Dear Diabetes,
I just want to remind you how much you suck! You are taking a lot of my time and energy. You hurt me over and over again. I even have to endure pain just to make you calm down! What exactly do you have against me? So my pancreas doesn't work, that is not my problem so go pick on someone else.
You are constantly haunting my every thoughts. Even in my dreams you rear your ugly head. You are just like the boogy man, except I can get him to go away. You make me constantly worry about what you are doing to my body. You make me worry if I am high or low. You make me worry about exercising or being alone. You make worry if I will ever be able to have kids. It is a constant mind game with you, and I am tired of it.
Not only do you make me worry but you make my family worry too. They don't understand you like I do. They don't know the stress you cause in my life. They don't know the anxiety you welcome me with every morning. They don't know how you wake me up several times at night and make me go to the bathroom. You are a sneaky little booger!
I am certainly not happy with our current relationship. You strap me down on that roller coaster and take me for a ride. All of the ups and downs are a constant reminder that you are still here. You are ruining my grades in school and humiliating me in front of my class mates. You are a big ugly bully.
Please try and remember that you picked me. I want nothing to do with you! I want to wake up in the morning and be totally normal. I don't want to check my sugar 10 times a day. I don't want to inject myself with insulin just to stay alive. I don't want to pass up that birthday cake on my own birthday. What I do want is for you to pack up your disease and leave me alone.
I thought I was supposed to be the expensive one, but then I met you. You are a financial burden who likes to pick my pocketbook. Every month you present me with my bill, you even act like you want a tip! What's up with that?
You have employed my family and friends to become diabetic police. How much are you secretly paying them? It is like you are a little whisper in their ear reminding them to ask me if I should eat that or not. Do you know how annoying that can be?
I would love to take a vacation, but I hate that I have to bring you along. The fact that you get to fly free just makes me cringe. Paris sounds lovely but chocolate eclairs and pastries don't mix to well with you by my side. Plus, you don't deserve to see the Louve'. I know you will cause trouble like you usually do and ruin my trip, so it may be best just to stay here where you belong.
With all this said, I know I have to come to terms with you being a part of me. No, it will not happen over night but I think slowly I will be able to accept you. I imagine we will still be enemies though, in fact I know we will.
I truly hate you,
Kimberlee
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Diabetes Research
Dear Family and Friends,
I have been presented with an opportunity to participate in a diabetes research study at the University of Florida. They are seeking 15 newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetics. Dr. Mike Haller who is a graduate of Duke University is very excited about this opportunity and is optimistic about preserving beta cells.
I try to be as independent as possible, and in the end this my decision and my decision only. I am asking my family and friends though for advice, opinions on the study, and most of all support. If you are reading this then I obviously value your opinion and would love to hear from you. You can email me at: KDJohnson86@Gmail.com or if you have a facebook account feel free to private message me on there.
The research study takes place at Shands\University of Florida, and it lasts a total of two years. This study does not reverse diabetes and it is very clear about that. However there is a chance that it may be able to preserve some of the beta cells my body has not killed off yet and that can help me in the future from having to increase my insulin doses higher.
I feel like I have an obligation to help out in this research. I may be able to help a future diabetic and that really means a lot to me. Dr. Haller and I have been in contact over this past week and he has ensured me that I will be able to successful continue nursing school while participating in his research study.
I am going to copy and paste the information about the study below so everyone has the opportunity to read it if they wish. Like I said above please let me know what you think about it. I really need your help!
ATG/GCSF Clinical Trial
What is the ATG/GCSF Study?
This is a new interventional study for people with established type 1 diabetes (T1D). The primary purpose of the study is to determine if giving the combination therapy consisting of Thymoglobulin® (ATG) and Neulasta® (pegylated GCSF) to patients with established T1D is safe. The secondary purpose is to determine if giving ATG plus GCSF to patients with established TID will preserve insulin production.
Who can participate?
Participants must have well established T1D with a time from diagnosis of greater than 4 months but less than 2 years. The age range for participants is age 16 or greater and less than 45 years of age. The first three subjects must be at least 18 years of age and less than 45 years of age.
What do I have to do as a participant?
If you meet screening requirements (separate study visit) you will be admitted to the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) at Shands Hospital at UF for 3-4 days for the ATG infusion. The GCSF will be given beginning at the end of the infusion, and then every 2 weeks for a total of 6 doses. There are 12 follow-up visits at 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 10 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months. Beginning with the 3 month visit, a mixed meal tolerance test (except for the 9 month visit) will be done at each visit along with blood tests at all visits. All follow-up visits take place at the GCRC.
You are more than welcome to read over the consent form also, in fact I would prefer if you did. This way you can get more of an idea of what the study is about and how it can affect the participant. Visit the website at: http://diabetes.ufl.edu/files/2010/03/ATG-Consent.pdf
I am undecided about this study right now and I need some more opinions and some time to think all of it over before I can make a decision. I know the doctors and scientists at UF are a great group of people who are striving to make this world diabetes free!
I look forward to hearing from you all! Thanks again for your continued support.
Love,
Kimberlee
I have been presented with an opportunity to participate in a diabetes research study at the University of Florida. They are seeking 15 newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetics. Dr. Mike Haller who is a graduate of Duke University is very excited about this opportunity and is optimistic about preserving beta cells.
I try to be as independent as possible, and in the end this my decision and my decision only. I am asking my family and friends though for advice, opinions on the study, and most of all support. If you are reading this then I obviously value your opinion and would love to hear from you. You can email me at: KDJohnson86@Gmail.com or if you have a facebook account feel free to private message me on there.
The research study takes place at Shands\University of Florida, and it lasts a total of two years. This study does not reverse diabetes and it is very clear about that. However there is a chance that it may be able to preserve some of the beta cells my body has not killed off yet and that can help me in the future from having to increase my insulin doses higher.
I feel like I have an obligation to help out in this research. I may be able to help a future diabetic and that really means a lot to me. Dr. Haller and I have been in contact over this past week and he has ensured me that I will be able to successful continue nursing school while participating in his research study.
I am going to copy and paste the information about the study below so everyone has the opportunity to read it if they wish. Like I said above please let me know what you think about it. I really need your help!
ATG/GCSF Clinical Trial
What is the ATG/GCSF Study?
This is a new interventional study for people with established type 1 diabetes (T1D). The primary purpose of the study is to determine if giving the combination therapy consisting of Thymoglobulin® (ATG) and Neulasta® (pegylated GCSF) to patients with established T1D is safe. The secondary purpose is to determine if giving ATG plus GCSF to patients with established TID will preserve insulin production.
Who can participate?
Participants must have well established T1D with a time from diagnosis of greater than 4 months but less than 2 years. The age range for participants is age 16 or greater and less than 45 years of age. The first three subjects must be at least 18 years of age and less than 45 years of age.
What do I have to do as a participant?
If you meet screening requirements (separate study visit) you will be admitted to the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) at Shands Hospital at UF for 3-4 days for the ATG infusion. The GCSF will be given beginning at the end of the infusion, and then every 2 weeks for a total of 6 doses. There are 12 follow-up visits at 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 10 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months. Beginning with the 3 month visit, a mixed meal tolerance test (except for the 9 month visit) will be done at each visit along with blood tests at all visits. All follow-up visits take place at the GCRC.
You are more than welcome to read over the consent form also, in fact I would prefer if you did. This way you can get more of an idea of what the study is about and how it can affect the participant. Visit the website at: http://diabetes.ufl.edu/files/2010/03/ATG-Consent.pdf
I am undecided about this study right now and I need some more opinions and some time to think all of it over before I can make a decision. I know the doctors and scientists at UF are a great group of people who are striving to make this world diabetes free!
I look forward to hearing from you all! Thanks again for your continued support.
Love,
Kimberlee
Sunday, September 5, 2010
We need you to recognize
This morning I read a story that is in a way similar to other stories I have read recently. The story was about a Type 1 diabetic that became hypoglycemic. This is a woman who usually wore her diabetic identification bracelet but had misplaced it that morning. She also usually carried glucose tablets wherever she went but had forgotten to grab them on the way out the door for her morning walk.
In her story she tells about it being cold. She says that there was thick snow on the ground and that she struggled to walk through it. She started to feel as if her blood sugar was getting low and she was thankful when she saw a fire station up ahead. All she wanted was a coke, or something to raise her sugar.
When she reached the station her sugar was so low that it was hard for her to express to the fireman exactly what was happening to her body. He immediately thought she was drunk and he called the police.
The police also thought she was drunk and took her to the county jail where she was booked and spent the next 7 days. She was wearing an insulin pump that eventually ran out of insulin. She says she threw the pump out of her cell and onto the ground and begged for a doctor. They took the pump and locked it up with her belongings and told her a doctor would not be at the jail until Monday, and this was on a Thursday.
She claims that her family was there everyday pleading with the police. She says that she became so sick that she started vomiting. She refused to eat or drink while she was there because she was so scared. When the doctor finally arrived on Monday he took her out of her cell and into a private room where she could receive saline. He did not check her sugar, nor give her insulin.
After she received the saline a lawyer was finally allowed to see her. He was able to get her sent to the hospital. When she arrived someone finally checked her sugar and it was 427, high..yes, but luckily not higher. It was there that she finally received insulin and saline to rehydrate her.
I tell you this story because there are too many stories like this out there. People are uneducated about diabetes. They are not aware of the symptoms and most often mistake hypoglycemia as being intoxicated. It saddens me, and worries me that these stories exist.
I ask again that you please be aware of the signs and symptoms because you never know when you might be the one to have to save some one's life.
Hypoglycemia:
Cold sweat
Fast or pounding heartbeat
Shaking
Nervous, excited
Drowsy
Personality change
Irritability
Confusion
Poor coordination
Slurred or slow speech
If you can, take some time to familiarize yourself with these symptoms. Thank you for your time.
-Kimberlee
In her story she tells about it being cold. She says that there was thick snow on the ground and that she struggled to walk through it. She started to feel as if her blood sugar was getting low and she was thankful when she saw a fire station up ahead. All she wanted was a coke, or something to raise her sugar.
When she reached the station her sugar was so low that it was hard for her to express to the fireman exactly what was happening to her body. He immediately thought she was drunk and he called the police.
The police also thought she was drunk and took her to the county jail where she was booked and spent the next 7 days. She was wearing an insulin pump that eventually ran out of insulin. She says she threw the pump out of her cell and onto the ground and begged for a doctor. They took the pump and locked it up with her belongings and told her a doctor would not be at the jail until Monday, and this was on a Thursday.
She claims that her family was there everyday pleading with the police. She says that she became so sick that she started vomiting. She refused to eat or drink while she was there because she was so scared. When the doctor finally arrived on Monday he took her out of her cell and into a private room where she could receive saline. He did not check her sugar, nor give her insulin.
After she received the saline a lawyer was finally allowed to see her. He was able to get her sent to the hospital. When she arrived someone finally checked her sugar and it was 427, high..yes, but luckily not higher. It was there that she finally received insulin and saline to rehydrate her.
I tell you this story because there are too many stories like this out there. People are uneducated about diabetes. They are not aware of the symptoms and most often mistake hypoglycemia as being intoxicated. It saddens me, and worries me that these stories exist.
I ask again that you please be aware of the signs and symptoms because you never know when you might be the one to have to save some one's life.
Hypoglycemia:
Cold sweat
Fast or pounding heartbeat
Shaking
Nervous, excited
Drowsy
Personality change
Irritability
Confusion
Poor coordination
Slurred or slow speech
If you can, take some time to familiarize yourself with these symptoms. Thank you for your time.
-Kimberlee
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
A New Start
Today was the day that I got to visit my new endocrinologist. I must start off by saying that God must have really listened to all of my prayers because I could have not asked for a better appointment. Thank you all for your continued support and much needed prayers. You have no idea how grateful I am!
I could barely sleep last night because I was so nervous about today's appointment. On the way to Shands my stomach was in knots. Luckily I did no sitting around in the waiting room whatsoever which was very surprising! The doctor basically followed me into the room and that caught me off guard.
My new doctor listens...can you believe that? He actually listens to me! He sat in the room with me for over a hour and went over everything. He disagreed on my Addison's diagnosis, although he does believe another autoimmune disease may be wreaking some havoc.
He asked me if I had questions and concerns, and boy did I! He listened and addressed each one though and I was amazed at what he was able to accomplish for me in one appointment. I have honestly had more done in this one appointment than I have had all year long with my old mean endo.
We talked a lot about my insulin regimen and he changed it for me because what I was taking didn't make much sense to him. I am now on two types on insulin. The first type is Lantus. It is a basal that stays in my system for 24 hours. This is to hopefully keep me from getting those nasty yucky ketones. My second insulin is a super fast acting insulin that I take with my food. I feel good about this new regimen and I hope to start feeling better here soon.
We touched base on insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors. Unlike the old endo he was very much for the idea but I do have to complete some diabetes education classes before I can be considered a candidate. I will begin those classes in September, and I think even the Hubby might be coming along for some lessons :)
There is a culprit behind my severe leg pain and unfortunately I have lost a lot of feeling in my feet and ankles. We ran some blood tests today and he is confident that within a few weeks he will have some answers for me. It is definitely neuropathy but it could be from another autoimmune disease instead of diabetes.
I got to talk to a diabetes educator for about a hour today and she taught me a lot of useful stuff. My poor husband though was about to pull his hair out because of the information overload. The educator was great though and she even showed him what he needs to do to save my life if it ever came down to that.
All in all this appointment was a blessing. Kelly and I walked out of there with hope, something that we kind of lost with the old endo. UF and Shands is the #1 diabetes researcher in the world and I feel like I am in great hands. I have a support group now and doctors who are actually on my side. It is going to be a change, but a change for the better I believe.
