#2013ADA: A Global Diabetes Village~

“It takes a village to raise a child.” 

As for me,  I believe that it takes a Global Diabetes Village to live; understand, treat, empower & hopefully one day cure people living with diabetes. And for me, the American Diabetes Association’s 73rd Scientific Sessions was the embodiment of that D Global Village coming together and uniting~

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So I’m still discombobulated (it’s my new “old” favorite word,) from attending the American Diabetes Associations 73rd Scientific Sessions in Chicago. 

It was Diabetes in all dimensions for four days and so much info was being thrown at me in the form of lectures, symposiums, meetings, etc that I still am digesting it all! 

 So here are a few thoughts while I continue to digest the experience  and get back on track in my world.

I strongly believe that it takes a Global Diabetes Village when it comes to living with diabetes - I'm not trying to get political, it's just how I feel. 

And I had the opportunity to meet many members of that Global D Village at #2013ada. 

I had the opportunity to talk with (and just as importantly, listen to) scientists; Endo’s, CDEs, nurses, Pharma and other empowered patients and their families talk. And the global diabetes village concept was what kept going through my head for days and days. 

While we live in a big world, social media has made the world of diabetes even smaller, communication more immediate and widespread. 

Diabetes was the topic not just in the hallways of the convention center, diabetes was the topic on shuttles, taxis & the metta. When a scientist sitting next to me whilewaiting for the metta (metro) told me that he purposely  induced hypoglycemic episodes to have a better understanding of what being low actually felt like, I was simultaneously impressed and worried for him at the same time. 

Why would anyone purposely do that do themselves if they didn’t have too??? But the fact that he was both amazed and disturbed by how he felt and wanted to prevent others from feeling that way, showed me how much he really cared... And how much he really "got" it. 

Diabetes was the the topic of no holds barred conversations at breakfast, lunch, dinner and happy hours. Incredibly honest conversations - and not all of them polite, either. 

But those conversations helped me as an empowered patient to understand the science, research and pharma side, of a disease where 95% of the care is in my/our hands. 

And I like to think maybe I (and by "I", I mean WE - as in other Diabetes Bloggers in attendance,) helped more than a few people to understand the human and day to day, 24X7, 365 days a year with no time off for good behavior, side of living with diabetes.

Bottom line:  “If each person helps another person, the world will change,” lives will be saved - And people with diabetes and who work in the Diabetes Global Village will pay it forward. 

Don’t take my word for it, watch THIS video produced by The Diabetes Hands Foundation and see those words in action!

I was lucky enough to hear the fabulous Kelly Close talk live about her experience test driving the Bionic Pancreas trial at the t:slim dinner on Saturday night. Kelly reminded us all how much time in our lives is consumed with diabetes trickery and treatment. 

And early Sunday evening, when I was literally trapped in my hotel room waiting fro a 48 blood sugar to go up before I could actually leave said hotel room and grab a cab to attended the Johnson & Johnson DOC Exchange dinner, Kelly’s words once again rang through head: 

During the trial, I also had a striking epiphany about living with diabetes: “Oh my gosh, I waste so much time having diabetes!” Being distracted because of a low, doing all these things to make sure I’m staying in range, and the super big time-leech, hyperglycemia. Whew! I felt like my whole world changed when I was constantly in a state of normoglcyemia. And then I wondered how much I try to be "normal" and make it "seem" like diabetes is easy to manage – that mentality is also probably exhausting, even though I'm not even aware of it.”

And at that moment in time when I was running late and so very mad at myself and my low blood sugar, all I wanted do was tell my diabetes to leave me alone! I wanted to stop having to wait for diabetes to get with my program, instead of always having to get on my diabetes program. 

And there were so many moments of Diabetes wonder - Like too many to write in one post.  

One in particular was a pretty awesome because I had the opportunity to watch from the side lines as my very own Endo presented in the Poster Hall. I literally beamed with pride at my Rocking Dr. J!

