The Edge

Sometime it's hard to know what blood sugar is the 'perfect' blood sugar.  The running joke is that a 5.5 is perfect... and the reason I say joke is because everyone including myself takes a photo of their meter with a nice 5.5, but most likely finds themselves dipping below that in as little to an hour.   It's hard to stay stable and especially if you're about to walk into a fitness class or go out for the evening.

I have been watching my blood sugars like a hawk lately - still taking the vitamin D religiously and I even tried coconut oil in tea today - let me tell you that it was odd and I didn't finish my cup that contained 2 tablespoons of it.  I have also  been keeping up with going to the gym and making better food choices; however, I find it hard to stay stable when doing all of these things at once.

My blood sugars have been MUCH better than ever before, of course I get the odd whacky number, but really, I haven't noticed too much swinging from highs and lows.  Today, I went into the gym with a 5.6 and I was nervous about it, because I knew that working out was going to lower it, and as a snack before the gym I just had two boiled eggs.  I brought some sugar tablets just in case - and I ended up snacking on them (just four of them...) while working out because unexpectedly I decided after already being at the gym for 40 minutes that I was going to do a step class.

I wasn't sure how hardcore this workout was going to be, but I didn't feel symptoms of a  low so I walked in feeling O.K about where my blood sugars were.  However, as the hour class went on, I felt like I was either going to drop into a low real fast at any moment or after we stopped to breathe.  Luckily, I talked myself into believing I was O.K.  I did a quick check, I wasn't shaking, I wasn't disoriented, I wasn't feeling completely weak....therefore I must be O.K. To be honest, I wanted to give up so bad, like so bad! I hated the class because I couldn't keep up, follow direction and I was bored of it - but I pushed through to complete it.

It was a good workout, however, I doubt I will do it again - at least not at the Y. I did do step at Western's Gym and it wasn't as bad as this - not that the teachers were bad, it was just a little too fast paced for me.     Either way, by the time I got home from the gym my blood sugar was 4.6 which wasn't too bad.  I also had decreased my basal 50% for a two hour duration - so I think had I not done that it would have been much lower.

I returned home to have about 10 apples slices with yogurt dip and hopefully I can stay afloat (above 5.0) for the rest of the night.  I am hoping to decrease my basal rate over time, to cut down on insulin usage.  I am really taking my health into a major makeover - not expecting to become a skinny 10 units a day diabetic - but a healthy one with good endurance, positive energy and a great smile!

Kayla

Vitamin D...iabetes?

Recently, like I said I started looking at other ways to lower blood sugar instead of leaning on my insulin pump. I was hoping to reduce the amount of insulin I use in a day which is usually 60 units (including basal/bolus) and now, in the past week it has been reduced to approx. 40 units (including basal/bolus). I am pretty excited that it is almost down to half the amount I was using before, mind you my basal rate is pretty high.

So, what am I doing? Well first of all I have been making better choices with food. Avoiding bread and pasta - although a few times I have broken that rule because I was on the road or needed a quick lunch and therefore I grabbed a sandwich from Tim Hortons.  Other than that, I have done well in picking foods that I know I can burn fast like fruits & veggies and food that I know will keep me full like trail mix and mini wheats - however, I think I need to stop eating mini wheats because I am getting major stomach pain from them even if I eat the slightest bit.

The second thing is that I am trying hard to work out. Focusing on both cardio and weights.  I am attempting to go to the gym for an hour for at least a minimum of 2-3 times a week (just for a starter!) I also started taking Zumba every Tuesday-Thursday and I find that it is a class that goes fast, makes me smile and gives me a good workout.  

The third thing is that I am taking vitamins! A few people had suggested I take Vitamin D and I totally forgot the last time I was looking and when I asked the pharmacist what she suggested she wasn't very clear - I should have known to just ask the diabetes community.   I bought Vitamin B for stress/energy and I believe that it works well, however, when I suddenly remembered that a few of my type 1 friends had suggested Vitamin D, I headed back to the store to buy that as well.

Turns out this Vitamin D is doing something right! Or at least, I am really proving the concept of the placebo effect.  I have gone a few days with having blood sugars no higher than 12 and trust me, that's a good accomplishment - also note that I am taking less insulin.  I am finding that it in combination with the other two things are keeping me relatively in target, with a couple lows here and there.

