discourage me. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;">Since last blogging, I have gotten pregnant, had a successful and mainly uneventful pregnancy and had another healthy baby boy. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Now as a busy mom of two boys now, currently on maternity leave with one in school and one depending on me night and day, diabetes sometimes takes a back seat. Never enough to worry me, but there are times I forget to bolus, that’s for sure! </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;">I guess for diabetes awareness month, my two messages are short and sweet (no pun intended!). First, be aware of the signs and symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Common symptoms are frequent urination, blurry vision, extreme thirst and weight loss. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;">Second, if you are diagnosed with diabetes or someone you love is diagnosed with diabetes, know that despite challenges, it is possible to do all things you set your heart on. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;">Hopefully, I’ll blog sooner than later again, but in the meantime, I’ll be over here making school lunches, changing diapers, and trying to remember to bolus. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 16px;">Kayla </span></p>Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-42574518849607877622022-09-01T09:34:00.005-04:002022-09-01T09:34:48.126-04:00Curious Minds <p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px;">For all of my life, I’ve spent time around children.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px;">When I was old enough to babysit I began to watching the neighbourhood kids. Word spread and I began watching family friends of friends children.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px;">I also worked a short time at a daycare. Eventually when I moved away from home in 2009, it wasn’t long before I was once again finding babysitting jobs across my new city. It was honestly a great side job while in post secondary and I was able to make enough for that to be my income for all the fun stuff you spend your money on in University (i.e groceries, vodka cranberries and clothes from the mall).</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px;">I began nannying shortly after graduation for a couple years until I was able to settle into a career (that is not child care related).</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px;"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Since I was diagnosed in 2009, it became important to learn how to communicate my diabetes to children. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Diabetes can be complicated to explain even to adults because most adults believe they already know what diabetes is. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>You can spend a lot of time trying to explain the differences of type 1 & type 2 to an adult. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But, with children you may be their first impression of what diabetes is. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The obvious explanations come with explaining how an insulin pump works. Depending on age, I often described this as a machine that gives me medicine. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Sometimes they will be curious where the tubing goes, how it connects or what the screen looks like. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Which I’m always happy to explain. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">For CGM, I explain this as something that checks how I am doing, although I didn’t wear CGM often back then. There were times I did have to finger poke while babysitting which was always eye catching to children, beeping, blood and flashing numbers. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Overall explaining my diabetes just meant that I had to tell my machine what I was eating, I had to keep an eye on how I was doing and sometimes I had to drink a juice box. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It wasn’t overly complicated and I was more than happy to answer their curious questions. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I figured if I set them up with good diabetes education now, they’d be less likely to ask a type 1 if they had the bad kind of diabetes in the future! </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Now here we are with a child of my own, a child who asks a lot of questions about a lot of topics, <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>but has figured out my diabetes and what it means quite well. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He knows mommy wears a pump and a “smoke detector” (my sensor) and that juice boxes and rocket candies are mommy’s for her diabetes. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>So much so that anytime he sees rocket candies he gives them to me. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">As he gets older I know he will have more questions, but allowing him to explore and understand is important. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He’s gentle when he is looking at my pump, and he is considerate when he knows that open juice box is for me. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>For a toddler, it’s quite remarkable how understanding they truly can be when you explain and teach them so. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Sometimes we don’t give children enough credit for what they can understand. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I’ve learned that children are incredibly compassionate. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>All of the children that I have taken care of have shown me this. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I’ve learned that they can be helpful, and curious. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Some of the best learning conversations about diabetes has been with the children I have watched. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I am curious now, how do you explain type 1 diabetes to your children or those in your life? </span></p>Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-77358040060965324842022-08-30T09:35:00.001-04:002022-08-30T09:35:34.161-04:00I am Capable <p>I<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px;">t’s been literally years since I last wrote, but at the same time, the last two years feel like they could be summed up in one word, strange.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px;">The pandemic and the repercussions of such lasted much longer than anyone could have predicted and while the world is possibly settling into place again, the lingering effects are still there.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 14px;"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">While we both work from home, the limitations on travel during the last couple years had us being quite creative with things to do more locally. Especially when you have a toddler because there is only so much entertainment inside the four walls of your home. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We took a big family trip together to California in the spring which was much needed and appreciated as prior to the pandemic, Mike and I travelled quite often. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>To be able to now travel with our son is quite fun, albeit challenging sometimes! </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Diabetes wise, I feel like I’ve been on a rollercoaster, not necessarily the blood sugar rollercoaster but the emotional side of living with type 1 diabetes. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Of course we know it can be challenging at times, but it also takes a considerable amount of focus when you’re trying to achieve A1C goals or better time in range. Truly it can be hard to find the time to do a proper site change or pre bolus sometimes. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I find that I have blips of focus and other times I realize I haven’t paid attention to my diabetes at all. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Often I’ll find myself laying in bed thinking, did I do enough to take care of myself today? <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Because truth is taking care of myself means also taking care of my family, you know so I can truly show up for them everyday. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">This is the emotional rollercoaster part, because while trying to balance life and diabetes, comes sacrifices, forgetfulness and self doubt. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It’s a tangled mess that leaves you feeling like you could have done more, but how. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">This is diabetes though, and I remind myself that this was how diabetes showed up in college, university, my wedding, and pregnancy and a pandemic. Unpredictable, emotional and at times all encompassing. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It’s part of living with diabetes , the good, bad and ugly. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But we figure it out, we figure it out because we are resilient (not perfect) but capable, oh so capable. And I know this because I’ve proven it time and time again. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p>Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-4550507820044476632020-03-25T09:52:00.000-04:002020-03-25T09:52:00.315-04:00Ways to Support <br />
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<span class="s2">Well, this has been quite the month! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We’ve spent almost the entire month isolated. Since Mike works from home, not a whole lot is different on the home front, but I do miss my routine very much! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We try to get out for walks when we can, because of course Cola also needs to go outside but part of me realizes that soon that could be cut short as the measures get more and more severe - plus the trails and sidewalks were starting to look like the mall with all the people that have no place to go but outside. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Living with type 1 diabetes, I realize I may be more at risk. To be honest my blood sugars haven’t been optimal because Nixon keeps me incredibly busy (we have an early mover since six months and he’s go go go!) and since my fitness has drastically gone down since we can’t go to our baby and mama classes - it’s just been a bit of a struggle bus over here. Not to mention the extra snacks from being near the fridge all day. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Since we are all practicing social distancing (or at least we should be!) I wanted to chart out a couple things you can do for the type 1 in your life during this time because to be honest while staying home may sound like a good opportunity to catch up on new t.v shows or rest (unless you’re mom...) a lot of people living with autoimmune diseases are feeling a bit on the edge during this time. </span></div>
