In the Future

Tired of dreaming of the then

Worlds with no walks or galas

No more, to tell or not

Bed sides full of tabs and guns

Does it kill or save

Hold me back or push me forward

Wanting the future, but dreading the solution

Once escape happens then...

A prisoner released

The holes will heal

But will the rest

Yet, the future gives hope

I hate when our bodies get used to something.

For example,

Exercise

When you start to exercise you see immediate results. But, if you want those continued results you have to work harder and trick your body so you get better results.



Isn't it ironic that food works the opposite?!?! GRRR


Victoza

I have been SO happy with this medicine...but I am getting used to it. My numbers have been fabulous until recently. I will call my endo to increase the dose, but it seems like, at what point do you have to increase it to? My numbers are still MUCH better than what they were before, but not as fantastic as they were when I first started. (BTW THIS PRODUCT IS NOT APPROVE FOR T1 I AM TAKING THIS ON MY RISK THROUGH THE HELP OF MY ENDO AND I AM PRESCRIBED IT)





Good People in Our lives


We tend to stop appreciating people in our lives or the things they do until they are gone, or no longer do what they do. Let's remind ourselves to say thank you to friends and loved ones.



I am sure there are other examples...

Have you ever noticed that when you get kinda down, your blood sugar suffers? Or is it the other way around...hmmm

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!!

YEAH!

I really needed this day off. My boyfriend and I have a list of movies we want to see and places we want to go!




What I am most excited for is going to Malibu. The ocean is one of my favorite places in the whole world. It makes me feel like all my problems are so small and really brings me back down to earth.

Looking forward to this


Speaking of the boyfriend...in an upcoming post I am going to interview him about what it's like to be dating someone with Type 1 diabetes. Do any of you out there have questions you would like me to ask him?

Have a safe and beautiful Memorial Day!

I was thinking about fingers today. I see the mini holes everyday and I wonder if they will ever go away.

There is a poll to the right of what you are reading with the question, "What is your favorite finger to test on?" Mine is my ring finger on my left hand. Interesting thought I had recently, if I test my blood on different fingers, will I get different answers?

Lately, I have read a lot about the importance of washing your hands before testing, but sinks aren't always available. BUT for the sake of "science" today...we did three mini tests. (Btw has anyone notice if hand sanitizers make a difference?)

I use a One Touch Ultra Link because I like that is links to my pump. It does have coding, (for those who don't know there is a number on a test strip jar and that number needs to match the number on the screen for the most accurate results). I changed the code by one number just to see. (Yes coding is annoying and not every meter requires it)

1. Wrong coded number. Jar says 25, I typed in 24. Hands are unwashed and this is after dinner. This is on the pinky finger. 10:38pm and I am "186" ok...

2.Wrong Code (still using 24) hands are still unwashed. This time I used my left middle finger and one minute later I am "193"


3. This time this is the right code of 25. Back to pinky finger. Hands WASHED this time. (Meaning this SHOULD be the most accurate) and at two minutes later 10:40pm 174.




This to me is crazy. A very large gap even if my coding was off. This makes me nervous. Looks like I should really try to wash my hands more often when testing...Anyone else experience things like this? Is it best to have several different meters or better to stick with just one? How do we know what is most accurate? Obviously meters have come A LONG way, but still-is it too much to ask for these little meters to be a tad more accurate?

I thought I would share what I consider a good day to me! What makes a good day for you?


From what I remember, not one high in that 24 hour period. :) Yeah!!

The 1’s is a group for all adults with Type 1 Diabetes, coming together to socialize, share experiences and support each other! Please join us at the JDRF office in downtown Los Angeles to discuss our next hot topic!

The 1’s Group Discussion Event:
Living with Diabetes in the Workplace, a Personal and Financial Perspective The 1’s Group Discussion (with Guest Speaker) Please RSVP to this event. We will have pre-paid valet/garage parking available. Beverages will be provided as well as nuts and candy to keep blood sugars in check.

