Happy Monday!

It's raining here in California, which is very rare for us! Everyone comes out and forgets how to drive here in LA...sooo I have a treat for my readers today!

I have a guest author here, Jackie Clark discussing the relationship between Type 2 Diabetes and cancer. This is something we all should be aware of! Thanks Jacki for reaching out!

You can read more from here at:
http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/jackie/bio.htm
http://jackieclarkdailyarc.blogspot.com/

Demystified: The Surprising Connection Between Cancer And Diabetes
By: Jackie Clark

Cancer and diabetes are both life-altering health challenges, but rarely are they thought of as connected. However, doctors have observed a link between the two since the 1950's. Many noticed that among patients diagnosed with type-2 diabetes, or adult onset diabetes, the probability of getting cancer was greater. At the time, the reasons for this correlation were unknown, but studies have since clarified the issue. The answers that researchers have found offer hope for both the prevention and treatment of both diseases.

Typically, when asked about the diabetes and cancer connection, people wonder whether it's a chicken and egg sort of conundrum. In other words, does cancer cause diabetes, or the other way around? The answer is that either disease might trigger conditions that make the other more likely. For instance, risk factors for type-2 diabetes, like obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, also increase the risk of many types of cancers. In fact, a direct link has been established between diabetics and their increased likelihood of being diagnosed with colon, endometrial, breast, liver, lymphatic, blood, and kidney cancers. Viewed scientifically, we see a shared pattern of pathology. Both cancer and diabetes are triggered by imbalances in insulin and hormones. In obese patients, for example, the shared risk may stem from insulin resistance which causes elevated blood sugar levels, as well as the of carrying excessive fatty tissue. Excess fat acts like an additional endocrine organ; over-producing estrogen-like factors that set into motion a cascade of compensatory actions that further upset the delicate balance of hormones. Thus, as estrogen is overproduced, we see breast cancer; when testosterone is knocked out of balance, we see prostate cancer, and so forth. Still some scientists wonder whether the presence of chronic inflammation, a preceding factor for cancer, might also affect the mechanisms that trigger adult onset diabetes.

No matter whether cancer causes diabetes, or the other way around, the solution is clear. As with most of our modern health maladies, a more active lifestyle and nutritious diet are the remedies of choice. No matter what stage of disease progression a person may be experiencing; improvements in these important areas will yield the best results by either preventing disease or lessening its impact. For example, those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma might be tempted, due to discouraging mesothelioma life expectancy averages, to skip lifestyle changes. Yet, no matter what their prognosis, leading a more active life and eating to heal will vastly improve their quality of life. Indeed, this is the goal of all healthcare treatment: to return a patient to vitality and wholeness. Adopting new habits that do just that can make every patient feel better today, while helping many to live for a few more tomorrows.

As I wrote about on my twitter account...


I had my endo appointment this morning...I don't even know where to start.

Lately, I have written about feeling overwhelmed and today did not help. It was just a crying fest today. Anytime I actually try to talk about why things aren't going well with my care, I just start to cry. He took my A1C but we didn't even discuss it, since we were just trying to sort through all of the emotional stuff. He said I need to reboot and his words were literally, "snap out of it" and come back in 6 weeks. I don't know if, "Snap out of it" was the best advice I'd ever gotten from an endo before...




This is such a battle and I hate it. It seems on here everyone just has great A1C's and it comes so easy to them.

I need a break. A restart button. Just like when my phone freezes all you have to do is turn it off and on and it behaves just like it's brand new...

Now to find my restart button...

I know I haven't written in a while. I was feeling overwhelmed, as many of us do this time of year, and for some reason emotionally having a hard time with diabetes. It's interesting how I go in swings emotionally with this disease. Anyone who tells you that you don't feel that way...well I guess I can't say how they feel, but I'd be VERY surprised.

Sometimes I ask myself, why am I trying? It's a never ending battle. A battle I can never win. Even if I have a great A1C...isn't damage still being done? All he work and emphasis I have to put in to get that number, doesn't that mean I take time away from other things? Or eat the things I don't want to or not eat the things I want?

The way diabetes effects your everyday life is very overwhelming.

What do you all do when you feel overwhelmed?

I am sad I just learned about this!! But alas, I will post for yesterday and today.

Tuesday
November1
Titles of my future book. Say you’re writing a book about your life, community,
condition, or Health Activism. Come up with 5 working titles and a quick book jacket
synopsis.

Interesting...
I read a lot of literature about people who live with Type 1 Diabetes, I find it therapeutic. I never really thought about writing my own book. Each one of us has a unique story, and I think I am no different in that respect.

1. The Low Down (the name of my blog)
2. Freckles and Diabetes oh my! (I have lots of freckles)
3. Singing, Dancing and managing Diabetes
4. HIGH notes and LOW notes
5. Different Path to Success

If you haven't gathered, I love to sing and dance. It's something I have done for years and it played an interesting role in my diabetes care. The book cover I would want to be a picture of someone on off stage checking their blood sugar right before they are supposed to go on.

Wednesday
November2
My TV Show. Your blog is being turned into a TV show! Congrats – you’ve earned it.
In fact, you get to co-write it. Write about the TV show based on your life or blog.

On my show, I would want it to be about a young adult, just trying to go through life, but that showed all the true aspects of what diabetics have to deal with. I could see hilarious conversations with health insurance workers, pump malfunctions, lows in the mall...the stories could go on and on. I think it would be really great if it was suited for all audiences so people could really see the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.




