#IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes Day - 4/22/15

Logo by the amazing Mr. Mike Lawson~

I’m happy to say that a lot of discussions were generated on twitter and facebook after Friday’s blog post, #IwishpeopleknewThatDiabetes was published. 
FTR: Friday's post was inspired by Denver Colorado 3rd grade teacher, Kyle Schwartz and her amazing #Iwishmyteacherknew teaching plan which started a viral twitter conversation after she shared her students notes. 
All weekend I was thrilled and incredibly inspired to see people using the #Iwishpeopleknewthatdiabetes, hashtag to express their diabetes thoughts and feelings - And I witnessed people strengthening their own diabetes voices in process -and that was amazing! 
I started thinking about having a day where people could use the hashtag in unison to express the good, (like how people with diabetes are flipping awesome,) the bad,(insurance crap, blood sugar issues, you name it,) and the diabetesalicious of it all ( as in, yes indeed you cab eat that cupcake!), when it comes to what we wish people knew about diabetes. 

So I’m proposing Wednesday April 22nd, 2015 as '#IwishpeopleknewThatDiabetes Day.' 
A day where the DOC shares their thoughts, wisdom, hearts and humor, by using  the #IwishpeopleknewThatDiabetes hashtag on the twitter, facebook, instagram, blog posts, tumblr, vine, etc.
Also, the #IwishpeopleknewThatDiabetes hashtag will be featured on this week’s #DSMA chat, which also happens to be on the 22nd at 9pm, EST.

I’m so excited, guys and I hope you are too! 

Let me know what your thoughts and I look forward to your participation in the #IwishpeopleknewthatDiabetes Day discussions. 

It's not about the numbers, it's about people feeling confident enough to use their voices and express what they feel/how their feeling when it comes to diabetes! 

#tbt Diabetes Style: Multi Purpose Tongs That Boiled Needles, Flipped Bacon & Caused My Dad To Break Into O' Sole Mio"

My mom and or my dad would stand over a little tan pot with a dark brown handle filled with boiling water, one eye on the clock  & with these tongs in hand. 

My folks were still in the habit of sterilizing needles, even though by the time I was diagnosed disposable needles had hit the market and were the norm. A throwback practice from the days when they only had two children with diabetes instead of three and needles were made of glass and sharpened with a stone slate .
And in some weird way I think they found the ritual comforting.
These were the very same tongs that after being washed, worked their magic flipping bacon for 6 children and two adults.

God, it's funny what you remember about growing up - And growing up with diabetes. 

Today, these ancient tongs are still used every now and then - Like when my “real tongs” broke and lost their springiness while I was right in the middle of a veggie stir fry extravaganza. And they can still flip bacon like a badass and with chef like precision.  

Mostly though, I keep them around for what and who they remind me of. 
Also: These well worn tongs were the subject matter of a post from January of 2012 - Which I've reposted below in honor of #tbt - And the people who they remind me of every single time I look at them~
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Diabetes Memories: Boil, Boil, Toil & Trouble - Of Boiled Insulin Needles & Other Diabetes Givens Growing Up~

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

And there were certain diabetes givens in the Kunik household

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Diabetic Rhapsody

Two posts in one day? So much for resting my splinted finger - CRAY to the Z, but this so cool that it's totally worth it. 
I saw the following video on  the fabulous Our Diabetic LIfe's D Mama Meri Schuhmacher's facebook page (I learn so much from her,) and it's quickly making the round on many a DOCer's facebook page, including mine. 
And personally, I've already watched it like 10 times - And it totally blows what's left of my mind. 
All the diabetes realities in one music video and A'la Bohemian Rhapsody - Freddie Mercury would be so proud!
And as far as Jacob and his amazing Diabetes family are concerned - I just want to hug them!!!
Here's a link to video's youtube page - Let Jacob & Company know what you think.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Vfei1UZluug

My Take On The Children With Diabetes Focus On Technology Conference

This past weekend I attended the Children With Diabetes Focus On Technology Conference in just outside of Philadelphia in Conshohocken, PA - And I had a blast!

