My heart ached today for the little children with Type 1. I had my endocrinology appointment today and while I was waiting to see the doctor, I saw around 5 children under the age of 8 walk into that office. Now, I know that some of them might have been there with their parents. But seeing as many of them were school aged and today was a school day, I seriously doubt they were there with their parents. I couldn't possibly imagine what my life would be like had I been diagnosed when I was that age. My heart went out to them. To think that they are going through exactly what I am going through, but without the kind of control that I have. I have the ability to give myself my own shots and I determine how much insulin to give myself. Some of those kids aren't that lucky. I haven't felt that kind of sadness since I was diagnosed. But this time it wasn't for myself. Those kids are fighting for their lives everyday.
I don't care what anyone says. Diabetes is just as serious as cancer. Yes we get to live longer, but we are constantly fighting for our lives. Not to the extent as cancer patients do, but we have to do it for longer. And just like cancer, we can have turns for the worse and not understand why or how it happened. For example, I was sick about a month ago and I was on my period and I could not get my blood sugars below 150 for 2 weeks. The higher my blood sugars are and the longer they are high, the more damage it causes to my body.
I'm sorry if I seem heartless towards cancer patients. I'm really not, but I feel like diabetes gets a back seat to all other diseases. It sometimes feels like I get looked at and people think, "well couldn't you have prevented it?" or "did you eat a poor diet as a kid?" I mean seriously! Seriously! You're going to blame me for a deadly disease! You're going to blame those poor kids for their deadly disease? Or their parents? I mean come on! Diabetes is deadly! By 2030, Diabetes will be the world's number one cause of death.
Well now that I have ranted on and on, I do have some pretty exciting news! I went in today prepared to fight for a pump. I gave her all of my reasons as to why I needed/wanted a pump. And just like that, she said "sure! Why not?" YES!!!! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Hallelujah Yes! I've been reading the pamphlets she gave me and have narrowed it down to two choices. I just have to see which one will be covered most by the insurance. Each has it's pros and cons, so it's probably going to come down to which one the insurance company is going to pay for the most. I'm jumping out of my skin, I'm so happy. Unfortunately, it won't be as soon as I would like. I have my next appointment set up for after we get back from CA in 3 weeks. I'm hoping to have it be the end of March! EXCITED!!!!
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Biggest Loser eats Stuffed Pasta Shells
Well, it certainly has been a loooooooooooong time since I've written a recipe blog. But work has presented me an opportunity to blog more often. You see we started the Biggest Loser contest at work. I am .... fortunate enough to have the opportunity to help organize the weekly emails which consist of exercising tips and a recipe. So I figured, why not take this golden opportunity to blog my recipes, since I'm having to write them down anyway. Kill two birds with one stone. Why not, right!?
Anyway, stuffed pasta shells... I think there is a common misconception about diabetics and pasta. It was really funny. We had a friend invite us for dinner one night and she was texting me the recipes that she was going to make. To quote her, "I don't want to kill you or anything". Oh so funny! She was referring to the fact that the dinner was going to be mainly Olive Garden inspired. Which means pasta.... so while Pasta isn't bad for anyone in general, it's not good in large amounts either. It's like any other carb. In moderation and balanced properly, pasta can be healthy.
So when I was first diagnosed, I was intensely sticking to a diet. Rob and I went to Barnes and Noble to get a diabetic cookbook.That's where this gem comes from. The only other time I have had stuffed pasta shells was when I was in college and my dear friend (different from said friend above) and I would cook because well... it was nice to have a home cooked meal in college. I ate so poorly. That girl saved me many a night! But anywho, so this recipe is somewhat similar to hers, but made a little healthier by substituting out ingredients for the lower fat option.
So here's a picture of delicious awesomeness!
And here's the recipe:
Stuffed Pasta Shells
Ingredients:
1/2 lb Ground Turkey
1/2 tsp Fennel Seed
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
2 cups mushrooms
1 small-medium onion (~1/2 cup)
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese
2 eggs
Jumbo Pasta Shells
2 cups red pasta sauce
Start a large pot of water boiling for the pasta. Once the water is boiling, add the shells. Cook the shells until just after al dente, or to your liking. Once they have finished cooking, I rinse with cold water so I can handle them.