This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J

I can't believe it's already November...

It's interesting, I have had diabetes now for 8 years and I am still encountering firsts.

For example, this is the first time that a finger stick has BRUISED my finger tip. YEP! Bruised!


I clearly had the lancet set too harshly on my little pinky finger! It still hurts now :( Even as I type this, once again diabetes likes to make my life a little bit harder.

The holidays are now creeping up, and these are always hard for people with diabetes. Halloween and Thanksgiving are both centered around food. Just another reminder that we're different.

That is my issue, I need to refocus my ideas of what the holidays are. I need to remember that they aren't about the food-it's about the family.

My brother lives in NY so I hope I will get to see him. Then I won't be focused on the food. Sometimes big gatherings make me uncomfortable, which is why I focus on the food, but with him there it takes that pressure away.

Anyone else already thinking about the holidays? Now I will try to ignore my little finger...

Last night was really cool. Literally. I had the opportunity to go to the LA Kings Opening Game and watch in the Hyde Lounge. Sometimes I love my job.



This place was very swanky and fun! Very classy and I felt very grown up. :)

Throughout the night I had a couple of drinks, so I was carefully checking my blood sugars throughout the nights. I knew I had to walk a good 20 minutes after the game, so an important part to keep in mind.

The night was fun, and of course had to end. As I'm getting ready for bed, I check one last time as I always do. 112. NAILED IT. I was so proud. I always feel good when I feel I did something, "bad" for a person with diabetes, but when the beautiful 112 appears...those thoughts vanish. I took a shower, then off to bed.

NEXT MORNING

I wake up not feeling so great...hmmm maybe it was the alcohol...I checked my blood first thing when I wake up 420. WHAT?!?! How did this happen???



NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I forgot to un-suspend after my shower. ARGH. My great number turned to a failure. How did the vibrating all night not wake me up???

I was so upset. I felt so sick, I haven't been that high in a LONG time. All because one button. GRRRRR

Well, here I am, doing great now, stable and all.

Maybe I need to stop suspending and just give myself the missed bolus when I reconnect so I don't do this again.

Any other suggestions out there?

I don't even know where to begin....

I know it has been some time since I last wrote, but so much has happened.

First, I went to DISNEYWORLD!! Such an amazing trip. No diabetes problems WHAT SO EVER. NOT A SINGLE LOW! A few highs, but I'll take it. Such a lovely time with friends and the weather was only bad ONE day. YAH!!

Unfortunately, when I got back, I found out my Uncle had passed away. He struggled throughout most of his life, so I know he is in a better place now. This has just made things very complicated and busy in my family. I notice when I am in a happier place, I tend to test more often, which is such a cycle since better blood sugar equals better mood, but when I'm depressed...I test very little and high blood equals bad mood. SUCH a cycle. UGH.

Being back at work is good, keeps me distracted.

As far as my previous post goes, I will not address anonymous comments on my blog. If you have questions or would like to start a dialogue you can find me on twitter or email me at authoroftheld@gmail.com or create an account on here if you prefer to make it public.

My readers, hang in there, I will be posting more once things get back to normal.

The walk to cure diabetes is coming up for me and I am very excited! I love putting my team together and all working towards the same thing.

I'd love to hear about your team success and things you could improve on too. Let me know!

Thank you!!

Dear Perez,

I know you take great care to be sensitive on your blog now, compared to the past, but I found your article, "Diabetes DOUBLES Your Risk of Developing Alzheimer's Disease" to be very insensitive to the diabetes community. You are attributing to the many misconceptions there are known about diabetes. Although, I do appreciate your blog dedicated to health, I would hope you would be very careful with the syntax you use, considering you have so many readers and what you say has a powerful affect.

I am frequent visitor of your blog, and I was very sadden to find the article, "Diabetes DOUBLES Your Risk of Developing Alzheimer's Disease". The reason I found it upsetting was you failed to mention which type of diabetes. As a person who has Type 1 diabetes, I am faced with many challenges due to people being uneducated in the differences with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. I hope you can please edit your article to specify Type 2 Diabetes because you cannot prevent Type 1 Diabetes. It is an auto-immune disease that is not reversible.

In the article, I notice in the quote the word Type 2 diabetes is used, but no where else. I urge you to please make the appropriate changes in an effort to better educate your reader and avoid any further misconceptions.

Thank you very much,

Lauren


Diabetes DOUBLES Your Risk Of Developing Alzheimer's Disease

Oh no! More bad news for those with diabetes and one more reason to take steps to prevent it in the first place!

A study in Japan of more than 1,000 men and women over the age of 60 concluded that people with diabetes were TWICE as likely as others in the study to develop Alzheimer's disease within 15 years.

They were also 1.75 times more likely to develop dementia of any kind.

It is not clear yet how diabetes affects the development of Alzheimer's, but researchers have a few hypotheses. According to sources, possible links between the two diseases include:

Insulin resistance, which causes high blood sugar and in some cases leads to type 2 diabetes, may interfere with the body's ability to break down a protein (amyloid) that forms brain plaques that have been linked to Alzheimer's. High blood sugar (glucose) also produces certain oxygen-containing molecules that can damage cells, in a process known as oxidative stress.

Additionally, high blood sugar and cholesterol can lead to the hardening and narrowing of arteries in the brain, which may cause vascular dementia.

