Category Archives: Community

Blooper.

Community, Dexcom

Diabetes Blog Week is still going strong!  Is it only day 3??!

Day 3 = Whether you or your loved one are newly diagnosed or have been dealing with diabetes for a while, you probably realize that things can (and will) go wrong. But sometimes the things that go wrong aren’t stressful – instead sometimes they are downright funny! Go ahead and share your Diabetes Blooper – your “I can’t believe I did that” moment – your big “D-oh” – and let’s all have a good laugh together!!

This particular topic got me thinking.  A lot.  And I was mainly coming up blank for something to write about!  There are little things that happen diabetes related that you can chuckle about.  Like poking your finger for a BG test and you get two spots of blood,  one from an earlier test.  Or going to test your BG on your iPhone instead of the actual glucose meter.  But these aren’t really blog worthy.  Or original.  Then I googled the definition of blooper and came up with this: 1. An embarrassing error.  That’s when a story came to mind.  I already shared this story back when it happened so I apologize if you’ve heard it already.

I take the railroad to work every day.  I’m usually one of the first few people at the spot where I wait for the train meaning that I’m closer to the platform edge.  This particular morning, not quite 2 years ago, I reached for my Dexcom receiver from my bag to see what my BG was.  And there it went.  Onto the train tracks.  I stared at it as if that was going to rewind time and bring it back.  And then I started freaking out.  I wasn’t exactly sure what to do so I called Joe at home (he leaves for work later than I do) to tell him I was still at the train station and why.  Based on his suggestion, I went back to the ticket office to tell the employee I had dropped something very valuable on the tracks.  The poor guy didn’t really seem to know what to do.  He called his manager and was waiting for a call back.  In the meantime, he thought maybe he could scoop it up with a broom and dust pan so went to get that from wherever it is they keep it.  While I waited, a second phone call to Joe resulted in him informing me that he was at the train station and had retrieved my Dexcom receiver for me!  Phew!!!!  I was so relieved that I had it back and wasn’t going to have to get a new one.  And so thankful that he did that for me.  This was a bit embarrassing and probably could never happen again even if I tried.  And let me tell you that I have never, ever reached for my Dexcom receiver on the train platform since that day!

Dear Daddy.

Community, Emotions

Day Two of Diabetes Blog Week = Letter Writing Day

In February the Wego Blog Carnival asked participants to write letters to their condition. You can write a letter to diabetes if you’d like, but we can also take it one step further. How about writing a letter to a fictional (or not so fictional) endocrinologist telling the doctor what you love (or not) about them. How about a letter to a pretend (or again, not so pretend) meter or pump company telling them of the device of your dreams? Maybe you’d like to write a letter to your child with diabetes. Or a letter from your adult self to the d-child you were. Whomever you choose as a recipient, today is the day to tell them what you are feeling.

My letter is to my late father who was taken from this life due to diabetes complications.  I will admit that I wrote this last year but I amended it a bit since I thought it was fitting for today’s topic. 

Dear Daddy,

It has been almost eight years.

Eight years without you.

Too long without you.

Too long since I’ve heard your voice.

Too long since I’ve seen your face.

Too long since I’ve held your hand or kissed your cheek.

Each year that goes by seems like a dream.

Did we really live another year without you?

I think back to that last time I saw you.

And I wish so much I never would’ve left your side.

I wish so much that moment could have lasted forever.

I wish so much it wasn’t the last time.

You took a piece of my heart when you left us.

Without that piece is emptiness.

An emptiness that aches no matter how many years it has been.

I still miss you with all my heart.

And would do anything to have you back.

Love always, Stacey

This is one of my favorite pictures of him and I, just three months before he passed away.

So Much to Admire.