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<li class="li2" style="font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">It’s possible that the type 1 in your life has had delayed or cancelled appointments from their doctors or nurses at the diabetes education centre. While they may have the resources online, they may be struggling with management. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Of course, don’t give them medical advice, but check in with them to see how they’re doing (both physically & mentally) and assist them (remotely) in finding alternatives for care.</span></li>
<li class="li2" style="font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It’s likely during this time of self isolation they will need to go to the pharmacy to pick up supplies such as insulin, test strips, sensors etc. Thankfully pharmacies will stay open (of course!) but having them go may put them at risk, instead you can assist them by suggesting alternatives like delivery or if you’re well enough picking up and dropping off their prescriptions on their porch. Of course this is ultimately up to them and what you feel comfortable doing, but what I’ve found is a lot of people do not realize the amount of delivery options out there for things like medicine, supplies and groceries. </li>
<li class="li2" style="font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Grocery stores are insane right now. We’ve been doing online ordering and drive up pick up. It means we don’t have to interact wit any other humans outside of our car! As a type 1 we need low supplies whether that’s juice boxes, fruit snacks, skittles etc.</span><span style="font-size: 17px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 17px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">I don’t believe these things are high in demand for others, but when we run out of low supplies, going to the grocery store just to pick up fruit snacks may feel a bit silly.</span><span style="font-size: 17px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 17px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 17px;">Instead, if you’re heading out to get groceries or making an order, check in to see if you can add a low supply to your list to once again porch delivery drop off.</span><span style="font-size: 17px;"> I think this is a good idea for anyone that is living in close proximity. The less people going to the stores, the better!</span></li>
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<span class="s2">Thankfully, I’m not self isolating alone and have Mike to help me. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But there are type 1s out there who are home alone and could use the extra support during a time of uncertainty. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I realize how important it is to at least attempt to keep our diabetes in check despite battling stress, and other entities that come with staying home (possibly child care, work etc.) however, sometimes this is difficult and can seem like an endless pull. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Finding ways to support each other during this will be what helps us keep positive. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Kayla </span></div>
Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-48968738443091097512020-03-14T13:58:00.002-04:002020-03-14T14:11:03.867-04:00Shifting my Perspective <br />
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<span style="font-size: 17px;">I must admit I didn’t realize the impact this COVID-19 was going to have on this world and by world I mean literally every thing from travel plans (our Disney trip...) to groceries, right down to general human contact.</span><span style="font-size: 17px;"> I was at Shoppers Drugmart earlier in the week to get a few things and didn’t stock pile on anything like toilet paper or snacks (okay, I did buy some Cadbury eggs, but they’re long gone).</span><span style="font-size: 17px;"> I didn’t think about getting more insulin or juice boxes and maybe I should have? I don’t know.</span><span style="font-size: 17px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="s1">I don’t usually get anxious about this type of stuff. By “this type of stuff” I mean things that may greatly effect my diabetes. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I don’t know why I’m not a worry wart about it because I literally worry about EVERYTHING else but I guess that’s how I keep my cool about living with type 1 diabetes. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">When people say “compromised immune systems” I literally don’t think about myself in that group even though technically I am. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I am “the people” that are at risk I guess, and with everything slowly shutting down maybe I need to sprinkle a little worry into myself so that I am prepared as a type 1 to hunker down. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Yesterday I looked into our pantry after hearing and seeing the lines that were pouring out of our local places like Costco and Walmart. We have pasta, we have rice, but my stash of fruit snacks for low blood sugars is getting low. Wait, I may need those. I do need those. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Of course I have run low on low supplies before, but it wasn’t a worry about whether or not I’d be able to get more. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I’m sure all the mamas are loading up on fruit snacks along with the toilet paper, so will fruit snacks be hard to find soon too? <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Who knows. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">The next thing I did was look in the fridge to see how much insulin I had left. A few vials and because of the restrictions on how many vials insurance will cover during a certain period (I called) I cannot stock up. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>So there was another little moment of, “oh sh*t”. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">It’s not really bothering me that I am “at risk” because with type 1 diabetes I am on the top of many lists, but what began to worry me was would I have enough supplies if things were to shut down, or become sparse. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">We often ‘joke’ about if diabetics would survive the apocalypse, after all we are so dependent on our supplies and medications and while this isn’t an apocalypse, it really shifted my mind into a place I’ve never actually felt. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A place where I truly realized my dependence on things despite always feeling at ease. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">I know access to these things like insulin and food has been something I have taken for granted when for many people around the world this is their everyday reality despite what’s happening in the world. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It has given me an opportunity to step back and realize how fortunate I am. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Hopefully in this chaotic time we can also take time to appreciate all that we have and know that nothing is guaranteed. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Whenever the hysteria settles, I’ll be thinking of my health in a different light. </span></div>
Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-80974149826664183942020-03-13T10:12:00.001-04:002020-03-13T10:19:14.029-04:00Eleven: Friday the 13th 2009 vs. Friday the 13th 2020 <br />
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<span class="s2">Friday the 13th, it’s a familiar day, because it was Friday, March 13th 2009 when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Most people know my diagnosis story, I’ve been blogging about it for eleven years. The eerie part has been that it was a Friday the 13th. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The emergency rooms were full of craziness, which is likely what it’s like right now eleven years later during this pandemic. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As Mike joked yesterday, </span><span class="s3" style="font-style: italic;">“world is shut down, just like your pancreas.”</span><span class="s2"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Hopefully the world can get back on its feet just like I did. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVi0-2uwcr0MvGP878aQVdjjkRoyuAbNXDg1i-iagkta5SYYRU9JkBpGbuqoSQJs-pUC2DWOgevKht6IomZeYs6PNQynWeg58SUHPFahvpkyUTeZWTx-BokXpoR0M2W8XAcW3WeMZYXw/s1600/08415430-6064-4405-8429-055B53299678.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="750" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVi0-2uwcr0MvGP878aQVdjjkRoyuAbNXDg1i-iagkta5SYYRU9JkBpGbuqoSQJs-pUC2DWOgevKht6IomZeYs6PNQynWeg58SUHPFahvpkyUTeZWTx-BokXpoR0M2W8XAcW3WeMZYXw/s320/08415430-6064-4405-8429-055B53299678.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gift from Mike & Nixon </td></tr>
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<span class="s2">To add some positivity to what seems like a daunting Friday the 13th. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I wanted to highlight three things that I am grateful for having been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Seems wild to see the positive in something that can be stressful, taxing and difficult - but I always try to find the good. </span></div>
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<li class="li2" style="font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"></span><span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold;">Friendships Made </span></li>
