This Halloween- Express Your Self

I've looked in vain as of late for pics of me as a kid – especially one in particular. A picture taken from the Halloween when I was in 4th grade - my first Halloween (and a year to the day) since my initial diagnoses. I was making up for lost time and was dressed as Princess Tiger Lilly. I'm holding a full size Hershey bar, and my red feather was hanging wrong side down and it brushed against my check.

I distinctly remember saying "Happy Halloween- AND HOW" at every door I knocked on. And YES, I came up with that line on my own! I was SO happy to be out celebrating with my friends.

I walked for miles that night, ate chocolate and relished the fact that I was out with the living on the night celebrating the dead.

I can’t find the pic to save my life. I can’t find many of my kid pics, and I’m a little nervous about that. But I will.

Anyway, I did manage to find a pic of me dressed as Madonna one Halloween, (she’s my Patron Saint of Fabulousness) and I love her.

Anyway, Diabetes or not: “Express yourself” (Madonna pun intended) and have a blast tonight, no matter how you choose to celebrate the evening!

Express Yourself~

Rejoice in the fact that Halloween allows you and or your child to have fun and be creative.

So my friends:

1. GO FOR IT
2. Test, and test often
3. Bolus accordingly
4. Indulge in both the chocolate and the fantasy of the holiday
5. HAVE FUN!

Tommorrow is My Diaversary!!

Taken one Indian Summer day, right before I was diagnosed~

Tomorrow (Halloween) I will celebrate 32 years of Diabetes goodness.

I don’t know quite what the day will bring, but you can bet that some form of chocolate and or cupcakey deliciousness will come into play.

I will celebrate with joy.

Yes you heard me, JOY.

Joy that I’m alive and well.

Joy that life did indeed go on.

Joy that much like the little girl from long ago, I continue to learn and still laugh loudly and from my belly.

And I will rejoice in the fact that I make others laugh and learn

as well.

I will celebrate that I am still silly, sensitive, and serious.

I will celebrate every blood sugar- the good ones and the not so good.

I will celebrate every bump in the road traveled, and cherish everyone one I’ve met- including YOU.

I will wave my Diabetes Flag HIGH and hope that you will join me and do the same!

I will relish who I am, who I was, and what I’ve become.

The good, the bad, and the Diabetesaliciousness of of it all~

And I will continue to grasp at the golden rings at this thing called life.

The one thing I will not do is mourn the little girl whose pancreas broke and whose life changed forever that Halloween long ago.

Mourning is for the dead, and I am the girl who not only lived, but has become a woman who continues to do so every day.

Roller Coaster Of Blood

Mantra @ Sea World in Florida. It's billed as the worlds scariest Roller Coaster-Sans the Blood Sugar Roller Coaster of course. Photo Courtesy of the The Daily Mail.

Today’s post was inspired by Crystal over at RandomlyCapitalized about 45 minutes ago.

Crystal is a wonderful and enthusiastic member of dBlogville. Her post was about change and the craziness of the past few blood sugar days- YOU NEED TO READ IT.

You can also follow her on Twitter @CALPUMPER

Thanks for the inspiration CP!

As people with diabetes, we’ve come to realize that Diabetes, a disease that is with us every single day, is never the same disease two days in a row. 


Sometimes, it's a roller coaster ride of blood sugars – literally!

Our blood sugars, sometimes have a mind of their own- no matter how heard we work to keep them in control.

They go low and the worst of times, even when you put yourself on a temporary basal rate or have eaten something carbalicious.

Personally, when this Diazon is about to get a visit from Aunt Flo, I run extremely low blood sugars the day before, and during my period- I know many of you Diazons know of which I speak~

Sometimes blood sugars go high in the stratosphere - even when we’ve eaten the same carb friendly meal for the hundredth time, and tested and bolused accordingly.

It's truly a WTF moment.

We as PWDs work hard every day, and when our numbers go wonky- we test, and test again, and watch the clock and our insulin on board status.

