Now Use Them!

Now that I spent so much time thinking of something I do well with my diabetes management it is time to go the other way.  Today's challenge is to think of something that I could improve on, not much of a challenge, but I'm sure all diabetics can agree diabetes is a challenge unlike no other not to mention the life we have to live and maintain around it.    The main thing I can think about is checking my blood sugar, and to be honest I have been doing a good job this week, but like any diet or knitting project, eventually it goes downhill.

Blood sugar from yesterday morning!
Good way to start the day! 

Insulin is great, insulin is a life saver, however if you are mindlessly pressing buttons or giving injections without knowing where you are at, insulin is being wasted.  Sometimes I feel this way, like I am abusing my insulin, by quickly giving myself two units if I 'feel' like I need it instead of taking the time to check my blood sugar and really see what I am working with.  Even though I strongly believe that diabetics mentally can tell what their blood sugar is most of the time and can predict if they need that extra shot for good luck etc. I know that it is KEY and IMPORTANT to check your blood sugar before giving insulin or adjusting basal rates, suspending your pump etc.

Beyond that, it is also important to check your blood sugar when you're going for a drive or a run etc.  This is what I need to improve on, checking before these important events that can dramatically effect blood sugars, or the opposite: blood sugars can dramatically effect these activities.   It seems like a pretty easy task, but it actually is time consuming and irritating; however, if you can push yourself to do it at least four times a day, than you're on a roll!

So, this is what I am going to work towards, I have learned that if I leave my meter laying around, in a visible location - I am more likely to test my blood sugar, as it stares me down screaming, use me, use me.  I have learned to smile at good blood sugars, and challenge myself to try and stay below certain numbers, but at the same time not get angry when they are higher than normal.      

The important part of it all is for me to constantly remind myself that I am lucky to have the technology and supplies that I do.  So very lucky....NOW USE THEM!

Kayla

Tough Question

The next topic up for grabs is to name something that I do really well regarding diabetes.  How sad is it that I can make up a entire list of things I feel like I do wrong and when it comes to thinking of things I do right, I am pondering around the apartment trying to come up with something worth writing.  It was mentioned in the challenge that it doesn't need to be big and I know I always praise the idea of celebrating the small successes within diabetes; however, when trying to think of something that I do really well always regarding diabetes - now that's a tough question.

It's easy to fall behind on blood sugar checks, it's not like having to take one pill a day, it's something that needs to be done throughout the day, and takes a few seconds, plus draws blood - not exactly a selling point.   So, I wouldn't say I am good at doing that all the time. As far as keeping my blood sugars in range - in the diabetes world we call those people, non-diabetics...

What it comes down to is something that I consider my lifesaver second to insulin and that is my blog, but for this challenge, I am going to call it my diabetic therapy. I am really good at attending my diabetic therapy. My blog has allowed me to open up and keep myself alert about what I am truly going through even beyond diabetes.  I have made it a commitment by logging on almost daily to update my blog.

So, I guess this isn't something that involves good management as far as 4+ finger pricks and good portion or carb control - rather something I find important in my life that I have managed to maintain for three years now.   To me, it is important in my overall health just like 30 minutes of exercise and 8 glasses of water.

I am curious to know what others do well when it comes to diabetes - of course we could list things like, I am really good at lassoing a door knob with my tubing or I am really good at putting a site in with my eyes closed... but beyond those good tricks we have all acquired I am curious to see who has outsmarted their diabetes or at least made it bearable for another few years!

Kayla

Bloggers Unite

I've decided to be apart of the blog week challenge and the first challenge was to introduce a blog that I enjoy.   Well, as much as I would love to read endless diabetes blogs, I don't have much time to skim through them all as well as keep up with mine, but there is one that from time to time I  indulge in which I find really interesting, mostly because it is from the point of view that I will never be able to experience which is a non-diabetic mother raising a diabetic child.  

This blog is called, " Mom of an Extra Sweet Insulin Challenged Girl " and if you're a mother of a diabetic, I highly suggest you wander over, not because she knows more than anyone else, but because I feel like you will instantly realize that you are not alone and the challenge of raising an insulin challenged child has its rewards as well as its hardships. I find that the author of this blog, Amy, is very honest with a twist of humour, yet sometimes speaks on a very serious, heart throbbing note - and I like that!

I have spoken to Amy a few times via Facebook and get to read lots of inspiring stories that come from her life as a mother of a diabetic girl - in fact the little girl that wants the diabetic barbie doll!   This family is on a role in the diabetic community - and they know the secret of it all - don't give up! and if you're looking for that very message every day to get you out of bed and checking your blood sugar head over to her blog because that is where you will find that push.

