Spread the Love – Sunday 5/19/13

Today’s Topic: As another Diabetes Blog Week draws to a close, let’s reflect on some of the great bloggers we’ve found this week. Give some love to three blog posts you’ve read and loved during Diabetes Blog Week, and tell us why they’re worth reading. Or share three blogs you’ve found this week that are new to you. (Thanks to Pearlsa of A Girl’s Reflections for inspiring this topic.)

1. Seasons of Love by Melissa Baland Lee. Brought me to tears. I’d always heard about her as a voice teacher, but had never heard her sing until recently. It’s like a gorgeous rainbow just opens every time she sings. JUST GORGEOUS!

2. I Did That! by Meri Schumacher. When you don’t think you’ve accomplished anything, Meri showed us that every single day we accomplish SOOOOOO MUCH!

3. Never Gonna Give You Up by Christel. Anyone who can write an amazing blog post and Rick-roll you at the same time… THAT IS AWESOME!

http://www.ourdiabeticlife.com/2013/05/d-blog-week-day-4-i-did-that.html

Dream Diabetes Device (Wildcard) – Saturday 5/18/13

Today’s Topic: was originally Diabetes Art, but in no way am I artistic, so I’m using my wildcard here: Back by popular demand, let’s revisit this prompt from last year! Tell us what your fantasy diabetes device would be? Think of your dream blood glucose checker, delivery system for insulin or other meds, magic carb counter, etc etc etc. The sky is the limit – what would you love to see?

I want a permanent infusion set (kind of like a port) that I could just hook my pump up to. I HATE doing site changes. I hate how my belly looks with all of the pink scars. I’d also like to be able to get blood work done from that port. Tired of the vampires sucking 7-8 tubes each time I have labs.

Freaky Friday – Friday 5/17/13

Today’s Topic: Just like in the movie, today we’re doing a swap. If you could switch chronic diseases, which one would you choose to deal with instead of diabetes? And while we’re considering other chronic conditions, do you think your participation in the DOC has affected how you treat friends and acquaintances with other medical conditions? (Thanks to Jane of Jane K. Dickinson, RN, PhD, CDE and Bob of T Minus Two for this topic suggestion.)

I would like to switch my diabetes with Chronic Kidney Disease…. NOPE, already got that!
I would like to switch my diabetes with Sleep Apnea…. NOPE, already got that!
I would like to switch my diabetes with Cholnergic Uticaria…. NOPE, already got that!
I would like to switch my diabetes with Severe OsteoArthritis…. NOPE, already got that!
I would like to switch my diabetes with NASH: NonAlcoholic Steroidal Hepatitis…. NOPE, already got that!
I would like to switch my diabetes with Hypertension…. NOPE, already got that!
I would like to switch my diabetes with Hyperuricemia…. NOPE, already got that!
I would like to switch my diabetes with Hyperparathyroidism Due to Renal Insufficiency…. NOPE, already got that!

OH WELL! Guess I’m stuck with diabetes!

Accomplishments Big and Small -Thursday 5/16/13

Today’s Topic: We don’t always realize it, but each one of us had come a long way since diabetes first came into our life. It doesn’t matter if it’s been 5 weeks, 5 years or 50 years, you’ve done something outstanding diabetes-wise. So today let’s share the greatest accomplishment you’ve made in terms of dealing with your (or your loved one’s) diabetes. No accomplishment is too big or too small – think about self-acceptance, something you’ve mastered (pump / exercise / diet / etc.), making a tough care decision (finding a new endo or support group / choosing to use or not use a technology / etc.). (Thanks to Hilary of Rainie and Me for this topic suggestion.)

The greatest accomplishment that I have made diabetes wise is to become a diabetes advocate and a voice for the “Other Types of Diabetes”. The more people that learn that you can get diabetes in other forms is extremely important. I spoke at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions in 2008. They were held in San Francisco that year (my backyard). From the questions that were asked in the Q&A after I spoke told volumes of how uninformed Endocrinologists, CDE’s, and other diabetes care givers were unaware of this “type” of diabetes. How to care for us “others” was news for these professionals.

I’m hoping to keep educating and informing as many people as I possibly can. Each person that learns about Other Types of Diabetes is an accomplishment to me.

Memories – Wednesday 5/15/13

Today’s Topic: Today we’re going to share our most memorable diabetes day. You can take this anywhere…. your or your loved one’s diagnosis, a bad low, a bad high, a big success, any day that you’d like to share. (Thanks to Jasmine of Silver-Lined for this topic suggestion.)

My most memorable diabetes day is every single morning that I awake. That I didn’t go so low in the middle of the night and not awaken. I thank God every single morning that I am alive!

We, The Undersigned – Tuesday 5/14/13

Today’s Topic: Recently various petitions have been circulating the Diabetes Online Community, so today let’s pretend to write our own. Tell us who you would write the petition to – a person, an organization, even an object (animate or inanimate) – get creative!! What are you trying to change and what have you experienced that makes you want this change? (Thanks to Briley of inDpendence for this topic suggestion.)

We, the undersigned people with diabetes request:

That all medical caregivers are educated about the 1% of the classification of Diabetes called “All Other Types” or “Others” as we like to be called. We aren’t auto-immune for Diabetes. We can be insulin resistant, or not. This is not a genetic disease for us. We were diagnosed with diabetes because of a different cause and effect. Whether it be Cystic Fibrosis, Pancreatitis (Acute or Chronic), Pancreatic Cancer, Infections, Cushings Syndrom, or Drug/chemical induced diabetes.

Also, while you’re at it, we would like the insurance companies to acknowledge All Other Types, so that we get the care/supplies that are needed without being classified as the wrong type of diabetes and having to fight for what we need.

Thank You,

THE OTHERS

Share and Don’t Share – Monday 5/13/13

Today’s Topic: Often our health care team only sees us for about 15 minutes several times a year, and they might not have a sense of what our lives are really like. Today, let’s pretend our medical team is reading our blogs. What do you wish they could see about your and/or your loved one’s daily life with diabetes? On the other hand, what do you hope they don’t see?  (Thanks to Melissa Lee of Sweetly Voiced for this topic suggestion.)

Dear Dr. Amess,
I just met you last week, and you’re the fourth Endocrinologist that I have been to. My first Endo, basically started me out with insulin, but basically did what I told him. When I wanted to go on MDI from Regular/N, he said “okay”. When I wanted to get a pump, he said “okay”. He was so used to older Type2 patients that he really didn’t know how to deal with me. My second one dismissed me with “You need to exercise, then you won’t be so insulin resistant”. One visit with her, and I was D-U-N DONE! My third Endo only knew about putting T2′s on insulin and I had to defer to my pump rep and my CDE.

So far, you have had the slam, bam technology thing figured out. You took readings from my pump not from my meter. You knew about “Others”. You asked me what I wanted, explained what you thought should happen, and we both agreed on common goals. So far, you’re an A+!  I was so happy to hear from you that you wanted to look me up on the Internet after our discussion to see what I had to say. You think my diabetes is interesting, you want to know more how to help me as there isn’t much information on “others”. I LOVE THIS!

I hope that you don’t look into how often I buy pump supplies. I wasn’t truthful how long I let sets last. I push them as far as I can to save money. I’m a reservoir cheater. When next February comes around and I don’t have to pay for them again, I’ll be a good girl, I PROMISE.

So I hope you and I can keep this up. I need someone like you in my life!

Your new D-patient,

landileigh