Sometimes, and against our pumps instructions, we get trigger happy on with our pump arrow keys.

We press when we shouldn't- with mixed results.

We continually battle with our insurance companies on why we need to test more than 5 times a day. Like or not insurance companies, 5 to 7 times a day isn’t enough- even on a good day.

And on bad day- 5 to 7 test strips barely covers the morning.

And just when we think we've nailed our blood sugar course, and are doing everything right, with numbers that are calm for days on end, Diabetes flips its bitch switch on because it can.

It makes and unexpected loopty –loop, and then goes upside down and right side up. Followed by a quick hairpin turn that leaves us wobbling

But here’s the thing diabetes, PWD's have Bitch Switches too.

And humor and frustration are great motivators.

We also have a community that is strong and helps us stay on your course- and ours.

YES, we get down and have moments where we want to give up.

We may stumble at times, and even fall down- There's ABSOLUTELY no shame in falling down- AS LONG AS WE GET BACK UP

And we do.

We get back up and remind Diabetes and ourselves whose really charge.

Diabetes, I OWN YOU- not the other way around!

Dear Diabetes Guilt

Dear Diabetes Guilt:

You’ve been with me and by my side almost daily since my diagnosis.

I first experienced you when I looked into my parents’ eyes when I was dx'd and saw the sadness that was looking back at me. 
I was child number 6, diabetic child number 3.

My diagnoses hurt my parents so much. 
All I could say was “I’m sorry,” and then I did my best to make them laugh.

The guilt was next me as I snuck Christmas Cookies from the freezer and blamed the cookies disappearance on my sister- child number 3, diabetic child number 2.

Diabetes, your guilt made a 10 year old little girl run laps around the block to burn off contraband Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

You were beside me as I'd steal pastries from my friends kitchen and eat them in the bathroom so no one would see.

Diabetes guilt (and the look of disappointment and fear in my parents eyes) made me lie to them regarding my urine testing and blood sugar results.

It wasn’t the high numbers I was afraid of- it was making my parents sad, scared and angry that made my 11-year-old self fudge my numbers.

I'd cry when my Endo told me I wasn't trying hard enough. 
I was 13 and doing my best.

Wanting a few cookies every now and then shouldn't have equated a trip to confession and 13 "Hail Mary's".

In high school you mocked me to be part of the crowd - but I couldn't ignore diabetes.

Between the hell that was high school and being a PWD, it was a long 4 years.

In college I felt your guilt daily. 

I wanted too fit in and be “normal, ” and having diabetes was a foreign routine on campus.

I used my humor to win friends and they accepted both diabetes and me, as is.

I flourished with friends and success.

Your guilt didn’t just affect me-It damaged my family as a whole.

Diabetes guilt cursed my sister- She strived for normalcy – which eluded her because back in the diabetes dark ages, normal was never an option.

I felt diabetes guilt because my sister with diabetes was dying and I was angry with both her and the world.

I didn’t understand how sick she was or how much the guilt of diabetes drove her down a self-destructive path.

I just knew she was sick and that I spent so many of much of my high school and college years taking care of her with my parents.

I didn’t understand and am gutted and ashamed to admit now, but I blamed her for not taking better care of herself.

I was a kid, she was 15 years older than me, and I didn’t understand what a restrictive world she and her diabetes were brought up in until I was well into adulthood.

If my other sister (child number 1, diabetic number 1) could live a good life and have three healthy sons, why couldn't she?

I felt diabetes guilt for not always understanding, and for always being fearful that it could have been me.

I wanted to be a full time college student. 
Not a full time college student who was a PWD and a caretaker as well.

Even thought we fought as only siblings can, I never thought that diabetes complications would actually kill her.

I felt guilt for not having patience and for not always being kind.

My diabetes guilt stood beside me as I gave her eulogy.

I felt your guilt whenever people spoke of how much my sister suffered.

