6

Six more lost

Six more lives dimmed

Six more blue candles lit in their honor

Six more souls to pray for

Six more families who will never be the same

Six more people who lost their lives to type 1 diabetes this week.

Six who range in ages from 18 months to 57 years. Including an 18th month old who was misdiagnosed and died from dka, a 9 year girl in France who committed suicide by jumping out a 5 story window because she was tired of living with diabetes.

A 16 year old boy who I believe had dka, and three women ages 24, 27, and 57.

The 24 year woman lived in Australia and never woke up.

The 27 year old was a mother of two small children.

And this morning I found about the sixth - A 57 year old woman from the state of Washington whose name was Jamiyya Laner.

Six strangers to us in theory, but family members none the less because of diabetes.

Six too many.

Six more reasons why we need a cure.

Founding DiabetesSister, Brandy Barnes Talks About The 2011 Weekend For Women Conference

In 2007 Brandy Barnes was a wife and new mother who had lived with her type 1 diabetes for 18 years and felt a strong desire to connect with other women living with diabetes. In 2007 she created DiabetesSisters, a sisterhood/ organization for all women with diabetes to connect with, learn from, and become empowered by, one another.

This year, DiabetesSisters from all over will gather for the 2011 Weekend for Women Conference, at the Marriott City Center in downtown Raleigh, NC, April 29th - May 1st. And the ladies in attendance can expect a weekend of learning, understanding, empowerment and Diabetes Sisterhood.

I first met Brandy B at the Roche 2009 Summit and I thought she was down to earth; articulate, bright and easy to talk to - In my neck of the woods, we'd say that Brandy was "good people." More recently, I had the chance via email to ask Brandy some questions about the 2011 Diabetes Sisters Weekend for Women Conference, and here's what she had to say.

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DiabetesSisters founder, Brandy Barnes

KK: Why did you create Diabetes Sisters?

B.B: My first 18 years with diabetes were pretty lonely. I was never ashamed of my diabetes or tried to hide it, but I just wasn't ever able to connect with another woman with diabetes for a long-term friendship. Of course, I had friends, but it always seemed like there was this one aspect of me that was hidden away, not because I wanted it to be, but because it had to be. All through high school and college I quietly wished for a friend with diabetes who could understand what my life was really like. I was ecstatic to meet the diabetes educator who had diabetes at my new endocrinologist's office. For years, I looked forward to my quarterly check-ins with her...and always went in with my list of questions that could only be answered by another woman with diabetes! My pregnancy in 2004 was met with mixed emotions of excitement and anxiety. Excitement because I was responsible for bringing a new life into this world...and anxiety because I was responsible for bringing a new life into this world-- with the added challenge of diabetes-- and I knew no other woman who had accomplished this feat. The diabetes educator had never had a child, so the loneliness and frustration set in again. My web searches for information and support were lackluster at best. I asked my endocrinologist and my high-risk OB to connect me with another woman who had achieved a successful pregnancy, but unfortunately, they were not able to do so. After the successful birth of my daughter, Summer, in 2005, I knew something needed to be done to address the unique challenges faced by women with diabetes, but I didn't know exactly what the solution was. It was in the Fall of 2007 when I was blessed with the vision for DiabetesSisters... and the rest is history!

KK: In your own words describe the "Sisterhood" of Diabetes.

BB: I am so proud of and grateful for our Sisterhood! It is made up of women throughout the world with all types of diabetes who want to support, empower, and educate their "Sisters" with diabetes and receive the same in return. As women, we are naturally social, look to others for support, and want to help others. There's a certain comfort found in talking to someone who has walked in your shoes. Every day, we walk by women with diabetes on the street and we have no way of knowing that they have diabetes. Our website and our in-person meetings encourage women with diabetes to step forward with pride and "own" their diabetes, ask for support and education when they need it, and offer support and practical advice to Sisters who are in need. It's very much a give-and-take-- like any healthy relationship! As a woman with a biological sister, I know the power of the bond that we share because we grew up in the same household and have certain things in common. My hope is to create an environment that replicates that same kind of bond among women with diabetes. After all-- we all need a Sister who shares those special inside jokes and funny stories that only they could understand. It's no different for women with diabetes!

KK: If it's my first time attending the 2011 Diabetes Sisters Weekend for Women Conference, what's the ONE thing you think a Diabetes Sister newbie will take away?

The one think that a DiabetesSister newbie will take away from the Conference is that she is not alone in this disease! In fact, she has a huge, supportive sisterhood to empower her and educate her about all issues related to being a woman with diabetes.