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<span class="s2"> I am so incredibly lucky that my diagnosis introduced me to people (globally) that I would have not met otherwise. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Friends that I can vent to, laugh with and know they they truly understand. I’m so thankful for every single one of them. </span></div>
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<li class="li2" style="font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"></span><span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold;">Timing of Technology</span></li>
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<span class="s2">I’m very familiar with the technologies or lack there of before I was diagnosed. Never did I have to boil syringes to reuse them like my Great Grandpa did, or did I have to pee on a stick and wait for the results to know what my blood sugar was. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The technology has surely progressed in the past eleven years ten fold and I’m grateful for that. </span></div>
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<li class="li2" style="font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"></span><span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold;">Empowerment & Growth of Who I Am</span></li>
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<span class="s2">I’m not sure where I would be today had I not been diagnosed. I am not sure what my profession would be, if I would have found an outlet for my hobbies like writing, <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>or if I would have travelled as much as I have been lucky to do so. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>What I do know, is who I am today is greatly shaped by type 1 diabetes. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I admit that I have really thrown myself into these opportunities </span><span class="s3" style="font-style: italic;">(I realize that you don’t get to just travel the world as soon as you’re diagnosed)</span><span class="s2"> but having a story to tell and the confidence in my craft of writing, public speaking and leadership has allowed me to pursue these opportunities. Type 1 diabetes has empowered me to show that I can do whatever I set my heart on, with hard work <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(pregnancy for example) it is possible. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Thank you to all my friends & family for being there for me for the literal and metaphorical highs and lows. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Kayla </span></div>
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Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-69115343537709185652020-03-12T14:30:00.001-04:002020-03-12T20:15:39.934-04:00A Story to Tell: Year One with Type One and Twas My Type of Christmas<br />
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Books can be great tools for discussing type 1 diabetes with little ones and I don’t think it’s ever too early to start. </div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Nixon won’t know any different about his mom having diabetes, the checking, juice boxes, test strips and tubing will be the norm to him as he sees me navigate type 1 diabetes. </span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>What I’ll teach Nixon - with the help of these books </span><span class="s3" style="font-style: italic;">Year One with Type One and Twas My Type of Christma</span><span class="s2"><span style="font-size: 17px;">s is that there are many others of all ages out there that live with type 1 </span><span style="font-size: medium;">diabetes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Thanks to author and diabetes dad, Mike Suarez for sending us </span><span style="text-align: center;">two of his books </span><span class="s3" style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;">Year One with Type One </span><span class="s2" style="text-align: center;">and </span><span class="s3" style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;">Twas My Type of Christmas</span><span class="s2" style="text-align: center;">. These two stories that are so wonderfully written both had me smiling and tearing up as he tells the </span><br />
<span class="s2" style="text-align: center;">story of his son’s diagnosis through his child’s eyes.</span><br />
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<span class="s2">You can find these stories on Amazon here: </span></div>
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<span class="s2"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Year-One-Type-Story-Diabetes/dp/1730703496">Year One With Type One</a></span></div>
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<span class="s2"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Twas-My-Type-Christmas-Diabetes/dp/1082151572/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=twas+my+type+of+christmas&qid=1584036479&sr=8-1">Twas My Type of Diabetes </a></span></div>
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Kayla </div>
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Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-33493009474940613882020-03-05T09:13:00.002-05:002020-03-05T09:21:34.443-05:00Feeling Guilty <br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px;">Guilt, we can feel it when we perceive that what we are doing is wrong or will be viewed as wrong. We feel guilty when we don’t check our blood sugars enough, we feel guilty when we see high blood sugar numbers or a not so pleasant lab result. We feel guilty for eating something that we know we will have to try to fight a battle with later. We feel guilty. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: inherit;">Most of the time when I feel guilty it’s on my own conscience, not because I fear someone else will judge me. I know that no one is going to see my exact blood sugar at that moment, but I fear to check it to ultimately know what it might be. I feel guilty that I didn’t perhaps take enough insulin, I didn’t give my mind enough time to figure out exactly what I should have done, or that I neglected my diabetes entirely. </span><br />
<span class="s2" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes when I know, just know that my blood sugars are wild - I try to avoid checking because I know confirming with results is going to change my mood. Of course my mood is effected already because I know it’s likely high, but seeing the exact pattern and perhaps how long it’s been high, will solidify that guilt. </span><br />
<span class="s2" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: inherit;">It’s hard to be ‘easy’ on myself and to remind myself that my blood sugar numbers or care does not define me. I am capable of taking care of myself, but I forgive myself for the times I can’t do it all. </span><br />
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Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-11025641757392827602020-02-23T21:01:00.001-05:002020-02-23T21:05:30.771-05:00A Book for Us: Mommy Beeps by Kim Baillieul<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1">As Nixon grows more curious, I wonder what it will be like to explain my type 1 diabetes to him. He has already discovered my insulin pump, often tugging on the tubing or grabbing the pump, while I “ta-ta” him for now, before I know it he will be asking questions and I’ll explain! </span></div>
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<span class="s1">I stumbled upon something special online the other week, that made me place an Amazon order right away. A book that seemed so perfect for now, for later, for me and for him. </span><span class="s2" style="font-style: italic;">Mommy Beeps</span><span class="s1"> by Kim Baillieul is the perfect little book for not only a child who has a parent with type 1, but also for the parent who has type 1. </span><br />
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<span class="s1">It literally brought me to tears reading each page that simply, yet precisely explained type 1 diabetes and all that it entails. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>From doctors appointments, to pharmacy visits, to insulin storage and supplies - this book is a must for any child who loves a type 1! </span><br />
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<span class="s1">This book also has beautiful illustrations (</span>Elisena Bonadio)<span style="font-size: 17px;"> that make you realize this book isn’t just an educational piece, but a beautiful story of the life of a type 1 mommy! </span></div>
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<span class="s1">While Nixon may not fully understand yet, I know it will be our special little book about his mommy. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">You can check it out here: </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mommy-Beeps-book-children-diabetic/dp/1092271465">Mommy Beeps</a></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Kayla </span></div>
Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-13579976496435077282020-02-15T12:17:00.001-05:002020-02-15T12:17:42.207-05:00The Power of Community The power of community is unmeasurable. I learned this early on in my diagnosis. I was shown the diabetes community both in real life and online within weeks of my diagnosis and I credit my positivity on that. Knowing people who are going through what you’re going through is incredibly helpful and also very healing at times. You realize you’re not the only one who may be struggling or feeling drained and you connect over things that others in your life do not<br />
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I should have known that motherhood would be the same, it just turns out there are way more opportunities and mothers out there than there are type 1s! Motherhood is funny because you are literally thrown into it without really being able to prepare. I mean we think we are prepared because we buy the things, we read the books or we do the classes (I only bought the things & totally winged the rest...) but really nothing can prepare you for what being a parent is really like. Similar to diabetes, you can be the smartest endocrinologist with a strong knowledge of diabetes, but without that lived experience it’s hard to know what it’s really like until you’re thrown into it. .<br />