Once again thank you so much for all the prayers, and thank you for letting me share all of this with you!
Lots of thanks,
Kimberlee
PS- Forgot to tell you that the Doctor gave me his email address and wants me to email him my blood sugar levels and insulin dosages everyday....Just absolutely mind boggling! I have never met a Doctor as special as him!!
I could barely sleep last night because I was so nervous about today's appointment. On the way to Shands my stomach was in knots. Luckily I did no sitting around in the waiting room whatsoever which was very surprising! The doctor basically followed me into the room and that caught me off guard.
My new doctor listens...can you believe that? He actually listens to me! He sat in the room with me for over a hour and went over everything. He disagreed on my Addison's diagnosis, although he does believe another autoimmune disease may be wreaking some havoc.
He asked me if I had questions and concerns, and boy did I! He listened and addressed each one though and I was amazed at what he was able to accomplish for me in one appointment. I have honestly had more done in this one appointment than I have had all year long with my old mean endo.
We talked a lot about my insulin regimen and he changed it for me because what I was taking didn't make much sense to him. I am now on two types on insulin. The first type is Lantus. It is a basal that stays in my system for 24 hours. This is to hopefully keep me from getting those nasty yucky ketones. My second insulin is a super fast acting insulin that I take with my food. I feel good about this new regimen and I hope to start feeling better here soon.
We touched base on insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors. Unlike the old endo he was very much for the idea but I do have to complete some diabetes education classes before I can be considered a candidate. I will begin those classes in September, and I think even the Hubby might be coming along for some lessons :)
There is a culprit behind my severe leg pain and unfortunately I have lost a lot of feeling in my feet and ankles. We ran some blood tests today and he is confident that within a few weeks he will have some answers for me. It is definitely neuropathy but it could be from another autoimmune disease instead of diabetes.
I got to talk to a diabetes educator for about a hour today and she taught me a lot of useful stuff. My poor husband though was about to pull his hair out because of the information overload. The educator was great though and she even showed him what he needs to do to save my life if it ever came down to that.
All in all this appointment was a blessing. Kelly and I walked out of there with hope, something that we kind of lost with the old endo. UF and Shands is the #1 diabetes researcher in the world and I feel like I am in great hands. I have a support group now and doctors who are actually on my side. It is going to be a change, but a change for the better I believe.
Once again thank you so much for all the prayers, and thank you for letting me share all of this with you!
Lots of thanks,
Kimberlee
PS- Forgot to tell you that the Doctor gave me his email address and wants me to email him my blood sugar levels and insulin dosages everyday....Just absolutely mind boggling! I have never met a Doctor as special as him!!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Update!
I know it has been a long time since I have updated my blog. My summer semester started in May so I have been super busy with school. A lot of stuff has been going on in my life though since my last update. New loves, new hates, and a lot of learning.
All my test results finally came back from my cortisol test that I had almost 2 months ago now. I tested positive for Addison's disease. My endo, Ramharrack, does not feel comfortable treating me. I feel fortunate enough though to be going to one of the greatest endocrinologist in the Southeast next month. Endocrinology of UF and Shands has worked me into their program and I feel confident that they are going to be able to help me live my life again.
My Dad took the family on vacation in June. It was the best family vacation I have ever had despite my broken hand I got out of it. We went to Blue Ridge, GA which is my favorite place to be and we stayed right on the Taccoa river. It was nice to have the whole family together. I must live there one day soon! It is the only place where I feel really happy to be.
So, that "new hate" I mentioned earlier...yeah that would be the bubblicious pink cast that is on my right arm. Did I mention that I am right handed and in the middle of my semester? Tomorrow I go to the orthopedic for more xrays and I am going to beg and plead for him to change my cast. Somehow I have rubbed through the cotton inside the cast so now it is skin on fiberglass which as you can imagine doesn't feel too good at all.
I mentioned "new loves" too. So my first new love would be the Eclipse movie..OMG! I am a huge Twilight fan so of course I love the movies. My second new love would be Stephanie Myers novel "The Host." The library finally got it in and even though I just started reading it I am already hooked. My third love? Cherries! I know I am not supposed to have a lot of fruit because of all the sugar that is in them but I can't keep my hand out of the bag of cherries. Yum Yum Yum Yum!!
And then there is life with Diabetes. Yep, still sucking. I am starting to think that when you have diabetes people around you start to think that you are no longer human. Last time I checked, which was about 2 seconds ago....I was still human. With that being said I am allowed to make mistakes just like everyone else. That's what humans do right? A mistake is typically an accident. It doesn't mean that you are a horrible person and it doesn't mean that you don't care about yourself or the others around you. It bothers me that people can't accept my mistake and move on. Instead they feel like they must remind me of it, and gossip about it and treat me like a baby that I am NOT.
Feeling misunderstood,
Kimberlee
PS- An awesome recipe for you!
"Even okay for me chicken"
2 large skinless, boneless chicken breast
Plain special k cereal
salt
pepper
Salt and pepper the chicken breast and bake them in the oven for about 15 minutes
Take the chicken out of the oven and lightly pepper it again
Crush a couple of hand fulls of special k cereal and cover the chicken breast
Bake for another 10 minutes
Enjoy the yumminess!
All my test results finally came back from my cortisol test that I had almost 2 months ago now. I tested positive for Addison's disease. My endo, Ramharrack, does not feel comfortable treating me. I feel fortunate enough though to be going to one of the greatest endocrinologist in the Southeast next month. Endocrinology of UF and Shands has worked me into their program and I feel confident that they are going to be able to help me live my life again.
My Dad took the family on vacation in June. It was the best family vacation I have ever had despite my broken hand I got out of it. We went to Blue Ridge, GA which is my favorite place to be and we stayed right on the Taccoa river. It was nice to have the whole family together. I must live there one day soon! It is the only place where I feel really happy to be.
So, that "new hate" I mentioned earlier...yeah that would be the bubblicious pink cast that is on my right arm. Did I mention that I am right handed and in the middle of my semester? Tomorrow I go to the orthopedic for more xrays and I am going to beg and plead for him to change my cast. Somehow I have rubbed through the cotton inside the cast so now it is skin on fiberglass which as you can imagine doesn't feel too good at all.
I mentioned "new loves" too. So my first new love would be the Eclipse movie..OMG! I am a huge Twilight fan so of course I love the movies. My second new love would be Stephanie Myers novel "The Host." The library finally got it in and even though I just started reading it I am already hooked. My third love? Cherries! I know I am not supposed to have a lot of fruit because of all the sugar that is in them but I can't keep my hand out of the bag of cherries. Yum Yum Yum Yum!!
And then there is life with Diabetes. Yep, still sucking. I am starting to think that when you have diabetes people around you start to think that you are no longer human. Last time I checked, which was about 2 seconds ago....I was still human. With that being said I am allowed to make mistakes just like everyone else. That's what humans do right? A mistake is typically an accident. It doesn't mean that you are a horrible person and it doesn't mean that you don't care about yourself or the others around you. It bothers me that people can't accept my mistake and move on. Instead they feel like they must remind me of it, and gossip about it and treat me like a baby that I am NOT.
Feeling misunderstood,
Kimberlee
PS- An awesome recipe for you!
"Even okay for me chicken"
2 large skinless, boneless chicken breast
Plain special k cereal
salt
pepper
Salt and pepper the chicken breast and bake them in the oven for about 15 minutes
Take the chicken out of the oven and lightly pepper it again
Crush a couple of hand fulls of special k cereal and cover the chicken breast
Bake for another 10 minutes
Enjoy the yumminess!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
You might not see me....but here I am.
I am very quiet, in fact I don't even have a sound. You cannot smell me, I have no scent. I seem to blend in with your everyday life and you may notice me for a moment. But I am usually shrugged off. You cannot see me, I have no form. In fact, you can't even touch me. I live in many of you and yet no one can see me, hell most people I live with, do not even recognize me. Well , at least until I am ready to show them. When I am ready to make their acquaintance, and I always come as such a surprise. Sure, you think back at the signs and realize I was lurking all along. Maybe you found yourself thirsty a lot, hmmm must be hot. Or maybe you would wake up with night sweats, oh must of been a bad dream. After a very heavy carb loaded dinner, you were ready to nap, Must be tired. Never once did you think it was me, you just didn't pay attention. I feel like that person screaming for attention in a sound proof room. I tried to warn you that I was here. Sometimes I feel like the red headed step child of diseases. Heart Attacks, everyone knows them, yeah I probably had a hand in it. Sometimes, I feel bad for the people I "infect", so I do things to let them know I am here. Maybe you lose your sight, or even your foot. How about kidney failure. Seems like this world just doesn't know much about me. I laugh when people say, "oh you can't eat sugar then". What! Seriously people, I destroy your pancreas( heck if you are my cousin by the same name, you attack your own beta cells), I make your insulin useless, I can make your kidneys fail, your liver overload with glucose, your toes tingle, your vision blur, your teeth rot, your mood swing. I can keep you obese, maybe claim your toe or even your leg. Don't forget about a stroke, I can bring that on or how about a heart attack. And if you try to treat me, you can over do it and I can make you sick, cold sweat, and drop your glucose low, dangerously low. Or if you want to play the " I don't have you" game, I can run rampant in your body and rise your blood sugar and even put you in a coma. YES I can do all that and yet to this day, I still here people say " oh you JUST have diabetes, you take a shot and don't eat sugar".... Pfft, if only it was that easy to control me or get rid of me. So until people start to listen to the signs there body is telling them, I am here to stay. I may be quiet and not many notice me until I have turn their life upside down.... Hello, my name is Diabetes....and I've been her for a while...
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Addison's disease and Cushing's syndrome
I wanted to educate you on these two diseases. I think it is just as important that you know about these two autoimmune disorders as it is diabetes.
First I want to introduce you to Cushing's syndrome. Cushing's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder just like diabetes. This disorder effects the endocrine system. View picture to see what your endocrine system includes.
Inside your endocine system are glands that produce hormones. Your Adrenal glad which is the small gland that sits on top on your kidneys produces a number of hormones including cortisol. Cortisol helps regulate your blood pressure and keeps your cardiovascular system in order. It also helps your body respond to stress and it helps the way your body metabolizes protein, carbohydrates and fats in your diet. When your body has to much cortisol is typically develops Cushing's syndrome.
Your body can be over producing cortisol. If it is, it is usually due to one of these three things:
1. A pituitary gland tumor
2.An ectopic ACTH-secreting tumor
3.A primary adrenal glad disease
Symptoms include:
Excess weight gain usually around the mid section and back
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Rounding of the face
Facial flushing
Pink or purple stretch marks
Darkening on the skin in certain areas like the knees and elbows
Thin and fragile skin
Bruising and cuts that take a really long time to heal
Headache
Bone loss
The list goes on and on...
Now I'm not saying if you have a headache you have Cushing's syndrom but I would say that if you have two or three of these symptoms you may want to be tested.
Next I want to tell you about Addison's disease. Addison's disease develops when the adrenal glands can no longer produce cortisol and aldosterone. The hormone aldosterone helps your body hold on to the salt that it needs, and keeps your blood pressure steady. Your brain believe it or not plays a very important role with Addison's disease. The brain’s hypothalamus and the pituitary gland control the adrenal glands, which in turn make cortisol. The hypothalamus tells your pituitary gland to make a hormone called ACTH. This hormone then goes and tells your adrenal glands to make cortisol. When your adrenal gland can not make enough cortisol, you then have Addison's disease. Sounds complicated right? I mean if your body would just work together and be one happy family we wouldn't have these kind of problems in the world!
So what causes Addison's disease? Addison's disease usually occurs when your body's immune system starts to attack your adrenal glands and kills off the part of the gland that makes the hormones. It can also be caused from trauma to the glands from childbirth, tumors, or cancer.
People can get Addison's disease at any age. When it is caused by the immune system killing off the glands the disease is more common in women. Not fair right?
Like Cushing's syndrom Addison's disease has a list of symptoms. They include:
Fatigue
Weakness
Losing weight without trying
Loss of appetite
Feeling lightheaded
Feeling sick to your stomach and sometimes vomiting
Craving salt
And if you have diabetes, you may have low blood sugar more often then normal and it may be more severe than normal
The thing with Addison's disease is that your body can actually go into an Addison's disease crisis. When your body experiences this it is usually accompanied by severe vomiting, sudden pain in the belly, lower back and sometimes legs, a high fever, feeling restless, confused, or fearful, and having trouble staying awake.
Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms because you will need medical attention immediately. You can actually die from shock because your body can not produce cortisol and in return your blood pressure goes way too low.
Both Addison's disease and Cushing's syndrom is a life long disease that will need life long treatment. Luckily though with proper medication and special care from your doctor you can live a long life. This is just a little bit of information on both diseases and if you have any questions please email me and I can go into more detail about the two. There is also a lot of useful information on the web but you have to be careful with some of the stuff you read because a lot of it can be misleading.
These two diseases are pretty rare and you may or may not know someone with one of them. Either way it's good to know how to spot the two in case you are ever in a situation where you can save yourself or someone else. Like always, thank you for letting me share this information with you. I will keep you all updated on my results and I pray that I will hear something back on Monday. I know I am in God's hands and I lay all my fears upon him tonight as I write this.
Happy weekend everyone!
Kimberlee
First I want to introduce you to Cushing's syndrome. Cushing's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder just like diabetes. This disorder effects the endocrine system. View picture to see what your endocrine system includes.
