Of Pretzel Longing & Lust....

As a rule, I don’t purchase pretzels of any kind.

Yes, I‘ve said sayonara to the matchsticks; so long to the Philly softs, and adios to all varieties of Snyder's of Hanover. And as long as I'm being honest, I haven’t stopped by to visit Auntie Anne in ages - I’m a terrible niece!

It’s not that I’m morally against pretzels, because I’m not. As a matter of fact, some of my fondest food memories involve pretzels.

When I was very little girl and it was time to buy new school shoes, my mother would take me to Fischer’s Shoes in Margate. It was in that very store that I began my love affair with footwear and my appreciation for pretzels. After deciding on my new school shoes (which literally took hours), Mr. Fischer himself would give me (and every other kid) a pretzel rod with mustard.

New shoes and a pretzel with mustard, who could ask for anything more?

When I was young, my sister Debbie introduced me to the epicurean delight of Philadelphia Cream Cheese smeared on top of a Snyder’s Sour Dough Hard Pretzel - DELICIOUS.

When I was in High School, Auntie Anne's Pretzels became an integral part of my teenage mall experience.

After I graduated college and went to Europe, I was introduced to Nutella’s magic and brought a jar home with me. It was then that I discovered the shear joy of dipping a matchstick pretzel in Nutella and peanut butter – it was literally the pretzel version of heaven!

Don’t even get me started on the delights of dark chocolate covered pretzels made with sprinkles & coconut. And those Utz’s Extra Darks – they have the ability to ROCK my world and always leave me wanting more.

But for some reason, pretzels HATE ME, which sucks, because I love them. It’s a textbook example of a love/hate relationship.

Pretzels require a lot of work and attention (at least on my part), not to mention a hell of a huge bolus for a minuscule serving size.

And I always want more than the serving size suggests and almost always end up eating more than I should.

So I don’t buy them, EVER.

But on occasion I indulge, especially if I’m on the beach and my friend brings them for her kids. But even then, I make sure I swim and test a lot to counter act the uber carbs.

And even with all the work it’s still a diabetes crapshoot! I'm left either feeling fantastical or horrific- and always wanting more.

What foods have you said “Sayonara” to and why, and on what occasions do you indulge and say "screw it?"

And PLEASE don't let me be the only one with forbidden food desire, because right about now, I’m feeling a pretty silly about my pretzel lust.

Things That Make Me Go "Hmmmmmm," Damn Near End Of Summer Edition

Things that make me go HMMMMMM, damn near end of summer edition.
Those that read my blog, know that lots of things in this world make me go "HMMMMM."
Some are diabetes related and some are not, but all leave me scratching my head!

For the life of me, I don't understand why I'm bombarded with twitter followers who pitch weight loss via hypnosis, lap-band surgery, and raw food diets. Here's a thought: GET A CLUE! Just because I have diabetes doesn't mean that I'm over weight, need to have major surgery, or believe that eating raw foods 24 X7will cure me. Seriously, STOP STALKING ME!

Why is that when I'm just about to embrace REM sleep and drift off to la-la land, a low blood sugar decides to rear its ugly head?? And why do I wait a few minutes hoping that it's something else entirely?

Why does Glen Beck use a blackboard?

I find it ironical and extremely annoying that when I'm supposed to fast at midnight for blood work, I have an almost uncontrollable urge to graze at precisely 12:01 a.m. What's with that?

I also find it "ironical" that the Corn Refiners Association feels that the American people are "confused" about High Fructose Corn Syrup. We aren't confused, THEY ARE.

What's the deal with Kim Kardashian & Justin Beiber and why do I even care?

Why does the instructions on shampoo bottles almost always tell us to: Wash, rinse, & repeat?

Why do people tell me (us) "I look good, especially for having diabetes." REALLY?! It's not like I tell them that "they look good, especially for being a stupid moron."
BOTTOM LINE: I look good because of good lighting, a flattering lipstick shade and a sparkling (if not sardonic) personality.

I have absolutely now idea "How much wood could a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood." And what the hell is a woodchuck anyway?
OK, I just googled the above and apparently a woodchuck is another name for the North American groundhog. And for the record, woodchucks can't "chuck" wood. But if a woodchuck could chuck wood, it's been estimated that the amount of wood chucked would be damn close to 700 lbs. Say that three times fast!