Another D moment of wonder and awesomeness was when I met DOC member Renza Scibilia in Chicago from Australia. I’d know Renza from the DOC, and I  consider her a friend. But I actually got a chance to talk with her face to face and give her a hug in real time - Amazing and priceless! 

And ironically at that moment - I loved that diabetes had given me such a beautiful opportunity. 

This Diabetes Global Village is many levels and multifaceted  - It’s amazing and awe inspiring - And communication is paramount to all the members of the D Global Village. Communication helps us to understand one another and help one another, whether we live with diabetes, or work in the diabetes arena.. or both.

And there was a hell a lot of valuable information being communicated in all dimensions at #2013ada  !!

What Is This Thing "THEY" Call: Packing Light?

What is this thing "they" call: Packing light? But seriously though, I don't get it - And I can't do it. 

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For the record: I ’m not a light packer when it comes to traveling, partly because of genetics, but primarily because of my type 1 diabetes... Which now that I'm thinking about my family history - My packing issues are really ALL genetic, but you know what I mean! 

As the daughter of a Tailor/ Salesman and Professional Ice Skater - I love clothes - I appreciate a good cut and a fabric that drapes well~ 

As a person living with Type 1 Diabetes, those clothes have to accommodate my insulin pump. 
Also appreciated, but have yet to find?  A REALLY GOOD detergent that gets blood spots out of clothes due to blood sugar testing and or infusion set snags - Even when the blood's been sitting for a bit because someone didn't notice the blood spot until an hour (or 10) after it occurred.

Because I am mother’s daughter, I have a thing for shoes & sparkles. 

Because I have Type 1 Diabetes, I travel with more shoes than most, because my feet are REALLY sensitive - like Princess & The Pea sensitive. I’m always switching my shoes out  - Especially when hanging out at a convention center for 5 to 8 hour stretches.

And  while I’ve been told I have pretty feet, the high arches inherited from both parents add to their Princess & The Pea status.

Also, diabetes or not, I have this thing about not letting my feet actually touch hotel floors - regardless of the hotel I’m staying in. So I end up packing (and going through) a REDONKULOUS amount of socks with me, so while I’m putzing around room and getting ready, my feets never touch the floor, while still having enough clean pairs to wear with my sneaks while doing laps around the airport/ city/convention center.  

My dad was sort of OCD, so I think I kind of get that from him - But in the dark recesses of my mind, I’m sure diabetes also comes into play! - As do the J & J blister band-aids tucked in my suitcase & day bag. 

As far as the sparkle - My sparkle usually is mixed with the Diabetes alert bling. 

As a person living with diabetes, having my diabetes supplies in my carry-on is a must .

But as a person living with type 1 Diabetes, I've gotten in the habit of keeping an 8 X10 ziplock bag jammed with pump supplies & two extra containers of unopened test strips and lancets in the mesh part of my luggage lid ...... Just   in case. 

I usually end up using all the pump supplies in the ziplock bag, which leaves me  more room in my luggage for my dirty socks and skivvies on the way home. 

Also, I double the supply of my oral meds for my trips - Because you never know what’s going on at the airport.

Then there’s the box of Granola bars and the tubes of glucose tabs - All diabetes related - and divided up into my carry-on/ handbag & suitcase.

And what about the he Lindt 70% percent Dark Chocolate Bar in my handbag?  well, that's all my mother’s fault. 

Marjory always had a little chocolate on her when she traveled - I’m just keeping the tradition alive. 

So yeah, I need a much bigger suitcase then the purple mediumlarge one I'm currently packing to the gills for ADA! 

I guess I'll deal with that when I get home! 

A Diabetes Super Genius?? Not Even Close!

You know that moment when you're sitting at your desk and in a groove and have just bolused for your lunch of greek yogurt & a big fat orange, when all of a sudden your loaner insulin pump's alarm goes off and the words: NO INSULIN DELIVERY, flash on the screen... And then you're like: NO INSULIN DELIVERY, HOW CAN THAT BE!?

ALSO:

WHAT THE WHAT?!

