Almost Wordless Wednesday: Beach Buddies~

I'm currently sitting in the waiting room of my Eye Doctor's office right now (thank you Ipad Blogger and InstaEditor apps for allowing me to blog while #waitingwithdiabetes,) and I really, really wish I was at the beach!!
Speaking of, I took the following pic last week while treating a low on the beach and I thought it was cool. 
Also, Glucolift tablets are yummy and the reusable tube is both sand and mud proof (and yes, I speak from experience) and protect those tasty GlucoLift tablets from the elements. And a filled one makes a great beach buddy ;)
Also, the same can be said for being a great thunder buddy!

And YES, I play with my food - 
Even food that helps me get back to "normal" 
during a low blood sugar! 

4 Degrees Of DOC (Diabetes On-Line Community) Separation~

I felt a little funny writing this post & I wasn't sure how to go about telling this story, so I'm just going to tell you what was told to me.
And that it's about us, all of us in the DOC &  the power of our community - And how Health Care professionals are starting to "get it."  
So please know that by I, absolutely do mean WE, every single one of us in The fantastical DOC!

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This past Friday felt like a Monday from hell at the office - It was crazyhectic - and not in a good way. 

When the work day finally ended,  I literally chilled out. I sat in the house with the air conditioner cranked, and in cotton PJ's and tuned out. I started reading Moira's book and was just about to get totally lost in it when my phone rang. 

My good friend C had called me to catch up. We hadn't talked since before my trip so we had a lot to chat about. We talked about the Children With Diabetes Friends for Life Conference and how amazing  was and how good being with others living the diabetes life made me feel.

We talked about how crazy her week had been and how she couldn't wait to relax. We talked about friends and the weather and how I'd been eating a REDONKULOUS amounts of Outshine Fruit Bars since the heatwave started. 

We talked about getting together sooner rather than later and as we were just about to say our goodbyes, she said: Oh my God, I have to tell you something!

Me: OK, shoot.

C: G (her friend with diabetes who'd just moved to our town last year and who wears a pump and a CGM,) went to see a new Endo on Tuesday and he really liked her.

Me: That's great & I'm so glad to hear that!

C: Yeah, it is - But that's not why I'm telling you. Turns out his new Endo asked him if he knew any other people locally who wore insulin pumps.
Sidebar: But seriously though, how flipping cool is that Endo. 
And at first he was like - No, I don't. But then he was like: Wait a second, I do know someone locally who wears an insulin pump. My friend Kelly Kunik wears an insulin pump. And then the Endo was like: Kelly Kunik, the Diabetes Blogger?? 

And G was like: Yeah.  And then the Endo was like: You need to hangout with her because she can help you connect with a whole group of people online that can offer you support when it comes to living with diabetes. 
It's called The Diabetes Online Community and it's a great thing!

And I was like: Come again??

And then I stopped in my tracks and really thought about it. It wasn't so much that she'd recognized my name, though I'll be honest with you, I was flattered. No, it was much more than that. 

It was that this Endo, who worked for a little out of the way satellite office of a very well known teaching hospital in another state, knew about and recognized the importance of the DOC collectively and as a group - And was telling her patient to get online and get involved. 

And G could have mentioned any number of names in the DOC if he'd known them in real life, and his Endo would have been familiar with them. And to me that was huge - And it's what all of us have been working towards and talking about for so long. 

Support when it comes to living with diabetes is incredibly important. To meet others online who walk in your diabetes shoes is an amazing thing. 

Together we give and get support and encouragement to one another and the loneliness that comes with living with a chronic illness dissipates and is replaced by a feeling of empowerment and confidence. 

People with diabetes are not the experts at treating diabetes, but we are the experts at living and dealing with diabetes, 365 days a year and with no time off for holidays or good behavior. Together, we move mountains.... Alone we trudge up hills. 

And the fact that medical professionals are starting to see how much peer support in the form of Diabetes Blogs, Vlogs, On-line Communities, DSMA, etc., is so incredibly important!

And at that moment all the negative of the day disappeared and was replaced by feelings of hope and acceptance and support.

And that my friends was and continues to be, an incredibly beautiful thing~

FYI: Today is all about #dblogcheck ,as in a "check-in" day!
So if you're checking in - I totally appreciate it and thanks in advance for reading/checking in/ slash stopping by!! Also, I hope today is a happy Monday for you, instead of Monday from hell! 