"With My Friends,The Fun Never Ends..." WHY? Because They Rock

For some reason, I had the immortal words of Sugasheen stuck in my head this morning- for realz!

I was literally singing "All the diabetics, all the diabetics," this morning as I tested my blood sugar, FYI it was 130.

Maybe it was because I participated in #DSMA on "the twitter" last night (the brain child of the AWEsome & founding SugaSheen member Cherise Shockley) and was surrounded by wonderful friends - all PWDs and all fantastical.

Maybe it was because as of late I've been thinking alot about our mutual friend, Ninjabetic and Sugasheen co-founder George "Ninjabetic" Simmons ,who's celebrating his 20th Diaversary by raising money and participating in a JDRF walk on October 2nd.

It might have been because World Diabetes Day on November 14th,2010 isn't that far off and I'm trying to figure out a game plan.

Or Maybe it was because I miss my friends and this video makes me smile and sing, and want to test my blood sugar every single time I see it!

Without further adieu - SUGASHEEN & "All The Diabetics!"

PS: If by reading todays post, SugaSheens song and dance moves get stuck in your head to the point that your damn near annoyed, then my job here is done!

I am what I am – Which Makes Me Either Sound Like Popeye Or Alban from La Cage Aux Folles

I am many things, but mostly I'm a study in duality.

Both patient and temperamental, with a first name that literally means "Brave Warrior" in Gaelic.

Mostly I seek to keep the peace, except when I'm protecting others.

An imperfect person who finds the beauty in nature’s flaws.

I am strong and at the same time fragile.

I wear an insulin pump but prefer dresses to trousers.

I’m industrious because I’ve found a way to make the above sentence work.

But ironically, I only received a C in my Mechanical Drawing class.

I am a talker, yet I can be surprisingly quiet when I'm listening.

I am brave and scared all rolled into one.

I love children and am called “Aunt Kelly ” by many, instead of Mommy by one.

Some say I’m funny; others call me down right bawdy.

I don’t take offense to being called a “Dame” but still act like a lady- except when I don’t.

Sometimes I get too hungry for dinner at 8 – but before each meal I always test my blood sugar and bolus accordingly.

My eyes are hazel, but have a decidedly greenish blue hue when the mood strikes.

I prefer spicy and sweet with a dash of savory for good measure -

But I’m still “salty” and that suits me just fine.

I have known sadness and anger but I still seek out the laughter.

I have been hurt and I’ve been happy- and I still see the glass half full.

I’ve lived with failures and successes and have learned important life lessons from both.

I’ve been a person with diabetes longer than I’ve been a person without.

It’s made me see things differently than most.

And my greatest weakness has become my greatest strength.

I still want to see a cure in my lifetime.

I am the girl next door, all grown up.

And have become the woman who is constantly becoming.

SYMLIN & Being A Duck

I wanna be a duck!

ON my SYMLIN front, I hit a detour that led me to a nasty stop called SINUS CITY, a horrific place that left me crawling in muck and barely able to breathe.

Yes, I’m a bit dramatical, but this latest sinus infection caused me to have a fever; no voice, & no appetite. I barely ate and had to increase my basal rate to fight off the infection.

I was placed on an antibiotic that caused my mouth to perpetually taste like pennies (seriously disgusting) and my stomach to experience all types of cramping. And here's a strange but true Kelly Kunik Fact: According to my Dr., I "was born with extremely narrow nasal passages." LOVELY. I couldn't be born with a narrow waist or narrow feet, I had to be born with narrow nasal passages!

And did I mention the fact that I lost the ability to breathe through my nose? Yep, true story.

Simply Put: I WAS DOWN RIGHT MISERABLE.

Hanging around Sinus City caused a major snag regarding my SYMLIN increase from 15 mcgs to 30 mcgs.

Was I frustrated? YOU BET YOUR SWEET ASS I WAS, but my diabetes pit crew and I decided it was best to get back on schedule and start again this week. My team didn't want me taking SYMLIN if I was barely eating 15 grams of carbohydrates for dinner -They were afraid I'd suffer wicked lows.