There seems to be more and more research coming out that should only encourage people to get moving! It's one thing to have diabetes, but it's another to lose your mind!

Click here for 5 tips to prevent the development of diabetes!

I urge you all to email him as well and let him know how you feel about this article as well!

perez@perezhilton.com

This week, September 12-18, 2011 is Invisible Illness Week.

Check it out here and join in!

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know
1. The illness I live with is: Type 1 Diabetes
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2005
3. But I had symptoms since: 6 months before my diagnosis date
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: Planning. No longer can I just run somewhere or carry cute small purses. Doing everything takes a plan and effort.
5. Most people assume: I can't eat any sugar
6. The hardest part about mornings are: Getting all my supplies and keeping my blood sugar in range. I tend to have a much higher carb ratio in the morning and that makes my life harder.
7. My favorite medical TV show is: Don't really watch one, but I used to watch Grays Anatomy
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: my Pump/Meter and my iPhone
9. The hardest part about nights are: worrying about a low blood sugar, and wondering if I'll wake up.
10. Each day I take insulin, all day long
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: would be interested in giving them a try
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: I would choose to have an invisible one, I hate getting looks of sympathy
13. Regarding working and career: I still work very hard and diabetes doesn't get in the way as much as people think.
14. People would be surprised to know: that many opportunities in my life have come to be due to diabetes
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: I am not like everyone else as much as I wish I could be
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: Travel
17. The commercials about my illness: make me laugh and make me angry
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: living life more carefree
19. It was really hard to have to give up: worrying about everything
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: blogging!
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: Travel and eat as much without thinking about it
22. My illness has taught me: responsibility
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: "Are you sure you can eat that?
24. But I love it when people: Ask questions and really seem to want to learn
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: "Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly."
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them:You can do this and there are others to help
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: you have to listen to your body very carefully
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: rub my back
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: I want others to not feel alone
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: like you care and that my feelings are valid

Sometimes, I wonder why people think the way they do. Then I remember there are ads like these:

Warning: Dangerous Diabetes Drugs
Don't Work
How to Halt or Reverse Diabetes with Methods
That Are Natural, Easy ... and Virtually Free


Diabetes Drugs Don't Work D iabetes is the number-one lifestyle disease of modern times, and tens of millions of Americans are being handed prescriptions for anti-diabetic drugs that don't work. A large-scale study at Duke University School of Medicine and published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that despite serious risks and dangerous side effects, diabetes drugs offer few benefits and simply don't live up to their claims

Duke researchers found that the combination of the blood-pressure drug Diovan (valsartan) and the anti-diabetes drug Starlix (nateglinide) failed to reduce risk of heart attack at all and that Diovan was only slightly successful in slowing -- but not necessarily preventing -- development of type 2 diabetes.

Furthermore, practically all anti-diabetic drugs result in weight gain and eventual total dependency upon insulin injections, according to researchers Krentz, Nichols, and Gomez-Caminero in 2 recent articles published in Current Medical Research Opinion and Diabetes Obesity Metabolism.

Lead researcher Robert Califf of the Duke study said, "This is a sobering confirmation of the need to continue to focus on lifestyle improvements."

Unfortunately, the medical mainstream has failed miserably to help diabetic patients reverse their diabetes naturally. This failure is inexcusable considering that anyone can reverse type 2 diabetes and stop type 1 diabetes in its tracks in less than 4 weeks with the right plan -- a plan that....

* Gets your blood sugar under control in 4 weeks
* Stops type 1 diabetes
* Reverses type 2 diabetes
* Eliminates dependence on diabetes drugs
* Is so inexpensive that it's almost free
* Is simple and easy to use
* Has already helped patients and former diabetics all over the world
* Completely reverses your diabetes, pre-diabetes, syndrome X, and blood sugar woes

Unfortunately, very few diabetics know what actually does work. And that's because most doctors simply lack the necessary training and knowledge to steer their patients in the right direction.

Too many doctors don't even discuss nutrition with their patients, and those who do often make matters worse by advising overly restrictive diets or unrealistic amounts of exercise. A recent paper published by the Society for Biomedical Diabetes Research says, "Diabetic patients encounter . . . confusing and contradictory advice from a variety of sources."

As a result, diabetic patients "exhibit restrictive eating behaviors, they express feelings of dietary deprivation, and rigid dietary control is perceived as the only way to a proper diet and weight management. Binge eating, [excessive] restraint, and body dissatisfaction frequently occur among these patients."

So if you've tried and failed to manage your diabetes naturally, it's not your fault! Doctors and the media do more to confuse than to clarify, and meanwhile the diabetes freight train leaves a staggering path of heartbreaking consequences in its path, such as the following:

* Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, nontraumatic lower-limb amputations, and new cases of blindness among adults in the United States.
* Diabetes is a major cause of heart disease and stroke.
* Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States.
* A new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that at the rate things are going, as many as 1 in 3 U.S. adults will have diabetes by 2050.

"These are alarming numbers that show how critical it is to change the course of type 2 diabetes," said Ann Albright, Ph.D., director of the CDC's Division of Diabetes Translation. "Successful programs to improve lifestyle choices on healthy eating and physical activity must be made more widely Natural Solutions to Diabetesavailable, because the stakes are too high and the personal toll too devastating to fail."

