Numbers

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This past week, I feel like I’ve been surrounded by nothing but numbers. I’ve been working on some survey data at work. I’m pretty good at it, but that doesn’t mean it still doesn’t make my brain hurt.

On Wednesday, I looked down at my odometer on the way to dinner and I noticed my car hit an important milestone (*pun intended). I got this car in 1999 with 15 miles on it and hopefully we’ve got many more miles together.

Don’t let this next picture fool you (an example of the difference between a meter and a CGM), I’ve been experiencing consistent highs before dinner and before bedtime no matter how steady my graph was the rest of the day.


I adjusted my basal settings three times in the past week and am now taking what I feel is a significant amount of additional insulin. Whatever it takes though, right? I’m waiting until after tonight to call the new rates a success and I’m still trying to figure out why I needed such significant changes all of a sudden.

This one is no help.

AHHH!!! I am so frustrated. I didn’t eat much on Sunday, keeping an eye on my basals throughout the day. I made it through the previous trouble spot at about 10 pm. I couldn’t sleep so I didn’t head to bed until 3 am. The DexCom had a flat line around 130.

So frustrated!

That spike? 4 am – one hour after I fell asleep! My alarm clock went off at 8:30 this morning and I hit the snooze. As I rolled back over to catch a few extra minutes of sleep, I heard the familiar double beep – the DexCom high alarm. Once I’m asleep, I’m a pretty heavy sleeper. Didn’t hear a single alarm during the night! I was almost 300! What is going on?!

Tuesday

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Thank you for all the birthday wishes yesterday. I had a great day and it was fun to see all the notifications rolling in.

The “party” started this weekend as some friends and I drove across the state for some chocolate and shopping. As someone said to me today when I described my plans – “road trips are fun no matter how old you are.”

I found out yesterday that two fabulous members of the diabetes community were in the area so I figured there is no better way to celebrate my birthday than dinner with friends. Ginger and I go wayyy back but this was the first time meeting Mike. He is just as funny (and nice) and he seems online (no lie! *blog title pun*). I’m excited to add another asterisk to the blogroll on the right (the asterisk means I’ve met the person IRL – love a good meet-up!)

We may have gotten lost 300 times but we managed to have a ton of fun in the meantime. Thanks for making my birthday feel special guys!

Also, I feel like the gifts I received at work today are trying to tell me something, I just can’t figure out what.

Now that was yesterday, today is… Tuesday.

But seriously, a few weeks ago I was asked to write an opinion column for a student newspaper about being single on Valentine’s Day. I guess they feel like I’ve had a lot of practice. I opened the paper this morning to see if they printed what I wrote. When I turned to the page a friend commented, “hey, isn’t that one of your pictures from Haiti?” The pose looked very familiar.

Let’s just say the artist was inspired by the original picture when she drew her cartoon. As funny (and slightly inappropriate) as the comparison is, the edited version actually fits well with a joke I made in the article and I think it’s pretty funny (everyone was apparently worried I’d be mad). Here’s what I wrote in case you are single today too.

The day before Valentine’s Day is my birthday. The day after Valentine’s Day is February 15. By telling you that, I’m not trying to be the next Rebecca Black. My point is that Valentine’s Day is a day just like any other.

While most of you were trading cartoon-themed Valentine’s cards in elementary school, I was in my freshman year of college at a Christian university in southern California not unlike [current school name]. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to be when I “grew up,” and I certainly had no idea that I would still be spending my days on a college campus over 10 years later. I was sure that I had the same expectations as most girls at Christian colleges: I expected that I would meet someone special – a guy that loves Jesus just slightly more than he loves me. We would get engaged during our senior year and get married shortly after graduation. Ring by Spring, right?

Well, that obviously didn’t happen for me. If you consider the math, it isn’t going to happen for a lot of college students because there are not enough guys for every girl to get a ring. I graduated college, was a bridesmaid in a ton of weddings, finished graduate school, and moved across the country with my two cats. Insert crazy cat lady joke here.

If you are single this Valentine’s Day, consider the fact that most of your friends are single too. Have fun with it. Go get dinner together, rent a cheesy romantic comedy, go bowling, wander around [nearby shopping location], or do nothing at all. After all, it is just a day like any other.

More importantly, take some time to figure out who you are. Know what you like and don’t like. Know what God is calling you to do with your life. Figure out your mission and your purpose. Trust that if God has given you hopes and desires for your life, He will fulfill those desires as you follow him.

Don’t let an overly commercialized holiday mess with your emotions. If you want to spend the day focusing on love, focus on the friends and family in your life who you love and who love you in return.

P.S. If you are in a relationship this Valentine’s Day and you feel like posting a status about how “blessed” you are by God because of your amazing boyfriend, consider the fact that your single friends may also feel blessed by where they are in their lives too.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

One step closer to a mouse

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I hope I won’t end up like the mice in Kim’s diabetes research studies, but I am seriously considering participating in an upcoming study through my endocrinologist’s practice.