SO now I'm back at the beginning, 15 mcgs at dinner until Friday. If all goes well I can up my amount to 30. I keep reminding myself that slow and steady wins the race,like the turtle and the hare - But comparing myself to a turtle (and I'm really not a big rabbit fan) causes a whole other set of issues, but I digress.

Honestly, I'd rather just be a duck,and let the whole SYMLIN frustration thing roll of my back and keep moving forward.

I keep thinking about my insulin working more affectively, less blood sugar spikes, weight loss, and a better A1C.

I had all of the above when I was on Metformin, but I was one of the 10 % whose hair ended up on the carpet instead of my head.

And I try and keep the nausea part thing in the back of my mind. If it makes an appearance I'll know it- I can't spend all my time focusing on it.

Having to prolong the SYMLIN baby steps is annoying, but it was necessary.

But even with the baby steps, I noticed better blood sugars and no "grazing" after dinner.

I’m not telling you anything you don’t know, but diabetes requires an incredible amount of work, boatloads of tenacity, and an extreme amount of patience.

But diabetes has also taught me (us) that if at first you don’t succeed; keep trying until you kick some major ass!

P.S. Yesterday, Sarah Jane wrote a great post regarding her SYMLIN experience. Click HERE to read it.

Diabetesalicious -Lite Edition 8/20/10

This weeks "Diabetesalicious -Lite Edition" is brought to your by the letters A, B, D, F,G, K, M, TCOYD,& V.

A as is ART and D as is Diabetes Art, reverse them and you've got Diabetes Art Day on September 1st, the brain child of LeeAnn Thill. Get your Art on people! Seriously folks, gather those diabetes supplies and create something fantastical - I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU!
Read all about it HERE.

B as in Bittersweet and K as in Karen over at BittersweetDiabetes wrote a really fantastic post called "Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire," about the lies we tell ourselves and others about living with the Diabetes. YOU NEED TO READ IT!


G as Ginger and her Vlog regarding FAILURE and how the word is highly overrated- I AGREE. Watch the video HERE!

Put the letters TCOYD they stand for TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR DIABETES - something we all try our best to do. But let's face it, that's not always easy, no matter how hard we try. We all could use some help and or inspiration in that area.At least I know I do! If your in driving, flying, walking and or running distance to Providence Rhode island's Convention Center on September 11th, register for TCOYD's Conference & Health Fair. Show your diabetes who's in charge!! For information and registration click HERE!

On the weird and wacky holiday front, Today is Men's Grooming Day and National Hug Your Boss Day.

WACKY FACTS: in the Pixar movie A Toy Story, the carpet designs in Sid's hallway is the same as the carpet designs in The Shining.

Lincolin Logs were invented by Frank Lloyd Wright's son, John L. Wright in 1916.

And now you know!

Way Back Wednesday: Freckled Finger Tips REVISITED

This poem was originally posted 1/8/08 - way back when Diabetesaliciousness was only a few months old. Not to many folks were reading the blog and I was learning all the wonders of the Diabetes On-Line Community. I'm still learning all the wonders of our community and I'm so grateful for that. Anywho, I thought I'd reintroduce you to Freckled Finger Tips - Hope you like it!

My fingers tips are freckled with dots.

Dots that rest on callouses,

Calluses caused by continually pricking them with a lance

Which pierces my finger tips for a blood drop.

A blood drop that is placed on a strip,

A strip that is placed in a machine,

A machine that's a indeed quick study.

5 seconds later a number appears.

If the number is high, I feel tired and guilty

and bolus accordingly.

If the number is low

I already know before it appears.

I shake, sweat, and feel light headed

My appetite is insatiable.

Quickly I grab the juice box

And I try my best to remember the rule;

15 carbs at a time to treat a low blood sugar - yeah right!

If it's in the golden range of Blood Sugar Nirvana

I'm proud and relieved -

Until the cycle starts all over again.

IT NEVER ENDS.

I find test strips everywhere

In places they were never meant to be.

The type 3's in my life yell at me regarding my test strip trail

I will never be a hand model...But that's OK....

Life is sweet and I go with the flow~

Photos courtesy of my iPhone

I Finally Found Snapple's Trop-A-Rocka Iced Tea

Photo courtesy of my iPhone

Better late then never.....I GUESS.