Not only did I have the chance to meet up with many in the diabetes on-line community, I had the opportunity to learn about the latest and greatest in the wonderful world of diabetes.

The day started with Dr. Henry Anhalt, Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director of the Artificial Pancreas for Animas. Dr. A was funny and laid back and he spoke from the heart & explained in layman's terms what The AP actually does: The AP automates insulin delivery with Artificial Intelligence. And how outside of the United States, low glucose suspension pumps like the Animas Vibe and The Medtronic Veo are already available outside of the United States.

I wish I'd had the opportunity to speak one on one with him because I had so many questions for him, and quite frankly, I just wanted to give big hug and say : THANK YOU.

Next I sat in a session about Advanced Pumping Concepts, led by Rick Philben from Animas. Rick works for Animas has a strong background in Athletic Training and Sports Management. He's someone who believes in working out everyday, and practices what he preaches. He also has broken pancreas, so he understands the diabetes/sports conundrums like going low during a workout, post workout highs and experimenting with the temporary basal rate pre-workout, first hand.

Rick also pointed out that pump companies implement all these great bells and whistles on our insulin pumps, like temporary basal rates and pump alarms, and all sorts of amazing functions that we as pump wearers don't actually use them. And he's right, we don't. And we absolutely should.

And that got me thinking: WHY don't I set my pump alarm to remind me to test two hours after I eat, especially when I guesstimated a bolus for lets say, Lasagna or experimented with a temporary basal rate pre Aqua Bootcamp?

I'm great with setting an temporary basal rate, but I'm terrible about setting my pump alarm for things.

Currently, I'm in the process of moving, which is a form of exercise and is a MAJOR form of stress - And also the reason this post is a bit late. But thanks to Rick's talk,I'm now starting to utilize my pump alarm to test in two hour increments during the time I'm packing up boxes and pitching crap (sorry for the colorful term, but that's exactly what I'm doing,)just to see where I'm at. And because I have the tools to do it, so why not? Thanks Rick!

Rick showed us this slide: The history of insulin pumps

Yep, we've come a long way baby!

Next I had the opportunity to sit in a session led by Korey Hood, PHd and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the UCSF/ Staff Psychologist at UCSF's Madison Center for Pediatric Diabetes and he talked about Diabetes Stress and Burnout and how to handle them better. Yeah, I definitely needed to some coping mechanisms, so I was all over it. Korey spoke about how little changes in the way we handle things, like word choices. Don't use "bad" when it comes to a high blood sugar number, it's not bad. Now we what we are and where we need to go. It was really interesting for me as an adult who grew up with type 1 to see the parents POV regarding their own diabetes stress and burnout.

News flash: They suffer from D stress and burnout too, BIG TIME. While it may be their children's' disease, they take on the stress and burnout just as much as we do, sometimes more so, because kids are resilient and get used to having a broken pancreas, but parents never stop worrying about us, even when we aren't kids anymore.

Finally, I sat in on Gary Scheiner's talk on Managing Hypos. I have to say, every time I hear Gary speak, I learn snew thingsw. This time, one of the new things Gary taught me was what a D'OH (think of Homer Simpson slapping his head and saying D'OH) means. D'OH stands for: Delayed Onset of Hypoglycemia due to exercise. HELLO, that occurrence actually has a real name? I was floored to learn that.

Gary something that stuck with me: Quantify your lows and stratigize to minimize - And plan for proper treatment of the lows.

Gary went on to mention that chocolate milk,(YES chocolate milk, which blew my mind) and foods high on the glycemic index like: pretzels, vanilla wafers & jellybeans were a great way to treat and prevent D'OH, which was news to me, especially the pretzels, I'd previously given up on pretzels, but now I'm seriously considering using them as a post workout snack to prevent D'OH.

I didn't get a chance to go to all the sessions - It was only a 1.5 day conference. But If I could have magically split myself in two and attended all the sessions, I TOTALLY would have.

Besides learning boatloads of stuff,f I had the chance to meet families from as far away as Nova Scotia (YAY CANADA) and the opportunity to reconnect with members of the diabetes on-line community.

