Sweetsnomo

6.1...and that's a magic number!!

2008-07-01T15:02:00.002-04:00

6.1 That's what my endo told me this afternoon. My last A1c was 7.5 in January. What a difference, huh? I can't believe it. I think that's the lowest since being diagnosed.

And she also wanted to know how I lost eleven pounds. I like how my legs aren't as beefy...they actually have shape and firmness to them.

I've finished the official workout class but have been continuing the last two weeks on my own...and feeling good. I don't like to miss a day now. It's a bit harder with the kids home for summer break but I can still make it to the gym.

My diet has been pretty regular. I eat the same Go Lean and strawberries for breakfast every day, either tuna, turkey or egg salad for lunch with carrots and lo-carb yogurt, and dinner is still fish/bread/veggie or chicken on greens with a bit of feta and lite dressing. (Although I have been in diabetic purgatory since going to the lab last week and have since had a bagel, Doritos and cheesecake - YUM!). But I'm back on schedule today. You gotta splurge once in a while and I did usually once a week.

I'm having a good day!

At It Again

2008-04-08T12:22:00.005-04:00

Well I started a fitness class at the gym one week ago. I can already see a difference in my body and especially my blood sugars. It amazes me that with proper diet and exercise the blood sugars just fall back into "normal" ranges...along with a little help with insulin of which I need A LOT less of now.

The class is three days a week from 9am-10am which consists of Monday and Friday circuit training on the machines (seven stations alternating two different exercises at each). Wednesday is cardio on the treadmill or elliptical machine. We've only done the endurance test so far and they said we'll do 1/2 hour on each. There are 13 people in this class.

The reason I signed up is that I was "livin' life in the 300s". I've seen that statement in one of the blogs and it's always resonated in my mind with every blood sugar test. They were slowly creeping up to where it was routine for me to see 250, 275, 300 and above. Mornings could be anywhere from 145 (which was a good number) to 220. My last A1c was 7.5...up from 7 last October.

It's been three years since diagnosis. And at 42 it's hard to teach a "past puberty puppy" new tricks. I think I still had the mentality that this weekend "is it" then I'll get my s**t together. I'm giving it another shot...hoping to make a lifestyle change instead of a quick fix.

The "diet" is that I get to eat five times per day. Three meals and two snacks. That will take a little time to get used to taking shots for the snacks...unless they are no carb like string cheese or an egg. Why can't the insulin pens have 1/2 unit increments? This would help since I went low twice last week trying to accommodate snacks and meals. A pump would work but I don't want to be hooked up to diabetes all day...sometimes I even forget about it (hence Hubby running back home for insulin when out to dinner).

I would like to lose about 20 lbs. I'm not too overweight but feel uncomfortable for what my body is used to. The doctor says I can eat whatever I want as long as I take insulin to cover it. That won't work if I want to stay fit and trim. I'll try to keep posting on my progress.

Working

2007-10-27T15:35:00.000-04:00

Well I'm still here. Working on my home, working to help the children with their schoolwork, working for money. I've been working from home full time for little over a year now. Switched over from part-time...partly for the money and partly to keep busy (as if I wasn't busy enough). I was working close to full time hours anyway and saw an opportunity to get paid for it.

Diabetes is still here. Working me over. My last A1c in September was 7. Doctor said it was poor diabetes control. They liked the 6.5 better. Summertime was hard for diabetic me. Cool summer pasta salads, potato salads and beer. Hopefully the walking that I did do got me to that 7 or it would probably be higher.

I've already started working on my New Year's resolution...to be in better control...but not at implementing it yet. Why not start today? Well with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching, it doesn't seem like I will win that battle. Maybe I'll make little changes between now and then. But I won't beat myself up too much if I don't.

When I told one of my children's teachers that I was a new diabetic, she knew what I was in for...her husband is a brittle diabetic. She said right off that I'm just supposed to live like everyone should (eat right and exercise). But that's hard to do every day, day after day, without breaks or relief (or that damn candy corn).

Sometimes I forget I'm diabetic (thanks hubby for driving home from the restaurant to get my insulin). Sometimes I can't get it out of my head (fear, anger, etc.). I guess we all have our trials and tribulations. Maybe I'll keep working on keeping my sanity.