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I consider myself lucky because I didn’t deal with postpartum depression like some mothers do, but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t have the emotions, anxiety, worry, stress or loneliness that comes with being a mom. Those first few months are rough! While I had found a few mom instagrammers online (which is both helpful and not helpful) I didn’t immediately think about finding a motherhood community to help re connect me to the outside world, like I said those first few months are rough. <br />
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Finding the diabetes community not only changed the way I perceived my diagnosis, but it also introduced me to many amazing people. I knew that opening up myself to other mothers surely had to have a similar positive ripple effect into my life and surely it has. It really is community that makes things easier. Every time we interact with others, we get the opportunity to learn something new, feel a new connection, have an ah-ha moment, re energize or just feel a little less alone in this crazy adventure. <br />
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Community is so important regardless of what you may be going through, like that one saying says, “find your tribe & love them hard.”<br />
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Kayla<br />
<br />Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-58232988808227175262020-01-10T14:27:00.006-05:002020-01-10T14:27:54.933-05:00Setting Goals <br />
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<span class="s2">January is a month of goal setting. While we are familiar with the promises we make ourselves and how often we set those goals aside after a few weeks, it’s always nice to start the month (and new year) off with a few good intentions whether we are successful or not at keeping them (because we are realistic!). </span></div>
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<span class="s2">I didn’t particularly set out with big goals as I approached 2020 because currently my goals are simple tasks like to have a shower, take a moment for yourself, etc. However, I did have some things I wanted to start in January because of Nixon’s age <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and the groove I’ve been in as I learn all about motherhood. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">One of my goals was to eat dinner at the table more. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>When it was just Mike and I we would sometimes sit at the table, but would get into the habit of eating on the couch, then comes baby and we literally would eat wherever and whenever baby said we could! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Now that we are starting solids, I wanted to get into the routine of eating as a family together. To me, as Nixon gets older and can chat with us, I want the dinner table to be the place we can all come together. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Another goal, was to get out into the world and meet some other new moms. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This was made easy because my good friend Andrea gave me a gift card for a monthly pass to a place that does Mama & Baby fitness classes. </span></div>
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This sort of ticked off two boxes that I wasn’t intentionally trying to which was to workout. Honestly, I make the same promises to myself and I either go all in or I create so much stress on myself it doesn’t benefit me. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Obviously I want to fit back into my pre baby clothes and see the numbers on the scale shrink, but overall feeling good regardless of those things is also important to me. One thing I do hope to do is to get back into running, as I loved running at one point in my life. Luckily there is a group in my neighborhood that I plan to join in April.<br />
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<span class="s2">Obviously, there are thousands of blogs out there sharing similar sentiments, but that’s awesome. Let’s hope we can keep that motivation that January brings and carry it far into 2020. </span></div>
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<span class="s2">Kayla </span></div>
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Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-847664831068201302019-11-13T10:33:00.002-05:002019-11-13T10:33:50.419-05:00Show Up <br />
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<span class="s1">Yesterday I had my first post pregnancy diabetes appointment with my endo. During pregnancy I was seeing them every 3-4 weeks to follow up on my diabetes since my insulin requirements were constantly changing as my body accommodated carrying a baby! I remember booking my November appointment long ago and thinking that it seemed so far away, but in what feels like a blink of an eye - it came and </span><span style="text-align: center;">went.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">I knew going into this appointment I was not as prepared as my previous ones. Of course because during pregnancy diabetes was high on my list. I had a huge motivation and the time to put as much effort in as possible. I actually looked forward to getting my blood work done because it gave me feedback and reassurance that I was doing the best I could do. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This time around, I didn’t print my reports ahead of time, nor finger poke nearly enough (only sensor data) to give them any kind of direction or pattern of my blood sugars. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>My goal was just to make it to my appointment on time, make sure my blood work was alright and get out of there. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Turns out taking a baby to an appointment that drags on isn’t fun. I mean, it’s never fun to wait for doctors to come into the small, sterile holding cell (ha!) but adding a baby into the mix who wants no part of being there adds so much more stress. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Needless to say my heart rate was high, I was sweating like I had just finished a marathon and I began to worry as I saw snow swirling around outside. I just wanted to move on. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">However, my thyroid levels came back a bit off which apparently can happen to type 1s after pregnancy. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>According to blood work it appeared I had hyperthyroidism - meaning my body is producing too much of the hormone. The good news was that my endo explained it usually cures itself over time. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I wasn’t diagnosed, because she needed more blood work to confirm which meant after waiting, I had to go wait some more to get my blood work done. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">My doctor let me know she would follow up with me after the results came back from the blood work. I was also instructed to keep an eye on my resting heart rate since it was high while I was there. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>She gave me a prescription for beta blockers in case it was regularly over 100 while resting. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>That frightened me the most because of the history of heart conditions in my family. However, I think I can chalk up the heart rate to stress because since being home my resting heart rate hasn’t gone over 84. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">The appointment overall was fine. My a1c was 6.1 which surprised me. While I didn’t give her much to look at data wise, she gave me some suggestions for preventing morning lows. My next appointment isn’t until August (I’ll be 30 and Nixon will be 1 by that time - oh my!) and in the meantime I will wait to see what my thyroid is up to. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">It was eye opening to realize that health is ever changing and how important it is to show up to appointments even if they’re long, exhausting and sometimes difficult. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>While it wasn’t easy trucking around a 3 month old in the snow, through the busy parking garage and all around the hospital - it was important that I showed up. Being a healthy mama is important. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Kayla </span></div>
Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-26248994054043126002019-10-29T12:17:00.002-04:002019-10-29T13:10:27.611-04:00Nursing & Diabetes<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7Ycz4PqWbXqENI5VXv9F2QF_qX9ZiAvgvxFw7g18tJRUM1H1c8UJQAWv2upJtwQFFnyGfY9zHyRlPHHb01X-vj97GuQbkdd1KFxNN4T4cdASucjFq-ayrFULi1eJMzmjz17C2QKB4_Q/s1600/070A8023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7Ycz4PqWbXqENI5VXv9F2QF_qX9ZiAvgvxFw7g18tJRUM1H1c8UJQAWv2upJtwQFFnyGfY9zHyRlPHHb01X-vj97GuQbkdd1KFxNN4T4cdASucjFq-ayrFULi1eJMzmjz17C2QKB4_Q/s320/070A8023.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Erin Girard Photography </td></tr>
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I remember when we were registering for our baby shower, the sales associate asked us, "What's your feeding plan?" I felt like a complete fish out of water because the only plan I had was to feed my baby the best way that I could whether that was breastfeeding or by bottle. What she meant, was if I needed to look into bottles, breast pumps, nursing pillows etc. While I did get all those things, that was really nothing in comparison to really figuring out my feeding plan once baby was here. <br />
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When we prepared the nursery, I thought about what my future self would need. Low supplies - everywhere. I put low supplies in the nearest drawer to the nursing chair, as I imagined I'd be spending lots of time stuck on that chair without the energy or ability to get downstairs for a juice box. I burned through those low supplies in no time. <br />
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Things I didn't think about before hand was the mental and physical exhaustion that breastfeeding takes. Like, I would say it caused the most doubt in myself, literally every day I questioned if I could continue breastfeeding. Not only did it cause my blood sugars to do whatever they wanted to do, I also physically felt sick each time. <i>(I looked into this and it seems that a small amount of moms experience this sort of nausea in the early weeks of breastfeeding.)</i> To add to my self doubt, baby was not gaining. However, every day I told myself tomorrow is a new day and now we are at 3 months! We are still nursing without the nausea or doubt - yay!<br />
