Diabetesaliciousness™

Diabetes Doesn't Respect A Woman's Right To Change Her Mind.....

2012-01-27T11:53:00.008-05:00

Diabetes doesn't respect a woman's right to change her mind, be it, clothing, shoes, lovers or Baked Lays.
I stand by those words 100% and I utter them often- though the Baked Lays part is interchangeable with various carbs, like past, rice, Chinese & Mexican cuisine.

The phrase also happen to be something I tweeted to my friend Kim over at Texting My Pancreas when she tweeted about bolusing for a Baked Lays and then changing her mind about eating them. I could totally relate, because lets face it: We've all been there, done that.

Diabetes doesn't respect or get the fact that I (and by I, I mean we) like cute boots and wedge heels - And I wear them.
And while I'm ranting, I'm going to say that shoe designers don't get (or won't admit too) the fact that just because you have a wide foot in the toe-box area, doesn't mean you want to wear some God awful, ugly ass shoes.

Shoe designers are actually afraid to make shoes available in a WIDE because they think women won't by them.

Forget the fact that majority of women are walking around in shoes that don't fit them properly - diabetes or not.

How about shoe manufacturers/ designers make their MEDIUM widths slightly more roomy so I (we) can be comfortable and consistantly fashionable and my diabetes doesn't blow a proverbial tire???
Diabetes doesn't get that some days I want to wear not so sensible shoes for more than a few hours at a time - it's not my fault I have high arches!

And you know what? I don't want to look like I have three boobs, specifically when I'm attempting to tuck my trusty insulin pump in my bra and thanks to my less than ample boobs, it never seems to look quite 'natural," when stashed there.
In my mind, I hear diabetes (like it was an actual person) say: Tough crap, Kel - DEAL WITH IT. And I DO.

And sometimes when I clip my insulin pump to my pump garter to wear a dress or skirt (and I will admit that it really does depend on the cloth's fabric and draping abilities, or lack there of,) I look like a Drag Queen who hasn't quite figured out the whole "tuck & hide" thing yet.

Yes, there are times when diabetes flips us the finger in the form of a high or low blood sugar and it could care less about the where and why of it all.
And other times, like my friend Kim - I bolus before I eat, and then realize I've changed my mind.

Yes, I could bolus post meal - But my friend Gary told me that I am ever so slightly slow when it comes to insulin absorption rates (basal testing is torture but the results are key - not to mention interesting!) and to bolus sooner as far as meals are concerned is a better option for me.

But here's the thing, I respect diabetes - whether it's being pissy with me or not. And while there are moments when diabetes wins a battle, be it about carbs , triple boobs, shoes or 175 things in between, diabetes WILL NOT WIN the war.

"Dog Pile On The Diabetes, Dog Pile On The Diabetes!!!"

2012-01-26T11:36:00.003-05:00

Way back when I was first diagnosed with "the diabetes," Looney Tunes used to air really early on Saturday mornings and occasionally every now and then in the afternoons.

On Saturday mornings I'd get up super early and my oldest brother would usually be walking in the door from God knows where - and we'd watch tv together.

He loved the Looney Tunes and because he did, I did.

Plus, they were really funny!

And I specifically remember the above cartoon and laughing out loud.

I also remember that after I watched said cartoon, I got up and started dancing around the living room singing: Dog pile on the diabetes, dog pile on the diabetes, dog pile on the diabetes!

Yes, I was sort of a weird kid who was highly influenced by what she saw on television.

But here's the thing: Even today, during those moments when I'm kicking diabetes ass and to the curb and go from the diabetes underdog to the diabetes top dog, I still sing out loud:

Dog pile on the diabetes, dog pile on the diabetes!!!

And with any luck, you won't be able to get that phrase out of your head now either!!!

Are you singing it yet??? Are people looking at you at work like your crazy???

YES, My diabetesalicious plan is succeeding!!!

BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday: "And We All Shine On....."

2012-01-25T14:08:00.005-05:00

" And We All Shine On..."

Photo via my iPhone~

Diabetes Memories: Boil, Boil, Toil & Trouble - Of Boiled Insulin Needles & Other Diabetes Givens Growing Up~

2012-01-24T11:48:00.007-05:00

So with three people with diabetes growing up in the house, (four if you count my oldest sister who got married when I was 4) things got pretty crazy, not to mention expensive.

And there were certain diabetes givens in the Kunik household

Like my dad kept his insulin in the butter compartment in the fridge in the utility room, while my sister and I kept our insulin in the fridge in the kitchen.

My dad used Lente as his long acting insulin and I used NPH - And I think my sister did too.

I remember my dad, Debbie and I always busting out needles before we ate our meals, right there at the table - no matter who was at the table. That was our diabetes reality and if you ate at the Kunik table, you were bound to see some hypodermics being injected before the main course.

I remember glasses of orange juice measured out perfectly to treat a lows and the the anxiousness in which we drank down the orange juices.

I remember Tab and Fresca and Diet Pineapple Fanta and diet Orange Shasta always being on hand - Same goes for Diet Pepsi.

I remember that when I was first diagnosed, I used Sweet N Low in my cereal, while my father used something called Sweeta - A liquid sweetner that I thought was heinous.

And those are just a few of the many diabetes memories that enter my clogged mind on a daily basis!

I also have these very vivid memories of my father (and my mother for that matter) boiling our insulin needles over the stove in a tiny little tan pot with a brown handle - which is something they started doing way before I came to be.

Because back in the Diabetes Dark Ages, needles were made of glass and required boiling and sterilization before each use. So my parents spent of time pre Kelly boiling needles over the kitchen stove.

By the time I was diagnosed, needles were disposable and came in boxes filled with at least a hundred. But my dad still boiled mine to make them last longer, which taught me a few diabetes lessons early on. Lessons like:

The numbers and lines on the needle started to become faint and difficult to read after it’s been boiled a few times
Much like “blunt lancets,” the more you use a needle (after you boil it, of course) the more blunt it gets!

My eight year old self would have major arguments with parents regarding boiled needles and how much they sucked.

And I remember my dad talking about the cost and then singing an intangible and entirely made up english version of O' Sole Mio in a mock yiddish accent while boiling the needles and waving the tongs around to make me laugh and get me off the subject.

Looking back now, I realize how much they had on their plate - And I’m still amazed at how they did it all.

And I’m reminded how far diabetes care has come - And how O' Sole Mio no longer applies~

Do you have any diabetes memories from growing up with diabetes?

Diabetes Skycam On A String

2012-01-23T09:36:00.006-05:00

I wish diabetes had an instant replay capabilities - sort of like my own diabetes Skycam.
Maybe if I had a camera on a string hovering over me like the NFLers do, I could capture and replay all those little moments (and rare) that led me to my diabetes victories, both big and small.
You know, like when I get a carb count right for an insanely filled carb meal or when I cut my temporary basal rate pre workout whilst figuring out and ingesting the perfect snack for said pre-work out activity (because every workout activity requires a different snack and temporary basal rate) so I don't have to stop mid-workout to fuel up. And I'd really appreciate the diabetes camera on a string zipping around on a day when my numbers seem to achieve Blood Sugar Nirvana without much effort and I'm not really sure why.
It's not that I don't remember what I did, because I do.... to a degree.
But it's those little nuances (portion size or food combos; wholegrain verses non whole grain, infusion set location/ deadspot issues, stress factors, mental status, time of the month - ladies, you know what I'm talking about, activity level(s) or the moon' s gravitational pull for that matter,) that seem to make the difference - And I don't always remember them... or the order in which the occur.
Same goes for when my numbers are all screwy for no real reason except because diabetes feels like being bitchy - which happens a lot more than I'd like to admit.
On the other hand, the more I think about having a diabetes Skycam zipping around my world on a string, the more I think it wouldn't work. First, it would be super expensive, not to mention inconvenient and bulky. And second, Diabetes Skycam on a string would only capture my diabetes movements from exterior angles, not interior ones.
It wouldn't capture my diabetes inner workings or my brains for that matter- And as we know - that's a pretty big part of diabetes. Not to mention the fact that it's completely unrealistic - but a hell of a visual!
Plus, I'd have to hire an announcer for the they diabetes instant replays - And again, that would be ridiculous expensive, incredibly annoying - not to mention creepy~

Debbie - 21 Years Goes By Like THAT.

2012-01-21T14:01:00.008-05:00

Debbie, Santa & Kelly

Debbie-

21 years goes by like THAT..... And there's still some much I remember.

Today, I choose to remember how you were on this day, how we both we're.

We were happy and we were laughing and we didn't have a care in the world.

I think about you everyday,Deb - And I miss you very much - And I wish I'd been more patient at times.

Today, diabetes is so much different and you wouldn't feel alone.

You'd feel more empowered and you'd be part of amazing diabetes on-line community that would just continue to amaze you everyday - TRUST ME.

I find comfort that Mom and you are together again, because she missed you so much!

Still, I'm jealous that she's with you because I really miss her!

But I remind myself how long you both waited to see one another again and I can only imagine the party that you and Dad had when she got to heaven.

Take care of her, and Daddy too.

Love,

Kelly~

My Take on MTV's True Life: "I Have Diabetes," Episode

2012-01-19T12:55:00.016-05:00

Last night Mtv aired it’s True Life: I Have Diabetes, episode.

And I have to admit, I was ready to go in there swinging and with fists in the air for what I was prepared to view. I was ready for it to be dramatical, sensationalized and completely off base - And for the most part - I was wrong.

As I watched, I found myself wanting to jump through the television screen and wrap my arms around the three young people featured with diabetes. I wanted to protect them fiercely and bring into the Diabetes On-Line Community’s embrace!

And I wanted to smack some of the non PWDs (People With Diabetes) in the episode (and a few in the editing room) for many reasons - Including their lack of compassion.

During the episode, those of us watching in the Diabetes On-line community who were on the twitter were continually telling the @MTV folks to get us in touch with the PWDs featured on the episode!

Facebook status updates, (including my own) were filled with peoples thoughts and concerns! Conversations were generated and are still generated about the episode!

In the episode we were introduced to Kristyn, a 20 something type 1 who had close to $9000 worth of credit card debt - Almost all of it diabetes related.

She was working two jobs and moving back home in order to get her finances in order. Her insulin pump was on its last legs and she needed a new one - like yesterday!

Her mother made her sign a contract that covered everything from a clean neat room, to doing dishes, to keeping good glucose levels and giving up all fast-food and soft drinks.

I found her mother to be incredibly tough and judgmental at times and I think her behavior was a perfect example of how you can care and love someone, but sometimes it comes off as judging.

Her daughter was working two jobs (and literally around the clock,) to get out of debt and get a new pump (which would cost her $2200 out of pocket )and which she put on her credit card because out of necessity, and her mother was grilling her about EVERYTHING, including drinking diet soda? REALLY?

At one point Kristyn cried: I just wish she’d acknowledge when I make a little of progress!

And at that very moment all of us watching and tweeting about the episode felt the very same thing!!!

I was so proud of Kristyn for working so hard at her life & her diabetes - And I didn’t even know her! And quite frankly, I didn’t understand how her mother couldn’t be proud - Or at least not verbalize her pride.

It is so easy to tell some one what they should be doing with their life, and their life with diabetes. And sometimes we forget that a little acknowledgement and praise goes a hell of a long way!!

In the end, Kristyn got a new pump, and to paraphrase her own words: Decided to use her mother’s negativity and turn it into a positive - to get her out of debt.

The last shot of them together shows them working as team on a spread sheet re: Kristyn’s finances - And it looks as if their relationship had turned a really positive corner - And that makes me both relieved and happy for them both!

And then we had the opportunity to meet a college student named Matt, a type 1 since the age of 13.

By Matt’s own admission, back when he was first diagnosed, he was “the perfect diabetic” and had great numbers and control.

But since Matt entered college, not so much. His focus is on partying and having the same college experience he thought all his friends were having. And as person with type 1 who had diabetes in college - I get that, I do.

I think all of us who had no choice but to take our diabetes to college with us, had our moments of being Matt - though perhaps not to the degree he took it - At least according the the show’s editing of his drinking.

College equals freedom for many and diabetes is a constant - Matt knew it and so I - but in college, my diabetes wasn’t a priority. Its so hard to embrace your own normal in life, not to mention college, because you want to fit in and be like everyone else!

And let's face it, Diabetes Burnout happens regardless of your age!

Matt’s friends were certainly concerned and aware of Matt’s health issues. He’d had three diabetes related seiszures since going off to college - And that not only worried his friends and family, it worried all of us watching!

His friends checked in on him when they were out and it was obvious how much they cared for him. When his bg was 405 and he was getting sick, they were really there for him.

Matt’s a1c was 8.4 and I have to say - I appreciated Matt’s Endo and his listening abilities. He didn't start off by judging him, which allowed for an open dialogue between the two of them - and Matt actually going to see his endo. At least that's my opion.

At one point Matt utters: Would I rather my disease be better or my life be better?

And he chose his life. FYI: I'm not sure if this was a direct response to a Producer's question or something that he said off the cuff and entirely on his own.

Anyway, I wanted to tell him that 30 comes around the corner so quickly, (not to mention other numbers,) and that having good diabetes control does equal a good life. The two can go hand-in-hand and one does not have to exist without the other. Actually, one will exist because of the other.

But that’s a reality that the person with diabetes has to realize and come to terms with on their own.

