Diabetes Blog Week 2014 day 6

Click for the Saturday Snapshots - Saturday 5/17 Link List. 
Back for another year, let’s show everyone what life with diabetes looks like!  With a nod to the Diabetes 365 project, let’s grab our cameras again and share some more d-related pictures.  Post as many or as few as you’d like.  Feel free to blog your thoughts on or explanations of your pictures, or leave out the written words and let the pictures speak for themselves.

My bag all packed to hang out by the pool with friends.   Made sure I had some extra snacks just in case.  Always need to be extra prepared with diabetes!

Diabetes Blog Week 2014 day 5

Click for the Diabetes Life Hacks - Friday 5/16 Link List.
Share the (non-medical) tips and tricks that help you in the day-to-day management of diabetes.  Tell us everything from clothing modifications, serving size/carb counting tricks to the tried and true Dexcom-in-a-glass trick or the “secret” to turning on a Medtronic pump’s backlight when not on the home-screen (scroll to the bottom of this post). Please remember to give non-medical advice only! (Thank you Rachel of Probably Rachel and Kelley of Below Seven for this topic suggestion.)

I can't think of many diabetes life hacks that I use but I am excited to read other bloggers ideas! One thing that I have recently started doing is putting my snacks in  the portion plastic bags from Target.  That way they are pre measured and the carbs are written on the bag.  I bolus correctly and easily instead of guessing. It reminds me of when I was in school and my mom would pack my lunch.  She would add up the carbs and write it in black sharpie on the brown paper lunch bag.

Diabetes Blog Week 2014 day 4

Click for the Mantras and More - Thursday 5/15 Link List.
Yesterday we opened up about how diabetes can bring us down. Today let’s share what gets us through a hard day.  Or more specifically, a hard diabetes day.  Is there something positive you tell yourself?  Are there mantras that you fall back on to get you through?  Is there something specific you do when your mood needs a boost?  Maybe we've done that and we can help others do it too? (Thanks to Meri of Our Diabetic Life for suggesting this topic.)

So in yesterday's post I talked about the guilt that I sometimes  feel when dealing with diabetes. I am happy that this is the next topic because it made me think about what I do to feel better I hadn't really thought about it before.  I like lists so lets make a list!

When I start to get discouraged about highs and lows of diabetes:

-  I try to not look back too much.  I just move forward and try to make the next number better.  (you can only do so much right?) 
- I go for a walk.  I'm not a huge exersizer ( I truly wish I was it is something that I want to work on) but, just going for a walk can give me a little perspective, some fresh air, and can usually have a good impact on my blood sugar so win win win! :)
- Support systems.  My family is great when I need to vent and also reading blogs of other diabetics has helped tremendously! Knowing that you are not alone and that for example other diabetics also become a monster and eat everything in sight when they are low.  Truly I went 10 years thinking that was just me!

Diabetes Blog Week 2014 day 3

Click for the What Brings Me Down - Wednesday 5/14 Link List.
May is Mental Health Month so now seems like a great time to explore the emotional side of living with, or caring for someone with, diabetes. What things can make dealing with diabetes an emotional issue for you and / or your loved one, and how do you cope? (Thanks go out to Scott of Strangely Diabetic for coordinating this topic.)

Guilt

Dealing with guilt and diabetes is something that I struggle with everyday. I feel guilty all the time when I think of the times that I haven't taken care of myself how I should.  I feel guilty when I don't test as many times a day as I know I should.  I feel guilty when I snap at my husband when I am low or high or if he asks if I have tested lately. ( there is also a death look that goes along with that one) I feel guilty when I think about how badly I want a baby but I haven't kept my numbers in good enough control to try and get pregnant.  I feel guilt all the time.  I know that I am just doing what I can to deal with this disease but a lot of guilt comes with the failures that surely come when dealing with an unpredictable thing like diabetes.  I think this definitely takes me on an emotional roller coaster every day!

Diabetes Blog Week 2014 day 2

Click for the Poetry Tuesday - Tuesday 5/13 Link List.
This year, Diabetes Blog Week and TuDiabetes are teaming up to bring out the poet in you! Write a poem, rhyme, ballad, haiku, or any other form of poetry about diabetes. After you’ve posted it on your blog, share it on the No Sugar Added® Poetry page on TuDiabetes, and read what others have shared there as well!


My poem is a little silly because poetry is not my thing so this was a little scary but, also turned out to be fun! Here it goes!  Please be nice! :)

The Pump

I buzz and beep 

even when I sleep.

My batteries run out

especially when out and about.

People point and stare

at the "pager" I wear.

It may be frustrating

when it won't stop vibrating.

But, I cannot imagine

what on earth would happen

if I had to live without it there

in my pocket everyday i must wear. 

Diabetes Blog Week 2014 day 1

Let’s kick off Diabetes Blog Week by talking about the diabetes causes and issues that really get us fired up. Are you passionate about 504 plans and school safety? Do diabetes misconceptions irk you? Do you fight for CGM coverage for Medicare patients, SDP funding, or test strip accuracy? Do you work hard at creating diabetes connections and bringing support? Whether or not you “formally” advocate for any cause, share the issues that are important to you. (Thanks go out to Kim of Texting my Pancreas for inspiring this topic.)

"You don't look like you have diabetes"
"Are you sure you can eat that?"
These are just a couple of misconceptions about diabetes that we all deal with quite frequently.  Whether its people confusing type 1 with type 2, people who think that its your fault that you are diabetic, people who think your insulin pump is like a weird pager or something, or people who think you are a "bad diabetic" if you eat sugar (aka cookies).  I had a friend a few weeks ago that brought some treats to me and another friend.  She handed me a bag with a cookie in it and said "sorry they didn't have any sugar free ones so I got you an oatmeal cookie with out  frosting". Then handed my friend a delicious sugar filled chocolate treat.  I just stared at her for a few seconds thinking "are you kidding me? I want the frosting!" I knew that my friend was just trying to be nice and helpful and it was very sweet of her to bring me something, but there have been many times that something similar thing has happened with other family and friends who don't understand that it's OK for me to eat sugar.  So I guess I just have to remember that before I was diagnosed at the age of 12 I didn't really know anything about diabetes.  All I knew was that there was a girl in my class at school who had to test her blood sugar during recess.  So patience is important and I could definitely use more of it when dealing so many misconceptions of diabetes!

Good News

I went in for my Doctor's appointment last week for my A1c.  I have been in a rut for a few years I guess and I haven't had good results for a while. Well my A1c was the best it has been in years! Yay! I was thrilled. There may or may not have been a victory dance involved....  Take that diabetes! It still needs some work but it helped so much to have that little encouragement that I can do this.
 My Doctor's comments on the lab report were awesome! And I quote "AWESOME JOB!!!!" Yes there were 4 exclamation points.  A good day for sure. :)