What "Treating A Low On The Go, Go-To Snack" Do You Currently Have On Your Person?

I always have food on my person. No matter how small the handbag or where I am, I ALWAYS have food on me.
Does it get to be cumbersome at times? YES indeed it does.
Do I bitch about it?? Yes indeed I do bitch out loud about my handbag being a mini CVS  from time to time.
But if I didn't carry around so much crap (food, testing supplies, insulin, spare infusion sets, etc.,) I wouldn't be able to live an independent life, so I tend to get over the occasional grumpiness in that area pretty quickly.
Currently, there's an emergency granola bar and about a half used roll of glucose tabs (Mixed Fruit flavor)  in my handbag.  And then of course there's my lunch, which  consists of Peach Greek Yogurt and two small apples and 4 cheesesticks sitting in the fridge at work.
Sidebar: Today's lunch (and backup food) is especially healthy because I'm going out to dinner with friends tonight  for dinner - And that meal won't be so healthy - But I digress! 
Now I tend to mix up my "on the go emergency snacks to treat a low" just so I won't get sick of them. Sometimes I carry Larabars, other times I carry the Trader Joe's Fruit Skins, and from time to time I've been known to carry Starbursts.
So my question to you dear Diabetesalicious reader is this: So what current on the go snack to treat a low do you have on or near your person?  And do you change up your  emergency travel time low treats just for shits & giggles or do you stick to the same thing??

An Insulin Pump Friendly Swimsuit & Unsolicited Judgment

Shopping for swimsuits is an ordeal in itself. Dealing with harsh dressing room lights and funhouse mirrors makes  buying, let alone actually wearing a swimsuit out in public hard enough.  Factor in an insulin pump into the picture and it makes swimsuit shopping/ wearing a flattering swimsuit more challenging on every level. 

My advice: If you find a a swimsuit ( or anything else for that matter)  that works for you and your insulin pump and makes you feel great - Don't worry about what others think . 

BUY IT  - AND BUY IT IN SEVERAL COLORS. "AND WORK IT, GURL !" 

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My offensive/insulin pump friendly A.B.S.Swimsuit, except mine is black - Love the lilac, though!
Swimsuit above appears different on me. And by "different I mean I'm no size 0, nor am I twig like. I still love this suit -And so does my insulin pump!

So it was my first weekend on the beach and I was happy to be there. It was a hot and and steamy Memorial Day weekend and the beach was a welcome relief. There was a breeze by the ocean’s edge and the water was ice cold. 

I spent a lot of time talking with friends, watching their kids disregard the cold water temps and boogie board like pros! 

With my feet in the cold water and my insulin pump securely  clipped to the V part of my my one piece, (see above pic)  all was right in my world. 

As I took my turn watching my friends kids coast in the waves and being silly, a woman (who I'd never met in my life,) looked me up and down and said: So I guess you bought that swimsuit so you’d have an interesting place to put your cell phone while you hung out near the lifeguard stand.

REALLY??

Now, lets get a few things straight.

1.   Everyone one standing by the water, but not actually swimming in it, hangs out near the life guard stand , especially if their children ( or their friends children are swimming) because people can only swim in front of the actual life guard stand and even though there are life guards - You feel compelled to watch the kids - It "takes a village after all."
2. The lifegards are young enough to be my nephews - So I’m not trying to pick them up, thankyouverymuch!
3.  Re the V-neckline cut of my suit: Not that I need to explain my fashion choices to anyone, especially this bitch, but I wear one piece swimsuits with a V neck design because I can clip my pump easily and securely to the V part of the suit - and as you can see from the picture above, the suit's design was perfect for wearing an insulin pump. And if truth be told, the V-neck swimsuit look works for me. If you don’t like it, that's OK, but  I don't need your opinion - Especially If I don't know you.
4. And I didn’t know this lady from Adam and quite frankly, I didn’t like her snarky/ judgmental tone. 

And in my head I was like: LISTEN BITCH, I invented the snarky tone, lady - Don’t mess with me, my insulin pump, or swimsuit fashion choice - You won’t win!