And then you pretty much have a coronary.... Until you remember that moment at 10:33 last night when you were already to jump into bed, but your loaner insulin pump picked that exact moment to reminded you that your insulin reservoir only had like 10.7 units left. 

But stupid you was like: No worries.... I'll just refill tomorrow as soon as I get up, right before I jump in the shower, but immediately after my first cup of coffee. 

OBVIOUSLY, I didn't do that last part - And I'd forget my pancreas if it was attached to me! Hey... waitaminute! 

And now after running home an getting a fresh'y filled reservoir,  

I think I'm going to change my name to:

Diabetes Interrogation tactics Will Not Be Tolerated - And Will Lead To You Being Asked Some Very Personal Questions

This post was inspired by many things, including being denied a cupcake recently..... just because I had type 1 diabetes.

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How much do you weigh.....  Come on seriously, how much do you weigh? Really? You look MUCH HEAVIER.  Interesting. 

When's the last time you had sex & what's your favorite position?  Also, why are you looking at me like I have 3 heads for asking that question?? And for the record, I don't care if we've just met - TELL ME.
  

I think all of us can agree that the above questions are pretty damn personal (not to mention inappropriate,) and  none (OK, most) of us would never consider asking them to an acquaintance or coworker, let alone a complete stranger. 

And many of us wouldn't even ask our close friends those questions, because quite frankly: 

1. It's none of our business

2. It's none of our business.

So why is it OK for people, other than our HealthCare Professionals (and even then I prefer it to be my diabetes HCP, who understand the #everynumberhasastory, concept) to ask us what our a1c is & why? 

Who said it was OK for the person sitting across from us either in real life or on the net to ask: What's your blood sugar? WHY SO HIGH AND WHAT THE HELL DID YOU EAT!!  WHY SO LOW.... WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?!!

How come people (and sometimes people we've just met,) have absolutely no problem telling people with diabetes what they can and cannot eat/do in a room full of people or one-on-one and regardless of the diabetes type? 

And since when is it OK to say: But you take care of yourself..... right??? You don't have any diabetes complications.... right? Only people who don't do what they're supposed to get diabetes complications.
NEWS FLASH: it's not OK to ask a PWD (person with diabetes) about D complications and assume/ blame the PWD. 

It's not OK. It's not OK to assume or judge or tell me I can't have a cupcake because of my busted pancreas,

Just like It's not OK judge a person on their current and or past blood sugar.

It's bullshit in all dimensions is what it is. 

Some things are private in life, and some things are private in life with diabetes. 

If and when people with diabetes choose to share, it should be the person(s) with diabetes choice. 

And when people with diabetes in the Diabetes Online Community (and offline) share, we share for many reasons. 

We share to get support. We share to give support. We share because we are proud. We share because we are struggling.  We share to educate and we share to be educated. We share to show others that they are not alone in their life.... or their life with diabetes.

Bottom Line: D Interrogation tactics are not appreciated, nor will they be tolerated -And will lead to you being some very personal questions~ 

However, asking the person with diabetes how they are doing because you really care, or asking how you can learn more about living with diabetes in all it's shapes and forms is greatly appreciated - And will let to some very interesting, honest and from the heart discussions. #fact 

Diabetes Blues Clue~

Saturday Silliness via the diabetesaliciousness Facebook page & based on a diabetes reality~

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So can you spot the diabetes blues clue? 

This is Pancreas 1, The Islets Have Landed. I REPEAT: THE ISLETS HAVE LANDED. Over.

Sometimes I amuse myself~
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The other night I was on my way to pickup my latest takeout addiction, Mexican Chicken & Jalapeno Cesar Salad (SO DAMN TASTY and easy on the blood sugars that I've ordered it like 3 times in 8 days) and was  waiting for the light to turn green so I could walk across the street and pick up my much anticipated grub. 

And that would be when I noticed the lady standing next to me was staring at my insulin pump tubing that was dangling out around my waist. The pump was covered by my shirt, but the tubing was dangling and all loop, de loopy.

And above mentioned lady was really staring.... Like wanting to reach out and and yank out my tubing just to see what the hell it was connected to, type of staring.

