Family and Friends Friday

Current Bloodsugar: 150....this is not bad...but frustrating after riding the bike trainer for 30 minutes, lifting weights, and dancing around the den like a madwoman to the songs of Rocky Horror Picture Show (I was watching the movie while I road my trainer...I know...I know...you don' t have to tell me).  Now I am waiting for it to come down a little to eat lunch.

Today's Post: “Friends & Family Friday” – Who is your biggest support and how do they help you in managing your diabetes?

Awww...shucks...where to do I even begin with this one?  I have lots of folks in my life for who I am very grateful.  All of my family and friends are supportive.  So I guess the easiest way to do this is to just list some of those folks that really stand out, who go above and beyond to support me. 

Disclaimer: These are in no particular order, and there are many, many folks who I wont list on here, simply because I can't list everyone!  These are just a few of those special folks!   

1. My nephews G-man and Lil'D: G-man is only 9.  It may seem odd that I, a 30 year-old would tell you that some of my main supporters are children.  First of all, G-man is a wise soul.  He is compassionate, intelligent, and he questions everything.  He doesn't take things as the come, he wants to know the whole truth.  He asks questions about my diabetes, he listens to what I say, and he never forgets.  You know how 9 year olds are...they remember everything.  I don't have to dispel any myths with him, I don't have to explain the same thing over and over.  He doesn't question my choices or offer advice, he just gets that this is what I do and he accepts it.  Lil' D is only 5, too young to be burdened with the details of my disease.  But he knows about my pump and knows it gives me something my body cannot produce.  They both see me for who I am and not for the disease I have, and that my friends is what I call support. 

 2.  My parents, my brother, my sister, and my friends:  These folks have been there with me from the very beginning.  They worry about me (sometimes too much) and they care about my health.  They think of me when they plan meals.  Sometimes they are a shoulder to lean on or an advocate.  They love me and they are always there when I need them. I would not trade them for the world.
 
3.  My dog: We have two dogs and I love them both dearly.  Kyra has been by my side for the last 12 years, Waylon has been with us for 4.  Although Kyra will always be my one and only baby-girl, she is not one for cuddling.  Waylon loves to cuddle and he looks at you with soulful eyes.  I always feel comfort when I cuddle with that furball.  He likes to nuzzle against you.  He is very aware.  When we walk, he waits patiently as I stop to check my blood sugar, watching me.  He has even gotten to the point that he stops when I take out my meter, he knows it means a quick break.  When I find myself frustrated and annoyed about my blood sugar while walking, I look down and his blue eyes have such a peaceful look, I can't help but relax.  He offers a non-judgmental, unconditional support. 

4. My hubby: I am not even sure I can describe the support he gives me.  I was diagnosed with Type I during our first year of marriage.  Hubby married a laid back, easy going, active, biking, hiking, rock  climbing girl and then 8 months later was thrown into a spiral with an emotional and physical wreck of a wife.  It has taken 3 years to get back to some semblance of who I was before my diagnosis. 
 Three years to get it under control to where I feel like myself again.  Three years of shots and finger pricks, carb counting, food issues, data charts, and pumps to get to a point where I control my diabetes instead of diabetes controlling me.  It takes a strong man to deal with all of the crap we have been through in the last few years. 
There is no doubt that diabetes has changed a little bit of me and hubby still loves me all the same.  We have learned to deal with the loops and wrenches this disease throws us.  He has weathered that crazy storm.  I like to think we are stronger because of it all. 
Hubby offers the kind of support no others can.  He knows enough about my care to ask questions when they need to be asked and keep his mouth shut when they don't.  He walks the tight rope of emotions with me and always catches me when I fall.  He maintains the perfect balance between knowing enough to help and not helping too much.  He keeps me grounded and provides the perspective and strength that has allowed me to stay true to who I am, diabetes and all.

Time Tested Routines and a Sneaky Dog

Current Blood sugar: 119

Today's Prompt: Veteran’s Day – Veterans Day marks end of World War 1 in 1918 on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Is there something you do every day at the same time to help with your diabetes routine? 

First and foremost, thank you to all of our veterans who have served our country.  We are in great debt to you and your service.  Today's post did kind of make me laugh a little though.  Not because I have a weird sense of humor, I laughed because I do just about everything the same, every day to help manage my diabetes.  There is no one thing...it is everything.