Instead I said: Actually, it’s an insulin pump, not a phone. And I bought the suit because I look great in it - OBVIOUSLY. And the fact that I can clip my pump in the front SECURELY is an added bonus.  Thanks for noticing, though! 

Lady: Oh... I just thought that you know, it was your phone. 

(SIDEBAR: In my head I'm thinking, SO WHAT IF IT WAS a phone - why do you feel the need to judges someone for their cellphone/insulin pump placement? )

It’s so crazy to bring a phone to the beach and it seems like everyone does. I’m really sorry. WOW, Diabetes  - You look really good for having diabetes. 

Me: Actually, I look MAGNIFICENT - And this is what diabetes looks like.  

And then I turned and looked towards my friends kids who were splashing and jumping and being silly, and shouting at me to continually watch them splash, jump and be silly. I waved back, told them they were doing a great job and focused on them, essentially ending the conversation right then and there. 

Because I don't owe anyone an explanation on my insulin pump or my fashion choice and I had much better things to do. 

Diabetesalicious PSA: Memorial Day Weekend Heatwave/Skunky Insulin Alert -Threat Level: FLAME ON

The calm before the summer season kickoff
Photo: courtesy of my iPhone

It's that time of year again......
######


I'm talking about a heatwave! For those of you living in the Mid West & The East Coast, the holiday weekend forecast brings with it a heatwave that's FLAME ON, and according to my sources, will be sticking around for a bit.
Personally, I think it's way to early in the season for that - But unfortunately, it's not up to me. 
With that being said, here's your yearly reminder (and regardless of your geographical location) to make sure you keep an eye on your insulin's bake rate and the fact that your insulin may indeed get skunky. 
For those of you wearing  an insulin pump, fill your insulin reservoirs at half mast during warm weather so that if your insulin does go skunky, your not throwing out 180 units at a time. Also, if you haven't already done so, look into getting a Frio for both your pump and your insulin bottle/pens, NOW. 
Skunky insulin is no fun - So be prepared and have a great weekend - And don't forget to wear your sunscreen!

Diabetes & Depression

Let Your Light Shine Bright....

May is National Mental Health Month - And I wanted to get this post up before it was over. 
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You may have read Sara & Scott's wonderful posts on Depression this week, and if you haven't - READ THEM NOW! And you may have participated in last night's #dsma on the twitter.  The whole chat was devoted to diabetes and depression and how to get through those times when you're feeling depressed.
Do yourself a favor and checkout the conversation. 


So here's what I think (and by think I mean KNOW,) about depression and diabetes related depression. 
There's no shame in the the falling down - it's the staying down that causes very real problems. 
Bottom line: Everybody falls down in life, (I'm talking metaphorically here, so falling down = depression,) and in life with diabetes.  
Some are genetically predisposed to depression and some are not, but all PWDs are dealing with very real life issue of living with a chronic disease, 24X7 & 365 days a year. Then add any all major life changes that get thrown our way (like the death of a loved one, a move, a change in job or relationship status,) and every thing else in between- And depression is absolutely a very real thing and it's nothing to be ashamed of.  
Personally, I think every single one of us living with diabetes has experienced depression to some degree. 
Some develop coping mechanisms early on, and others (and by "others" I mean MOST) develop coping mechanisms over time and with some help from both friends and trained mental healthcare professionals.
Falling down is par the course is life. So if you find yourself feeling down and feeling tired - that's OK. Talk to someone. 
Let your friends know how you're feeling and find a therapist who you feel ''gets you" and take it from there. The therapist might prescribe a combo of talk therapy, medication and movement and together the both of you consider the best treatment(s) for you. 
As for me - I've had those moments when I've fallen down - And worked very hard to get back up again. And while we're being honest, there were times when I needed a helping hand. So I grabbed that hand and took the help - And I'm so glad I did. And every now and then I need a tune up. 
Look, there will be days in life and life with diabetes that are tougher than others and there will be moments when you just don't feel like dealing. 
But you will get up and find your footing again. And buy getting up and asking for help when you need it, you will find that your light from within will shine as bright as the sun! And that by helping yourself to shine and stand tall, you will help every single person you come in contact with - And that my friends is a beautiful thing!