JDRF LOS ANGELES
Date: Thursday, May 19
www.facebook.com/typeones
Event Time: 7:30pm.
A Support Group for Adults Living with Type 1 Diabetes JDRF Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation “Living with Diabetes in the Workplace”


Don will share his history of being a Type 1 Diabetic for nearly 30 years in the workplace. He’ll discuss his Type 1 diagnosis, and the emotional and physical roller coaster he rode for many years.

His stories of suffering through “disease denial”, poor day-to-day management and hardships, including a fatalistic resignation at that time, are powerful.

Don will furthermore give advice on being the best you can be with Type 1 at work, particularly how to handle announcing your disease to co-workers, time management to avoid emergency situations, and preparing for the long-term costs of diabetes.
Our group discussion will be dynamic!

I have always felt JDRF focused on children and never really gave any special attention to adult Type 1's. When I found this group on facebook I got really excited!

Since I am in the work force I thought this would be a great talk to go to....


WHOA. I was wrong.



This speaker was the most depressing speaker I have ever heard. He made me so angry I wanted to throw him into therapy for all of his issues.

Let me actually start off by saying I am a firm believer in the freedom of speech. Everyone is allowed their own beliefs and can speak their minds.

What I don't believe in is changing your speech after you already have one speech approved and turning a conversation that was supposed to be about the "work force" into a conversation about politics and religion.

He spoke how it was wrong of Obama to have lifted the ban on federal funds for research in stem cells. (See quote for details)

3/9/09
USA Today
Obama keeps science, medical ethicists hopping
Today, Obama lifted the Bush administration ban on federal funds for research using newly created embryonic stem cell lines, eliminating what he called "a false choice between sound science and moral values." He also called for strict guidelines to prevent "misuse or abuse," including an absolute ban on cloning for human reproduction.

Another point of his was that by using stem cells research we are like the Nazi's who killed for "perfection".

He also mentioned that weed will make you go blind, that having diabetes is a handicap, and life with diabetes sucks and you shouldn't just choose whatever career you want because some jobs are more stressful than others...says the Merrill Lynch Wealth Management guy....

AGAIN I BELIEVE IN THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH. I AM NOT TRYING TO PROVE HIM WRONG HERE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. Those are his beliefs and that is fine.

I just think his speech was inappropriate. I was hoping to leave the discussion with more information about how to handle diabetes in the work force since that's what was advertised, or perhaps learn tips about diabetes management while in the office.

Instead I learned how G-d wanted me to be less than perfect.


After the speaker had left the ten or so of us decided to cross the street and head to this really cool bar called, "The Standard" to discuss his speech. The bar had gorgeous views and it gave us a really nice casual setting to discuss the speaker and other diabetes issues. (see below)


That part of the night made up for everything before. It was PURE HEAVEN to just sit and chat with other diabetes. Talking about what medicines we've tried, or clinical trials, to insurance companies, to how to decide to tell people we have diabetes. It was just SUCH an awesome night.

There is something magical about just talking, checking your blood sugar, and knowing that all of you had something in common that is very rare. It felt so awesome to not be the odd man out.

Even if the speaker wasn't my cup of tea, I will still go to other events with the adult T1's because they are awesome.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I haven't posted about my garden recently!!

It is really coming along. My basil has grown like mad and I have added a few plants too. The big silver tins are apple trees! So stay tuned!!!
That big green one is the basil!

Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's the million other things that are on my mind...

but I feel bleh.




I haven't been to the gym in a while. Now I know how the rest of the world feels about the weather. It has been rainy and cloudy here lately and (sorry everyone else who doesn't live in southern California) but I am used to sun and beautiful weather. It's almost summer and I am craving some sun here people!

Traveling is something I love to do so much. I believe it is one of the purposes of life; to see how others live. Summer is naturally the time I want to travel since that is when I used to take all kinds of trips with my family. How about I go here?