And instead of starting a conversation about diabetes and insulin pumps like I normally would, I grabbed my insulin pump, ran my fingers up the tubing and put the pump up to my mouth and said: This is Pancreas 1, the Islets have landed. I repeat, THE ISLETS HAVE LANDED. Over. 

And then the light changed and said lady looked at me like I was completely crazy and high tailed it to the other side of the street faster than you can say: Islet of Langerhans. 

Yeah, I know it was wishful thinking and incredibly sarkalicious on my part, but I couldn't stop laughing!!

MISSING: FindMariRuddy.com

UPDATE: 6/13/13 @ 5:30 PM, EST

MARI HAS BEEN FOUND!

According to findmariruddy.com, Mari was found alive, but unconscious & her family is asking for privacy at this time. 

 http://www.findmariruddy.com will continue to update us on her status. 

Please send Mari and her family lots of love, prayers & healing vibes!!!

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They’ve set up FindMariRuddy.com and according to the website: “Mari was last seen at her apartment in the St. Anthony Park neighborhood of Saint Paul, MN around 1 p.m. on 6/11/13. Mari Ruddy, Type 1 person with diabetes and founder of Team Wild Athletics and the ADA’s Red Rider program has been missing since Tuesday afternoon and her family and friends are very worried. 

Mari has type-1 diabetes and wears an insulin pump. Her phone and other belongings were found in her home. She left in her car, a dark green 2002 Honda Civic, Minnesota license plate #102-LNC,  with a bike rack on top and a red Namaste bumper sticker.

Mari’s family fear that she may try to harm herself and appreciate any help locals can provide in search efforts. She may have gone to a place with spiritual significance, beauty or seclusion. Please contact Mollee at 952-406-0081 to volunteer. You can also join the search effort by connecting with this Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/172257126284014/?notif_t=group_r2j

If you have any information please call the St. Paul police at 651-266-5612 until 2 p.m. PST or 651-266-5700 after 2 p.m. and on weekends. Reference case number: 13118370

And PLEASE SHARE through as many networks as you can. 

According to this article on TwinCities.com: St. Paul police have received a missing persons report about Ruddy, said Sgt. Paul Paulos, police spokesman. At this point, police don't regard her disappearance as suspicious, he said.

Personally, I think that Sgt. Paulos needs to get on the ball and search for Mari in ernest! I googled the Saint Paul Police Department and called them. I found out his direct line and left him a very detailed message as to why he needs to look for Mari.  And I suggest you do the same. Sargent Paulos’ direct line is: 651-266-5639. Call him and let him know your thoughts!

The Saint Paul Paul Police Department can be found on twitter @sppdPIO and on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulpolice - Reach out to them and let them know that they need to find Mari! 

I was feeling helpless, so I reached to several law enforcement officers in my local area and one of them has some Twin Cities Law Enforcement contacts and he's reaching out to them to see if they can get more people on the search for Mari. I recommend that you reach out to police in your area and see if they can reach out across state lines on Mari’s behalf.

I interviewed Mari for this blog in October of 2009 and found her to be kind enthusiastic and funny - Mari is good people and like the entire diabetes online community, I’m really worried about her . 

Please share the above info and the FindMariRuddy.com website with everyone you know  - And send positive thoughts to Mari and her family! 

How Do You Ride Out Diabetes BitchFits Without Completely Flipping Your Diabetes Bitchswitch?

I worked out yesterday morning before work and had the numbers to prove it...... Until I changed my infusion site and put in in late afternoon when my numbers got higher than I liked. But my numbers were still craptastic, hovering in the 220s. And even after taking another 2 mile walk after work, I was still was... You guessed it, 220. 

Cut to this morning when I woke up at 225 and changed my infusion site yet again, followed by a fresh reservoir -  I was down to 8 units after all.  

And even after all of the above, my numbers remain wonky - Even after a 2 mile walk at lunch, I was 190 - though I felt lower. 