Inside your endocine system are glands that produce hormones. Your Adrenal glad which is the small gland that sits on top on your kidneys produces a number of hormones including cortisol. Cortisol helps regulate your blood pressure and keeps your cardiovascular system in order. It also helps your body respond to stress and it helps the way your body metabolizes protein, carbohydrates and fats in your diet. When your body has to much cortisol is typically develops Cushing's syndrome.
Your body can be over producing cortisol. If it is, it is usually due to one of these three things:
1. A pituitary gland tumor
2.An ectopic ACTH-secreting tumor
3.A primary adrenal glad disease
Symptoms include:
Excess weight gain usually around the mid section and back
Fatigue
Muscle weakness
Rounding of the face
Facial flushing
Pink or purple stretch marks
Darkening on the skin in certain areas like the knees and elbows
Thin and fragile skin
Bruising and cuts that take a really long time to heal
Headache
Bone loss
The list goes on and on...
Now I'm not saying if you have a headache you have Cushing's syndrom but I would say that if you have two or three of these symptoms you may want to be tested.
Next I want to tell you about Addison's disease. Addison's disease develops when the adrenal glands can no longer produce cortisol and aldosterone. The hormone aldosterone helps your body hold on to the salt that it needs, and keeps your blood pressure steady. Your brain believe it or not plays a very important role with Addison's disease. The brain’s hypothalamus and the pituitary gland control the adrenal glands, which in turn make cortisol. The hypothalamus tells your pituitary gland to make a hormone called ACTH. This hormone then goes and tells your adrenal glands to make cortisol. When your adrenal gland can not make enough cortisol, you then have Addison's disease. Sounds complicated right? I mean if your body would just work together and be one happy family we wouldn't have these kind of problems in the world!
So what causes Addison's disease? Addison's disease usually occurs when your body's immune system starts to attack your adrenal glands and kills off the part of the gland that makes the hormones. It can also be caused from trauma to the glands from childbirth, tumors, or cancer.
People can get Addison's disease at any age. When it is caused by the immune system killing off the glands the disease is more common in women. Not fair right?
Like Cushing's syndrom Addison's disease has a list of symptoms. They include:
Fatigue
Weakness
Losing weight without trying
Loss of appetite
Feeling lightheaded
Feeling sick to your stomach and sometimes vomiting
Craving salt
And if you have diabetes, you may have low blood sugar more often then normal and it may be more severe than normal
The thing with Addison's disease is that your body can actually go into an Addison's disease crisis. When your body experiences this it is usually accompanied by severe vomiting, sudden pain in the belly, lower back and sometimes legs, a high fever, feeling restless, confused, or fearful, and having trouble staying awake.
Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms because you will need medical attention immediately. You can actually die from shock because your body can not produce cortisol and in return your blood pressure goes way too low.
Both Addison's disease and Cushing's syndrom is a life long disease that will need life long treatment. Luckily though with proper medication and special care from your doctor you can live a long life. This is just a little bit of information on both diseases and if you have any questions please email me and I can go into more detail about the two. There is also a lot of useful information on the web but you have to be careful with some of the stuff you read because a lot of it can be misleading.
These two diseases are pretty rare and you may or may not know someone with one of them. Either way it's good to know how to spot the two in case you are ever in a situation where you can save yourself or someone else. Like always, thank you for letting me share this information with you. I will keep you all updated on my results and I pray that I will hear something back on Monday. I know I am in God's hands and I lay all my fears upon him tonight as I write this.
Happy weekend everyone!
Kimberlee
Dear Dr. Ramharrak...well there are no words to describe you!
Hey everyone! I know it has been a while since my last blog post. I started back school and I have been suffering from allergies so I haven't really been up to posting lately. I do want to thank everyone for their kind words and warm thoughts. You really don't know how much they mean to me.
To give you all an update I guess I should tell you that I had an appointment this morning with my endocrinologist, Dr. Ramharrak. I have been dreading this appointment for some time now but I had to have the test done.
My appointment started off on the wrong foot (as usual). My Dr. always has something smart to say so he started in on me as soon as he walked in the door about me not coming in when I was originally supposed to. He was the one who administered the cortisol and I know how much he doesn't like me so I knew it was going to hurt. I was so right! It really hurt. He ended up having to stick me with the needle twice and dig around for my vein. Once the cortisol was administered I had the pleasure (extreme sarcasm) of sitting in his office for a hour until they could draw blood. I was lucky enough that his nurse drew it and not him!
He is testing me for both Addisions disease and Cushing Syndrome. Supposedly a lot of my symptoms are those of Addisions disease. I should know my test results Monday but if you have read my past post you should know how that usually works out for me.
I am going to post some information on Addisions disease tomorrow so keep a look out for that blog post because it will be full of a lot of interesting information.
Bruised,
Kimberlee
To give you all an update I guess I should tell you that I had an appointment this morning with my endocrinologist, Dr. Ramharrak. I have been dreading this appointment for some time now but I had to have the test done.
My appointment started off on the wrong foot (as usual). My Dr. always has something smart to say so he started in on me as soon as he walked in the door about me not coming in when I was originally supposed to. He was the one who administered the cortisol and I know how much he doesn't like me so I knew it was going to hurt. I was so right! It really hurt. He ended up having to stick me with the needle twice and dig around for my vein. Once the cortisol was administered I had the pleasure (extreme sarcasm) of sitting in his office for a hour until they could draw blood. I was lucky enough that his nurse drew it and not him!
He is testing me for both Addisions disease and Cushing Syndrome. Supposedly a lot of my symptoms are those of Addisions disease. I should know my test results Monday but if you have read my past post you should know how that usually works out for me.
I am going to post some information on Addisions disease tomorrow so keep a look out for that blog post because it will be full of a lot of interesting information.
Bruised,
Kimberlee
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Dear nature...you suck too!
I've said it before and I will say it again. Nature and I just don't mix anymore. I used to love going outside and enjoy the sun and listen to that stupid mocking bird that just wont shut up, but in order to stay well I am having to give up the outdoors and stay inside as much as possible.
I have always been allergic to poison ivy and poison oak. When I was a little girl I would get it so bad that my parents would have to take me to the hospital. Well my neighbors have continued to burn brush on their property and the must be burning poison ivy because over the weekend I woke up with it. The feeling was all too familiar. My throat burned and was tight. My eyes itched and I had a rashes on me from head to toe. The back of my neck was covered in rashes and it was so bad that my lymph nodes swelled up and I could barely move my neck. Yes, you suck nature!!
My doctor was able to call in some steroids for me yesterday so I know relief has to be right around the corner. Unfortunately, my diabetes isn't helping the situation at all and in fact it could be the reason why I am so prone to getting poison ivy so bad and then having trouble getting rid of it.
If it isn't one thing...it's another. My body is trying to fight off the poison (again) and that causes my body a lot of stress, then if you add steroids to the mix it equals extremely high blood sugars which then equals major headaches, exhaustion, nausea, and tada...ketones.
I want so badly to feel normal. It is hard to explain, but most of the time it is a real "out of body" experience for me. I don't really know any other way to put it. I keep pushing myself though and praying for a better tomorrow. I know things have to get better. I try to stay strong and not get knocked down, but it's tough.
Itchy...again,
Kimberlee
I have always been allergic to poison ivy and poison oak. When I was a little girl I would get it so bad that my parents would have to take me to the hospital. Well my neighbors have continued to burn brush on their property and the must be burning poison ivy because over the weekend I woke up with it. The feeling was all too familiar. My throat burned and was tight. My eyes itched and I had a rashes on me from head to toe. The back of my neck was covered in rashes and it was so bad that my lymph nodes swelled up and I could barely move my neck. Yes, you suck nature!!
My doctor was able to call in some steroids for me yesterday so I know relief has to be right around the corner. Unfortunately, my diabetes isn't helping the situation at all and in fact it could be the reason why I am so prone to getting poison ivy so bad and then having trouble getting rid of it.
If it isn't one thing...it's another. My body is trying to fight off the poison (again) and that causes my body a lot of stress, then if you add steroids to the mix it equals extremely high blood sugars which then equals major headaches, exhaustion, nausea, and tada...ketones.
I want so badly to feel normal. It is hard to explain, but most of the time it is a real "out of body" experience for me. I don't really know any other way to put it. I keep pushing myself though and praying for a better tomorrow. I know things have to get better. I try to stay strong and not get knocked down, but it's tough.
Itchy...again,
Kimberlee
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
So You Had A Bad Day?
Today has been a terrible day. I don't know any other way to put it. My sugar is up, I am tired, I have no energy at all, and I feel horrible both mentally and physically.
I hate feeling this way but it is a feeling that I am very familiar with. My family and friends really don't understand how I feel and when I try to explain it to them it just doesn't make sense.
I try not to use diabetes as an excuses, but what else could it be? I am usually a happy person full of love and energy but since I have been sick I feel like I am the total opposite. The way I feel is not something I am proud of, in fact I hate it. I feel like like I am a little kid on a play ground and a big bully is pushing me around...the bully being diabetes.
I have school work to catch up on already and my mood isn't helping the situation. I try to do my homework but all I want to do it curl up in a ball and sleep today away.
Tomorrow better be a better day for me, I can't take another day like today.
Praying for better tomorrow
-Kimberlee
I hate feeling this way but it is a feeling that I am very familiar with. My family and friends really don't understand how I feel and when I try to explain it to them it just doesn't make sense.
I try not to use diabetes as an excuses, but what else could it be? I am usually a happy person full of love and energy but since I have been sick I feel like I am the total opposite. The way I feel is not something I am proud of, in fact I hate it. I feel like like I am a little kid on a play ground and a big bully is pushing me around...the bully being diabetes.
I have school work to catch up on already and my mood isn't helping the situation. I try to do my homework but all I want to do it curl up in a ball and sleep today away.
Tomorrow better be a better day for me, I can't take another day like today.
Praying for better tomorrow
-Kimberlee
Friday, May 7, 2010
I'm Alive
Hey everyone! Fear not..I am still alive! Things are just now starting to improve since my last post. I was super itchy for weeks. Yucky poison ivy really brought me down. I had to go back to my doctor this week and get another shot of pretisone. Although the predisone helps with all the side effects of poison ivy, it creates a new problem for me....higher blood sugars.
I am trying to be a responsible diabetic and keep a close watch on my blood sugars, but I am so tired of being responsible. That is horrible isn't it? I didn't ask for diabetes and I didn't ask for the responsibilities that come with it. I was just a chosen one. Grrr..Diabetes is such a bully!
My doctor said that my body is trying to fight off the poison but it is having a really hard time. Like I said in the past, type 1 is an autoimmune disease. This means the bodies immune system is also attacked by this disease. It is extremely easy for me to catch icky infections and really hard for me to get rid of them. So, if you are sick...please stay away :)
On a much happier note..my birthday is Sunday! I have been trying to get my husband to let me celebrate "me" all week, but so far he hasn't allowed it. Booo! My doctor gave me an insulin pen for my birthday, so I am pretty excited about that..although my endo probably won't be. Speaking of my endo...I have to make an appointment with him next week and have some test done. I really dislike my endo but my doctor insists that I be nice to him. I will keep you all updated on how that goes, maybe pray that God gives me patience.
Happy Weekend to you and Happy Birthday to Me!
-Kimberlee
Apple Griddle Cakes..yummy!
2large apples , peeled and finely chopped (Jonagold or Granny Smith)
2tsp fresh lemon juice
1 1/2cup low carb baking mix
2tbsp SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, granulated
2tsp baking powder
1/2tsp ground cinnamon
1/4tsp salt
1medium eggs , slightly beaten
1 1/2cup whole milk
3tbsp vegetable oil (or melted butter)
1butter flavored cooking spray (optional)
1cup unsweetened applesauce (optional)
1 In a medium bowl, combine apples and lemon juice.
2 In another medium bowl, combine baking mix, SPLENDA, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3 In a small bowl combine egg, milk, and oil.
4 Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture and stir just until moistened (the batter should be lumpy). Gently fold in apple mixture.
5 Heat a lightly greased griddle or heavy skillet over medium heat (until a few drops of water dance across the surface).
6 For each pancake, pour a scant 1/4 cup batter onto the hot griddle, spread batter into a 4-inch circle.
7 Cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until pancakes are golden, turning to second sides when pancake surfaces are bubbly and edges are slightly dry, adding oil to griddle as necessary.
8 Serve warm. If desired, top with applesauce.
I am trying to be a responsible diabetic and keep a close watch on my blood sugars, but I am so tired of being responsible. That is horrible isn't it? I didn't ask for diabetes and I didn't ask for the responsibilities that come with it. I was just a chosen one. Grrr..Diabetes is such a bully!
My doctor said that my body is trying to fight off the poison but it is having a really hard time. Like I said in the past, type 1 is an autoimmune disease. This means the bodies immune system is also attacked by this disease. It is extremely easy for me to catch icky infections and really hard for me to get rid of them. So, if you are sick...please stay away :)
On a much happier note..my birthday is Sunday! I have been trying to get my husband to let me celebrate "me" all week, but so far he hasn't allowed it. Booo! My doctor gave me an insulin pen for my birthday, so I am pretty excited about that..although my endo probably won't be. Speaking of my endo...I have to make an appointment with him next week and have some test done. I really dislike my endo but my doctor insists that I be nice to him. I will keep you all updated on how that goes, maybe pray that God gives me patience.
Happy Weekend to you and Happy Birthday to Me!
-Kimberlee
Apple Griddle Cakes..yummy!
2large apples , peeled and finely chopped (Jonagold or Granny Smith)
2tsp fresh lemon juice
1 1/2cup low carb baking mix
2tbsp SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, granulated
2tsp baking powder
1/2tsp ground cinnamon
1/4tsp salt
1medium eggs , slightly beaten
1 1/2cup whole milk
3tbsp vegetable oil (or melted butter)
1butter flavored cooking spray (optional)
1cup unsweetened applesauce (optional)
1 In a medium bowl, combine apples and lemon juice.
2 In another medium bowl, combine baking mix, SPLENDA, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3 In a small bowl combine egg, milk, and oil.