Like.....

My girl Gracie, who brought home the gold!

Gracie & photo courtesy of Penny over at ASweetGrace.com

DOC Crew

Photo Courtesy of SUM's Kerri Sparling~

Four chicks with Diabetes walk into a bar....... And a fantastical time was had by all!

Photo courtesy of "Kerri Sparkles," I mean Kerri Sparling!

Speaking of sparkles, my Blue Circle Bling was courtesy of Penny Starr Ashton!

On Sunday morning, Diabetes Dad Tom Karlya was the closing speaker.

Tom had us all (including Penny) laughing & crying.

And then it was time to go home.........

And that was a bummer, because I wasn't ready to go home - I wanted to stay, and learn, and do.

BUT........

As I was driving home from CWD, I kept looking at my wrist on the steering wheel and I couldn't stop smiling at my green bracelet!

I'd waited a long time to wear one again and I wasn't going to take it off.

I had a great time at the Children with Diabetes Focus on Technology Conference and I'd come away with a better understanding of myself, my diabetes my diabetes hardware, and my diabetes options.

And I kept thinking about Florida and The Children With Diabetes Friends For Life Conference in July.

And come hell or high water, I'm going to find away to make it happen - For several reasons.

I LOVE Diabetes Land, and that's what being at a CWD Conference is, it's Diabetes Land.

I LOVE being with others who speak the language of diabetes in all dialects.

I LOVE seeing old friends and making new ones and never having to worry about testing or being out of glucose tabs, or the fact that my pump won't stop beeping.

And in Diabetes Land, everyone is testing, grabbing (and offering) glucose tabs, and their pumps are just as noisy as mine.

And I LOVE being in charge of my diabetes, instead of my diabetes being in charge of me.

And bottom line, Children With Diabetes helps me be in charge of my diabetes.

Even though technically, I haven't been a cwd for a very time~

Talking With Tip4Type1's Tonya Homme

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

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

Tips4Type1 Blue & Silver Nail Polish

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHY I started Tips4Type1?

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. Who manufactures the nail polish?

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

4. How's the response been so far?

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

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

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

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

5. Do you see your t4t1 line expanding?

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

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

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

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

Mom ad I, four months before I was diagnosed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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


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


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

And The Heavens Have A Bright New Shining Star........

Marjory - Ice Capade Starlet
On Friday night, September 23rd, surrounded by her family, my mom went to heaven.
The world is a much less beautiful place without her presence but the heavens have a bright new shining star.
I was lucky enough to have been given the gift of Marjory as my mother, and I am incredibly lucky to have had so many years with her.

She taught me to laugh and smile and to look at the glass "half-full" instead of half empty.

She taught me that sparkles and red lipstick were a must, and should always be accompanied by a smile.

Marjory believed in eating dessert first whenever possible and that being stuffy wasn't a good look for anyone.

My mother was classy and street smart all rolled into one, with a great attitude and a good sense of humor thrown in for good balance.

My mother found religion in her garden and talked with God daily, and one on one.

She drank her tea from china cups, poured from a china teapot and liked her beer ice cold and in a bottle.

Mom lived to have fun - She'd had a lot of tragedy in her life and she knew heartache.

She'd lost both her parents, her brother and little sister, and her daughter Debbie, who died from type 1 diabetes. Most people would have understood if she became bitter and mad all the time, but my mother was strong-minded and strong-willed, and she refused to let the sadness overwhelm her.

Instead, she learned from heartache to appreciate all that life had to offer.

My mother was saucy, fun, sweet, funny, tough as nails, and ferocious when it came to protecting her loved ones.

She was proud of her children and in awe of her grandchildren.

She was a loyal friend and her "happy go lucky" attitude was infectious.

My mother always left her attitude at the door and taught me that the most beautiful woman in the room could also be the most kind and loving.

Mom, I love you more than words can and express and I miss you so much that my heart literally aches from the loss.