Diabetesalicious Lite July 2013 Edition: With Shout-Outs To: The Heat Wave, #cwdffl13, Check-In Day, Striping Safely, A Beautiful Tribute & A Tween Compliment~

Diabetesalicious Lite July Edition: Brought to you by a crazy ass heat wave, #cwdffl13, Check-In day, Striping Safely, a beautiful tribute & being considered technically savvy by a tween in the know!

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So this whole week of catching up with life (and during a craZy ass heat wave) has been a challenge to say the least and I'm ready for it to be over. 

There's a 50% chance that my insulin has gone skunky in my pump reservoir - I'll know better when I check my lunchtime glucose numbers.

To learn how to keep your insulin from getting skunky, click HERE, HERE, & HERE.

Life post Children With Diabetes Friends For Life 2013 isn't nearly so so fun and all encompassing - I live by myself and I really miss being surrounded by my #cwdffl13 peeps. I miss the hustle and the bustle of that being with family creates and I'm definitely going through withdraw. . 

But enough about me. YOU need to Check-in this Monday, July 21st - As in "checking in" with the blogs you're reading that day - I'm talking to you DOC lurkers and the not so lurkers in the DOC. 

It doesn't require much. Just leave a comment, or a +1, or a facebook "thumbs-up - or whatever Social Media format works best for you, on the posts you read that day. 

And don't forget to follow the hashtag: #dblogcheck.    

You can read more about Check-In Day, HERE. 

Do you "strip safely?" Inquiring minds want to know. No, I'm not getting all types of personal here or trying to make you laugh, this is all about keeping us safe. Right now, test strips can be anywhere from 10 to 20% off the mark when it comes to accuracy in blood sugar readings - And that's not good enough! 

It's time we let our elected government officials know that glucose meter inaccuracy is not acceptable and that the rules have to change! 

And the change starts with all of us - As in everyone of living with diabetes. So, how can you be part of the change? 

It's easy, just go to http://www.stripsafely.com/ to learn more! And thanks to them, I'll be writing a letter to my elected officials and posting it on the blog in the next week! Having trouble getting started? No worries. Strip Safely has a handy page to help you get your letter written  - Click HERE and start writing!

Meri at OurDiabeticLife.com was asked to give the Friends for Life Keynote Speech about the late an wonderful Dr. Richard Rubin and it was incredible.

I had the honor of hearing Meri speak live and was driven to tears. Mer spoke beautifully and from the heart and was amazing. She wrote a post on her experience yesterday and it's a MUST READ.

Also have tissues handy, because you're going to need them! Click HERE and be prepared to read something beautiful in all dimensions. 

Lastly, my 11 year old tween second cousin Gracie and I spent the Fourth of July together and we had a great time! And to top it off, Gracie told me and I quote: You're both media and technically savvy because you have a blog AND an Instagram account !

And that just made me feel so cool beyond belief because Gracie is an uber cool fashionista/ designer/singer/actress and digital native! 

Diabetesalicious Way Back When Post: Dear Kelly In The Past~

This diabetesalicious blast from the past, post originally aired ( I mean posted,) on September 15th, 2008 and I still feel this way 5 years later. 
Even though I still feel this way - And after an incredible week at #CWDFFL13, 
where I was continually reminded in real time by my Green & Orange bracelet wearing family of myself worth in all dimensions! 
I started to think about this post because my #cwdffl13 clan personified what I was feeling when I wrote this post and they made me remember why I wrote it. Thanks guys!
So then I went back and reread it and decided to repost.  
And I'm hoping that by reposting, I will continue to remind myself and anyone else who needs reminding just how fantastical they are - And just how far we've come~
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Wrote this for lots of reasons, all to long to get into. Bottom line, we are imperfect people in an imperfect world - Diabetes or not....And we are wonderful!
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Dear Kelly in the Past -

It’s Kelly from the future. I’m writing you for several reasons. 
*To remind me just how far I’ve come whenever stress and sadness start to creep in regarding life with the big D.
*And how far I still need to go in order to achieve all that life has to offer.
*And to remind others that life goes on and happiness happens, regardless of diabetes. *That there’s stuff (shit) that you to need to move past in order to indeed, live and flourish - d related or not.

*And that as a child or adult with diabetes, you need to live and experience ALL life has to offer.

