Hate Math. Love Chocolate.

Entertaining Diabetes

Maybe Bret is trying to turn over a new leaf. Maybe he wants to go from Diabetes Douche to Diabetes Diva. Maybe.

Our hero, Bret Michaels, is a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice. Oh, lucky masses. The first challenge the celebs were given was to raise money for their chosen charity. I love this because I think celebrities should do more with their money than get botox and plastic surgery. Help people. That’s the right thing to do….and they do. Sometimes.

Bret was the team leader and gave the name ‘Rock Solid’ to his male compadres. Quite the marketing genius since ‘Rock Solid’ is also the name of Bret’s t-shirt line. Anyway, 'Rock Solid' chose to donate to children with Type 1 Diabetes. YAY! Hurrah! It always makes a Diabetic happy to hear one of the organizations that may save her life was given a healthy sum of money.

Trump’s boardroom is generally entertaining. It’s even more entertaining when the team playing for your health wins. ‘Rock Solid’ earned $100,000 that was donated to the American Diabetes Association.

Good on you, Bret. I’ll lay off the insults…until the next time you decide to be a shitty Diabetes mentor.















In other entertainment news, Crystal Bowersox is the latest Diabetic celeb tearing the house down. I am not a regular viewer of American Idol, but when I do tune in, this girl rocks my socks. In fact, she is rock solid. (teehee) Crystal is quirky, raspy, passionate and sings with soul. She is definitely one of my favorites and not just because she shoots up.

Perhaps the reason behind the soul is because she hasn’t been walking on the easy road of life. She comes from a poor family of farmers, was bullied at school, has divorced parents, played music on the streets for money, is a young mother AND has a chronic disease. Holy moly.

Crystal made news by ending up in the hospital a couple of weeks ago for some Diabetes related problems which threw the show for a loop. So glad she was able to kick D’s ass. She returned to take on AI and kick their ass, too. I think that this 24 year old, who was diagnosed with Type 1 in 2005, is going to give the AI contestants a run for their money. I really do. The bubblegum, moldable, pop star is not what is appearing on stage this season. And…I like it. A lot.

Crystal isn’t the only AI contestant with Type 1 Diabetes. You all remember Elliott Yamin, don’t you?














We all know Nick Jonas is the teen face of Type 1 Diabetes so I won’t go into great detail over him. I’m 42 and not interested in having any Jonas Brothers songs weaving in and out of my mind. But, what makes Nick rise above celebs like Bret in the mentor category is that he actually IS a spokesperson for Diabetes. He goes above & beyond teaching, spreading awareness & helping kids deal with Type 1 Diabetes. In fact, all three brothers are advocates of something. Diabetes, Special Olympics and Volunteering. Kudos to you, Jonas Brothers, kudos to you.














Lastly is the Olympic cross country skier, Kris Freeman. He's sporty, strong, AND cute as a button! Finding out he was a Type 1 Diabetic just offered him another challenge that he was determined to beat. However, Diabetes beat him and his sugar crashed during a 30k run at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

Luckily, a German coach came to Freeman’s rescue with a Gatorade and some energy gel that was loaded with sugar. Freeman was able to finish the race. Art imitates life. This disease tries to bring us down daily and we keep fighting the fight.

Kris Freeman was quoted as saying ‘I don’t identify myself as Diabetic, I identify myself as a cross country skier.’ He also said he wanted to show the Diabetes community what was possible.



















Like I said...yum.

I think most of us in the Diabetic community do believe that anything is possible. Anything and everything. We are all just waiting. I am pretty sure they feel the same as I do. Tired of entertaining Diabetes.

*Peace.

Hello, 2010

There is a poem entitled ‘What Cancer Can’t Do’. I bought a gift with this poem inscribed on it and gave it to my friend who is a Breast Cancer Survivor. While I was sitting here thinking about the past decade, the past year, the upcoming year and what role Diabetes has played & will play in each, I remembered this poem.

Only....I changed it.

Diabetes is so limited....
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot eat away peace.
It cannot destroy confidence.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot shut out memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot reduce eternal life.
It cannot quench the spirit.

What a wonderful way to end a year and a decade, with hope, resolve and determination.

















I would like Diabetes to say hello to 2010 and strive to play fair in a game that I am tired of playing. I think Diabetes needs to make some resolutions and, because I’m such a good host, I will help it.

Dear Kelly:

*I will not bruise your body with the tools you need to keep you alive. I will let every insertion go well, be pain free and unnoticeable.

*I will back off of your thyroid, heart, liver, nerves, eyes, kidneys, feet, skin, every tissue and every organ in your body.

*I will not make you sad, angry, depressed, anxious, tired, confused, hopeless, stressed or suicidal.