KK: Our healthcare system tends to overlook women in general, and women with diabetes specifically. DiabetesSisters wants to fill this void created in our system. Can you give us some examples of how?

BB: Our current healthcare system has so few resources to help women with diabetes deal with the challenges that the hormones of menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause throw at us. In addition, the vast majority of women with diabetes are unaware that they are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, depression, osteoporosis, eating disorders, body image issues, and ketoacidosis when compared to their non-diabetic female peers and their male peers with diabetes. Finally, (before DiabetesSisters) there was no single national organization out there that was focused on fighting for women with diabetes to ensure their voice is heard. DiabetesSisters' programs and services focus on filling these voids in three different areas: patient support, community education, and advocacy.

Women’s Forum- a place for women to talk openly, share stories and ask questions about diabetes among their peers without fear of judgment; SisterMatch- an international buddy program designed to connect women with a friend to support them on their diabetes journey; SisterTALK Blogs- information about the nuances of living successfully with diabetes from those who understand it best- type 1, type 2 and pregnant women who are living with the disease; From the Experts Columns- offer dedicated professionals in the diabetes healthcare and legal fields to answer reader’s questions and offer evidence-based advice; Monthly e-Newsletter- a free publication contains women’s diabetes articles, organization news, and links to news and research updates.

Our In-Person programming, such as our PODS Meetups and our National Conference Series offer women the opportunity to meet the women they have been chatting with online or for those who aren't involved in our online programs, they offer the opportunity for women to come together and support each other in person. We now have PODS Meetups in locations throughout the US- and are launching new locations on a weekly basis. We also have Conferences on the East Coast and West Coast this year! In terms of advocacy, in 2010, we launched the "orange: will" campaign to raise awareness about the unique issues faced by women with diabetes. Orange will empower women with diabetes to make their voice heard!

KK: If I'm experiencing Diabetes Burnout OR have decided to put myself first and make my diabetes a top priority in 2011, how will attending your Weekend for Women help me??

BB: Not only will you be educated on gender-specific diabetes topics, but you will be in a life-changing supportive environment surrounded by 200 women with diabetes. There's nothing like sitting down to a meal and hearing meter and pumps beeping all over the room and overhearing light-hearted debates about the number of carbohydrates in a specific food. Most importantly, the Conference offers new ways to think about nutrition, physical activity, and all of the things that have become mundane/second-nature in our lives. It also offers sessions on the emotional aspects of diabetes- that are often overlooked. So, it nurtures your health and nourishes your spirit- ensuring that when you walk away from the conference you feel rejuvenated and re-focused on the things that should be a priority in your life.

KK: How has being a member of Diabetes Sisters helped you live your diabetes life?

BB: In 2007, I was an average woman with diabetes and I literally knew no other women with diabetes (besides by diabetes educator). Fast-forward four years and now my life has done a complete 180-degree turnaround. I am surrounded by so many women with diabetes-- who are successful and inspirational. I am never at a loss for who to contact when a diabetes-related question arises.... because I have thousands of women in the Sisterhood to email or call on at a moment's notice. None of us are perfect in our diabetes management, but we know we can lean on each other and get practical advice from each other.

By being involved with DiabetesSisters, I've also learned a lot of important health information about being a woman with diabetes that I was unaware of previously. I also feel like DiabetesSisters has given me, and all women with diabetes, a much-needed voice in America! I feel so much more connected to women with diabetes around the world! I have to pinch myself on a daily basis because it's quite unbelievable that this is what I get to spend my days doing now!

WHEN: April 29 - May 1, 2011 WHERE: The Marriott City Center in downtown Raleigh,NC.

What You Can Expect: The weekend is open to all women with diabetes age 18 and older. Participants will have the chance to attend educational sessions on gender-specific topics related to diabetes treatment and management (such as pregnancy, body image, concurrent illnesses, nutrition, physical fitness), and engage with other women living successfully with diabetes. Attendees will receive unbiased information on the emergence of new equipment and medications, and learn new tactics and coping mechanisms to improve their mental and physical health.

REGISTRATION DETAILS: Registration is offered at a subsidized rate of $100 and includes all meals and snacks on Saturday (including the Celebration of Strength Dinner), breakfast on Sunday, and admittance to all eight educational sessions, and many other giveaway items.Conference registration must be made online at www.diabetessisters.org . Discounted group rate of $99 per night has been secured at Marriott City Center. Hotel reservations can be made by calling 1-888-236-2427 and

using group code DSSDSSA.

o

r online: http://cwp.marriott.com/rdumc/diabetessisters2011.