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I still seem to be figuring out how nursing and diabetes can co-exist in a way that I am not going into deeper lows or having random highs <i>(probably because nursing makes me SO hungry in the night sometimes!) </i>Taking care of myself both physically and mentally is important and has been a learning curve in this new phase of life. Diabetes adapts to these life changes, but not always in a helpful way.<br />
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Kayla<br />
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<br />Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-35846516354408366732019-10-03T12:02:00.001-04:002019-10-03T12:02:09.667-04:00Priorities <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #454545; font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">It can be hard to make diabetes a “priority” when you have a family to take care of.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #454545; font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #454545; font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Between caring for Nixon, Cola and the household, even with help from Mike it can be difficult to find the time to manage my diabetes.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #454545; font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #454545; font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Of course this leads to highs I didn’t expect, that have been creeping up for hours, that I never noticed because I didn’t have the second to check.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #454545; font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #454545; font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;"> </span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">The biggest issue is making sure I change my site and fill my pump. While there are warning for low reservoirs, the time between the warning and empty seems to fly by. I then find myself having to fill my pump in the early hours of the night while combating high blood sugars and a very, very tired body and mind. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Technology makes this 100x easier, because I imagine if I had to pull out a syringe or pen every time I needed insulin, I’d forget. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I also imagine if I had to prick my finger to know my blood sugar that also would take a backseat. So I am thankful for technology that makes it easier to manage diabetes when diabetes becomes a challenge to manage. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Of course I want great numbers and an awesome a1c. I want to be healthy for my family and for myself, but it’s a balance between sanity and perfection and finding the right space can be challenging.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Kayla </span></div>
Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-38989337772399150762019-09-27T03:44:00.000-04:002019-09-27T12:32:19.208-04:00I Know That Worry<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">I know that worry. </span> <span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">I know that worry of carrying a baby while managing type 1 diabetes. I know that worry that you’re going to do something wrong and that the whole weight of the pregnancy (not just literal weight) but emotional weight is on your shoulders and only yours because you’re the one with type 1 diabetes, and you’re the one carrying that special baby. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">I know that feeling that you’re not checking enough, you’re not eating healthy enough, you haven’t cut back on carbs, you aren’t working out enough (or at all). I know that feeling. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">I worried while I was pregnant - I’m sure many do. But I worried that because I have type 1 diabetes, I had less of a chance of having a “perfect” baby, less of a chance of being a healthy pregnant woman and a glowing mother. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I know that worry.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Erin Girard</td></tr>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">If you google type 1 diabetes and pregnancy a bunch of worry clouds the screen. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Articles about risks, complications and stories that will make you worry more than what drove you to google in the first place. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you join a type 1 diabetes community page about pregnancy, you’ll encounter even more worry - other type 1s typing out their worries - I don’t blame them because we all feel that way. </span><span class="s2" style="font-family: ".sfuitext-bolditalic"; font-size: 17pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">(Tip: leave the groups, and find a few key type 1s to confide in!) </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">But, even though I know that worry (I won’t tell you not to worry) I will say that it’s all worth the hard work you’re putting in whether it levels up to other expectant mothers / mothers or not. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Because you worry, you care and that’s the best comment I ever received and I now pass it on to you. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Almost 9 months of worry and my beautiful baby is here and now I worry about other things (of course!) but I worry because I care. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Kayla </span></div>
Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-45112330335113679632019-09-24T09:33:00.002-04:002019-09-25T14:57:29.065-04:00The Call<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">We got the call at 1 a.m on Wednesday morning. I must have known something was going to happen because I had delicious pizza, a warm bath and got to bed early, Mike on the other hand... </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shortly after 2 a.m on the way to the hospital </td></tr>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">We showered and I checked my pump</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">to make sure it was also ready to go - I didn’t want to be changing reservoirs or batteries mid delivery because that’s what totally would happen! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I put in a new battery and checked my insulin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt; text-align: center;">Through labour and delivery, I had decided - along with my Endo that I would manage my diabetes myself unless I decided I couldn’t no longer. </span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt; text-align: center;">Really, it meant both Mike and I would manage my diabetes because there were definitely times that I wasn’t able to. </span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt; text-align: center;">So thank you to Mike who learned my pump and diabetes over the years! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The “fun” begins </td></tr>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">The nurses also seemed happy I’d be managing my own diabetes, as one nurse said “type 1s know how to do their diabetes more than anyone else!” It’s true. We deal with our T1D 24/7 and know the trials and errors of managing a disease that literally changes minute by minute. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">To sum up 24+ hours, I laboured until I spiked a fever, which then led to having an emergency c-section so that both myself and baby were safe! </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Diabetes wise, I stayed fairly low. Having been on just fluids for over 24 hours, I managed to keep blood sugars between 3.5 and 5 mmol/L the entire time. A little lower than I wished, but better than high. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I balanced my blood sugars with Gatorade, Jello and Ginger ale. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The nurses still were in charge of checking my blood sugar every hour (I persuaded them to use my lancet - to save my fingers!) but I also wore a sensor. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">After delivery, as promised by my endo, my insulin needs would dramatically decrease. Since I was in recovery and was on quite a bit of medication, Mike changed the settings on my pump to adjust my basals. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I was visited by an endo a few times during our stay to make sure all was good. To be honest Diabetes wasn’t what I was trying to adjust to, so diabetes seemed easy in comparison. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">It was all really a blur during our stay, I don’t remember how much I was bolusing for or how well my blood sugars behaved, but I don’t recall it being too bad. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 17pt;">Kayla </span></div>
Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-27619100648518377862019-09-13T15:29:00.000-04:002019-09-13T15:29:12.367-04:00Third Trimester <div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Alright, let’s take it back to third trimester. The hardest trimester of pregnancy for type 1s and probably for any woman really. You’re officially visibly pregnant whether you carried it all in front or all over (hello, giant butt!) and you’re uncomfortable, so very uncomfortable. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But, for type 1s it also means your blood sugars are creeping up and harder to control. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>You throw so much insulin into your body only to have to wait it out and hope it comes down. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>My basal rate was literally 3X the rate it was pre pregnancy! </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">The doctors appointments become incredibly frequent, in fact the nurses and doctors knew me by name before I spoke and remembered past conversations we had - and they see A LOT of people. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>You also are getting impatient because you just want to meet the little one whose keeping you up in the night kicking and forcing you to stop at EVERY SINGLE STORE to pee. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">For me, third trimester was a bit rough, only because my blood pressure began to creep up around 34 weeks ish. It was stressful because while I didn’t have any other symptoms of high blood pressure (besides actually having high BP) I wasn’t sure what this meant for me and my baby. Would this mean I’d be induced early? Was my baby okay? Would I need a c-section? Should I rest more? </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Well, what it meant for me was going to the hospital triage literally every single day (including weekends) to get my blood pressure taken and do a few other tests like a non-stress test, and urine / blood sample. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This is when the staff began to recognize me as I’d stroll in there and literally know exactly what to expect. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Lay on the bed, get hooked up to the NST machine which I called my “seat belt” and then get hooked up to the cuff to check my BP. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Oh and pee in a cup, the number of times I peed in a cup, I couldn’t even count. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Each time I saw my OB, which was a couple times a week, I never knew what she’d say. If she’d tell me to it was time to have the baby early or if I’d be okay to keep going on. I know she was aiming for 38 weeks, but began to talk about 37 weeks or maybe even sooner. This scared me, but at the same time I didn’t want to wait too long and face the risks. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">On the Monday (36.4 weeks) I went in for my appointment with my OB. We took my BP and urine sample and within a few minutes of my appointment she looked at me and said, “I think it’s time to have baby!” I agreed because I didn’t want to play the game anymore of being scared of high BP. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Then I was told to head to triage and of course this time my husband didn’t come to my appointment, so I had to get a hold of him to come down because I didn’t really understand what was about to happen. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They decided to induce me then, but then told me to come back when they called me. So we then waited for that call!</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 17pt;">Kayla </span></div>
Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-44526395372573231402019-09-12T11:50:00.003-04:002019-09-12T11:50:51.782-04:00I did it. We did it. It’s been a few months - and I’m not sure where the time has gone, but healthy baby boy has arrived since my last post in May! <br />
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Hoping to have time (Ha!) to blog more about the experience of type 1 diabetes and pregnancy / now as a new mom because I know how valuable lived experience is in the diabetes community. I googled many diabetes bloggers during my pregnancy for reassurance and guidance and I plan to pay it forward by being “that” blog for someone else.<br />
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But, first the most reassuring part that a soon-to-be Mom can come across. I managed my diabetes with all my mental and physical strength to my best ability and delivered the most beautiful baby boy August 1st at 8:33 am via C-Section (More on that in another post!) <br />
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The hard work that it took to get where we are today, paid off more than I can imagine and for those other moms out there living with type 1 diabetes, and those that are currently pregnant, we know how much work and energy it takes both before, during and after pregnancy. I did it. We did it. We are amazing humans!<br />
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More posts soon (Or so I plan!)<br />
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KaylaKayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-86023981858696669452019-05-04T10:10:00.004-04:002019-05-04T10:26:57.523-04:00Type 1 Diabetes & Pregnancy: The A1C When I started this blog I often imagined I'd be documenting all the monumental moments of my life. I imagined I'd write about going to college / university, and I imagined I'd write about living on my own. I also imagined writing about my wedding day and eventually about starting a family. And while ten years has quickly passed since starting this blog, I can smile here knowing that I did manage to check quite a bit off my list of things to of course blog about, but also to experience. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a Boy! Photo by: Girard Photography</td></tr>
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In December 2018, Mike and I got the most exciting gift to date, a positive on our pregnancy test. This was probably one of the most emotional and overwhelming feeling to date. We are going to be parents! The first person I called was my endocrinologist, followed by my family doctor. Having never had a child before, I had no clue who I was supposed to tell first. I knew that my endocrinologist had said that as soon as we were pregnant to give her a call, so that's what I did.<br />
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A year prior I wanted to prove to myself and my diabetes team that I was capable of maintaining an A1C that was safe for conceiving and carrying a baby. I aimed for the low 6's every couple months that I got my A1C done. My endocrinologist told me that I could get one done every month, which really allowed me to stay motivated and on track. I bounced between 6.5% and 6.2% which was deemed great. This was done with minimal highs and minimal lows, as I know that sometimes an A1C test is not a great predictor of blood sugar control.<br />
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I knew that I was capable of maintaining a good A1C all while still enjoying the food I enjoyed. It really amounted to pre bolusing <i>(taking insulin x amount of time before my meal versus just as I was putting food in my mouth or after) </i>and paying attention to my blood sugars, rather than guessing and bolusing.<br />
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After conceiving, the new step of diabetes management was now in place. The <b>first trimester</b> meant a lot of lows. This meant that I needed to be checking often and be prepared to drink juice or eat rockets at any moment. This was an interesting balance of making sure that I wasn't overeating my lows out of fear, and hunger frankly and keeping that balance between the lines of 4.9 and 8 mmol/L where I wanted to be. <i>(Everyone is different, that was just my goal target for myself!) </i><br />
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With the lows in mind, but also knowing that I felt my lows, I was watching for them and I was prepared, I managed to have A1C's in the high 4 and low 5's since. I am now in my <b>second trimester </b>and I am having less lows, but still attempting to keep within my personal goal target. This is not to say that I do not ever go above 8 mmol/L, in fact more recently it has proven to be more difficult, and require a tremendous amount of brain power to try and prevent spikes. There are for sure moments that I go above and to be honest, panic a little. My doctor reassured me that a random high was not going to be detrimental, which eased my worry.<br />
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A1C has always been a daunting phrase within the diabetes community because it holds so much power over how we personally view our diabetes management and also how health care providers gather an idea of our management, while I look forward to having some brain space for other things and not diabetes, for now, I will do anything for that little guy in my belly!<br />
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Kayla<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Note: </b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">A1C test</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> is a blood </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">test</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> that provides information about your average </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">levels</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> of blood glucose, also called blood sugar, over the past 3 months. <i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1035161567">(</a></i></span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/tests-diagnosis/a1c-test)">https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/tests-diagnosis/a1c-test)</a></i></span>Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-40423631818914766772019-03-13T10:08:00.000-04:002019-03-13T10:38:10.780-04:00Cheers to Ten Years <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3E1rnFz6iHPY_VpJYhM2vJ6ZcJAWht2lq7vv-IVcITJ5ye_l23QmVlQ_pxLzUWaDQP5Am0SPYcx-6zrhtGySE0snLcu0d8RXHfD2s8E0yUuEmnLq5wlgvZfmGO3km-0ckczQwhHUIoQ/s1600/5134_104122181075_6169797_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3E1rnFz6iHPY_VpJYhM2vJ6ZcJAWht2lq7vv-IVcITJ5ye_l23QmVlQ_pxLzUWaDQP5Am0SPYcx-6zrhtGySE0snLcu0d8RXHfD2s8E0yUuEmnLq5wlgvZfmGO3km-0ckczQwhHUIoQ/s320/5134_104122181075_6169797_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 2009</td></tr>
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March 13th 2009, I was told that I have type 1 diabetes. Now, March 13th 2019, ten years later, I sit here and marvel at the journey that my diabetes has taken me on. Little did I know what living with type 1 diabetes meant at the time of diagnosis. <br />
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While ten years is quite the span in time, I can still picture my eighteen (almost nineteen year old self) in the waiting room. Waiting without any idea what was going on, crying as the doctor told me I had diabetes and then walked away and closed the door. I remember trying to get a cell phone signal in the room so that I could text someone, anyone. I recall the quick drive home after they told me get a bag together because I'd be staying at the hospital for a couple nights, something I'd never done before. I remember the look of panic on my mom's face as she gathered my things together and then drove me to the Brantford General Hospital.<br />