OK good. I just want to get away from this rain and blahness....

Something very strange happened to me today. I was complaining to my friend at work about how I was tired, which was odd since I slept a good amount-and she lovingly asked me, "Is your blood sugar low?" hmmmm that's weird, I thought to myself. My sensor died about an hour earlier (awesome) and since I am at work, I don't have my other sensors, (oh yeah I forgot to mention I forgot to take my Victoza today-another awesome) MOVING ON...SO I checked myself just because and I was 71.

Usually I feel a little shaky around 80...how could I be 71 and not notice? Is it because I am tired? Are these 7 years just creeping up and I can't feel it as much? Obviously it's not TOO low, but still...what gives???

How do you all like my new logo? I personally love it! :)

Blog week was awesome although it feels weird today to write without a prompt....

This past weekend I went to a JDRF Gala that was actually put on by my parents friends at their house! They put the whole thing together in four weeks. It really showed me that we each can put something amazing together and we all can do something to help. A lot of amazing companies donated auction items and overall it was a success.


I found myself mostly talking to the volunteers because they tend to be the people who are actually affected by diabetes. I spoke to one mother of a T1 and she was so amazing. Her son just turned 18 and she was scared about him going off to college. I got to tell her my stories and she told me hers. It truly was the highlight of the night for me.

Half way through the event I realized I didn't take any pictures for you guys! So I snapped a few ugly photos with my phone...but I hope you can get the idea!





It really has inspired me and now my brain is turning and thinking about how I could put one together as well...


Does anyone have any tips for me for a successful fundraiser? Maybe I could do it around my JDRF Walk and raise the money for my team? Has anyone else ever done one before?

What we’ve learned - Sunday 5/15: Last year, Wendy of Candy Hearts made a suggestion for this year. She commented “I think Day 7 should be a post about stuff we've learned from other blogs or the experience of coming together online...” Today, let’s do just that!! What have you learned from other blogs - either this week or since finding the D-OC? What has your experience of blogging the DBlog Week topics with other participants been like? What has finding the D-OC done for you? If you'd like, you can even look ahead and tell us what you think the future holds!

This week was so amazing. I can't believe this is the last day! My personal favorite was the diabetes blooper topic. Every time I read one, I couldn't help but to think, "Yep done that!" It's nice to know that any time we make a mistake, we know that we aren't the first.

More importantly, this week taught me that I am not alone. No matter how dark, sad, lonely, or afraid I get, there is always someone out there who knows EXACTLY how I feel.

Since I am a little newer to the DOC this week was a great way to get some new blogs to read and hear stories I never thought I would. I didn't even know type 1.5 was a real thing! I love hearing all the different aspects, because we are all affected and moved by each other.

I am SO thankful that Karen at Bitter Sweet put this together.


Together we can make a difference and help each other lead happier and healthier lives. Thank you to those who participated, who made me laugh, cry, relate, and remind me that we all have a voice and a story to tell.

Saturday snapshots - Saturday 5/14: Today is the only day I’ve brought back a fun topic from last year. Inspired by the Diabetes 365 project, let’s snap a few more d-related pictures and share them again. Post as many or as few as you’d like. Be creative! Feel free to blog your thoughts on or explanations of your pictures. Or leave out the written words and let the pictures speak for themselves.

I wish I could capture how many laughs, tears, thoughts, carb counts, conversation with insurance companies, CVS', Doctors and all the other true parts about being a diabetic means, but maybe these pictures can help give a better "picture" of what it's like.


Glucose tabs always in my purse and nightstand.


I always have lots of these laying around from my Medtronic supplies ...I should get better at recycling them.


Whenever I can I apply to get free meters as backup. I actually got this one today. I kinda love the pink case...


Although this is the meter I used everyday. I love that is links to my pump!


When I was diagnosed my friend had all my friends from school make me this poster and brought it to me in the hospital.