4 Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture and stir just until moistened (the batter should be lumpy). Gently fold in apple mixture.
5 Heat a lightly greased griddle or heavy skillet over medium heat (until a few drops of water dance across the surface).
6 For each pancake, pour a scant 1/4 cup batter onto the hot griddle, spread batter into a 4-inch circle.
7 Cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until pancakes are golden, turning to second sides when pancake surfaces are bubbly and edges are slightly dry, adding oil to griddle as necessary.
8 Serve warm. If desired, top with applesauce.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Like oil and vinegar..we just don't mix
Spring is here and in most places it already feels like summer. Spring is probably one of my favorite seasons of the year. All the birds starting singing (including the mocking bird that wakes me up every morning), flowers start to bloom, and the grass starts to grow and change colors.
Sounds perfect right? Well with Spring comes weeds and wildflowers, and poison. Neighbors come out of their homes and start cleaning up their properties. They start burning brush and God knows what else.
Last week two of our neighbors were burning. I woke up one morning with a scratchy throat and what I thought might be a bug bite. When I looked in the mirror I was covered in rashes. From past experiences I automatically knew what it was...poison ivy!
Nature and I just don't mix very well, and neither does poison ivy and diabetes. Since Type 1 is an autoimmune disease, my body really had a hard time fighting the attack that was happening to me. My blood sugar started to rise and I started filling ill.
On Saturday I just couldn't take it anymore. My throat was so itchy and swollen and my eyes were burning. My skin was beginning to look like I had been through a fire. It was red, rashy, and blistered. Plan one, get to the doctors quick...if their was one open, backup plan...emergency room.
Luckily for me our local express care is open 7 days a week. When the doctor saw me she immediately knew that I was having an allergic reaction. She took a scope and looked in my throat and it was blistered. My stomach was on fire and I had a weird itching sensation deep inside of me. Due to the smoke from the burning brush that I inhaled, the poison ivy was deep inside me.
She administered a shot of predisone and prescribed me steroids. Now for most diabetics this is a no-no. In my case though it was my only choice. Both the predisone and the steroids cause my blood sugar to rise. I have to keep a tight watch on it and really control what I eat.
I am having some symptoms from the medicine, but I guess that is to be expected in my case. I am still itchy but I am able to get some relief from benadryl (and sleep I must add). The rash has not cleared up yet, but the blisters are starting to dry up so that is a plus! Right now it is just a constant battle with my blood sugar...but that is something that I am use to already.
I am still keeping up with my 365 project, although I must say there will probably not be many close ups for awhile :) School starts back in 16 days, and although I am a little scared I am also very excited. As far as Dr. Ramharrack goes, I'm still on strike although I have been keeping in touch via phone due to my new situation.
Happy Monday!
-Kimberlee
FYI- Did you know that the percentage of body fat that you contain needs to be under 25%? Anything over that puts you at high risk for heart disease, metabolic disease such as type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Something as simple as 30 minutes of cardio five days a week will lower your body fat percentage and keep you healthy and happy! So get out and walk a little, if it is to hot for you outside maybe try and turn your radio on and start dancing. If dancing isn't your thing...their is always house work and believe it or not vacuuming is a great way to get your heart pumping!
Sounds perfect right? Well with Spring comes weeds and wildflowers, and poison. Neighbors come out of their homes and start cleaning up their properties. They start burning brush and God knows what else.
Last week two of our neighbors were burning. I woke up one morning with a scratchy throat and what I thought might be a bug bite. When I looked in the mirror I was covered in rashes. From past experiences I automatically knew what it was...poison ivy!
Nature and I just don't mix very well, and neither does poison ivy and diabetes. Since Type 1 is an autoimmune disease, my body really had a hard time fighting the attack that was happening to me. My blood sugar started to rise and I started filling ill.
On Saturday I just couldn't take it anymore. My throat was so itchy and swollen and my eyes were burning. My skin was beginning to look like I had been through a fire. It was red, rashy, and blistered. Plan one, get to the doctors quick...if their was one open, backup plan...emergency room.
Luckily for me our local express care is open 7 days a week. When the doctor saw me she immediately knew that I was having an allergic reaction. She took a scope and looked in my throat and it was blistered. My stomach was on fire and I had a weird itching sensation deep inside of me. Due to the smoke from the burning brush that I inhaled, the poison ivy was deep inside me.
She administered a shot of predisone and prescribed me steroids. Now for most diabetics this is a no-no. In my case though it was my only choice. Both the predisone and the steroids cause my blood sugar to rise. I have to keep a tight watch on it and really control what I eat.
I am having some symptoms from the medicine, but I guess that is to be expected in my case. I am still itchy but I am able to get some relief from benadryl (and sleep I must add). The rash has not cleared up yet, but the blisters are starting to dry up so that is a plus! Right now it is just a constant battle with my blood sugar...but that is something that I am use to already.
I am still keeping up with my 365 project, although I must say there will probably not be many close ups for awhile :) School starts back in 16 days, and although I am a little scared I am also very excited. As far as Dr. Ramharrack goes, I'm still on strike although I have been keeping in touch via phone due to my new situation.
Happy Monday!
-Kimberlee
FYI- Did you know that the percentage of body fat that you contain needs to be under 25%? Anything over that puts you at high risk for heart disease, metabolic disease such as type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Something as simple as 30 minutes of cardio five days a week will lower your body fat percentage and keep you healthy and happy! So get out and walk a little, if it is to hot for you outside maybe try and turn your radio on and start dancing. If dancing isn't your thing...their is always house work and believe it or not vacuuming is a great way to get your heart pumping!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Secret Garden 6:365
I was feeling a little more creative today...finally! My Saturday sucked though..boo! I'll explain in my blog on Monday. Happy Weekend everyone!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Boots 3:365
I don't know why, but I have this song stuck in my head today "These boots are made for walking, so thats just will they'll do, because one of these day these boots are gonna walk all over you."
I kind of lost my inspiration today, so this is all I got. Maybe it will come back tomorrow :)
Spring chicks 2:365
Baby birds hatched right outside of my door yesterday morning. They are adorable. I took this picture while mommy bird was off hunting for food for her babies. The camera made a beeping noise and I think one of the babies must have thought it was her mother because it kept opening it's mouth when it heard the noise.
Mama and babies are doing great today and the chicks have been sleeping a lot. The mama comes and goes, I am sure she is hunting for them. I can't wait until they are old enough to start flying...what an awesome feeling that must be!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Sugar 101
I woke up this morning to some good news. They fellow I told you about yesterday FINALLY took my advice and went to the doctors. The not so good news is that his doctor diagnosed him with diabetic neuropathy. He is really down about it and unaware of the facts. I emailed him this morning with some words of encouragement.
Diabetic neuropathy is a very common diabetic complication. It is when the nerves are damaged by too much sugar in the blood (Hyperglycemia). The only treatment is to get tight control over your blood sugar levels. Most of the time it is not reversible, although I have heard of some cases where the diabetic got such good control over his blood sugar levels that the nerve endings actually started to heal.
Who knew sugar could cause such a disaster! The fact is, too much sugar can really be dangerous for your health. Sugar has been known to feed cancer cells, trigger weight gain, and cause premature aging (are you listening ladies?).
Here are some crazy facts for you:
In 1700, the average person consumed 4 pounds of sugar per year.
In 1800, the average person consumed about 18 pounds of sugar per year.
In 1900, individual consumption increased to about 90 pounds of sugar per year.
In 2009, more than 50 percent of Americans consume one-half pound of sugar per day, that is an average of 180 pounds of sugar per year.
Now for a visual... Imagine that you are the grocery store and you saw someone pushing a cart with 36, 5 pound bags of sugar. You would look at them like they are crazy right? Now go look at yourself in the mirror because their is a huge chance that you consumed that whole shopping cart of sugar last year alone.
It is easy to become confused by the various sugars and sweeteners out there today, so here is a quick overview:
Dextrose, fructose and glucose are all monosaccharides, known as simple sugars. The primary difference between them is how your body metabolizes them. Glucose and dextrose are essentially the same sugar. However, food manufacturers usually use the term “dextrose” in their ingredient list.
The simple sugars can combine to form more complex sugars, like the disaccharide sucrose (table sugar), which is half glucose and half fructose.
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is 55 percent fructose and 45 percent glucose.
Ethanol (drinking alcohol) is not a sugar, although beer and wine contain residual sugars and starches, in addition to alcohol.
Sugar alcohols like xylitol, glycerol, sorbitol, maltitol, mannitol, and erythritol are neither sugars nor alcohols but are becoming increasingly popular as sweeteners. They are incompletely absorbed from your small intestine, for the most part, so they provide fewer calories than sugar but often cause problems with bloating, diarrhea and flatulence.
Sucralose (Splenda) is NOT a sugar, despite its sugar-like name and deceptive marketing slogan, “made from sugar.” It’s a chlorinated artificial sweetener in line with aspartame and saccharin, with detrimental health effects to match.
Agave syrup, falsely advertised as “natural,” is typically HIGHLY processed and is usually 80 percent fructose. The end product does not even remotely resemble the original agave plant.
Honey is about 53 percent fructose[2], but is completely natural in its raw form and has many health benefits when used in moderation, including as many antioxidants as spinach.
Stevia is a highly sweet herb derived from the leaf of the South American stevia plant, which is completely safe (in its natural form). Lo han (or luohanguo) is another natural sweetener, but derived from a fruit.
By now, you should have a nice sugar high :) Remember that buggy full of sugar today when you are sitting down at the table for a meal. Too much sugar is no good, no matter how sweet you are!!
Sweet and Sassy!
-Kimberlee
Diabetic neuropathy is a very common diabetic complication. It is when the nerves are damaged by too much sugar in the blood (Hyperglycemia). The only treatment is to get tight control over your blood sugar levels. Most of the time it is not reversible, although I have heard of some cases where the diabetic got such good control over his blood sugar levels that the nerve endings actually started to heal.
Who knew sugar could cause such a disaster! The fact is, too much sugar can really be dangerous for your health. Sugar has been known to feed cancer cells, trigger weight gain, and cause premature aging (are you listening ladies?).
Here are some crazy facts for you:
In 1700, the average person consumed 4 pounds of sugar per year.
In 1800, the average person consumed about 18 pounds of sugar per year.
In 1900, individual consumption increased to about 90 pounds of sugar per year.
In 2009, more than 50 percent of Americans consume one-half pound of sugar per day, that is an average of 180 pounds of sugar per year.
Now for a visual... Imagine that you are the grocery store and you saw someone pushing a cart with 36, 5 pound bags of sugar. You would look at them like they are crazy right? Now go look at yourself in the mirror because their is a huge chance that you consumed that whole shopping cart of sugar last year alone.
It is easy to become confused by the various sugars and sweeteners out there today, so here is a quick overview:
Dextrose, fructose and glucose are all monosaccharides, known as simple sugars. The primary difference between them is how your body metabolizes them. Glucose and dextrose are essentially the same sugar. However, food manufacturers usually use the term “dextrose” in their ingredient list.
The simple sugars can combine to form more complex sugars, like the disaccharide sucrose (table sugar), which is half glucose and half fructose.
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is 55 percent fructose and 45 percent glucose.
Ethanol (drinking alcohol) is not a sugar, although beer and wine contain residual sugars and starches, in addition to alcohol.
Sugar alcohols like xylitol, glycerol, sorbitol, maltitol, mannitol, and erythritol are neither sugars nor alcohols but are becoming increasingly popular as sweeteners. They are incompletely absorbed from your small intestine, for the most part, so they provide fewer calories than sugar but often cause problems with bloating, diarrhea and flatulence.
Sucralose (Splenda) is NOT a sugar, despite its sugar-like name and deceptive marketing slogan, “made from sugar.” It’s a chlorinated artificial sweetener in line with aspartame and saccharin, with detrimental health effects to match.
Agave syrup, falsely advertised as “natural,” is typically HIGHLY processed and is usually 80 percent fructose. The end product does not even remotely resemble the original agave plant.
Honey is about 53 percent fructose[2], but is completely natural in its raw form and has many health benefits when used in moderation, including as many antioxidants as spinach.
Stevia is a highly sweet herb derived from the leaf of the South American stevia plant, which is completely safe (in its natural form). Lo han (or luohanguo) is another natural sweetener, but derived from a fruit.
By now, you should have a nice sugar high :) Remember that buggy full of sugar today when you are sitting down at the table for a meal. Too much sugar is no good, no matter how sweet you are!!
Sweet and Sassy!
-Kimberlee
Monday, April 19, 2010
1:365 Dizzy
This is my second or third attempt at the 365 project. Today is day one and I have already almost given up. I hated every picture I took today! Since I am commiting myself to this project though, I refused to NOT post something...so, here it is day 1 of 365.
A Helping Hand
I came across this guy who has type 1 diabetes. He isn't taking care of himself, and now he really has himself stuck in a rut. As far as I know his sugar has been running in the 600s for over a week now. He has pain in his legs and his vision has become blurry. When I found all this out I wasn't sure if I should intervene. I prayed to God about it and even talked to this guy's sister in law. I didn't want to step on any one's toes, but I felt like I had to do something.
I started off by emailing him and explaining to him what his body was going through. I told him he needed to call his doctor or go to the hospital. I gave him tips about checking for ketones and keeping himself hydrated. I made him well aware of the complications he may have to go through if he doesn't take action now.