In the end, we see Matt drinking Crystal Lite at his 21st birthday party and trying to get his numbers in check before he drinks. He promises to cut back on his drinking and focus more on his health.

Next we meet Jen, a 19 year old woman who is 5 months pregnant and had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the same time she was diagnosed with being pregnant.

Personally, I thought the type 2 dx was more than a bit off! She was slender and I was thinking more along the lines of, type 1, LADA or gestational diabetes. It's a real shame her healthcare team didn't consider those types of diabetes.

The nurses continually used the possibility of using insulin as a scare tactic, and that really pissed me off! Obviously oral meds weren’t working and so many women w/gestational diabetes go on insulin to protect both the baby and themselves.

Jen was trying - but I really feel that she was lacking proper information and I was disappointed in her healthcare team.

She ended up going on insulin, having the baby induced early. Her son was whisked off to the NickU and suffered a "broad shouldered baby injury," a.k.a, Shoulder Dystocia. I'd never heard of it before or it’s direct link to diabetes and pregnancy before, so I was glad I learned something new

What really broke my heart was that Jen was obviously misdiagnosed. After she was able to bring her son home from the hospital, Jen was hospitalized 5 more times with high blood sugar and was re-diagnosed as a type 1. And MTV's explanation as to how and why that occurred was way off and the fact that she was misdiagnosed wasn't even brought up!

Because of her misdiagnoses, both Jen and her baby suffered tremendously and that pisses me off. Had no one in her healthcare professional circle ever heard of young adults being diagnosed with type 1 Or LADA for that matter?

For the most part, MTV did a good job, though I would have really appreciated a producer who had done their home work on type 1, type 1.5 and type 2. Which would have made their conclusion of Jen’s rediagnoses much easier to understand from a non-diabetes point of view.

Still, I was pleased with the episode as whole... FOR THE MOST PART. It showed very real issues associated with living and growing up with diabetes, but were there some things they could have done better?? ABSOLUTELY. Was "creative" editing an issue?? MAYBE.

UPDATE: MTV has updates on Kristyn, Matt & Jen and their lives since they filmed the episode! Click: http://remotecontrol.mtv.com/2012/01/18/true-life-check-in-matts-cut-back-on-his-drinking/#more-108653

Now, if @Mtv could just get those featured in the episode (and those not, but living with diabetes) introduced to the diabetes on-line community!

Speaking of, other great DOC posts regarding the episode can be found at:

http://countrygirldiabetic.blogspot.com/2012/01/mtv-true-life-i-have-diabetes.html

http://www.textingmypancreas.com/2012/01/mtv-true-life-i-have-diabetes.html

And if I've missed your post - Add it to the comments section so we can check it out!!

In Protest

2012-01-18T10:33:00.005-05:00

As someone who has had her blog scraped word for word, picture for picture and time stamp, for time stamp - I'm absolutely against plagiarism! With that being said, I'm also absolutely against censorship of my words/work/and or website - Or anyone else's for that matter!

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To Learn More About Stopping SOPA, Click HERE.

And to quote the folks at Google: End Piracy, Not Liberty!

Paula Deen - If You Need Us, The Diabetes On-Line Community Has Your Back!

2012-01-16T10:11:00.002-05:00

Others in the on-line community have written on this subject - And quite eloquently might I add~

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Diabetes ain't all about the cookin' either!

UPDATE TO THE STORY/BLOG POST: ON January 17th, Paula Deen announced on The Today Show that she'd been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes three years ago. At the same time, she also announced her partnership with Novo Nordisk and introduced their new website: Diabetesinanewlight.com . Paula also stated that she is currently taking the NN drug drug, Victoza.

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So there was all sorts of rumblings (and twitterings) on the internetz this past weekend about the possibility of Paula Deen being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Paula's people have yet to confirm the story and until they do, I won't say that Paula is a person living with diabetes, because I don't know.

But I will say that there was some pretty distasteful things being said on -line (and a few of those distasteful things being said by people with diabetes,) putting the diabetes blame on Paula, her cooking, and her love of butter.
And it pissed me off!
Here's the thing. I don't like it when somebody blames me for my type 1 diabetes - As a matter of fact, It makes me pretty damn mad! And I don't like it when somebody blames you for your diabetes - regardless of the type! That also makes me pretty damn mad because it's wrong on so many levels. NEWS FLASH: Diabetes diagnoses aren't all about the cooking!!!
And to say that somebody deserves type 2 diabetes because of that person's love and use of butter is asinine. Seriously, if that were true, than the whole country of France would have type 2 diabetes, and according to the research I've found, 3.8 % of France lives with type 2 diabetes, not 100%.
I like Paula's cooking enough to say out loud "Wow, that looks good," when I happen to catch her show on TV.
I can't say it's exactly my style - But I wasn't raised down south. But I can't say that I would turn down a meal at one of her many restaurants, because I wouldn't.
I respect Paula as a human, a television Chef/ Personality and a business woman who over came tremendous odds including debilitating agoraphobia to get where she is, and if she confirms that she has type 2 diabetes, then I will respect her as a person living with diabetes.

Others are blaming her for possibly considering a deal with Novartis and question the fact that she might actually make money of her presumed diabetes.

My thoughts: BFD. If Paula does indeed have diabetes,why shouldn't she make money off it? The drug companies certainly make money off diabetes, as do the heathcare professionals - so why shouldn't people living with diabetes make some money?? I respect companies more when they use a real person with diabetes in their advertising, not an actor playing a person with diabetes.
If Paula comes out as a person living with type 2 diabetes, I won't blame her, but I will welcome her into the diabetes on-line community with open arms!
Type 2 has a huge genetic link, and while diet certainly can be a factor in developing type 2, diet isn't not the be all end all reason for type 2 diabetes. And if that's the reason why you or your loved one has diabetes - That's OK, because I'm here to help you, not judge you.

Actually, the entire Diabetes On-Line Community is here to help you!
To blame someone for their diabetes not only prevents that person from seeking help with their diabetes (it's called a stigma people,) & actually perpetuates diabetes myths!
Blaming people for their diabetes also directly affects fundraising dollars for a diabetes cure. If the public perceives diabetes and all its forms as preventable, who will donate to raise funds for a cure?
The diabetes reality is that nobody, regardless of which type of diabetes they live with ( type 1, type 1.5, type 2, gestational, or type 3) wants to live with diabetes. Diabetes isn't a choice for the majority, it is a very real genetic reality. Just like having blue eyes.
I think it's our job FOR ALL OF US in the diabetes online community to show the public the real faces and realities of living with diabetes - regardless of the type.
It is our job to call out the media out when we see a diabetes media muck-up and it's our job to show the world that living with diabetes isn't a choice or a character flaw. It is a 24X7 reality that we never get a break from.

And it is our job as people living with diabetes to help (and be helped) by others living with diabetes, while educating others in the process.

After all, we are all in this together........ and there but for the grace of diabetes go I~

Sometimes, we just need to be reminded of that~

ONCE Makes Me Happy

2012-01-13T13:26:00.026-05:00

Thanks to all types of technical difficulties, today's post is late - but the subject is truly fantastical none the less!

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To view the trailer in all its glory & without the annoying confines of my blog's design layout, click HERE.

I saw the production of ONCE, The Musical the day after Thanksgiving and the multi-talented cast did an absolutely phenomenal job of bringing the movie & its music and it's story to the stage.

The show was brilliant and literally pulled the audience in. The set was beautiful and you felt the intimacy between the characters and as part of the audience - It was really just a fantastical experience all around!

And in my humble opinion, the show deserves to go to Broadway & every person in the much gifted cast will knock your socks off!

Did I mention that the actors also played instruments, danced AND danced with said instruments!!

FULL DISCLOSURE: "The Girl, played by Cristin Milioti" (She's the one in rust colored jacket,) is my niece ,and has been since the day she came into this world.

I love her so much and am enormously proud of her accomplishments, both on stage and off!

I've shared all sorts of moments with you guys on the blog, including some moments that included Cristin.

And so many of you in the Diabetes On-Line Community have followed those moments and have continually asked about ONCE going to Broadway.

So when I saw the trailer for the musical yesterday, I knew I had to post it for your guys!

And as far as the diabetes connection, (because isn't there almost always one,) here it is.

Every time I watch the trailer for the play, (and I have watched it over, and over, and over again) I feel happy to the point I cry happy tears.

And feelings of happiness produce endorphins, lots of them! And endorphins help elevate our mood - which is common knowledge.

And good moods = good blood sugars - And vice versa.

So endorphins are VERY important in the blood sugar department!

And isn't a big part of diabetes all about blood sugars?

So if you think about it in the blood sugary diabetical sense of it all, why wouldn't you watch the trailer, not to mention the play??

And that my friends, is your 6 degrees of diabetes bacon right there!

In This Chapter: It Was A Dark & Stormy Night & Our Heroine Was Just About To Hit The Sack......

2012-01-12T11:02:00.012-05:00

Because living with diabetes is never ending, but it's always an interesting story non the less~

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In the darkest of night with the alarm all set and the lights down low, the lady with the broken pancreas was looking forward to going to sleep. Her comforter was comfy and the rain outside was falling, hitting the roof at a steady pace & gently tapping at her bedroom window, lulling her to some much needed shut-eye.

She was tired and the fact that she was drifting off so easily was indeed a wonderful thing.

And just as she entered that phase sleep experts call Stage 1 and the rest of us call Snoozeville, she felt a strange little feeling in the pit of her belly.

IF you lived in the DOC, you knew the strange little feeling could either be a hunger pain or the beginnings of a dreaded low blood sugar. The lady with the broken pancreas was pissed because it just wasn't a good time to go low for her, not that there ever is a god time to go low mind you. But our heroine was tired and wanted to sleep - And she wanted to sleep right then and there.

She realized that her trusty bedroom juicebox stash was at ZERO, as was the bottle of glucotabs on her nightstand. And the lady had forgotten to bring a glass of juice to bed with her!

After all, even the smartest and snarkiest of ladies make mistakes, but she still felt pretty damn dumb!

So the lady set her insulin pump's temporary basal rate to 1/2 and for 60 minutes time. And she waited a few mintues.

She knew that if she got up, went to the kitchen and drank some juice, that strange little feeling in the pit of her stomach could be said and done with it, ASAP. And seriously, why the hell was she trying to bargain it away?

She knew the drill, she'd been around the diabetes block more than a time or two and she knew what had to be done.

The little feeling in her stomach was now moving up her abdomen and wasn't going away. "Enough of this," she said as she flipped on the nightstand lamp and squinted in the brightness, grabbed her meter and tested.

The lady had a #bgnow of 84 and she was now wide awake!

And even though The Diabetes Magic Eight Ball was no where to be found, she knew all signs pointed south.

So she got up, went to the fridge and grabbed the Apple & Eve's Sesame Street Elmo's Fruit Flavored Punch (one of her favorite juices/ Sesame Street characters) and poured some punch into a glass. She drank it with gusto and added a cheesestick as her side of protein.

And then she waited 10 minutes (which seemed like forever,) & tested again. She was 90. So she poured some more juice in the glass and headed back towards her bedroom. She drank a little more, waited and tested again. She was 95.

The lady with the broken pancreas felt better and the annoying feeling in her belly was almost gone. She put the glass of juice on the nightstand, rearranged the comforter and put her head on the pillow.

The rain continued to fall and tap gently on the window. Her temporary 1/2 mast basal rate still had 34 minutes to go and she felt good, not to mentioned relieved.

She was no longer feeling wide awake and the familiar feeling of sleepiness started to return. And the last thing the lady remembered thinking was that she needed to go out and buy juice boxes and glucose tabs the very next day.

Cut to the morning and the lady who's pancreas had been faulty since the age of 8 was blowing a blood sugar of 143. The lady was proud that she'd she'd dealt with her low blood sugar effectively, but was annoyed at herself none the less. Annoyed that she'd tried to bargain with the low blood sugar instead of doing what needed to be done in the first place.

Still, the lady learned a lesson or two from the experience - And isn't learning one of the reason we joined the Diabetes On-Line Community in the first place!

;)

32,865 Days Ago A Miracle Happened On Bloor Street ~

2012-01-11T12:25:00.012-05:00

Welcomed indeed!

It was 90 years ago today that the "Miracle on Bloor Street" happened, and the world as we know it changed forever.

To be even more specific in terms of the time/space continuum, it was 32,865 days ago, which broken down into hours = 788,760. Break that number of hours down into minutes and it = 47,325,600 minutes. Take the number of minutes and break them down into seconds and = 2,830,536,000 seconds ago that a human being first received a shot of insulin. The insulin was brown and brackish in color and came from the pancreas of a piggy, and was administered to a 14 year old boy named Leonard Thompson.

The first shot caused Thompson to have an allergic reaction, but after fine tuning of the extracted insulin by the good doctors, a second shot was administered 2 weeks later.

Millions of lives were saved and family trees were able to develop new branches.

A Nobel Prize was won and many a diabetes business was launched.

My own Family Tree was able to flourish despite diabetes. My father and his two sisters were all diagnosed as type 1 (they were from a family of seven children,) and had 10 children between them, including my two sisters and I - Also type 1s. Not to mention my nephew and cousin also have type 1. And when you really think about it, he Diabetes On-Line Community is able to exist because of the discovery of insulin.

I'm so very grateful to insulin and my heart holds a special place for Doctors Banting & Best - I love them very much!