My family and I at my second JDRF, "Walk to Cure Diabetes".


My pump supply closet.

Due to some technical difficulties, (most likely due to Friday the 13th) there was no post yesterday (as I am sure many of you all had issues too). I know I have LOTS of reading to do this weekend!

Ten things I hate about you, Diabetes - Thursday 5/12: Having a positive attitude is important . . . but let’s face it, diabetes isn’t all sunshine and roses (or glitter and unicorns, for that matter). So today let’s vent by listing ten things about diabetes that we hate. Make them funny, make them sarcastic, make them serious, make them anything you want them to be!!

I actually wrote 22 things that I hate about diabetes, "You Know What's Really Annoying" so you can go there and check it out if you'd like!

Awesome things - Friday 5/13: In February the #dsma blog carnival challenged us to write about the most awesome thing we’d done DESPITE diabetes. Today let’s put a twist on that topic and focus on the good things diabetes has brought us. What awesome thing have you (or your child) done BECAUSE of diabetes? After all, like my blog header says, life with diabetes isn’t all bad!

Oddly enough, I kinda wrote about this topic as well before, "The Good Things About Having Diabetes...?" I will say, this topic is a little different though.

Diabetes has brought me this blog. I have always wanted to blog before, but I felt like I never had a voice...something to write about. Continuously I would start and stop, in fact I have some save posts on here from YEARS ago (don't worry you will NEVER see those! LOL) Now, I feel like I have so many emotions and stories to share because of the audience. I guess what I am trying to say, is that diabetes brought me all you.

Sure it sounds corny, but I find it so hard to find people who can REALLY relate to me in so many ways. You are all so amazing and an inspiration to me everyday. You bring my sanity and let me know that we all make mistakes with our care, but together we can try to do the best we can.


Thank you all!

Diabetes bloopers - Wednesday 5/11: Whether you or your loved one are newly diagnosed or have been dealing with diabetes for a while, you probably realize that things can (and will) go wrong. But sometimes the things that go wrong aren’t stressful - instead sometimes they are downright funny! Go ahead and share your Diabetes Blooper - your “I can’t believe I did that" moment - your big “D-oh” - and let’s all have a good laugh together!!

The idea of this topic already makes me laugh! I have so many awkward stories that I could go on for days! Part of this disease is making sure you have no shame because as Karen says, "Things can (and will) go wrong."

My favorite story to tell is when I was doing a program through NYU for six weeks in my junior year of high school. Only have been a diabetic for a little over a year, I was not experienced-but I sorta knew what I was doing. At the time, my friends and I were living in the NYU dorms and this was the first time I would be away from my parents for that long since I was diagnosed, and I was a little nervous.

Our days were always full of fun things to do, how could it not in such a great city! After spending all day dancing and walking around the city, we all were very hungry and wanted some food. We decided to eat at this very famous pizzeria and I was really excited. Obviously before I eat I would test my blood sugar...right???

Well the waiter brings the box of pizza over, (thank goodness it was in a box!) and I whip out my meter.
I take the poker and I swear it was like a horror movie!!! BAM!

THE BLOOD GOES EVERYWHERE!!! I have no idea seriously how this happened! My finger was a gusher!! I was SO embarrassed! Thank goodness it didn't get ON the food because I would have died!!! Thankfully everyone just laughed after a silent moment of WTF just happened?!?!? LOL

Moral of the story, with diabetes there are going to be many funny, gross, awkward, uncomfortable stories. Enjoy them and live it up!

Letter writing day - Tuesday 5/10: In February the Wego Blog Carnival asked participants to write letters to their condition. You can write a letter to diabetes if you’d like, but we can also take it one step further. How about writing a letter to a fictional (or not so fictional) endocrinologist telling the doctor what you love (or not) about them. How about a letter to a pretend (or again, not so pretend) meter or pump company telling them of the device of your dreams? Maybe you’d like to write a letter to your child with diabetes. Or a letter from your adult self to the d-child you were. Whomever you choose as a recipient, today is the day to tell them what you are feeling.