After weeks (which turned into months) of searching, I finally found Brett Michael's Snapple/Celebrity Apprentice Bret's Blend Trop-A- Rocka Diet Iced Tea a few weeks back and I'm just getting around to blogging about it today.

I couldn't find the tea to save my life! And that was both frustrating and annoying- I wanted to try it and I wanted (and was willing) to give my money to a diabetes charity, so why couldn't more stores carry the damn flavor!

Seriously, I Checked Snapple's Website Locator, I checked (many would say bothered) with store managers, and NO LUCK.

Many stores had the Compassion Berry Tea, and I'll just go ahead and answer my own question re: the lack of product/

Everyone who has ever had to by diet anything knows that most stores Diet Iced Tea/soda selection is limited to begin with, hence the reason finding the Trop-A-Rocka tea was damn next to impossible - at least for me.

I finally found the flavor at two different WaWa convenience stores. One in South Philly and one in South Jersey.

And you know, it wasn't bad -It was actually pretty good. OK, I'll admit it, I LIKED IT.

Now if more stores would actually carry the flavor, maybe more money could be raised for The American Diabetes Association.

Personally, I 'd like to see all moneys raised go towards research for the cure and for implementing more ADA activities for adults and children with type 1- but that's how I roll.

So my questions for you are:

1. Have you tried the tea?

2. Did you had any problems finding the tea?

3. How would you like The American Diabetes Association spend the money generated by the sale of the tea?

Diabetesalicious Lite - "It's Friday, August 13th (the only one in 2010) So Don't Walk Under Any Ladders" Edition!

Diabetesalicious Lite - "It's Friday, August 13th (the only one in 2010) so don't walk under any ladders" Edition!

Today is quite a jammed packed day! According to my FaceBook invite, today is "Hug A Person With Diabetes Day!" I'm all for that, so virtual hugs to each and everyone of you reading this post- YOU ROCK!

August 13th is also "Blame Someone Else Day". Again, I'm down with that - I choose to blame diabetes- who are you blaming & why?

And for those of you who favor the left, Friday, August 13th is also "International Left Handers Day" - I kid you not. Again, as a left handed individual in a right handed world, I'm ALL FOR IT! But don't just take my word for it, click HERE and read all about it!

Scottie J, friend, blogger, bacon lover and CWD first timer, wrote a great post regarding his first time at the Children With Diabetes - Friends For Life event this past June. Click HERE to read all about it!

Feel like embracing your inner artist AND using diabetes as your muse? OF COURSE YOU DO!
Stop on over to the ButterCompartment and read about Diabetes Art Day. Start gathering your used diabetes supplies and keep September 1st open on your calendars and who knows, you might just be the next Picasso - all tricked out diabetes style!

Finally, blessings are all around us and that is a wonderful thing. As is this "Blessings" post written by Bennet over at YDMV. Check it out- you'll be glad you did!

What Do YOU Tell A Diabetes "Newbie?"

Listen Newbie - This is your life - this is your life with diabetes.

And this is me punching you in the crouch~

It seems like almost everyday I meet, or receive an email from, someone who (or who's love one has) been recently been diagnosed with diabetes.

I do my best to be supportive and talk honestly, and use humor when ever I can.

I wax poetic about the Diabetes On-line Community, the importance of finding a great Endo & encourage them to work closely with a Certified Diabetes Educator. I tell them of my love of pump therapy and reinforce that testing blood sugars are a must.

I explain to them about "The Diabetes Dark Ages", and how times have changed for the better.

I tell Diabetes Newbies that it's much better to own their diabetes instead of their diabetes owning them, and I find away to make positives out of their diabetes negatives.

But it's not all about what I tell them, because here's a SHOCKER -It's not all about me!

It's about what WE tell them - every single person out there living the diabetes life.

So my friends, what do you tell a Diabetes Newbie?

Or

When you were a newbie PWD, what advice did you receive that REALLY allowed you to start owning your diabetes?

And keep it clean folks! No advice/stories involving crouch punching!

SYMLIN Insurance Sticker Shock

I just spent 40 minutes on the phone and I'm not a happy woman.