I felt your guilt whenever I got my own test results back.

I felt your guilt in my mid twenties when I was scared into becoming a good patient.

In my mid twenties and early thirties I worked hard on my diabetes management and had the numbers to prove it.

But still, your guilty presence made me want to apologize all the time- even when I was doing nothing wrong.

When I contemplated a cupcake, I felt guilty. Even when I tested, counted crabs, and bolused accordingly.

I apologized whenever my numbers would go up or down for no apparent reason.

I became defensive whenever a friend would ask: Kel, should you eat that?

I’d feel guilty that I don’t excise enough and I’d feel guilty when I exercised to much and would run low because I’d miscalculated my temporary basal rate.

Over the past 15 years I’ve learned to only concentrate on one number at a time.

I owe that attitude (in part) to you.

Because I became so tired of having you as a companion and a partner in my diabetes management.

So I’ve learned (and am still learning every day) to let go of you.

I accept that you exist and I will admit that you’ve done some good.

But I’m tired of having you as the anchor I wear around my neck.

So, I've removed you from my world on a daily basis - and while you still make your presence known from time to time, I no longer say I’m sorry for being a human with Diabetes.

I've lifted your anchor of guilt, hitched up my sails in the wind, and let my diabetes flag fly!

I have my good numbers and the not.

I have great labs, and some not so great, from time to time.

But I always try, and try again.

When I fall off the diabetes wagon, I get up and get back on.

Instead of anchoring on to the guilt, I use those numbers and results as a GPS in my diabetes management.

I take it one number at a time and I always do my best.

I own my diabetes, diabetes doesn't own me.

I’m still sorry that diabetes exists in the world.

But I am no longer sorry for being a person with Diabetes.

This Has To Stop NOW. And With Your Help It Can

This “Letter to the Editor” was written to the editor of the Idaho State Journal” and was published on Sunday, October 25^th, 2009.

BIG THANKS to Wendy over at CandyHearts, who not only emailed me (and others) about this letter, but responded with her own fantastic letter to the Editor on her blog.

Wendy originally found the story on Shamae’s blog, Crazy, Happy, Life. Shamae found this craziness when she opened Sunday’s paper. Unfortunately she was greeted with ignorance and hatred before her morning coffee. Here's what she wrote!

THANK YOU SHAMAE FOR MAKING US ALL AWARE

Here’s the letter- in all its ignorance and glory.

Complaint:

On Oct. 3, myself and my girlfriend were eating lunch at Burger King. A family came in and sat across the aisle from us. While the father was ordering food, we were shocked and appalled to see a boy inject himself with whatever medication, in front of God and everybody all while sitting at the table. We found this extremely offensive. That sort of business should be done in private. How about a little respect for those around you. Other than the obvious fact that it's not sanitary for those who use the table next, you have no idea how something like that can affect people. People go through a lot in their life and things like that may bring up certain feelings and memories best forgotten. I would like to thank those that day for totally ruining my meal.

According to Wendy, the author of the letter is Mr. Wallace Barber.

Here's my resonse.

Dear Mr. Barber:

You poor man. How dare that child with Type 1 Diabetes inject himself with a little needle of life saving insulin in your very presence? It must have been very scary for a big grown up man to see a little child do what needed to be done.

Here’s a thought: Man up and get a clue! –The child you wrote about obviously suffered from Type 1 Diabetes, a chronic and sometimes deadly disease.

You sir, (and I use that term ever so lightly) have no ideal what it’s like to be a child or adult with Type 1 Diabetes!

Yes idiot, people do indeed go through a lot in life.

People with Type 1 Diabetes go through daily insulin shots before every meal and at bedtime- numbering in the hundreds of thousands over their lifetime.

We test our blood sugar between 10 and 15 times a day- or fingers bleed and become callused, but that doesn’t stop us. We test, and we test often.

We go through high and low blood sugars on a daily basis- constantly looking to find that the delicate balance between the two - both mentally and physically.