Cook the meat. Mix in the fennel seed, salt, pepper, and Italian seasonings.Once you have cooked the meat, remove from the pan. In that same pan add a little olive oil and saute the mushrooms, onion, and garlic.Once the onions are soft, add the meat back into the pan. Whisk the eggs. Add the cottage cheese and scrambled eggs to the meat mixture.
Carefully spoon the meat mixture into the cooked shells and place in a 9x13. I generally have to use 2 pans, a 9x13 and a smaller casserole pan as well to accommodate all of the shells. Preheat the oven to 350F.
Now, I like to make my own pasta sauce. I have found that I don't like a pre-made pasta sauce. It's too sweet. I make mine by taking 16 oz of tomato sauce and add garlic powder, salt, pepper, red crushed pepper and olive oil to my tasting. Super nommers!
So at this point, you have the shells filled. Evenly spread the pasta sauce over the shells. Put them in the oven for about 15-20 minutes. Once they are done, sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.
Here's the nutritional information minus the vegetables of course:
Serving size: 4 Shells
Calories: 340
Total Carbohydrate: 30 g
Protein: 23 g
Bon Apetit!
Anyway, stuffed pasta shells... I think there is a common misconception about diabetics and pasta. It was really funny. We had a friend invite us for dinner one night and she was texting me the recipes that she was going to make. To quote her, "I don't want to kill you or anything". Oh so funny! She was referring to the fact that the dinner was going to be mainly Olive Garden inspired. Which means pasta.... so while Pasta isn't bad for anyone in general, it's not good in large amounts either. It's like any other carb. In moderation and balanced properly, pasta can be healthy.
So when I was first diagnosed, I was intensely sticking to a diet. Rob and I went to Barnes and Noble to get a diabetic cookbook.That's where this gem comes from. The only other time I have had stuffed pasta shells was when I was in college and my dear friend (different from said friend above) and I would cook because well... it was nice to have a home cooked meal in college. I ate so poorly. That girl saved me many a night! But anywho, so this recipe is somewhat similar to hers, but made a little healthier by substituting out ingredients for the lower fat option.
So here's a picture of delicious awesomeness!
And here's the recipe:
Stuffed Pasta Shells
Ingredients:
1/2 lb Ground Turkey
1/2 tsp Fennel Seed
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
2 cups mushrooms
1 small-medium onion (~1/2 cup)
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese
2 eggs
Jumbo Pasta Shells
2 cups red pasta sauce
Start a large pot of water boiling for the pasta. Once the water is boiling, add the shells. Cook the shells until just after al dente, or to your liking. Once they have finished cooking, I rinse with cold water so I can handle them.
Cook the meat. Mix in the fennel seed, salt, pepper, and Italian seasonings.Once you have cooked the meat, remove from the pan. In that same pan add a little olive oil and saute the mushrooms, onion, and garlic.Once the onions are soft, add the meat back into the pan. Whisk the eggs. Add the cottage cheese and scrambled eggs to the meat mixture.
Carefully spoon the meat mixture into the cooked shells and place in a 9x13. I generally have to use 2 pans, a 9x13 and a smaller casserole pan as well to accommodate all of the shells. Preheat the oven to 350F.
Now, I like to make my own pasta sauce. I have found that I don't like a pre-made pasta sauce. It's too sweet. I make mine by taking 16 oz of tomato sauce and add garlic powder, salt, pepper, red crushed pepper and olive oil to my tasting. Super nommers!
So at this point, you have the shells filled. Evenly spread the pasta sauce over the shells. Put them in the oven for about 15-20 minutes. Once they are done, sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.
Here's the nutritional information minus the vegetables of course:
Serving size: 4 Shells
Calories: 340
Total Carbohydrate: 30 g
Protein: 23 g
Bon Apetit!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
And you thought Girls were bad
So I have an endocrinologist appointment next month.and I'm REALLY hoping that I can get a pump. I unfortunately fear that I won't be able to. See my pancreas, after taking a 4 or 5 month hiatus, has decided that it was going to start working again. I have had sooooo many lows this last week. The carb to insulin ration has been correct and nothing has changed. So why on earth Pancreas!!!!??? What work now!!!??? Oh so frustrating. No, I'm not happy about it because I swing from being really low, to being really high... AND it means that I might not be able to get a pump that much longer... so yeah I'm ready for this pancreas to just die.... die, die, die!!!!!