The key phrase here is successful programs. To succeed you need to know exactly how to eat foods you love -- and feel satisfied, while still banishing diabetes. And you need to know about inexpensive supplements that help you slash your blood sugar effortlessly, such as . . .
==> The simple mineral that lowers diabetes risk. Researchers at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill conducted a 20-year study of 4,497 people and found that the risk of diabetes was 47% lower among participants with the highest intake of this mineral than among those with the lowest.

==> A well-loved spice that slashes blood sugar. Test subjects took as little as 1/4 teaspoon of this common spice daily, and nearly all subjects with diabetes showed substantial improvement. And the spice and diabetes were clearly connected because when the spice was no longer consumed, volunteers' blood sugar levels started to rise again.

Obviously, a spice and a mineral alone aren't going to single-handedly reverse your diabetes permanently, but such powerful supplements combined with the right effective, easy, and inexpensive natural methods can put you on your way to ending diabetes. No drug in the world can do that, no matter what Big Pharma promises. In fact, drugs are often worse than ineffective -- they can even make your life miserable or even be more risky than diabetes itself.

Consider the drug Avandia, once the most popular diabetes drug in the world, which was found in 2008 to dramatically increase risk of heart attacks and death. It took the FDA until last month to finally pull Avandia from the U.S. market.

Another popular diabetes drug, Actos, has its own array of ugly side effects, including average weight gain of nearly 9 pounds and a higher risk of dangerous and possibly deadly fluid buildups. Furthermore, Actos's heart risks may be almost as bad as Avandia's, and some researchers have linked this drug to bladder cancer.

A handful of doctors are getting behind the push to educate patients about what really works to cure diabetes. Dr. Scott Saunders. M.D., says natural approaches are the key. "Studying natural medicine is power," he says, explaining that you can absolutely reverse your diabetes yourself with simple steps that ...
==> Are fast, painless, safe, and natural
==> Based on proven home remedies
==> Have zero negative side effects
==> Will help you save thousands of dollars in medical bills, drugs, and hospital stays
==> Will free you from stress and fear of diabetic symptoms
==> Can halt the degenerative side effects of diabetes
==> Are safe for type 1 & type 2 diabetes
==> Will improve your overall health and immune system

If you suffer from diabetes or pre-diabetes, you cannot afford to ignore the truth about how to stop this dangerous degenerative disease. Diabetes can kill you ... if you let it.

But the good news is you don't have to let that happen. And you don't have to fear blindness, heart disease, chronic wounds that won't heal, or even amputation. And you definitely don't have to rely on expensive, dangerous drugs that don't work! You can reverse your diabetes in less than a month when you watch a free, informative video, and see how to fix the real cause of your diabetes ... using natural, safe, and easy methods that are virtually free.

Now you can empower yourself with cutting edge information on healing yourself or your loved ones of diabetes. Watch this free video and learn to halt or reverse your diabetes.

GUYS! How did we not know about this! We can reverse our diabetes in FOUR WEEKS! Well crap! Let's get on it!

Not sure if you can tell, but this upsets me. Obviously we cannot be cured in four weeks. This sends the wrong message and truly is just upsetting.

Sometimes when I read about diabetes in the news, I get so upset that I want to scream. Then I remember, that I really can do things about this.

We can spread the word about how ridiculous it is that:

Diabetic Walgreens clerk fired for eating chips
Associated Press, 09.09.11, 02:39 PM EDT

SAN FRANCISCO -- The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing the Walgreens drugstore chain on behalf of a diabetic clerk in South San Francisco who was fired for taking a bag of chips to stabilize her blood sugar levels.

The commission alleged in a federal lawsuit filed Thursday that Walgreens' decision to terminate Josefina Hernandez after her nearly 18 years of unblemished service to the company constituted discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Article Controls


According to the suit, Hernandez was working as a cashier in September 2008 when she felt an attack of hypoglycemia coming on. She grabbed a bag of chips, gobbled them down and paid for them as soon as she could the same day.

Walgreens declined to comment.

It sure it interesting that they did not comment...

Would they have had a worse case on their hands if this person had died on the job due to the low?

Why must everything be harder for people with diabetes. Hopefully this perosn is given justice and then some!

I finally decided to participate in the Walk To Cure Diabetes in Orange County. Ultimately, my team is my family and they are down there. So here is the letter sent to everyone:

This year, on November 6, 2011 at UCI, I'll be taking part in JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes, along with one-half million other walkers across the country, as we try to reach our goal of raising $89 million.

Type 1, or juvenile diabetes, is a devastating disease that affects millions of people, a large and growing percentage of them children.

As you may or may not know, I have Type 1 Diabetes. I was diagnosed when I was 15 years old. Sometimes, it can be scary thinking about the future, but there is some good news.

JDRF is our best hope for finding a cure. It funds more type 1 diabetes research than any other charity worldwide and it's making progress along many promising paths toward better treatments and a cure.


Now, more than ever, you can make a crucial difference. I would love for you to join me and walk, but if you can't won't you please give to JDRF as generously as possible? Together, we can make the cure a reality!

The picture above is me at diagnosis. The fear I was feeling is hidden well behind that smile. I was so scared, but now thanks to blog, I am a happy healthy young adult.

Thank you DOC!!! Anyone who could help, it would be greatly appreciated!!