We live life both fearing and anticipating our future. We know what complications could await us…. or not. Yet we pull ourselves up by our bootstraps everyday and live our best lives…despite people like you.

We do what needs to be done (testing, injections, carb counting- multiple times a day,) every single day, 24X 7 and then we wake up and do it again the next day.

We go through the trials and tribulations of having to deal with people like yourself on a daily basis. People who are ignorant, uneducated and selfish regarding our disease.

Children with Diabetes grow up educated, not ignorant, and are a friend to anyone who needs one because children with Diabetes know know what's it like to be treated unkindly by others because they are different.

To date, there is no cure for Type 1 Diabetes. While insulin treats the disease, it does not cure it!

And from your words- there is obviously no cure for being ignorant.

The only treatment is education.

PLEASE, for all our sakes, GET EDUCATED.

As for me, I’ll take Type 1 Diabetes over ignorance any day!

Kelly Kunik

Type 1 Diabetic and Patient Advocate

Diabetesaliciousness

This is the letter I sent to the editor.

PLEASE SEND ONE YOURSELF!

Here’s the link: http://www.idahostatejournal.com/service/editor.html

I Love Green & Purple, BUT This is Ridiculous!

I LOVE the colors purple and green, really I do. I wear them all the time, both separately and or combined. Some would even go so far as to say that green is my signature color & brings out my eyes~

Actual Aerial footage of Kelly's infusion site FAIL

However, my love for them stops when those colors mesh together on my skin, on the spot of an infusion set FAIL on my stomach. Monday's bleeder turned into quite the spectacle.

Team Wild!

What to you get when you take 14 women with Type 1 diabetes, put them with 1 woman with type 2 diabetes, and mix them with 5 women who are type 3?

Wait, I’m not done.

Now take this phenomenal group of women and put them on bikes- and let them cycle for 56 miles. Then put them in the water where they swim for 1.2 miles, and continue to be amazed by this ladies as they them compete in a half marathon!

Talk about Diabetes Math!

What you get is TEAM WILD- Women Inspiring Life with Diabetes, competing as the first organized team of women with Diabetes to compete in a Triathlon. The Total number of miles is 70.3, and the event is the Longhorn 70.3 Half-Iron Man in Austin, TX on October 24th.

THESE WOMEN KICK ASS!

Team Wild is a project of my friends at DESA- The Diabetes, Exercise, & Sports Association.

The women on the team represent 7 different states and range in age from 25 to 55 and every single one of them has diabetes, or is sponsored by a woman with diabetes.

Mari Ruddy, the teams founder was diagnosed with Type 1 almost 30 years ago (back in the Diabetes Dark Ages,) and is passionate about not only the benefits of exercise for PWD's, but women with Diabetes in particular!

Mari: I realized that I had a really strong passion, specifically for women with diabetes type 1 or type 2 and exercising. We all have a metabolic disorder that the # 1 killer with people with type 1 or type 2 is heart disease. That’s another bond we share.

Our management and stereotypes are different. But once you get the diagnoses you’ve got to exercise and protect your heart. # 1 best protection for your heart is cardio vascular activity.

Women in particular benefit having friends colleges and peers that the can share the exercise journey with. That’s when Team Wild was born. And we started with this half Iron Man team, which is called a 70. 3- that’s how many miles we will cover.

Did I mention that there are multiple ways that you can be an actual member of Team Wild, no matter what level of athleticism you have?

Did I mention the fact that Mari didn't start exercising until she was 30?

Did I mention that Mari is a Breast Cancer survivor and religiously rode her bike during months and months of cancer treatment??

I didn't? No worries because I will- come back and for "the rest of the story" on Monday!

Right now, I'm going to put some air in my bike tires- I'm inspired to get my MOVE on!