So part of the reason swinging from one extreme to the other is so horrible other than the havoc it reeks on my body, the mood swings are SOOOO much worse. So let's exclude the fact that I'm female and tend to have mood swings anyway, the mood swings I experience because of unbalanced blood sugars is far worse. Seriously, one moment I'm happy, giddy, and flirting with Rob... and the next... Why the heck won't he leave me alone!? OR I'm playing with Autumn and really enjoying our time together and the next moment... Can't I just have one moment of PEACE!!?? Unprovoked! Just all of the sudden!!!!!
Stupid pancreas! Just die already!!! I hate that my moods are so dependent on my blood sugar levels. A pump would help keep me more regular. Also, I'll be able to wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that will... well obviously continuously monitor my glucose levels and tell me when I'm starting to tank or that I'm starting to get too high. I can correct it immediately! My levels would be so much easier to maintain. And good grief! I need a break! Something has got to give. So please prayer that I can get a pump next month or a lot of reasons. More than I would like to share.
So part of the reason swinging from one extreme to the other is so horrible other than the havoc it reeks on my body, the mood swings are SOOOO much worse. So let's exclude the fact that I'm female and tend to have mood swings anyway, the mood swings I experience because of unbalanced blood sugars is far worse. Seriously, one moment I'm happy, giddy, and flirting with Rob... and the next... Why the heck won't he leave me alone!? OR I'm playing with Autumn and really enjoying our time together and the next moment... Can't I just have one moment of PEACE!!?? Unprovoked! Just all of the sudden!!!!!
Stupid pancreas! Just die already!!! I hate that my moods are so dependent on my blood sugar levels. A pump would help keep me more regular. Also, I'll be able to wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that will... well obviously continuously monitor my glucose levels and tell me when I'm starting to tank or that I'm starting to get too high. I can correct it immediately! My levels would be so much easier to maintain. And good grief! I need a break! Something has got to give. So please prayer that I can get a pump next month or a lot of reasons. More than I would like to share.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Balancing Act to 2013
So as I sit here waiting for some cookies to be done in the oven and Autumn is finally asleep, I figured why not sit down and write something. I feel like I need to write about this past year... so yes in that regards, it's a particularly predictable post.
2012 has been the hardest and most ridiculous year of my life. Medically speaking it was one thing after another, and honestly, it was really hard to see the light some days. I went through a whole 2 weeks of hell being told that I might be sterile and never be able to have another kid of my own to being told that I have diabetes. Then I spent another week and half with a doctor that really shouldn't be seeing patient with type 1 diabetes. I was completely lost for a whole week and half. I was giving myself WAY too much insulin. I'm surprised that I didn't end up dead. BUT I did find a great care team that was incredibly quick and responsive to me. But to add on top of all of that, I was told, "no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no" to getting pregnant anyway. Which I understand, but I really want another child. I have never felt so fulfilled like I do when I'm being a mother. I don't care what any one says about mothers, especially stay at home moms. That's what I want to be. I want to raise the children that I decided to bring into this world. That's my opinion and everyone has their own. BUT I do want to be able to go back to school and work once our kids our out of the house. Anyway... that's not 2012 related at all. But my plans are pushed back and I feel distraught about it. I want nothing more to be a mom. And so plans are pushed back for at least a year if not longer.
Not only has it been crappy medically speaking, professionally speaking as well. I'm going to start with I like my job a lot. The circumstances of this year and everything with audits and stuff has not been good. It has caused me to spend late nights at work, taking work home, and even working the weekends, and I still have been able to keep up with my work. It's been incredibly rough while going through my diagnosis and being a mom and a supportive wife. I'm really hoping that 2013 brings some good new employees to give me a break! I really need all the help I can get at this point.