After the email, I felt good about myself. I thought..finally I get to help someone. It was the email I got in return that made me wish I wasn't so kind. He emailed me back and the only thing it said was "XXX-XXXX, here is my number...call me." WHAT? Are you kidding me? I refuse to call this guy! Seeming how this a friend of mines brother and brother in law, I started to feel obligated to get this guy some help.
This morning I messaged him on Facebook with one simple question...."How is your blood sugar?" The reply I got back was not one I wanted to see. He said his sugar was still in the 600s and that he was still having pain in his legs and that he was completely clueless about what he should do. Grrrrr..... I told you what to do fool!
Maybe God is testing my Patience. If so, haha real funny! I continue to pray about the situation but I don't know what to do next, or if I should do anything else for that matter. I felt like I was doing the right thing, but now I'm starting to question myself.
How do you help someone that doesn't want help? Would you give up on them? Those are the questions I leave you with today. Please share with me what you would do. I can't wait to hear from you.
Peace & Patience,
Kimberlee
PS- I'm starting a project today to help me grow! It is called the 365 project and I tried it once before but didn't stick with it. This time though I AM AND WILL DO IT! The project consists of taking 1 picture a day for 365 days. At the end of the year you can look back and see how you have grown, not only as a photographer but also as a person. I will try and post some of my pictures on here for everyone. Wish me luck!
I started off by emailing him and explaining to him what his body was going through. I told him he needed to call his doctor or go to the hospital. I gave him tips about checking for ketones and keeping himself hydrated. I made him well aware of the complications he may have to go through if he doesn't take action now.
After the email, I felt good about myself. I thought..finally I get to help someone. It was the email I got in return that made me wish I wasn't so kind. He emailed me back and the only thing it said was "XXX-XXXX, here is my number...call me." WHAT? Are you kidding me? I refuse to call this guy! Seeming how this a friend of mines brother and brother in law, I started to feel obligated to get this guy some help.
This morning I messaged him on Facebook with one simple question...."How is your blood sugar?" The reply I got back was not one I wanted to see. He said his sugar was still in the 600s and that he was still having pain in his legs and that he was completely clueless about what he should do. Grrrrr..... I told you what to do fool!
Maybe God is testing my Patience. If so, haha real funny! I continue to pray about the situation but I don't know what to do next, or if I should do anything else for that matter. I felt like I was doing the right thing, but now I'm starting to question myself.
How do you help someone that doesn't want help? Would you give up on them? Those are the questions I leave you with today. Please share with me what you would do. I can't wait to hear from you.
Peace & Patience,
Kimberlee
PS- I'm starting a project today to help me grow! It is called the 365 project and I tried it once before but didn't stick with it. This time though I AM AND WILL DO IT! The project consists of taking 1 picture a day for 365 days. At the end of the year you can look back and see how you have grown, not only as a photographer but also as a person. I will try and post some of my pictures on here for everyone. Wish me luck!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Strike...Your Out!
Monday has come and gone and it has taken me a week to recover. Most people dread Mondays and I never really had that feeling until this past one. My Monday morning started at 8AM in the Endo's office. The doctor's order called for a blood sugar check every 30 minutes and then once my sugar reached 45 or below they could draw blood. I dreaded this information very much, especially since I wasn't allowed anything to eat since Sunday.
By the second sugar check my blood glucose level was at 46. I begged them to go ahead and take my blood but they refused and said it must be under 45. I was there for 9 hours that day and had a total of 19 sticks. I never went below 46 and I never had my blood drawn.
I was devastated, I felt cheated...cheated out of a Monday! Before leaving the office the doctor gave me a prescription for cortisol. I am to pick it up from the pharmacy and pay for it with my own money and then call his office and make an appointment for a cortisol test.
Luckily for me...I'm on strike again! I have no desire to get that prescription filled and make that appointment. Maybe that will change in time, but for now it isn't going to happen.
I am taking each day as it is given to me. I am eating right and I am adjusting my body to the insulin again. Any time I have to fast it always messes my body up and I have to start from the very beginning. I want to give my body a good month to adjust to the insulin before I make any major decisions on this cortisol test. Wish me luck!
If you notice anything new about my blog...I have started my own blog site. I will still be posting on TuDiabetes but I feel to reach more people I need to venture out a little so that is what I am doing. You can subscribe to my blog now, and you can even become a follower. I am planning on posting recipes, tips, workouts, must read books, etc. to my blog so be sure to subscribe. Also, you will now be able to leave comments on the blog post. This is great for me because I would love to hear some feed back.
Most of all, I just hope to continue to educate and help others in need, including myself.
Hope to hear from you soon
-Kimberlee
By the second sugar check my blood glucose level was at 46. I begged them to go ahead and take my blood but they refused and said it must be under 45. I was there for 9 hours that day and had a total of 19 sticks. I never went below 46 and I never had my blood drawn.
I was devastated, I felt cheated...cheated out of a Monday! Before leaving the office the doctor gave me a prescription for cortisol. I am to pick it up from the pharmacy and pay for it with my own money and then call his office and make an appointment for a cortisol test.
Luckily for me...I'm on strike again! I have no desire to get that prescription filled and make that appointment. Maybe that will change in time, but for now it isn't going to happen.
I am taking each day as it is given to me. I am eating right and I am adjusting my body to the insulin again. Any time I have to fast it always messes my body up and I have to start from the very beginning. I want to give my body a good month to adjust to the insulin before I make any major decisions on this cortisol test. Wish me luck!
If you notice anything new about my blog...I have started my own blog site. I will still be posting on TuDiabetes but I feel to reach more people I need to venture out a little so that is what I am doing. You can subscribe to my blog now, and you can even become a follower. I am planning on posting recipes, tips, workouts, must read books, etc. to my blog so be sure to subscribe. Also, you will now be able to leave comments on the blog post. This is great for me because I would love to hear some feed back.
Most of all, I just hope to continue to educate and help others in need, including myself.
Hope to hear from you soon
-Kimberlee
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Enough!
When is enough, enough?
Yesterday was a bad day for me. My doctor appointment didn't go they way that I think it should have. I was able to see my regular doctor today and discuss my lab results with him. I also explained to him that the endocrinologist wants me to sit in his office on Monday so he can draw blood from me every hour. Although the test results showed the EXACT same thing as my other THREE lab results showed, my regular doctor suggested that I go to my appointment on Monday for further testing. He explained to me that my hypoglycemia episodes are severe enough that they can be deadly.
So when is enough, enough? How much of my blood do they possibly want? Over the last three months I have given up about 100 tubes of blood. Isn't that enough? Obviously not! Yesterday I went on strike and now today I am forced to come off.
Although my doctor sided with me today, he also stuck up for my endo. He believes that he is a smart man and the only doctor that can get me a diagnosis. He suggested that if I don't get a diagnosis from him from this set of blood work that I ask my endo "nicely" if he can send me to a teaching hospital. To me, all of this seems like a big game of trial and error.
I am trying not to give up...but I'm tired. Tired of all the lab test, finger sticks, urine collections, CT scans, EKGs, Echos, injections, stress tests, the list goes on and on.....
Tired!
-Kimberlee
Yesterday was a bad day for me. My doctor appointment didn't go they way that I think it should have. I was able to see my regular doctor today and discuss my lab results with him. I also explained to him that the endocrinologist wants me to sit in his office on Monday so he can draw blood from me every hour. Although the test results showed the EXACT same thing as my other THREE lab results showed, my regular doctor suggested that I go to my appointment on Monday for further testing. He explained to me that my hypoglycemia episodes are severe enough that they can be deadly.
So when is enough, enough? How much of my blood do they possibly want? Over the last three months I have given up about 100 tubes of blood. Isn't that enough? Obviously not! Yesterday I went on strike and now today I am forced to come off.
Although my doctor sided with me today, he also stuck up for my endo. He believes that he is a smart man and the only doctor that can get me a diagnosis. He suggested that if I don't get a diagnosis from him from this set of blood work that I ask my endo "nicely" if he can send me to a teaching hospital. To me, all of this seems like a big game of trial and error.
I am trying not to give up...but I'm tired. Tired of all the lab test, finger sticks, urine collections, CT scans, EKGs, Echos, injections, stress tests, the list goes on and on.....
Tired!
-Kimberlee
I Just Want To Scream!
At about 8:30 this morning my phone rang. It was Dr. Ramharrack's office telling me that they received the test results from my stay at the hospital. The Dr wanted to see me ASAP to go over the results. So I got dressed and I drove all the way across Ocala to see my Dr. When he first came into the room he started listening to my heart. I gave him a really odd look and he told me he would go over the results with me as soon as he was done. He took a seat in his chair and already started making excuses. Supposedly the nurses at the hospital didn't draw my blood at the times that they were supposed to. I thought to myself..hmmm, that's odd because I remember them drawing blood every couple of hours so how could they not be getting what "the dr. needed." Then he started talking gibberish aka doctor talk.
Now I have been waiting for two very specific test. I have called the doctor's office every other day going on three weeks asking for the results and they told me that they had sent them to the University of Florida for more testing. I was expecting to get them today, FINALLY! As my doctor went on with his gibberish talk I interrupted him and asked him for the results of my cortisol levels and my ACTH levels. He then proceeded to tell me that the hospital failed to do those two test. WHAT? Do I look stupid? I am the patient and I was in that hospital bed for 20 hours. I know for a fact that the nurse came in at 6:00pm and gave me a huge dose of cortisol and then at 6:10 pm someone came in and took my blood. I know that the test was done...I was there, he was not!
He acted like everything was okay. Like it was no big deal that "someone" didn't do their job. Now he wants me to come into his office on Monday and sit there all day long so he can draw blood from me every hour. While I was checking out I asked for copies of my results. I immediately came home and started googling every little thing that they DID test for. As I was looking over the results I realized that the hospital sent the labs to the Mayo clinic in Jacksonville. Now I am beginning to wonder if the story they have been feeding me over the phone for the last three weeks about the test results going to UF is a lie. If these are truly even my results then from what I can tell my body is pretty out of whack, but hey I'm no doctor!
I have phone call into my regular doctor. He is the one who referred me to Dr. Ramharrack. I am hoping that I can get an appointment with him this week. I am going to tell him to send me somewhere else, besides Dr. Ramharrack. Mine and Ramharrack's relationship is over and I refuse to give him one more once of my sweet blood. I put my health and most of all, my trust in Dr. Ramharrack and he has failed me. I am not some lab rat that you can just poke over and over again. I refuse to be tortured! As of right now...I'M ON STRIKE!!
Unsatisfied!
-Kimberlee
Now I have been waiting for two very specific test. I have called the doctor's office every other day going on three weeks asking for the results and they told me that they had sent them to the University of Florida for more testing. I was expecting to get them today, FINALLY! As my doctor went on with his gibberish talk I interrupted him and asked him for the results of my cortisol levels and my ACTH levels. He then proceeded to tell me that the hospital failed to do those two test. WHAT? Do I look stupid? I am the patient and I was in that hospital bed for 20 hours. I know for a fact that the nurse came in at 6:00pm and gave me a huge dose of cortisol and then at 6:10 pm someone came in and took my blood. I know that the test was done...I was there, he was not!
He acted like everything was okay. Like it was no big deal that "someone" didn't do their job. Now he wants me to come into his office on Monday and sit there all day long so he can draw blood from me every hour. While I was checking out I asked for copies of my results. I immediately came home and started googling every little thing that they DID test for. As I was looking over the results I realized that the hospital sent the labs to the Mayo clinic in Jacksonville. Now I am beginning to wonder if the story they have been feeding me over the phone for the last three weeks about the test results going to UF is a lie. If these are truly even my results then from what I can tell my body is pretty out of whack, but hey I'm no doctor!
I have phone call into my regular doctor. He is the one who referred me to Dr. Ramharrack. I am hoping that I can get an appointment with him this week. I am going to tell him to send me somewhere else, besides Dr. Ramharrack. Mine and Ramharrack's relationship is over and I refuse to give him one more once of my sweet blood. I put my health and most of all, my trust in Dr. Ramharrack and he has failed me. I am not some lab rat that you can just poke over and over again. I refuse to be tortured! As of right now...I'M ON STRIKE!!
Unsatisfied!
-Kimberlee
My Second Family
Meet my second family...TuDiabetes
I have had a lot of people ask me what TuDiabetes is. I feel very fortunate that I get to share with my family and friends exactly what this group is. First, I should tell you that when I was first diagnosed I was desperate to not feel alone. I needed to know that their were others like me. I don't know if it is because my husband is a forum addict and he has rubbed off on me or if God was just pointing me in a certain direction but one day while researching diabetes online I came across the TuDiabetes website and I felt obligated to get to know this group of people better. They soon became my second family.
So here was this family, all who had diabetes, and all who had their own story to tell. Every person was full of hope and determination. They all had goals, and I liked that. Each person was looking for a friend or someone they could help. Here was this group of amazing people who had diabetes and did amazing things- some conquered mountains, some competed in the Olympics, and one is even on American Idol right not, this list goes on and on. Here stood this family that understood everything about diabetes- the hilariousness of where we find used test strips, the desperation of trying to get rid of ketones. Here were diabetics all grown up. They were the people I want to be. Having kids, getting jobs, living life...even with diabetes.
It is TuDiabetes that I feel such a strong connection to. They opened my eyes to the diabetic world. A world that is not full of hate and shame but a world of hope, determination, love and most of all...acceptance. Everyday we struggle and fight together to end this disease. We educate one another, we test our sugars, we fight off nasty ketones, and we LIVE life.
This group of people have made me feel like I can walk down the street and hold my head high. They continue to teach me that just because I have diabetes, no one has the right to label me. They are helping me accept my diabetes and they are teaching me to cope with it.