Crazy Morning

2007-01-04T23:13:00.000-05:00

Well I didn't do so great today. This morning was a mess. My hubby had to go to an early meeting so I had to get the rest of us out the door myself. I didn't have time to test or eat so I took my stuff with me. Well once I dropped the kids off and went to grab my kit, I noticed (remembered) that I used my last test strip last night and didn't put another bunch in...

After dropping the kids off I drove over to Burger King but kept on driving...it took much willpower to not get a big 'ole breakfast. Trying to lose some weight that this insulin (and bad eating) is putting on now.

SOOOO I go ahead with my morning without testing and without breakfast wondering how high I am. I go back to kid's school to help out in the library for my son's class . I finally got home around 10:30. Test at 140. Not too bad but could have prevented it. Wait to eat since I don't want to have such a late breakfast.

Here's the rest of the day:
??? Around noon have lunch - turkey on whole wheat and an apple (4 units)
101 dinner chicken with ranch, wheat thins (again no veggies) (8 units)
135 (8 levimer and 0 correction)

On a good note, I got a brand new shiny Ford Freestar today with the built in DVD player. We're going to go and watch movies in the minivan. = )

Today and What's Happening

2007-01-04T00:17:00.000-05:00

I thought I would post what my day is like with testing, eating and the MDIs. I am good in the daytime but blow it in the evening.

135 Morning (Go Lean Crunch/Splenda) (4 units)
?? Feel low - Snack (clementine)
93 Lunch (turkey, onion roll, Heart Smart mayo, apple) (4 units)
110 Dinner (2 beers, spicy chicken, ranch dressing, sour cream and onion chips, no veggies) (6 units - usually take 8 but worry about low carbs and beer)
Played a great game of Electronic Star Wars Battleship and was beaten by the seven year old.
229 @ 11pm and really thirsty (should have done the 8 with dinner - do 2 unit correction + 8 Levimer)

That's my day.

Happy New Year

2007-01-01T22:17:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year to my fellow diabloggers. I like the fresh, clean start we have with a brand new year in front of us. Over the Christmas break I've cleaned closets, the basement, and more than a few drawers. We've made our trip to the Salvation Army and the rest is piled at the curb. I'd now like to cleanse my mind of old habits and thoughts.

I've been successful in past years with New Years Resolutions. I think it's the ultimate starting point that's attractive to me. One of the biggies was to quit smoking. Not an easy task after many years of puffing (on and off again).

Now is the time to change my eating (and drinking) habits. I was actually better during December...perhaps that was a bit of a trial run. Like getting in shape for a marathon. Slowly getting my taste buds to like good food again.

I was also at the gym three time last week lifting weights and walked most days for 30 minutes. Exercise really does affect your sugars for the better.

My morning sugars have been better. The past three days were 104, 126, 109. Before that my morning numbers were anywhere from the 140s to 160s (sometime up to 170-190 from those wacky pizza/beer nights) even with the Levimer.

It was easy to exercise while the kids were out of school and I was off work. It will be bit challenging when the daily grind and routine starts again but I must find time. I look at my kids and hope that I 'm around when they are older. I'm pretty sure I'll BE around but I'm hoping to be around and in good shape (physically and mentally) and not a burden.

Happy New Year to you and yours...

Happy D-Blog Day

2006-11-09T14:22:00.000-05:00

It's D-Blog day and I felt compelled to write...although I don't know what I should write about. The daily grind of the 'betes is just that...grinding on and on. I think I feel fortunate to get this disease (did I just write that) at a later stage in life. I was 39 when diagnosed. I feel for the little ones.

I am a nervous ninny as it is with the kids...don't jump in the family room because you'll crack your head open on the fireplace hearth...don't stand with your back to the staircase because you could fall down them. Don't...don't...don't. I can't imagine being a mom of a child with diabetes. With my own daily living I can feel the highs and lows, I know the risks I take (eating that Snickers without a shot). My daughter turned 11 this year. My dad was diagnosed at 11. Whenever she says she's thirsty or has to use the bathroom, I wonder. My son is 7 and sometimes still has accidents in bed...I wonder. I constantly worry that they'll get it too.

As if life doesn't have enough to worry about...I can now worry that they'll get this too.

I don't like this disease...don't...don't...don't.