Community

 

This is a tough one to start off D-Blog Week!
Admiring our differences – Monday 5/9: We are all diabetes bloggers, but we come from many different perspectives. Last year, Diabetes Blog Week opened my eyes to all of the different kinds of blogs (and bloggers) out there – Type 1s, Type 2s, LADAs, parents of kids with diabetes, spouses of adults with diabetes and so on. Today let’s talk about how great it is to learn from the perspectives of those unlike us! Have you learned new things from your T2 friends? Are D-Parents your heroes? Do LADA blogs give you insight to another diagnosis story? Do T1s who’ve lived well with diabetes since childhood give you hope? Pick a type of blogger who is different from you and tell us why they inspire you – why you admire them – why it’s great that we are all the same but different!!

If I had to pick a specific type of blogger who was different than me and write about how they inspire me, I wouldn’t know how to choose just one type. And that’s because even the other people with Type 1 diabetes are different than me. Going back to the infamous saying that your diabetes may vary – each and every one of us living with any type of diabetes, even the same type, have a different kind of diabetes.

So that means …….. I admire all of you. And I’ve learned so much from all of you too, even after having diabetes for almost 30 years. Major pieces of education I gained that stick out in my mind:

  • Going back to the days of Myspace where I first met other PWD online like Lee Ann, Tricia, Tina and Elizabeth to name just a few. I learned so much about the insulin pump from them that I finally took the leap and got one myself.
  • Learning more about the Dexcom.  After having a failed experience with the older Paradigm MM CGMS, I found out about the Dexcom from some of you.  And I’m so glad I did!
  • Learning more about what my parents went through when I was growing up from people like Sherry, Leighann, Lorraine and Scott.
  •  Getting motivation for #sweatbetes (that I struggle so much with) from so many of you.

All of this information, the friendships, the inspiration, are priceless to me.

I honestly wish I could mention everyone individually but all in all I admire the entire blogging diabetes community for how we each live with diabetes in our own way yet come together to share the same passion of educating and advocating for those living with diabetes. And each and every one of you hold a special place in my heart.

How you can get Involved.

Community

I just wanted to bring special attention to two important happenings around the diabetes community (that’s if you haven’t heard about them already).  Either of these is a great way to reach out to others.

#1. Victoria over at Dia-beat-this is collecting non prescription diabetes supplies for those affected by the tornadoes in Alabama.  Living in Alabama herself, she is working closely with agencies like JDRF and the ADA to get supplies to those in need.  Thank you so much Victoria for your efforts!  Please see her post here for more information on how you can donate. 

#2. This year’s annual D-blog week is ready for action!  It’s a week where we all share our stories, experiences and feelings about set topics every day for a week.  If that’s not unity, I don’t know what is!  If you haven’t signed up yet, I’d highly encourage you join the over 90 participants by doing so.  Thank you to Karen for organizing such a wonderful event!

If you know of other things going on in the upcoming days, weeks or months, let me  know!

Sisterhood.

Community, Emotions, Events

There are times living with diabetes that you can feel like the only person in the entire world who is dealing with the struggles of living with a 24/7, 365 days a year disease.  Then there is the online community who you can go to for support at any given time.  About anything.  Even better are the in person meet ups that often come out of interacting online.  Well take that up a notch and you have a whole weekend of time spent with about 100 women who all have diabetes of some type!  Now that is rewarding.

I had the honor of attending the Weekend for Women conference held by Diabetes Sisters this past weekend in Raleigh, NC.  There is something so touching about being in the presence of close to 100 women from 20 different states, all knowing what you go through living with diabetes.  It was a wonderful way to enlighten us about how best to take care of ourselves, reinforce that we are not alone and create a bond that is priceless.  I got to spend time with Allison, and got to meet Sysy, Sarah, Melissa, Melissa and so many others.

Friday night we were welcomed into the Sisterhood by Brandy Barnes, the founder of Diabetes Sisters.  We broke up into groups and had fun playing games to get to know one another.  And it was in fact that.  Fun.

There was a variety of speakers during the conference, all of whom were fantastic to listen to.  The first keynote speaker was Gloria Loring.  She has a son with type 1 diabetes, so although she doesn’t live with the disease herself, she is a very dedicated D mom.  She spoke about ways in which we can adapt to life living with diabetes through personal growth and shared some very touching personal stories.  She also sang for us which was a real treat with that voice of hers!