*I will help to keep you in control. Of your blood sugars, of your emotions, of your health. No unexplained highs or unprepared lows. No mind boggling reactions, no slip into coma territory, no losing control of yourself.

*I will help your fingertips regain their feeling, stop being constantly sore, and will give you enough blood without having to prick several times.

*I will let you have your immune system back. So that when people walk around you coughing, wheezing and hacking from a cold, you don’t immediately get the flu and take 6 weeks to heal.

*I will let you have your body back. I know your body is exhausted & beat up from its every day battle; I will give you a reprieve.

*I will let you live as long and as normal as everyone else. I will not cause you to worry about your life, or the quality of your life, on a daily basis.

*While I can’t control people and their curious stares, their finger pointing, their judgments, their uninformed attacks, I will help you fight to prove them wrong. I will help you be healthy so that you can continue to be a warrior for invisible chronic illnesses.

*I will try to miraculously disappear just as I appeared. No warning, no signs, no history, no reason, no goodbyes, nothing. I will just leave.

Love, Diabetes

Eh, I can always hope, right?

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Happy New Year, everyone. Hope 2010 is a sheer delight!

*Peace.

Bye, Brittany.

Ok, so I heard about Brittany Murphy’s death while at Disney. I’m not usually someone who gets terribly upset over the death of people I don’t know. Is it sad? Yes. Will I carry on and make a big production out of it? No.

However, when I returned home, I couldn’t help but notice all the speculation about how a 32 year old actress could die from cardiac arrest. Of course, my first thought was drug overdose. I’m sure everyone had the same first thought. After all, it is Hollywood. Then I saw a headline that mentioned Diabetes so I had to delve deeper.

While this article does state that we won’t know the cause of death until an autopsy is done, the speculations are outstanding. This one caught my eye. Apparently her mother is a Type 1 Diabetic. Her mother claims that Brittany was a Type 2 Diabetic. In depth medical documentation was not provided. However, she was taking a ton of prescription meds, some of which was used to treat Type 2 Diabetes.

While it is true that Type 2 Diabetics are at a higher risk than most for heart attacks or strokes, this is a disease that can be controlled with diet, exercise and, yes, medication. I honestly find it hard to believe that Type 2 Diabetes was enough to cause a 32 year old to have a heart attack and die.

Also, Murphy doesn’t follow the typical Type 2 pattern. The main reason is that she wasn’t obese. So, maybe, just maybe, she was a Type 1 or Type 1.5. LADA is becoming more and more prevalent in our society for whatever reason. If anything, she looked like a Type 1 because she was super thin. I am 5’8” and weighed 95 pounds when I found out. Everyone thought I was anorexic, too. I wasn’t. I was an undiagnosed Diabetic. Maybe, just maybe, this poor girl was misdiagnosed, pumped up with unnecessary medication and her poor body just couldn’t handle it. Wouldn’t that be a terrible waste?
I think it is terrible that such a young and beautiful woman passed away. I also think it’s terrible when people don’t question authority, Ph.D or not. You have the right to question, to know what you are taking, to know the side effects, to know from A to Z your diagnosis and what it means. It’s your health. I think this should be cause for everyone to question. Yes, they are doctors but, more so, they are human. If you get answers to your questions, still go home and do your research. Get a second opinion. Getting a correct diagnosis is essential for everyone. If you feel your diagnosis isn’t right, question it. It’s ok. You’re allowed. Doctors work for you. Remember that.

Like I said before, this woman didn’t fall into the common categories of someone with Type 2 Diabetes. Just because your parent is a Type 1 doesn’t mean that you would be a Type 2. Just because your parent is a Type 1 doesn’t mean anything at all. In fact, Amanda’s test results for antibodies came back negative. Take that diabetes!! HA!

But….Diabetes can attack everyone, even celebrities. Here are some other celebs with Diabetes:

Nick Jonas
Elliott Yamin
Vanessa Williams
Jackie Robinson
Anne Rice
George Lucas
Bret Stupid Michaels
Mikhail Gorbachev
Johnny Cash
Evel Knievel
Elvis
Sharon Stone
Tommy Lee
Kendall Simmons

This disease doesn’t play favorites. Anyone can get Diabetes. Anyone. Any type. The key is to educate yourself.

RIP Brittany Murphy.



















*Peace.

It's Just a Number

For someone who despises math, my life certainly does revolve around numbers. A diabetic lives by numbers. What’s your bs? What’s your A1C? What’s your bp? What’s your bolus? What’s your basal? What’s the carb content? What’s Type are you? Numbers! Numbers! Numbers! Argh!! I am not a ‘paint by numbers’. No no, I am a ‘live by numbers’.