I was going to write a letter to diabetes. but I changed my mind when I received an email from the SisterMatch Program through Diabetes Sisters. I had been placed with a match! It's funny because I applied this program before I found the DOC. I almost completely forgot I even wanted this. Let me tell you my match is amazing! She is so awesome and I am so happy we were put together. For some reason, I had imagined I would be the one who would be the one with less experience, (for some reason 7 years just didn't seem that long to me. To my surprise she is a newly diagnosed Type 1 in college. Therefore, she has inspired me to change my post and I plan on sending it to her.
Here is a picture of me right before I was diagnosed.

Dear 15 Year Old Lauren,


I want you to know that everything is going to be alright. First off, you get into your dream College and dream program. You have lots of friends and family who are there for you and a great boyfriend. You graduate from college, land a job that you can't believe you got and overall you have done everything you have hoped for yourself at 22.

I know you're scared. I know you feel alone. The doctors are telling you that you will go home tomorrow, but they are lying. They know you will be here for a week. I know you'd rather know the truth.

They only yell if they don't see the instant results that you yourself want to see as well. Those who yell are you are only trying to help you. Those who try to scare you into caring for yourself are just trying the only way they know how to help. Acceptance is the key and you will one day do just that. It will be a while before you accept this disease, but I encourage you to reach out to the DOC as soon as you can. They are the key.

The pump is not something to be scared of, but excited about it! You are going to love it, I promise! I know it sucks having something attached to you 24/7, but it's better than shots. Just don't let them allow you to think this solves all your problems. Embrace the CGM. You are also going to love it. You are lucky that you have parents who are willing to provide you with all the tools of success. Take them up on it! I know it hurts and is uncomfortable at times, but it's worth it.

When you go low, you don't need to eat or drink everything in view. Stick to 15 grams of carbs and then wait 15 minutes. Waking up high never feels good. And in general, stay away from sugar free treats. NOT WORTH IT.

You are going to find the doctor that changes everything. You will gain control and you will feel better. I know this sucks and it is not ideal, but diabetes will NEVER get in your way.




Love, Lauren

The Day has come! It's time for the 2nd Annual Diabetes Blog Week!

"Admiring our differences - Monday 5/9: We are all diabetes bloggers, but we come from many different perspectives. Last year, Diabetes Blog Week opened my eyes to all of the different kinds of blogs (and bloggers) out there – Type 1s, Type 2s, LADAs, parents of kids with diabetes, spouses of adults with diabetes and so on. Today let’s talk about how great it is to learn from the perspectives of those unlike us! Have you learned new things from your T2 friends? Are D-Parents your heroes? Do LADA blogs give you insight to another diagnosis story? Do T1s who’ve lived well with diabetes since childhood give you hope? Pick a type of blogger who is different from you and tell us why they inspire you - why you admire them - why it’s great that we are all the same but different!!"

I can't even imagine what it feels like to be a parent of a PWD. There were so many times in the past seven years, when I wish I had been diagnosed earlier. I wanted so badly to not have this been all my responsibility. Have someone to be miserable with me, but since I was 15 that was not the case. I have taken care of myself since day 1 being diagnosed. I held a lot of anger inside, that is until I have this DOC.

Reading the posts of a parent with a child with diabetes breaks my heart. I think of how much heartbreak they must have because they aren't in control. I love reading The Princess and The Pump because I really feel she captures what D-parents have to go through. I wonder how much my parents think about it. How not being in control of their child's life must be so scary. I have learned so much about what it means to have a child with diabetes as oppose to being the person with diabetes.

I can feel when I'm low or high, but they can't. A little child has no idea what's going on and the parents do know and have to let go when they go to school or sleep. I don't have to let go, well actually I really can't let go. I can't decide which is scarier.