But I can't help wondering how many days, hours, minutes and seconds it will take to find a cure for diabetes.

Because isn't 32,865 days an awfully long time to wait between diabetes miracles?

Life With Diabetes: The Quest For Pancreas Perfection & Achieving Blood Sugar Nirvana

2012-01-10T11:10:00.010-05:00

Iheartguts makes an honest to goodness "perfect pancreas, " and it only costs $16 bucks!

So in the Diabetes On-line community we are all working pancreases both by day, and by night - Continually on the quest for pancreas perfection and achieving Blood Sugar Nirvana.

We are litigious calculating carbs, experimenting with temporary basal rates, trying out carb combinations in all their many shapes in forms and every thing else diabetically speaking in between. We all try so hard to be the perfect definition of a what a working pancreas is. And lets face it, our health depends on our hard work and we are constantly reminded of that at every diabetes twist and turn.

And we are much harder on our ‘Working Pancreas” alter egos than we are on ourselves. I'd I'll be the first to admit, I’ve said the following, and much, much more:

Oh, Kelly you stupid pancreas, how could you not realize that forgetting to bolus for that third cup of coffee would create havoc with your numbers?

Nice job being Kelly’s pancreas, Kelly. Seriously, how could you let yourself go so low?

Really Kelly’s pancreas, REALLY. How the hell could you forget extra batteries for your pump professional - REAL PROFESSIONAL.

YES, I sound like Sybil - But at least I’m not alone!

And I know myself well enough to realize that I will continue to have these Sybil like conversations with myself.

And I'm smart enough to believe it's OK to vent - I'M ALL ABOUT VENTING.

And I'm damn glad I have people to vent with, who understand what I'm going through because they've gone through it themselves.

BUT As people LIVING with busted pancreases, we are critical of ourselves, as are parents working as full time pancreases for their children.

And sometimes (at least as far as my own quest for pancreas perfection and achieving Blood Sugar Nirvana is concerned,)

I can be so focused on the goal of perfection, that I (we) forget to remember all the lessons continually being learned on the road to perfection.

And I’ve come to realize as of late that nothing is perfect - in life or diabetes.

And if we stop learning, we stop appreciating all the knowledge that we’ve gained. And then we become stuck... and who the hell wants to be stuck - be it in dog shit or life?

Being stuck in life means that you don’t have the chance to move forward.

So I guess what trying to say is: LIVE AND LEARN, get unstuck and appreciate all those lessons you're learning.

And remember to give yourself some much needed credit for the difficult job that your doing 24X7 & 365 days a year - Because you deserve it~

Dear Rick Santorum:

2012-01-06T18:40:00.021-05:00

I wrote this at 6pm tonight after I saw the following video posted on Facebook. I was so upset by what I heard that I cancelled dinner plans with friends and wrote this. Thanks for the heads- up Lee Ann!

Dear Rick Santorum:

You’re an IDIOT. Actually you’re an more than an idiot, you’re santorum.

Go ahead, look it up - I'll wait.

And then tell me what it’s like to tell the mother of a cancer survivor that people with cancer and other preexisting conditions deserve to pay higher insurance premiums because of their “poor choices," including not going to the ER soon enough.

Seriously Rick, SMOOTH MOVE.

Personally, I'd be curious to know exactly what choices a 5 year old child would have to make to deserve cancer?

How does a then 6 month old baby choose to contract scarlet fever and suffer damage to his heart and essentially grow up to be an adult with heart damage?

What life choice caused a perfectly healthy 50 year old mother of 3 who had never been sick a day in her life to suddenly drop dead from a heart attack after receiving a clean bill of health a few weeks earlier?

I suppose you think that the 911 first responders who are now inexplicably being diagnosed with various forms of cancer, asthma, depression & other health issues at an alarming rate deserved their fate because they chose to run into The Towers to save others who were desperately trying to get out.

And please, I BEG YOU, tell me what poor choices my parents made to cause their then 8 year old daughter (me) and two of my siblings (who were diagnosed at age the ages 12) to be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes?

How dare you blame others for their preexisting conditions!

Who made you Healthcare Insurance judge and jury?

You want to know what people with preexisting deserve Rick? They deserve respect and accessibility to insurance premiums that are not astronomically exorbitant. Instead of through the roof premiums that go up by 20% each year like clockwork due to "administrative costs" and other ridiculous excuses,) and cause families to choose between health insurance and putting food on the table and in their mouths.

People with pre-existing conditions don't deserved judged, especially by you!

They have so much on their plates already, and it’s pretty damn obvious that you have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about!

Instead of blaming the patient while being simultaneously clueless to the causes of the patient(s) pre- existing conditions,( while clearly having a conflict of interest regarding Health Insurance Companies,) why not shut up and get educated on the subject.

Quite frankly Rick, you are guilty of having a pr-eexisting condition, yourself - it’s called Stupidity.

And I have a feeling that you’re not paying a pre-existing condition clause because you suffer from stupidity.

Like diabetes, there is no cure as of yet for stupidity. But I’ll tell you what Rick, I’d rather have type 1 diabetes then be stupid, offensive and close minded.

You won’t get my vote, Rick - And this is NOT a Republican versus Democrat, Christian versus Non Christian thing, not in the least, Rick.

This is a right versus wrong thing.

I know many living in both RED and BLUE states and who normally don't ever sit on the same side of the political fence but who are all on the same page regarding this subject.

Because they lost loved ones too soon to various forms of cancer; the many branches of the diabetes tree, heart disease and strokes in all forms, and a host of other diseases and conditions that they didn't want or choose.

And they themselves might even be living with a pre-existing condition.

And they are smart enough to realize how wrong and hurtful your words are - And are willing to speak up and band together, regardless of political parties.

One more thing Rick: Thank-you from the bottom of my broken pancreas for reminding us of your true colors before we step foot in the voting booth.

Sincerely,

Kelly Kunik

Citizen, Voter and a Person living with Type 1 Diabetes

Diabetes Memory #9,056: The One That Really Isn't Mine

2012-01-06T12:01:00.012-05:00

Over the holidays there was a lot of running around and I was able to connect with friends and family and folks I hadn't seen in a long time. And I was grateful for having those connections for many reason, but mostly because it was the first Christmas without my mom & I needed those connections, BIG TIME.

And while I was out and about , I ran into someone my brother and sisters had gone to High School with and she introduced to her sister "Sue", who had Aspergers Syndrome.

Me: Hi Sue, my name's Kelly, nice to meet you!
Sue: Yes, I know who you are, I've met you before. You're Kelly Kunik, I remember you. My sister took me to your house because she was friends with your sister and we came to visit when you came home from the hospital after being diagnosed with diabetes.
You were a little girl with diabetes who had to eat at certain times and take needles. I remember because I was experiencing low blood sugars then. The Doctors never figured out why and it stopped, but I remember you. You had just come home from the hospital and you were sitting at the kitchen table eating orange slices and cheddar cheese. Whenever I see commercials on TV about diabetes I remember that Kelly Kunik has diabetes. Except you don't look anything like you did then. You've gotten much taller and you look like your mom did.
SIDEBAR: YES, my mind was suffiently blown.
Me: Cheese and oranges..... Yep, that sounds like me. WOW, Sue. You have a really good memory.
Sue: Yes, I do. Do you still have diabetes and take needles?
Me: Yep, I still have diabetes, but now I wear an insulin pump instead of taking needles and I like it much better.
Sue: Oh, that's good.
Me: Yep, it really is good. Great seeing you again Sue, and thanks for the memory!

And as I left them, I kept trying to remember that particular diabetes memory in my head, but for the life of me I couldn't. Still.... For some odd reason I found comfort in knowing that someone else did~

Confusion Among The Accessories, Diabetes Style ~

2012-01-05T09:56:00.013-05:00

Claw clips are to be worn on your head, not your hip~

So, yesterday I had to be out the door somewhat early. Not crack of dawn early mind you, but early. And it was 25 degrees out, and my bed was warm and toasty so I hit the snooze button several times. Did I mention it was cold out??

Anyway, I got out of bed, took my blood sugar (102,) made some coffee (The Trader Joe’s Gingerbread Coffee is almost gone and I was none too happy about that,) bolused fo said coffee and blueberry greek yogurt, disconnected my insulin pump, jumped into the shower, washed up, & continued to get all Kellyfied for work.

Before I left my home base, I quickly went to grab my insulin pump & clip it back onto my trousers, which also happened to be the same exact moment I'd come to the realization that I should also grab the little black hair claw hair clip on my dresser. Because quite frankly, all signs pointed to a bad hair day and who the hell needs to deal with that. I'd just wear my hair down on the way to work because it's actually warmer (I kid you not, wearing your hair down IS warmer,) and then clip it back lightening quick into a nice chignon (fancy word for bun) when I arrived at work.

Cut to around 1ish when I went to go pee. Which is precisely when I realized that I didn’t have any tubing anywhere in the vicinity of my trousers. And then I sort of quietly freaked out right there on the john.

And the conversation between me and my brain went something like this: Where the hell’s my pump and why the hell didn’t I notice this earlier, because this is like the second time I’ve peed since I got here??? Did I leave my pump at home? God, I hope I left my pump at home. Did I leave it at Starbucks? No dummy, you didn't even bolus for your coffee at Starbucks because you thought your breakfast bolus would cover it. You're just batting a thousand this morning, Einstein!!!

And then I snapped out of it, grabbed the right side of my belt and felt around where the pump would have clipped...... And realized that something was indeed clipped there, except it wasn’t my pump. It was that little black claw hair clip.

Yes, yours truly had somehow got her accessories signals crossed regarding the hair clip and clipping on my insulin pump.

And I was very relieved that I hadn't lost my insulin pump, but I was incredibly mortified that:

I left my pump at home (this has happened to me a lot as of late, and I'm not sure why)
I knew my blood sugar was heading towards Canada and that's always a bummer
I’d been walking around with my hair down on what was indeed a bad hair day.

And then I laughed out loud because let’s face it, it was funny and the situation could have been so much worse.

So I went home at lunch and retrieved my 8 year old pump, did a correction bolus for my now 260 blood sugar, grabbed a bottle of water and went back to work. And still somehow managed to never deal with my bad hair day. But my blood sugar went back to normal faster than usual and was finally able to eat lunch around around 3 p.m.

Plus, I got a blog post out of it....So... Ya, I got that going for me ~

Medtronic's MySentry Receives FDA Approval

2012-01-04T12:25:00.013-05:00

So, unless you'e been under rock or off line for the past 6 hours or so, I'm sure you're now aware that Medtronic has received FDA approval on their MySentry Remote Glucose Monitoring System, essentially allowing caregivers (parents, grandparents, etc.,) to remotely monitor blood sugar levels in real time, for those currently wearing the Minimed Paradigm Real Time Revel System, Medtronic's pump/CGM Combo.

MySentry works via desk top monitor and Outpost and looks very Appleish. Basically, the Outpost transmits blood sugar results in real time directly from the person with Paradigm Real Time Revel CGM to the caregiver's monitor in the other room.

MySentry also gives of the same series of alarms that Paradigm Real Time Revel does. According to MySentry's release, Press Release, the MySentry: Allows a parent or caregiver to monitor the MiniMed Paradigm REAL-Time Revel System from another room. It displays on a remote monitor insulin pump/CGM information and delivers audible alerts and alarms. So, for example, a parent or caregiver with a mySentry at their bedside can receive a predictive alert in the middle of the night if their sleeping child’s glucose levels are falling.

As a person with diabetes who also grew up with diabetic siblings and father with type 1, I wondered out loud about the MySentry System and it's ability to track multiple users, so I asked them via email and was told that multiple users can be added to the system, but the system itself can only track one user at a time - And that Medtronic is considering tracking multiple users in the future. Good to know~

So,what do I think? Personally, I'm always excited when I hear about the latest and greatest in Diabetes technological & scientific advances.

As people living with diabetes, our lives rely heavily on both technological and scientific advances in order to live a better life with diabetes. As far as I'm concerned, the more diabetes tech and scientific advances the better!

Not only do these advances make our our bodies healthier, they encourage ALL the companies in the the wonderful world of diabetes to step up with their latest and greatest and force the FDA to do the same.

Thus giving us more diabetes options and in THEORY, better diabetes pricing/more insurance coverage for our diabetes medications and diabetes Cyborg parts. Please take note I used the word THEORY, not the word REALITY.

So regardless of which diabetes hardware you're actually hooked up to, this is a good thing all around!

Now, to get insurance companies on board!

To learn more, click: HERE.

Review by patients who have already tried MySentry can be found: HERE.

Others in the Diabetes On-Line Community who have already written about MySentry including: YDMV, Diabetesmine, A Sweet Life, This Is Caleb, Arden's Day , Our Diabetic Life & Fierce Medical Devices, SO FAR. Click on their links and read what they have to say!

And If I happened to miss your post, please be sure to leave a link to said post in the comment section.

Diabetes Days & Diabetes Moments ~

2012-01-03T11:34:00.007-05:00

There are days and moments after 30 plus years with diabetes, that diabetes is second nature - Like being left handed.

Days where I test automatically and without thinking and can immediately read the carb count on an unfamiliar meal. Days where I am indeed a Diabetes Savant. For a brief moment in time, life with diabetes mimics others whose pancreases are in working order view as normal.

And then there those days where I’ve rushed out the door sans my insulin pump, tune out my pump’s “low Insulin” alarm completely until my diabetes well is damn near dry, or have my infusion set in a spot that unbeknownst to me, has become useless and dead.