First off Kelly, please remember no matter how tough life gets with diabetes or otherwise – you deserve the best life has to offer you.
Your not damaged goods because of a faulty pancreas. And every time that voice of self doubt screams out regarding your self worth and what you deserve, remember that everyone – diabetic or not - is never born perfect, no matter how they appear on the outside.

Everyone on earth is born with imperfections and issues and that’s part of life.
Don’t think you deserve less because a very small part of your pancreas doesn’t function.

Only the dead are perfect, and that’s because our memory allows that in order for us to get past the grief.

You deserve it all. To be loved, accepted, and respected. You deserve to reach your dreams, instead of worrying so much about your health and what the future holds, that you actually hold yourself back in the present.

Look to all the positives your diabetes has given instead of just the negatives.

Would you truly be such an empathetic, funny, intuitive person had diabetes not entered your life?

To that gangly 8-year with the face full of freckles: You don’t have to be so brave about it all. It’s OK to cry in front of your family regarding your diagnoses. Your family is scared and sad too.

Continue to look to the funny as way to handle your diagnoses. You’ll be tempted to rebel and embrace the angry side of things. Don’t. It wastes energy, confidence, and precious time that you’ll never get back.

Your first Endo Dr. Baker was right, “you’re only hurting yourself if you don't tell the truth.”

Adolescent Kel: I know your parents drive your crazy, especially about your diabetes.
Please keep in mind that they are suffering and stressing themselves. But because they love you, they aren’t going to show you how horrible your diabetes makes THEM feel!
Now, they might need some persuading to let you do a few things (like wear contacts) but they really let you do so much more than they really were every comfortable with.They’ve let you go on sleepovers; they’ve sent you to camp, allowed you to dance and perform on stage, and always had orange juice waiting in the wings. They let you work and earn spending money. As a child, they never let you wallow in anything even resembling diabetes self pity. They didn’t let anyone else to allow you to wallow in it either.

They prepared you to be an independent adult. Some day, you will appreciate it more than you ever thought possible.

There will come a time in your life when you’ll realize all they did with the knowledge that was available to them, which at the time – wasn’t much. You will be thankful.

I know you're scared about what's happening to your sister Debbie. I also know your really angry. That’s OK.
Please talk to someone.

Speak up when someone hurts you, instead of being stoic. Stoic is for the birds. Taking in all that hurt and anger only hurts you in the long run, no one else.

To quote Don Henley (whom you will have a major crush on in your teens) said it best. “Carrying all that anger, will just eat you up inside.”

Kelly, this is a hard one. Forgive and move on. Let things and people go who have hurt you, no matter how difficult it might be. Remove the weight of sadness from around neck and surround yourself with those who not just embrace you, but who embrace positivity as well. You will learn so many wonderful lessons from them!

Don’t fight diabetes, OWN IT. Because the minute you start to accept your diabetes, you will find that many of the issues that you struggle with regarding diabetes, will fall to the side as you begin to become empowered by ownership of your disease.

What you will be left with is a feeling of control regarding not just your disease, but also your life.

Forget what’s popular with masses and go with what your heart knows is right.

Teen Kelly: Remember that those kids who made fun of you because of your diabetes and those horrible glasses you had to wear, might have been picked on for reasons that in actuality, had absolutely nothing to do with you or your diabetes.
Most likely their parents didn’t understand the whole diabetes thing and children learn from their parents.
Maybe (and just as likely,) they had problems at home much greater than your 14 year old self ever imagined. Problems that were even bigger than your diabetes.
Problems like parents divorcing; eating disorders, sickness in their own families, and struggles within themselves that they shared with no one. Perhaps they suffered from such a poor self-image that picking on your visible imperfections helped them to ignore their own.

Instead of thinking that they might be right, know that they are wrong and are unhappy.
Ignore them and focus on the positive.

And stop wanting a nose job for god sakes! TRUST ME, you’ll grow into your nose and be grateful that you're not one of those poor people walking around with a minuscule nose on large featured face.


Kelly At 16: When someone compliments you, look them straight in the eye & with a smile on your face and say “Thank-you.” And regardless of whether you think you deserve or not.
A compliment is two fold. Yes, it’s given to make the receiver feel good, but it also makes the person giving the compliment feel good.
So don’t diminish or belittle a person's attempt to be nice and confident by brushing it aside and being embarrassed by the kind words said on your behalf.

And remember those compliments, they will get you through the self-doubt.