I think that mothers/fathers blogging is a wonderful thing - I am sure the children will eventually appreciate it all knowing that their parents went through it all with them - of course experiencing it in a different way than diabetics themselves, but boy, can you imagine all the hard work that these parents are doing - and even stopping to blog about it to provide support and a foundation for other parents going through the same thing!

Now, there are tons of great blogs out there, as much as I want to list them all, I know that everyone will shine somewhere out there!  So, since this is specifically about blogging, I'd love to just say that I am glad I am not the only crazy one out there who documents my life with diabetes!  If I am not going to have normal blood sugars, I'd at least like to have normal hobbies!

Kayla

Our Artificial Pancreases

All around the world there are mothers taking care of their diabetic children (fathers too, but let's save that for Father's Day).  These mothers are hardworking, carb counting, insulin distributing women, who on a daily basis understand the meaning of life and how fragile it can be.  As a diabetic, I cannot put myself in the shoes of a mother of a diabetic, but I can only imagine how difficult of a job it is.   First off, these mothers do not get paid, in fact countless amounts of money are poured into their diabetic children, but I am sure none of them would complain knowing that the products they buy, whether that be something as direct as insulin or something simple like a chocolate bar - that money that they spend keeps their babies smiling.

Mothers of diabetics don't sleep - okay, I am sure they get some rest, but the more statuses I read I have realized that the work of a mother of a diabetic is endless.  Having to be their child's artificial pancreas, knowing when to check their blood sugar or give them insulin if their child cannot.  Mother's also take all the blame, countless times I have heard children blame their parents for their diabetes, or children get mad at their mothers for denying them cookies or making them prick their fingers - give yourself a pat on the back until your child realizes that all that nagging was well worth it (trust me, eventually they will appreciate every single thing you did for them!)

These mothers are super heros like all mothers, working hard, keeping their children healthy and alive and most of all getting involved in finding a cure or at least support for the meantime.  Let's all give a big smile for those mothers out there who celebrated Mother's Day today, but really had no time off, still having to chase blood sugars and give full alert.   A big, big, big smile.

And for those mothers that are diabetic themselves, a big smile for you too!  I can only imagine how time consuming it all can be mixed together.  All diabetic mothers make young female diabetics smile, knowing that one day we all can celebrate Mother's Day for ourselves. You are all role models and inspirations.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers out there!

Kayla

Airwaves

It's hard to believe where my life has gone.  A typical teen from Brantford, Ontario moves to London, Ontario after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, finishes college, attends University and emerges herself in the diabetes community. I would have never thought that would have been my story. Never did I think I would be sitting on television sets, giving radio interviews and speaking to reporters.  Had I known that my life would be such a blessing, I may have not been as surprised as I am today.

As average as I thought I was, I have began to realize average is nobody.  We are all so unique in this world it is unbelievable the stories we have to share with one another. Although some with type 1 decide to keep it to themselves, pricking fingers and giving insulin is enough to keep them occupied.  While others are making airwaves, like Emma who is advocating for a diabetic barbie doll and she has yet to turn ten.  Inspiring diabetics like this are not hard to find, I have personally met iron men, a diabetic that climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and many more inspiring people.  

Life moves super fast, we all know this.  I guess that is why I stopped today to think, "wow...I really did do something..."  I mean, I know it's more than something, but I can hardly believe where I am today and how many amazing people I have met along the way.   For me, it is important to stay involved in the diabetes community - this is what keeps me smiling and most important on top of diabetes.  When I know that there are people out there having to check their blood sugar, give themselves insulin and sit up in the middle of the night sipping on a juice box - that makes me smile... I am not alone and neither are you.

I started a page on Facebook called Faces - which will hopefully showcase those living with type 1 diabetes.  This page is meant to give a face behind a disease that many raise money for, but have no idea the face behind the disease and most importantly the story.  I am hoping to gather a good amount of stories, so that anytime someone is having a bad d-day, they can look for inspiration and hope from the page.

If you are interested click here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Faces/387366147971538

Keep smiling for all that you do as a diabetic or a parent of a diabetic - you are inspirational and can make a difference.

Kayla

Bikini Bottoms

Carrying an insulin pump around all day can be irritating, but even more so when you're wearing a bathing suit.  Just before my trip I was contemplating switching to pens for the eight days, but the more I thought about having to give myself multiple needles every single day, the more I convinced myself that I didn't want to switch.  Vince was also worried about the switch, seeing he has never seen me give multiple injections before.

Upon getting there, Vince said he realized why I wanted to switch, but I still stood by my choice to continue on with the insulin pump, despite it's irritating pull on my bikini bottoms.  There was no real issue with doing this, I took it off and threw it in the beach bag when I jumped in the water, checked when I got out, and re-hooked myself up. Most of the time I was lying down on a beach chair, so it wasn't an issue to have it sitting beside me (until that moment you forget it isn't clipped on your person and you get up and it goes swinging!)