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

2006-09-06T23:40:00.000-04:00

Well...I drank more than I should have over the summer. I have my reasons and rationalizations. I believe I've been trying to get my fill since once I start the long-acting insulin the game will change. I will not longer be able to drink freely like a non-diabetic (although should anyone really drink too freely?).

So...slowly over the summer I drank a bit more each "time". I'll first describe the time as on Friday and Saturday evenings. Then the time tended to include Sunday (my husband drinks on Sundays since pressures at work tend to hit him a bit). Then the time changed a bit with vacation (a few drinks each vacation day, maybe a little earlier in the day). Upon returning from vacation, I wanted the good times to continue so I would have one or two or five on Monday or Tuesday or whenever.

Now here at the beginning of September I am drinking every day. Is this the making of an alcoholic? Is this how it starts?

I used to only drink to get drunk and these were reserved for parties or outings. I didn't really like the taste of beer (my buzz of choice). Now I crave it. I am actually looking at the clock and seeing if it is okay to have one (think Spanglish and Cloris Leachman's character).

I think I'm trying to cram a lifetime of casual drinking in before I start the Levemir. What I'm doing is not casual. I picked up my lovely, new pens last week. I haven't tried it yet. I don't want to try it while I'm drinking.

I don't want to give this part of my life up. This is the one thing I think will really make me a true diabetic. I know I'm a true diabetic but this one thing in my mind is what makes it so - not the injections of Novolog, blood testing, carb counting. Doesn't that sound crazy? It does as I type it.

I need to stop...I know I can but I don't want to.

Feed a Body Good

2006-06-06T23:27:00.000-04:00

I watched the Oprah Show the other day. It featured Dr. Mehmet Oz and a 90-day live longer, feel younger plan. They focused on a woman whose calendar age was 42 but her body age was 56! I was shocked to see a lot of similarities with her regarding how I eat and what I drink. I think I exercise a bit more but there are days when I do feel as exhausted as she looked. The doctors attributed the tired feeling to way she feeds her body. They went through her refrigerator and pantry (which looked an awful lot like mine - heavy on the awful) and was amazed, but not surprised, by what they showed. Most of the food she had was very bad for the body (enriched flour items, hidden heavy sugar/high fructose corn syrup products, salt laden items). She had very little that was worthy of eating to keep the body in good condition.

They also showed an actual heart bypass surgery on a 65 year old woman (very graphic but to the point). The heart was covered in fat...not the pink, pulsating muscle you would think would be in there. Scary. It was eye-opening to "see" how the heart suffers by the choices we make.

I love chicken strips, Stouffer's, pierogies...smothered in ranch, sauce or sour cream. I love salads only if covered in cheese and Thousand Island. What nutrition I do get could be MUCH better. I believe I am addicted to these tastes (fat, salt, etc.) with full-blown withdrawal if I don't eat it for a while.

I must try to change the way I eat...as soon as we can eat all the bad stuff in the fridge and pantry.

Finally...

2006-05-19T10:22:00.000-04:00

my clock is ready.

Time Runs Differently in a Clock Shop

2006-04-26T11:26:00.000-04:00

Clock Shop: Hello. Clock Shop.
Me: Hi, I'm calling to check on my clock.
Clock Shop: What do you want to check on it for...
Me: To see if it is done (I sent in a Hamilton School Clock for repair in January).
Clock Shop: Hold on...(on hold for a few moments)...not done yet.
Me: Okay...can you tell me when it will be finished?
Clock Shop: Well...these repairs take time. Sometimes we try to fix it then we have to hang it on the wall and watch it for a while to see if it is fixed.
Me: Should I call back and check in a couple of weeks?
Clock Shop: No.
Me: What?!?
Clock Shop: Well...when you call we have to answer the phone which takes us away from the workbench and we can't get our work done.
Me: O...kay...I guess I'll wait to hear from you then.

(Now I know how time runs in a clock shop.)

Lows and Shopping

2006-04-19T19:35:00.000-04:00

We all know that it's not a good idea to go shopping while hungry. How about shopping while experiencing a low? I was actually in the grocery store yesterday and started to feel a little funky. I didn't have my tester but I am all too familiar with the feeling: can't concentrate and make a decision, numb lips, view a little black around the edges.