I got a flyer in the mail a few days before my doctor’s appointment last week advertising the study. The only requirement listed was that you have Type 1 diabetes and manage it with an insulin pump. I was curious but didn’t think too much about it.

During my appointment, I was discussing a possible pump switch with my endocrinologist and she mentioned the study. It turns out they will be comparing the MiniMed Revel with the MiniMed Veo (currently approved everywhere that does not include the FDA). I think it would be awesome to try out the Veo and hopefully contribute to the research the FDA apparently needs to determine it is safe for use in the US but unfortunately my doctor and I have no “control” over whether or not I am in the “control” group.

So far, I have figured out a few pros and cons about being in the study and I am trying to figure out how important each one is for me.

Pros:

  • There is the potential that I get to try out the MiniMed Veo insulin pump and the low glucose suspend feature.
  • In the control or study group, I would receive a brand new pump and all my supplies paid for during the six month study. That is not a small amount of money.
  • Maybe, just maybe I would be contributing to the research that would help to get a feature on the market in the US that so many people are hoping will keep themselves or their family members safer.

Cons:

  • I currently wear the DexCom CGM system and for the study I would need to switch to the MiniMed integrated CGM system. I have worn it before for trial periods, and found it to be uncomfortable at times.
  • I found out during my follow-up phone call this week that the only insulins that are allowed in the study are Humalog and Novolog. I would need to switch from Apidra to one of those insulins. If I enroll in the study, I will not return to Humalog (trouble with tails), but am considering the switch to Novolog.
  • I could end up in the control group with a pump and CGM I don’t necessarily want, on an insulin I don’t necessarily want to take. Do I then just drop out of the study?
  • During the six month study I would be required to visit the office for once a month appointments. That is not a huge inconvenience as the office is about 2 miles from my current job. I did find out that the first appointment will be 4 hours, as I will be required to drink a Boost meal replacement drink and will have my blood drawn to measure digestion and glucose levels. I already cleared the appointments with my boss, but just because I CAN take time off work doesn’t mean I necessarily WANT to miss that much work time.

Random points of information:

  • Due to some upcoming travel and their appointment schedule, I won’t actually go in for my first appointment until mid-April.
  • They are sending me a packet in the mail with more information for me to fill out before my appointment.
  • They require that I test four times a day during the study (ha! not a problem) and upload my information to Carelink each week (currently would need to be done on my work computer as I am running Lion on my Mac).
  • I forgot to ask if I would have to switch infusion sets during the study. If I have to switch from the Sure-Ts, I am pretty sure I would not be willing to do that and would choose not to participate.

It’s still really early, but I figure all the feedback, support, and information I can get from all of you will be helpful. Plus, I don’t think it’s too often that members of our community have the opportunity to participate in things studies like this so hopefully I can continue to track the process.

Twelve Angry Diabetics

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I have to call in tonight after 5 pm to confirm, but it is a good possibility that I will have jury duty tomorrow.

Before I was diagnosed I had jury duty once in California, but it was the call-in type and I never had to appear.

Last year, I was called in and spent the morning in the waiting room watching The Terminal (what I still believe is an inappropriate choice when you are trapped in a room). I was dismissed without ever making it into a courtroom right after the lunch break.

As one of my coworkers joked today, my opinions about just about everything are so strong it is unlikely that I would ever be chosen for a jury.

I’m curious though, how have other members of the diabetes community navigated their civic duty and their diabetes management?

These are my friends

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As I was packing for this trip and looking for a ride to the airport, quite a few people questioned why I would fly to Kansas in the middle of winter when I could enjoy the beautiful weather in South Florida.

The answer is quite simple. I wanted to see my friends.

squee... is cold
Babs and Bob photo bomb
breakfast buddies
fine fabulous freezing Floridians
love these girls!

You know those times when you laugh so hard that your stomach hurts and you can’t stop crying? This weekend, those times looks something like this.






I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the past nine years of struggles and triumphs living with diabetes.

**********

Wow! I can’t believe all the comments on my post for the Stick Me Designs Deluxe clutch giveaway! It just shows how amazing her products are and how great they are for the diabetes community.

I put the comments into the random number generator, and Julie L. is the lucky winner. Please click on the envelope at the top right hand side of the page to e-mail me your shipping address and I will send the clutch on its way!

Diabetes Product Review (and giveaway) – Stick Me Designs

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Stick Me Designs

I went for a walk this weekend. A long walk – diabetes-wise – at over 3.5 miles. Long enough to need some supplies.

  • My DexCom receiver
  • apartment keys
  • True2Go meter (smallest meter/lacing device I own)
  • tube of glucose tables

When the weather is nice and my laundry is done, I typically wear basketball-style shorts with big enough pockets to carry everything. This weekend, I was in yoga pants with no pockets and knew just what I needed from my diabetes supply closet.

In 2007, I found a company that was making diabetes “cute.” In a world of plain black cases, Stick Me Designs was something exciting a different. I purchased a small clutch – the same clutch that I used on my walk this weekend.