The first call was from my local CVS pharmacy, who called to tell me that my two SYMLIN pens were ready to be picked up and could be all mine for $163.32 - more than what my insulin costs per month.

Yes, I'm well aware that my insurance SUCKS.

I told the Pharmacist to sit tight on my order, because I needed to do some research before I could commit.

My second call was to my insurance company, who confirmed the price - and told me that my plan didn't cover mail order medicine purchases. They also told me that 50 % of non-generic RXs are covered under my plan.

It still didn't make sense- The prices quotes I found on-line regarding SYMLIN was $225 - BEFORE INSURANCE KICKED IN.

SInce my insurance company pays 50% for non-generic RXs - it should cost me $112.50 out of pocket. Not great, but much more affordable.

My insurance company then forwarded my call to CVSCaremark - the company who handles the prescriptions for my insurance. CVSCaremarkwho confirmed that $163.32 was indeed the price I had to pay. The nice lady on the other end of the line told me that my insurance was covering 50% of the cost, and that CVSCaremark rate for SYMLIN is $325 - BEFORE INSURANCE. The nice lady on the other end of the line really felt bad wanted to know if there was something else I could take in place of the SYMLIN.

Like I said: MY INSURANCE SUCKS! But for the love of God, where the hell does my insurance company come up with these inflated prescription rates?!

The irony isn't lost on me. I fought Dr.J on SYMLIN for years, but last week I finally agreed, and was looking forward to experiencing positive results.

Now, I seriously have to consider the our of pocket cost of using SYMLIN.

And the cost of my good health if I don't.

What's best for my health is always the winner in the end. Let's face it, we don't have a choice when it comes to our health.

But I'm angry that my insurance company is forcing me to once again cut back in other areas of my life in order to stay healthy. I didn't choose diabetes, diabetes chose me.

And I've made diabetes work in my life, I really have.

I do the work, I educate others, and I don't spend a lot of time wishing my diabetes weren't so. Diabetes has made me stronger, it's given me a passion, a career, friends, and a platform - and I'm incredibly grateful for all of those things.

But diabetes has taken away people that I loved, and diabetes has forced me to always be in fighter mode.

Insurance company Practitioners of Bull Sh*t; consider yourself warned - I'll continue to bitch, but more importantly - I'll continue to fight you in order to stay healthy.

A Conversation With A Power Puff Girl~

Power Puff Chicks on the beach!

OK, True story: I was at the beach this weekend, hanging with my friends and their army of children, and having a grand old time. The waves were intense thanks to Tropical Storm Colin - which was somewhere way off the coast. The water was warmer than it had been in weeks, and yours truly had a blast swimming, body surfing, and throwing a gaggle of 4, 5, & 7 year olds into the waves.

When I first got to the beach, I sat in my chair and talked with my friends - like a grown up. But after like 20 minutes I couldn't stand it anymore, I went down to the water, because I couldn't resist its spell any longer. I wasn't dissapointed - the temperature was perfecto!

And as I stood there watching the ocean, out from the waves (and like something straight out of The Little Mermaid",)walked my friend's little girl. A fantastical 7 year old who will be referred to as "Power Puff Girl" for the rest of this post. Running towards me she shouted: YAYYYY, you’re here!! I was going to get out, but now that you’re here, I’m staying in!

Me: Actually “Gorgeous” I was just testing the water; I need to go back and take my insulin pump off before I can go in - I can't get it wet. Come back to the chairs so I can put my pump in my cooler.

She grabbed my had tight and we started walking.

She pointed to my pump and looked up at me.

Power Puff Girl: Why do always wear that Kel?

Me: Well I have a disease called diabetes. Basically, there's this thing in my stomach called a pancreas - well actually, everybody has a pancreas. But there's this little part of the pancreas called the Islet of Langerhans that makes insulin, which turns food into energy. I can’t turn food into energy because the Islet of langerhan part of my pancreas doesn't work- like at all.

So I need to wear this insulin pump filled with medicine that does what my body can't. Guess what the medicine is called?

Power Puff Girl: INSULIN!

Me: Your totally right! Are you sure your only 7?

Power Puff Girl: Yes I am – but EVERYBODY thinks I’m older.