Here is my personal page:

http://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR/Walk-CA/Chapter-OrangeCounty4049?px=1524915&pg=personal&fr_id=1397

Last post I talked about having side effects from taking Victoza. Luckily, the site First Life Research reached out to me and informed me about their site. I must say, it is very helpful. Not just for diabetic medications, but for any medication. Thought I would let you all know in case you had similar questions as well.

I fail on my JDRF Walk team...I know I need to put it together, but I cannot decide if I should do LA or Orange County's walk. Usually my team is just my family and boyfriend, who all live in Orange County. The Walk in LA is at Dodgers stadium, which is very exciting, but parking etc is more difficult and then everyone would have to come here...hmmm Once I decide on that, I also need a name!! Any suggestions?!?!

Decisions, decisions.....


or...




I also haven't been as good with testing lately. I know...I know...I was doing so well!! I need to get back on track. It has just been hard with everything going on. Do you have tips to keep on top of testing etc. while life seems to demand all of your attention?

With everyone starting school, is seems that stress levels are rising and we all know that isn't good. So I plan on breathing a little extra and getting on top of my testing again.

Hope you all had a great labor day!!

Right now, I am on a medication that has changed my diabetes care for the best. I attribute my last great A1C to it.

The only issue is that is has some unpleasant side effects. The more I take, the worse the side effects become. They are strictly cosmetic side effects, but none the less, unpleasant. The more I take of the medicine, the better it works, but the worse the side effects.

I am thinking I need to just find a balance. Obviously, all medicine usually has side effects, but I just wish they didn't!

Any one else had to face this decision?

It's my birthday!!

I plan on bolusing all day long for some yummy treats!! :)

Also, I have the best roommate in the world!! She decorated our apartment all out and I thought I would share with all of you!!



Time for some cupcakes and good memories!

The situation was not unusual. I walked into the shared bathroom at work and she was there. Yep. The dreaded "she". The woman who just asks way too many personal questions, when all I want to do is my business and get back to work.

Usually her questions are more along the lines of, "Where did you get your dress?" or "How do you get your hair like that?"

Not today though. I was going through my daily totals in my pump in the bathroom, and she caught me, pump in hand, tubing down my dress. In her very odd accent, "OOO What is that?"

The question...the question that although doesn't change, my answers does. If I'd rather just move on in my life, I say it's an Mp3 player. My office shares this bathroom with a dentist's office, so I assumed she would know what an insulin pump was was I answered as if she knew....

"It's an insulin pump."

"Oh...you have diabetes?"

"Yep."

"Oh, so you can't eat anything?!?! But you look so healthy."

OH LORD. Nope. Can't do it today. Normally, I am all for education, but not in the bathroom and not with her.

"I was born with it. It's an autoimmune disease." As I ran out the door. I didn't even get to use the bathroom. I'm not sure why she drove me so crazy. But now I dread going to the bathroom at work, because I wonder if I'll run into her again."

Part of me feels bad that I didn't take the time to explain, but part of me is still more upset about the way she made me feel. That look of sympathy that makes my stomach turn, and the way that from now on every time I run into her, I bet she brings it up.

Do I explain later? Do I never use the bathroom again??

To add to my day...

I felt a little funny, and I knew it was low blood sugar...tested 60...hmm ok.

Plan of action, got the juice from my desk and started to feel better. Moved on with my day. Come after lunch, I'm ready to test...wait...where is my meter??? I SEARCHED EVERYWHERE!!!!

And then...


Yep. At the very bottom. I have no idea how it got there.

Thank you low blood sugar...

You don't have to tell me that diabetes always gets in the way. I know. I am full aware of how annoying it is.

Like how I was late to work yesterday because my pump needle didn't go in all the way and ended up gushing blood all over my work clothes

OR

Like how I didn't get to sleep through the whole night because wearing a CGM is like having a new born baby when you're blood sugar is high waking you up every 5 minutes...PREDICTED HIGH...


Nah, I don't have to tell you that.


What I am wondering though, is how often does Diabetes come into play with decisions in your life?

Have you ever not done or done something because it was better for your diabetes?

Career decisions? Marriage decisions? Living alone vs not? Children vs not?

For myself, diabetes is always a thought...if I live alone and go low who would be there to help? If I have children, will they have diabetes too?

I know diabetes will always be a part of my life (until a cure anyway!) and will have to play in every decision, from weather I eat desert or if my night time reading consists of medical information...

How much is too much?? How little is too little??


On a less serious and much more fun note....

I am going with people from work tonight to see GLEE The 3D Concert!!!!

Everyone go see it!!!

I know there are some crazy people in the world, but REALLY? WHY would a hacker want to hack into my pump?? I promise there is nothing worth stealing in there and if you ask I would just tell you...





You can click on the title to read the whole article, but here it is.


HACKERS COULD TARGET MEDICAL DEVICES

HACKERS COULD TARGET medical devices such as insulin pumps for the diabetic, as security flaws have been discovered by a diabetic security researcher.

Security problems highlighted by Jay Radcliffe mean that attackers could alter the read outs of insulin pumps remotely, so diabetics could get too little or not enough insulin.

Radcliffe shared the findings of his experiment with the Associated Press ahead of his presentation at the Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas today.

He told the AP, "My initial reaction was that this was really cool from a technical perspective. The second reaction was one of maybe sheer terror, to know that there's no security around the devices which are a very active part of keeping me alive."

Other devices at risk include pacemakers and operating room monitors, some of which can be remotely controlled by medical staff.