But not to harp on diabetes or anything, but especially lately, I have been feeling incredibly lazy about my diabetes. At first I was really trying my hardest to keep on top of it and keep myself from slipping. And I tell you, I have done an incredible job all things considered. But when I see everyone being able to eat automatically and not have to test their sugars levels and then give themselves insulin, it drives me crazy. In some cases, Rob's almost done eating by the time I even start to eat my dinner. Ok, he's a fast eater, but STILL! AND then, Rob just eats and eats whatever he wants! OH SOOOOOO frustrating! Goodness.,.. it's difficult to be diabetic around Rob.
Something that I have thinking a lot about lately has been the balancing act a healthy person's body does. The reason I dip so low is because my liver actually doesn't work quite like a regular person's either. My liver doesn't produce the sugar that I need to keep myself from dipping so low and then I skyrocket because I don't make insulin... well I still do, but it's only a matter of time. Which is also annoying... I feel like a ticking time bomb until my body decides to finally give up and not produce any insulin whatsoever.
I feel like my whole life is a balancing act and I'm EXHAUSTED! It was so nice to have my parents in town for a little over a week. It allowed me to sit and breathe for once. It's been soooooo hard these last several months. And I'm not saying anyone else hasn't had it hard. I'm sure everyone is going through something or this or that or whatever. I'm just saying that it's been difficult and I really hope that 2013 proves to be better. I hope that I get a pump and that life will be just a simdge easier. It's not that I'm unhappy, but rather overwhelmed. I would like a break from everything. I think that is my number one wish for the next year. I really hope that even if it's an hour or a day or whatever, that I get a small break from being diabetic. It truly is exhausting... But since I seriously doubt that will happen, I just hope that I can continue to learn to balance my blood sugars, job, home life, ... rather everything in my life a bit better. I don't think making a resolution will help, because let's face it, they never happen, but rather if I can hope that I can balance things better, maybe that hope will become fruition and develop into something good. I truly hope that when I look back at the year next year that I will have better memories and a better year in general. And so far, it's looking good.
Here's to 2013! So long and good riddance 2012! Happy New Years everyone!
2012 has been the hardest and most ridiculous year of my life. Medically speaking it was one thing after another, and honestly, it was really hard to see the light some days. I went through a whole 2 weeks of hell being told that I might be sterile and never be able to have another kid of my own to being told that I have diabetes. Then I spent another week and half with a doctor that really shouldn't be seeing patient with type 1 diabetes. I was completely lost for a whole week and half. I was giving myself WAY too much insulin. I'm surprised that I didn't end up dead. BUT I did find a great care team that was incredibly quick and responsive to me. But to add on top of all of that, I was told, "no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no" to getting pregnant anyway. Which I understand, but I really want another child. I have never felt so fulfilled like I do when I'm being a mother. I don't care what any one says about mothers, especially stay at home moms. That's what I want to be. I want to raise the children that I decided to bring into this world. That's my opinion and everyone has their own. BUT I do want to be able to go back to school and work once our kids our out of the house. Anyway... that's not 2012 related at all. But my plans are pushed back and I feel distraught about it. I want nothing more to be a mom. And so plans are pushed back for at least a year if not longer.
Not only has it been crappy medically speaking, professionally speaking as well. I'm going to start with I like my job a lot. The circumstances of this year and everything with audits and stuff has not been good. It has caused me to spend late nights at work, taking work home, and even working the weekends, and I still have been able to keep up with my work. It's been incredibly rough while going through my diagnosis and being a mom and a supportive wife. I'm really hoping that 2013 brings some good new employees to give me a break! I really need all the help I can get at this point.
But not to harp on diabetes or anything, but especially lately, I have been feeling incredibly lazy about my diabetes. At first I was really trying my hardest to keep on top of it and keep myself from slipping. And I tell you, I have done an incredible job all things considered. But when I see everyone being able to eat automatically and not have to test their sugars levels and then give themselves insulin, it drives me crazy. In some cases, Rob's almost done eating by the time I even start to eat my dinner. Ok, he's a fast eater, but STILL! AND then, Rob just eats and eats whatever he wants! OH SOOOOOO frustrating! Goodness.,.. it's difficult to be diabetic around Rob.