One of the yucky things someone can say to me is ‘It’s just a number.’ No matter what in my life they are referring to, ‘it’s just a number’ doesn’t begin to describe the impact it has on me. To me, it’s not just a number. To me, it’s the declaration of coma or ketoacidosis, lucidity or confusion, bad behavior or good behavior and ultimately life or death. Trust me when I say I wish the numbers didn’t matter, but they do.

I went to see Doc B. last week for my 3 month check up. Yes, yes. I have to get blood work drawn, I get to pee in a jug..yay...and I get my behavior judged every 3 months. However, this time I was more nervous than usual. I switched to a new pump and my numbers were skewed for a while. I was stressed over work issues, home issues, love issues, family issues, friend issues…life issues. In fact, my stress has been at an all time high recently and I was certain my numbers were not going to be good. Certain and scared and feeling guilty.


















The nurse came in and took my blood to check my A1C. I told her I was worried because I thought it went up. She said we will know in a minute. So, I waited. Nervous boredom doomsayer waiting. I do this to myself, I know. I immediately go into doomsayer mode & think a plethora of bad things. I don’t know why because I love the rainbows & sunshine mode so much better. I guess that’s just what my fear does to me.












Anyway, Doc B. came in and I immediately smiled. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, he is the best thing that has come from my diabetes. He made his jovial greetings and flipped through my blood work. He turned to look at me and said ‘How long have you had diabetes?’ I replied ’Almost 25 years.’ He shook his head, turned back around and kept flipping through my file. Being the said doomsayer worry wart, I sat there with my mouth ajar waiting to hear the worst. I mumbled ‘What’s my A1C?’ He turned to look at me again and said ‘6. Kelly, you are an inspiration. You have had this disease for 25 years and everything is perfect. I hope you don’t mind but I am going to use you as an example to all my other patients. Your A1C is perfect, your thyroid is perfect, bp perfect, kidneys perfect, liver perfect…everything…perfect. You are doing amazing and, like I said, you are an inspiration. There is really nothing for me to say to you except keep doing exactly what you are doing. You give me hope for all my Type 1 patients. See you in 3 months.’

I sat there for a minute stunned. Literally stunned. I walked out of his office and burst into tears. I got in my car and cried in sheer and total relief. I am always busy feeling afraid of what this disease will ultimately do to me, feeling guilty over the things I do, being unsure of what my body will throw at me, that I never take the time to think everything will be ok. It’s not that I am negative about this disease, I am not. I am one of those people who believes in a cure. Who believes I will beat this disease. Who believes that nothing, especially diabetes, will ever take me down. Who believes in hope & the power of mind over matter. I am the person who believes that I am bigger, stronger and braver than this one chronic disease will ever, ever be.

















But, the reality of this disease does cause me to worry about my future. Quite often. But, the reality of this disease cannot, and never will, steal away my spirit or the words Doc B said to me. The words and the number that made my heart sigh.

On that day, I didn’t worry. On that day, one little number, one single digit, made me laugh a little louder, hug a little longer, breathe a little easier and put my fear away. Gawd, I wish I could do that every day.























Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

*Peace.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Welp. Here is the vlog I have been promising for a few weeks. Sorry it has taken me so long. I just have been super busy lately. I'm like a crazy person! Plus, the batteries in the camera died. I did not have any in the house..wink wink... and I kept forgetting to buy new ones. So, with new batteries in hand, tonight is the night.

Unfortunately, I am tired, cranky and look like a hawt mess. Plus, my videographer has no idea how the camera works. haha! Neither do I so I apologize for the bad quality, lack of editing, sudden stops and the black line across the screen. I hope you get the general idea in spite of it all. :)

I wanted to show the process for inserting my pod. I get a lot of curious looks and quiet questions about it so I thought it would make for a good vlog subject.

Two blondes were given a video camera........

Part 1



Part 2



Part 3



Hahaha! Why do I have a lisp?! Do I have that in real life? Anyone? Bueller?

*Peace.

A1C You in 4 Months!

Written July 7, 2009


My body is tired of being tortured. It is. I have run out of places to put my pump. Cozmo uses the Cleo Infusion Set and I love it. It’s easy to use but the problem is my stomach has dots & scar tissue everywhere from the cannula. I don’t feel as if there are a lot of options for Cozmo & I. The tubing makes things difficult but I can’t get a tubeless pump. I just got Cozmo and my fabu insurance won’t approve another pump so quickly. So, where the hell else can I put Coz? My stomach is the easiest area. It’s comfortable, easy to reach, I just insert and stick Cozmo in my pocket. Done. But what to do when you run out of available stomach space?