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I remember a question I asked the first doctor I saw at the hospital. I asked, "Will I still be able to have a family?" it wasn't something that I was actively planning at the time, having to still complete College and University, but it was an important question for me to ask. I remember him smiling and telling me, "of course." Probably wondering why out of all the things to ask during time of diagnosis, I decided to ask that.<br />
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Ten years later, and I am smiling thinking, 'of course' as my husband and I get ready to add a beautiful baby to our family in August. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Y1YikWijaJXAfEWhyphenhyphenmppSSOsG9Ml7Rda_ECIPC9hrNmPsIVghX-LBROnaPfJ6R6k2FrP86u8Gy8Vfi6KKgGeIN_R3LLcF0z0gBnPOjiw8WC9igq1UG1mW3knwDK1DMNTh1SZ7AfCips/s1600/52647472_10155738625036076_7707534411440324608_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Y1YikWijaJXAfEWhyphenhyphenmppSSOsG9Ml7Rda_ECIPC9hrNmPsIVghX-LBROnaPfJ6R6k2FrP86u8Gy8Vfi6KKgGeIN_R3LLcF0z0gBnPOjiw8WC9igq1UG1mW3knwDK1DMNTh1SZ7AfCips/s320/52647472_10155738625036076_7707534411440324608_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby O'Connell Arrives in August! </td></tr>
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I remember sitting in the hospital bed, as the patient beside me went on about all that Popeye's Chicken had on their menu, laughing at how excited they sounded, "they've got spicy chicken, spicy wings, even spicy fries..." I remember that wonderful nurse who let me use the computers to look up a group called Connected in Motion, which I believe full heartedly immediately paved a beautiful, growing, supportive path for my journey.<br />
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After that, I remember the doctor, the same one who answered my question about having a family, asking me why I kept smiling, as if I should be in sorrow, or mourning my forever broken pancreas. I remember shrugging my shoulders and not really knowing, but now looking back realize that when in doubt, smiling can take some of the pain away.<br />
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The fear I recall was when I was taken up to a room, them not letting me get out of the bed as they pushed me through the hallways and up the elevator. Myself thinking, <i>I can still walk, you know? </i><br />
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I was nervous to be left alone as they asked the visitors give me time to rest, even though I felt that I would be much more restless without them. I was most nervous to not know who laid behind the curtain of my shared room, as I saw some individuals in the waiting room that I imagined were beside me. I wasn't scared about my diabetes, or what life with diabetes meant, which seems to be the way I have combatted my diabetes, without fear, just courage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyT7YRCTdRHdVFj1T7v8EGuEkgWEp1O9z4uiWr9QohAQORP63iXCjfCSGssnw-mLGSEJ5QaLvppt7xyDICKEnxVLGTmEr-b1vD1xR62PpTnTB5JXTYN_MuYtPchy0n6zZ2lrHdUCGp1I/s1600/1237776_10153244787500088_344033839_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyT7YRCTdRHdVFj1T7v8EGuEkgWEp1O9z4uiWr9QohAQORP63iXCjfCSGssnw-mLGSEJ5QaLvppt7xyDICKEnxVLGTmEr-b1vD1xR62PpTnTB5JXTYN_MuYtPchy0n6zZ2lrHdUCGp1I/s320/1237776_10153244787500088_344033839_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Kilimanjaro 2013 </td></tr>
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That day, although ten years ago now, still stays crisp in my mind, like it happened yesterday. But, remembering all that came in between reminds me just how long ago it was. I have been incredibly privileged and lucky in my journey thus far. I have met so many incredible friends from around the world, and have been granted opportunities that I would have never imagined myself doing. While diabetes has come with tears, anger and frustration along the way, knowing all that this journey has given me, it's hard to imagine without it.<br />
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I want to thank all of the amazing supportive people in my life, some that may have come and gone, but most definitely played an important part along the way. My diabetes journey has been made successful because of all of your understanding and support. Thank you for the people that have read this blog for nearly ten years and have continued to follow along with my journey. <br />
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I love you all.<br />
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Cheers to Ten Years,<br />
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Kayla<br />
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<br />Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-4818601699736995832018-11-01T18:42:00.003-04:002018-11-01T18:49:00.308-04:00#diabetesA unicorn frappuccino, a Halloween candy haul, or a decadent chocolate cake is not <b>#diabetes</b>. <br />
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<b>#diabetes</b> is finger pokes interrupting your normal routine, delaying your errands, intercepting your plans. <br />
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<b>#diabetes</b> is the crushed juice boxes on the bedside table, glucose tab dust on your fingertips and disrupted sleep patterns.<br />
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<b>#diabetes </b>is the 2, 3, 4, 5 a.m washroom visits, as your body tries to flush the sugar and the countless refills of your water jug as you urgently wait to see a lower number flash on the screen.<br />
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<b>#diabetes</b> is hard.<br />
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<b>#diabetes </b>is never knowing if you're going to be okay. Never knowing when diabetes will take you over, rather than you taking control of it. <br />
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<b>#diabetes </b>is a life sentence, given to you with no parole.<br />
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<b>#diabetes </b>is facing the repercussions for every single bite that goes into your hungry mouth, constantly paying up for the temporary enjoyment of being 'normal'.<br />
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<b>#diabetes</b> is injecting needles into your flesh, like a pin cushion with no relent. Repeatedly giving insulin or drawing blood.<br />
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<b>#diabetes</b> is a lot of things. A lot of things that many of us know all to well, but diabetes it now what is on your plate, cup, or bowl. <br />
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<b><i>This November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and with that comes an opportunity to educate and spread awareness about Type 1 Diabetes which is a disease that affects more than 300,000 Canadians. </i></b>Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-39799086296039860772018-09-24T19:23:00.003-04:002018-09-24T19:24:34.327-04:00He's Type 1 <div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>"He's type 1" </i></b></div>
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Those words echo through my mind. Last week I received the text that one of my best friend's child was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Never in a millions years would I imagine myself bantering back and forth with them about the words and topics that have become so normal to me, and now to them. </div>
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<i><b> Bolus, Basal, Insulin, Blood Sugars, a1C. </b></i></div>
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I felt my heart sink as the text came in telling me what the results of the blood test said. While they told me his symptoms, I couldn't be sure that diabetes was going to be the diagnosis. I hoped that it wouldn't be. I hoped that it was something temporary, a cold, the flu, not type 1 diabetes - please not this time. But, as my phone vibrated, and I read the text aloud, tears fell down my cheeks as I thought to myself, <i>"Damn You Diabetes..." </i></div>
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It has been almost ten years since my diagnosis. Ten years of blood sugar checks, insulin doses, a1C counts and juice boxes. Diabetes has become second nature for me, while never quite running smoothly in the background, it is what my life has been made up around. When they told me the news, that they were now entering that world, my mind quickly flashed through all the journeys diabetes was going to take them on. All the obstacles that they will now have to face and the heartache and frustrations that comes with managing a disease that never quite sits quietly in the background. </div>
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While I know many, many children, teens and adults alike living with type 1 diabetes, anytime I hear of a new diagnosis the same feeling of anger ignites in me. <i style="font-weight: bold;">Why? Why them? </i>Remembering the last time I saw my friend's full-of-energy son, bouncing around on a trampoline as us adults enjoyed a BBQ and laughter. Helping him with his dinner, scooping potatoes until he said 'stop' and filling him a glass of water. Remembering all of these moments that seemed so normal, but meanwhile diabetes was slowly working its way into his body, causing the excessive thirst, bathroom visits and belly aches. </div>
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While I'd do anything to take the disease and burden of diabetes away, instead I have to know that there is hope in technology and support. In the exact ways that I found strength and courage, I only hope he can find those too. <br />
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Kayla </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gift I made for their son.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIdZi-_JZD1KAa25cTjL79p3aipOyvatpPL4xwAC7_vN0a1wH2R3s8cnpy3lW7APX_8bHV-_9fRpf8HdnUcaTQY3p3TxZ3jus1g6XSPsjTXcI_8MLUbmALaWU0W0jzWArvsDCeiLbH4A/s1600/42419071_10155439150671076_5885793796272160768_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIdZi-_JZD1KAa25cTjL79p3aipOyvatpPL4xwAC7_vN0a1wH2R3s8cnpy3lW7APX_8bHV-_9fRpf8HdnUcaTQY3p3TxZ3jus1g6XSPsjTXcI_8MLUbmALaWU0W0jzWArvsDCeiLbH4A/s320/42419071_10155439150671076_5885793796272160768_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Gift that I made for their son.</td></tr>