Something that I have thinking a lot about lately has been the balancing act a healthy person's body does. The reason I dip so low is because my liver actually doesn't work quite like a regular person's either. My liver doesn't produce the sugar that I need to keep myself from dipping so low and then I skyrocket because I don't make insulin... well I still do, but it's only a matter of time. Which is also annoying... I feel like a ticking time bomb until my body decides to finally give up and not produce any insulin whatsoever.
I feel like my whole life is a balancing act and I'm EXHAUSTED! It was so nice to have my parents in town for a little over a week. It allowed me to sit and breathe for once. It's been soooooo hard these last several months. And I'm not saying anyone else hasn't had it hard. I'm sure everyone is going through something or this or that or whatever. I'm just saying that it's been difficult and I really hope that 2013 proves to be better. I hope that I get a pump and that life will be just a simdge easier. It's not that I'm unhappy, but rather overwhelmed. I would like a break from everything. I think that is my number one wish for the next year. I really hope that even if it's an hour or a day or whatever, that I get a small break from being diabetic. It truly is exhausting... But since I seriously doubt that will happen, I just hope that I can continue to learn to balance my blood sugars, job, home life, ... rather everything in my life a bit better. I don't think making a resolution will help, because let's face it, they never happen, but rather if I can hope that I can balance things better, maybe that hope will become fruition and develop into something good. I truly hope that when I look back at the year next year that I will have better memories and a better year in general. And so far, it's looking good.
Here's to 2013! So long and good riddance 2012! Happy New Years everyone!
Sunday, December 9, 2012
And so the Holidays begin
So I've been feeling a bit bitter and angry about my diabetes the last couple of days. There's really no good cause for me to feel that way, but I do none the less... I have felt incredibly betrayed by my body. I have told myself that I will be good, REALLY good in my diet, except for during holiday parties for church, works, and any other random holiday party we've been invited to. Well, I have been good, but not as good as I wished. Work has been incredibly stressful lately and so I haven't been going to the gym like I should be, and I have taken to as little comfort food as I can... which is more than I should have. So it's been difficult staying on my diet....
Anyway, we went to our first Holiday party of the season. And YES! I totally splurged! Oh that yummy chocolate walnut bundt cake was AWESOME! NUMMER, NUMMER NUMMER! Anyway, we sat down at a table by ourselves and this old man from the ward came and sat next to me. We exchanged greetings and that was it. We got in line for our food, and came back to the table. The man hadn't gotten any food. So at this point, I tested my blood sugars, and the old man turns to me and says, "I'm sorry." I wasn't too shocked that he knew what I was doing. But then he said, "My son has Type 1 too." I was completely baffled that he even knew that there were more than 1 type of diabetes, let alone that he knew that I was Type 1. I asked him how he knew that I was Type 1 and he said, "Well, Type 2 can be reversed by diet and exercise. I see you're insulin dependent." WHAT!!?? We got to talking and I found out that 4 of his immediate family members have Type 1. We began to tell me about how one of them fell off their horse and damaged their pancreas and became Type 1.
Anyway, I guess this is when I began to feel more and more betrayed by my body. Had I damaged my pancreas, on accident or on purpose, that wold have been one thing. But to have my body produce an actual antibody that is killing off my beta cells!? Ugh! That just makes me bitter. I got sick with a virus and this is what I get!? I also think why I'm feeling bitter about it is because of my doctor's appointment almost 2 weeks ago now. He told me that no matter what I do, I WILL develop nueropathy! I WILL lose all feeling in my feet. There is no "Well if I keep my blood sugars in control" conditional. I fear that this also extends to other health issues that can be caused by diabetes. You know, nerve damage, kidney problems, blindness.... granted I can stave it off as long as I can, but I fear that it will happen! It's no longer a thing about keeping my blood sugars in control.... It doesn't matter. And I'm bitter. I want to be able to spend a long healthy life with Rob and our kids. I want to experience things with them and so I will keep my blood sugars in control. But it's hard to keep things in focus sometimes when you know eventually this disease that you didn't ask for will take your foot, or kidney, or eyes or nerves or whatever. And so I'm angry. Angry that I have to work hard on my health for the rest of my life; harder than any normal healthy person.