Days where my numbers go either north or south for unexplained reasons. And others where I do something stupid, like forget to bolus for coffee, and then wonder out loud why I’m blowing a 240 a few hours later.

Then there are those “diabetes moments” that are public and at times uncomfortable. Moments where all of a sudden I feel the low and think that others can feel it to. Like everyone in the Diabetes On-Line Community, I’ve become an expert at downing glucose tabs in record time and sucking down a juice-box in one gigantic gulp. Hey, I wonder if I should write that on my on-line dating profile??? But I digress.

Much like “Senior Moments,” these “Diabetes Moments” happen and I acknowledge and accept them, and at times laugh out loud at them - or cry in frustration. But I continue to plow ahead - because I see others doing the same.

And then I remind myself that I’m not the only one who has these diabetes days and diabetes moments - Others stand where I’m standing and that’s a great comfort. Realizing that others like me, live and embrace this diabetes view of normal, not only helps us live our lives, it also saves lives. It is a wonderful and empowering thing.

And then I remember shared diabetes moments, in the form of DMeet Ups, blog posts, twitter chats, emails, phone calls, letters and the likes there of and I'm once again remember that you can speak the language of diabetes in real life and on-line, without ever having to utter the “D Word.” But that it’s more than OK if you do. And that is also a wonderful thing~

2012 Has Just Started & I've Already Learned New Things - Like Cupcakes Can Be Musical~

2012-01-02T15:03:00.012-05:00

So far the lessons I've learned in 2012 are as follows.

1. Some cupcakes can be musical~

In Philadelphia, Musical Cupcakes Lead Mummers down Broad St~

2. Lobster Ravioli is doable, but Lobster Ravioli and tiramisu????? Not so much.

3. It's easier to start the day off with an orange than I previously thought. Normally, fruit in the morning (except for berries) can mess with my blood sugars numbers, but a medium and or small size orange (Think Clementines, Velencias & Temple) with my yogurt don't seem to make my numbers all bonkers.

I've been experimenting with the orange with breakfast thing since Saturday, but so far I'm impressed.

Why am I adding an orange to my daily diet? Well, there's the Vitamin C thing, but there's also the calcium, fiber and trying to get my 5 servings daily of fruit and veggies thing. So yeah, all around it's a win, win situation.

4. I walk much faster in cold weather than I do in hot. Brisk walks = more calories burned, better blood sugars and take much less time then slow, "Africa Hot" type walks do. THINK ABOUT IT.

5. I've rediscovered my love of both Blueberry & Tangerine (what's with the orange love as of late? Seriously, I think I'm becoming obsessed) Celestial Seasonings tea.

6. The thermal coffee cup I bought at TJMaxx for Christmas works REALLY WELL. So well in fact that I nearly burned the roof of my mouth this morning!

7. Doorknobs are still toying with me in the new year - No surprise there.

How's your 2012 working out so far?

The Number One Lesson Learned In 2011 I'm Bringing With Me Into 2012 Is....

2011-12-30T12:25:00.006-05:00

I originally thought this post would be about the Diabetesaliciousness year in review. But as I sat down to write this post, all I kept thinking about the life lessons I learned in 2011.
And for some reason the word strength and what that word means kept coming to mind.
Having strength and being strong is much more than being able to lift heavy things with ease.
Strength is about being able to handle life's burdens while not letting those burdens become an anchor around your neck, heart and spirit.
In 2011 I learned that that no matter what happens in life, I am capable of forging ahead and being strong - even during those times in August and September (and now) when I felt and feel like "the girl with the weight of the word in her hands. "
I was reminded daily that advocating for others allowed me to become stronger than I originally thought and that by developing my diabetes voice for others, it helped (and continues to do so every day) me develop my own voice - Diabetes and otherwise.
2011 reinforced the fact that little things aren't worth arguing about with people that you love because life is too short when it comes to getting the last word over things that don't matter.

This year reminded me that there is strength in numbers and that little ripples make big waves.

And finally, I learned that you can suffer a loss that weighs so heavily on your heart that you don't know how you're physically and mentally going to get through it. But I learned that you do, because you have the help and support of wonderful friends and the memory of an amazing mother who I do my absolute best to honor every day.
I owe both the Diabetes On-line Community and my mother a big THANK YOU for giving me that strength - So THANKS loved ones, I wouldn't have my strength without you!

Strength in massive doses is what I'm taking with me into 2012 and I'm incredibly grateful to have it.
And when I think my strength reserve is low, I'll remind myself of the lessons 2011 taught to me by the people I love.

What lesson(s) learned in 2011 are you taking with you into 2012?

Wordless Wednesday: I Saw This & Immediately Wondered If I'd Remembered To Bring Spare Batteries For My Insulin Pump ~

2011-12-28T12:53:00.007-05:00

The Energizer Bunny Spotted in NYC.

I Saw the bunny & immediately thought: Did I remember to bring spare batteries for my insulin pump?

End of Year Prescriptions Reminder~

2011-12-27T13:06:00.005-05:00

With New Year's Eve just a few days away, here's your Diabetesalicious reminder to get all of your end of year prescriptions filled before you kickoff your New Year's celebrations/ resolutions, etc.

2012 deductibles start on January 1 and as you all know,many deductibles for those living with a pre-existing condition are ridiculously high!

Call your pharmacy and get your refills, NOW!!!

Christmas Infiltration

2011-12-23T12:50:00.003-05:00

Whether your "into Christmas" or not,

May your "Christmas Infiltration"/holiday season be filled with lots of love, laughter and everything else in between!!!

Living With Diabetes Is A Circus ~

2011-12-22T10:04:00.003-05:00

I originally wrote this post on April 10th 2008 after having a conversation about what living with diabetes was really like. Not to mention the fact that when I was little I always wanted to be the girl in the Circus who stood atop the horses twirling and riding around the ring. I also wanted to be the lady swinging across the Big Top on the flying trapeze and walking across the tightrope with a parasol in hand. After 30+ years of living this diabetes life, it looks like I got my wish re: the tightrope!

####

After my last post where I blamed Scotty J for my wild blood sugar ride, BetterCell and I had a dialogue and we both came to the exact same conclusion in the reader comments sectionof said post.

We both feel that Living with Diabetes is like living life under the big top. It's a balancing act, a 3 Ring Circus whose acts continue to change, amaze, and challenge us on a daily basis.

With that being said; yours truly began to imagine the following D-Circus Maximus in vivid detail.

Imagine if you will, a pancreas shaped tent where the Greatest Show on earth, "The Balancing Act of A Diabetic's Life" takes place. listen as the Ring Master explains my act with "Candy Girl" and "Pour Some Sugar on Me" alternately accompanying the various diabetic feats.

IT'S SHOWTIME!
(and for the sake of time & space continuum in d-blogville, it's is a one-woman show)

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the Diabetes Circus Balancing Act of a Diabetics Life, Proudly Presents,

The Amazing Miss Kelly K, T1 for 30 years and and LIVING a KICK-ASS LIFE!

Watch as she CONSTANTLY jumps through Rings of Fire to OWN her Blood Sugars on a daily basis!

See her bravely (Stupidly?) pricking her finger with just a single lancet-sans Pen, & checks her blood sugar. Watch in AMAZEMENT as she CALCULATES DIABETES MATH, counts her carbs, takes her blood sugar, and correctly boluses for every meal she eats!

Pulling it all together to reach BLOOD SUGAR NIRVANA!

OBSERVE as she CORRECTLY ESTIMATES how many carbs in a 1/2 cup serving of Ben and Jerry's Vanilla ice cream ( 18grams,) a small apple ( 15 grams - 4 grams of fiber = 11 grams,) and a 1 Cup serving of Lowfat Silk Vanilla Soy milk (10grams -1 gram of fiber = 9grams of carb)

Watch in ASTONISHMENT as she PRECISELY identifies which spinning plate has the correct two ounce service of cooked pasta !!!!! A tricky feat that could screw up Blood Sugar Nirvana in an instant if not properly identified and bolused for.

Prepare to be DUMBFOUNDED by her DEXTERITY as she & her pump tubing DEFY & DANCE around DOORKNOBS, EDGES and LEDGES - Most of the time.

Be AMAZED as she not only changes her infusion set in the blink of an eye, but rotates the location as well. ALL IN UNDER 30 SECONDS. Now you see it, now you don't!

Watch her as she NAVIGATES on the Tightrope of life, handling a low blood sugar at work and still maintains her dignity.

Listen and learn as she CONTINUALLY EDUCATES herself on all the latest and greatest Diabetes breakthroughs, studies, and technical accouterments that hit the Diabetes market on a daily basis.

Join her as she WORKS IT ALL OUT, before her actual workout.
Taking her blood sugar; figuring out her temporary basal rate, and MAGICALLY concealing a Lara Bar; B.S. machine, emergency $5, and house keys on her person - And still manages not to look like a bag lady.

Listen in AWE as she handles PEOPLES STUPID QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS regarding diabetes & Take bets on whether or not she will keep calm and educate the person on the difference between t1 and t2, or if she'll loose her cool entirely and verbally annihilates them with her sardonic wit. "

It's a job, it's an adventure, it's a pain in the ass, and it is OUR life.

Wordless Wednesday: Behold The Power Of Shoes ~

2011-12-21T14:00:00.004-05:00

Ahhhh, the wonders of Christmas & the exact moment that the magic of the black patent leather Mary Janes first caught my eye and was captured for all eternity~

Diabetesalicious Holiday Observations

2011-12-20T09:26:00.007-05:00

My advice: She won't so don't~

If you're carrying insulin in your handbag, don't put said handbag down near heaters or radiators. Slow boiling insulin is not a good thing.

If you happen to be blowing a 56 blood sugar and Starbucks is right in front of you, a Starbucks "Short" Hot Chocolate works wonders and it's not scalding hot so you can drink REALLY fast.

Those little holiday Clementine oranges are the perfect carb count. 8.89 grams to be exact!

Counting the number of holiday sweaters you see is a great exercise for both your brain and what not to wear.

Silk Seasonal Flavors are really tasty and are much lower in carbs than regular eggnog and the likes there of. My favorite is the Pumpkin Spice, which also happens to be the highest in carbs of the Silk Holiday trio. Which is OK, because it's still less calories & carbs than traditional eggnog.

It's official, I'm not so great at wrapping gifts.

Both Lifetime & The Hallmark Channel REALLY need to step their Christmas made for TV movie play list. If I see "Christmas Magic" or "A Dad For Christmas" airing one more time, I'm going to flip my bitchswitch! And for the record, I don't watch that much TV.

forgive me if I'm wrong, but isn't "The Elf On The Shelf" breaking all sorts of stalking laws?

If We Dealt With Our Diabetes The Way Congress Deals With One Another... We'd Be Dead

2011-12-16T10:59:00.005-05:00

The following post is not about being on the Left or the Right, nor is about being Blue or Red. It's about acting like grownups and being responsible.
####

In the 12th hour and for the third time this year, Congress has avoided shutting down the government.... This time.
And quite frankly, as a citizen who votes and pays taxes, I'm pissed that shutting down our government was even an option.
And as a person living with Type 1 Diabetes, all I could think of when I heard the following news was: If people with diabetes dealt with their diabetes the way that Congress deals with one another, we'd be dead. Seriously, think about it for a second.
As a person living with Type 1 Diabetes, I don't have the luxury of of walking out the door with my panties all in a bunch because Diabetes and I can't figure a way to work things out.
I WISH IT WERE THAT EASY. But like it or not, diabetes and I ALWAYS have to work TOGETHER, 24 X7, 365 days a year, with no time off for good behavior or hissy fits.
Neither diabetes or I can huddle to the left or cower to the right, we have to meet square in the middle and figure out what works best for me, a.k.a, a Citizen of the United States of Kelly. Sometimes it takes days for us to figure it all out, but eventually we ALWAYS do because we must.
Our goal as people living with diabetes is to make our diabetes work for us and with us, not against us.
And correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that what Congress is supposed to do as well?

The Diabetes Fashion Files & Catching Up: Stick Me Designs

2011-12-15T13:41:00.008-05:00

I’ve been playing an unending game of catch up with posts that were originally supposed to be running in the end of August through September, due to my mother’s 5 week hospital stay and death.

With that being said, I once again offer my apologies to everyone who has patiently waited for their posts to appear.

#####

Back at the end of May, Rickina Velte, Owner of at StickMeDesigns sent me a Diabetes Supplies Deluxe Clutch Bag for review. I told Rickina that when I review a product, I really test it out, and would post about my experiences after I actually travelled with it.

I received the bag in the mail and quickly filled all it’s compartments with both diabetes and non Diabetes supplies. I took it to the beach ( I loved that it had a spot for an icepack) which kept not only my insulin and diabetes electronics in check, but it also prevented my lipstick from melting. I soon realized that a Frio pack worked MUCH better than a normal icepack. The Frio lasted lasted days longer than an icepack and still kept everything fresh and cool. And can I just say that during Hurricane Irene, Frio kept a new unopened bottle of insulin cool even when the power went out!

I used the Deluxe Clutch when I travelled to San Diego for Roche, and I have to say that having my diabetes supplies, ID, Airline tickets and cash all in one spot was quite handy and kept me from losing all of the above to the black-hole that is my handbag.

Same goes for my trip to Canada, except add my PassPort to the above mix.