Either way, it appears that Vitamin D is for Diabetes and I am pretty happy with what it has done for me thus far!

Kayla

Lead the Way

Sometimes it is unfortunate information on diabetes is lacking. Many people have no idea what they are dealing with even when they are diagnosed with diabetes not to mention the lack of knowledge within the community itself. Diabetes seems to be a 'big deal' however, many are confused when it comes down to what diabetes entails.

As I work more and more with the diabetes community both type 1 and type 2 diabetics - I am finding that knowledge isn't as readily available as I thought it was. It could be that my generation always has access to internet therefore, is more likely to research or reach out, but either way, the message that there is support is not as freely expressed to those that need it most.

When you're diagnosed with diabetes I believe you should be given all the right tools.  You should be given a diabetic education team including a dietician and you should have access to all the programs including those that pertain to funding.  I believe that nurses and doctors should talk about online diabetes communities as well as smaller ones that get together locally.  I believe in ensuring that the person living with diabetes is ready to go on living their life with diabetes without having any doubt in themselves.

I used to think it was just the people who had no connection to diabetes that didn't know what diabetes was all about.   That's far from the truth, there are people living with diabetes that do not even know what type of diabetes they have.  There are people living with diabetes that do not know where to get a meter from.  There are people living with diabetes that are struggling daily because they feel like they have no one helping them.

This is saddening because I know that there are resources out there, but after talking to a colleague of mine I realized that they is a lot of resources; however, only in desperate times do people go searching from answers. If you're getting by with a pamphlet of knowledge about your diabetes, then fine.  It is when you're blood sugars start soaring or crashing that you realize that Diabetes Basics 101 isn't good enough anymore.

I enjoy helping others out with their diabetes. Of course I am not a medical professional, but I am sure all could agree that with some good first hand experience of being diabetic, you're a pretty good resource.  Often times I will speak to my grandparents about better management.  Giving your perspective, advice or help can be rewarding not only for yourself, but for another person living with diabetes.

Kayla

Try Something New

I'm always looking for something to entertain myself - something to work on like a project.  Lately, I have been looking at myself as a project, hoping to cut back on some unnecessary food choices and thinking taking out the garbage as a chance to burn a couple calories; rather than a big chore.   I have fallen off the wagon a couple times, drinking those yummy frozen raspberry lemonade drinks from Tim Hortons and baking a batch of oatmeal cookies only to eat half of them.   However, those things happen and I guess the important thing to do is to not give up, and make your next snack an apple.

I am all game for trying new things.  This all started when I was diagnosed, I put myself in what used to seem as impossible situations and then tried them out. I stood out instead of standing back and I pushed myself.  Heck, I even did a half triathlon and didn't train for it (I wouldn't advise that by the way...)  Pushing myself and trying new things was all the range as the new diabetic Kayla and I continue to do that... even though those things I once thought of as terrifying i.e public speaking has now become one of my most favourite things to do.

Me giving a presentation - something three years ago
 I never thought I would have done!

Today I walked into the YMCA with no intention on doing a class,  I did the machines and then hopped on a bike ready to watch 48 Hours on A&E.... but then I was intrigued as a line formed outside of the gymnasium doors.  I wondered what they were doing, so I shut off the bike and walked over to the wall that had the schedule posted. What I saw was a program that involved yoga and pilates - I didn't think it would be too bad and honestly I wanted to stay at the gym as long as I could since my apartment is 87 degrees.  

When the instructor walked in I instantly knew that this wasn't a yoga class, well before she even walked in I had a feeling this wasn't yoga since no one was grabbing a mat and some girls were wearing outfits that just didn't seem well, yogaish. Well, the instructor came in wearing bright green 'ZUMBA!" pants and as much as my head was saying BAIL!  I stayed because I decided I didn't know anyone and we weren't facing the mirrors anyway.

I have done Zumba a few times, including in Mexico when Michelle would drag me up.. eventually I was excited to be dragged up and Michelle and I became the two and only dancers at the resort.  However, you would think with all that fun in Mexico I would have picked up a few moves, but no, dancers are born not created.. those who can't dance, fake it until they make it and that's me.  I just danced and I was probably doing it wrong, kicking left when it was supposed to be right or clapping 3 seconds after everyone else, but half of the class was just like me, not knowing what they were doing but trying and laughing anyways.