Well I picked up those spicy chicken bites I discovered at the meat counter (already cooked and ready to heat up-yum!), Fritos, those sugar cookies with the thick frosting (on sale-bonus!), ketchup chips (huh?). I did manage to get the things I could remember (since I forgot my list): bread, milk, OJ, dinner for the family. $57 dollars later we are out the door. I did have a few Starburst to bring me up a bit while walking around.

You would think I could wait until dinner, but no. I scarfed the chicken (smothered in ranch), Fritos, and two (not one but two) delicious cookies. Covered it as best I could with insulin using the S.W.A.G. bolus system. Good thing the kids wanted to go for a bike ride.

I could have considered all that dinner but I bought all the fixings for tacos and that sounded really good so, of course me and my willpower, had a taco later...and three beers (low carb). Some days when you're going downhill you just continue along with the momentum building.

This morning's BG tells the story of yesterday...161. Another day in the life. =)

The results

2006-04-05T14:25:00.000-04:00

Well the results are in...6.6 on the A1c. I know some people don't tell but I feel that I would like to put it out there if this information could help someone else. My last test was 6.5 and I was seeing how far I could go with bad eating (fast food, late night snacks, popcorn with movies, birthday cake, all of life's temptations), a few (too many) brown pops (beers) and was expecting a lot worse.

The doc says no to Lantus so far. I am to stay with the Novolog Flexpen with meals on a sliding scale. It has been usually 4 units per meal. She did suggest an increase in my dinner time Novolog to six units for the 45-60 carbs that I eat.

I actually did this for the first time last night. I took six units with dinner but I did drop to 61 two hours later so I drank eight gulps of OJ. Checked 1/2 hour later and was at 81. Went to bed and this morning my numbers were...(drum roll please) 88. Wow! It does work if you go to bed with a good number that you can wake up with a good number.

I haven't been testing at night since I only get enough supplies for three tests a day. I usually end up purchasing another set of 25 strips due to testing when I'm low, a few goofed tests or the one you waste in order to calibrate your meter with each new bottle of strips.

This morning I was SHOCKED to see an 88. I think this is the first reading below 120 since diagnosis one year ago. Needless to say that I am pleasantly surprised. Let's see if I can keep it up.

I just wonder why Lantus is not a part of my regimen? It seems that other site I've read about have them on Lantus right away. Maybe I'm still honeymooning somewhat.

Not so different...

2006-03-28T13:23:00.000-05:00

I just realized last night as I made the treat for my daughter's class (9th birthday) that there are other ailments that need a lot of attention. My daughter and I were making "Ice Cream Cones" by using cake mix in the cones and frosting for the "ice cream". While we were making these treats, she reminded me that a child in her class was allergic to nuts. This got me to thinking about his life and what he and his family must endure every day.

What must life be like in his house? How does his mom handle his meals? We as diabetics can pretty much eat anything we want with a bit of math wizardry and bolusing finesse. What would it be like to not be able to eat a certain food because it could literally KILL you? There is a "nut fee" table in the lunchroom for these special kids. Does he feel singled out because of this? Would I feel different if I had to sit at a different table because of my diabetes?

How does the mom feel as she shuttles her child off to school everyday wondering if someone next to her son will accidentally give him something with nuts. I'm sure they have their warnings and instructions (Epi pen in school office). It also reminded me of Sandra Miller's son when he is offered class treats. As an adult I feel I can navigate this disease without too much difficulty. I feel for the parents that must send their precious darlings out into the world with these added burdens.

Well we included the ingredient labels for our treat so he can determine if he can eat it. We were pretty sure but didn't want to take any chances.

Weak for a Week

2006-03-27T10:56:00.000-05:00

Do I get to have a free week between having my blood drawn and my endo appointment? By "free week" I mean letting my guard down against this beast. I don't mean not testing or taking my insulin...just a little respite from the process. The thought that creeps into my mind at times is "The doctor won't know since she'll see my numbers from last week..." so go ahead and eat this or drink that. Don't take me too seriously since I know my health in the future will definitely be affected by what I do and don't do now. This is the just mindset I have after my blood test is done.

On another note, my daughter had her ninth birthday party this weekend. She wore us down and we got her a hamster. She has been lobbying for three years for this little creature. I told her and my husband it was up to them to keep the little thing alive (by feeding her and keeping the cats away). I've got enough on my plate. It IS cute. I can see me in our office in the near future with this little creature on my shoulder becoming fast friends...