The conference offered breakout sessions where you could choose which one you wanted to attend.  I attended the Diabetes & Heart Disease discussion.  Dr. Thelsa Pulikkotil, chief cardiology fellow at UNC at Chapel Hill, offered some great information about what women with diabetes need to know about their risks for heart disease.  I’ll admit that some of it was a bit depressing, hearing those astounding risk statistics, but knowledge is power and from this I will be finding out my individual LDL, HDL and triglyceride numbers from my endo.  She added some humor to her presentation which I enjoyed.   I also attended the Living with Advanced Duration Diabetes session.  This was led by Connie Hanham-Cain, Claire M. Blum and Cindi Goldman-Patin all RN and CDE’s as well as part of the Diabetes Sisterhood.  Being in a room full of women who had a combined 500 years living with diabetes was inspirational to say the least!  It was again a bit depressing learning about some of the unspoken challenges and complications that can come from having diabetes a long time.  But it was also relieving to see so many woman who have some of these complications and are doing okay!  We also had a group discussion about Strategies to Improve Glycemic Control led by Elizabeth Politt.  She offered some good information about diet that is best for women living with diabetes.

The Celebration of Strength dinner was one of my favorite parts of the weekend.  It started with the reception room being decorated in orange.  It looked beautiful. (And I was very under dressed!)  Riva Greenberg spoke to us about flourishing with diabetes.  She shared her own story and we spoke to each other about challenges we had overcome.  It was very motivational to hear different stories about the challenges we overcome.  Every single woman in attendance was recognized for their time having diabetes and rewarded with their own Orange Will pin.  I was part of the Sisters with diabetes for 20-30 years.

We ended the dinner with some singing and dancing.  I will listen to Superwoman by Alicia Keys from now on and it will bring me back to that special moment shared by all of us.

Sunday morning started bright and early for the first annual Orange Will Walk.  We all came together, including the Mayor of Raleigh, and walked a mile in support of well, ourselves.  After the walk Mayor Meeker commended us for our efforts of educating and advocating for women with diabetes.  He presented Diabetes Sisters with a plaque and declared May 1st Orange Will Empower Women with Diabetes Day.  How awesome is that!

After the walk, we enjoyed a nice breakfast and a discussion about Sex, Relationships and Diabetes, led by Rhonda Merwin PhD and Lisa Honeycutt MA, LPC both from Duke University Medical Center.  This was a very personal topic which I think touched many of us.  We learned a lot about not only ourselves but about the role our significant others play in the daily routine of our diabetes care.

There was another breakout session and I attended Evolving Technology led by Kelly Close.  I’ve met Kelly before and always enjoy listening to her speak.  While I honestly didn’t learn too much that I didn’t already know about existing or upcoming technology products, it was great to hear Kelly’s perspective on medication and devices.  She shared her own experiences with things like the CGMS and other diabetes medications.  I admire what she does with diaTribe.  If you haven’t heard of it, I’d highly recommend checking it out.

Our last speaker was Ann Albright, Director of Division of Diabetes Translation Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  When I think of people working for the CDC, I automatically think of business-only, serious kind of people.  Ann to my pleasant surprise, is not like that at all.  Living with diabetes herself, she is passionate about creating better resources for people who have diabetes.  She suggested things we can do to improve these resources like getting more involved within our communities and even with our loved ones.  She was extremely down to earth, fun and you can feel her love for what she does through her presentation.  She ended with her love of the blues, playing Eric Clapton’s Change the World with us all on our feet, snapping, clapping and singing with her.  This is another song that I will never hear the same again.

Overall my experience at Weekend for Women was a memorable one.  There was so much that I gained from it, that I will take with me forever.  Thank you so much Brandy and the rest of the Diabetes Sisters team for organizing such a worthy event.  I’m really hoping I can make it again next year!

And a special thank you to my wonderful husband, who came along with me for the trip.  He was a great sport roaming the Raleigh neighborhood while I was in sessions.  And although he wasn’t with me during the conference itself, it was great to see his face during breaks and to have him by my side at night and during the Orange Will walk on Sunday.  It meant more than he will know to have him with me.