The hour went fast and after a good solid hour and  half work out at the YMCA my sugar dropped from 14 to 5 and I was feeling good about myself and my efforts.  Plus I learned the Bachata which was the name of the resort Vince and I stayed at  in Dominican!  But, don't ask me to do it again, because it was one of those learn it there, forget it when you leave type of things...

So, try it! Try something new and be excited and proud of yourself.

Kayla 

Leaving an Imprint

Any opportunity to teach someone something new is always a rewarding experience. Since working at the Banting House with the Canadian Diabetes Association, I have become more and more intrigued at the life of Sir Fredrick Banting - the man who discovered insulin and saved my life. I spend 31.5 hours a week in the basement of his house - the exact house he came up with the idea of insulin.  There are times when I stop and think, wow, if it wasn't for this man I wouldn't be here... I wouldn't be in his house.

I have now gone on three tours of the Banting House and it has been awesome all three times. I learn something new each time.  Today I went through the house with my three favourite little boys, Nolan, Josh and Ky and their mom, Shannon.  I was excited to see what they thought of the museum since they know quite a bit about diabetes because of me.

Going through the museum, watching as the boys looked at different artifacts asking questions and taking photos - I realized that there is strong importance in learning about something and passing it on.  History is important as much as I dreaded the full year course I took at Western.  History matters and because of historians the messages of the past are still here and alive.

After the fact, I was happy to hear that the boys really enjoyed the tour and Ky even said that it was the most interesting thing he has ever done.  I am happy to know that they took something from the house and hopefully they learned how important history is, how important pursing your dream is and that anyone is capable of making a difference and leaving an imprint on this world.  I know I am continuing to learn this every single day.

Kayla

It's not Diabetes

It's really easy to point the finger at Mr. Diabetes. He seems to cause a lot of troubles most of the time, but like the class bully, sometimes he's not the one that did it.  Often times our head pain, stomach aches, grumpy-ness, fatigue or hunger is caused by diabetes.  We get these symptoms from highs and lows and despite getting annoyed with diabetes because of those symptoms it does often give us a good idea on how to cure our headaches, grumpy-ness etc. just a little insulin or food will do.

However, sometimes it isn't diabetes causing the troubles. Sometimes we just have a headache because well, people get headaches or we are tired because we stayed up too late or didn't get a good sleep.  After blaming the big D for such a long time, often diabetics have a hard time accepting that they are just not feeling good and it has nothing to do with diabetes.  Of course all of these things in turn effect diabetes, but in the meantime, sometimes a headache is just a headache.

Today, I was feeling pressure in my head and couldn't seem to shake it.  My first though of course was that my blood sugar was off,  but to my surprise I was rocking a nice 6.3.  I then just had to accept that my headache had nothing to with my diabetes and there wasn't much that I could do besides take a Tylenol to stop it from happening. That made me realize that sometimes it is nice when it is due to  high/low blood sugar because then at least you have the answers!

Kayla

Diabetics Gone Country!

It's not everyday that you get to spend some time with a diabetic - that strange feeling that all of a sudden you're not the only one concerned about carbs or about your pump tubing getting caught.  It's a breath of fresh air to see someone just like you, a small reminder that you're not alone.

This weekend I went to Buffalo, NY. With my friend Shannon and Heather.  Heather is a type 1 diabetic and we met a couple years ago at a Connected in Motion event and ever since then we have been good friends keeping touch through texting or Facebook.  We have also done a couple other events together.   The funny thing is that Heather and I both have purple pumps and not only that,  but often people tell us we look alike.

Before I had even travelled too far, I realized I forgot  my insulin pump at my apartment. A good start to the trip - but it made for a good joke about Heather and I possibly having to share an insulin pump.    I had packed a couple supplies, but I was feeling a little less anxious because I knew that if I forgot something chances are Heather might have it - besides the insulin pump, I'm pretty sure she needs that and cannot share!

It was nice when we sat at the table and both pulled out our meters, I knew both of us were calculating carbs in our heads and then reaching for our pumps to dial insulin.  It's that mutual understanding that makes it great to have someone just like you around.

Later at the concert I made a joke that instead of holding up lighters or our cell phone for the slow songs, we could turn the light on our pumps and wave them in the air.


Kayla