Thank you D parents for allowing me to follow you and your children's story. They are all beautiful and meaningful to all.

~~~~~

As many of you know, fellow blogger Victoria, is collecting diabetic supplies for the Tornado victims in Alabama . I just sent what I could off and I hope you all can still send your prayers, supplies, and thoughts over to them. Here is a picture of the supplies I sent!

I couldn't think of a better way to spend Cinco de Mayo!

JDRF GALA! I promised you a all an update and here we go! Arrrriiiba!!!

Not going to lie...I was a little nervous about volunteering since I didn't know anyone and this was my first LA JDRF Gala. As I walked into the Beverly Hilton Hotel, I saw this fancy backdrop that celebrities usually stand in front of so that photographers can take their pictures and everyone will know where the photo was taken. I was really impressed they had one, and I wondered what kind of celebs were actually coming to this....


This was not helping my nerves. The funny thing about me is you would NEVER guess I was shy. EVER. Guess what though, I AM! I cover my shyness with me being outgoing and once I am all warmed up I am fine. As I continue to try to figure my way around the hotel I nervously approach the volunteer room. RIGHT when I walked in Andrea, the volunteer coordinator, remembered my name! She and I had connected on facebook and she made me feel so welcome and appreciated. She gave me this neat-o landyard to wear while I was helping out.

This was turning out to be much fancier than the Orange County Gala, and the night wasn't even getting started...The ballroom was just beautiful!!

My job for the night was to spot during the live auction. As I stand in the back of the room waiting for the live auction part to start, I see two parents standing on the stage. I know what this part is. The part that makes me so uncomfortable and depressed. The death story. Every gala I've been to has parents who talk about how their child died of diabetes. I really can't handle hearing these stories. I know that I can die from this disease, but something about seeing the parents, makes me depressed. I get why JDRF has this right before the live auction though. People feel sad and they want to do want they can to help. I agree this does work, but I never can recover from such sad stories. I suppose that is part of the point as well.

As the story is being told of the death of their 14 year old son, I hear a loud noise from the back of the room. To my surprise, in walks Charlie Sheen. Yes everyone. CHARLIE SHEEN. In my head I thought, WHAT? WHY? But as he rudely made his way through the ballroom with his entourage, (remember this is during the sad story), I thought, well if this brings awareness...then I should be happy. And awareness it did. Even Perez Hilton wrote an article about him going! Maybe this one article will spark some interest in JDRF...who knows!

Now on to celebrities I actually care about...Al Pacino, Ray Romano, Brad Garrett and other celebrities were all there as well.

Ray Romano and Brad Garrett led the live auction with the professional auctioner and it was hilarious! Many jokes were made, including when they were auctioning off an adorable puppy, "Hey Charlie, get one for your goddess!" LOL Overall, I have to say what a difference having those celebrities there was.

I don't really care if it's for their own PR or Publicity, it was cool! To be honest though, the BEST part of the night, was getting to talk to other type 1's. One kid blew me away! As a freshman in college, he was in a bio lab and they were testing their own urine and he noticed he had ketons in it! He had diagnosed himself as a diabetic! I was blown away. Once again, I am reminded how unique each diabetic is. How unique each one of our stories are. We must all tell each other our stories and spread awareness.

I highly recommend volunteering or attending your local JDRF gala. It really is a touching event, no mater what you are.

~~~

On a side note, I HAD THE BEST ENDO APPOINTMENT EVER TODAY!!!!! WOW! I can't believe it. I first got to meet with this awesome representative from Medtronic who went through my charts with me and then I meet with my endo and we both had smiles on our faces the entire time. I FINALLY feel in control of my diabetes. I would no longer consider myself out of control. Today has been one of the most joyous days of my life. I had days when every number is in range. THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO BE BEFORE. Oh and I'm losing weight. Does this get better??