Don't get me wrong. My first family is the BEST and they are like no other family in this world. I love them and I cherish them, but they are not diabetics and sometimes they don't understand exactly what I am going through or how diabetes is effecting me as an individual. They are my support group at home, in the kitchen, when I'm eating, when I'm testing, when I'm injecting..but TuDiabetes is my support group behind closed doors when I am having feelings and symptoms that no one could understand but a diabetic themselves.
So thank you to all of my family and friends who are always here for me, and thank you to TuDiabetes for making me a little wiser about diabetes.
Sincerely,
Kimberlee
I have had a lot of people ask me what TuDiabetes is. I feel very fortunate that I get to share with my family and friends exactly what this group is. First, I should tell you that when I was first diagnosed I was desperate to not feel alone. I needed to know that their were others like me. I don't know if it is because my husband is a forum addict and he has rubbed off on me or if God was just pointing me in a certain direction but one day while researching diabetes online I came across the TuDiabetes website and I felt obligated to get to know this group of people better. They soon became my second family.
So here was this family, all who had diabetes, and all who had their own story to tell. Every person was full of hope and determination. They all had goals, and I liked that. Each person was looking for a friend or someone they could help. Here was this group of amazing people who had diabetes and did amazing things- some conquered mountains, some competed in the Olympics, and one is even on American Idol right not, this list goes on and on. Here stood this family that understood everything about diabetes- the hilariousness of where we find used test strips, the desperation of trying to get rid of ketones. Here were diabetics all grown up. They were the people I want to be. Having kids, getting jobs, living life...even with diabetes.
It is TuDiabetes that I feel such a strong connection to. They opened my eyes to the diabetic world. A world that is not full of hate and shame but a world of hope, determination, love and most of all...acceptance. Everyday we struggle and fight together to end this disease. We educate one another, we test our sugars, we fight off nasty ketones, and we LIVE life.
This group of people have made me feel like I can walk down the street and hold my head high. They continue to teach me that just because I have diabetes, no one has the right to label me. They are helping me accept my diabetes and they are teaching me to cope with it.
Don't get me wrong. My first family is the BEST and they are like no other family in this world. I love them and I cherish them, but they are not diabetics and sometimes they don't understand exactly what I am going through or how diabetes is effecting me as an individual. They are my support group at home, in the kitchen, when I'm eating, when I'm testing, when I'm injecting..but TuDiabetes is my support group behind closed doors when I am having feelings and symptoms that no one could understand but a diabetic themselves.
So thank you to all of my family and friends who are always here for me, and thank you to TuDiabetes for making me a little wiser about diabetes.
Sincerely,
Kimberlee
Dear Diabetes...You Suck
It amazes me how many people are uneducated about diabetes. While out in public the other day it was time for a dose of insulin. I went into the bathroom and began to inject my insulin when a mother and her little girl walked in. First, I was given a look like I was a druggie and then she hurried her daughter into the bathroom stall. When they came out I was then checking my blood sugar level on my monitor and I think that she then realized that I was a diabetic. I was just feeling thankful that she finally "got it" but then she and her daughter started acting really odd. They wouldn't get to close to me and they grabbed paper towels to turn on and off the sink. The mother even told her little girl to stay by her side and not to touch anything. My blood was boiling and I was angry and embarrassed. On their way out they walked aways around me being sure not to get to close. I told them that diabetes isn't contagious, but she just quickly let the door shut in my face.
I guess this would be another faux pas moment. How could someone be uneducated about something so important in life? Doesn't she know that diabetes is on the rise in the US and even someone like her and her daughter can be diagnosed with it? Maybe she is just a major germ phob! I don't think I have ever felt like that before.
I am hoping to take something from that experience besides anger. I know everything happens for a reason, and I hope God shows me what I am supposed to do, because right now I am just kind of lost.
Dear diabetes...YOU SUCK!
-Kimberlee
I guess this would be another faux pas moment. How could someone be uneducated about something so important in life? Doesn't she know that diabetes is on the rise in the US and even someone like her and her daughter can be diagnosed with it? Maybe she is just a major germ phob! I don't think I have ever felt like that before.
I am hoping to take something from that experience besides anger. I know everything happens for a reason, and I hope God shows me what I am supposed to do, because right now I am just kind of lost.
Dear diabetes...YOU SUCK!
-Kimberlee
Learning to....Just Be
I'm a diabetic. My blood sugar tells me so, my lack of insulin tells me so, my A1C tells me so. But why do I have such a hard time accepting it? Probably because for the past 23 years I lived a non-diabetic life. I ate what I wanted, drank what I wanted, and did what I wanted. Now those days are over and I am having to take baby steps.
Something as simple as eating lunch or taking my insulin seems to be impossible for me right now. I forgot to eat lunch today so therefor I also forgot to take my insulin and then tonight at dinner I sat down and started eating without even thinking twice about my insulin. My husband had to remind me and then fix it for me. What am I 2? No, I'm not...I'm actually a month old. So maybe all of this stuff is supposed to be so new to me that I forget sometimes...or maybe forgetfulness is just part of this disease. Yeah that is probably it :)
I want so badly to learn to "just be." I don't even know if that is possible, but if it is, I wanted it to happen yesterday. I am trying so hard to educate myself and be a "good diabetic," but I seem to keep tripping. Is it because I am trying to walk before I learn how to crawl? Do I need to slow down and take all of this in? If that is the case...I don't think diabetes is going to fit very well in to my plan. Or do I have to fit into the diabetes plan?
Everyone keeps saying that things will get better and I will figure out a routine, but what if I don't want a new routine...I like my old one just fine thank you! I do want to feel better though, and I do want to live so how do I manage to settle in to my new life with diabetes? It isn't as easy as some people think, but I'm trying..honestly I am!
Trying...
-Kimberlee
Something as simple as eating lunch or taking my insulin seems to be impossible for me right now. I forgot to eat lunch today so therefor I also forgot to take my insulin and then tonight at dinner I sat down and started eating without even thinking twice about my insulin. My husband had to remind me and then fix it for me. What am I 2? No, I'm not...I'm actually a month old. So maybe all of this stuff is supposed to be so new to me that I forget sometimes...or maybe forgetfulness is just part of this disease. Yeah that is probably it :)
I want so badly to learn to "just be." I don't even know if that is possible, but if it is, I wanted it to happen yesterday. I am trying so hard to educate myself and be a "good diabetic," but I seem to keep tripping. Is it because I am trying to walk before I learn how to crawl? Do I need to slow down and take all of this in? If that is the case...I don't think diabetes is going to fit very well in to my plan. Or do I have to fit into the diabetes plan?
Everyone keeps saying that things will get better and I will figure out a routine, but what if I don't want a new routine...I like my old one just fine thank you! I do want to feel better though, and I do want to live so how do I manage to settle in to my new life with diabetes? It isn't as easy as some people think, but I'm trying..honestly I am!
Trying...
-Kimberlee
Eating For A Better You
Obesity is on the rise in America and across the globe. On every corner of every street there is a McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, or KFC. Turn on your TV and you are bombarded with food commercials. If you were not hungry then, you probably are now. Flip through a magazine and you will find full page spreads of food advertisements or best brownie of 2010 recipes. The food industry has even had a relationship with children for years...come on you remember the Easy Bake Oven!
It is no wonder that almost 50% of Americans are overweight with 30% of those being obese. I think it is time we start thinking out of the box or sack for that matter. Type 2 Diabetes is on the rise and that is due to the food choices people are making.
As a baby type 1, I am having to take a step back and look at my diet. Counting carbohydrates is a new skill I am having to learn as well as portion size. I am not depriving myself of the things I enjoy though (well except for Bruster's ice cream, but that is more my husband depriving me of that than myself), and neither should you. I think eating sweets in moderation is okay, but we all need to learn when enough is enough. Diabetics can be the sickest or the healthiest people, and so can non-diabetics. Your body depends on you to care for it and if you are feeding it junk all the time don't be surprised if your body starts to hate you for it.
Maybe take a step back and look at what you are eating. Ask yourself these questions: How will I benefit from this? Where could I add another vegetable? How could I subtract another starch? Water or coke? Medium or Biggie sized? It is up to us to educate ourselves about proper diet and correct our poor eating habits. Our bodies will thank us for it!
Here are some helpful tips I have been adding to my everyday life. Water...lots of water! Our bodies are made up of 70% water so it is only natural that we drink more water in order to keep us hydrated. Eat lots of green veggies. Green vegetables are full of chlorophyll and when we eat them we are taking in oxygen. Oxygen is a natural blood cleanser, so be sure not to skip on the broccoli! Go light on the juice. Store bought juices contain way to much sugar. Have you ever looked at the label? Most of them contain anywhere from 20g to 60g of sugar per glass. That means every glass of juice, in most cases, is equivalent to 2 candy bars! Instead of store bought juices try your hand at making green juices at home. My favorite is my cucumber goddess juice. I'll list the recipe below.
Today I challenge you to eat for a healthier you. Maybe skip on that mocha in the morning and satisfy your taste buds with green juice. Indulge in a tossed salad with all of your favorite veggies, nuts, and fruits. Pig out on some green vegetables for a snack instead of that snickers. Get creative with your foods. The possibilities are endless! Don't forget to reward yourself for your new good eating habits...that is the best part! Just remember eating in moderation is the key.
Peace and Veggies!
-Kimberlee
Green goddess juice
2 -cucumbers
1- 1 green bell pepper
1- celery stalk
Juice the three together adding the green bell pepper last for taste. This juice always wakes up my taste buds and gives me my morning energy!
It is no wonder that almost 50% of Americans are overweight with 30% of those being obese. I think it is time we start thinking out of the box or sack for that matter. Type 2 Diabetes is on the rise and that is due to the food choices people are making.
As a baby type 1, I am having to take a step back and look at my diet. Counting carbohydrates is a new skill I am having to learn as well as portion size. I am not depriving myself of the things I enjoy though (well except for Bruster's ice cream, but that is more my husband depriving me of that than myself), and neither should you. I think eating sweets in moderation is okay, but we all need to learn when enough is enough. Diabetics can be the sickest or the healthiest people, and so can non-diabetics. Your body depends on you to care for it and if you are feeding it junk all the time don't be surprised if your body starts to hate you for it.
Maybe take a step back and look at what you are eating. Ask yourself these questions: How will I benefit from this? Where could I add another vegetable? How could I subtract another starch? Water or coke? Medium or Biggie sized? It is up to us to educate ourselves about proper diet and correct our poor eating habits. Our bodies will thank us for it!
Here are some helpful tips I have been adding to my everyday life. Water...lots of water! Our bodies are made up of 70% water so it is only natural that we drink more water in order to keep us hydrated. Eat lots of green veggies. Green vegetables are full of chlorophyll and when we eat them we are taking in oxygen. Oxygen is a natural blood cleanser, so be sure not to skip on the broccoli! Go light on the juice. Store bought juices contain way to much sugar. Have you ever looked at the label? Most of them contain anywhere from 20g to 60g of sugar per glass. That means every glass of juice, in most cases, is equivalent to 2 candy bars! Instead of store bought juices try your hand at making green juices at home. My favorite is my cucumber goddess juice. I'll list the recipe below.
Today I challenge you to eat for a healthier you. Maybe skip on that mocha in the morning and satisfy your taste buds with green juice. Indulge in a tossed salad with all of your favorite veggies, nuts, and fruits. Pig out on some green vegetables for a snack instead of that snickers. Get creative with your foods. The possibilities are endless! Don't forget to reward yourself for your new good eating habits...that is the best part! Just remember eating in moderation is the key.
Peace and Veggies!
-Kimberlee
Green goddess juice
2 -cucumbers
1- 1 green bell pepper
1- celery stalk
Juice the three together adding the green bell pepper last for taste. This juice always wakes up my taste buds and gives me my morning energy!
A New Dawn, A New Day
Last night my diabetes and I had it out. I think it was trying to play a numbers game with me. I took my insulin at 5:30pm and had my dinner at 6pm. At 8pm I was ready for my routine two hours after dinner check. I got a message on my glucose machine I had never seen before, it said... "HI- ABOVE 500 CHECK FOR KETONES." Naturally, I freaked out. Over 500? WHAT? I have never experienced that before. I calmed myself down and rechecked, hoping for an error. Again, I received the message. Freaking out again, I gathered my syringe and insulin and gave myself a correction does. One hour later I checked my sugar again, this time I was at 345 and I am still receiving the check for ketones message. So, I check myself for ketones and I show I have a trace so I start loading up on water. Where did I go wrong?
I spent most of the night beside myself. How could I let my sugar get that high? What did I eat that my body didn't like? Am I becoming resistant to insulin already? Oh Lord, help me! I ended up having to give myself another correction dose later on. I tossed and turned all night worried about where my sugar levels were heading, and I was completely disgusted with myself.
This morning when I woke up I had a long talk with myself. I told myself I wouldn't freak out like I did last night. I reminded myself that stress only leads to higher blood sugar levels, and I am sure I didn't improve my situation last night by my worrying. There is only so much that I can do, and I am only human. I am going to make mistakes and that is ok. I need to not be so hard on myself, and I need to learn how to give myself a break!
Do you ever find yourself giving YOU a really hard time? Does it usually make the situation worse? What do you do to calm yourself down in difficult or stressful situations?
Be Happy, No Worries!
-Kimberlee
I spent most of the night beside myself. How could I let my sugar get that high? What did I eat that my body didn't like? Am I becoming resistant to insulin already? Oh Lord, help me! I ended up having to give myself another correction dose later on. I tossed and turned all night worried about where my sugar levels were heading, and I was completely disgusted with myself.