"Don't You Judge Me"

2006-03-21T20:12:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow I go in to get my blood drawn for testing. I have my endo appointment next week and am a little anxious about it this time. My sugar levels in the morning have been consistently higher. I know that these will affect my A1c. The doctor said to call her if they are higher than 150. I've seen a few but I haven't called her.

My last A1c was 6.5. Right on the line of being good. I know this one will be higher. It has to be (not that I'm trying...I'm counting carbs and watching what I eat - really!)

The one before that was 7. When the doctor came into the room on that visit she looked at me and asked what I've been doing to make my number go higher. I felt as if I was in the principal's office...and I've done something wrong. Maybe I was reading her wrong.

I know she is there to help me. I can't help but get the feeling that I'm being judged. Maybe when the doctor comes in asking what's up this time I'll quote Joy's mom in "My Name Is Earl" by saying...

"Don't You Judge Me, Doc!"

Spring Cleaning (My Health)

2006-03-16T10:19:00.000-05:00

Well we had a taste of spring here the other day with warm weather...it got me into the "spring cleaning" mood. I've since dusted the ceiling fans and blinds. I've also been vacuuming under furniture, on top of doors and reaching high for those cobwebs that swing in the breeze.

While I was doing this I was thinking a lot about how I concentrate a lot about the external environment that I live in. How much attention have I been paying to my internal environment? Obviously I've paid more attention in the past year since I was diagnosed but probably not as much as I should.

I think it was the initial shock of diagnosis and then the subsequent stages (denial, anger, depression and, finally, acceptance) that I've gone through that have prevented me from entering into my new lifestyle with a "gung ho" attitude. Kind of like taking baby steps through each process. Dipping my toes in and testing the water before jumping in. I guess this is the good thing about the honeymoon phase and the fact that I wasn't too out of control at the time I was diagnosed (no DKA or ketones). Also, the docs started me on Glyburide (ala type 2) then switched to insulin after six months with a new diagnosis of type 1.5 (or LADA).

I intend to "spring clean" my inner self - both mind and body - so I can live a healthier, long life. If those Cleveland brothers (Bob and Gerald) can live for 70+ years with this disease with all the hard work they had to do over the years with boiling and sharpening needles and testing urine by boiling it and treating it with chemicals...I feel that I can make a better go of it.

Well I better go test and have a nutritional lunch. I'll also try to get the cobwebs out of my brain by doing a crossword puzzle. Happy (early) spring!

Okay

2006-03-08T22:13:00.000-05:00

147 this morning. Better, but I think we're heading toward Lantus Street.

Ack...

2006-03-07T10:03:00.000-05:00

175 this morning. Let's see what happened yesterday.

I had a pretty controlled day. At lunchtime I was at a good 87. I had an egg salad sandwich with a clementine. 4 units of Novolog. Good. Hungry at 3pm and had a low-carb yogurt. Still good.

The kids came home from school and decided they wanted English Muffin pizzas (yum!) so I thought I would join them. Been a little hungrier lately. So I check and I'm at 94. I should probably just wait until dinner (as the d-guy on my shoulder wispers in my ear). I take two units of insulin (too little - you'll see). My little guy only wants half so of course I still make a whole and eat the other half along with one I intended to eat. At 7pm I'm at 202 (see) so I take 5 units of Novolog to cover the high and my typically healthy weekday meal. I eat meatloaf, green beans, salad with cheese and 1000 island (yum again). I notice that the carbs are pretty low. I figure I'll have a little something later to cover the inevitable low.

Well got busy with the nightime routine and, sure enough, feeling a little funky. 41 at 9pm!!!!! As Kerri's dictionary states this is an "official scary number". But then I went crazy. What's the diabetic dictionary term for this? How about "Feeding Frenzy". I had six Thin Mint cookies, a handful of Fritos, and probably three servings of peanuts. Total carb count somewhere around 58 grams. Not the 15 grams and wait 15 minutes. I told you I went crazy. I rationalize that with a drop that I just experienced I probably still have some active insulin that might cover some of the carbs.

Checked before bedtime and was at at 147. A little high. My Novolog pen doesn't deal with half doses so no way to correct. Too afraid to take one whole unit before sleep. So I went to bed and hoped for the best.