DiabetesSisters 2010 Weekend For Women Attendees

Craptacular, Craptacular: Pizza & Frozen Cookies/ Pizza & Wyngs In The Same Box Combo

Many thanks to The Huffington Post for the heads-up!

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Well, the culinary minds over at Digiorno have come up with two new truly craptacular combinations that are sure to please Americans appetite for processed, high fat, high carb, and possibly (I say possibly because I cannot find the complete list of ingredients on-line to save my life) HFCS laden foods.

According to their FaceBook Page, as of Monday, you'll be able to purchase DiGiorno Pizza & Toll House Cookie Dough in the same box. Same goes for Digiorno Pizza and Chicken Wyngs*, Honey or Buffalo style!

Basically it's one stop shopping for blood sugars gone wild.

I have no doubt these combos will clog both your arteries and your home plumbing systems!

For some strange reason (SNARK ALERT) I couldn't find a list of ingredients or nutritional info on the Digiorno website (or it's parent company Nestle's website) for the dynamic duo of carbs, so I have no idea how many grams of carbs, fat, crap, and the likes there of a serving size contains, or what the actually serving size is. I did find nutritional information on various Digiorno Pizzas over at MyFitnessPal, so be sure to take a look.

So, anyone out there care to take a guess of how one would bolus for these new DiGiorno creations?

Anyone care to guess how long one would be in gastrointestinal distress after indulging is such craptacular combo creations?

Anyone else ou there think that no good can come from this?? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?....... Bueller?.......Bueller?

Point, Click & Shift My Ass!

This morning, the alarm went of even louder than normal. I slowly got out of bed and immediately wanted to jump back in. After all, today is Monday - and a crazy Code Blue one at that! I looked at the temperature on my iphone - 9 degrees - FOR REAL. Yes, it was neither fit for woman or beast outside. Inside, the heat was on and my comforter was warm and dare I say, down right comfy? But I'm a grownup (though many would beg to differ), so I got up, tested, bolused, made coffee and jumped in the shower.
I got dressed and put on my favorite (and warm) cashmere chartreuse green sweater and black trousers. I clipped my hair back and put my face on; packed my lunch, put on my coat, scarf, gloves & beret, grabbed my work bag and headed out the door. My Honda Accord started and shifted into PARK with no problem. Ever so faintly, the little voice in my head whispered: Hmmm, maybe the whole shift from park to drive issue from previous winters had fixed itself.
Now I love my Honda, and much like Mary Poppins, it's practically perfect in every way - Except for one detail, but I digress.

Traffic was light, parking wasn't an issue and walked into work 10 minutes early was feeling all sorts of groovy.
15 minutes later as I was going over the day's schedule, I brushed my hand against my thigh and felt my infusion set.... and immediately realized that my insulin pump was not clipped to my hip, but sitting on the night table in my bedroom.
I told my boss that I needed to go home and get my pump, and he completely understood.
I ran out the door and to my car, unlocked the door, slid in and put the key in the ignition and heard my engine purr. BUT.....I couldn't get my car out of PARK no matter how hard I tried!

Sidebar: For some reason, whenever it gets insanely cold, I can't shift out of PARK for a few minutes. According to the Internet, (which has pages and pages devoted to the Honda shifting from PARK to DRIVE in cold weather phenomenon) I'm not the only person who suffers with the whole Honda PARK to DRIVE issue.

POINT, CLICK. & SHIFT MY ASS!

So there I sat, screaming in, and at my car as I frantically tried shifting from PARK into DRIVE with no success.
I'm sure if anyone was walking by, they'd think I was CRAY 2 The Z. And I have to admit, that's exactly how I felt!

Finally, after letting the car warm up for 5 minutes (which felt like 5 hours) I was able to shift into drive and get on the road. Luckily, I live relatively close to my contract job, so I was able to get home, get in, and grab my pump super quick, and for some reason, the Car Gods decided to play nice, and I was able to shift from PARK into DRIVE with no problem.

I made it back to work and didn't miss a beat. But as I sit here and type this story between work files, phone calls and the likes there of, the one thought that keeps running through my mind is: THANK GOD HONDA DOESN'T MAKE INSULIN PUMPS.

Dear Debbie: If You Were Here......