This morning when I woke up I had a long talk with myself. I told myself I wouldn't freak out like I did last night. I reminded myself that stress only leads to higher blood sugar levels, and I am sure I didn't improve my situation last night by my worrying. There is only so much that I can do, and I am only human. I am going to make mistakes and that is ok. I need to not be so hard on myself, and I need to learn how to give myself a break!
Do you ever find yourself giving YOU a really hard time? Does it usually make the situation worse? What do you do to calm yourself down in difficult or stressful situations?
Be Happy, No Worries!
-Kimberlee
I'll Live With you, but I'll Never Be Your Friend!
Friday morning I had my follow up appointment with my endocrinologist. The CT scan that I had done a week ago showed no tumors in my pancreas, so praise the Lord for that. We had talked in the past about a hospital evaluation, but I honestly didn't think it would come down to that. Surely enough, I was wrong. At my appointment with him that morning he admitted me to the hospital. A 72 hour stay luckily turned into a 20 hour stay. He thought it was going to take 3 days to get me into a hypo state. He was wrong and I knew he was going to be wrong from the start. My body needs food in order for my blood sugar to somewhat behave. My stay started off with a fast. No food for me means severe hypoglycemia. It took me about 8 hours and I was lower then I could ever remember being. My blood sugar was 30 and I had no symptoms whatsoever. I was sitting up watching TV and waiting for my husbands arrival. I took the nurses by surprise for sure. They told me I should be
unconscious right now and I blew there mind when I told them I felt perfectly fine.
It was a painful stay indeed, both mentally and physically. Mentally, because I felt trapped and defeated. I had felt like this disease had gotten the best of me and I wasn't sure how to take back control. Physically, because I endured about 20 finger sticks and gave up 19 tubes of blood. I was given IV glucose when my sugar reached 30. My sugars rushed up to over 100 in about 10 minutes time. That feeling is never something I enjoy. The headache, the nauseating pains in my stomach and the dizziness is almost to much to bear. What kept me going though was me knowing that once this was over I was going to get a sandwich :)
So I ate my sandwich and my sugar was elevated at about 180. I was able to get about a hour of sleep until I was being tortured again. Four hours later my sugar was on its way down to another low. I was allowed a glass a milk and a half of a peanut butter sandwich. I thought this time for sure my sugars were going to be elevated but I was yet, wrong again. At 8 AM I was sweating really bad, my heart was pounding and this time I knew something was wrong. My sugar checked out at 35. At this point I thought there was no way I was going home early. Breakfast arrived and although I wasn't really hungry I forced myself to eat everything that was given to me in hopes that my sugar would go up and stay up and I could go home. Thankfully, my sugar did go up and I was discharged that afternoon.
The testing that was done was to see why I have such severe hypoglycemia when I have little to no insulin in my body. It could be my cortisol level, my adrenal glands, or my pancreas is just completely out of it's mind. I am waiting on answers from my doctor and I expect them any time now.
Sunday I was allowed my regular diabetic diet and was able to start on my insulin again. This is the second time I have had to stop my insulin for testing, and it is really aggravating. When I start the insulin again I feel like I am starting from the bottom. Giving my self the shot doesn't feel normal to me, maybe it never will. Every injection is a constant reminder of this disease. Diabetes is like a big bully that refuses to leave me alone. It keeps pushing my buttons, and sometimes I don't know how to fight back.
Dear diabetes...just to let you know, I accept that I must live with you, BUT we will NEVER be friends.
Happy Monday Everyone!
-Kimberlee
unconscious right now and I blew there mind when I told them I felt perfectly fine.
It was a painful stay indeed, both mentally and physically. Mentally, because I felt trapped and defeated. I had felt like this disease had gotten the best of me and I wasn't sure how to take back control. Physically, because I endured about 20 finger sticks and gave up 19 tubes of blood. I was given IV glucose when my sugar reached 30. My sugars rushed up to over 100 in about 10 minutes time. That feeling is never something I enjoy. The headache, the nauseating pains in my stomach and the dizziness is almost to much to bear. What kept me going though was me knowing that once this was over I was going to get a sandwich :)
So I ate my sandwich and my sugar was elevated at about 180. I was able to get about a hour of sleep until I was being tortured again. Four hours later my sugar was on its way down to another low. I was allowed a glass a milk and a half of a peanut butter sandwich. I thought this time for sure my sugars were going to be elevated but I was yet, wrong again. At 8 AM I was sweating really bad, my heart was pounding and this time I knew something was wrong. My sugar checked out at 35. At this point I thought there was no way I was going home early. Breakfast arrived and although I wasn't really hungry I forced myself to eat everything that was given to me in hopes that my sugar would go up and stay up and I could go home. Thankfully, my sugar did go up and I was discharged that afternoon.
The testing that was done was to see why I have such severe hypoglycemia when I have little to no insulin in my body. It could be my cortisol level, my adrenal glands, or my pancreas is just completely out of it's mind. I am waiting on answers from my doctor and I expect them any time now.
Sunday I was allowed my regular diabetic diet and was able to start on my insulin again. This is the second time I have had to stop my insulin for testing, and it is really aggravating. When I start the insulin again I feel like I am starting from the bottom. Giving my self the shot doesn't feel normal to me, maybe it never will. Every injection is a constant reminder of this disease. Diabetes is like a big bully that refuses to leave me alone. It keeps pushing my buttons, and sometimes I don't know how to fight back.
Dear diabetes...just to let you know, I accept that I must live with you, BUT we will NEVER be friends.
Happy Monday Everyone!
-Kimberlee
The Cure
Will there be a cure for diabetes in my life time? That is a question that I have been asking myself a lot lately. It saddens me when I have to answer that question with a no. I know there are both diabetics and non-diabetics out there that think "the cure" is just around the corner, but I don't seen it happening anytime soon. I feel that this country is too corrupt. The insurance companies and drug companies would be broke as a joke if it wasn't for diabetes. Hey, at least someone is benefiting from this disease. Drug companies like sick people, so why would they take millions of them and cure them? They answer to that question is...THEY WOULDN'T! That would be mean less cash in there pocket and lets face it, they like there money honey!
Does this mean that I don't support the search for the cure? Of course not. I would love to walk into my doctors office and him say drink this and you will be all better. There has been some "recent breakthroughs," but I just don't find them very promising. JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) started working with Islet (pronounced EYE-LITS) in 1999. They tried transplanting them into the pancreas in hope that the beta cells would start producing insulin again. At first only 1 out of 10 cases were successful, now there are 8 reported cases out of 300 that have been a success. So why is this not on the market? Well you see Islets are very very fragile and they are almost impossible to isolate, making there not be enough to cure every one. JDRF reports that scientist are working around the clock trying to figure out how to make more Islets. Here are there ideas thus far: One is with stemcell research but there are political, moral and ethical views stopping that from happening, another is from animal cells but then that might mean humans will start getting animal diseases and well that would be no fun. Could you imagine coming home and saying hey mom I was cured from diabetes today but I brought home heart worms! Last would be genetic engineering of cells but scientist face complex technical difficulties...go figure, I thought they were supposed to geniuses! Another big problem that scientist and researchers are facing is that the human body is rejecting the transplantation of Islets. Your body tends to fight off any foreign object that it comes in contact with and these Islets are one of them.The way I see it, a diabetics body attacks its own islets to begin with so why would anyone think that it wouldn't attack new islets.
Here is some pretty interesting information from JDRF:
Where Do Pancreases Come From? A cadaver is the body of a person who has died. Organs are obtained from cadavers 1) with the permission of the donor before death (many people make it known they would like to be an organ donor when obtaining a driver's license, where it is clearly marked) and his or her family, and 2) after the person is determined to have no brain function, while machines are still maintaining the vital organs. The pancreas and its islets must be taken out ("recovered") rapidly. The time from removal of the pancreas to injection of islets into the patient with diabetes is limited, generally only 12 hours, although new advances are giving doctors more time.
2,000: Pancreases available in U.S. for islet transplants each year.
About 1 million: Islets from a healthy pancreas.
700,000: Islets needed per transplant for a 150-pound person.
At least 1: Islet transplant needed to be free from insulin.
At least 1: Pancreas needed per transplant patient.
More than 1 million: Patients with Juvenile in the U.S. alone.
With that information it doesn't look like there will be a cure for a really long time let alone the chance to get my hands on a donated pancreas. JDRF is trying to fund these researches but the government is a tightwad, well unless it comes to bonuses they like to give out, jetting off to Hawaii, bailing out GM, or the trillions of dollars they are spending on this war. JDRF rely on support from fellow Americans. They ask kids to participate in events like Walk To Cure Diabetes, so they can raise money to pay for scientist salaries and laboratories.
So, let me know what you think. Will there be a cure in the next 5 years? 10 years? 20 years? Ever? I would love to hear your opinion on this matter. Also, I challenge you to get involved with JDRF. They are in need of volunteers and donations and there are several Walk To Cure Diabetes events forming now.
Thank you for allowing me to share this info with you! Until there is a cure...
-Kimberlee
Does this mean that I don't support the search for the cure? Of course not. I would love to walk into my doctors office and him say drink this and you will be all better. There has been some "recent breakthroughs," but I just don't find them very promising. JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) started working with Islet (pronounced EYE-LITS) in 1999. They tried transplanting them into the pancreas in hope that the beta cells would start producing insulin again. At first only 1 out of 10 cases were successful, now there are 8 reported cases out of 300 that have been a success. So why is this not on the market? Well you see Islets are very very fragile and they are almost impossible to isolate, making there not be enough to cure every one. JDRF reports that scientist are working around the clock trying to figure out how to make more Islets. Here are there ideas thus far: One is with stemcell research but there are political, moral and ethical views stopping that from happening, another is from animal cells but then that might mean humans will start getting animal diseases and well that would be no fun. Could you imagine coming home and saying hey mom I was cured from diabetes today but I brought home heart worms! Last would be genetic engineering of cells but scientist face complex technical difficulties...go figure, I thought they were supposed to geniuses! Another big problem that scientist and researchers are facing is that the human body is rejecting the transplantation of Islets. Your body tends to fight off any foreign object that it comes in contact with and these Islets are one of them.The way I see it, a diabetics body attacks its own islets to begin with so why would anyone think that it wouldn't attack new islets.
Here is some pretty interesting information from JDRF:
Where Do Pancreases Come From? A cadaver is the body of a person who has died. Organs are obtained from cadavers 1) with the permission of the donor before death (many people make it known they would like to be an organ donor when obtaining a driver's license, where it is clearly marked) and his or her family, and 2) after the person is determined to have no brain function, while machines are still maintaining the vital organs. The pancreas and its islets must be taken out ("recovered") rapidly. The time from removal of the pancreas to injection of islets into the patient with diabetes is limited, generally only 12 hours, although new advances are giving doctors more time.
2,000: Pancreases available in U.S. for islet transplants each year.
About 1 million: Islets from a healthy pancreas.
700,000: Islets needed per transplant for a 150-pound person.
At least 1: Islet transplant needed to be free from insulin.
At least 1: Pancreas needed per transplant patient.
More than 1 million: Patients with Juvenile in the U.S. alone.
With that information it doesn't look like there will be a cure for a really long time let alone the chance to get my hands on a donated pancreas. JDRF is trying to fund these researches but the government is a tightwad, well unless it comes to bonuses they like to give out, jetting off to Hawaii, bailing out GM, or the trillions of dollars they are spending on this war. JDRF rely on support from fellow Americans. They ask kids to participate in events like Walk To Cure Diabetes, so they can raise money to pay for scientist salaries and laboratories.
So, let me know what you think. Will there be a cure in the next 5 years? 10 years? 20 years? Ever? I would love to hear your opinion on this matter. Also, I challenge you to get involved with JDRF. They are in need of volunteers and donations and there are several Walk To Cure Diabetes events forming now.
Thank you for allowing me to share this info with you! Until there is a cure...
-Kimberlee
Life With Insulin
As a baby type 1 this insulin stuff is pretty new to me. At times, it can be overwhelming and even intimidating. Insulin is my life line now though, and my new best friend. So what am I doing about it? I am educating myself and I am working or at least trying to work it into my plan.
Life with insulin is a new life indeed. I have to worry about what I take, when I take it, how much of it I need, will it cover my meals, will my meal cover my insulin. I haven't really gotten the hang of carb counting and how to factor that into my insulin dosages yet, so that leads to a whole new set or worries...oh yippee!
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) has been an enemy of mine long before I was diagnosed. My sugar would usually spike and then crash a hour or so later. Mr. Hypo would come tapping on my shoulder bringing along the shakes, the sweats, dizziness, stomach cramps, nauseating hunger, headaches, blurred vision and sometimes fainting spells. Insulin introduces Mr. Hypo to me all over again, or at least the fear of him. Things like exercising, playing sports, sleeping and driving all come with a warning label.
As a college student I am beginning to wonder how is insulin and school going to mix. I took this semester off so I could get a better control over my health, but I am picking back up my classes in May. The stress of nursing school is also another thing I have to worry about. Stress is blood sugars enemy. The two don't get along at all, making control sometimes out of reach. I often take four or five classes a semester making some days impossible for me to eat lunch. Insulin without lunch is often a death wish, so I am trying to revise my plan. Before I know it I will have a whole new plan :)
So what is insulin? Insulin is a hormone that is produced in the pancreas. Scientist have been able re-create insulin for people like me. There are many forms of insulin. They include:
Prompt: Lispro and Humalog, this type of insulin takes effect about 15 minutes after injection.
Regular: Humulin R and Novolin R, this type of insulin takes effect about 30 minutes to a hour after injection.
Intermediate: Humulin and Novolin, This type of insulin takes effect about 2 to 4 hours after injection.