Hugs & Kuniks To You All OR A Kunik Is Just A Kunik

So a few weeks ago I received the following email out of the blue. It made me laugh, it made me happy - it truly was the cherry on the cake of my day. And it also confirmed a thing or two I’ve long since suspected regarding being Kunikcal. While the following has absolutely nothing to do with Diabetes, I thought I'd share it with you anyway!

The following is the email exchange that occurred.

Hi,

I found your blog when I Googled the word Kunik (just for fun...) I was googling Inuit words to see if I could come up with anything funny to send to a friend (serious business, this is...)

Anyway, just for fun, I thought I would tell you that a Kunik is an Inuit kiss. I like your blog. Have a nice day.Eskimo Kisses, Arm Hair, Moon Flags & Spike Lee vs. Stan Lee vs. Bruce LeeRead more:

http://www.esquire.com/style/answer-fella/answerfella0507#ixzz0S3aQNacx

Taqralik

Hey T!

Thanks for the info! Actually, I WAS aware that KUNIK was an Inuit word for kiss. And yes, Googling Kunik is how I found it out. None of my friends believed me, but I think it's INCREDIBLY COOL. I'm glad you like my blog and I hope that you have a great day!! HUGS & KUNIKS!

Kelly K

KellyAha!

Tell your friends an Eskimo said there's no more satisfying kiss!

T-

T-

I ABSOLUTELY WILL!!!

And there you have it!! So ironical because:

A. I'm not Inuit

B. I love to kunik

C. When I was a very little girl, my uncle (who lived in Canada- 600 miles north of Toronto, in Tundra country,) sent me brown seal skin Eskimo boots that I refused to take off.

I wore them all winter- inside and out! I loved the fact that they were made by a real, honest to goodness Eskimo, and I'd make pretend that I was an actual, honest to goodness Eskimo.

I also loved the fact that when I wore them on the beach- they were 100% waterproof.

Other Interesting Kunik facts:

A Kunik is also a type of triple creme goat cheese made by Nettle Meadow Farms, which explains SO many things. So yes, I am indeed cheesy- And have absolutely no problem admitting that.

I can't wait to try it!!!

Image courtesy of Elmwood Market

A Kunik is also a spiffy & stylish camera made in Germany. Today people actually collect them, for both the camera's looks and photographic abilities. And on a personal note, I believe that one would most certainly need to say KUNIK when having one's picture taking with a Kunik Camera.

More about Kunik Cameras HERE

Hugs and Kuniks to you all!

Dear Diazons

Diazon: Di-A-Zon

n.

A woman with diabetes who is glamorous; fabulous, intelligent, inspiring, smart, and deserving of all the good and wonderful things that life has to offer.

I made up the word because I was inspired by all the ladies of Dblogville, and this letter is to them and to all the other Diazons they inspire~

Dear Diazons:

I want you to realize something- YOU ARE FABULOUS.

Diabetes or not, you deserve everything positive in this world that life has to offer.

Never think that because you were given a faulty pancreas, you deserve any less.

I know that there are times when having Diabetes makes us feel that we are second-class citizens. That perhaps we are undeserving of happiness and success because our diabetes makes us “high maintenance.”

Well Diazons, we are not-not second class citizens, so get that thought out of your head.

And while it’s true we are high maintenance in the sense of good health- we absolutely deserve all the happiness and success life has to offer.

Be proud and loud that you work hard to be healthy- and run with the ball whenever you’re given the opportunity- and work even harder when your not.

Don’t ever settle in life.

Don’t settle on love- because you think your undeserving of love.

Don’t settle on your career because you think you’re un-hirable

Don’t settle on your health because you don’t want to be a bother or think that your unworthy.

There was a time in my life when I thought no one could love me because of diabetes.

I was wrong.

I now welcome love with open heart and open arms.

There was a time in my life when I feared success and opportunity because of my diabetes.

I was wrong.

Today I welcome success and opportunity and work hard to get it.

I welcome success with arms outstretched and want to share it with those I love.