Me: I can totally see that- your very smart- plus you look like your 8, maybe even 8 and a half.

Anyway, before I wore this pump, I had take lots of shots, every single day- even on vacation and Christmas. I also had to eat at certain times, and I wasn’t allowed to eat any treats because then that was the diabetes rule way back then.

And when I was a bit older than you – I had to start giving myself shots every day.

Sidebar: Power Puff Girl's eyes got really big when I said that.

Now I just plug in the pump to this band-aid thingy called an infusion set/site - and no shots for two or 3 days! And guess what dude? I can pretty much eat whatever I want- as long as long as I eat healthy most of the time.

Power Puff Girl: Me too! I mean I eat healthy most of the time- but I’m allowed treats. And Kel, I'm totally addicted to ice cream!

Me: Me too!

Power Puff Girl: Does it need a charger?

Me: The ice cream? No, you just keep it in the freezer.

Power Puff Girl: NO- the pump Kel!!!!

Me: Oh, OK. No, it just needs a new battery every now and then.

Power Puff Girl: THAT INSULIN PUMP IS AN AMAZING THING KEL!!

Me: I KNOW - it's totally cool.

Power Puff Girl waited patiently (and watched intently) as I unhooked my pump, put it in a case, place said case in a ziplock freezer bag, and tucked it in my cooler, nestled between my iphone and ice pack.

As soon as I closed the cooler, Powder Puff Girl grabbed my hand with both of hers and we started walking towards the ocean.

Power Puff Girl: Kel, I am SO HAPPY that you have an insulin pump – I really am.

Me: So am I girly girl, so am I.

Now come on, LET’S GO SWIMMING!!!

And that's exactly what we did. And a fantastical time was had by all~

;)

Diabetesalicious Lite - 8/6/10 Edition

Happy Friday and welcome to the Diabetesalicious Lite edition for 8/6/10

Yesterdays post regarding "confusion" and HFCS generated some great discussion and you'll be hearing more about it in the coming weeks, I promise.
Until then, take Scott Strumello's suggestion via his comment on yesterday's post, and follow @Banofhfcs on twitter. Ivan knows his hfcs facts & then some!

Our friend Gary Schiener is the latest member of the D-clan to guest star in "The Betes Now."
Check him out HERE!

Won't to learn about the diabetes Dark Ages? Stop by ACT 1Diabetes & read "The Pissing Evils - Diabetes Back In The Day," by clicking HERE. We've come a long way in the diabetes technology department- THANK GOD.

Want to win a copy of Tu Diabetes No-Sugar Added Book of Diabetes Poetry? Of course you do! Stop by The Butter Compartment, because Lee Ann Thill has a contest where you can win a copy! Click HERE for details!


True Fact: Astronauts cannot burp in space. There is no gravity to separate liquid from gas in their stomachs. And know you know ~

HFCS - The Sweet Facts Are: We Aren't Confused - YOU ARE.

I’m confused about lots of things in life. I don’t get why people watch the Kardashians or the Jersey Shore and am “confused” as to what the attraction is to shows like that?

The concept of North, South, East, & West confuses me - and if truth be told it confuses various family members as well. In my diabetesalicious my mind, Canada is UP and Florida is down.

I understand the whole “clean up after yourself,” concept, and have understood it since nursery school. Simply put; if you make a mess, clean it up. I’m “confused” as to why BP Oil has such a tough time grasping said concept.

One thing that does not “confuse” me is High Fructose Corn Syrups negative effect on my blood sugar. I’ve done the “Diabetes Math” folks. I’ve counted the carbs, tested my blood sugar, and did the correct bolus for a snack size bag of corn chips/cookies, and was incredibly confused as my blood sugar skyrocketed to the moon.

I’ve called my CDE damn in tears, frustrated with the results of carbo counting for HFCS laden foods and was told quite bluntly: If HFCS is in the first five ingredients of a product, don’t eat it- it will wreck havoc with your blood sugars!

That was 10 years ago, and since then I’ve steered clear of the dietary demon that is HFCS.

I’ve read books, talked with numerous health care professionals, and watched documentaries on the HFCS, - it's not a pretty picture. I’ve written numerous blog posts about HFCS and tweeted facts. Seriously folks, there’s nothing “sweet” about what HFCS does to your body.