Starry starry night, paint your palette blue and grey
Look out on a summer's day with eyes that know the darkness in my soul
Shadows on the hills, sketch the trees and the daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills, in colors on the snowy linen land

Now I understand what you tried to say to me
How you suffered for you sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen they did not know how, perhaps they'll listen now.
Don Mclean - Vincent (Starry Starry Night) Lyrics
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Dear Debbie -

It was 20 years ago today that you left us.

IF you were here, I'd tell you that I love you; I'm sorry, and that I've thought about you every single day these past 20 years.

IF you were here - I'd hug you more and blame you less.

I'd let things roll of my back and would suggest you do the same.

I would encourage you to seek help for all your problems - both physically & mentally.

I would tell you that so much has changed for the better in the world of diabetes.

If you were here, I'd have more patience and understanding because now I understand you better.

If you were here, I know that you would love and be an active member of the Diabetes on-line community.

Because I seriously believe if the Diabetes On-line community had been around while you were coming into your own,

I know that you'd still be here.

Because you'd no longer feel alone, or different, or crazy,

and you'd possess the technology, the tools, the skills, and the desire to manage your diabetes better.

And you'd have the confidence & the willingness to own your diabetes and face your other issues that held you down and held you back.

Seriously Deb, you'd be amazed at the diabetes technology of today and would welcome it with open arms.

Insulin pumps & cgms would totally blow your mind-

And the fact that you'd be able to test your blood in 5 seconds would make you smile.

Debbie, If you were here, I'd try and make you laugh more and cry less and I'd force you to grab all the golden rings that life has to offer - regardless of gentics or diabetes!

If you were here......

I'd hold you tight - because I know much more than I did then.

Type 1 University Makes Diabetes School, COOL.

Type 1 U's logo was designed by the fabulous Gina Capone

Attending Diabetes School is cool in theory, but making the time to physically be some where isn't so easy.

Seriously, all of us lack time to do what we should in our lives, diabetes and otherwise.

Living with diabetes is hard, we never get vacation, and diabetes doesn't give a crap regarding our busy schedules.

Now, we have a little control over how and when we can do the learning!

MY friend, Gary (Think Like A Pancreas) Scheiner over at http://www.integrateddiabetes.com/, has begun offering a series of on-line classes called Type 1 University, which features online courses designed to provide "higher education" to people who are using intensive insulin therapy, either pumps or MDI.

Each 40-60 minute course is available live (via webex) or pre-recorded format,can be accessed on any computer system or mobile device with access to the Internet. Audio and video are provided, and special interactive opportunities are made available during the live program.

T1U is currently offering the following classes:

1. Mastering Pump Therapy
2. Advanced Carb Counting
3. Blood Glucose Control During Sports & Exercise
4. Weight Loss for Insulin Users
5. Getting the Most from Your Continuous Glucose Monitor
6. Strike The Spike: After-Meal Glucose Control
7. Hypoglycemia Prevention and Management
8. Fine-Tuning Basal Insulin

I've struggled with all of the above and I know I could use more help in these areas. Now that I can attend class via my home computer, I don't have any more valid excuses as to why I can't.

If your interested in learning more, click HERE.

Full Disclosure: Gary offered me a free Type 1 University class in exchange for writing about it. But here's the thing, I've worked with Gary in the past on my diabetes management and he's really helped me. Free or not, my time is precious to me, and I choose how I spend it. I believe in what Gary's doing, and I'd attend even if he hadn't offered me a free class. I'm not perfect, I need to continue my diabetes education, and the fact that I don't have to leave the comfort of my own home to do it.

10 Things You May Or May Not Know About Me~

The 10 Things Meme. You guys know a lot about me, and vice a versa. So I thought maybe I'd share some things that you might not know. Some are diabetes related, some are not, but all are true~

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1. I’ve never eaten Kentucky Fried Chicken in my life – EVER. And yours truly has no plans to start now.

I’m totally serious. My dad had a heart attack when I was five, so I grew up eating lots of chicken sans the skin. As a kid, the thought of KFC grossed me out. I never even ate chicken with the skin on it until I was 21. I still don’t like chicken skin, unless I’m eating really spicy chicken wings!

2. Every time someone on TV or in the movies gets a needle, I turn away. I just get so sad seeing someone else getting a shot. And yes, as a type 1 pwd for 30 + years, I realize the irony.

3. I’m one of the few people in the world who has actually watched the movie JAWS on a full size movie screen while sitting on the beach at night. Yep, true story! Two summers ago, the city of Ventnor, in South Jersey would host a weekly Movie On The Beach night, with a full screen and MC. People brought their families; dates, beach chairs, towels, food, and libations every Saturday night in the months of July and August to watch movies under the stars. Somewhere between 100/200 folks gathered weekly. The first Movie Night I happened to attend was JAWS.