And so my holidays begin. They begin with a new outlook on my diabetes that I'm not a huge fan about... Time to start working through this.... again. I'm sure that this will happen from time to time. I hope your holidays have started off better than mine.
Anyway, we went to our first Holiday party of the season. And YES! I totally splurged! Oh that yummy chocolate walnut bundt cake was AWESOME! NUMMER, NUMMER NUMMER! Anyway, we sat down at a table by ourselves and this old man from the ward came and sat next to me. We exchanged greetings and that was it. We got in line for our food, and came back to the table. The man hadn't gotten any food. So at this point, I tested my blood sugars, and the old man turns to me and says, "I'm sorry." I wasn't too shocked that he knew what I was doing. But then he said, "My son has Type 1 too." I was completely baffled that he even knew that there were more than 1 type of diabetes, let alone that he knew that I was Type 1. I asked him how he knew that I was Type 1 and he said, "Well, Type 2 can be reversed by diet and exercise. I see you're insulin dependent." WHAT!!?? We got to talking and I found out that 4 of his immediate family members have Type 1. We began to tell me about how one of them fell off their horse and damaged their pancreas and became Type 1.
Anyway, I guess this is when I began to feel more and more betrayed by my body. Had I damaged my pancreas, on accident or on purpose, that wold have been one thing. But to have my body produce an actual antibody that is killing off my beta cells!? Ugh! That just makes me bitter. I got sick with a virus and this is what I get!? I also think why I'm feeling bitter about it is because of my doctor's appointment almost 2 weeks ago now. He told me that no matter what I do, I WILL develop nueropathy! I WILL lose all feeling in my feet. There is no "Well if I keep my blood sugars in control" conditional. I fear that this also extends to other health issues that can be caused by diabetes. You know, nerve damage, kidney problems, blindness.... granted I can stave it off as long as I can, but I fear that it will happen! It's no longer a thing about keeping my blood sugars in control.... It doesn't matter. And I'm bitter. I want to be able to spend a long healthy life with Rob and our kids. I want to experience things with them and so I will keep my blood sugars in control. But it's hard to keep things in focus sometimes when you know eventually this disease that you didn't ask for will take your foot, or kidney, or eyes or nerves or whatever. And so I'm angry. Angry that I have to work hard on my health for the rest of my life; harder than any normal healthy person.
And so my holidays begin. They begin with a new outlook on my diabetes that I'm not a huge fan about... Time to start working through this.... again. I'm sure that this will happen from time to time. I hope your holidays have started off better than mine.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Thanksgiving/Birthday
So Friday was my birthday. I got a double whammy as far as diet goes. Thanksgiving and Birthday back to back. Normally, I wouldn't have cared and I would have gourged myself and splurged like it was nobodies business. But I didn't. I actually played it incredibly safe on Thanksgiving... all things considered. My numbers were really good all day.... until I had a fatty banana cream pie and a fatty pecan pie. Oh then my downfall hit on Friday.
I scored such great deals on Black Friday... Yes, I went... do not judge... I finally have pants that fit me and aren't 2 sizes too big. I also have proper running shoes and oh yeah, my daughter is finally fully clothed for winter, and just in time. So before you go, I can't believe you would go out shopping so early, it was worth every penny and every annoyance standing in lines and being up that early. BUT besides the point. I woke up and didn't want to take insulin, so I had one of my Greek yogurts. It is roughly a 1:1 ratio for protein to carbs and so my body slowly burns the carbs and I don't have to have insulin to help use the sugars because it's slowly being released and so my body can used what it's only slightly making to burn that off. And then it was down hill from there.
Rob took me to Chick-fil-a... I grew up with it and I LOVE chick-fil-a especially since I can feel slightly less guilty giving it Autumn since their chicken nuggets are whole meats and not processed squished chicken. I splurged and got the chicken nuggets and fries; instead of my healthy option of a wrap. And then for dinner... oh my dinner was delish! Rob made me my new favorite pizza. Salami, mushrooms, and red onions. nummer nummer nummers! Anyway... this is where I made my BIGGEST mistake. I had changed out the vial in my pre-filled pen and forgot to try the needle out before sticking myself. So I essentially gave myself air instead of insulin. And so I ate pizza and cake without any insulin... :( SOOOO not good. Anyway about 5 units, 3 tests, and 12 hours later, my numbers came back down from around 300 to 100... Phew...