However,the stomach does have its faults. Wearing a dress is a pain. Having the pump fall out of my pocket, smash & break on the bathroom floor is a pain. I just replaced my last cartridge cap. Having the pump slap me on my vag/leg/hip is a pain. Having tubing shoved down my pants is a pain. Rawr. I’m just complaining now.

Dexter gives me a little more freedom because there isn’t any tubing. I simply shoot him in and carry the monitor in my purse. Saturday I shot him into my thigh at 8am. All day I was uncomfortably aware of him but the pain wasn’t horrible. Please. Diabetics become friends with pain. We have no other choice. Finally at about 10pm, the pain & I were not friends. I, also, wasn’t getting any readings. I removed Dex and immediately started to bleed. This is what Dex did to me.















Stupid Dex. I am running out of landscape…and patience with all of my life sustaining devices. It sucks being a diabetic.

Something else that sucks is my ex-husband. That’s right, I said it. I have been divorced for 14 years. I have been over him for 15 years but apparently he still has a grudge.















My daughter spent the 4th of July with him and was finally allowed to bring a friend. He definitely isn’t in the running for any father of the year awards, trust me. This was the first time she was allowed to bring a friend. So, he starts regaling her friend with stories on how Amanda is a genius. This is true but he went on to say how she would have to call 911 when she was only 4 years old because 'her mother wasn’t handling her diabetes.' I love those people. Fortunately for me...YAY!...there are several of those people in my life. Can you sense the sarcasm? Low bs, to them, means ‘I am not handling it.’, ‘I did not eat.’, ‘I can’t control my diabetes.’, ‘I am doing something wrong.’, ‘It’s all my fault.’

What the French toast, people? Guess what? I can do everything with text book precision and accuracy and STILL have low bs. I have to deal with it and so do you. Shame on you for being ignorant when there is a plethora of information that is available to anyone who has access to Google, a library card or a bookstore nearby. Educate yourselves. You can also try to have some compassion and human decency while you are at it. Shame on me for allowing you to make me feel guilty for having a chronic disease that is sometimes unmanageable. Luckily for me, Amanda knows about diabetes as much as I do and was my champion, as always. Love you, babe.

I just got back from my Endocrinologist. I lurve him! He is so fabu and I am so lucky to have him. After 23 years, I finally have the most incredible doctor, Dr. Berelowitz. For those of you who live in Las Vegas, his office is in Summerlin and the number is 877-1887. It’s hard to get an appointment with him but he’s totally worth the wait. Check out Dr. B when he was a guest on the Diabetes Power Show.

My A1C is 6.4. This is the best A1C I have ever had since being a diabetic. I am SO proud of myself and so is Dr. B. Between Cozmo, Symilin and me, I am rocking the diabetes. Woooo!! I am on the cutting edge as far as therapy goes and I am doing better than I have in a loooong time.

I have just been made aware that some of you may not know what A1C is. Ooops. Sorry….lemme splain.

A1C is a test that shows the amount of sugar that sticks to the red blood cells. This lets us know how much glucose is in the blood. A1C provides an estimate of your average blood glucose control over a 3 month time period.

A non-diabetic may have an A1C that runs between 4 and 6. A diabetic strives for an A1C of at least a 7. 7 is a pretty awesome feat for a diabetic. I am as near to ‘normal’ as anyone, which makes me feel so totally accomplished. A1C can make or break the spirit of a diabetic. This number affects diabetics in a way that is hard to explain. It’s the defining number, the end all/be all number, the only number that ever matters. It’s the number that rates your success. It’s the number that speaks your failure. It’s the batting average, it’s the report card, it’s the progress report, and it’s the quarterly evaluation. Currently the score is Kelly: 1, Diabetes: 0. Whew.

For more information on A1C, check out Wikipedia.

While there are a lot of things about diabetes that truly sucks, an A1C of 6.4 makes me feel really good. Yay me! Take THAT diabetes! Ha! I should steal a blog idea from Kerri at Six Until Me and write about the things I like regarding diabetes. Only, first, I would have to figure out what they are.



*Peace.

No Kisses for Lantus

I am certain that anyone who takes insulin has already heard of the ‘Lantus scare’. My friend, Erik, sent me a message on Friday asking if I was taking Lantus. He said he read on CNN that Lantus was linked to cancer. I stopped taking Lantus when I went on the pump. How great that Erik was looking out for me. Kisses to him. No kisses for Lantus.