YES, it was strange (OK it was freaky) hearing the ocean waves at your back (and hearing the the infamous theme music) and feeling the sand on your feet, all while watching JAWS on a 15-foot screen directly in front of you. But it was fun!

4. Even though I have "organizational iss-ues", my diabetes supplies are VERY organized. And like by VERY, I mean INCREDIBLY organized!

First by type of supplies: Test strips and lancets in the same desk drawer, with the boxes arranged in order of expiration date on the top of the box. Pump supplies all on the same shelf, insulin is nicely housed in my Butter Compartment and each bottle is also arranged according to expiration date - Same goes for my Symlin, My pills are all neatly organized and I’m actually getting better at consuming my daily vitamins!

5. I am physically unable to drink my coffee black.

6. I not only sing out loud, but I also cry out loud, every time I watch the Sound of Music.

7. I introduced my niece to the wonders of ABBA when she was 10 and her father still hasn’t completely forgiven me.

8. I prefer Soymilk to cow’s milk, but prefer ½ and ½ to soy creamer.

9. I get uber excited and have been know to do the Happy Dance when I guesstimate carbs and still achieve Blood Sugar Nirvana. Same goes for seeing a “happy” number on my meter.

10. I like (and quote) all movies, I'm a movie buff! But I love (and love to quote) movies whose target market is for middle, high school, and college age boys. “ I love scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly....” Can anyone guess that quote?

OK, it's your turn. Tell us something that we may not know about you!

Haley Van Schaick Is Naturally Sweett - And One Smart Diazon!

Haley Van Schaick is "Naturally Sweett!"

Today's guest Blogger is Haley Van Schaick. Haley is a fantastical type 1 teen who started her blog, Naturally Sweett 3 months ago.

I first found out about Haley when she introduced herself to me by leaving a comment on my blog.

Turn's out, I've known Haley's best friend (the fabulous Isabella T) since she was born!

Isabella's mom was my sister Cathy's college roommate- I know, I know - Six degrees of diabetic bacon!

Anywho, I looked for Haley's team at the 2010 Philly JDRF walk last October because I knew Isabella was walking for Team Haley. Unfortunately, there was like 8000 people there and we never hooked up.

Haley's a Diazon in every sense of the word. She's fabulous; articulate, smart, funny, and hearing her perspective of life with diabetes brings back a lot of memories - Except for the fact that girlfriend is much more together than I was at her age!

And I really love the fact that Haley is sharing her experiences with the Diabetes On-line community!

And I continually learn from her posts.

If you haven't read her blog: http://naturallysweett.blogspot.com/ YOU NEED TO!

If you do, then you know what I'm talking about!

AND PS: Haley said some awesomely flattering things! And I appreciate her kind words very much! But said kind words were not a requirement and no bribes and or Jonas/Beiber tickets were exchanged ;)

Take it away Haley!

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I've been given an amazing opportunity to guest post here at Diabetesaliciousness! I started my blog, NaturallySweet just three months ago.

Since then, I have been able to talk with so many amazing diabetics and D-moms.

Kelly inspires me because through her posts, I can see she lives her life the way she wants to –and is not limited by D.

I am a teenager, a sister, a High School sophomore, a best friend, a performer, and I just happen to be a diabetic.

Being part of the DOC I has taught me that diabetes is just part of my life- but it's not my whole life.

I can be whoever I want to be because D does not limit me.

I have been a type 1 since I was 11, and I’m 16 now.

Being diagnosed was scary, I didn’t know anyone with diabetes and I didn’t like being labeled as ‘different’!

I had a really hard time accepting the person who I am now. But In the last 5 years I've attended diabetes camp and I’m currently a Junior Ambassador for JDRF.

As a Junior Ambassador for JDRF, I have an important job. A few times a year I get the chance to attend company meetings and events that are raising money for the cure.

My job is to share my own story of how diabetes affects me and how important finding a cure is.

In the past 5 years, I've met many diabetics - and I’ve never met one yet who wasn’t friendly or open to talking with me!

I try to make every diabetic I meet part of my family.

My mom is the person responsible for introducing me to the DOC. The first blog post she ever sent me was: “I Want You To Know” by Meri over at OurDiabeticLife

( http://www.ourdiabeticlife.com/2010/10/i-want-you-to-know-something.html)

After I read Meri’s post, I was so inspired by this idea of “blogging”.