The only thing I would have changed about the clutch was it’s material, while the Deco design is very pretty, I would have preferred something that was more stain resistant. But the clutch is machine washable and cleans up nicely after a cold water wash. I’ve also noticed that other StickMe items have a more stain resistant material.

But the Deluxe Clutch really came in handy when I practically lived at the hospital Mid August through the end September, when life's shit really rocked my world. When my mom was in the hospital I spent every single day for 5 weeks, (except for two days during Hurricane Irene when visitors were not allowed at or near the hospital) for six to eight hour stretches in the Intensive care waiting room or with my mom. Every day I walked around said hospital with a small duffle bag on wheels that held my Laptop/charger, a notebook, important papers, things my mom had requested, and the StickMeDesign Clutch.

With that being said, if your still looking for holiday gift ideas.......

Life Lessons I've Been Reminded Of As Of Late.....

2011-12-14T07:55:00.008-05:00

1. Growing up is hard no matter how old you are.

2. Boluses aren't 100% spot on 100% of the time.

3. Christmas is so very different this year, but Christmas lights still make me smile.

4. Extra insulin in my fridge makes me feel safe.

5. Not all adults act like adults - This can be both a good and a bad thing.

6. I really need to eat more veggies because I’ve slacked off as of late. Which is so weird because I actually like veggies.

7. The whole “It will make you a stronger person in the end and shows what a strong character you have,” thing is indeed true, but it still doesn’t make it any easier.

8. Work is a great distraction and I need more of it.

9. Catching up is never ending.

10. Diabetes does not = being overweight, so enough with the Weight Loss Cookbook PR Pitches already! You’re really pissing me off and these pitches are starting to give me a complex: #doesthisPRPitchmakemelookfat

11. Insurance companies need to stop with the price hikes.

12. Congress needs to get their shit together, like yesterday!

13. Infusion set sites work better on my right leg then on my left leg. Go figure?

14. Goodbyes are forever.

15. My mom was right, sparkle & a little sequins do go with everything!

The Wegohealth Activist Awards And picking Up Your Brooms ~

2011-12-13T11:54:00.009-05:00

OK, I'll admit that it WAS pretty nifty to receive the following nominations for the WegoHealth Health Activists Awards.

Award: Advocate for Another (http://info.wegohealth.com/advocate-2011)

Link: http://diabetesaliciousness.blogspot.com and twitter.com/diabetesalish

Reason: Kelly is as passionate as she is knowledgeable about diabetes. It has touched her and her loved ones in ways that would bring most people down. Yet, she's turned her experience into an opportunity for advocacy and raising awareness about the disease and life with it.

Award: Hilarious Health Activist 2011 (http://info.wegohealth.com/humor-2011)

Link: diabetesaliciousness.blogspot.com

Reason: Kelly can find the light in any situation, and she's definitely had some tough ones over the past couple of years. She's not afraid to tell it like it is and laugh about it at the same time. She's even done a diabetes-related standup comedy routine! Kelly is guaranteed to give you a good chuckle and an affirmation of happiness in life.

The nominations were made by other Health Activists (i.e. YOU) and whether I get an award or not,

your words made me smile and your words continue to encourage and make me work harder, so it's all good.

So thank you for making me continue to work hard while smiling with my whole face and heart.

But with that being said, I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE for the Diabetes On-Line Community to make these awards a "clean sweep" and a team sport ! ! !

Be sure to click on each of the highlighted words/!! above!

So get out your brooms (think Hockey Playoffs and Curling,) and make your WEGO Health Award nominations for whom (who?)ever you choose by going to:

http://info.wegohealth.com/awards-2011/

Sweep~

And yes, I realize it's sort of weird for me to be using sports analogies, but I am part Canadian and my mom was in The Ice Capades, so ice sports are in my blood, if not in my actual ankles!

And I kid you not, my parents wedding reception was held at the McIntyre Curling Club/Arena ~

Curl the Mac!!

They sweep in Curling - But I still don't really understand why, except that sweeping is part of the actual game game, while the Zamboni is not.

It's Like Someone Moved My Diabetes Cheese.....

2011-12-09T14:18:00.007-05:00

Cheese in motion, courtesy of The Stinky Cheese Man~

Hey is it me, or does his smile look like it's made of bacon??

So, I'm on a new reservoir cycle, and by cycle I'm going to get a little Diabetes OCD.

On Monday night around 10 p.m, I changed insulin pump reservoir.

Which really struck me as sort of weird (much like living with diabetes,) because 6 times out of 10,

I change my reservoir late afternoon.

And then last night with just four units of insulin left, I had to fill a new reservoir at 9:45 p.m. Again, much later than normal. Not that there's anything wrong with that, because there absolutely isn't.

As people with diabetes we fill up our insulin reservoirs whenever we need to, no matter where or when, or time of day for that matter.

It's just that for some reason I always seem to notice the time of day that I fill my insulin reservoir and I just automatically associate a certain time of day with changing my reservoir.

And now I'm noticing that my refill time seems to be off as of late. It's like someone moved my Diabetes Cheese!

OK, DO NOT get me started on cheese!

Anyway, has your Diabetes Cheese ever been moved or is this just another wonderfully annoying k2ism?

Wordless Wednesday: Totally Bolus Worthy - Yo Gabba Gabba Style ~

2011-12-07T10:35:00.007-05:00

"Don't... don't...don't bite your friends!"

Unless of course, they're totally BOLUS WORTHY.

Photo courtesy of my iPhone - And a bakery I happened to pass by while exploring the West Village one Sunday afternoon~

Pay No Attention To The Man Behind The Curtain - Or The Anonymous Blogger Behind The Hurtful Post~

2011-12-05T08:00:00.009-05:00

This post was inspired by two people. The first and foremost is a fellow member of our DOC family who I happen to think pretty highly of. Her name is Kerri Merrone Sparling and I'm proud to call her my friend!

I am also very protective of my friends. And I don't like when someone writes or says nasty things about them.

And the second person? That person is someone I ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to give ANY credibility to, street or otherwise.

I WILL NOT comment on said offensive post,(and yes, I really had to marinate on that decision) written by said offensive blogger, except to say the blog in question is about working in an ER and the writer of said blog just happens to have Type 1 diabetes and this blogger is not a member of the Diabetes On-Line Community.

Nor will I name, link, tweet, or facebook said offensive post. If that blogger wants higher blog stats, they won't get any any additional numbers from this blog.

I won't give that person another comment, stat, or Google search term in anyway, shape, or form.

But as always, I will tell you what I think.

######

Here's the thing. In the Diabetes On-line community and in life, we don't have to agree on everything. Quite frankly, that's a human impossibility & one should never assume that we can. And we all know what they say about assumming so I'm not even going to type it.

If you (and by "you," I'm also including myself in the mix,) disagree with someone in the diabetes On-Line Community, be it their blog post, personality, or choice of hardware, that's OK.

But tell them in a way that's constructive, professional and non accusatory - And make sure you get the full story before you press "Publish."

Here's a thought, instead of springing your thoughts on the person with a rant filled post, reach out to that person via an email and create a meaningful dialogue. A dialogue where both people in the discussion learn from one another.

But do everyone a favor, including yourself. Don't write about a fellow PWD in an intentionally unkind, verbally abusive and disrespectful rant.

Not only does it make our community look bad, it makes you and your community who staff the ER seem judgemental and uncaring. And it shows an incredible lack of professionalism on all of your parts. And since you conveniently write behind a moniker instead of your actual name - it shows cowardliness on your part.

And honestly, it's a turnoff. As people living with diabetes we face discrimination from others, both personally and professionally every day. Bottom line, we don't need harshness from another person with diabetes.

Diabetes is the enemy, not the individual(s) living with diabetes.

You want to make a difference? GREAT, then start by making a change from within.

When you're the perfect PWD/diabetic/blogger/ healthcare professional and human that can walk on water without assistance while simultaneously juggling multiple insulin pumps and blowing an a1c of 5.8, than you can wax poetic about whatever you want.

But until then, don't be the Diabetes Judge, jury, and Police Captain all rolled into one for the rest of us!

You wanted to make a splash, congratulations, you have. But I guarantee it's not the splash you hoped for.

Hey, I get it. It's your blog, and it's your choice to write about whatever you want.

But please keep in mind that like you, those of us who had the unfortunate privilege to read your words even once like myself, also have a choice.

And to partially quote The Great Oz, after I hit the "Publish" button, I will no longer pay attention to the man behind the curtain, or the anonymous blogger behind the hurtful post.

I'm done reading you - And I know for a fact I'm not alone.

You are not worth my time, energy, association,tweets or Facebook status.

And you're not worth my bandwidth.

Diabetes Takes A Spa Day.....

2011-11-30T12:12:00.014-05:00

Diabetes Approved

Photo Courtesy of Bliss Spa, NYC

So it’s been a crazy couple months and my stress levels are redonkulous.

Anyway, I’d planned to get away from it all and spend the Thanksgiving holiday with my wonderful friends Mark & Ron, catch my niece Cristin’s show Friday night (she’s currently starring in ONCE, at the New York Theater Project and she and the show ARE AMAZING & I won't be surprised when it goes to Broadway) and decompress from life.

Mark had booked and was treating us to massages at Bliss Spa the day after Thanksgiving and I was really looking forward to it. I needed someone to untie the knots in my back and neck and Bliss Spa was just the ticket.

Thanksgiving was great and sad all at the same time. We had a rooftop view of the parade and we watched it in our pajamas, drank our coffee out of real mugs, not paper cups and noshed on bagels & creamcheese & yogurt.

I was with fantastical people who I love very much, and who had invited other wonderful people over. Collectively we had interesting conversations and ate tons of amazing food.

But it was the first holiday without my mom and I missed her more than I can articulate. It’s like I kept waiting for the one person who I desperately wanted to be there arrive, except I knew that would never happen.

I shed a few tears before the guests arrived at Mark & Ron’s, but I put on my game face and forged ahead right before the first guest rang the buzzer.

And thanks to good friends, (both old and new) and a few strategically filled glasses of well chilled champagne, I survived.

I woke up Friday morning feeling good, and I was excited for my Spa day.

We had breakfast and left early so that we could stop by Barney’s to see Gaga’s Santa’s Workshop Display. It was crowded, the stuff was kind of cool and very expensive, but still - It was worth checking out.

On our way out, we stopped in Men’s Couture (because I was with Mark and Mark has couture tastes) before heading to Bliss. And all of a sudden I had to sit down, because I was feeling really low. And by “really low,” I mean sweaty, shaky and tired all at the same time, can’t feel my mouth type of low. And low (pun intended) and behold, I was blowing a 47. Two Lara Bars later, I started to feel better and we continued on our Journey to Bliss. But I was preoccupied with what would happen during the massage - And all sorts of questions filled my head.

As a person with diabetes who happens to love a good massage, Spa days and diabetes present all sorts of challenges that make a spa day anything but stress free.

And coming of a wicked crazy low makes those challenges worse.

Challenges like:

What am I going to do with my pump during a message? FYI, I usually wear mine.

Sometimes I suspend my pump. Sometimes I run it at half mast, and other times it’s on at full blast.

What if I go low before or during a message? Have a LaraBar with you - I keep mine in my Spa Robe pocket. But in this case I’d already eaten my spare Lara Bar, so I stopped by a sandwich shop and bought a Luna Bar.

What if I’m high after? Bring your tester/ supplies with you and do a correction bolus. I keep mine in a tiny carrying case with said Lara Bar and or Luna Bar. Plus, they encourage you to drink copious amounts of water at spa, so it's a sort of a weird win- win situation there.

Do I let the massage Therapist near my abdomen area? Personally, I don’t. As much as I love lavender oil, it makes it damn near impossible for my infusion sets to stick and stay on. I don't that problem in my life.

What if the message therapist thinks I’m fat? Who cares, I’m paying for them to give me a massage, not judge my waistline.

If I want to take a steam before or after said massage, will it damage my pump? That would depend on the pump - I say remove yours just to be safe. Steam is whole different animal that submerging in water.

They say not to leave valuables in your locker even though your the only one wit the code, because you're the one who came up with the locker code. But if I take a steam, I won’t be bringing my pump with me and I’m not supposed to put it in my locker, so what in the hell am I going to do with it?

I put my pump and spare batteries in a case and take it to the front desk. Normally they have safe or area for just such a thing.

Does getting a message affect blood sugars and if so is it a positive or negative affect?

I need to do more intensive and extensive research on this - But Magic 8 Ball says it can’t hurt!

And because I love you guys, I'm willing to use myself as a Guinna pig in the Spa treatment = better blood sugar arena!

So yeah, basically, we have a lot of shit to think about before we get on the table, and then we have relax and make sure those issues don’t affect us when we’re actually on the table!

Anyway, after picking up my Peanut Butter Luna Bar, we checked in at Bliss, went our separate ways, changed, and waited for my name to be called in the Ladies Spa Lounge. I tested and my blood sugar was only 103, but luckily, the Bliss Ladies Spa Lounge ( I love how that rolls of my tongue) had cheese, crackers, cucumber slices & tiny little mini brownies - And I had all of the above.

Soon, my name was called and I met the my Massage Therapist, told her my problem areas and that I was a PWD, left my Luna Bar and Tester in my robe that was hanging on the door, and situated myself facedown on the table.

I focused on getting rid of the tension and stress and told myself that if I ran low, I could just tell her to stop and grab my bar.