There was a time long ago, when I thought that Diabetes history would repeat itself.

I feared my family history so much that I couldn’t appreciate or live in “the now.”

Now, I love for today and savor the moment, knowing that while the future is a mystery, it will hold wonderful things.

Do I have moments of doubt? Yes, everyday.

Do I have moments where I am paralyzed when I think of the future? Yes, I won’t lie.

But now I have hope and hope does indeed float.

I let that light of hope shine from within.

Diazons, take your remarkable light from within and share it with the world.

Inspire and be inspired.

And never forget that you are a Diazon- A woman with diabetes who is glamorous; fabulous, intelligent, smart, inspiring, and deserving of all that is good and wonderful.

You rock the world in which you and others live and I am so proud that to call you both a friend and an inspiration.

Continued Love, luck, laughter, and light~

Kelly K~

Just Another Manic Monday.

Woke up from the most crappy night of sleep, EVER.

Couldn't sleep to save my life last night.

Checked Blood sugars at 2 am and 4am last night- since I was already up- why the hell not?

Both times, Blood sugar was 180-both required correction boluses.

Got out of bed.

Tested blood sugar. 190. What the heck?

Not happy at all. Throat is scratchy and my ears are itchy - I guess it could be worse.

Bolused for coffee times 2 and a Greek yogurt- Blueberry.

Showered.

Took my Ace Inhibitor.

Dressed in spiffy brown wool pinstripe pants and a crisp white dress shirt. Silver and green accessories completed the look-I was pleased.

Where the hell are my brown loafers???

Found them- YAY

Grabbed my workbag.

Sat at my desk, and started to work.

Checked emails and made my list for the day and matched it up with my date book.

Tested: Blood sugar 160- not terrible- no correction bolus required.

Made a few calls.

But something felt not so right.

The side of my stomach hurt.

Could it be an infusion set issue?? But my Infusion set was brand new as of last night-I’d changed it just before Madmen started. BTW- how great was last nights episode!!!!

To my surprise it looked slightly purple and was tender- never a good sign.

Went in the bathroom, and removed the infusion set gingerly - site was definitely full blown eggplant purple now, and it was bleeding.

We have a bleeder!

Grabbed my test strips and monitor- noway was I going to waste already drawn blood!

Blood Sugar was 165.

A small red spot of blood managed to appear my crisp white shirt -Why does this happen every time I wear white??

How come my infusion site never bleeds when I’m wearing black??

Site was hard and tender- I’d be reminded of this incident for days.

Tried to take a pic with my iphone - not so good results.

Decided to change reservoir set as well - Only 9 units left- and a busy afternoon filled with appointments- better safe than sorry.

Still..., I felt guilty for wasting 9 units.

Treated the shirt stain with Tide Stain stick.

Gathered materials for today’s appointments and printed out paperwork.

Did I mention that the printer ran out of black ink?

Changed ink cartridge and printed said paper work again.

Lunch. Tested blood sugar: 218 – YES, REALLY. WTF was the phrase that went through my mind. Bolused for a Breakstone’s peach cottage cheese and a correction.

Changed my shirt- this one is still crisp- but it’s green and brings out my eyes.

Packed 2 Larabars, a Fuji Apple, 1 almond pack, and a big bottle of water for the road.

I also threw in an extra infusion set- just to be safe.

I have a feeling that today is going to be one of those Manic Mondays- diabetes style.

But life goes on, and so do I.

Diabetes Bad Habits? You Bet! Honey, I got issues!

So, last post, I wrote all about my good eating habits for Diabetes. But I’m far from perfect and have the bad Diabetes habits to prove it!

This post is all about my bad Diabetes habits/issues. I know this topic has been done before by the likes of other fantastic Dbloggers, I can think of 3 right of the bat,(Karen, Kerri, Leeann) but I know there’s more and I don’t want to forget to anyone. So If you’ve written a list, send me the link and I will add a compete list of Dblogger bad habit links to this post so no-one is left out or feels bad.