I eat the same breakfast 7 days a week, generally at the same time of the day.  Cinnamon toast made with xylitol and egg whites.  Occasionally I throw a loop and use homemade sugar free jam on one piece of toast and cinnamon toast for the other, or I will make a spinach omelet with my egg whites. 

I might get adventurous and have fruit with yogurt, a piece of toast, and egg whites.  I have a "breakfast" setting on my pump that has the carbs and insulin already que'd up so I don't have to do any carb counting or insulin caculating in the morning.  I do this the same every day because it is predictable and when dealing with diabetes...predictability is the name of the game...although losing that game is a common occurrence! 

I excerise in the morning at the same time most days.  I do the same rotation of different exercises.  Every one of them I have tested and done a series of trial and error to figure out my insulin and carb needs to prevent lows or highs during exercise.  Most days I eat the same thing for lunch at the same time, or cycle through maybe 2 or 3 different options. 

This sounds boring...believe me it can be...but it makes my life easier...one less thing I have to think about.  The problem with diabetes is that even though I try to stay on a routine schedule and I eat the same thing everyday...my results are very rarely the same.  I can work as hard as I want to manage this disease and make my schedule easier and more predictable, but diabetes will always throw a wrench in my plan.  There are always other variables for which I cannot account.  I do the best to mimic what my broken pancreas would do, but I can't be as efficient as my body should be....so I have to become predictable and routine with the hopes of providing some sense of normalcy.

On a lighter note...from the "farm"....our shepard Kyra has an interesting relationship with our chickens.  She seems to really enjoy their company and she has learned very quickly that these little fluffy birds are walking egg dispensers! 

Our younger chickens are great about laying their eggs in the chicken house, but our two older chickens lay wherever and whenever they choose.  Since our two older chickens have slowed their laying for the winter, Kyra has began a daily egg hunt to find eggs laid by the younger chickens.  It has not taken her long to figure out they only lay in their house....

So....this is what I found today when I went out in the yard....thanks to Kyra's old age and failing hearing I was able to sneak up and snap this shot of her being ultra-sneaky during one of her egg hunts.  Luckily the egg boxes are at the back of the house so she can't reach the eggs.  Of course, you should have heard all the noise coming from the poor chicken sitting in the nest box during this sneak attack!  If Kyra were a younger more limber dog, I imagine I would have found her in the chicken house!

Words Cannot Express

Current Blood sugar: 154...I have been having some higher numbers in the afternoon...time to start tweaking my basal rates....what fun!

Today is Wordless Wednesday...I don't want to think about diabetes today...so here are some of my favorite pictures, people (and dogs), and places I love! 

 Thompson River

 Sliding Rock

 Waylon when he was a pup and my baby girl Kyra

 Hubby and me 

 My dad and me in Thailand

 

 

 My family...well it's a little outdated...that bundle of joy there is me :-)

Winter at the mountain house with family

Six things I want you to know

Current Blood sugar: 104, can you see the smile on my face through your computer screen.  This is a number I like to see!

Today's prompt: The 30 days of diabetes blog prompt is about diabetes in the news.  

Today is Diabetes Blog Day.  I would say that when the majority of the diabetes online community blogs about diabetes all in one day...that is quite newsworthy.  You should take a minute to head on over to Diabetes Talk Fest and see the massive number of links to other diabetes bloggers who have chosen to blog today about 6 things they want everyone to know about diabetes!  

Six things I want you to know about diabetes...

1.  Type I is not just a kid's disease.  I was diagnosed with "juvenile" diabetes (Type 1) at age 26.  People older and younger than me have been diagnosed with Type 1 as well.  Anyone at any age can be diagnosed with Type I or Type II.

2.  You do not get Type I from eating too much sugar, being overweight, or any other combination of these things.  It is not my fault I have diabetes, I could not have prevented it...no one can.  Type I is an autoimmune disease.  In other words, my immune system attacked my insulin producing cells in my pancreas.  Since my pancreas can no longer produce insulin, I have to mimic as close as possible what my pancreas would do with insulin via an insulin pump.

3.  Insulin is NOT A CURE.  Sure, injecting insulin allows me to live, but it is not a cure.  I still have diabetes.  Insulin is a treatment, not a cure.  Using insulin via injection or insulin pump does not mean I have really bad diabetes and it doesn't mean I have bad control.  Insulin is what I use to stay alive.  Simple as that.