Up until then, I never considered that blogging about diabetes would interest others.

I never considered blogging as a way to tell others how I was feeling about my life with diabetes. And I never even imagined that I could blog just sitting in my bed while on facebook.

I started NaturallySweet right after I read Meri's post – And for a while, my only viewer was my mom. But blogging made me so happy!

My goal in life is to be able to help as many diabetics as I possibly can.

I want to be able to hold their hands and tell them they aren’t alone in their diabetes.

Being part of the DOC has made living with diabetes a lot easier for me.

Reading peoples posts about their highs and lows makes me feel like I fit in. I feel so blessed that I can get to know all these people!

Thanks for reading my guest post and enjoy the snow! I know I am!

-Haley

Tomorrow I Renew My Gym Membership - And It's Because Of Scott Johnson

Tomorrow I renew my Gym membership - and I owe it all to Mr. Scott K. Johnson!

As I've state many times, my physical activity level (i.e) exercise is not where it needs to be.
And while it's true that I haven't gained any weight, certain fat clusters have.... shifted so to speak.
And then there's the whole Diabetes Burnout & a1c needing to be lowered iss-ues I've been experiencing as of late.

BOTTOM LINE: Girlfriend needs to get her ass in gear and GET MOVING.

So what does Mr. Scott K. Johnson have to do with this?? Scottie J & I were talking on the phone the other day and Scott was saying how great he was feeling because of working out. He'd played Basket Ball earlier that day and was feeling spectacular!

He sounded so happy and as his friend, I was happy for him! And his happiness and enthusiasm also made me remember how good I used to feel after working out on a consistent basis. I miss feeling like that - as do my ab & ass muscles!

He didn't preach, he just talked with me about all sorts of things, and the happiness in his voice inspired me.

Many of my friends sans diabetes workout & many of them don't. And as my wonderful and well meaning friends - they ALL stress the importance of working out because of my diabetes.

But my friends with diabetes seem to understand the struggle of maintaining not just the workout routine, the control, working through the burnout and frustration and everything else that diabetes brings to the table of life on a daily basis. And it's my friends with diabetes that seem to help me turn the corner and get back on the road called: KELLY KICKS ASS.

So tomorrow, I re-up my gym membership - And I owe it all to Scottie J!
Thanks for the inspiration my brother in bacon!!

62 Before A Meal - What's A Girl To Do?

You and me both, Magic 8-Ball!

The last few days I’ve been waking up low. Not super low, but low nonetheless.

Yesterday my pre breakfast blood sugar was 62, and this morning I woke up with a 65 blood sugar.

Sidebar: I’m slowly working my way off an extended temporary basal rate due to my ongoing sinus issues, so before you say: "Kelly, just cut back on your early morning basal rate,” it’s not so easy. When I cut back from my original Temporary Basal Rate of 1.4 units on Sunday afternoon to 1.3 units. I woke up on Monday morning with a 240 blood sugar. I decided to stick it out until Tuesday in case it was a fluke, but Tuesday’s Breakfast blood sugar was 222. So I increased my temporary basal rate to 1.35 units, and it seemed to be working quite nicely.

Until I woke up yesterday morning and felt low the minute I opened my eyes. Magic 8-Ball in the form of my meter confirmed my suspicion, and flashed the number 62.

No breakfast bolus for me! I had my coffee, 1 slice of Ezekiel toast w/peanut butter & ¼ of a small banana, & a ½ a glass of vanilla soy milk and went I with my morning.

And I felt great. Until I took my blood sugar at 10:30 a.m. and was rocking a blood sugar of 290 - And I was pissed! And not just at the number, but with my self! I knew better! I knew I should have been monitoring more closely, but I had a heavy workload and for one stupid reason or another, the morning slipped away from me and I neglected to test.

I gave myself a correction bolus, and I have to say, for the rest of the day my numbers were perfect. Until this morning, when I woke up with a blood sugar of 65.

Once again, no breakfast bolus for me! I had my coffee, a pear, a ½ a glass of vanilla soymilk and some cheddar cheese. And now, with my meter & test strips next to my laptop, I’ll be monitoring my numbers every hour until lunch.

The whole, low right before a meal & mixed in with a temporary bolus thing does not make Kelly a happy camper!

Oh, Magic 8-Ball, if only you worked in real life! Thank God I have the D-O-C!

How the heck do you guys handle a right before a meal low blood sugar combined with a Temporary Bolus Rate balancing act?