Victoria Cumbow & Shining On

Hi guys! I just returned from the Eli Lilly Summit last night and it was eye opening experience on so many levels! And I think it was really productive and informative for all of us in attendance and on both sides of the table. 
I have a lot to report back on regarding; Books (as in Cookbooks, Coco & ESPN & Hannah Montana,) Lilly, Lilly & the diabetes On-line Community & Social Media, but I need to gather my thoughts together and put them in a series of coherent sentences that form a series of coherent and tangible paragraphs to present to the DOC & the world - which is what I'll be spending my Wednesday doing.  And while I spend today doing all of the above, (plus work and laundry) the fabulous D Blogger Miss Victoria Cumbow has written a beautiful guest post straight from the heart! 
I know that you'll not only enjoy what she's written, you'll not only recognize a bit of yourself in her words & feelings - You'll find inspiration and hope. I know I did~
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Hi friends. I’m excited to be guest-posting on Diabetesaliciousness today. What an honor this is. Kelly is such a tremendous advocate, and we are lucky to have her in our corner.

Clearly, I’m writing this because I have diabetes. I’ve lived with type 1 for more than 18 years. Most days, diabetes doesn’t bother me at all. I just live my life and do what is required to have a happy and healthy future. I trust God will protect me and provide for me, but I also believe He gave us common sense to take care of ourselves, too. (Like take our insulin).

But like any other person, I have moments when my morale falls, my heart sinks or my fears creep in. Yesterday was one of those days. After years of receiving a clean bill of healthy (minus that whole pancreas-beta cell thing), I was told I have the beginning signs of diabetic retinopathy.

I was surprised, and my initial reaction was sadness and fear. (I didn’t cry though. Someone should write that down and frame it. For real.) As I continued to think about it throughout the day, I remembered a post Kerri Sparling (Six Until Me) wrote a while back where she offered a judgment-free wall for diabetics to anonymously post their fears, frustrations, guilts and vices of living life with diabetes.

It was a sobering read. Each comment brought tears to my eyes, eventually causing me to wipe them away just to continue reading. Some of the fears mirrored my own. Some were fears I’d not yet considered. But more than my own concerns, the comments broke my heart because of how many people share those fears. Fears can be overwhelming and can be debilitating.

I thought of my own journey with diabetes, and I remembered choices I'd made in the past that could've turned out much more dangerously. I thought about the times I'd dismissed diabetes to friends and the times I'd lied about A1cs to people and readings I'd fudged to my mom.

Living with diabetes means there's a potential for complications and a potential for heartache. I didn't cause this to happen to me, and I can't make it go away. I can only do the best I can do to manage my diabetes while still having an enjoyable quality of life. But there are some things that are out of my hands, and whether I'll bear children and find a husband who isn't scared or intimidated happen to be two of them. Whether retinopathy will take my eyesight one day is another. Whether I’ll be on dialysis is another.

But you know what else? I don’t know if I’ll be in a car accident tomorrow either. I don’t know if my grandmother will see her 100^th birthday. I don’t know if I’ll lose my job tomorrow or if something horrible and scary is just around the corner. None of us do.

So I’m making a change, and I encourage you to do the same. No more sadness or pity or sorrow. We can’t change diabetes, but we can surely change the way we think about diabetes. We have a tremendous opportunity to be a shining light for the next generation. Encouragement and a positive attitude can go a long way for a child recently diagnosed. I don't want to sugarcoat (haha, puny) the seriousness of diabetes, but I do want to be a cheerleader for others with the disease.

Sure, I’m 29, have osteoarthritis and early signs of diabetic retinopathy (didn’t you hear? 30 is the new 70.), but I am still smiling. I’m going to be happy and look at the glass as half full. No tears here, just hopeful optimism for the future. Optimism for my children and for yours. Yes, there will be tough days, and there will be more hurdles. But imagine a world where we don’t call diabetes a burden, but instead, call it what it really is – a less-than-ideal way to make amazing new friends around the world! (And to know someone who knows someone who is nominated for a Tony for her role on Broadway).