Of course, like any other doomsayer, my brain immediately dove into ‘Oh, No!’ mode. I tried to remember when I started taking Lantus and when I quit, how I felt and how I feel, if I noticed anything different within my self…and then I stopped. FYI - Diabetics tend to become oddly in tune with their inner self. We have to become more aware and listen to what our body is saying. It’s all part of the deal. So, I listened…and my bod was saying I was ok. it's a good thing because my body & I have an understanding. One chronic disease is all it is allowed to have. Period. The End. You may say that is naive, I say that is positive thinking.

So, Diabetelogia, the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes published an article on June 26^th stating a possible link between Lantus (insulin glargine) and cancer. To read more, click the following.

Diabetologia

EASD

Their result was based on four studies; however, these studies are not conclusive. The International Diabetes Foundation is aware of the studies and is asking the ‘diabetes community to wait for the current scientific information to be released and calls for urgent further scientific studies to be undertaken in other countries.’

What concerns me…and obviously everyone else …is that people will discontinue the use of insulin because of this scare. Hopefully, this will be discussed with an Endocrinologist before taking such a drastic step. What you think may be saving you from cancer could, in fact, bring on other detrimental health issues. So, talk to your doctor before making any changes to your treatment. Please.

We are all like frightened rabbits so eager to believe the worst that we never stop to consider the reality. Y2K, 911 Anniversary, Swine Flu, yada, yada. The media scare tactics cause upheaval and we jump on board. I wonder what the price will be for ‘crying wolf’. I typically don’t buy into the drama as I prefer proof over speculation and common sense over chaos. All I am saying is don’t be so quick to believe the bad. Wait for scientific proof before freaking out. Stress does not help your diabetes and that is proven.

If the theory is proven, it reminds me of all the warnings on medication. Oh, this product will help relieve your migraine but may cause dizziness, depression, loss of appetite, genital warts, stroke, heart disease, blah blah. What may help one thing could possibly cause a riot of other things. I can’t help but question are we killing ourselves in an attempt to make ourselves better? Gawd, I hope not. I have been on many types of insulin in the past 23 years, Lantus being one of them. I can only hope that it hasn’t resulted in a much more serious condition. Fingers crossed.

Back to my real life, I see my Endo next week and I can’t wait. I have so many things I want to ask him about. B12 injections, weight loss & HCG, Stem Cell transplants, periodontal disease. I must be the patient that drives the poor man insane. Last time I was there he said I was running low on B12 and suggested I take oral supplements. Well, I don’t think the oral tabs are working. I’m still exhausted so I want to ask him about B12 injections. I’ve heard great things about the injections and will try anything to feel better.

I know a few people taking HCG injections with amazing weight loss results. This type of process isn’t good for Type 1 diabetics due to the diet restrictions. 500 cals per day. My question is if you are eating 500 cals per day, then your insulin dosage would pretty much need to be lowered by half. Isn’t less insulin and weight loss a good thing? I will find out.

I applied for a stem cell transplant clinical trial. I went back & forth with the assisting nurse for about a week until she said that I wasn’t a candidate because I was taking Symlin. That if I went off Symlin for 3 months, I could reapply. Go off Symlin? This shit is amazing for my bs levels. Truly amazing. While it occasionally makes me nauseous and totally wrecks my all-you-can-eat sushi outings, my levels have been beyond spectacular. So…why stop taking Symlin and risk higher bs levels just to have a trial that may or may not work? Will find out about this, too. Also, I want to ask about the noted risks which may end up being similar to the medication warnings. Ugh. I have a 14 year old to live healthy for. I don’t want to become so involved in a cure that it affects my life in an adverse manner.

Lastly, periodontal disease. Diabetics have an increased risk for having serious gum disease. Yay! Another fabu thing to add to the “Diabetes Sucks’ list! It doesn’t matter that I have great teeth, never needed braces, visited the dentist regularly, brush & floss constantly and only have had a couple of cavities. Nope. Since I am currently in the middle of this entire procedure, I will wait to blog about this another time. Trust me, there is a lot to discuss…or vent..as it were! Hint: Insurance Companies…Rawr!! Until then, I will be grateful that it’s my teeth my scandalous body is attacking and not my eyes, feet, kidneys, etc. So, thank you, diabetes. Thank you for allowing me to remain as normal as possible.

I guess that ends my thought expulsion for today. Keep taking your insulin, people. At least until your doctor can switch you to another kind of long acting insulin, like Levemir. Be smart and take care of you.


*Peace.

Enviro-sponsible

Written June 23, 2009

I just read an article in the Vancouver Sun entitled ‘Type 1 diabetes to double in European kids under five’. Damn. Double by 2020. Double damn. This makes me want to cry and throw myself on the floor while kicking and screaming. Yes. This makes me want to react like a 5 year old who should only have to worry about what color crayon to use and what cookie to eat, not a chronic disease.