God- the whole Catholic/Jewish guilt thing really gets to me- but I digress~

Anyway, here are 10 areas of my Diabetes (in no particular order) that I REALLY need to work on.

1. Fat Grams, what fat grams?: Not considering fat grams when I eat. I always consider carbs and fiber, but if the food is especially low in carb and high in fat (like peanut butter) I some how forget about the fat. Plus I’m not a big meat eater. I don’t eat red meat due to the fact that it hates my family,and I’m not a huge chicken or turkey fan- I eat fowl on occasion-but not always on a weekly basis. I love fish- but eating fish 7 nights a week is neither healthy nor economical. Plus, every time I eat fish- I’m hungry an hour and a half later.
2. Cheese Lust: Because I don’t eat much meat, I use my addiction to cheese as a protein source. Except, like George Costanzia and “The Summer of George episode” I could eat a brick of cheese in one sitting. Which is why I only buy cheese sticks and sliced cheese-But I o.d on them to. I think I need to break up with cheese.
3. Grazing is just not for cows that go MOO: I don’t eat a lot during the day- I’m just not really that hungry so breakfast and lunch are light fare for me. I eat a good dinner. But it’s the hours before bed that really do me in. I start craving the PB&J on a spoon around 9:30- and no good ever comes of it.
4. Speaking of Peanut Butter and Jam on a spoon: If it weren’t for this tasty, yet evil snack, I’d be five pounds lighter. I can’t get enough of PB&J on a spoon. Like cheese- I probably need to break up with PB&J on a spoon- or at least see them less.
5. Carb a lot? Carb a little?: I admit it, if I’m out (or particularly drunk on the PB&J on a spoon) I guestimate the carbs, especially for new foods or extra portions of familiar foods. Sometimes during the meal, I add an extra bolus unit to cover the meal. Sometimes I’m right; sometimes I’M REALLY wrong.
6. When did I change my lancet? UM...I changed my lancet on…: I’m not a big fan of changing my lancet. I test my blood sugars like a crazy woman- but I go days with out changing my lancet. I’m trying to change them more often and have made progress. A new lancet is painless, and changing lancets is much easier than breaking up with cheese and peanut butter
7. Workout wishy wash: I used to be a huge Walker- I’d walk 10, 15 miles a week – 5 of those miles to and from work 5 days a week. Philly is a great walking city. But ever since I damaged my foot (damn ligament not attaching properly!), walking long distances for cardio purposes is really hard. I miss cardio walking, both physically and mentally. My long walks were away for me to tune the world out, and workout all my issues. I get stubborn regarding what long walks due to me the next day. So I take a 5-mile walk and feel awesome! But I wake up the next morning and am in pain for 2 days after words. I need to change my cardio routine. I’m attempting a Spin class and going back to water aerobics (which I LOVE) this weekend- we’ll see how they workout. My friend Sue says that I need to admit that long crazy walk workouts are no longer good for me. She’s right- I should just ride my bike- but it’s hard to give up something that you love.
8. I have Infusions Set attachment Issues: If I have a great infusion set going, I get really attached to it. Sometimes I don’t change it until day 4 or day 5.
9. Bolus Roulette: If my blood sugar isn’t budging from it’s high perch- I’ve been known to ignore the amount of “Insulin On-board” “dial up” some insulin. Which of course leads (9 times out of 10) to lows later on. I’m impatient that way.
10. Low Blood Sugar FEAST: If my blood sugar is really low, I have very difficult time sticking to the 15 grams of carb to treat a low- and tend to treat with more carbs. Now, I’ve gotten better at this, but I still over treat. When your low and feeling like your whole world is literally shaking, a juice box and a cheesestick just don’t feel like a good fix.

I’m sure I have more Diabetes Issues. What are yours? And please send me the link to your bad diabetes habits post so I can make a master list link!