I haven't included a picture of my garden in a while, and it's coming along.

Life is good. Very good.

"Finding A Cure: A Love Story Gala
Thursday, May 05, 2011

A Gala Tribute To


Jenny and Steve Savitsky
Caregiver Award Recipients


Avi Lerner
Angel Award Recipient


The Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills, CA
6:00pm Cocktail Hour, Silent Auction
7:00pm Dinner and Program
Cocktail Attire


Finding A Cure: A Love Story is one of Los Angeles’ signature fund raising events led by outstanding honorees including First Lady Nancy Reagan, Barbara Davis, Garth Brooks, Annette Bening and Warren Beatty, George Schlatter, Julianne McNamara and Todd Zeile, The Los Angeles Dodgers, Dr. Francine Kaufman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Nina and Mitchell Quaranta and Louise and Terrance Gregg. Program participants have included James Taylor, Dustin Hoffman, Michael J. Fox, Trisha Yearwood, Eddie Murphy, Rhea Perlman, Kenny Loggins and Billy Ray Cyrus.

Your generosity helps JDRF move closer to a cure and makes it possible for the millions of people with type 1 diabetes to live healthier and longer lives. Thank you for supporting JDRF's clear mission, to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications through research."


(Taken from the JDRF site)
I AM SO EXCITED FOR TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really can't wait to tell you all about it. This gala looks HUGE! In the past, I have volunteered for the Orange County chapter, but now that I live in Los Angeles, it's time to switch over. The auction items here look amazing and it looks like it's going to be full of amazing people.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, going to a JDRF event is seriously one of the best medications a diabetic can take. There is NOTHING like being in a room full of people who are aware on some level of our struggles and are all are FIGHTING for a cure. I do have to work late, so I will be arriving late, but I will fill you all in on all the good details! :)

The Gala is my favorite JDRF event. First off, I love dressing up and seeing people in general just be really classy. (You could only imagine how much I loved the Royal Wedding!) Live auctions are super exciting and I love hearing about all the crazy prizes! My personal favorite that I am looking forward to see people fight over is the:

Dance Like A Star

Dance like a star with longtime JDRF supporter and Dancing with the Stars: Season 12 celebrity Sugar Ray Leonard and his partner, Anna Trebunskaya. This one-on-one experience will allow you to spend some time on the dance floor with Sugar Ray and world-class dancing professional, Anna, who will conduct a private dance lesson with you.

Get ready to Dance like a Star!

What are some of your favorite JDRF events and why? What are your JDRF Galas like?

Expect a full update tomorrow!

As all of us bloggers do in the DOC, we give a disclaimer. I AM NOT A DOCTOR. This is just my thoughts. Moving on...


Alternative medicine.

I have NEVER been a believer. Ok, I will try that again. I always thought alternative medicine was more the power of the brain. (The placebo effect if you please). Strange enough, the older I get, the more I realize that life is MUCH more complicated than we think. Perhaps this also has to do with book I'm reading...(I KNOW I KNOW I READ A LOT) "Many Lives Many Masters'.

This book is AMAZING. It's pretty crazy, mind blowing stuff and I am still trying to decide if I believe it's true or not. This book is a true story of a Psychiatrist and his patient and how they uncover her past lives and the important lessons from the "masters" about life. In the book, one of the lessons for life is that the issues we face now are issues from our past life that didn't get solved.

Obviously, I couldn't help but to wonder if diabetes was mine. Was I the start of this "issue" or was this a past life issue? What would even happen to give diabetes as your "issue" Is this all just mumbo jumbo? Or is my "issue" how impatient I am? I think my brain just exploded.

Now the point of this entree was to talk about alternative medicine. At this point with my diabetes I can tell that my body is done with "helping me" as far as how bad I feel when a low or high hits. For years I heard that after 7 years of having diabetes you are all on your own. It just seems everything is taking a little more work than it did before. So, I thought to myself, perhaps it's time to seek help from other areas and techniques. Personally, I have never tried these, so I am very interested if anyone has any experiences with this!