*****

Victoria~Victoria Cumbow is a former journalist who now works in communications for HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Ala. She's an Auburn graduate, a native of Tennessee and loves anything outdoors (except for snakes). She's a trained JDRF mentor in her local community and an online Diabetes Advocate. Victoria is currently training for a 105-mile JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes planned for October in Death Valley and you can learn more about Victoria's ride here. Victoria blogs about her faith and her life with diabetes at victoriacumbow.com and through Twitter @victoriacumbow 

Day 7 of Diabetes Blog Week: My Diabetes Hero

It's Day 7 of Diabetes Blog Week - And it's all about Heroes - As in: Who is my Diabetes Hero.

And it doesn't matter if that Hero is a type1, type 1.5, type2 or type 3.

My Diabetes Hero was my mom - Even though her pancreas worked fine until a few years ago. 

She never gave up, she always had a smile and a kind word and she could kick major ass when she needed to. 

My mother was a resilient woman whose sparkle could be seen from a mile away.

And my mother  always picked herself up  by her bootstraps and plowed ahead no matter what obstacles life tossed in her way - And she expected each of her children to do the same. 

My mom had 6 children, and three of those children had type 1 - And one of them passed away from type 1. 

She also had a husband with type 1 diabetes.

And my mother persevered. She kept moving and kept going and she NEVER gave up. 

And she never let her children with diabetes use diabetes as a crutch or an excuse - It was a part of life and we had to face it head on. 

And that attitude was one of the greatest gifts my mother ever gave me.

My mom had a heart that was filled with love and laughter.

But unbeknownst to us, she had a damaged heart from having scarlet fever as a baby - but no one realized it was damaged until she was in her 60s.

She was all "damn the torpedos" and damn them she did.

She was an athlete, a mother, a caregiver and an amazing woman. 

Here's the thing: my mom's heart was only working at 25% for the past four or five years, but my mom never told any of us that, and Girlfriend did more with a heart at 25% then most people did with a heart working at 100%.

She made her heart adapt and work for her. 

She never let it stop her from living or laughing or loving and she not only had a blast - she had a social life that would make most of us jealous!

And in the end it wasn't her 25% heart that did her in.

I miss my mom a lot  - But I was quite a lucky chicklet to have her for as long as I did. 

She's the reason I see the glass half full and she's the reason I keep on trucking. 

She's the reason I am tough and sweet all rolled into one and she's the person who inspires me every single day - Both in my life - And my life with diabetes - And even though she's no longer here. 

CHEERS Mommy!

Pink Hat, Red Hat.

Mom & I about 3 months before I was diagnosed

#DBlogWeek Day 6: It's All About Familiar Faces ~

It's day 6 of Diabetes Blog Week and it's called Saturday Snapshots.

Basically all the pics posted today are diabetes related. 

And the first thing that came to mind when I read about the subject matter for this was were all the DOC faces I've been lucky enough to meet in IRL - And all the faces that I haven't meet in IRL. 

So for the sake of time, here are just a few pics of fellow DOCers that we all know and love, and that I've been able to make face time with.

And opefully I can add your picture very soon!

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Me & the chicklet who created #DBlogWeek !

Me & some AWESOME Canadian DOCers!

D friends in the lobby of CWD Focus On Tech Conference
Photo courtesy of sixuntilme.com

D friends over drinks~
Photo courtesy of sixuntilme.com

D @ The HardRock 

D Friends

D Angels

D Cupcake LOVE In Beverly Hills

D Rocket Scientists? 

D Hugs

D twin

Simonpalooza & Cara in NYC 

Sprinkles Stare down

Roche & Friends For Life

Gracie's Gang At the Philly JDRF Walk

Diabetes Fashionistas @Tibi in Soho, NYC!
$100 of each sale of that amazing blue shirt support the DRI!