Not only are there several types of insulin but there are also different way to administer insulin. Syringe and vial (which is what I am currently using), insulin pens, and insulin pumps. One of my goals is to qualify for an insulin pump. It is my understanding though that you can not qualify for one until after a year of displaying good control of your diabetes. Boohoo! I want one now! During my year wait though I am making it a point to educate myself as much as possible on insulin pumps, the pros and cons. There are two companies out right now that have started the tubeless insulin pump and I have contacted both of these companies. I will be testing out there models over the next couple of weeks. I will keep you all updated on that, who knows...I may decide I don't want one after all.
Running on insulin
-Kimberlee
Life with insulin is a new life indeed. I have to worry about what I take, when I take it, how much of it I need, will it cover my meals, will my meal cover my insulin. I haven't really gotten the hang of carb counting and how to factor that into my insulin dosages yet, so that leads to a whole new set or worries...oh yippee!
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) has been an enemy of mine long before I was diagnosed. My sugar would usually spike and then crash a hour or so later. Mr. Hypo would come tapping on my shoulder bringing along the shakes, the sweats, dizziness, stomach cramps, nauseating hunger, headaches, blurred vision and sometimes fainting spells. Insulin introduces Mr. Hypo to me all over again, or at least the fear of him. Things like exercising, playing sports, sleeping and driving all come with a warning label.
As a college student I am beginning to wonder how is insulin and school going to mix. I took this semester off so I could get a better control over my health, but I am picking back up my classes in May. The stress of nursing school is also another thing I have to worry about. Stress is blood sugars enemy. The two don't get along at all, making control sometimes out of reach. I often take four or five classes a semester making some days impossible for me to eat lunch. Insulin without lunch is often a death wish, so I am trying to revise my plan. Before I know it I will have a whole new plan :)
So what is insulin? Insulin is a hormone that is produced in the pancreas. Scientist have been able re-create insulin for people like me. There are many forms of insulin. They include:
Prompt: Lispro and Humalog, this type of insulin takes effect about 15 minutes after injection.
Regular: Humulin R and Novolin R, this type of insulin takes effect about 30 minutes to a hour after injection.
Intermediate: Humulin and Novolin, This type of insulin takes effect about 2 to 4 hours after injection.
Not only are there several types of insulin but there are also different way to administer insulin. Syringe and vial (which is what I am currently using), insulin pens, and insulin pumps. One of my goals is to qualify for an insulin pump. It is my understanding though that you can not qualify for one until after a year of displaying good control of your diabetes. Boohoo! I want one now! During my year wait though I am making it a point to educate myself as much as possible on insulin pumps, the pros and cons. There are two companies out right now that have started the tubeless insulin pump and I have contacted both of these companies. I will be testing out there models over the next couple of weeks. I will keep you all updated on that, who knows...I may decide I don't want one after all.
Running on insulin
-Kimberlee
Type 1 University
A lot of people are unaware of the difference between Type 1 and Type 2. It is often frusterating to any diabetic, so I am going to try and clearify. Get your pen and paper ready for some note taking and prepare yourself to be schooled!
First...some simple definitions (definitions provided by Mayo clinic)
Type1:
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels.
Type2:
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease marked by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
Still confused?
Don't worry I'm not going to leave you hanging. Type 1 is also known as Juvenile diabetes, although you seem to not hear that term much anymore because more and more GROWN adults are being diagnosed with Type 1. Type 1 is also an autoimmune disease and something as simple as a cold can cause it to come out of hiding and interupt your life forever. Treatment for type 1 is often very different than that of type 2. When you have type 1, you are insulin dependant. That means your body requires insulin injections or inhalants in order to survive. Type 2 on the other hand is often controlled by diet and exercise, but that does not mean that a type 2 will not need insulin. Some type 2 diabetics become resistant to there own insulin and may require insulin injections in order to keep a tighter control on there blood sugars.
The results of poor diabetic care in both type 1 and type 2 are the same. Poor care or the lack of care can result in amputation of limbs, cardiovascular disease, poor eye sight including blindness, nerve damage, and kidney disease. Thank God that diabetic complications can be avoided by proper treatment, diet, exercise, and a tight control on blood sugar levels. Just because you have diabetes, doesn't mean that any of these things have to happen to you. Any diabetic MUST be wise about the decisions they make when it comes to care and treatment, keeping them complication free.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or tips please let me know...I would love to hear from you! I think proper care in both diabetics and non-diabetics comes from educating yourself. So I challenge you to educate yourself on something you have been thinking about doing lately.
Peace and education!
-Kimberlee
First...some simple definitions (definitions provided by Mayo clinic)
Type1:
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels.
Type2:
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease marked by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
Still confused?
Don't worry I'm not going to leave you hanging. Type 1 is also known as Juvenile diabetes, although you seem to not hear that term much anymore because more and more GROWN adults are being diagnosed with Type 1. Type 1 is also an autoimmune disease and something as simple as a cold can cause it to come out of hiding and interupt your life forever. Treatment for type 1 is often very different than that of type 2. When you have type 1, you are insulin dependant. That means your body requires insulin injections or inhalants in order to survive. Type 2 on the other hand is often controlled by diet and exercise, but that does not mean that a type 2 will not need insulin. Some type 2 diabetics become resistant to there own insulin and may require insulin injections in order to keep a tighter control on there blood sugars.
The results of poor diabetic care in both type 1 and type 2 are the same. Poor care or the lack of care can result in amputation of limbs, cardiovascular disease, poor eye sight including blindness, nerve damage, and kidney disease. Thank God that diabetic complications can be avoided by proper treatment, diet, exercise, and a tight control on blood sugar levels. Just because you have diabetes, doesn't mean that any of these things have to happen to you. Any diabetic MUST be wise about the decisions they make when it comes to care and treatment, keeping them complication free.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or tips please let me know...I would love to hear from you! I think proper care in both diabetics and non-diabetics comes from educating yourself. So I challenge you to educate yourself on something you have been thinking about doing lately.
Peace and education!
-Kimberlee
Faux Pas
I understand that there are a lot of people who are not educated about diabetes but come on! One of the most annoying things I have heard since I was diagnosed is "you have diabetes? Oh my grandpa has diabetes and he had to have both of his legs amputated." Major FAUX PAS!
Just like every non-diabetic is different, every diabetic is also different. Just because your brother, or you mama, or your daddy's mama, or your mama's mama, or your auntie has diabetes does not mean that they are like me nor am I like them. Yes...God made us equal, but we are still our own individual.
Treatment for diabetes is also the same. What may work for one does not always work for another. Being a baby diabetic means that I get to hear a lot of "try this." Luckily I am the type of person who goes into situations with an open mind. If someone suggests something to me I will usually research it and see if I will actually benefit from it. I have to admit though that there has been a lot of suggestions that could of wreaked havok on any diabetics body.
Here is one of my favorite faux pas moment..." Wow! It would suck to have to live life with diabetes." Yes! Someone actually said that to me, and you are going to get a kick out of who said it. One day (actually one of the many days) I was having some blood work done at Lab Corp here in Ocala ( I am telling you the name of the lab so you can stay clear of this place) this phlebotomist who looked like she could be a perfect candidate of Type 2 diabetes ( I hate to judge, but it's true) stumbled into the room I was waiting to patiently to be "stuck" in. I like to think that I am pretty good at reading personalities, so from the start I knew I was in for a real treat. I automatically started smiling at her in hopes that she would not jab me real hard with the needle. Unfortunately, she didn't smile back so I knew for sure then that this was going to hurt! Luckily the stick didn't hurt but what you are about to read really hurt! So here I was sitting in this chair with my arm out giving up 5 tubes of my sweet sweet blood and this lady starts asking me why I am having these tests done. Not that it was any of her business (especially since she is NOT my Dr. or a Dr. at all for that fact), but I shared my story with her hoping that maybe I could be an inspiration. Inspiration...I was not. Instead I was told how my life was going to suck now that I have diabetes. I was in shock, I was hurt, how could anyone be so mean? Needless to say, after my long talk with the regional manager followed by an email to CEO this lady is either in deep poo or fired! Do I feel bad? No, and I am happy about that.
So what does all this mean for you and me? It simply means think before you speak. Remember that people both diabetics and non-diabetics have feelings, and those feelings can be easily hurt.
Remember! Faux pas....NOT fox paws :o)
-Kimberlee
Just like every non-diabetic is different, every diabetic is also different. Just because your brother, or you mama, or your daddy's mama, or your mama's mama, or your auntie has diabetes does not mean that they are like me nor am I like them. Yes...God made us equal, but we are still our own individual.
Treatment for diabetes is also the same. What may work for one does not always work for another. Being a baby diabetic means that I get to hear a lot of "try this." Luckily I am the type of person who goes into situations with an open mind. If someone suggests something to me I will usually research it and see if I will actually benefit from it. I have to admit though that there has been a lot of suggestions that could of wreaked havok on any diabetics body.
Here is one of my favorite faux pas moment..." Wow! It would suck to have to live life with diabetes." Yes! Someone actually said that to me, and you are going to get a kick out of who said it. One day (actually one of the many days) I was having some blood work done at Lab Corp here in Ocala ( I am telling you the name of the lab so you can stay clear of this place) this phlebotomist who looked like she could be a perfect candidate of Type 2 diabetes ( I hate to judge, but it's true) stumbled into the room I was waiting to patiently to be "stuck" in. I like to think that I am pretty good at reading personalities, so from the start I knew I was in for a real treat. I automatically started smiling at her in hopes that she would not jab me real hard with the needle. Unfortunately, she didn't smile back so I knew for sure then that this was going to hurt! Luckily the stick didn't hurt but what you are about to read really hurt! So here I was sitting in this chair with my arm out giving up 5 tubes of my sweet sweet blood and this lady starts asking me why I am having these tests done. Not that it was any of her business (especially since she is NOT my Dr. or a Dr. at all for that fact), but I shared my story with her hoping that maybe I could be an inspiration. Inspiration...I was not. Instead I was told how my life was going to suck now that I have diabetes. I was in shock, I was hurt, how could anyone be so mean? Needless to say, after my long talk with the regional manager followed by an email to CEO this lady is either in deep poo or fired! Do I feel bad? No, and I am happy about that.
So what does all this mean for you and me? It simply means think before you speak. Remember that people both diabetics and non-diabetics have feelings, and those feelings can be easily hurt.
Remember! Faux pas....NOT fox paws :o)
-Kimberlee
The Start Of A New Beginning
My name is Kimberlee and I was 23 years. I am now 21 days old. How is that you ask? Well, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 21 days ago. I am taking this diagnosis as a new beginning for me. I am educating myself daily, in hopes that I will be benefit from it.
So, how am I doing as a baby Type 1? Well, I guess you could say that I am managing. I am trying to take it day by day and not worry about the future, but I am the type of person who MUST have a plan. Needless to say...diabetes doesn't exactly fit into my plan so I am having to make some revisions. The doctor appointments are really starting to annoy me. How is it when you leave the docotor's office you leave with an extra appointment or two? That seems to be my life for the past two months. Every test is followed up by another test. Will this end? If so, when? Like I said...I MUST have a plan!
The injections haven't been as bad as I thought, but I will say that I am so tired of giving them to myself. I dread breakfast, lunch, and dinner because I know there will be insulin involved. Did you know that when you are diagnosed with diabetes you are automatically assigned food and insulin police? Mine are always asking me, can you eat that? Did you take your insulin first? How many units did you take? Is that enough to cover your meal? BLAH BLAH BLAH! I'm sorry...but just go ahead and arrest me already.
Am I scared of diabetes? As a baby diabetic I think I would be lying to myself, and you if I said no. I will say though that it isn't the disease itself that I am scared of but rather the side effects. For instance, when I go to bed at night I ask myself, ok have I checked my sugar, will my blood sugar go to low in my sleep, what if it does, who will help me, where are my glucose tablets, should I test again. I am losing sleep over all of this, and lets face it people...I NEED my beauty rest!
All in all, I am doing ok. I guess the benefit of having diabetes is that I get to grow up AGAIN...oh and don't forget that cup of ice cream for the times that I am really low :)
Peace and Veggies!
-Kimberlee
So, how am I doing as a baby Type 1? Well, I guess you could say that I am managing. I am trying to take it day by day and not worry about the future, but I am the type of person who MUST have a plan. Needless to say...diabetes doesn't exactly fit into my plan so I am having to make some revisions. The doctor appointments are really starting to annoy me. How is it when you leave the docotor's office you leave with an extra appointment or two? That seems to be my life for the past two months. Every test is followed up by another test. Will this end? If so, when? Like I said...I MUST have a plan!
The injections haven't been as bad as I thought, but I will say that I am so tired of giving them to myself. I dread breakfast, lunch, and dinner because I know there will be insulin involved. Did you know that when you are diagnosed with diabetes you are automatically assigned food and insulin police? Mine are always asking me, can you eat that? Did you take your insulin first? How many units did you take? Is that enough to cover your meal? BLAH BLAH BLAH! I'm sorry...but just go ahead and arrest me already.
Am I scared of diabetes? As a baby diabetic I think I would be lying to myself, and you if I said no. I will say though that it isn't the disease itself that I am scared of but rather the side effects. For instance, when I go to bed at night I ask myself, ok have I checked my sugar, will my blood sugar go to low in my sleep, what if it does, who will help me, where are my glucose tablets, should I test again. I am losing sleep over all of this, and lets face it people...I NEED my beauty rest!
All in all, I am doing ok. I guess the benefit of having diabetes is that I get to grow up AGAIN...oh and don't forget that cup of ice cream for the times that I am really low :)
Peace and Veggies!
-Kimberlee
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