List of Well Known Diabetic Alternative Medicine: (Or Other Ways to Help Treat Diabetes In Addition to Insulin)

A health treatment that is not classified as standard Western medical practice is referred to as complementary and alternative medicine. Complementary and alternative therapy encompasses a variety of disciplines that include everything from diet and exercise to mental conditioning and lifestyle changes.

1. Cinnamon

My mother for YEARS has left me bottles of cinnamon tablets in my room and encouraged me to take it. I HATE taking pills. They make me sick to my stomach, and sometimes I even vomit if I take too many at one time. Therefore, if I'm taking pills it better be for a good reason. There has been much debate over the idea of cinnamon helping control blood sugar. Does anyone here have anything to say about it? Does the type of cinnamon make a difference?

2. Chromium

An essential mineral. Chromium may potentate insulin, and is usually lost in processed foods. Interesting, I wonder if we eat less processed foods if this would be the same.

The benefit of chromium supplements for diabetes has been studied and debated for a number of years. While some clinical studies have reported no beneficial effects of chromium use for people with diabetes, other clinical studies have reported that chromium supplements may reduce blood sugar levels as well as the amount of insulin needed by people with diabetes. Pregnancy-induced and steroid-induced diabetes may benefit from chromium as well. Chromium was found to decrease the insulin resistance problems seen in individuals who smoke cigarettes. Chromium is an antioxidant, which helps protect the body against free radical damage (oxidation).

Because of the popularity of taking chromium supplements for blood sugar regulation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed the clinical evidence and concluded that the relationship between chromium picolinate intake and insulin resistance is highly uncertain. More research is needed.

Anyone tried this?

3. Magnesium

Another mineral that is supposed to help lower blood sugar. People who in the nutrition world believe that if something is lower than normal in the body, then it must be the cause of a disease.

"Low magnesium levels may have absolutely nothing to do with diabetes and the levels may be low because of the excess urinary excretion. But it is not a bad idea to get adequate magnesium daily through a supplement."

4. Alcohol

OK call me crazy on this one. I have thought this before. If alcohol lowers my blood sugar, why WOULDN'T I have a drink with a meal?? A moderate amount of alcohol has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and improve blood sugars. It does feel weird to encourage alcohol consumption, that could perhaps lead to liver damage...(PLEASE NOTE I AM OVER 21 AND ONLY PEOPLE OVER 21 SHOULD DRINK) hmmm I am really torn on this one.

5.Low Carb Diet

As MANY people recommend, eating foods that are lower in carbs. There is no denying this one. If you eat less carbs, you will need less insulin. TA-DA! I can 100% say that eating less carbs makes managing diabetes easier. My problem is, it can lead to me feeling "different" or "not able to enjoy" some of the food I love. This one is legit in my eyes.




6. Exercise

Another DUH. We all know it helps. BUT sometimes I feel like, oh man my blood sugar is too high to work out, oh man my blood sugar is too low. Sometimes, I just can't win. We know that exercise helps in a million ways. So this one is legit.

7. Vanadium

"Basically vanadium may act as a co-factor for various enzymes which are part of blood sugar, lipid and cholesterol metabolism. The facts about what can do vanadium for diabetes are based on clinical trials in animals. And in both type 1 and 2 diabetes, basically it works by mimicking insulin and thus lowering blood sugar."

Sounds great, but apparently there are side effects if you take too much of it. The safe recommended about is 10 mcg. If the amount intake is higher than 100 mcg then the problems come. It has been shown from some research studies that in high doses, vanadium can destroy beta cells.
SOUNDS SCARY TO ME!!!

I would never tell anyone to try any of these things again before talking to your doctor first!! I AM NOT A DOCTOR!!!

Has anyone tried any of these? Have any stories? I would LOVE to hear about it!!!