This is what I woke up to this morning....

Not much. But it was some snow. :) It's gone now... :(

Stupid CGMS...

Not wanting to work right. :( My readings have been off for the last 24 hours. I just ripped it out. Going to try a new one today.

Happy World Diabetes Day?

Today's the day folks. And while I'm glad there's a day to bring awareness to this disease that effects so many people, I'd much rather just not have diabetes. I'm sure that most of you agree with me.

Often people ask, "What will you do when there's a cure?" I don't think about that very much. Mostly because diabetes has been with me for so long. I believe a cure is possible. I believe there will be one....someday. But for now, that hope for a cure is so deep inside me that I forget about it.

And like it's said every year, I hope this one is the last. But in all reality, I think it is probably not the last World Diabetes Day. So those of you who live close enough to somewhere that you can participate in the WDD activities, please do. And post your pictures and stories so I can be jealous. :P

Living in the middle of nowhere, there's nothing going on for WDD. So instead, I am getting up this morning, getting ready, and heading to work. Where my co-worker's husband is a T1 and my supervisor's daughter is a T1, another co-worker is a T2 and two other co-workers' husbands are T2. In a small office of about 15 people, there are at least 6 of us that are directly effected by this disease.

Here are so sobering facts that were sent to me in an e-mail from Diabetes Daily:

First, let these numbers really sink in:
-Every 10 seconds a person dies from diabetes-related causes.
-Every 10 seconds two people develop diabetes.
-Over 250 million people live with diabetes worldwide. In 2025, this figure will reach 380 million.
-More than 200 children a day develop type 1 diabetes.
-In developing countries, close to 75,000 children live with diabetes in desperate circumstances.
-Type 1 diabetes is increasing fastest in pre-school children, at a rate of 5% each year.
-Type 2 diabetes has been reported in children as young as eight.
-Type 2 diabetes affects children in both developed and developing countries.

Trying...

Okay, as I've mentioned before, I am unofficially trying to do the NaBloPoMo. This weekend may be the breaker for me.

My church has an intensive 3 day program that they do a couple of times per year. It's called Encounter. And I am going to be there this weekend. So posting may not happen.

I'm going to try, but you never know.

I am going to try to make it a point to post tomorrow, since it is World Diabetes Day. I figure that's the least I can do.

Monday Again??

All day today, it's felt like Monday...again. After having yesterday off for Veteran's Day, I had to go back to work. As much as I am glad that we have a holiday to honor Veterans, I HATE having a day off in the middle of the week. It always seems to throw my internal clock all out of whack.

I fought high blood sugar almost all day yesterday. Today, it's only been slightly better. I think I have discovered that weekends and off days mess with my blood sugar. I am going to have to figure this out.

My job is not an active job. I sit at a desk all day long. But for some reason, on weekends, my blood sugar likes to run higher. And even when I bolus for food, it seems I never bolus enough.

Does anybody else have trouble keeping the blood sugar in check during the weekend?

On a lighter note, I have a quote of the day for you:

"Some people are like Slinkys. They aren't good for much, but they make you smile when you push them down the stairs."

If any of you watch the Biggest Loser, I have a couple of slinky people on the show this season. **cough**vicky**cough**heba**cough**

Veteran's Day

This day can mean different things to different people. For some, it's another vacation day. To some, it's just another day to work. But for veterans and their families, it can mean so much more.

Both of my grandfathers, my dad, my uncle, and my brother served in the armed forces. I have a host of great-uncles who also served. I grew up in a home filled with pride for the armed forces. My dad served in Vietnam, and while he does talk about the war itself, he always mentions support of our troops and our country.

More recently, in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I have many people in my own town who have served in these countries. One is a person whom I consider one of my oldest and dearest friends. Two others that I went to high school with were injured.

I was reading, on a page on the History Channel's website this morning. Trying to find something to write about on this day that means so much to me. On this "fact page" there was a statistic (from the census bureau, according to the bottom of the page) that I felt like I should share with all of you. Yes, the election is over now, but this statistic blew me away:

The number of veterans who voted in the 2004 presidential election was 17.4 million. Seventy-four percent of veterans cast a ballot, compared with 63 percent of nonveterans.
14 million veterans voted in the 2006 congressional election. Sixty-one percent of veterans cast a ballot, compared with 46 percent of nonveterans.