The article continues to discuss the causes of the increase of this disease. Researchers suggest that environmental factors may be playing a role. ‘But what exactly is harmful in the environment, we don’t know.’ To read the full article click here.

I am a tree hugging hippie. I am. I recycle, I buy eco-friendly products, I have reusable shopping bags, etc. etc. I do what I can to show our planet love. While I may not be individually saving the world, I am at least helping…are you?

We, as a society, have messed with Mother Nature…and she is pissed. It’s not surprising at all that the environment we abuse daily is now attacking back. Can we blame nature?

No. We can only blame ourselves. What truly sucks is that the chick who threw her cigarette butt out the window this morning probably doesn’t have a chronic disease. Psh to her. We are responsible for creating a hazardous environment. Now that it may be affecting the human race, we are standing up and taking notice. Humans aren’t the only species on Earth…we just act like it and there is always a price. But, I am not here to lecture anyone on environmental issues or going green. It just seems like I am one of the many who has to pay for our collective irresponsibility. You’re welcome.

As a matter of fact, Google ‘environmental causes and diabetes’. You may..or may not..be shocked to see over 1,700,000 results.

This is all fabulous news but it doesn’t help PWD’s at all. We already have the disease so it’s not like we can prevent it. Perhaps it will save double the 5 year olds but we don’t know for sure. As much as I am curious to know what causes diabetes, I am more interested in what cures it. Let’s refocus, shall we.

Anyway, I’m sick today and hence the negativity. Diabetic sick days suck. Will blog about that some other time.

If anyone is interested in becoming a Guest blogger, please let me know. I would love to have you. :)

Also, I am in the process of switching to Blogger. Maintaining my website is becoming a little too much for me. I’m a writer, not so much an IT geek. Hey, I love IT geeks so no offense, it’s just not my forte. Plus, I want more than what Go Daddy has to offer..haha...like RSS. My old site address is Kellys Naturally Sweet . Feel free to check it out before it's gone. Until then, thanks for sticking with me.


*Peace.

Wacky Wednesday

So, I was trying to think of blog ideas pertaining to diabetes. I mean, how much can you talk about a chronic disease before people go ‘Uhhhh..yea! We got it!’ Once in a while I have to break it up. Sprinkle a few giggles around the serious topic of being insulin challenged. Since I went random on my latest entry at The Lying, The Bitch & The Wardrobe, I thought I’d go random here. Welcome to ‘Wacky Wednesday’.

A. Bret Michaels is a douche. First of all, Bret….’look what the cat dragged in’. You are like 100 years old so cut the thinning blonde wisps you call hair already. Evolve. It’s no longer 1986. Second, true love isn’t found with a pocketful of scantily dressed dumb ass women. Sorry, sunshine, ‘every rose has its thorn’. Third, you are a diabetic!!! Maybe you got knocked in the noggin at the Tony Awards because karma also noticed you were a douche. You are in the public eye…for what it’s worth…so why not try setting a decent example for kids who have diabetes. I mean, you are not setting any other good examples so why not give them ‘something to believe in’? To say you don’t take insulin and ‘endanger your own life to pleasure a woman’ makes me want to punch you in the baby maker. Also, I highly doubt you ‘rock any love’ with the amount of bragging you do. To read more douchebaggery, pick up the July issue of Elle magazine. To read hypocrisy at it’s finest, check this out: 'Hi. My name is Bret & I'm a douche.'

B. As a diabetic, I wonder what it would be like to date a fellow diabetic. I wonder if it would be a good thing or a bad thing. I think it would be good because they would know exactly what you were going through. They would be one of the very few who understood 100%. They would also know how to handle things in any scenario. I think it woulbd be bad because what if you both experience low bs at the same time! What then?!?! I can’t even imagine the scene of 2 low diabetics. Wow….. I also wonder what it would be like to date a doctor. Good because they would know exactly what to do in any health emergency. Bad because they would sneer, lecture and 'tsk tsk' every time you bolused so you could eat a cupcake.

C. Why do doctors make appointments? I seriously don’t understand. Every one has experienced the waiting room. Yes..waiting…forever…and a day. You make an appointment to see your doctor at 3pm. 4:30p rolls around and they call you in. Why not just make the appointment for 4:30p then? I don’t understand. Or, why not call to check in at your scheduled time and then show up at the office an hour later. You could run a few errands, grab some lunch, clean the house and be on time to see the doctor. Hint for any Dr's reading this blog...it's disrespectful.