Listen, I know you don’t want to hear this, but shoulder pads and helmet hair are indeed a "Glamour Don’t," regardless of what Teen Magazine says.

And yes, your mom and was right - Bangs are not your best look, and iridescent lipstick might work for some, but is just makes you look sick.

Kelly at 20: You will be so happy you started with the whole 30 & 50 sunscreen thing, and your 7 year skin plan – TRUST ME. And FYI, the tan goddess bitch who called you "Casper' when you were dating her ex boyfriend – her face looks like a Catcher's mitt now.

Don’t try so hard to prove how normal you are “in spite” of being a person with diabetes.
You will realize that what’s normal for some, is completely abnormal for others, and that’s ok. What I’m trying to say is, your normal is different that someone else’s, and your normal works for you. So run with it!


Kelly in your 20’s: Embrace ALL of who you are.
Go after your dreams, instead of listening to what others think you should do or be.

22 year old Kelly: Remember to tell those you love, that you do indeed love them, no matter how much they might drive you crazy. The people you love won’t be around forever. And trust me, you will miss them terribly when they’re gone.

Kelly, good call regarding your parents. You will be incredibly grateful that you started to say “I love you” every time you said goodbye. They learned to say it back, and they began to say it first, and often. Soon, it flowed more freely than beer at a bbq - and all of you will know how deep the love really was, and is.

To 27 yr old Kelly: You are NOT fat, and no, you're not rail thin. But your parents were right, you are beautiful, inside and out! Please see that instead of only the imperfections.

I know that you're scared that history will repeat itself - it will not.
You're doing what you have to do, so put whatever mistakes you made with your diabetes in the past, and learn from them. It will not only lead you to good health – but to a wonderful world regarding the diabetes community. I world that you’ve tried to shut out instead of embracing for a very long time.

Let your guilt go regarding Debbie. You did the best you could.

To 33-year-old Kelly: Someone who has no love or self- respect for them self, will never have any for you – no matter what they say. If they don’t love, like, and respect who they are, they can’t love, like, & respect you.

Don’t surround yourself with people who won’t do the work on themselves, they’ll only blame you for what they lack from within.

Kelly in real time: Remember too keep loving yourself – all parts of you - even the parts that don't work.

Hold your head up, continue to learn, continue to laugh, and most definitely continue to love.
You are older and wiser. Life has been full of changes, and going with the flow gets a bit tricky at times, but you are lucky to be in the world, and the world is lucky to have you.

And lastly: You are MAGNIFICENT - And never forget that! 
Xoxo
Kelly In The Present~

Children With Diabetes Friends For Life Scribblings

I returned home from #CWDFFL13 (otherwise known as Children With Diabetes Friend For Life Conference,) early this morning and was so amped up and over tired that I actually couldn't you know, sleep! 
So I started scribbling a couple pages of notes on how I was feeling - Until I hit the exhaustion wall and finally went to bed.
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Page 1 of CWDDFFL early morning scribbles re:2013 Children With Diabetes Friends For Life Conference.

Cut to this morning: Right now my mind is racing like crazy (but in a great way,) thanks to 7 amazing (and dare I say "magical") days at the 2013 Children With Diabetes Friends or Life conference that I attended in Orlando this past week.
I need some time to gather my thoughts and wrap my head around what's happened since last Monday - And also play catch-up with work and life - Not to mention laundry. 
SO until my "real" CWDFFL posts, here's a few of last nights scribbles.
When I went over them this morning I changed a few things/added a few things~
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CWDFFL Spells LOVE. #fact

Children With Diabetes was amazing,wonderful, overwhelming & life changing!

Emotions are enhanced at CWDFFL -- Actually your emotions are dialed up to 11 and amplified like crazy!
You laugh harder, cry more tears and your heart opens up wider than you ever thought possible.

#CWDFFL13 was a whole lotta diabetes love in all dimensions!

CWDFFL charges both your Diabetes batteries & your life batteries - It's like a two for one special and I'm all for that!

Hugs - as in giving and receiving are not only appreciated - they are very much needed.
Because even the strongest & the bravest of the green and orange bracelet wearing crew need hugs and a shoulder(s) to lean on every now and then - Not to mention a hand to hold and same said shoulder(s) to cry on when you get completely overwhelmed. ;)

Strangers become family and friends for life.

Parents, siblings and partners have Diabetes Burnout too.

Diabetes Heroes come in all sizes.