Immediately, I knew the reason for this vast difference in percentages of voters. The people who served in the armed forces (and their families) see the reasons to vote. In some ways, I think they see it more clearly than those of us who haven't served.

Arlington National Cemetery

Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers

World War II Memorial

The Vietnam Memorial (The Wall)

Iwo Jima (USMC Memorial)

And 9/11. Not a monument yet, but a reminder of a day that our security was taken away from us.

Today, the two veterans that I am closest to both have to work. I think it's sad. My dad has never gotten a Veteran's Day off. It's kind of sad that I sit here at home right now, in my pajamas, taking a day off that I feel like I don't deserve.

Regardless of what your stance is on the war in Iraq or Afghanistan, support the people who are serving and have served at any time in the Nation's armed forces. They have seen and done and sacrificed things that no person should ever have to. And if you know a Veteran, give him or her a call today, or send an e-mail and let them know you appreciate their service to this country. You may brighten their day.

Nothing to say...

This is one of those days when I wish I had a meme. I have nothing to say. I don't really know why, but it is what it is.

I do want to say THANK YOU to all of you who posted yesterday! It was a record for me for most comments on a blog post. I was truly touched. If I didn't post on yours, I'm sorry, but be sure I appreciated your comment very much.

I LOVE YOU GUYS!

D-Blog Day

Well, today is D-Blog Day. I have to say that I've been at this blogging thing for over a year now and it's become a very productive and important part of my life. I've made new friends, found kindred spirits, and been blessed in more ways that you can even begin to imagine.

From some, it's been a kind word. Others, a care package, or a card in the mail. And some of you just bless me through my reading your blog. There are days when I think diabetes may drive me crazy, or just make me want to cry. But then I can turn to you and I feel like I have support to go on for another day.

There is a song by Watermark, a Christian group, called More Than You'll Ever Know. In a lot of ways, you guys out there in the OC fit this song. The lyrics are posted below the video if you can't listen to the song for whatever reason.


So, this is for all of you who mean more to me than you'll ever know.





More Than You'll Ever Know - Watermark (All Things New)

Something brought you to my mind today
I thought about the funny ways you make me laugh
And yet I feel like it's okay to cry with you
Something about just being with you
When I leave I feel like I've been near God
And that's the way it ought to be...

Chorus:
'Cause you've been more than a friend to me
You fight off my enemies
'Cause you've spoken the Truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've been on your knees for me
Oh, you have blessed my life
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah

You had faith, when I had none
You prayed God would bring me a brand new song
When I didn't think I could find the strength to sing
And all the while I'm hoping that I'll
Do the kind of praying for you that you've done for me
And that's the way it ought to be...

Chorus:
'Cause you've been more than a friend to me
You fight off my enemies
'Cause you've spoken the Truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've been on your knees for me
Oh, you have blessed my life
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah

You have carried me
You have taken upon a bruden that wasn't your own
And may the blessing return to you
A hundredfold, oh yeah...
A hundredfold, oh yeah...

Chorus:
'Cause you've been more than a friend to me
You fight off my enemies
'Cause you've spoken the Truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've been on your knees for me
Oh, you have blessed my life
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah

Stupid Me

As often as I test my blood sugar, you would think I would remember to put a new bottle of strips in my meter case when I empty the first one.... I forgot this morning.

In the midst of running around trying to find my script for the Veteran's Day program my kids at church are doing, and going to get two of the kids to bring this to practice this morning, I completely forgot.

Thank goodness for CGMS since I ended up being gone from my house for almost five hours (including having lunch).

But I survived without too much trouble.

Ah, such is the life of a forgetful diabetic.