So has my insulin gone skunky? And if it has, that would totally suck because I just cracked opened a new bottle last week - And that has me worried about the other bottles of pancreas juice n my fridge. 

Maybe it’s me. Maybe it’s the remnants of pharengitis, but if that was the case, I’d have crap numbers for days instead of just 24 hrs. 

Or maybe diabetes is acting like a first class bitch because it can. 

I can’t get upset, because that will lead to more crappy numbers - And diabetes would have the upper hand - EFF THAT.

No, I have ride out the diabetes bitchiness and go with the diabetes flow, which isn’t always easy, but is required none the less. 

Maybe I’ll  increase my insulin pump’s temporary basal rate by a few tenths of a unit after my 3 pm blood sugar check - And then again, maybe I won’t. 

So my question to you is: How do you ride out diabetes bitch fits without completely flipping your diabetes bitch switch? 
Sidebar: SAY THAT THREE TIMES FAST.

And for the record - I’m a huge fan of my Diabetes Bitchswitch - yours, too.

But with that being said, I don't want inflict my Diabetes Bitchswitch wrath on myself!  

It Is My Belief That Bill Cosby Is Wrong & Is Perpetuating Diabetes Myths

Take your pudding pop money and help educate the public on the diabetes facts, instead of perpetuatging diabetes myths

It is my belief that Bill Cosby is a hypocrite who loves the sound of his own voice, and it is my belief that Bill Cosby is wrong.   

And after reading his recent interview in the NY Post with reporter Stacey Brown re: Mayor Blumberg's heath crusade, I have no doubt you'll agree with me!

In his interview, Cosby states: Juvenile diabetes. Children are not being taken out of harm’s way. And there are many things that we also can do, but one is you don’t want your child consuming too much sugar. That is what the mayor tried to do with the sugar in the soft drinks.

It is my belief — my BELIEF in big letters — when people don’t make good choices, you can yell as loud as you want to at me about this is my body and I do what I want to do with my body, so OK yes you can. But now you are spreading it along generationally so that your daughter and grandchildren have it and everybody’s doing it. It becomes a term of apathy because people say my father had it, my aunt had it. People then ask you, “What your mother die of?” “Diabetes.” “Grandmother?” “Diabetes.” These things don’t have to happen if you make the correct choice.

I have news for you, Bill. Diabetes is not a choice, in any shape or form. 

And as a skinny  8 year old kid who ate spinach every night with her dinner, I did not choose to have my pancreas crap out on me, nor did my parents poor the sugar down my throat to cause my type 1 diabetes, a.k.a., juvenile diabetes.

My own body destroyed the area in my pancreas that makes insulin. We, (my parents and I,) did nothing to cause it. And we didn't shrink back in a corner either - and we never sat quietly and "took it" when misinformed people such as yourself blamed us for diabetes.  

A choice is choosing to pitch JELLO Pudding Pops and Coke-A-Cola for years and years, and for great financial gain, and then years later blaming the public for their poor choices... that you helped create. 

So if you're going to preach to Bloomberg about diabetes, make the correct choice and get ALL your diabetes facts straight, instead of perpetuating diabetes myths and stereotypes.

And while you're at it, how about taking the millions you made from JELLO and Coke-A-Cola and give back to the community of which you speak. You say the public needs education, THEN EDUCATE THEM, by all means Bill - Instead of chastising them. 

Take your pudding and soda money and make the choice to contribute to marketing campaigns that educate the public the diabetes facts regarding type 1, type 1.5 and type 2 diabetes and while you're at it, take your Coke money and teach the public that diabetes does not equal fat, regardless of the type!

Perhaps you can create a program where you help provide the public access to Certified Diabetes Educators so they can become empowered and learn to make choices to benefit their health and their lives with diabetes. 

Why not call out companies who use High Fructose Corn Syrup in their products.... Companies like Coke and JELLO. I'm sure you know a few folks there.

A helpful choice would be to take your celebrity and push for a ban on High Fructose Syrup. 

A tremendous choice would be donating some of that pudding and soda money for a type 1 Diabetes Cure. 