75 minutes later the massage was over and I felt great. Bliss Day Spa was amazing in every sense of the word!

Thank you Marky for the treat!

I felt incredibly relaxed and for the first time in what seemed like for ever, my neck and shoulders weren’t hurting - neither was my head or heart.

Did I mention that Bliss products are awesome and that they had plenty of Bliss products for those getting treatments to use in the locker room? Yeah, I applied liberally!

I took a seat in the Ladies Spa Lounge and downed two glasses of lemon water and tested my blood sugar. I was 143.

Blood Sugar Nirvana & Diabetes Spa Day all rolled into one... And a wonderful time was had by all.

The Puzzle Pieces Inside Us

2011-11-29T15:36:00.012-05:00

Because today was about the missing pieces of an entirely different sort of puzzle.

####

So last night around 10pm I was emailing back and forth with someone (who shall remain nameless because I've yet to ask her if I can print her name) about the Diabetes On-Line Community, and she said something like: I get really excited when I hear about people who are bringing the community together. Keep doing what your doing, there are a lot of people with diabetes who feel lost out there - Glad your around!

And then I said something like: Thanks & yes, the DOC is so important. There are so many people with diabetes who have felt lost & then found again when they discover the DOC. And there are so many more who need to find the DOC in order to find an important piece of themselves in the process.

And she totally agreed.

So why am I telling you this? Because that's how I feel & that bit of the conversation has been on my mind all day.

Bottom line, we all feel lost sometimes, diabetes or not.

I like to thing that each of us is made up of puzzle pieces that make up our life and fit our body and soul. Those puzzle pieces make up who we are and what we believe.

And when our pancreases break, we feel like a piece of our own unique puzzle is lost for ever.

And yes, that's true. And that missing puzzle piece brings up all sorts feelings of being incomplete - If we let it.

But the Diabetes On-Line community allows us to fill in the missing piece and replace it with a sense of peace, (see what I did there? ) because we develop our diabetes voices, a strong sense of who we are, both personally and as a community.

And we develop incredible skills of empathy and tenacity to help anyone who needs it, including ourselves.

That piece of peace isn't 24X7, diabetes or not, that's just impossible.

But knowing it's there when we need it most my friends, is beautiful.

So remember that when your in the middle of a shitstorm, because it's like having your own electric Plow Boy to shovel through all of life's mucky terrain~

Infusion Set Nirvana?? Not Even Close.

2011-11-28T10:04:00.007-05:00

I don't know if it was because I was traveling, and by traveling, I mean driving 100+ miles, then catching a train to NYC, and arriving in Penn Station carrying my purple rolling suitcase and 8.5 lbs of diced squash slung over my shoulder in Wholefoods recyclable grocery bag.

Add to that the craziness of the city on the busiest travel day of the year, finally catching a cab but being stuck on 8th Avenue for a good 10 minutes before we went 10 blocks, and still had 30 to go, the frantic pace of celebrating/cooking/ hanging out with friends who are family and celebrating the first holiday without my mother, but I've been going through infusion sets like crazy the last 6 days!

Seriously, I've had to change my infusions almost daily during the Thanksgiving holiday.

And THANK GOD I brought plenty of extra sets with me, because between the deadspot issues and the infusion sets getting yanked and tugged, and a multitude of unknown reasons that have followed me since Wednesday, I absolutely could have been up Shits Creek without a paddle - Diabetes style.

Now the blood sugars related to said infusion sets were pretty good, except for Friday night and last night, but that's for another post.

So I guess what I'm asking is: Are my infusion set issues holiday related, running around the city like a chicken with out a head related, or is it just related to the wonderfulness of being me?

Anyone else have strange Diabetes issues, infusion set related or otherwise this past holiday weekend? Diabetesalicious minds need to know!

Get Your Blue On - EVERY FRIDAY From November On!.

2011-11-25T10:43:00.003-05:00

This post was originally supposed to be in Video format, but after issues with iMovie and having to deal with a travel schedule that was all about driving, trains, and cab rides on the busiest travel day of the year, I decided to go with a post instead!

#####

Today is the last Blue Friday in November, and I say, get your blue on - And tell the world why!

Seriously, if you don't tell people why you're wearing blue, they might just think it's because blue is a pretty color & it brings out your eyes.

And while those facts might very well be true, those aren't the reasons why you're wearing blue.

You're wearing blue to let the world know that blue = diabetes awareness.

And let's face it, people need to be more aware of diabetes, the different types of diabetes that exist ,and the diabetes realities verses the diabetes myths.

As for me, I will do my best to wear blue every Friday from November on, because diabetes awareness is every month for me - It doesn't stop December 1st.

I say let's get your Blue on every Friday and let the world know why!

Knowledge is power- And knowledge will equal a cure!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING From The Rooftop With Friends ~

2011-11-24T12:57:00.003-05:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Have a great day with friends and family and appreciate all those who love you, both near and far.

Celebrate & be thankful that you are here and living and doing

and make sure to find little things to make you smile and laugh!

Love,

Kelly~

Kelly & Snoopy Having Breakfast Thanksgiving morning~

Pillsbury & I hanging out at breakfast, Thanksgiving morning~

Did She???

2011-11-22T15:04:00.010-05:00

I know that diabetes runs on both sides of my family, I was just more aware of my father's family history because I was actually around to get meet my Aunts & cousins.

I knew that my mom's grandfather had type 2 and there'd always been rumblings about others who had type 1 - But they were never mentioned by name.

There's a chance I'm being overly dramatic here - It's been known to happen.

Still, I can't help but wonder~

Last night as I was sorting through boxes and boxes of family pictures , I saw something that stopped me cold.

At the bottom of a box sat an ancient family portrait of a mother and her 6 daughters posing for a family portrait.

The youngest daughter was sitting on her mother's lap, and she was frail; skinny, with spindly legs and was bundled up more than her sisters.

And yes, I went THERE.

Because all I could think was, did My Great Grandmother's little sister have diabetes?

And then I started to cry just a little bit.

Because if she did, I knew that she didn't make it to her next birthday.

I'm probably just overreacting, And I'm definitely PMSing.

Which of course explains the overreacting part.

Still......

When 230 = Stalker.

2011-11-21T07:38:00.003-05:00

STOP STALKING ME!!!!

On Saturday night, the number 230 was infused in my brain and psyche.

It was like 230 had become personified, and had become an enemy, stalking my every step.

An enemy that was chasing me down, mocking my every move, and laughing in my face.

That night (OK, technically it was between the hours of 7 and 11: 29,) my blood sugar was 230 - ALL NIGHT.

It literally wouldn’t go down, or up for that matter. Even after two infusion set site changes, 2 correction boluses, 2 rage boluses and a ridiculous number of fingerstick tests!

I was pissed off at being stalked by 230 - I didn't like it one bit!

At 11:30 pm, my blood sugar was 166 and I could finally get some sleep.

Sunday morning I woke up and my blood sugar was 140, ( I know, not thrilling) and it stayed in good range all day.

Still..., 230 kept flashing in my brain.

So much so in fact, that on Sunday night I googled the number 230 sans quotes, just for shits and giggles.

And ironically, “ Kelly’s 230 Stalker Stubborn Ass Blood Sugar,” didn’t come up in my search.

But I did find out that there was a roof top bar called 230-Fifth in New York City.

And that The US Department of Immigration Form 230 , parts I and II are Applications for Immigrant Visa & Alien Registration.

230 was also part of a big viral advertising campaign for GM’s VOLT back in 2008. But I don’t really remember it so I’m sure how successful it was.

And according to Wikipedia, “230 was a common year starting on a Friday of the Julian Calendar & at the time it was known as the Year of Consulship of Agricola and Clementinus.” Yeah, I know - W. T. F.

The stubborn ass 4 and a half hour Saturday night 230 blood sugar mystery still remains one.

It definitely wasn’t a diabetes urban legend - It really happened, and it was totally frustrating.

But, eventually, the blood sugar tables turned and I was once again in charge.

Why am I telling you this? Because I know that you'll totally understand my frustrations and not judge me.

And I hope that when your being chased by one of those stubborn mystery blood sugar numbers that just won't budge, you’ll remember this post and realize that eventually you'll show your own Blood Sugar Stalker who's the boss.

Speaking of, what's your Blood Sugar Stalker number?

FYI: your Blood Sugar Stalker number can be high, low, or smack dab in the middle - There's no judging here~

To Canada & The Canadian DOC Contingency With Love

2011-11-18T12:45:00.013-05:00

On August 15th I accompanied my mom on a trip to Toronto, Canada so that she could see her oldest friend (they'd been friends since they were four) and my mother's older sister.

We returned home on the 20th and I called the ambulance for her on the evening of the 21st. You know the rest of the story, so I'm not going to rehash it.

Anyway, it's taken me a while to write this post for many reasons, mostly emotional.

I'm not going to post mom pics from this trip or go into much detail regarding our time in Canada together, because as much fun as we had, it still makes me cry when I think about it.

But I will say our trip back to my mother's homeland was a gift for all parties involved and I am so grateful for that time.

I wish I had done a few things differently, but I'm still so incredibly grateful to have been given such a gift.

I was going to use my in Toronto time to see the see family, sneak some work in if possible, check out the city, because the last time I'd been there I was maybe 16.

I had sky high hopes to visit The Banting House, which was a 3 hour drive.

But since II didn't have access to a car and the train drop-off was no where near the Banting House, I didn't make it, which totally bummed me out.

I had also planned to check out the University of Toronto & it's historical significance to the discovery of insulin, and later meet up with a few members of the Canadian Diabetes On-Line Community which I was thrilled about!!

So, I took the subway to U of Toronto, armed myself with a map and began my long trek by foot to discover my diabetes history.

As I walked miles and miles around the University, I started to feel really low, and I was just about to sit down on a bench, when out of the corner of my eye I saw this:

Had my blood sugar not gone low at that moment. I never would have seen this sign.

I actually went into the building after my blood sugar went up, and I have to say, I was disappointed.

For some reason I expected U of Toronto to make a bigger deal of the men who saved my life.

After I left that building, I continued my journey and about 7 minutes later I

saw a small plaque on a building and decided to investigate further.

Had I not had a map and actually knew where it was, I never would have seen it.

Then I went to the other side of the building and this is what I saw.

And once again, I was happy, but really sad and pissed off at the same time.

COME ON University of Toronto, trim the damn hedge and have some pride!

Seriously, what the hell??

I continued onward, looked for the word "Banting" on my map, and found the location of the following:

A Hero's plaque with little fanfare.

I can't believe I found it and I can't believe that no one seemed to give a shit.

I couldn't understand why no one seemed to care about Banting & Best.

I expected the City of Toronto & it's university to have banners, streamers and a damn marching band to celebrate our diabetes heroes.

After all, millions of lives were saved, and hadn't we just celebrated the 90th anniversary of the discovery of insulin??

After the letdown, I decided to continue exploring and I found some things that reminded me of home, except they were.. you know, " Canadianized."

Canadians have some interesting tastes. FYI: I didn't try the pickle chips but I really wish I had because I think I would have LOVED THEM!!

But I wasn't super interested in the chicken chips at all.

I continued my tour or Toronto and thought I saw a familiar face across the street......

Could it be???

I think I see........

Clifford??

Turns out I did see Clifford!!!!

Later I saw something else that reminded me of a familiar face.......

Can you say Scott Johnson????

I walked by things I wish I'd had time to see.

Like the above sign. I wish I'd known Carrie Fisher's One Woman show was in town, because I'd have bought tixs!

Cut to a few days later, when I was all dressed up and ready to spend the evening at Gretsky's with some friends I'd never met in real life.

Right down the street from Gretsky's I saw one of my all time favorite things ever!

A place whose members and name had inspired me since I was a child.

I could feel Gilda Radner & John Candy's spirit!
But I had important people to meet and had to walk past and not go in. :(

The front doors to Gretsky's

Walking into Great One's restaurant doors, I knew he Canadian Contingency of the DOC was on the other side and I was stoked!

I went to the rooftop and it was packed.

I walked around looking for people wearing insulin pumps and a seeing eye dog.

Finally, a woman walked up to me and asked: Are you Kelly? And I said: I sure am!

Turns out it was Ilana, and we hugged, walked around & found a tiny table on the rooftop.

We started chatting and were quickly joined by Scully & Virtue B and the conversation was just non stop.

Soon Jaimie, Larry & awesome type 3 guide dog Keeta joined us and we went inside, found a table in a quiet room and the the conversations continued, as did the continuous beeping of all of our pumps.

And if I remember correctly, the waiter had to come by like 5 times before we were ready to order.

The CanadianContingency explained the whole Putene concept to me (fancy word for cheese fries) and we discussed life, life with diabetes and everything in between.

We laughed, and then laughed some more and we had a blast!

Around 11 the evening ended and we posed for a group picture.

Ilana, Scully, Virtue B, your's truly, Larry, Keela & Jamie

Then we hugged one another, said our goodbyes, talked some more, hugged and said our goodbyes again.

We walked outside and one by one, we went our separate ways until finally it was Ilana and I.

Who might I add, went went out of her way to make sure I got on the right subway!
The next day I met Jaimie for coffee at Tim Horton's, the Canadian equivalent to Dunkin Donuts.