Every Day

Okay, so I am unofficially trying to do the NaBloPoMo thing. I'm not committing officially, since this is my first attempt and I don't know if I can actually make it through the month. But we will see.
Diabetes related stuff...what happened today....well, other than having my CGMS go completely crazy (reading from 180 to 91 back to 190 within 20 minutes) when my blood sugar was pretty much steady, not a lot happened today. Basically, my blood sugar was high today for the afternoon (no idea why), but then my CGMS went crazy with it. So I spent a lot of time this afternoon making my pump STOP BEEPING!!!!
It was one of those times I almost just wanted to turn the darn thing off.
Maybe it will be a more normal day tomorrow. We can only hope.

On another note, how many of you have read the Twilight series by Stephenie Myer? Just curios. I have gotten hooked. And now the movie is coming out this month! I am excited. (See my WeeMee at the top of the page?)
If you've read them, let me know what you think.

I should be nice to you....

I had the most interesting thing happen to me over the weekend. As most of you know, I live in an extremely small town. Until I was in high school, the whole county only had 2 stoplights. A few years ago, when I was college, our town was blessed to have 2 ethnic restaurants move into our town. This would have been unheard of when I was younger. The closest thing we had to ethnic was the Taco Bell we got when I was in high school!! :D

One of the restaurants, my brother helped with the construction and I frequent at least a couple of times per month. The brothers who run it are very nice people. As often as I am in there, in combination with them knowing my brother, they know who I am.

I never hide my diabetes. I guess part of having a pump is naturally discrete. When I was in there over the weekend with a friend of mine, I got out my meter to test right before eating. As one of the guys who runs the restaurant came up, he was shocked, wanting to know what I was doing. He wasn't rude, just curious. I explained that I was diabetic and I was on an insulin pump.

I took out my pump to bolus and showed him that it had medicine in it.

He asked several questions, the biggest one being "How long?". When I told him that I had been a diabetic for years, he was shocked. He had never known that I was in all the years I've been coming in there.

I got up to go get my food (buffet style) and came back to my table and he said to me, "I should be nice to you." Keep in mind that this guy makes it a habit to pick on me when I'm in there. It's just something he does. And it's kind of funny cause I give back as good as I get.

It shocked me a little when he said that he thought he should be nice to me. So I said, before I thought too much about it, "Don't be nice to me 'cause you feel sorry for me."

The conversation ended at that point because my friend and I were eating and he was working, but that stuck in my head. I haven't had anyone say anything like that to me in years. It's a little disheartening to think that people might treat me differently due to my diabetes.

Has anything like this ever happened to you?

History

I am currently reading a book for a college class. Brown v. the Board of Education. I am glad to see how far our nation has come in comparison to these times I am reading about now. The results of this election proves that in America you CAN truly be whatever you want, regardless of race or gender. But I am also disheartened. I know a majority of you in the Diabetes OC are over the moon about the results of yesterday's election. To you, I say congratulations.
While I am thrilled that our nation can pick an African-American to be it's leader, it's the choice of man I call into question. I feel he is a man we know nothing about, who refuses to produce his birth certificate, and who surrounds himself with people of questionable character. Time and time again, people would bring up these subjects, only to have the media and Mr. Obama, ignore the questions or give an answer that did not satisfy, only pacify.
As we enter a new time in our history as a nation, I ask, regardless of how you voted, that you pray. For Mr. Obama, the people who were elected and sit in the House and Congress, and for this nation as a whole.
We are entering a time of uncertainty. The economy has taken a hit, people are loosing their homes and livelihood, and now we have elected a man to the most high office in the nation, who on average has not voted "yay" or "nay" while serving as Senator, but voted "present". If a man cannot make a decision as simple as yes, or no, I pray that he surrounds himself with people who can advise him wisely and correctly, as he now holds the fate of our great Nation in his hands.

On that note, this is more than likely the ONLY time I will post anything political (as far as sharing my beliefs) on this blog. I understand that others have a different opinion than mine. But please, I ask you, do not be harsh and cruel in your comments, as I will never be in yours. The right to have a difference in opinion is what makes this Nation the greatest in the world.

Differences

That's what this country was built on. The fact that we could all be different and still have a voice. So, please, if you are a registered voter, GO VOTE! I early voted this year, so I've had my say.