I didn't notice too may looks as I walked around the resort with my pump on my hip - a few here in there, but I knew it was all curious eyes looking.  Like mentioned before, only two people asked me about it, and they had only seen the site at the time.  I managed to keep it dry, even though Vince was paranoid every time I jumped into the water - "WAIT! Did you take your pump off!"  

When we went on the excursion, I had to trust to leave my insulin pump in the beach bag under the hut.  I wasn't worried about it getting stolen, I knew that if I worried, it would ruin my trip and I wasn't going to let diabetes ruin my trip!   It was nice having periodic breaks from wearing it, as much as I understand the benefit of a waterproof pump, I rather take it off for playing around in the pool or ocean.

For anyone travelling with the insulin pump, I would tell you that it is totally up to you whether or not you think you can handle wearing the pump during your vacation, hooking and unhooking and maximum bolusing (haha!)   Just don't let diabetes take over your vacation, as much as we wish we could leave it at the airport, it has to come along with all its baggage.

Kayla

I'm Back!

I'm back! I enjoyed eight days in Dominican paradise, but it was finally time to return back to Canada. The week away was full of high blood sugars and diet pepsi (boo-hoo) but, I managed to enjoy my vacation despite having to bring Mr. Diabetes along with me for ride and trust me, diabetes is quiet the interesting travel companion.

Unfortunately, I don't have an exciting story about crossing the borders with my insulin pump.  The pump isn't as mysterious as it once was and security guards and custom officers know what is in my pocket and why my backpack is overpacked with supplies.   I got through both the Toronto and Dominican airport without any issues what-so-ever! In fact I didn't even end up mentioning my insulin pump in the Dominican and they didn't even check.  

The first few days of my vacation my blood sugars ran super high, in the twenty range (360ish) and it was driving me crazy.  I was constantly bolusing taking the maximum bolus possible, which was 14 units for me. I felt like I was just pumping insulin and getting no results.  I even thought something was up with my pump until finally one morning I woke up within a normal range, and from there one it started to come down (still on the high side most of the time, but understandable.)   The issue wasn't so much the lack of knowledge about unknown carbs from the food, but more so the drinks.

I was sad to find out that they carried Pepsi products, being a hardcore diet Coke fan - or to Dominican's Coke Light.   The fountain pops were all Pepsi products and I began drinking 7up instead of diet Pepsi which ended up sending my blood sugars sky rocketing out of control.   Then, I started enjoying the lemonade in the morning for breakfast, which also sky rocketed my blood sugars and to conclude the sky rocketing, I was drinking strawberry daiquiris throughout the day at the swim up bar.

I knew going into the trip that high blood sugars were going to become normal blood sugars, and it was something that I had to accept as much as I tried to bolus as much as I could as well as check my blood sugar. It was difficult, but made easier with a pump, as much as I considered going on syringes for my trip (since wearing a pump with a bikini is, well, interesting) I ultimately was happy that I had my insulin pump, so that I could go trigger happy when I was indulging which was 99% of the time.

Over the time there, no one asked me about my site except for two ladies that were local to the Dominican. The first lady was the masseuse, as soon as I said I had diabetes, she insisted I needed a massage, which Vince and I already planned to do.   What a nice way to relax by the way, a massage by the ocean!

The second lady asked me in the pool. Vince had gotten out, and just as I went to follow him, she asked me if I spoke English.  Her english was decent, as she began to ask me what my site was.  She said she thought it was to make me really skinny (clearly, it's not working then...haha!)   but once I told her it was for diabetes, she got even more confused. She was un sure what diabetes was.  When I began to practice my Spanish by saying, "Soy Diabetico"  she still didn't know, then I started to describe it and she shouted, "SUGA"  then all of a sudden she recognized the word, but wanted me to teach her how I say it in Canada - 'dia-bee-tees'  she then told me that her grandmother has 'SUGA' and she said she doesn't think any children have 'SUGA' in Dominican.   After quickly googling now that I am back, I see that diabetes is more common in Dominican than she may have realized, in fact according to the Universidad of Santo Domingo, diabetes is the third cause of death besides heart attack and traffic accidents in the Dominican.

It was interesting to teach her about type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and after I showed her my pump once I was out of the water and she was very interested, pushing on my site asking if it hurts.  She smiled as she said, "you can eat whatever you want right..." and I nodded and was happy that she understood my little mini lesson.   Maybe she will take that information and meet a type 1 somewhere out there! You never know what impact you make or what lessons you teach!

Kayla