D. I also don’t understand why health insurance doesn’t cover matters regarding your health. I know it takes some effort to consider every case on an individual basis but when it’s regarding a person’s health, I think the effort should be made. Thanks to my shitty gene pool stick, I have severe periodontal disease. Basically, my teeth are falling out. I mean Yay! that if something has to go, it’s my teeth. I’ve got to be glad my feet and kidneys are ok. But, dental insurance is whining and will only cover about $1000 of a $35,000 bill. Seriously? I’m not getting new teeth just to look pretty, a-holes. I’m getting them so I can eat. Psh.

E. I get phantom vibrations and wonder if anyone else does. I think between Cozmo and my phone, my body has gone insane. I will be sitting at my desk, not eating so I didn’t bolus, phone is on my desk and I will feel a vibration on my thigh. I will be driving down the road and same thing. Several times a day this happens. I mean, some vibrations are good..wink wink…but these are just odd. Maybe I'm in the process of being kidnapped by aliens. Yay!

F. Why do we, as diabetics, feel like naughty children when we cheat? I mean, we could do everything text book perfect for our entire lives and still die from diabetic complications. So, why not say ‘Eff you, diabetes!’ and eat that cupcake. Correct it after your enjoyment. Life is meant to be enjoyed from beginning to end. Why must diabetes steal that from us? Personally, I don’t let it. If this disease is going to be my demise, I will go down with a BLUEBERRY Pancake cupcake from a>Retro Bakery in my hand. (I said banana pancake before...must have been listening to Jack Johnson. teehee) Take that diabetes!! Plus, I won’t feel guilty about it either. Diabetics deserve to have their taste buds occasionally sugared.

F.5 I want one or both of these t-shirt’s. You, too, can have them. Just click HERE or HERE and pay. Oh, and buy me one, too, please.Mmmmkthx.

*Peace

Low BS

Written June 10, 2009

Most seasoned diabetics are fully aware of the ‘out of body’ experience you have when you are dealing with a low bs. Of all the scary things regarding my disease, this one scares me the most. Hell, any description that contains the word ‘coma’ would scare anyone, I think. I like to call these times my ‘episodes’. I would experience more episodes on injections than I do on the pump. Thank you, Cozmo, for lightening up on the episodes! However, they do still happen.

As a matter of fact, at disneyland, my friend, Bill, took a video of my episode. The last thing I remember saying is that I needed to get something to eat. The last thing I remember seeing was Main Street. The last thing I remember hearing was my friend, George, talking about horses. I was gone, absent, mentally checked out. I was the walking dead. I went inside myself and tried to fix it. I was literally willing myself back to the living world.

As I climbed into the Pirates of the Caribbean boat, I grabbed Bill and burst into tears. The first thing I remember saying was ‘I can’t fix it!’ and we sat down on a wet seat. I don’t remember what he gave me to eat or drink, if anything. I don’t remember hearing any words. I just know that in the dark, while Captain Jack Sparrow’s voice and cannon fire shook my surface, I returned.

Low bs can take many forms…all of which equal crazy person. I have caused a 7 car pile up. I have tied a dish towel around my neck and proceeded to fly around the kitchen. I have yelled out ‘I want to fuck him!’ to a random co-worker. I have started fights with hobos. I have fought with paramedics who misjudged my strength. I have threatened to kill a friend. I have laughed hysterically for no apparent reason for extended periods of time. I have shoved Amanda so hard she fell then I told her I hated her. These are the things I have done, plus many, many more. Some funny, some sad, all horrifying.The best thing to remember about a diabetic having an episode is to not take it personal. DON’T TAKE IT PERSONAL!! It is not you. You are doing nothing wrong. You are not at fault. You just happen to be there, lucky you. No matter what things come out of your diabetic’s mouth, they are glad you are there. More importantly, they NEED you there. My daughter has a really hard time with this one. She takes everything I say personal even though I have no idea what I am saying. The second worse thing about my disease…hurting the people I adore. *sigh*

Glucose is fuel for the brain. When the brain doesn’t have efficient fuel, it becomes impaired. The person literally becomes dysfunctional. This can range anywhere from slow reaction time to a coma depending on how low the bs actually drops.Many diabetics recognize low bs by feeling shaky. The body realizes there is a problem and starts emitting adrenalin which causes the shakiness. The body will shoot out stress hormones to help regulate itself. Whew! Thanks, bod! Hopefully the diabetic will grab some fast acting juice and some long acting carbs. If they cannot, you hand them some OJ and a bagel, or, if in a pinch, some glucose tablets. Every diabetic should carry these or have these readily available. Even better diabetics have glucose gel or a glucagon. Now, most likely, they will fight you and not want to drink or eat. Force them. Period. The End. This is the point where you need to take control because your diabetic cannot. Ignore what they say, ignore what they do, tackle & pin them on the ground if necessary. Just make sure that sugar gets into their body in any way possible. Your diabetic will forgive you later. Haha! I promise