4.  If you have questions about diabetes please ask.  I would rather you ask me a question than for you to have misinformation about the disease.  There are so many misconceptions about this disease.  Nothing hurts my feelings more than for people to rely on misconceptions and falsehoods instead of asking someone who knows firsthand about the disease.  Please ask me if you are not sure!

5.  I can eat sugar and carbs and whatever I want.  Please treat me as a normal person making normal choices about my food and let me do the rest.  I choose to eat low carb and avoid most sugary foods, but this does not mean I cannot eat those things.  I have the ability to eat anything a non-diabetic can, I just may have different consequences if I don't take enough insulin or manage my blood sugar well.  And, just because I ate pasta or a brownie yesterday doesn't mean I wont or can't eat it today.  When I turn down food, sometimes it is because of my diabetes, but sometimes it is because I don't want what is offered.  Food is completely variable on my mood and what my blood sugar is doing.  I can never predict what I will be able to eat and I sure don't expect others to. 

6.  Dealing with diabetes is harder than you can ever imagine.  Managing this disease takes time and strength.  Some days I don't have the time or strength.  Diabetes doesn't go away, I can't push it aside and forget about it.  It is emotionally draining.  It is always there in my thoughts, no matter what I am doing.  I think about it when I exercise, eat, sleep, and even when I am relaxing.  Sometimes it keeps me from doing things I love.  It creates anxiety when I plan trips, outings, meals, and holidays.  When I am invited to a party or a get-together, concert, show, game, etc....my first thought is what is there going to be for me to eat, should I bring my own food, what is my blood sugar doing?  What if there is not anything I can eat....what if my blood sugar drops low, what if it goes high?  Multitasking is now my forte.  Every minute of every day it is in my thoughts.  It has to be, I wish I could take it all away but I can't, so I live with it and that makes me happy...living.

Mouthwatering Monday

Current Blood sugar: 43....well this is exactly current, but I thought I would share.  This was what I woke up to at 3am this morning.  43!!!  That is low and scary....good thing I woke up.  I guess I usually do and this is not the first 40 something I have seen in the middle of the night.  It doesn't happen often but it is scary every time!

Today's Prompt: “Mouthwatering Monday” – What’s your favorite entree? How does it affect your blood glucose?

Now this is my kind of prompt!  I love cooking and baking.  I especially love experimenting with recipes to make them diabetes friendly.  My absolute favorite entree?  It is awfully hard to choose since it all depends on what kind of mood I am in that day.  However, there is one entree that makes me happy every time it graces my lips....homemade chicken with mushroom Marsala sauce and garden fresh green beans sauteed with garlic and balsamic, a side salad and some homemade bread...yum!

 

Homemade pesto bread

 

 In case you didn't know, I am big on homemade stuff.  I make all of our bread, all of our meals at home are made from scratch with very few bottled or boxed ingredients and I even make homemade crackers when I have time!  Now this may sound like me bragging about all the wonderful things I make (are you jealous yet?) but I don't mean to sound that way.  I just love making things for myself and hubby.  I love fresh food from our garden.  I find that homemade food, when I know all of the ingredients, makes managing my blood sugar so much easier.

To answer the prompt question, the favorite meal I listed above has a very predictable affect on my blood sugar.  (Another reason why I love that dish!)  Since green beans are a low carbohydrate food and the Marsala sauce I make only has a few carbs too, this meal is overall low carb.  The homemade whole grain bread is only 15-20 grams of carbs per slice.  So adding it all up this is a hearty meal for usually less than 40 grams of carbs.  The lower carb a meal is, the more predicable my numbers will be afterward...and I love the moments of predictability, so few and far between.

My other favorite meal is homemade pizza...you can read about it and see my recipes in my previous post Welcome Back Pizza

Fall Back

Current Blood sugar: 139...this is the exact number I woke up with this morning.  Not the best fasting number...but I corrected, ate breakfast and rode my bike trainer for 30 minutes and this is the end result.  I wish it were a little lower since this number after exercise usually means it will creep up over the next few hours.

Today's Prompt: Daylight Savings – Daylight Savings ended today, so you got an extra hour of sleep! Some people will need to adjust their insulin pump clocks, others may simply change the clocks on their wall. Does an hour change affect your diabetes management?