Not only are the products cute – they are also well made and survive years of abuse use. This is the picture from the original 2007 post. For me, this wristlet is the perfect size for those times when you need more than just your meter but don’t want to carry ALL your supplies.

When I saw that Stick Me Designs was hosting a “Keep/Try and Giveaway” on Facebook a few weeks ago, I had to enter. I was thrilled to be chosen and quickly chose my favorite design (keep an eye on this blog for the other review).

I’m loving the Lotus Lily pattern that I chose. I like girly stuff as much as the next woman, but am not a huge fan of pink. I wanted something feminine without screaming PINK and this fit the bill.

I <3 this pattern!

The deluxe clutch is little bigger than the wristlet. For me it is the perfect size for a road trip, or when I will be away from home for a while. Let me explain -

As an insulin pumper, I am a bit spoiled. I work close enough to home that all I typically carry with me is my meter and a tube of glucose tablets. Refills, site changes, and any other trouble shooting can happen in the comfort of my home. But (for example this weekend!) when I’m traveling, I’ll pack everything.

In addition to my “normal” stuff, I’ll need an extra tube of glucose tablets, at least one site change (just in my purse the rest in my carry on), a vial of insulin, ketone meter, ketone strips, extra test strips, back-up meter, and who knows what else. The Deluxe Clutch has a place for it all, and it even has an insulated pouch for the insulin.

endless options inside!
insulated pouch!

If you need a great travel bag, or you need to carry more supplies on a daily basis, this clutch is perfect for you.

The founder of Stick Me Designs, Rickina, experienced gestational diabetes during her pregnancy, which is what inspired her to develop her company and she has been a great member of the diabetes community for as long as I can remember. She is the place to go when you need a great product to feel better about the daily hassles of diabetes.

Please check out all the products over at the Stick Me Designs store.

While you are doing that, are you feeling chic? Well, than I have the PERFECT solution!

I am giving away a Deluxe Clutch in the beautiful Scroll Chic design.

Check out this pattern!

I am headed somewhere FABULOUS to celebrate (among other things) my 9th diaversary.

Leave a comment on this post by Sunday February 5th at midnight and I will randomly select a winner from the comments when I’m done celebrating rocking diabetes one more year!

Zing!

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First of all, I hope your weather has been as good as mine this winter. Otherwise, please just enjoy this picture.
d365 - January 21, 2012 - day 21

Secondly, I had the best “dinner” a few nights ago. I was practicing for my award-winning lip sync performance through dinner, so I was desperate for food later that night.

There is a chain called Miller’s Ale House that claims to have world famous zingers. Well, the plate platter below had my zingers on it. I forgot to take the before picture, but I will next time – and there will be a next time.

As you may be able to see from the picture, my Zinger Mountain Melt was a platter of breaded boneless chicken wings, “piled over crispy fries and smothered with melted jack & cheddar cheeses, and bacon bits.” I picked honey mustard flavored chicken wings and asked for a side of honey mustard.

I had a horrible DexCom graph the rest of the night and I woke up ready to drink gallons of water but it was all completely worth it.

d365 - January 22, 2012 - day 22

Stories to tell

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I wish I could describe this weekend in a way that would make sense to anyone else. It was basically a gigantic competition at my work. And by gigantic I mean there were battles in Jenga, Chinese Checkers, soccer, football, Catch Phrase, ultimate frisbee, table tennis, a dance off, and just about any other game you can imagine.

I represented my team in Scrabble and brought home the victory – probably from all my Words with Friends practice. I also was supposed to play wiffle ball, but they ended up having enough players so was the very important first base coach instead. I took my job very seriously and led us to an undefeated record.

The culmination of the weekend is a lip sync competition. The amount of time, effort, and attention that go into these songs is just amazing and so are the results. I have a “blink and you’ll miss me” role in this video but am proud to say that this was the winning performance.

And I can almost guarantee you that you will never think of Switchfoot the same way again.

P.S. See also – the effects of adrenaline on glucose levels.
pure adrenaline.

Faith Friday – The measure you use

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I am admittedly not always the best at it, but any time I find myself trying to decide what to do in a certain situation I try to remember this passage. Call it karma, call it the golden rule, call it whatever you want, just consider it.

Give, and it will be given to you. Your gift will return to you in full — pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.
~ Luke 6:38

P.S. Despite all the controversy and media coverage the last few days, don’t miss the fact that some REALLY awesome things have occurred as well. MTV finally aired its episode True Life: I Have Diabetes and did a decent job of describing what “true life” with diabetes is actually like. And the diabetes online community gained two members as a result.

First, Taylor (follow her on twitter) found us because of the hashtags and @mtv replies being used during the episode. Then, once Kim published her post about the episode, Kristyn, one of people with diabetes profiled, found the online community too. Follow Kristyn on twitter too and be sure to kindly welcome them both to the community… y’all.