You see the results: 175 this morning

Trying not to kick myself too much. Don't have too many lows and that hungry feeling was too powerful. I'll be better today. =)

Meal Planning (and Morning Blood Sugars)

2006-03-06T14:03:00.000-05:00

My endo said to call her if my sugars go above 150 for my morning reading. Well they've been bouncing around between 130 and 148 for the past few weeks so I haven't called her. This morning it was "167"! I've never had a reading like that in the morning...pretty new and scary for me.

The readings had been creeping up so I started to walk on the treadmill again. Well I've been a little lax the past two weeks. It's a catch 22...I'm tired so I don't walk but I know that I'll gain more energy if I walk. I'd rather be on the couch watching Oprah and eating Fritos.

(Author takes a break to hunt through the kitchen for a snack - choses low-carb yogurt so we're good to go)

I am taking only Novolog with meals on a sliding scale (4 units if reading between 100-150). I am not on long-acting insulin. I am afraid of the long-acting. The reasoning is probably because I've seen my Dad have a few episode of hypoglycymia and think that I won't wake up...

This morning's reading could be attributed to the weekend foods...I tried a banana bread recipe with Splenda and 1/2 whole wheat flour...not like the real thing but pretty close. I only ate tiny bits (and one was when I was low) and incorporated it into my meals along with insulin. I guess I can't do this. Damn this disease. I love banana bread. My kids love banana bread. It's about the only thing I can make and now I think it's freaking out my sugars. Can I still make it for them and not eat it...I think I can but I will probably watch them as I drool.

Let's see if we can figure out what went wrong. I know what the diet should look like (a small card-size piece of fish, salad with oil/vinegar, veggie or two). This is how my weekend meal plan actually turned out (which feels like having the window shades up when its dark outside):

Saturday -(morning bg 137)
breakfast - bacon/lettuce/tomato sandwich with a little eggs on the side (reg. bread)
lunch - hot ham and cheese sandwich (reg. bread)/banana bread
dinner - sloppy joes with Fritos (had two low-carb beers)
snack - popcorn (no insulin due to beers)

Sunday - (morning bg 144)
breakfast - bacon/lettuce/tomato sandwhich with a little eggs (reg. bread)
snack - apple
lunch - hot ham and cheese sandwich (reg. bread)
(*edit-I forgot I had six Thin Mint cookies w/2 units of insulin)
dinner - sloppy joes with Fritos/a little banana bread
snack - peanuts

I say an overall D diabetic meal plan. I called the dietician but she has not called me back. I know the little plastic foods. I know portion control. I really don't eat THAT much. I just think my food choices are not the best. Notice the lack of veggies.

*I just remembered I had those darn cookies yesterday. That's why my sugars were probably wacky this morning. I did take two units of Novolog. Shouldn't that take care of that??? Just frustrated that I can't even have a cookie (or six)...

Let's see if I can get them down with better eating during the week.

One Year Anniversary

2006-03-02T11:03:00.000-05:00

I will be "celebrating" tomorrow as it will be one year since being diagnosed with diabetes. Now I know that this is not something that is to be celebrated with all out parties and presents (unless you consider the medical supplies that the UPS man delivers). But I think this community of fellow PWD might understand the passing of this "milestone".

It was one year ago that I had my annual girly exam and had complained of feeling a bit tired lately and it's been hard to shake a sinus and other infections I had over the winter. Nice doctor sends me to the lab just to get my blood checked. No worries. These things usually always come back showing nothing unusual.

Two days later at 9:30pm I get a call from the nice doctor. It can't be good news when the doctor calls - especially that late. Didn't Larry David have a show highlighting the perils of calling after 9?!? Anyway, nice doctor says the lab called him and recommended that I go to the emergency room...my blood sugar came back high. Is 480 high? How high is high? The numbers didn't mean anything to me at the time. He said that this was the first time that he's ever had these tests come back with this type of result. Nice to know that I can now be counted as a "first" with him. I thanked the nice doctor.

I told hubby not to worry. It's probably nothing serious and to stay home with the kids...they just were put to bed. Don't mention anything yet and don't worry.