No matter your beliefs, Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal, your voice is important. Don't let someone else speak for you.

Remember the line "A government for the people and by the people." Make sure your government is BY you!

Disney Channel!

Okay, apparently all our voices worked. Disney pulled the episode of Hannah Montana to "re-evaluate" it.
I found this out reading a blog over at dLife. Carey Potash, a parent of a child with diabetes, posted about it here.
Sadly, I couldn't find the letter that he said was listed on the Children With Diabetes website. But as far as I'm concerned, that is okay.
Maybe we made some head way on stopping the misinforming of our youth. Let's just hope so anyway.

Operation Christmas Child

My church does gathers boxes for Operation Christmas Child almost every year. This year is no different. Last week we had spoken a little bit about it. This week we did again. They showed a video today that really touched my heart.
For those of you who don't know what Operation Christmas Child is, it is an outreach by the organization Samaritan's Purse, which was founded by Franklin Graham, son of the late Billy Graham. With this organization, people pack shoe boxes with items for children and they are taken to countries that are in desperate need of the most basic items. The children there often have no toys at all. Some have very little food, no electricity or running water. They are in war torn areas, or areas that are often overlooked.
The video shown this morning was about a woman named Lejla Allison, who was born in Bosnia. To see this video, you can go to this website and scroll down to The Lejla Allison Story. Perhaps you will be touched like I was.
I have also posted a video below that shows some of the work in the Ukraine.



If you are interested in packing a shoebox, go to the Operation Christmas Child website. They will help you locate a drop-off point. Instructions on packing the box are located here.
Times are tight for everyone right now. But when you see how these children live, you will feel truly blessed and want to give back.

One Word Meme.....

A New Meme....it's been a while. :)

1. Where is your cell phone? Desk.
2. Your significant other? None
3. Your Hair? Brown
4. Your Skin? Light
5. Your mother? Wonderful
6. Your favorite thing? Music
7. Your dream last night? Sad
8. Your favorite drink? Diet
9. Your dream/goal? Happiness
10. The room you’re in? Kitchen
11. Your ex? Absent
12. Your fear? Spiders
13.Where do you want to be in 6 years? Somewhere
14.Where were you last night? Home
15.What you’re not? Athletic
16.Muffins? Yummy
17.One of your wish list items? Mixer
18.Where you grew up? Tennessee
19.The last thing you did? Groceries
20.What are you wearing? Jeans
21.Your TV? On
22.Your pets? Fish
23. Your computer? Slow
24. Your life? Boring
25. Your mood? Bored
26. Missing someone? Sure
27. Your car? Mine
28. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes
29. Favorite Store? Books-A-Million (the dashes make it one word!!!)
30. Your summer? Boring
31. Like someone? Sure
32. Your favorite color? Orange
33. When is the last time you laughed? Dinner
34. Last time you cried? Tuesday
35. Who will respond to this? Someone
36. Who’s answers are you anxious to see? Everyone's

Hallelujah

Every year, on our town's trick-or-treat night (which happens to be October 30th), my church does a Halloween alternative program for kids, teens and adults called Hallelujah. They have programs, skits, music, a costume contest, and they give away candy to the kids. We've done this for many years now. I think around 16 years.

Each year it is different and fun. This year was no exception.

Our youth did the "Thriller" dance. It sound quality on my camera isn't great, and sometimes the lights made the camera go out of focus, but it was so cool. I wanted to share it on here, but I can't get it to upload. If I figure it out, I will post it later.

Also, I had to share a picture of my favorite little Spider Man (my friend's baby boy, whom I adore).

And, my own costume, which has a back story. Since I was an infant, my much older brother has always referred to me as Cara-boo. I have no idea why. I'm not even sure he knows why. But, that's what he's always called me. About three years ago it suddenly occurred to me that Cara-boo and caribou sound like the same word....so this year I dressed up as Cara-boo....complete with antlers. :P

I hope you all enjoy.