He added, "Everybody's pushing the technology to do more and more and more, and like any technology that's pushed like that, security is an afterthought."

Not surprisingly, those who make the devices say that as experiments are only undertaken by expert security researchers, they are unlikely to be replicated in a real life scenario. It seems these companies are thinking more about profits than they are about patients' well being, as usual.

And they could well be wrong. Radcliffe found his insulin pump could be reprogrammed to respond to a stranger's remote and all he needed was a USB device.

He looked at data being transmitted from the computer with the USB device to the insulin pump, and could then instruct the USB device to tell the pump what to do - a very scary thought indeed.

Read more: http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2099502/hackers-target-medical-devices#ixzz1U5hYqm1O
The Inquirer - Computer hardware news and downloads. Visit the download store today.

Maybe this technology could be used for good? Perhaps doctor visits could be spaced out farther? Doctors and patients could work from home? Adjusting on the fly? Maybe if you're on vacation? Overall though, still a scary thought.

~~~~~

TOTALLY different topic~~~~~~~~~~~~





Is seeking therapy part of your diabetes care? If so, do you like it? How old were you when you started? How did you find them?

I'd appreciate any info! I am thinking it would be a good idea to incorporate this into my care, but just wanted to see if anyone else found it helpful or not!

THANK YOU!!!

Sometimes dealing with diabetes can be ugly and tough. But other times, it can be lessened by adding some color into it :)

First off, in a recent give away, I won a Lauren's Hope Giveaway Bracelet!

I LOVE IT!!! I wear it everyday and the colors are so fun. I actually enjoy wearing a medic alert bracelet now! WHO KNOW!?!?

Here is the one I won:


You can check out all of her GORGEOUS products here! You can actually try to win one yourself over at "A Sweet Grace" today!

Thanks to others here in the DOC I have also been told about the CUTEST supply bags!! I REALLY want to get the owl one!! HOW CUTE IS THAT?!?!? You HAVE to check out Stick Me Designs if you are anything like me and tend to lose your plain black bag and are tired of looking at it!

I LOVE jewelry. If you know anything about it, you would know it's my favorite thing to wear! When I found out about this gorgeous awareness line, where 100% of proceeds goes to JDRF I JUMPED at it!!


Not only is it gorgeous, it arrived SO quickly. I ordered it on Friday and I got it on Monday! I think these are great gift ideas too. You can order one for yourself or others by clicking here!

Here is what it looked like when I got it in the mail:

Also through the DOC I found this book called, "Smart Woman's Guide to Diabetes: Authentic Advice from Everything from Eating to Dating to Motherhood". I am SO excited to read it! I pre-ordered it because I feel like most books don't hit all the points about the struggles woman who have diabetes face.

I would love any other info about girly great products for people with diabetes! Please let me know!!!

-Lauren


(I did not receive compensation for posting this information. I purchased/won this items on my own and wanted to share with you all of you what I have found to be awesome!)

I knew I had been working hard towards lowering my A1C and I was looking forward to my A1C this endo trip....

(Never thought I'd say that!!)

And...


I HAD THE BEST A1C I'VE EVER HAD!!!!


Three months ago I was 9.2 and today...DRUM ROLL PLEASE....

7.7!!!!!!!!

I know it's not perfect, but OMGOMGOMGOMGOM!! That is the BEST I've ever been.




Last week I also found out my eyes are perfect!


Overall, I am feeling good and motivated to try even harder!

I feel like I a breath a sigh of relief.

This is all because of you DOC. You have changed me for the better. Thank thank thank you you you!!! You each inspire me everyday with your success and set backs. I learn from each one of you and I can't wait to tell you all when my A1C is even better!!!

This week I had my monthly type 1 support group meeting with JDRF. It was SO much fun! It was just beautiful! So classy and fancy, and I got to meet some amazing people.

They had such things as a liquid olive!!
This exploded in your mouth to create the sensation of eating all those flavors!

Very fancy!

I got to meet one FANTASTIC girl named Ashley.

She is a type 1 and she is actually doing a research on girls who have Type 1 Diabetes, live in California or Colorado, who wear a pump and are between the ages of 12 - 22 OR WORE a pump they WERE 12-22.

I told her I would be happy to try and get the word out on my blog!


Her blurb:

I am a type 1 diabetic looking for participants in the Los Angeles/ Southern California area interested in participating in a psychological study about insulin pumps! I am conducting my doctoral dissertation and am looking for female type 1 pumpers for a one hour interview. You can contribute to diabetes research and earn cash!! Please contact me if you have any interest! ajtullman@gmail.com- Ashley

DO YOU WEAR AN INSULIN PUMP?

ARE YOU BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 & 22?

DID YOU WEAR A PUMP WHEN YOU WERE 12 & 22?



Research Study



IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO THESE QUESTIONS THEN YOU MAY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN CASH & CONTRIBUTE TO PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH!



WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:


The goal of this research is to understand the experiences of female adolescents with type 1 diabetes being treated with an insulin pump and assess any commonalities between them. The aim is to gain an insight into each individual’s perspective of their daily life experience as an insulin pump wearer.

THE STUDY CONSISTS OF:
1 BRIEF PHONE CONSULTATION
1 ONE 1/2 HOUR INTERVIEW



THIS STUDY IS BEING CONDUCTED IN TWO LOCATIONS: WESTWOOD, CA AND DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES, CA.

PARTICIPANTS WILL BE GIVEN $50.00 CASH REIMBURSEMENT