So off to the emergency room I go. I bring a book but can't even think of focusing on it. So in goes the IV and out comes more blood for testing. I remember one of the nurses saying "...now that you are a diabetic..." my mind was swimming. How can I be a diabetic. I'm not a kid (39) - too old for juvenile diabetes. Right? I didn't think I was old enough for what my Grandma had...it didn't make sense. The nurses kept injecting insulin into the IV to try to bring my sugars down. It didn't come down until 6am the next morning. I had my first low that morning...57. The nurse was happy that I could sense the low. No hypoglycemic unawareness. Yay! (I guess).

I met with the diabetic nurse. She seemed sympathetic at the time. She told me to go home and take Glyburide (5mg twice a day). She'll see me in a couple of days. She said I probably have had diabetes for a little while and that a few more days of highs were not going to hurt. So off home I went as a new Person With Diabetes. The road from inital Type 2 to Type 1.5 (LADA) would take another seven months to figure out.

Well that's how it was one year ago. I had my wedding rings engraved with the wedding date. What do you engrave for diabetes? I have seen some nice medical tatoos...Hmmm.

Paczki

2006-02-28T09:16:00.000-05:00

Mmmm...Here I sit with my paczki (pronounced poonch-key). On fat Tuesday it is a given. For those who don't know it's a lot like a super-sized, jelly filled donut. In Poland, the paczki tradition was brought about when perishables such as lard and eggs had to be consumed before Lenten fasting.

This year I have a different relationship with my paczki. I know I really shouldn't eat it. My endo would say something like, "You know you shouldn't eat that!" Easy for her to say. She doesn't have diabetes. And it was interesting when I asked if she did. She gave me a shocked look with an emphatic "No!" like it would be a terrible thing.

Anywhere from 350 - 500 calories each and somewhere around 25 grams of fat. I don't know how many carbs. I don't know how this will affect my blood sugar. Last year I had four...FOUR! Let's see if I have restraint this year. Maybe a good polka after consumption and will help the blood sugar!

Prevention

2006-02-26T17:59:00.000-05:00

Call me crazy but I've stopped my subscription to Prevention magazine. I laugh when I think about it. Actually we are trying to save pennies here and there but it sounds better if I just say "It's too late. I've already got it." LOL

The Diabetes I Knew

2006-02-25T20:51:00.000-05:00

My first experience with diabetes was not my own. It was my Dad's illness. When I was little my Dad needed shots...I didn't know how many or how often. My parents didn't discuss it or make a big deal about it.

I remember my Dad having a foot problem. It started out with a blister on his heel from new shoes. It was more like a hole in the back of his foot. It wouldn't heal. I would help him by getting the Betadine and gauze. I remember the smell.

My Dad loved the lake. He couldn't go in it because of his foot. He got as close to it as he could by sailing and boating. Strong memories overcome me at times while pumping gas...the smell reminds me of the gas tanks on the boat.

At the age in life when I was trying to get as far away from my parents as possible (20) he left first. I came home and was told that Dad passed away at work. In a stairwell. I wonder how long he was there before he was found. Why was he taking the stairs since he was having leg troubles lately? He had been laid up with pains and was in bed for a couple of weeks. Not good for a man that can't sit still. I think he wanted to die at work. He loved what he did.

He was forty-four when he died. He died from a heart attack that was diabetes related. He was diagnosed at age eleven.

I feel guilty that I did not spend the last days, months, years getting to know him better. I was involved in my life and thought he would be around for a while longer. I thought I would have more time with him. I have many questions that I would have asked. What type of investments should I make? What's wrong with the water heater? How was your day?

These were the first thoughts when I was diagnosed. Foot problems, heart attack and early death. I was scared. It has been one year since I was diagnosed. I now realize that there are better ways of controlling diabetes. Better testing. Better medicine. Better...

My husband will be forty-four this year. My daughter will turn eleven. They are not sick but their ages make me remember my dad. Both ends of his disease spectrum.

I miss him.

2006-02-24T11:27:00.000-05:00

Hi...new here. I was diagnosed in March, 2005 with diabetes. They started treating me as a type 2 diabetic. I was 39 and losing weight (down to 116#) which was not the typical type 2. After further testing they found I have the antibodies that show beta cell destruction...so I am type 1 (or LADA). I stopped the Glyburide since it was flogging my pancreas to create more insulin with what little ability it had left. Now on MDI of Novolog.

It's been close to one year and sometimes feels like an eternity. I started this post to just put my thoughts somewhere about this disease and me.