But I know that you are at peace and out pain and with Daddy and Debbie and your parents, Uncle Roy and Fern, Mark & Tommy and the rest who passed before you.
I know that you are among the stars, sipping Pino Grigio
and wearing a kick-ass pair of platform wedge shoes, or maybe those custom Stanzione Ice Skates and having a blast up in heaven.

I told you on Friday that it was all right to go home and I made you a promise that I'd be OK because I am my mother's daughter.

And I won't go back on my promise to you - No matter how much I hurt or what obstacles come my way.

I love you with all of my heart and It was truly the greatest gift of my life to have had you as my mother.

Thank you for that gift and all your love!!

Mom & I, Pink & Red Hats Tea

CHEERS MOM
Mom's obituary:
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Marjory's name to the following Diabetes charities:

https://www.diabetesresearch.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=891

http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=105656

Guest Post: The Land Of Chronic

Photo of Penny & Grace - Snagged from their Blogger Profile

Penny from A Sweet Grace, is "Guest Hosting"today while I'm in the second day of my Canadian Adventure.

Penny and her amazing type 1 daughter Grace are truly fantastical in so many ways!!!

I admire the way Penny parent's Grace, and I love the way she allows Grace to be an active participant in her diabetes. Plus, Penny is a hoot! She makes me laugh and she's a great friend!

Grace is also playing "Guest Host," and she's a real firecracker! Seriously, that girl is funny, bright, articulate, a pistol, and girlfriend is a Diva Fashionista!

I look at Grace, and I see my 9 year CWD self - Sans the fashion sense and the beautiful blue eyes.

And I learn so much from Grace. Like that sequins are not just for evening wear, celery is the 'surprise' in "Tuna Surprise," and I learn to continue to see the world through the eyes of a wise beyond her years & almost tween. Except that I don't have nearly as much confidence as Grace - Or Bieber Fever!

I love Penny and Grace very much - And had it not been for this thing called diabetes, we would have never crossed paths. And like each of you in the DOC, Penny & Grace are what (who?) makes my "diabetes glass," half full.

Take it away ladies!!!!!

The Land of Chronic

By Penny Starr-Ashton

There are days that I still cannot believe it. That Grace has Type 1 Diabetes and it’s for LIFE. I mean, I know it, deep in my soul, that she does and she will. (Insert swelling theme music here and the standard CURE mantra - how many years until the cure, 5-10-20-30 years???) But it’s still hard to believe, if you know what I mean. The un-endingness of it all, the 24/7 of it all, the, well, the chronic-ness of it all.

May I have the definition of chronic please?

chronic : always present or encountered; especially : constantly vexing, weakening, or troubling <chronic petty warfare>

Well, thank you Merriam-Webster, cause that’s a little enlightening don’t you think?

Always present. Yep, that one was right on the money. It’s always there, the need to address the diabetes. Every. Darn. Day. It always shows up, is never absent and it’s never late. It would have been a good school student, getting that A+ for perfect attendance all these years. It’s just always, so, here.

Always encountered. Looking for a chance meet-up? Count on diabetes. It’s everywhere. It’s in the walking, the eating, the laying down, the running, the sleeping, the showering, the gardening, the snacking, the playing and I could go on, but the darn things shows up everywhere. It’s like the party guest you cannot get rid of no matter how you try. I look around corners and there it is. I open the bread drawer and there it is. Damn thing needs a home, and not mine.

Constantly vexing. Did you totally just nod your head and say ‘Absolutely!’ cause tell me that you ate the same thing two days in a row and bolused the same and got different numbers, right?! Right. Vexing is too pretty of a word, it conjures up spells and witchery and a little sexy number too. Diabetes, I have never once thought of you as sexy, I am afraid to say. You do vex me in the way you operate though, slyly upping the numbers one day, slyly sending the numbers down the next. You do constantly try to trick me and you throw me a total conundrum wrapped in a puzzle wrapped in a sphinx wrapped in a soft pretzel with cheese sort of trick. It can only be unlocked through an extended bolus with a temp basal with a step to the right, a 360 turn and three jumps while scratching your head. Yeah, you vex alright.