Please let me know if you know anyone or please contact Ashley!

Thank you DOC!!!

I love reading blogs over at Medtronic's, "The Loop". Therefore, I was so honored when they asked me to blog about having type 1 diabetes while in college.



Please head on over HERE to read it and let me know what you think!

Do you ever feel like you just can't give yourself enough insulin?

I do not know what's going on!! For the past week, I have increased my average insulin intake by 20 units a day! That's huge! It seem like I am constantly high, until I OVER bolus then I have scary scary lows.

I am not sick and I changed the site and tried new insulin...WHAT ELSE COULD IT BE??

Things haven't been AS normal as usual...

I had a very hectic schedule recently with family in town.

With that comes AMAZING memories. This past weekend I went on my first hot air balloon ride. It was really scary at take off and landing but other then that, AMAZING!! It's interesting though, I was thinking while I was up there, what if something happened to me? What if I went so low that I needed to go to a hospital? Would the hot air balloon fly right to a hospital? Oh how diabetes likes to interrupt every part of your life...

Everything ended up great, and the trip was something I will never forget.

I'm not sure what is it about today, but I have heard some very exciting news today regarding Type 1!

Over at Your Diabetes May Vary, I read a REALLY interesting post, you should read the entire thing click here!

Here is a quick overview: Lilly and Disney showed a kids book with Goofy (my non d son's favorite when he was little) and a new type 1 character. The story line helps break down some misconceptions and gives kids with t1 a Disney character of their own. They also announced an official guide to the parks for type 1 visitors. It is a start that I hope leads to better type 1 awareness in the parks. My dated unofficial guide is at http://DisneyWithDiabetes.com.

It gives me great comfort knowing that SOMEONE acknowledges that living with diabetes is hard, and seeing that people are aware that there are more challenges than just the medicine in the life of someone with Type 1.

THEN I HEAD THE BEST NEWS THAT I HEARD FOR A LONG TIME FROM MY FATHER:

"Denise L. Faustman, MD, PhD, is Director of the Immunobiology Laboratory at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She has worked in the field of autoimmunity for nearly two decades. In 2001, the Faustman Lab reversed type 1 diabetes in mice with end-stage disease, a project that is now in human clinical trials. Dr. Faustman’s current research continues to focus on uncovering new treatments for type 1 diabetes, as well as searching for therapies for other autoimmune diseases, including Crohn's disease, lupus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. "

The link is here to read more about her clinical trials. If any of you live near Boston I am VERY jealous!!!

I feel so torn when I read things like this though...if you head on over to the clinical trial Q&A:

How long will the human clinical trials take?
We expect the clinical trials to take around 8-10 years, but this depends on many factors, such as the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the availability of funding for the different phases of the trials.

That seems so far from now...I hate getting my hopes up, but this would be so amazing. I wouldn't even know what to do with myself anymore if I didn't have diabetes...would I write this blog anymore? Would I need support to transition into "normal" life...it seems like I have so man questions and will never have enough answers...

Till then, here's to hoping!

Even though I have made huge leaps in my diabetes care, I still have a few slip ups. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in life and diabetes can slip a little.

This weekend was a great weekend! My brother and Great Aunt and Uncle were in town and we had a blast! Constantly swimming, great food and lots of laughs.

My mother's birthday is the 4th of July, so what more could you ask for??


I am embarrassed to admit it, but my care was not great this weekend for many reasons. It is obviously much easier to control what I eat when I'm at my own apartment or work, and not eating things I normally wouldn't. My sensor was giving me so much trouble and not being accurate so I just took it off for more fun swimming. I didn't take my victoza either because I wanted to enjoy all the fun and not feel full too soon. I wanted to be "normal" and join in on the holiday fun, but perhaps I had a bit too much fun...Maybe my pump was suspended for too long while enjoying the pool or maybe I was just so happy, I didn't want to think of anything negative...I know this infection isn't helping ANYTHING. This infection is being such an annoying bugger, he has kept my blood sugars up all day today too. Even after yoga! All of these many many factors lead to not good numbers.

Either way, diabetes was not on my side this weekend...


As I was driving home after the fantastic weekend, I noticed I was having trouble reading the freeway sings. They looked like this:


I was so mad at myself! I KNEW what that had meant...I was high. This is not a new thing to me, which is why I knew I was high. Every time I visit my eye doctor I say the only eye problems I ever have are when I am high I get blurry vision. And everytime he says the same thing, "That is totally fine and will go away, nothing to worry about".

Of course, in my head, I am thinking of all the damage I am doing...

Finally once I get home I test. After looking through my results for the day, I notice I had only tested ONCE before in that day. How could that happen? I swore I checked more...but alas I didn't. Once again, here comes diabetes anger and guilt.

How could I let myself get this high? How could let this entire weekend happen the way it did?

Do you get blurry vision with high blood sugars?


I am learning from this slip up. This weekend will be a lesson for me, that even if I change my diabetes care around, I need to maintain. Even if it's a holiday.

Diabetes doesn't take a day off, so I guess I can't either.

Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised...