You learn so many diabetes and life lessons at CWDFFL - And those lessons are taught by both green and orange bracelet wearing children and adults. And regardless of your age - you are never to old or young to learn and or teach those amazing lessons~

"We are family.... I got all #CWDFFL  family and me!"

Greetings From The Jersey Shore & Riding The Diabetes Tide~

  Greetings From The Jersey Shore & Going with the Diabetes Tide~

July 3rd and 4th were spent running around to see friends and family at the Jersey Shore, counting carbs while simultaneously laughing out loud and being amazed at the ginormous deliciousness of bolus worthy chocolate chip pancakes:↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓

Grace &  I and some ginormously bolusworthy pancakes!
Photo Courtesy of ASweetGrace rocking D-Mama Penny!

 While wearing matching sparkly green gracelets in preparation and in celebration for d friends and d Friends For Life.      

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ASweetGrace & I wearing our Green Gracelets!
Photo courtesy of Sweet Grace's Awesome D Mama Penny!

Not to mention 2 glorious days spent on the beach, counting carbs, watching fireworks, eating all sorts of yummy stuff (why does the beach always make us so hungry?), checking my blood sugars and also continually make sure I had plenty of diabetes supplies on my person, in my suitcase and in my hand bag and lets not forget my beach bag. 

This morning  started early & I was on the road by 8:15 and will be spent running around, prepping and packing for my Friends For Life trip while working and squeezing in all sorts of stuff before I leave.

My diabetes is my responsibility and my companion, accompanying me daily -and regardless of whether it’s a national holiday or your average Monday. 

There were moments on the 4th when diabetes behaved beautifully - and a few moments on the July 3rd where it was down right bitchy. 

There were some moments over the past two days were diabetes was the main topic, and more times than not (and totes ironical,) where my diabetes stayed behind the scenes and quietly waited in the wings. 

My Diabetes tides ebbed & flowed, never reaching riptide status and yours truly went along and enjoyed the life's ride even when the D Tide was challenging~

These past few days reminded me that good friends and extended family are family plain and simple; sunscreen applied liberally to one’s feet should never, ever be forgotten - LIKE EVER. Insulin pumps and rides that go round and round incredibly fast and backwards to boot, survive said rides much better than my stomach and I could ever hope too! 

 Fireworks are magical, cousins make me laugh, my uncle makes me smile and water ice doesn’t necessarily have to be italian~

 (↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓) 

BWAHAHAHAHA

And that diabetes or not, laughter and good times are always needed and very much welcome~

Xoxo & Greetings from The Jersey Shore! 

Art Inspires And Teaches - And That's Exactly What You Do As A Person Living With Diabetes~

This post came directly from and was inspired by, a twitter conversation last night with @xXLovelyLizXx, @betespora , @lesscheid & CelticAncient - And  Kerri's post from today. 

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Here's the thing - don't let anyone make you feel inferior because of your diabetes.

It doesn't fly when people make you feel small, or embarrassed or ashamed because of your busted pancreas and or faulty metabolism. 

It's not acceptable when people blame you for your diabetes and all that comes with it, including complications - And it's not acceptable when we let them.

But lets face it, it's incredibly easy to let others blame us because we blame ourselves all the time - even when we know how hard we try and how far we've come - Diabetes guilt is hard to shake.

You are not broken or second best - far from it. And honestly, I know how easy it is to feel broken and second best - I've been there.  And as long as I'm being all honest, sometimes I'm still there - we all are - That's why we're part of the Diabetes Online Community. 

You are a person with a different definition of normal and more challenges than most... And your strength and determination rivals Atlas. And you my friend are doing what you need to in order to carve a place for yourself in this thing called life..... and life with diabetes.

And life with diabetes isn't a cake walk - Total pun intended. 

Life with diabetes is hard and complicated in all dimensions and It's unrelenting. 

So the next time someone, be it stranger or a well meaning friend, makes you feel bad because of your diabetes and all that comes with it, or shoots you a dirty look when you're about to take your blood sugar or shot at the table - Remember that it's their problem, not yours. 

And for the record, everyone is different when it comes to bolusing or testing at the table - And that's OK. But no one should be ashamed or embarrassed because someone else is making you feel that way - that's their issue - Try your damndest not to make it yours. 

And don't ever deny the world the amazing and individual piece of art that is you.

Art inspires and teaches - and that's exactly who you are and what you do every single day (good days and bad days) as a person living with diabetes~