Insulin - The Discovery - NYC

Day 5 of #DblogWeek: Dear People With Fully Functioning Pancreases - I Need You To Know...

Day 5 of Diabetes Blog Week (#DBlogWeek)  is all about the one thing we'd like people without diabetes to know about living with diabetes.

ONE THING?? That's a tough one!

So instead I wrote a letter to those with perfect pancreases and listed many things~

*******

Dear People with fulling functioning Pancreases:

Kelly Kunik here - How goes it?

Yes, the rumors are true, I have type 1 diabetes.

I know I don't "look like I have diabetes," but this is what diabetes looks like.

You may not have received the memo, but I want you to know that diabetes doesn't have a look or an age bracket.

Diabetes doesn't discriminate by race, gender or economics.

Having diabetes is NOT a choice.

And diabetes is no ones fault.

I didn't develop diabetes because my mother gave me too much sugar or lacked in the Parenting Skills department, 

and I didn't develop diabetes because I was lazy and ate too many peanut butter cups.

I developed diabetes because I have an autoimmune disease and my body attacked the part of the pancreas that makes insulin.

Simply put: Insulin converts food into energy and every single person on the planet needs insulin to live. You make yours, I inject mine.

There are many different types of diabetes - But let's get one thing straight, regardless of the type - Nobody wants or deserves their diabetes - So lets bust that bullshit diabetes myth, NOW.

Having diabetes doesn't make me fragile or lazy or incompetent.

On the contrary, Because of diabetes I am indeed 32 flavors and then some.

And because of diabetes I work damn hard 365 days a year with no time off for vacations or good behavior in order to live a great life.

Having diabetes means that I am a multi-tasker by necessity and not by choice.

Living with diabetes means that I must always surround myself with the tools to take good care of myself, be it at home, at work, in the car, on the beach, a date or on vacation.

Living with diabetes has made me a Diabetes Savant - And requires me to continually learn about my disease, be technologically savvy, and roll with the diabetes punches - whether I want to or not.

Living with diabetes means that I will run into people who blame me for my broken pancreas and who tell me that if I just give everything white on my plate, I'd be off the dreaded insulin in 30 days.

I have news for those people- The "dreaded insulin" is my elixir of life - And like you: I require it to live.

Insulin is not a luxury item (though you'd think by it's absorbent price) and taking insulin does not mean I lack discipline - It just means I get to live another day.

So when you blame me, or anyone else living with diabetes for acquiring their diabetes, be prepared to be schooled. BIG TIME.

Having diabetes requires me to constantly think on my feet and be prepared - Boy Scouts have nothing on me.
Having diabetes is work - But that doesn't mean I'm incapable of work or success, both personally and professionally.

Having diabetes does not mean I can't have children or have a great life.

Having diabetes does mean that I've learned to pick myself up by my bootstraps no matter what, and diabetes has taught me to laugh at things that continually drive me crazy and plough through the all life's shit no matter how tired I am of living with diabetes.

WHY? so that I can get to the flowers and all the other fantastical things that life has to offer.
Having Diabetes has made me stronger than many because having diabetes requires strength, empathy and tenacity 24 X 7.

Having diabetes has made every person living with diabetes both resilient and filled with resilience.

Finally, 

I NEED you to know and remember this:  
The ONLY thing I can't do with diabetes IS MAKE INSULIN - Everything else is GAME ON. 

#DBlogWeek Day Four: It's All About My Fantasy Diabetes Dream Machine ~

Today's #Dblogweek Subject is all about creating our Fantasy Diabetes Device/Dream Machine.
So when I first saw the subject matter, I immediately thought that my fantasy diabetes dream would be having a pancreas that actually, you know... WORKED.
Which basically would = A CURE. 

Photo courtesy of the Western Wisconsin JDRF . 

But then I was like, I actually need working (or in my case existing) Islet of Langerhans, Since my Islet of Langerhans area was shot to shit long ago. 

Again,that would = A CURE. 

See Islet of langerhans visual below. 