But the mistakes don't end there. I forgot to take my long acting insulin Saturday morning. YIKES!!!!! My numbers were running so high! around 160 before dinner and barely under 180 after... oh I could not for the life of me understand why I was running so high, until I almost forgot to take my night dose of long acting insulin... I felt so Stupid! But yesterday, I was finally able to get my numbers under control and back where they are suppose to be. It was a very scary couple of days.... especially after what I learned at the doctors yesterday.
I had my 3 month check up with my primary doctor yesterday. He did a foot exam on me. It's where he had this tool that he hit and made it vibrate and then stuck it against my big toe and asked me to tell him when I couldn't feel the vibrations any more. I made it 12 seconds! This is good... because at 10... I can't go barefoot anymore. That means that nueropathy has set in and my feet are in a HUGE world of trouble. apparently nueropathy happens regardless of how in control of my blood sugars I am. What is nueropathy? It's when you loose all feeling in your feet. So I could step on a nail and not know it. Then I will be more prone to infections because I won't be able to heal as quickly... so many issues!!!!! I hate diabetes! Anyway, the doctor did say that if I can keep my blood sugars in control, the likely hood of me getting nueropathy in 5 years is lower... but instead it might take 15 or so years.... not quite old enough for me since I will only be 39 in 15 years and not quite ready to give up my barefoot days.... I really hope that I can put this off for longer than 15 years.... time will only tell.
Anyway I had a fantastic birthday regardless of my highs, but I'm happy that I can still enjoy cake and pizza on my birthday. But now to be good every day this month... except for holiday parties and the Christmas itself. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I scored such great deals on Black Friday... Yes, I went... do not judge... I finally have pants that fit me and aren't 2 sizes too big. I also have proper running shoes and oh yeah, my daughter is finally fully clothed for winter, and just in time. So before you go, I can't believe you would go out shopping so early, it was worth every penny and every annoyance standing in lines and being up that early. BUT besides the point. I woke up and didn't want to take insulin, so I had one of my Greek yogurts. It is roughly a 1:1 ratio for protein to carbs and so my body slowly burns the carbs and I don't have to have insulin to help use the sugars because it's slowly being released and so my body can used what it's only slightly making to burn that off. And then it was down hill from there.
Rob took me to Chick-fil-a... I grew up with it and I LOVE chick-fil-a especially since I can feel slightly less guilty giving it Autumn since their chicken nuggets are whole meats and not processed squished chicken. I splurged and got the chicken nuggets and fries; instead of my healthy option of a wrap. And then for dinner... oh my dinner was delish! Rob made me my new favorite pizza. Salami, mushrooms, and red onions. nummer nummer nummers! Anyway... this is where I made my BIGGEST mistake. I had changed out the vial in my pre-filled pen and forgot to try the needle out before sticking myself. So I essentially gave myself air instead of insulin. And so I ate pizza and cake without any insulin... :( SOOOO not good. Anyway about 5 units, 3 tests, and 12 hours later, my numbers came back down from around 300 to 100... Phew...
But the mistakes don't end there. I forgot to take my long acting insulin Saturday morning. YIKES!!!!! My numbers were running so high! around 160 before dinner and barely under 180 after... oh I could not for the life of me understand why I was running so high, until I almost forgot to take my night dose of long acting insulin... I felt so Stupid! But yesterday, I was finally able to get my numbers under control and back where they are suppose to be. It was a very scary couple of days.... especially after what I learned at the doctors yesterday.