This morning I woke up and the clock read 8am...perfect time for me to wake up on a Sunday morning...except this morning it was actually 7am.  I have to admit it was nice to have an extra hour in the morning to get stuff done.  Now I sit typing this at 11:44 and I have already eaten breakfast, exercised, gone to the drugstore, made sugar-free brownies, showered and gotten dressed for a chili cook-off hubby and I are heading to this afternoon.  Whew, early morning starts make the day so much longer!

As far as daylight savings time and my diabetes management....I would have to say it has very little impact.  I woke up this morning and changed the time on my pump.  That was the extent of what I had to do.  I have seen no adverse affects from not adjusting any other aspects of my management.  Thank goodness for one thing I don't have to think about.

Managing diabetes is so time consuming.  Everything I do revolves around managing my diabetes.  Day light savings time is a great example.  Who would ever think that for some folks with diabetes a simple time change could have such an impact on a chronic illness?  A percentage of every hour of every day requires some sort of thought process on my part, when it comes to managing my disease.  Albeit these times don't always interfere with other aspects of my life.  Setting back the clock may give us an extra hour of sleep, for me its just another hour in another day of managing diabetes.

The Doctor is In!

Current Blood sugar: 135...whoohoo!  My numbers have been perfect today....76 fasting when I woke up this morning, no highs over night, and 135 after eating breakfast...today is going to be a good day!  Isn't it interesting how something as simple as a number can change the outlook on the whole day?

Today's Prompt: Check Up Check List – Very few people enjoy doctor appointments, but if you have diabetes, you’ve probably had your share of these! Share your doctor appointment stories – funny, frustrating, embarrassing or inspiring – or what appointments you need to catch up on.

Ahhh...doctors.  My life had a normal number of doctors before my diagnosis.  You know, the usual annual check-ups and occasional sick visits but nothing out of the ordinary.  Now I feel like I am constantly in the doctor's office.  I see my endocrinologist every 3 months and a diabetes educator/nutritionist every 6 months.  I see my eye doctor once a year to check my vision but also to check for diabetic retinopathy (no symptoms so far!).

I see my primary care doctor once a year for blood work and general check-ups.  Then add on the "woman" doctor, and dentist, who also has to check for diabetes related mouth issues.  Of course, then there is my therapist who helps me deal with the emotional stress of this disease.  On top of that I see a physical therapist for back issues cause I am just so dang tall!

I feel like I spend half my year sitting in waiting rooms.  But hey, I am proactive about my health and I feel like in order to stay as healthy as I can be, these folks are important to have around.

I am really good about not missing appointments.  I very rarely skip yearly visits because I feel they are just so important.  I want to know what is going on with my body.  My endocrinologist (my diabetes doctor), is amazing.  I actually love going to see her....minus the blood draws, finger pricks, and waiting room time.  She is very supportive and often times lets me take the reins when it comes to my diabetes management.  She listens to what I say and what I need and she helps me build plans that help me stay healthy.

The thing I find most surprising when I visit my endo is that she is so excited that I have such good control of my diabetes.

My A1C generally sticks around a 6.2.  

An A1C is my average blood sugar over a period of three months, 

given a rating between 5-14.  

For a diabetic, healthy ratings fall between 6-7.  

So in other words I am a well controlled diabetic.  

I am always dumbfounded by the response I get from my endo.  She tells me how much she loves to see me because she knows she wont have to lecture me or worry about my care.  Apparently many of her patients do not have good control of their diabetes.

I always find it very hard to believe that someone with diabetes, who has the tools to manage the disease, can let their care slip to the point that they put themselves in danger.  A lot of times I feel like this has to do with lack of education about the disease and the stigma and misconceptions often associated with diabetes.  I guess that is the whole point of Diabetes Awareness Month...be aware folks!  I wont stay on my soapbox anymore, I will save that for another post.

It is always inspiring for me to go to my endo's office.  I often worry what my numbers will look like and that maybe I am not doing as good as I think I am.  I second guess my ability to manage this disease properly and I always feel like I am not working hard enough.  When I see my endo and she does everything short of jumping up and down and throwing confetti when she sees me...well that just downright makes me feel good.

Photo from Diametrix