The coffee was OK, the Timbits (munchkins) were better, and the company was the best!
Once again, a fellow DOCer made sure I took the right subway, and I went back to my mother's friend's, had dinner and packed to go home. And the next day, I went home, and the next day after that, shit hit the fan with my mother's health, and it went down hill from there.

Through it all I received notes from my Canadian DOCers letting me know they were thinking of me and pulling for my mom.

They wrote me beautiful emails, comments and sent direct messages on twitter & facebook during her illness and after she died.

So to the Canadian DOCers - Thank you for bringing a smile to my face, both in Canada and at home.

Thank you for being there and understanding all that these past few months have been, and never once mentioning or asking when I was going to post about our meet up.

I love you guys and am so grateful to have met you both on line and in real life - And I can't wait until we meet again!

Please Continue To Remind Others That....

2011-11-16T14:23:00.008-05:00

Insulin is not a cure for diabetes; it is a treatment.

It enables the diabetic to burn sufficient carbohydrates, so that proteins and fats may be added to the diet in sufficient quantities to provide energy for the economic burdens of life.

Sir Frederick Banting

'Diabetes and Insulin', Nobel Lecture, 15 September 1925.

Nobel Lectures: Physiology or Medicine,

The above photo isDr. Banting On The Cover Of Time Magazine

8/27/1923

Picture courtesy of The Global Gazette - April 16, 2010 Post - Check it out!

Diabetes Memory #2393: The One Where I Lied About Sneaking Food & Broke Up A Friendship

2011-11-15T15:20:00.011-05:00

The names in the story have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals.

#######

Growing up at the beach you had your regular friends. The friends you went to grade school, dancing school and CCD with, and the ones who came to almost every birthday party you ever had.

And then you had your summer friends. Summer friends only lived in your town during the summer, and you almost never saw them during the school year.

Summer friends were the friends that you played flashlight tag with, and whose cousin Chip gave you your first sort of real kiss when you were in 6th grade. You’d spend all day at the beach with your summer friends, and then play over at their house all night, until it was time to go home. Then their father walked you around the corner & dropped right at your front door.

You slept over your summer friends houses and read Nancy Drew & Little House On The Prairie at the same time, then acted out the plot of the books.

Summer friends were great, except that by the end of the summer, we all got sick of one another and couldn’t wait to see our school friends again.

Still, every June, the summer friends would come down and the cycle of “Summer Friends” would begin.

I had a whole gang of both summer and regular friends who lived around the block - And we played together from the time we were about 4 until we were in our early teens.

Then, times changed the summer I was 13.

We still hung out, but I could tell it was different. The whole neighborhood kid dynamic started to drift.

That was the last time I was with my neighborhood gang, and it all started with the break-up of my summer friends, the sisters Lucy & Ethel.

Lucy was a year older than me and Ethel was a year younger. Most of the kids in the neighborhood were closer to their ages and that was the summer when age lines started to be drawn in the theoretical sand. Sometimes Lucy would play with me, other times she couldn’t bother. Same with Ethel - who could be moody anyway.

Now the break up was mostly my fault, and I’ll admit it.

I’d begun to sneak food (Oreos & Entenmann’s pastry) from Lucy & Ethel’s kitchen on my way to the bathroom. I’d take the contraband carbs into the bathroom, close the door, down the carbs, rinse my mouth out with water , and went on about my business like nothing happened.

It was the summer and I was incredibly active and growing like a weed, and I was ALWAYS hungry.

Test strips had only been out for a few years and our family shared both a prescription and a meter for 3 people. And since it was the Diabetes Dark Ages, anything and everything was off limits.

It was also the first summer in three years that I wasn’t going to diabetes camp because my family couldn’t afford it. My dad had lost his job and my sister Debbie kept getting sicker. I felt my world changing faster than I could keep up with.

One day I went over to Lucy & Ethel’s - And out of the blue, the jig was up.

Lucy: Kelly, my mom saw you take a danish from the kitchen yesterday afternoon.

Me: No I didn’t . ( I SO TOTALLY DID)

Ethel: She saw you take it to the bathroom and she heard the sink water running in there while you ate it. It’s not good for you, Kelly - You could get sick.

Me: I didn’t eat anything!

Ethel: You did too!
Lucy: It’s OK, just don’t do it again.

ME: I DIDN’T DO IT!!! I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’m going home!

And then I ran out the door and I never went back.

I was so embarrassed that I could barely see straight and the tears were streaming down my face! I ran down the block, took a short cut through my neighbors’s yard, hid behind the giant Honeysuckle bush and cried my eyes out.

I felt like such a bad kid. I told myself I was loser and a dork and I felt so alone. The diabetes diet back then was so restrictive and just wanted to enjoy food like everyone else.

I spent a lot of time that summer alone, babysitting and taking long bike rides after dinner.

8th grade sucked for many reasons, and all too numerous to mention, The following summer I started hanging out with kids I’d be going to high school with, and a new group of summer friends.

And I steered clear of the gang around the corner - I was so afraid that Lucy & Ethel had told them what I’d done,

Whenever I think about getting caught and how I handled it, my face still turns red with embarrassment.

It’s never easy growing up, and growing up with diabetes adds a whole new twist - Add growing up the Diabetes Dark Ages, and the twist turns into a big, fat, sinewy knot of denial.

I wish I could have been honest with Lucy & Ethel. but more importantly, I wish I could have been honest with my self.

And I wish I wouldn't have felt like I had to lie. I wish I could have just taken extra insulin and not worried about it.

But that's not how it was back then.

I long to tell the girl I was that it would all be OK, and that she was going to be OK.

I can’t go back in time, that’s impossible. But I can share my story with you, because I know I'm not the only person living with diabetes who's ever lied about food as a kid - or an adult. But back then, it sure felt like it.

Now a days when we eat something that was once forbidden fruit, we can bolus for it and enjoy it!

Because today, nothing is off limits - AND THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL THING. ~

November 14th - World Diabetes Day

2011-11-14T10:14:00.004-05:00

Today is World Diabetes Day. A day when people living with diabetes(and their families,) wave their diabetes freak flag high in the air and wear blue, advocate for diabetes awareness, celabrate the fact that they are indeed living, and continue to push for a diabetes cure.
And even though it's World Diabetes Day, those of us living with diabetes don't get to catch a break from diabetes.
We still have to test and inject, and unfortunately, we still have to deal with the diabetes blood sugar highs and lows.
Today while rocking a spiffy Banana Rebuplic blue fitted shirt and my "Act On Diabetes Now," bracelet , I still have to carry extra test strips, a spare infusion set, glucose tabs and a vile of insulin on my person. Today I woke up with a 79 blood sugar even after going to bed with a 163. And right now I'm at work with a blood sugar of 93 that's quickly heading south. My diabetes much like yours, never takes a holiday.
There are others in the world living with diabetes who worse off than I. And I am OUTRAGED by that fact.
And like you, I am working to change that.
Every year, more positive changes happen regarding the global awareness of World Diabetes Day..
Even this morning, my local newspaper ran an article about Diabetes and Dementia and how controling blood sugars was so important in the prevention of dementia for people with diabetes. And the article actually differentiated between type 1 and type 2. YES, they left out 1.5, but at least it's a start.
And when I checked my inbox this morning, I had an email from a type 3 friend who teaches in China, wishing me a "Happy D-Day!" My friend went on to write that she was wearing turquise blue shirt in our honor. And as I began to read others blog posts, each one reinforced the fact that our wonderful and amazing Diabetes On-Line Community was making a difference!
Yes, we still have a long way to go, but little ripples make big waves that lead to a changing world that'swashed in blue.
A world when the day we celbrate World Diabetes Day, is the a day that represents the aniversary of the day that a diabetes cure was found.

BLUE, As in: Fridays; 11.11.11, A BIg Blue Test, Postcards, & World Diabetes Day

2011-11-11T16:42:00.007-05:00

OK, this post is up incredibly late thanks to an incredibly hectic work day - But better late then never!

#####

How you can you spread diabetes awareness???

Wear blue every Friday in November

Participate & give 11.11.11 a diabetes twist, take part in The Big Blue Test and the World Diabetes Day Post Card Exchange.

And don't forget to celebrate World Diabetes Day on November 14th.

Finally take some time to learn about what types of diabetes exist & what people living with diabetes go through.

OH, and hug a person with diabetes if you get the chance - We really are quite huggable!

Note To Diabetes Companies: If You're Going To Hire Outside PR Firms, Make Sure They Know The Diabetes Facts

2011-11-10T15:11:00.012-05:00

So OK, right now I'm dealing work deadlines and trying to get my "World Diabetes Day Postcard Exchange," Art inspiration on. I kind of have a problem coloring within the lines - But I'm doing it! Photographic evidence to follow shortly.

In all the craziness of the last few weeks (OK, months) I've noticed a thing about my email's inbox. IT'S BOMBARDED WITH DIABETES PRESS RELEASES.

And look, I'm totally happy that companies are taking an interest and spreading the world about November being National Diabetes Awareness Month, I really am. And I'm more than willing to do my part and spread their words if those words/products help my people - not just pad their pockets.

But here's the thing: Some reputable diabetes companies have hired outside PR firms who unfortunately, don't know jack about diabetes.

So here's a little Diabetes PR Pitch Primer

1. Type 1 isn't preventable - so don't send me a PR Release about "Preventing Diabetes."

And just so you're aware, many people with type 2 have a genetic predisposition to type2 diabetes, not a genetic predisposition to overeating. And you pitching and promoting the whole "put the blame on the person with diabetes" is so 1993 - And it's GOT TO STOP.

Seriously, know your subject matter & intended audience & really think about the words your typing in the PR Pitch - And who will be reading said pitch.

2. For the life of me I have no idea what "Chronic Diabetes" is, and most Endo's I know NEVER , EVER use that term. Quite frankly, most people with diabetes that I know, find the term not ONLY antiquated, but incredibly offensive as well. STOP USING IT - NOW.

3. If you send me something about getting rid of my diabetes via lap-band surgery, or curing diabetes through your clients diet book, there's a good chance your email address will be blocked and noted as spam.

4. Lastly, if you are a reputable diabetes company who is spending their money to hire an outside PR Firm - I implore you to please make sure that said PR Firm knows the facts about the disease they are pitching, instead of using wording that perpetuates diabetes myths & stereotypes!

Hell, hire me to proof read these firms diabetes PR pitches for any offensive lingo and inaccuracies if you want, but you need to FIX THIS PROBLEM!

Your money would be much better spent on so many other incredibly important things, including funding the research for a diabetes cure!

D Blog Day = A "Crafty" Diabetes Community & Diabetesaliciousness Turns 4!

2011-11-09T12:41:00.026-05:00

Today marks two major events:

1 It’s the 7th annual D Blog Day, and this year theme is all about creating a Diabetes Scrap Book Page (which I’m still working on, but am no where near done. Gina Capone plans to gather all the scrapbook pages together and display the D Blog Day completed scrapbook at the 2012 Children With Diabetes Friends For Life Conference in Orlando, Florida.

And for those of you who might be "crafty," but not in the scrapbook sense of the word, you can still participate with this years Blog Topic, which is: Why you feel the Diabetes On-Line community is important. Which leads me to the other major event.

2. Today is also my 4th Blogaversary! I know, I can’t believe it!

Four years ago on November 9th, 2007, Halle Barry pissed me off royally and forced me to start my blog. I’d heard about this thing called “A Blog,” and or personal journal, but I didn’t really think I had anything to say. I had no idea that such a thing as The Diabetes On-Line Community existed, let alone was filled with so many amazing and wonderful people.

I blogged because I needed a place to express my feelings about living a diabetes life; my frustration with Diabetes Media Muck-ups & and all types of things that I didn’t even realize until recently.

At first, I didn’t think anyone read my blog, (except for friends and family,) but I kept blogging and soon I found out that the DOC existed.

Then, on December 19th, 2007 I received my first non-friend/family comment from Bernard and I was ecstatic!

Soon, I was having conversations via email and comments from an amazing group of folks, that understood Diabetes World, because they lived in it to.

My diabetes voice (which had never been a quiet one offline) was now becoming a loud one on-line.

I made mistakes, I've grown up up and gotten wiser, and I keep blogging.

My blog policy from the beginning was simple. Keep it real, always keep it honest, and never try to be anyone I’m not.

To paraphrase Eleanor Roosevelt, I’d rather be a first rate version of Kelly Kunik than a second rate version of anyone else.

The first member of the DOC I met in real life was Hannah From Dorkabetic in March of 2008 and my worlds collided in a fantastical way!

Soon, I was meeting others and I have to say, it was pretty amazing meeting my DOC family in the flesh!

Over the years, I’ve grown to rely on the DOC for so many things.

Things like; understanding, knowledge, laughter, comfort and pretty much everything else in between.

Like most in the Diabetes On-Line Community, I share the good, the bad, and the diabetesaliciousness of it all. Including all the good in my life, and those life events that have rocked my world and tested my strength. Those events, for the most part and ironically, haven’t been diabetes related.

But without the Diabetes On-Line Community, I don’t know if I would have made it.

I mean physically, yes I wasn’t going anywhere - Like Beyonce, I’m a survivor. But emotionally, knowing that my amazing community was there for me during some of life’s MAJOR curveballs, made it so much easier to catch and deal with those curveballs.

Blogging about Diabetes and being a citizen of The Diabetes On-line Community has changed my life for the better and given me my passion; my community, my voice, a better understanding of my diabetes and other types of diabetes that exist, a career, and most important.... it’s given me dear friends “for life.” .