I w as mega confused when I start receiving out of the blue tweets from @Sweetfacts (a PR firm for the Corn Refiners Association) telling me that “I’m confused about HFCS” and that’s “it’s perfectly fine if consumed in moderation.” @sweetfacts also sent me lots of links to posts saying HFCS has nothing to does with the rise of type 2 diabetes in this country. YES – I laughed so hard I could barely catch my breath.

I tweeted back the correlation between HFCS being added to soft drinks in 1980, which happened to be the year children started being diagnosed with type 2. No answer on that one.

@sweetfacts @sstrumello FYI - US rates of type 2 diabetes at a crazy rate since 1980, when soda co's started substituting sugar with HFCS

I decided to tweet @Sweetfacts a rather simple question that would ease my mind regarding HFCS. I even used @Sweetfacts very own words. I asked: How does one consume HFCS in moderation when it’s in almost every processed food under the sun?

I asked this question multiple times and in multiple ways and tweeted a few other HFCS facts as we:

@sweetfacts I am confused though, because I have absolutely no idea how one consumes #HFCS in moderation - do tell!

@sweetfacts So tell please tell me because I'd love 2know how you do it. How does 1 consume #HFCS in "moderation,"since it's in everything

@sweetfacts SERIOUSLY? There's no confusion here-HFCS is NOT "a health food" in anyway,shape, or form. it's a genetically modified sweetener

@Sweetfacts FYI,I absolutely support farmers&buy fresh corn@ a wkly farmers mkt. The edible kind,not the yellow dent #7-spawner of HFCS kind

@sweetfacts Here's a question for you. Since #HFCS is in virtually EVERYTHING, how can it be consumed in moderation?

Of course I didn’t receive an answer – and there’s a good chance I won’t.

I also became royally confused when @KSGrains – another tweeter paid to tweet poetic about HFCS tweeted me this:

: @ksgrains @diabetesalic Saying #hfcs is in everything is totally misguided. Best way to eat healthy: http://bit.ly/HR7Bi

Yes, girlfriend sent me a link to the food pyramid - PLEASE!

So I tweeted:

@ksgrains Don’t tell me the "best way 2eat healthy,” I’ve been a type1diabetic since I ws 8& have been working w/nutritionists &CDES for years

@ksgrains Both personally&professionally. The nutritionists & Certified Diabetes Educators I work w/tell their patients to stay clear of #HFCS

@diabetesalic Exaggerate much? lol I think you need a good laugh -- What would Julia say about sweeteners? http://bit.ly/dyz4aH

My response:

@ksgrains NO,I tell it like it is. Julia Child ws a proponent of real food& ingredients& I’m sure she thought #HFCS ws BS.

Ironically, the producers of with the Julia Child wanna-be video and the site it airs on Sweetscam.com are rumored to be funded by those who make money from #HFCS.

I could cut and paste more tweets, but I’d rather just tell you how I feel.

I found the whole exchange and condescending attitude of both @ksgrains & @Sweetfacts to be really offensive.

I find it offensive that people who are paid by the corn conglomerate tell me and others like myself that we are confused about #HFCS.

As a person with type 1 diabetes for over 30 years, I don’t have the luxury of being “confused” when it comes to what I put in my body. My world revolves around all types of numbers.

Blood sugar numbers; carbs,fiber, fat grams and caloric intake. Not to mention A1C, blood pressure rates, kidney function rates, and cholesterol. I could go on, but you all know the diabetes drill.

I (like millions of others) MUST calculate the numbers for every piece of food I put in my body. I, like my diabetes cohorts, MUST test my blood sugar, and figure out (with the help of my bolus wizard the precise amount of insulin needed to cover every piece of food that goes into my body.

I have no choice but to test my blood sugar at least ten times a day if I want to live a great life with diabetes.

I’ve experienced first hand what a processed food product loaded with HFCS does to my body, verses it’s raw sugar counterpart. I have the numbers to back it up – DON’T YOU DARE TELL ME I’M CONFUSED.