Hannah Montana

November approaches us very quickly. Diabetes Awareness Month is all the buzz in the diabetes community. This is the time of year when it's much easier to get our word out and to educate those on what it is like to live with diabetes. There are activities, World Diabetes Day, and events like the National Luminary Lighting Event. There will be spots on television talking about diabetes and statistics and things that can be done to prevent diabetes (hopefully they will metion that Type 2 is the one you can prevent).

Sadly, there is still VAST misinformation in the mainstream community and the media continually helps to feed this misinformation. This is a subject that all of us here in the Diabetes OC tend to mention on a fairly regular basis.

Today Kerri posted an interesting blog post about an upcoming episode of Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel. If you even know of a child under the age of about 14, you know who Hannah Montana is. On Kerri's post she linked the bootlegged copy of the episode that someone had sent her. After watching it myself, I was highly disturbed.

In the episode, Oliver, Miley's best friend, gets diabetes. At first he tried to hide it from Miley and Lilly but they find out by accident from the school nurse. Afterwards, they spend the whole show trying to keep Oliver from eating any sugar. At the end, Oliver is talking to them about diabetes and saying how he really wants a cupcake, but he just CAN'T have it. Basically, it is mentioned several times that diabetics shouldn't have much sugar. While, I agree that NO ONE should eat a ton of sugar, the whole episode is made out that Oliver can't have ANY sugar.

I know that parents in the Children With Diabetes community are raising a fuss. I, myself, went to the Disney site and left a message. I posted it below.

While I find it highly unlikely that Disney will pull this episode, I thought I had to at least let my opinion be known.

Hannah Montana is a hugely influential show on the young people in America. And Disney is misinforming an entire generation. While we in the Diabetes community fight constantly to bring more awareness to this disease that affects so many people, Disney seems to be able to come in, in one swift motion (or one 30 minute episode!) and destroy what we are working so hard to build: AWARENESS

As I'm sure you are aware, November is National Diabetes AWARENESS Month. Awareness being the key word here. And while I admire the attempt at adding a character with diabetes to the show, Hannah Montana, you have gotten it WRONG! Diabetics can and do eat sugar! A person with diabetes does not produce insulin. Insulin is necessary in the body for the carbohydrates that are consumed. And while sugar is a carbohydrate, 1 Snickers bar will raise my blood sugar just as much as 3 slices of whole wheat bread. Period. By having an episode in which Oliver is not supposed to have sugar, you are misinforming an entire generation of young people in what diabetes really is like. Not only do you make them think that Oliver can NEVER have sugar, you also never show a blood sugar meter, insulin, a shot, or an insulin pump. This is a GROSSLY inaccurate presentation of Type 1 diabetes. As for my credentials in writing you on this subject...I have been living with Type 1 diabetes for 23 years. If that ain't enough knowledge, I don't know what is. I encourage you to pull this episode immediately. Re-write it. And give an accurate description of diabetes. Thank you.

Bad Sensor

I put a new sensor in a couple of days ago. About 1/2 the time since, I've had it turned off. Because when it's on, I can't seem to get it to work right. I think I have officially come across my first "bad" sensor.
There have been no calibration errors. But time after time I will check and it will be 100 to 150 points off! I will try to reset it and then in 4 or 5 hours I test again and the reading is off in the opposite direction.
I am taking it out tonight. It's been a while since I've taken some time off from the sensor. I may take a few days break. We'll see how long I last before I'm putting a new one in. I usually don't last more than 24 to 36 hours because I have gotten so used to seeing the CGMS to have an idea of where my blood sugars are heading.

By the way, since I am not walking for JDRF this year, I am posting a fellow diabetic's info so you can donate to her. This is Kacey, the daughter of Jill at My Crazy Life.

Tennessee Gathering Report

Last Saturday was our first Tennessee gathering. Despite small numbers, we had a good time and plan on doing it again. In fact, already others have told both myself and Vivian at Danieldoo, that they want to come to the next one. We had food, games (thanks for the challenge Daniel!), paddle boating, and GREAT weather! Below are some pictures that we took. Maybe you can join us next time!

P.S. My pump's new name is LOLA. A victory by only 1 vote. :)