Some Friday Fun.

Community

In light of all the seriousness that has been spreading around the DOC this past week or so, I opted for something fun to post.  Thanks Allison (again) for the idea 🙂

one) what was your favorite sitcom growing up?  I’m sure there were more but the ones that stick out in my mind are Growing Pains, Cheers, The Cosby Show, Different Strokes, Family Ties, Golden Girls, Mr. Belvedere and Punky Brewster.  And please don’t judge!

two) what song always makes you happy when you hear it?  He Ya by Outkast.  I wouldn’t say “happy” exactly but for some reason, this song always lifts my mood and gets me in the dancing mood. 

three) do you still have your wisdom teeth?  Nope.  I had them all removed quite some time ago; probably around 9 years ago or longer.  And by all I mean 6.  Yes I know this sounds freak-ish but I had 6 wisdom teeth and learned that this is called supernumerary wisdom teeth.

four) what is your go to way to relax?  Usually it’s just getting in pj’s or comfy clothes and just vegging out on the couch.  But I can’t dismiss the heavenly massage that I get now and then.

five) do you play any instruments? The only instrument I ever learned to play was the recorder in like 3rd grade.  So sadly I’m going to go with no, I don’t play any instruments.

six) nude beaches, yes or no?  I am not comfortable enough with my own body to strut around nude anywhere outside of my own home.  I would also find it very distracting to be among other nude people, especially strangers.  Can you guess what my answer is?

seven) do you chew your pens/pencils?  I do not. 

eight) can you change the oil in your car?  Windshield wiper fluid, yes.  Oil, no.

nine) can you curl your tounge?  Only a little.

ten) can you knit or crochet? Another nope.

So this little post here makes it seem like I have no talent or the ability to do much of anything.  But I can, I swear 😉

Happy New Year!

Community

I didn’t really have the time to do a whole 2010 reflection like others have (and I loved reading them by the way!) but I did want to send a message to all my readers.

I wish each and every one of you, your families and friends a very healthy and happy new year.  May 2011 be a year full of successes, good memories and experiences.  I am looking forward to riding through the next year of life with all of you 🙂

Blessings

Community, Emotions

It is Diabetes Blessings Week in the diabetes community thanks to Mike declaring it so!  Many other bloggers have accepted his invitation to write a post each day of this week about these blessings.  Although I have fallen short of writing yet, being that it’s the day before Thanksgiving, I thought I’d reflect on some of the blessings for which I am eternally grateful.

Diabetes Blessings

Blessing No. 1 – the many friends across the country that I have made over the past few years.  Living with diabetes is not easy.  But somehow knowing and interacting with people who are dealing with the same or similar things as me made all the difference in the world in the outlook of my own diabetes management.

Blessing No. 2 – the condition of my eyes after having diabetes for almost 29 years.  The report I got yesterday from my long time opthamologist that there is still only minimal signs of diabetes and that whatever signs that are present are not progressing, was music to my ears!

Blessing No. 3 – the means to have an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to help in my diabetes treatment.  I am extremely blessed to have insurance coverage that includes things like these.  They have made a tremendous difference in my glucose readings over the past few years.

Blessing No. 4 – that I am physically capable of getting the exercise that is so beneficial to my diabetes health.  I currently have no physical limitations to keep me from getting the oh so important activity that my body needs.  Now if only I can seriously get over my laziness!!

Non Diabetes Blessings

Blessing No. 1 – our new home.  We just bought our first place a couple of weeks ago.  As stressful and tumultuous as the buying and moving process was, we now have a beautiful place that is ours 🙂

Blessing No. 2 – my husband.  The 12 years that we have been together (7 and a half of them married) have been wonderful.  We’ve been through some rough times together but in the end I think our love is stronger because of it.

Blessing No. 3 – my family.  I am thankful for the extended family I have but especially my mother, sister, niece and nephew.  I honestly don’t know what I would do without them.

Blessing No. 4 – my job.  Although it keeps me at the office late a lot and brings me stress at times, I am blessed to have a job that provides so well for me. 