Many of these friends for life I have yet to meet fact to face, but love and feel incredibly protective of them none the less.

So if I haven’t said it lately, I love you all & I’m incredibly grateful to be part of your world!!

Below is my attempt at an On-Line scrap book page - It's not fancy and it's far from complete, but I consider it a work in progress and a precious keepsake none the less!

The Blue Circle = Diabetes Awareness

Last Halloween/Diaversary, DOC style

Canadian DOC Contingency

At Gretsky's in Toronto 2011

The story on this pic to follow.

Stay tuned......

Better late than never!

Cara & I meeting for the firt time at Simonpolooza

Simon's right behind us! October 2011

Three D Chicklets

November 2011

The first time I met "Amazing Grace" & her awesome mom, Penny!

My Twin & I @ JDRF Government Day in DC

March 2010

DOC in the JDRF Government Day House

March 2010

"What are you looking at?"

Sprinkles and I - 2010

Diabetes Angels

Roche 2010

Can you tell who's who in this D Blogger line up?

Medtronic Diabetes Advocate Forum 2010

A D Meet IN NYC @ The BREAKTHROUGH Exhibit

A whole bunch of DOCers @ Roche & Friends For Life 2009

The Fabulous Elizabeth Arnold & I meeting for Dinner in Princeton 2009

I like to call this shot, "Bacon Brothers Bookends

Roche 2008

I'd met Hannah & LeeAnn before, but it was my first time meeting the rest of the gang!

2008

Me & Mother Love -She told me I was funny & she made me laugh!

2008

DRI Conference in NYC 2008

Talking With Tip4Type1's Tonya Homme

2011-11-08T12:09:00.006-05:00

Originally, I was going to publish the interview with Tonya Homme, founder of Tips4Type 1 when I returned home from my Canadian vacation. But then my mom went in the hospital the day after we came home, and we all know what happened. I'm publishing it now for all types of reasons, but primarily because I think that while November is Diabetes Awareness Month & World Diabetes Day is November 14th, painting your nails for diabetes awareness AND funding for a diabetes cure is something we can do 365 days a year~

FYI: I'm think Tips4Type1 would make excellent stocking stuffers & Hanukkah gifts :)

Tips4Type1 Blue & Silver Nail Polish

1. Tell me the reason why you started tips4type1 - And feel free to go into as much detail as you'd like, Tonya! I want my readers to get real sense of who you are!!!

I'm Tonya Homme (rhymes with Mommy) and I am the proud mommy of Charlotte, our smart and funny little artist who will turn 5 this October 31st (yep, our little Halloweener - kind of ironic for a kid with Type 1 to be born on the biggest candyfest of them all, huh? ;) My husband Todd and I feel so lucky and so blessed to have her in our lives. We live in Woodland Hills, CA (Los Angeles) with our 2 cats, Breezy and Oscar, and our beagle named Kevin.

Charlotte was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes on October 6, 2008, when she was just 23-months-old. Like all parents of a newly-diagnosed child, we were in complete shock and stumbled though life in a daze for quite some time afterwards. Her diagnosis was an instant life changer for all of us. Before her diagnosis, I had been teaching high school Spanish (¡Sí, hablo español!), and although I loved my job, I quit that day to assume my new role as Charlotte's full-time substitute pancreas.

Ever since the day Charlotte was diagnosed, my thoughts have been consumed by Type 1 diabetes.

At first, I studied like crazy to learn everything I needed to know to keep her alive and healthy.

Then, I began to spend hours online, researching anything and everything I could find out about the disease and any research being done.

Then, I became consumed with figuring out what I could do – to help fund research, and to help find a CURE for our daughter and our many friends who live and struggle with Type 1 diabetes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The idea for my Tips4Type1 nail polish fundraiser came to me last October when I saw an ad in a magazine for some pink nail polish.

At the bottom of the ad, it said, “A portion of this sale will be donated to support such-and-such research.” And I thought, "Why can’t someone do the same thing to raise money for diabetes research??"

I contacted a few nail polish companies, and they asked if I represented a diabetes foundation or corporation. I replied, "No, but I represent a child with Type 1 diabetes!" I was very politely informed that their companies do not deal with 'individuals' such as myself. But, as the parent of a child with Type 1, I know that there aren't many 'individuals' more determined to help find a CURE than we are! So, I decided that the ‘someone’ who needed to do something with this idea was ME !!

And I got to work... First, I chose the name: Tips (as in fingertips) 4 (for) Type 1 (as in Type 1 diabetes) = Tips4Type1! I loved the 'word-number-word-number' thing. (What can I say? I'm a bit of a nerd. ;)

I decided to make the polish in the 2 colors most-associated with Diabetes Awareness: SILVER, the color of the diabetes awareness ribbon, and BLUE, the color of the diabetes awareness circle, as well as the predominant color of many diabetes-related logos and events. I named the colors ‘TIPS OF STEEL’ - in honor of those precious Type 1 fingertips that are so strong and deserve all the TLC they can get after all the pokes they endure, and ‘TRUE BLUE HOPE’ - because I truly have HOPE that a CURE will be found. I'm donating $10 of each sale to the Diabetes Research Institute.

WHY I started Tips4Type1?

It's my hope that this project will not only raise money for diabetes research, but also that by wearing these colors, we can start conversations that will help educate others and raise some much-needed awareness.

Before Charlotte’s diagnosis, I'll be the first to admit that I didn’t know much about Type 1 diabetes either. We have a very good friend whose 9-yr-old son was diagnosed a few years before Charlotte, and I am positive that at some point, I asked our friend the question that now makes me cringe inside; "Will he ever outgrow it?" As difficult as it is sometimes, when I am asked this and the other 'typical' questions, I try to remind myself that I was once one of those who didn't "get it" - until Charlotte "got it."

I'm a teacher at heart and I'm always in 'educate others' mode, in addition to being able to purchase the polish on my web site, www.Tips4Type1.com, I have also included a ‘Myths/Truths’ page and a ‘Symptoms’ page. I am proud of the 'Myths/Truths' page & tried very hard to come up with the most concise, easy-to-understand list to explain what Type 1 diabetes IS and also what it is NOT. I included a 'Symptoms' page because the first question most people usually ask is, "How did you know?"

2. How long did it take to go from inception stage to manufacturing/ production & Sales stage?

About 5 months. Once I discovered that big nail polish companies weren't interested in working with me, I started doing some research online. I found and contacted a few companies that manufacture custom label nail polish and asked if they would send me some samples. A friend of mine who is a graphic artist designed the logo for the bottles, and once that was finished, I took a leap of faith and placed my first order!

While I waited for my first shipment of nail polish to arrive, I created my web site; ordered my shipping supplies, applied for a small business permit and filled out all of the necessary forms and paperwork. When I had all my ducks in a row, I made my big announcement on facebook, twitter, and I contacted diabetes bloggers such as yourself. I was so over-the-moon excited when you responded and asked if you could interview me about my project! THANK YOU!! It is so nice of you and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it. :)

3. Who manufactures the nail polish?

Tips4Type1 polish is made by Innovative Color Labs, a custom nail polish manufacturer located in New York.

4. How's the response been so far?

I'm thrilled with the response so far and hope my sales will continue to grow. News of the project seems to be spreading through word-of-mouth, and it makes me so happy. I would like nothing more than to hand over a big, whopping check for research to the DRI every year.

I was contacted by a Diabetes Advocacy group from Canada, and have let them know that I would be happy to send them all the information needed to start a 'Tips4Type1-Canada' project, if they're interested. I'd love to see that happen! The project is also being promoted from within the DRI, for which I am so thankful. There is a possibility that my project might be featured in the "Gift Giving Guide" of a major diabetes magazine before the holidays. That would be so awesome!

I am also hopeful that I will have a lot of sales as people prepare for National Diabetes Awareness Month in November and World Diabetes Day on November 14th. Even before I started this project, I have always had my toenails painted blue throughout the month of November. (Now, I have them year-round! ;) One of my facebook friends commented that it would be great if fans of sports teams whose colors are blue and silver (Dallas Cowboys) would buy my polish, too. Isn't that a great idea?! How cool would it be if the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and all their fans wore colors to support their team, but also promote our cause and help our loved ones at the same time?? It would be absolutely fantastic! Ideas like that get me so excited.

I have been so touched by the support of others; sharing my page on facebook, forwarding my web site to their friends, retweets on twitter (I'm @T1Mommy), being allowed to write a guest post about my project on the Diabetes Daily web site (thank you David Edelman!), as well as being shared by wonderful bloggers such as yourself. I am beside myself with gratitude. :)

5. Do you see your t4t1 line expanding?

Just last week, Tom Karlya, VP of the DRI, and I were brainstorming this idea. He said, "Wouldn't it be great if you could expand this idea into Tips4Type1 sales force, (á la Mary Kay or Avon) with people selling it all over the place?" I think it's an AMAZING idea, and I would love to see something like that happen someday. If anyone is interested, please let me know. :)

6. Any chance we'll see t4t1 in stores?? Seriously, I would LOVE to see Tip4Type1 sold in stores!

I want to sell tons of it to spread awareness, to raise money for research that would help lead to a CURE for everyone. That's my dream, and I'll never stop dreaming until the CURE is found. Until then, I plan to do everything I can, in my own little way, to get us there.

A Reminder Of Love & Hope Found Among Old Diabetes Newspaper Clippings

2011-11-07T11:28:00.021-05:00

Mom ad I, four months before I was diagnosed

And she's still looking over my shoulder - Even though I can't see her.

So as one of the Executor’s of my mother’s estate, I have the task of going through years worth of her stuff - And at times it can be all consuming and incredibly emotional.

For instance, as I was cleaning out the kitchen junk drawer one day, I found two newspaper clippings from long ago.

One was from 1994 and it was all about the Diabetes Control And Complications Trial (DCCT) and the other from 2006 about how steel cut oatmeal was the better choice than instant or fast cooked oatmeal for people living with diabetes.

As I was cleaning out a drawer in her vanity, I found a newspaper article from July of 1990 (6 months before my sister Debbie died) about a new drug for transplant and dialysis patients re: Kidney disease. My sister started dialysis in the fall of 1990, and died in January of 1991.

And yesterday as I was going through her nightstand drawer, I found a 1995 clipping from the Associated Press about researchers successfully transplanting insulin producing cells from mice who were related, by tricking their immune systems into accepting the foreign cells.
And each I time I would find one of these clippings tucked away, I’d start to tear up, because it made realize several things.

My mother loved her 6 children very much, and three of those children had type 1 diabetes

She worried about us 24X7, which was something I used to tease her about daily

My mother taught us to live our lives with diabetes with gusto and even though she had her own demons regarding the “cure in 10 years” theory that she’d been told continually, each time one of her children was diagnosed with diabetes - She never never stopped hoping that researchers would some day make the cure prediction a reality

I was once again reminded that hope floats and stays with you even when you think you don't have any

And finally, your mother never stops loving you, even when when she's gone. And it's when she's gone that she'll find ways to remind you of her love... just when you're missing her the most!

Three Chicks WIth Diabetes Walk Into A Bar....

2011-11-03T19:11:00.007-04:00

And A Fantastical Time Was Had By All~

Left to right, Kelly, Babs & LeeAnn

Photo courtesy of my iPhone & the waitress who was ever so patient and kind

Today I had the pleasure of finally meeting & having lunch with the amazing Babs Campbell for the very first time ever & the wonderful LeeAnn Thill - Who I've met a boatload of times and I just love her!

The conversation never stopped, we laughed and laughed often - And there's a very good chance that I may have convinced Babs to dye her hair blue for World Diabetes Day... But you didn't here that from me!

Babs is what we in Jersey would call "good people." She's funny, bright, caring, articulate and from the heart. We'd never met in real life before, but our conversation never skipped a beat. I am so glad I had the opportunity.

Diabetes Meet-ups are not only fantastical, they are another incredible benefit of being part of the Diabetes On-Line Community.

When you're with people who speak the language of diabetes fluently and with love, understanding, and more than a side of sauciness, a wonderful time is sure to follow!

PS: To SimonPalooza NYC contingency the Canadian DOC Crew From August, I haven't forgotten about the wonderful time we spent together!

And I want to thank each of you from the bottom of my broken pancreas for being so understanding with all that happened with my mother's health when I got home. Your posts are being written and will be up soon!

Diabetes Hasn't Made Me A Delicate Flower

2011-11-02T10:37:00.010-04:00

And when I say "I," please keep in mind that I mean "WE."

###########

Daffodils

Diabetes Fact: I didn't brake my pancreas, and the fact that it doesn't work hasn't broken me.

Are there moments when I feel broken and out of sync? Yes there are, but every person has those moments, diabetes or not - So don’t be so quick to blame.

There are moments of diabetes frustration and anger, and there are moments of diabetes acceptance and laughter, and a million life moments in between.

There are moments of living my life with diabetes where I’m standing tall and moments where I stumble and struggle.

There are moments where I fall down, and force myself to get back up and move forward in my life, and my life with diabetes.

The fact that I’m unable to produce insulin hasn’t made me a “delicate flower,” but being unable to produce insulin has made me an incredibly “diligent, aware & strong perennial flower.”

A perennial flower that can weather any storm - And continue to grow and become.

I am resilient, regardless of the elements that accompany each season ~

Monarch surrounded by purple perennials