You say that "you gotta have fight." Well, Bill, I do have fight, BOAT LOADS OF IT. 

Every single person living with diabetes and all it's types has to have fight in order to survive. 

We fight the public's misconceptions about our diseases every single day.

We fight our insurance companies for better coverage and better rates. 

We fight for our health and to live good lives, despite the fact that we are pancreatically challenged, metabolically frustrated, and continually judged by the public every single day of our lives with diabetes. 

And we fight when blowhards like you speak out of turn when it comes to our disease.

You want do the diabetes blame game, then be prepared to answer your millions of critics living with type1, type 1.5 and type 2 diabetes (and their amazing families) who live with the diabetes facts and realities every day. 

And as for you Stacy Brown & the NY Post: Do your jobs and fact check before you go to print!

And if you'd like to call the NY Post and tell them how you feel about Bill Cosby and his thoughts on diabetes and their shoddy fact checking, their number is: 212-930-8288 and you can email at letters@nypost.com

Have a Coke & a smile and get your diabetes facts straight!

Diabetes Weirdness: Ape Crazy Allergies & Blood Sugar Nirvana

Sorry I've been MIA the past few days, but things have been a bit nuts on this end - And on top of all the nuttiness, my allergies have been going ape sh*t crazy and have me coughing, sneezing, stuffed up, all sore throaty and sounding like a man, baby!!

But ironically, my blood sugars have been good - Like Blood Sugar Nirvana, good. 

Which of course I'm very grateful for but find interesting and a little perplexing none the less.

Sidebar: I realize that by writing that my blood sugars have been good and putting that fact out on the internetz, will almost certainly cause the Blood Sugar Nirvana to cease, but I digress. 

Maybe the copious amounts of Blood Sugar Nirvana have something to do with the fact that the only things I feel like eating are chicken/ Matzaball soup, Edy's Popsicles, red grapes and massive amounts of ginger tea and maybe coughing and sneezing actually are more of a workout than anyone ever thought - And if that's the case, I should have abs of steel by the end of the week ;)   

But the ape Sh*t allergies  and Blood Sugar Nirvana combo have me a little weirded out and wondering if my pancreas has been temporarily kick started by this year's pollen count.

Diabetes Weirdness, I think it might actually be a thing and I'm wondering if anyone else has encountered it as of late - And I'm not just talking about allergies, either. No... I'm talking diabetes weirdness in all dimensions. 

So.... Have you experienced Diabetes Weirdness or am I just weird.... or both?? 

Almost Wordless Wednesday 25 for 35: Lilly Diabetes Journey Award™ 25 Year Medal

I celebrated my 35th Diabetes Diaversary in October during Hurricane Sandy, and I finally got around to applying for my Lilly Diabetes Journey Award™25 Year Medal this past April.

I'd been meaning to apply since I found out about the Journey Awards last year, but honestly, I just never got around to it.  

 Anyway, about 6 weeks after sending in my paperwork (and after a work day that was most certainly a Monday in every sense of the word,) I came home and found a very official looking UPS Express envelope from Lilly at my door. 

And I was like: What's this??

And inside was: 

My 25 year Lilly Diabetes Journey Award Medal™. 
And receiving it made me feel great!

And it made me feel hope~

Along with the medal, was a letter of congratulations from John C. Lechleiter,Ph.D
Lilly's Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer,
which made me feel incredibly proud.  

A little acknowledgement & encouragement goes a hell of a long way when it comes to living with diabetes - As does a little diabetes bling ;)
And I look forward to receiving my 50 & 75 year medals!

If you've reached (or passed) your 25, 50, or 75 year mark of living with diabetes, and haven't applied for your Lilly Diabetes Journey Awards™Medal(s) yet, what the heck are you waiting for?? DO IT.
Click HERE and fill out your paperwork, ASAP!

You've worked hard and have lived with diabetes 24X7,365 days a year with no time off for vacations or good behavior!
 AND YOU'RE STILL HERE. 
Darn right you deserve a medal!!