I am wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving!  May you have much to be thankful for today and always.  And for those of us who will be counting carbs for the holiday, may your blood sugars be good to you!!! 

Six Things About Diabetes

Community

Today is the sixth annual D Blog Day.  (thank you Gina!) Everyone in the diabetes community is blogging about the six things they want people to know about diabetes.  I am going to try my hardest to read them all!  And here is my contribution about my life with the big D.

1.  As much as living with diabetes can suck at times, there are some pretty freaking cool people who have it.  Since becoming active in the diabetes community, I have met and become friends with some awesome people.  And although I’m not the least bit thankful for having diabetes, I am grateful for having met these other PWD!

2. Diabetes is a full time job.  Having to know my blood glucose level never goes away.  It’s every minute of every day of every week of every month of every year.  So yeah, sometimes it gets to me and I get tired and it would more than nice to have a cure.

3. I may look like any normal person on the outside.  People who don’t know me would probably never even guess that I live with a chronic condition.  It doesn’t stop me from doing things like normal people most of the time.  But diabetes is very serious and there are life threatening situations that can arise.  It can take loved ones away from us.  Don’t forget that just because I look just like anyone else.

4. Having the support of other PWD in your life is priceless.  I went the first 20+ years of my diabetic life with support from family and friends.  And although they are great and I would be lost without them, it’s not the same as having encouragement from others who are going through similar experiences.

5. If my blood sugar is high or low, it doesn’t necessarily have something to do with anything I did “wrong”.  There are so very many variables that impact glucose readings that sometimes it can’t be attributed to anything specific.  The human body is complicated and can seem to have a mind of its own at times.

6.  Most importantly, not only are there different types of diabetes (type 1, type 2, LADA and gestational) every case of type 1 is different.  Everyone’s type 1 diabetes varies.  This means that what may work for me, may not work for someone else and vice versa.  There is no “uniform” way to care for diabetes.

November = Busy Diabetics

Community

I’m sure I’m not alone in wondering how on earth it is November already?!?!!?  It feels like just yesterday that we were getting used to the year 2010 and shoveling lots and lots of snow in NYC.  Now there’s only 2 more months left of the year and I’m hoping this winter’s snowfalls are not a repeat of last year!

All that being said, November is a busy month for those of us who advocate for diabetes awareness.  I will admit, I’ll mostly be taking a back seat to a lot of the events this year since I am literally up to my nose in boxes from our move.  But I wanted to still do my part in getting the word out of all that is going on.  So here are some of the things to look forward to!

  • The month of November is Diabetes Awareness Month.  There are so many ways you can educate and raise awareness about living with diabetes.  Below are some of the ways.
  • Today marks SAE It Loud Day, started by our friend Sarah over at Sugabetic.  Join the crowd and let everyone know you have something to SAE!
  • Check out this video.  Each time the video is viewed, a donation will made to provide a child with diabetes in one the poorest countries a week’s worth of insulin.   
  • November 9th is D-Blog Day.  D-bloggers all around the country (and beyond) will be posting about six things they want people to know about diabetes.  I know I can’t wait to read all the blogs.
  • November 14th is World Diabetes Day.  There are lots of events being planned for this big day in the diabetes community so look around for one near you!
  • The Big Blue Test will also take place on World Diabetes Day.  Make sure you participate!
  • There will be type 1 talks being held for World Diabetes Day.  If you can, join the conversation!
  • The month of November is also National Blog Posting Month.  A lot of d-bloggers will be taking advantage of this opportunity to blog about diabetes and raise awareness every day of the month.   Kudos to each of you who will be doing this!
  • Blue is the “official” World Diabetes Day color.  Take Mike’s idea and make your blog blue for diabetes.  Or you can wear blue every Friday like Cherise will be.
  • Diabetes Social Media Advocacy will be hosting guest blogs from a different person with diabetes each day of the month.  (look out, I may just be one of them!) 

Phew!  That’s a lot to take in.  But it’s all good.  And we are all going to show the world just what having diabetes means and why finding a cure is so important.