I had my 3 month check up with my primary doctor yesterday. He did a foot exam on me. It's where he had this tool that he hit and made it vibrate and then stuck it against my big toe and asked me to tell him when I couldn't feel the vibrations any more. I made it 12 seconds! This is good... because at 10... I can't go barefoot anymore. That means that nueropathy has set in and my feet are in a HUGE world of trouble. apparently nueropathy happens regardless of how in control of my blood sugars I am. What is nueropathy? It's when you loose all feeling in your feet. So I could step on a nail and not know it. Then I will be more prone to infections because I won't be able to heal as quickly... so many issues!!!!! I hate diabetes! Anyway, the doctor did say that if I can keep my blood sugars in control, the likely hood of me getting nueropathy in 5 years is lower... but instead it might take 15 or so years.... not quite old enough for me since I will only be 39 in 15 years and not quite ready to give up my barefoot days.... I really hope that I can put this off for longer than 15 years.... time will only tell.
Anyway I had a fantastic birthday regardless of my highs, but I'm happy that I can still enjoy cake and pizza on my birthday. But now to be good every day this month... except for holiday parties and the Christmas itself. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
The Delinquent Pancreas Club
Last night was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun. I can't stop talking about it, it was so much fun. About 2 months ago, I stumbled upon this awesome support group called "The Delinquent Pancreas Club". The last couple of events we weren't able to attend because one was a really long hike and Autumn wouldn't have liked being in the back pack for that long. And the other was a Sunday brunch thing at a restaurant. Anyway, last night they had a potluck dinner called "Fakesgiving". It was essentially a Thanksgiving dinner but not on Thanksgiving. And it was AWESOME!
It was so awesome to be able to sit around with other Type 1 diabetics and discuss our diagnosis and how we were handling things and complaining about other people that just didn't understand what we were going through. What was awesome was seeing the spouses or significant others of those supporting their diabetic counter parts. I just felt so at ease and finally felt normal!
This group of people were amazing and just genuinely nice people. I normally don't like these kinds of things because I tend to be really awkward or I don't know how to act or know what to say. I was tend to be a social recluse and try to hide and just observe. But these people really cared about what I was going through and wanted to help and wanted to support. They let me vent about how my diagnosing doctor was probably the most incompetent doctor when it comes to diabetes.
Anyway, there were about 4 of the 7 diabetics there last night that were diagnosed when they were adults too. It was so awesome to meet other people that knew what I have been going through. I've known type 1 diabetics before, but they had all been diagnosed when they were children... So naturally I have felt VERY alone in that I didn't know anyone else diagnosed when they were an adult. I really envied those that had been diagnosed as children because there are camps and other big support group type of things that they can go to and meet other Type 1 diabetics. I don't get the opportunity. But this group, it replaces the need for the camps or anything else like that. AND I get to make more friends.
I just can't get over how fun last night was and can't wait to meet other diabetics and have more meet ups! I'm just so happy! Well and there is also the fact that it was probably dumped about 1 1/2 feet to 2 feet of snow here in the last 3 days. It's so beautiful and I'm excited to go snowboarding!
It was so awesome to be able to sit around with other Type 1 diabetics and discuss our diagnosis and how we were handling things and complaining about other people that just didn't understand what we were going through. What was awesome was seeing the spouses or significant others of those supporting their diabetic counter parts. I just felt so at ease and finally felt normal!
This group of people were amazing and just genuinely nice people. I normally don't like these kinds of things because I tend to be really awkward or I don't know how to act or know what to say. I was tend to be a social recluse and try to hide and just observe. But these people really cared about what I was going through and wanted to help and wanted to support. They let me vent about how my diagnosing doctor was probably the most incompetent doctor when it comes to diabetes.
Anyway, there were about 4 of the 7 diabetics there last night that were diagnosed when they were adults too. It was so awesome to meet other people that knew what I have been going through. I've known type 1 diabetics before, but they had all been diagnosed when they were children... So naturally I have felt VERY alone in that I didn't know anyone else diagnosed when they were an adult. I really envied those that had been diagnosed as children because there are camps and other big support group type of things that they can go to and meet other Type 1 diabetics. I don't get the opportunity. But this group, it replaces the need for the camps or anything else like that. AND I get to make more friends.
I just can't get over how fun last night was and can't wait to meet other diabetics and have more meet ups! I'm just so happy! Well and there is also the fact that it was probably dumped about 1 1/2 feet to 2 feet of snow here in the last 3 days. It's so beautiful and I'm excited to go snowboarding!
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