Some diabetics, who have been on insulin forever and a day, exhibit hypoglycemia unawareness. This is the inability to realize when they are having a low bs. This typically happens to me when I’m sleeping and well, duh, of course I am unaware. I’m dreaming of forests and cupcakes. However, unawareness is caused by having repeated low bs episodes. Repeated lows impair the body’s ability to secrete those stress hormones (ie: adrenanlin). Boo! Hey, the body can only do so much. A diabetic’s bod is tortured every day, give it a break. Haha

Check out Diabetes 1

Well, I hope this gives you a little insight into low bs’s. If I don’t laugh about my episodes, I’ll cry. Anyone who knows me knows I’d rather laugh. No one is perfect, especially Type 1 diabetic’s. We can only strive to do our best and that has to be good enough

*Peace.

It's a Way of Life

Written May 28, 2009

President Obama selected Judge Sonia Sotomayor as a Supreme Court nominee.Why do I care?Because she is a Type 1 diabetic. Sotomayor was diagnosed at age 7 with Juvenile Diabetes.In the 60’s, it was still considered ‘Juvenile’ as opposed to the now ‘Type 1’. While this disease typically takes 10 years from ones life, it’s great to know that at 54, Sonia Sotomayor is still going strong.She has been injecting herself with insulin for 47 years, longer than I have been alive.This is one of those stories that sparks the docile hope I always have in my heart.My hope gets a subtle nudge and I smile.

I have a chronic disease…..not a terminal one. I am enabled….not disabled. I am ill…..I am not sick. But, even so, diabetes is more than just an illness….it’s a way of life. While different & more complex than yours, it’s still normal to me and everyone who has this disease. The truth is simply that diabetics are now living healthier, longer, stronger lives thanks to the many medical advancements that have come our way. I remember peeing on a stick and trying to guess what color was the closet match to their graph. This just so I kinda sorta knew what my bs was. Now I know exactly what my bs is in 5 seconds from my OneTouch or in 1 second from Dexter. Wow.

Anyway, Sonia Sotomayor seems well qualified for the position. She is a Princeton grad, she got her JD from Yale, she served on the US District Court and the US Court of Appeals. grad, she got She has the education and experience so why should her health be considered? After all, didn’t we have a geriatric running for president a few months ago. I’m just saying. Haha!

Good luck, Judge Sotomayor.

This made me think of famous diabetics..other than myself..hahaha! Let's see.

Type 1

Mary Tyler Moore (Of course)
Halle Berry (Actress)
Brett Michaels (From Poison)
Nick Jonas (Jonas Brothers)
Anne Rice (Author)


Type 2

Wilfred Brimley (Diabeetus guy)
Delta Burke (Actress)
Nell Carter (Actress)
Dick Clark (The dude who never ages.)
Jerry Garcia (Singer)

There are tons, actually. Athletes, Actors, Political Leaders, Musicians, Scientists, Writers. Diabetes isn't racist. Diabetes will attack anyone, at any time, without pause. This still doesn't mean they can't do their job.

Going back to a previous blog, Food Police, I also thought of another annoying thing that happens to me all the time. Whenever I am testing my bs, someone asks ‘What’s your sugar?’ Seriously? Do I ask you what your sugar is right before you shove a donut in your mouth? No. I don’t. It’s personal and really isn’t your concern. I don’t ask you when your period is or when the last time you took a crap…so, please. Stop. I know you think you are showing your ‘concern’ in a caring, positive manner but you aren’t. You are being intrusive and rude, quite frankly. I think, just for giggles and kicks, the next time someone asks ‘What’s your sugar?’ I will immediately spit out ‘What’s yours? Tell me yours and I’ll tell you mine.’ Psh.

So, I have the mindset that I am getting two more tattoos. I know diabetics aren’t great healers..oh no!!...but I heal pretty well. I think as long as you are controlled, meaning you’re A1C is below 7 and you discuss tattoos with your endocrinologist, you are safe. I also tell the artist I am a diabetic so he doesn’t go as deeply as he normally would. I have two tattoos and didn’t have a problem with either. I want a celtic tree of life with an A in the midst for Amanda. I am still considering location but will end up smacking it on my ankle. I will get the tree here but I haven’t found the perfect studio yet. I also want a peace sign on my left wrist. I will get the peace in Woodstock when I go home in October. I’m so excited for my trip home…and not only for the tattoo.

What are fellow diabetic’s thoughts on tattoos? Do you have any? Where are they located? What are they?

I plan on spitting out the Disney with Diabetes blog this weekend and will post next week. Keep an eye out for it. Have a great weekend!

*Peace.