Islet of Langerhans cluster courtesy of  auburn.edu

But it's all about my Fantasy Diabetes Dream machine, machine being the operative word. 
SO, if I were to design an actually mechanical Fantasy Diabetes Dream Machine, 

it would would sound a little something like this. 

My Fantasy Diabetes Dream Machine would be small, and by small I mean it would be super small, like no bigger than a face on a watch  or maybe a 50 cent piece. 

OK, no bigger than 2 inches long by 1 inch wide & 1/10 of an inch thick. 

A small face on a watch/50 cent piece/ 2 inch by 1 inch, 1/10 of an inch thick in size and completely wireless, Fantasy Diabetes Dream Machine that would be a combo insulin pump/cgm and whole bunch of other stuff. 
It would be capable of not only give me insulin delivery whenever I needed, but would also continuously take and record my blood sugar with 110% accuracy, every 15 minutes and notify and automatically suspend insulin immediately whenever I was low. 

Hey now, that kind of sounds a little like the Artificial Pancreas!

Anyway, my Fantasy Diabetes Dream Machine would have a singular battery that lasted at least 5 years ( FYI: defibrillator batteries last even longer,) and would automatically recharge via a small solar chip - Just in case something happened to my 5 year battery.

 My FDDM (Fantasy Diabetes Dream Machine) would allow for all types of settings including, but not limited to:

1. Automatic bolus/carb calculation and settings for various basal rates, including cyclical algorithms for the different seasons, all holidays and when I had my period. 

2. A built-in insulin cooling system so that during heatwaves and tropical vacations I would never have to worry about my insulin reaching its "bake rate" and going skunky.

3. It would be both waterproof and pressure proof so I could wear it while scuba diving of the Amalfi Coast and wouldn't smash no matter how clumsy I may or may not be. 

4. Automatic Dead Spot Detector so that I (WE) could avoid them all together and never have Deadspot absorption issues again.  

 5. Would automatically input GPS coordinates so that whenever I got lost, (I'm directionally challenged,) I could find my way back on track, both geographically and diabetically speaking. 
The GPS feature would also allow me to find my D Dream Machine when when I misplace it.

6.  Unlimited anytime minutes for not only phone calls and texting,(and be connected to my iPhone) but cupcakes as well. 

7. Speaking of iPhones, it would contain my iTunes library and earbud plug-in capabilities so that when I worked out, I wouldn't have to bring my ipod - Just my ear buds.

8. Built in wind machines and the ability to make me look like I was walking in slow motion while playing the appropriate music (I'm thinking maybe 'Pour Some Sugar on Me," "Sabotage," "American Woman" or "Us Amazonians," but I'm open to suggestions ) whenever I really wanted to make an entrance. 

Hey - It's my Fantasy Diabetes Dream Machine - I can make it do whatever I want!  

#DBlogWeek Day Three: One Thing I Need To Do Better Regarding "The Diabetes."

Day 3 of Diabetes Blog Week (#dblogweek on the twitter) is all about one area regarding "the diabetes" that I  need improvement in. 

ONE THING that needs improvement. SERIOUSLY? 

I need improvement in many areas of my life, both diabetes and non diabetes related so picking one area of improvement is damn near impossible. 

So here’s a smattering in list form of just a few of the many diabetes areas that need improvement in my life!

SIDEBAR: This list could have gone on well in to the middle of sometime next week - But I stopped at 6 because.... Well, just because it was an even number. 

1.  Exercise:  It’s not that I don’t like physical activity, because I do - And I feel really good when I do it. But the consistency thing regarding exercise is lacking in a  major way! Exercise wasn’t always an issue with me - I used to walk between 10 and 20 miles a week - I LOVED WALKING. If truth be told, I was a Walking Queen.

SIDEBAR: I’m also a Dancing Queen, but that’s for another post. 

Back to the post.  6 years ago, I tore the ligaments in my toe and suffered a few rounds of  metatarsalgia and morton’s neuroma which required cortisone shots. My high arches didn’t help matters (though I'm told they make for pretty looking feet,)  and it seemed as if every time I got back into high impact aerobics, one of the above mentioned would rear it’s ugly head. 