Don’t send me to sites with “quirky” videos produced by the people who pay you to talk nice about them,

I’m offended & disgusted that @sweetfacts and @ksgrains have so little faith in my intelligence as both a consumer and as a person with diabetes.

Please guys, tell me how you feel about #HFCS – and tell them to!

And don’t even get me started on the Chiropractor on twitter who suggests pooping 3 times a day to help control your diabetes – he’s full of shit!

But I digress, and will leave that subject for another post!

Ring In The Symlin

I just got back from my Endo. The good news is my blood work wasn't bad as far as blood work goes. Kidneys look good, as does cholesterol, and I haven't gained any weight.

The not so wonderful news is that my a1c was 7.4 ( I have no idea how that happened ) up from 7.2 in January.

When I heard the news from the Attending intern I was ready to cry. And I would have, except at that point my blood was boiling and I wanted to give myself a swift kick in the ass!

A few minutes later Dr.J walked in and said: "Hi Kelly, how are you doing?"

Me: ANGRY

Dr. J: Why exactly?

Me: Because of my a1c. I test like crazy and my 24 hour insulin intake is somewhere between 32 & 39 units. I don't get what my problem is.

Dr. J: Kelly (I have to mention that he pronounces my name so it sounds like "Kel-lee") No more playing with basal rates and rearranging your life,we need to nip this in the bud now. If you have an issue with Metformin we need to try SYMLIN

Me: Metformin caused my hair to thin and clumps to end up on the carpet Dr J. Call me crazy, but that really freaked me out, good numbers or not. I could try basal testing again, and I could exercise more. I've really been lackadaisical on my exercise - I need to do better in that department.

Dr. J: We could spend weeks going back and forth Kelly. You work so hard on taking care of your diabetes. Symlin is going to help you. We can see how it works out, and if you still hate it by your next visit in November, we talk about something else. Deal?

Dr J and I agreed (and yes, it took him some convincing before we shook on it) that I need to start Symlin, like, tonight.

Me: OK.....AGREED.

Dr J: Kelly Trust me, your going to be so happy with the results- I promise!

Then Dr. J ran out and grabbed me a Symlin Pen sample/DVD along with a generous amount of insulin samples and a new One Touch lime green mini to replace the one I spilled New York clam chowder on back in May.

And together we went over the Symlin instructions including; where to inject, priming of the pen, and dosage instructions.

Dr J: OK "Kel-lee", we are going to start with one shot before your dinner because you tell me that dinner and after is when you are most hungry- which is what most people say, so your not alone. OK this is what your going to do:

15 mcgs before dinner for one week.

Increase rate to 30 mcgs at dinner the second week

Increase to 45 mcg before dinner the third week

Increase to 60 mcg before dinner the forth week.

Afer the first month, we can talk about increasing it to your lunch time meal as well.

Now "Kel-lee" this is important, decrease your dinner bolus by 30 %, because most patients find that is the number that works to cover both their meal and the initial nausea. OK?

Me: OK.

Dr. J: Now you might experience some nausea, but don't give up. If it becomes to much when you increase from 15 to 30 mcgs, call me and we can stretch out your body's introduction to Symlin, like we did when you were on Metformin.

Me: Nausea, I'm not really a fan Dr. J, but OK.

Dr. J: It's going to be OK- we are going to get through this.

Me: Yes, we will.

Dr J: OK, keep Cheryl (his right hand and awesome CDE) posted via email. She forwards me everyone of your emails and her and I work together to figure out what to do for you.

If all goes well, I'll see you in 3 or 4 months months and your a1c will be back in the 6's.

Me: OK, but I want to come back in 3 months, not 4.

Dr J: 3 months it is, no problem- looking forward to seeing you then.

We said our goodbyes, I held my head up high, and walked out of the office.

But inside, I still felt like a failure.

But I still had hope - and as we all know, hope floats. So here's my latest Diabetes Math equation that makes me smile and gives me a shot of hope at the same time.

Hope

+ the drive to succeed

+ Symlin

+ a positive attitude

+ more exercise

+ the support of my diabetes pit crew

+ the support of my diabetes on-line community

=

Getting my a1c back to where I need it to be.

PS: If any of you have been a passenger on the Symlin Express & have any advice or thoughts you'd like to share, I'd really appreciate it!