Very rare...but it happens!

I went to the dreaded CVS, where I know it will be a nightmare. (When is there EVER a good experience at CVS???)



=






I tell the pharmacist my name and she walks over to the rack of pills and other medications. This usually drives me nuts because the insulin is ALWAYS in the fridge, but I can't expect everyone to know that...

"It's not ready yet. You scheduled a later time for pick up."

"No...I said I'd be here in an hour at 3pm and it's now 8pm..."


"I'm sorry ma'am we have been busy. We can have it ready in 10 minutes."

SURE YOU CAN....

30 minutes later....

(This is the good part I swear!!!!!)

She hands me THREE boxes of humalog!!



This is fantastic, because ever since I even used humalog I got two boxes. THREE!!?!?! For those who might not understand that means I don't have to go to CVS AS often. Having diabetes means I live inside the CVS. Literally. My address is CVS.

ARE YOU READY FOR THE EVEN BETTER PART?!?!?!




As I have the THREE boxes in my hands super excited hands, it's $20 LESS than before.

YES LESS.

Maybe she messed up. Maybe it was because she felt bad she called me ma'am.

I AM NOT A MA'AM!!!!!! Since when does being in your early 20's make you a ma'am?!?!?!

Either way, I caught a little break.

Here's to all of you catching a little break every now and then as well.

:)

Today was a big day in the life of someone with the big, "D".

This morning, I woke up and for whatever reason looked down at my dried fingers, and I noticed all the holes in my fingers. I tried to capture a good picture of them, but as I look at the tiny holes, I wonder how many I have ever created and how many more I will...


As my day went on as usual, I noticed my pump kept getting disconnected. It's odd because I was so scared for putting my site on my leg, but due to the DOC loving it...I thought I'd give it a try! It really has been a new favorite or mine, until today..

Every time I would move my pants, or go the bathroom etc. I noticed I tugged pretty hard on the pump chord. Ouch!! I just decided to go about my day...

Right after work, I hit 45. Looks like my pump was working too well :) so I ate some dinner, but as I changed into my "comfy" clothes, I noticed my pump was disconnected AGAIN!! Fantastic! How long has that been like that! I look down and I see red...


I test immediately, and 439 pops up. GREAT. Time to change the site after seeing the red and I think that this red business I am sure isn't helping my 439. After taking out the site, I see it has blood all inside the tubing.


Does anyone have any experience with this blood? Does it make a difference? Would I have been ok if I left it?

As for now, better safe than sorry. The moral of today's story, is Lauren needs to put her CGM back on. UGH.

I swear I'm alive!!


Things have been so crazy, but I promise I have been keeping up with all of my reading of all your blogs-so not to worry!! :)

Well, why is it that when life is SO CRAZY that's when diabetes tries to get in the way??

This past weekend I was trying to find an address for a work event, and I was literally running up and down 6 blocks over and over trying to find this address...and you can guess what happens next....




Please forgive the crappy photo, but as you can see there is a large dip, then rebound due to stress. Ugh. Thanks diabetes.

BUT not to worry! It didn't ruin the day! The event went well and all was fine :)

Diabetes: 0
Lauren: 1

HA!

I have sensitive skin. Not super sensitive, but I am very fair and my skin gets easily irritated. (Kinda like me...)

Enter in diabetes and the combo isn't so good. If you've noticed anything about diabetes almost everything has to do with skin, testing blood sugar, giving shots, pumps, sensors, watching your hands and feet, etc. etc...




As you can imagine, that's a lot of poking!! Anyway...

Sensors are what we are going to talk ask about.

They hurt the most, but they are the most helpful...CHECK THIS OUT


This is after three days. I couldn't stand how itchy it was and raw it felt. This isn't even the worst. I just need some help here! They are expensive and I hate to waste them, but my skin can only take so much.

What do you all do? Does this happen to you? My sensor has only gone on my stomach, does a new area maybe help?

TIME FOR CHANGE!!!


There is so much going on right now for The LD!

1. First I changed my twitter name!

@AuthoroftheLD

2. I now have a facebook page!!

Please make sure to head over and "like me!"





3. A little bit ago I added a QR code!



4. I also have created an email address!!

AuthoroftheLD@gmail.com


SO MUCH TECHNOLOGY!!!

I tried switching my actual blog address, but TheLD was already taken. BOOOOO


You all now have a million ways to get in touch with me, ask questions, give suggestions or just say hi!!

Let me know what you all think of the new changes!

After last week's Yoga Nightmare, I was NOT going to let that happen again!

5:30pm Blood sugar = 100

Hmm...too low for class, so I knew from last class, I will drop 100 points throughout the 1.5 hour class. I am no mathematician, but those numbers don't add up!

I drank some apple juice and I thought hmm let's double it up JUST in case.

What a difference!!! Class was so much better and I felt so much stronger. Tested after class and 230. GRRRR

I just can't win with diabetes!!!



Let's talk stress.

We all know that stress affects blood sugar levels. Which to me is annoying since I didn't even get to eat anything and my blood sugar goes up. FANTASTIC.

Obviously yoga helps with me stress, but what are other ways I can de-stress? Are there any secrets for lowering blood sugars when they are up due to stress (besides insulin LOL)



Doesn't it seem like there really is no way to deal with stress until after whatever you are stressing about it done?

I.E. a bubble bath, yoga, shopping...

Usually if you are in a stressful situation (I.E. deadline at work, traffic, etc.) you can't just hop into the tub.

How can I tell diabetes to go away when I'm stressed out??

For now, I will think of these places...but for some reason, I don't think those numbers are going to budge still...