I've  actually become afraid of the metatarsalgia and morton’s neuroma  “what ifs,” and that shit just has  gotta stop, NOW because not only does my body miss being in top shape, but my head misses the the clarity that working out gives me. I need to get back into it and I’ve actually started taking  walks again - Not daily and not the 6 mile walks I used to take in the blink of an eye....YET, but I’m working on it. 

I also need to get the tires in my bike inflated because biking is a lower impact exercise that burns mucho calories and leaves the abdominal, butt and legs looking SMASHTASTIC. Again - WORKING ON IT. 

2.  Carb Count for Pasta: For the life of me, I can’t get the carb ratio right for pasta in any shape or form and no matter how hard I try. I’ve actually written Pasta a Dear John letter and  I’ve just about given up on pasta as an actual meal and have serious doubts regarding pasta as a side dish. 

3.  Basal Testing: Basal testing is probably right up there with enemas and root canals on my list of things I dislike intensely.
Here’s the thing, I totally psyche myself when it comes to basal testing. And I’m not really sure why. I was terrible at taking math tests when I was in school. I’d study for days and days for my Algebra , and I'd know the material before I went into the class room to take the test. But the minute I put pencil to paper my mind would totally go blank.  
Anyway.... For some reason midway between basal testing I tend to go to high or to low and then I have to stop the basal test and start again the next day. SIGH. 

4.  Changing my lancet: While I’m excellent blood sugar tester (I’m also an excellent dancer, hence the whole Dancing Queen moniker, but like I said, that’s for another post,) I suck majorly when it comes to changing my lancet, and i’m not really sure why. 

I’ve gotten better, but I’m not great. But I did just receive the Multi Click in the mail last week though, so hopefully improvements in that area will be forthcoming - And I’ll keep you posted!

5.  Over treating lows:  Sometimes when my lips are tingling, my body is shaking and I literally feel that my knees might go out from under me, the whole 15 grams of carbs to treat a low theory goes out the window. I try and stay calm and suck down the child size juice boxes in one gulp - but I’ll admit to following the juice-boxes with spoon Nutella or copious amounts of cream cheese and crackers. When your low your not only really hungry, your also really scared and the only thing you want is for your blood sugar to go up. For some lows, the 15 grams of carb theory is an easy fix, but for other lows - NOT SO MUCH. 

6.  Doorknobs:  I know they exist and literally in every hall and around every corner. But no matter how hard I try to avoid my pump’s tubing becoming ensconced around a doorknob - Eventually and like magnet to steel, they inexplicably become one! No matter how hard I try to get out - they keep pulling me back in! 

But no matter how long or short our list is regarding what we need to do better when it comes to living our lives with diabetes - We have have a sure fire way of dealing with any diabetes frustration and diabetes kinks that comes our way. 

We have each other to help us through  the good the bad and the diabetesalicious of it all - And that my friends is a wonderful thing!  

One Great Thing: #Dblogweek Day 2

Day 2 of Diabetes Blog Week is all about 1 great thing you do regarding your diabetes life. 

I considered writing about how spot on I am when it comes to eye balling cupcake circumference to its carb count equivalent, or how I can talk to a wrong number regarding diabetes. 

But I went with the following because there was a time in my diabetes youth that  I wasn't so great at it - And damn if I haven't come a long way baby! 

OK, this is as basic as life with diabetes gets, but one of the things I’m really good at re: living my diabetes life is testing my blood sugar, both on the down low and the in your face versions of blood sugar testing. 

Seriously, I test like mother fuck*r  and I don’t care where I am or who I’m with.

I’ve tested my blood sugar on the down low in work meetings, first date dinners, funerals and during plays and the people I was with were none the wiser for it.

And on the flip side, I’ve literally busted out my meter at the dinner table, at work and on the beach and didn’t care who was around.

I test and I test a lot. I fight for my insurance company to cover my 10 to 12 test strips a day because it’s my life and my life depends on me testing. 