Weakening. Oh diabetes, sometimes you weaken my spirit. The chronic-ness of it all weighs on me at times and I try not to let my 9 year old gal see it. But you sometimes weaken my heart and my brain. My strength breaks down and in slips nasty thoughts of night-time lows, not waking up, ketones and DKA. But I have some words for you diabetes: I am stronger. Grace is stronger.

Troubling. In more ways than one, huh?! Trying to SWAG a bolus for a homemade cupcake brought in for a school treat that has ‘a lot of icing Mommy’ over the phone, when it’s time to eat lunch in school and she’s already late as it is. That’s troubling. Basals that reduce me to tears on some days, trying to figure the damn things out. Worrying about complications, that’s the biggest worry of all. Troubled that my gal will live a shorter life because of diabetes and praying that God takes me first. Troubled about the ‘what if she has a low and no one is around to help her,’ that’s always a doozy too.

Whew. That’s the chronic-ness of the diabetes in our lives. It hits me some days, just like this. It’s like a wave that washes over me, then it’s done. The waves are less than they were at the beginning of Grace’s diagnosis and I suspect in the next 5-10-20 years they will subside to tinier waves, as we all grow and change and well, accept more.

Thankfully, and mercifully, most of our days are spent not in the chronic part of our lives. They are spent in the moment, the non-troubling, non-vexing, non-weakening moment. I don’t pretend to live there all the time though. The land of chronic calls me to visit every now and then.

Diabetes Stinks

by Grace Ashton

I love the summer, but I hate diabetes.

It’s fun to go swimming, but not fun to prick.

I love hanging out with my friends, but I hate coming home to test.

I love everything about summer, but I hate everything about diabetes.

Diabetes Dinner Talk Between The Salad & Main Course.

Mom & I, the summer before I was diagnosed ~

Time: July 2011

Place: A restaurant along the back bay in a little Hamlet by the sea.

So I was having dinner with my mother the other night, and as we sat waiting for our dinner entrees to arrive we talked about work, the family, and how freaking hot it’s been this summer.

I was devouring my salad and was amazed with each bite how the combo of radicchio, shaved Parmesan, cherry tomatoes and sliced jalapenos were pulled together in a blanket of awesomeness when lime vinaigrette was added to the mix. Seriously, BEST. SALAD. EVER.

Then, like out of the blue my mom said:

Mom: Kelly, I’m really impressed with the way you take care of your diabetes.

Me: Ahhhh, thanks mom, but I’m still trying to figure it all & I need to do better in some areas. I have to get my A1C lower & exercise more.

Mom: I think you do a great job, I mean you're always testing and you watch what you eat and you have a good attitude.

I really wish your sister had been more like you with her diabetes.

Me: Thanks mom. But don’t blame Debbie, times were so different then - She didn’t have the diabetes tools that we have today. It was SO DIFFERENT.

Mom: I’m not blaming her, I just miss her so much! I can't believe I haven't seen her in 20 years - You know I think about her every single day. I miss her terribly.

Me: Yeah, I know you do. Me too.

Mom: I just think your doing a great job - keep it up.

Me: Thanks for saying that mom & I'll keep trying!

And then we smiled at one another & continued to pick (OK, I was engulfing, not picking) at our salads.

But I could feel my face start to get red and I starting blinking, so I excused myself and said I had to make a Ladies Room run.

I knew if I didn’t get up from the table right then I’d start to cry and I didn’t want to do that.

In the Ladies Room I looked in the mirror and saw my damn near beet red face staring back at me.

I was so happy with my mother's words, but a part me still felt like the 12 year old girl who's Peds Endo told her that that the numbers didn't lie and that she needed to do better. The same child who watched her sister get sicker and sicker from a disease we both shared. I didn't want the sadness of those memories to cloud my mothers words or how they made me feel.

So I blew my nose, splashed my face with water, put on some powder & lipstick and returned to the table.

Mom: Took you long enough - What'd you fall in?

Me: Yep, head first and ass over teacups.

Mom: That sounds like you!

Me: Yeah, I know... I'm my mother's daughter!

And then we laughed.

And then our entrees arrived and a wonderful meal was had by all.