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Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-36715127473741619932018-08-27T11:36:00.001-04:002018-08-27T11:38:44.092-04:00I Bolused & Carried OnOkay, so it's been three months since we said <b>I Do</b>, but I was awaiting an important photo for this very blog, because like any other time, diabetes tags along for all of the best moments in your life - no matter what you do to try and keep it on the back burner.<br />
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On May 22nd, we got married in Mexico with our close family and friends in the sand right in front of the ocean. It was a beautiful day, seriously, we lucked out because as we were getting ready, it was a torrential downpour. However, the sun parted just before we were set to marry and the rest of the night was perfect. <br />
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I had issues with my dress leading up to departure, as the seamstress was not so great. I had planned on sorting out where my insulin pump was going to go on my dress (not being a hard thing to do since it was a giant ball gown dress) but I simply ran out of time and mind space to even think about it. It wasn't until the day before that I thought, <i>"Oh my gosh I need some kind of strap for this thing!" </i> I wanted to wear my pump because I didn't want to have to deal with injections or high blood sugars. Thankfully, my medtronic rep lives close by and he gave me ALL of the straps, belts, bags, you name it, to try with my dress. <br />
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Our wedding was near the end of our trip, so it let all our nervousness float away through the week as we spent a wonderful amount of time in the pool with our friends and family. Let me tell you, having a waterproof pump at a resort is fantastic! My blood sugars were decent throughout the trip because I always could keep my pump on, even if my entire day was spent at the swim up bar. <br />
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Now to the wedding day! I woke up in the morning, not feeling nervous at all. I felt very calm and was trying very hard to soak up every second of that day. I realized my pump was almost out of insulin and not wanting to have to worry about it, I decided to do a quick site change before the day began. I've changed my pump site thousands of times, not a big deal. <br />
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But, there was a big deal, because within all the excitement I missed a simple step.<br />
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Let's fast forward to getting ready - oh it was so fun! It felt like a rush as we did our makeup, hair, rushed around, took photos, and prayed the rain would stop. Our coordinator came knocking on our door that it was time go, and my mom reminded me, <b><i>"shouldn't you check your blood sugar before we go?" </i></b><br />
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Oh yes! Not only am I getting married in 10 minutes, I also <b>STILL</b> have diabetes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lCz9yU1Bt__9JBWE57C3NCLBqbV6eg1borgtpcAoK1Ieiz4tLjcuZ9xNZvFgt5rJ2s760gxXhnnro2IrveZD4M0NQctTrkhYVdJKXPylatBN0j7QUdP9U0RbBgN7reUmJUrVurYUnNw/s1600/DSC_2480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lCz9yU1Bt__9JBWE57C3NCLBqbV6eg1borgtpcAoK1Ieiz4tLjcuZ9xNZvFgt5rJ2s760gxXhnnro2IrveZD4M0NQctTrkhYVdJKXPylatBN0j7QUdP9U0RbBgN7reUmJUrVurYUnNw/s400/DSC_2480.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K.S Photography</td></tr>
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<br /><br />I scanned, I pricked, and to my surprise my blood sugar was insane. <i><u>INSANE.</u> </i>How could this be? I know adrenaline does some damage, but this bad? But, it was time to go, so I grabbed my remote meter, and dialed up insulin. But, it wouldn't connect.<br />
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Now I was getting frustrated. This is truly when you realize diabetes isn't on your side. I was going to have to get my insulin pump, which was lost in tulle. But, there was no way I could go without correcting. So, there I was fishing for my insulin pump to correct my blood sugars just before walking down the isle. What did I realize when I finally found my pump? I had forgot to finish priming it. The pump wasn't even giving me insulin all morning and afternoon.<br />
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While of course everyone was in shock about this, I knew it was just one of those moments I had to roll with. I felt good (probably adrenaline) and I wasn't going to let it ruin the day. I bolused and carried on to begin my next chapter (which unfortunately still included diabetes!)<br />
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KaylaKayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-84393404108515336912018-08-03T12:05:00.000-04:002018-08-03T12:45:59.306-04:00Four Things That We Depend On There are many things that we depend on as people with type 1 diabetes. As much as we like to claim independence, there is quite a bit that goes on behind the scenes, that we count on to keep us going:<br />
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<b><b>1. Candy, Sugar, Juice Boxes</b></b><br />
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Believe it or not, people with diabetes need these things. We need something to bring us up when our blood sugars plummet. Most people confuse sugar consumption with diabetes in general, and believe </div>
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that we have had to give it all up, and if we touch it, our 'diabetes' gets worse. However, many of times, candy as saved my life.<br />
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<b>2. Prescriptions</b><br />
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This is something many people depend on. However, if we do not have insulin, the consequences are grave. There have been a few times I've gone to the pharmacy, only to find out they didn't have insulin in stock, and their nonchalant attitude is enough to send a T1D across the counter in rage. Same goes for a prescription that is not properly cared for. I once went into a pharmacy only to to </div>
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notice, my insulin sitting on the counter - for who knows how long! </div>
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<b>3. Technology </b><br />
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It's not just our phones that we count on, but our insulin pumps, blood sugar meters, CGMs and sensors. We count on a ton of technology to keep us healthy and going. It was absolutely great when it works, but when it fails us, we are left to the grips of a customer service line and a waiting game with the mailman.<br />
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<b>4. Proper Diabetes Education </b><br />
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We are all smart, but when it comes to learning about diabetes it takes both lived experience and education from our health care providers. The day you're diagnosed begins the day of a lifetime course on how to manage diabetes. It's always changing but, it is important to make sure we are equipped with proper support from both health care providers and others living with diabetes.</div>
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KaylaKayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191128400524019706.post-82509369983121357422018-07-30T11:21:00.001-04:002018-07-30T11:25:33.417-04:00Pre-Bolusing As a reminder, I am <b><u>not</u></b> a <u><b>medical professional</b></u> - so the topic today is about bolusing and I want to state that, chat with a medical professional before you bring anything I blog about home. <br />
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I have been really trying to do well with my diabetes. By doing well, it just means that I have been trying to dedicate more time to managing diabetes and really sit with my numbers and figure out how I can achieve better numbers. As I already stated, Mike and I would like to try for a family in the next year or so, and to do that, obviously you want to have good numbers and you just generally want to feel good. Once you get a feeling of stability with blood sugars (even if it just for a entire afternoon) you gain a little confidence that you'll be able to manage diabetes, usually that is if you're willing to dedicate 80% of your focus and brain power and 20% to everything else in your life. It's not balanced, and likely cannot be.<br />
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What I have found that has been super helpful is a pre-bolusing. I am not good at math or science or anything related to those topics, so by some magic, I have just made up my own way of pre-bolusing with timing and <i><b>(most of the time)</b></i> been successful with it. I won't be discussing what that magic is, because I believe each of us need something different, and what works for me, likely isn't going to work for you, mainly because I just make it up as I go.<br />
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Pre-bolusing isn't something new. People with diabetes have figured this out way before I have, and have done it with actual science and math and not luck. You can find many articles by googling <b>"pre-bolusing" </b>There is no shortage of finding information and reading people's experiences on this topic. I am really just adding another paper to the pile that doesn't give any equations, or really anything that is going to be life-changing. However, for me really thinking about diabetes has been my own life-changer.<br />
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Pre-bolusing to me, is consciously thinking about what I am putting into my body, what I am doing with my body and trying to assume what my blood sugars will do with all of that information. It is most definitely a guessing game for me, and trying to predict the future. However, it has been fairly successful for me - which means I am either in tune with my body, or I am a legit, fortune teller. We can't be sure.<br />
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Kayla<br />
<br />Kayla O'Connellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09677392507125490960noreply@blogger.com0