I don’t make excuses for having to test - EVER. I just do it. And if people have questions they can ask -and they do - And I’m OK with that, and answer them directly and with a smile.  

Here’s the thing: Testing my blood sugar gives me comfort  (It's like my security blanket,) and testing my blood sugar provides me with a map when I’m feeling lost regarding my diabetes. 

And I try REALLY hard to not to get mad at the number on the screen. 

Instead, I view it as my Diabetes GPS, my life’s garmin so to speak - Telling me where I am and which direction I need to go in.  

If truth be told, I wasn’t always such a testing fiend. In college I could have done much better with my testing. I didn’t like to test - Quite frankly, I SUCKED AT TESTING. 

I didn’t feel the need - I thought it was stupid and viewed it as an anchor around my neck. But I was wrong and I wised up.   And I consider myself a very lucky duck, indeed.

I can’t change what I did or didn’t do then, I can only change my future. 

And in order to have a great future and a pretty fantastical present, I have to test. 

OF course unlike others that we know and love, I 'm not so great about changing my lancet. 

And  thanks to testing, I’ll never be a hand model - But after viewing this video, I’m sure you'll understand why I'm more than OK with that!

 ;)

Diabetes Blog Week: Find A Friend(s)

Today is the first day of the third annual Diabetes Blog Week, which was created by Karen over at Bitter-Sweet and it's pretty damn awesome!  BTW, you can still sign up for Diabetes Blog Week - THE MORE THE MERRIER!

Today's topic is "Find A Friend" - and it's all about a friend you've found thanks to the Diabetes On-Line Community. Seems simple enough at first glance, but picking just one friend DOC is a REALLY hard thing to do, because the DOC has connected me (and by ME I mean US) with so many friends that I can't keep count! Some of the friends I've been lucky enough to meet in real life, and the rest I'm looking forward to meeting in real life!

So I'm going to pick a three. becuase according to School House Rock, "3 is a magic number", and  because I can't pick one. Quite frankly and as long I'm being all types of honest,  it's damn hard to pick just three let alone one!

Ok, here it goes.

Scully over at Canadian D Gal makes me laugh and encourages me to embrace my inner athlete without making me feel like a wimp. Seriously, when I read of Scully's athletical achievements, not only am I thoroughly impressed, but I actually find myself getting my workout on more and contemplate cycling.

BTW, she recently completed her first marathon which is all sorts of impressive! I've meet Scully in real life and she's what we in Jersey call: Good People. So do yourself a favor and go read her blog - LIKE NOW.

Ellen Ullman doesn't have a dblog, but she should! Ellen is a parent of a type 1 son and many of you know her from her twitter handle: @curet1diabetes. Ellen's tweets, facebook statuses and emails sometimes make me laugh and sometimes make me cry, but they always make me learn! I've yet to meet Ellen in real life, but I cannot wait until that day!!

Finally, Ellen is a tremendous Diabetes Advocate for all people living with diabetes  - and regardless of the type! So do yourself a major favor and follow her on the twitter!

And lastly, (but certainly not least) is Rachel over at Tales of Rachel. Rachel is a type 2 and I consider her my friend. Rachel has taught me about living with type 2 and all that goes with it. Rachel also has a sense of humor that's funny and subtle all at the same time. Sometimes I'm  like: Did Rachel  really just mean to imply what I think she did? And 9 times out of 10 the answer is YES. And when the answer is no - It's even funnier!

 Rachel is also honest about every aspect of her life, including the good, the bad the diabetesalicious, & not so diabetesalicious of it all. I've met Rachel in real life and look forward to meeting up with her again!

Expand your diabetes horizons and checkout her blog, ASAP.

Ands finally to the hundreds of DOC friends I didn't mention in this Find A Friend post: YOU GUYS ROCK.

Every day I learn, learn to carry on, and share/shed tears of laughter, joy and sadness with you and because of what you share with me.

Bottom line: You guys make me better a bitter Chick - And I'm not just talking in the faulty pancreas department!