30 Things- Invisible Illness Week

I'm trying to get back into the the school year routine and place a little more effort into my diabetes management. My A1c went up almost a full point over the 4 months of Summer and it's time to get it back down into the 6-er range. :) Here's 30 Things about my disease that you may not know.

1. The illness I live with is: Type 1 Diabetes

2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 1988

3. But I had symptoms since: 1987- Ask my Mom about the sleepwalking. Good times.

4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: Having discernment on which refined carbs are REALLY worth the effort. :)

5. Most people assume: That I did something wrong to get diabetes, like ate the wrong foods or didn't exercise enough.

6. The hardest part about mornings are: Making sure I take care of myself AND still get my kids out the door on time for school.

7. My favorite medical TV show is: Grey's Anatomy. Hands down.

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: My pump.

9. The hardest part about nights are: The fear of not waking up from a low blood sugar.

10. Each day I take 1 pills & 0 vitamins: I should take vitamins. I just always forget.

11. Regarding alternative treatments I: Know that there are none for T1D. Only insulin.

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: I love that I can hide diabetes until I’m ready to talk about it. Although I don’t think any illnesses are entirely invisible.

13. Regarding working and career: I am very blessed and fortunate to be my own boss. I am a private piano teacher with many wonderful students. I also substitute teach at a local school in the music department occasionally.

14. People would be surprised to know: I think about diabetes more than 10 times a day. And I've never taken a day off from thinking about it or taking my meds for 25 years.

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: N/A I was diagnosed just before my 7th birthday and I have few memories without diabetes.

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: Go on multiple mission trips to third world countries like the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

17. The commercials about my illness: Wilford makes me giggle. Diabeetus. The Type 2 commercials generally drive me crazy because the distinction between Type 1 and Type 2 is rarely made.

18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: Pancakes With Syrup.

19. It was really hard to have to give up: I honestly don't feel like I've sacrificed any dreams.

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: Carb counting. I'm so good at it.

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: Go hiking and bring all kinds of trail mix with extra m and m's, I'd go swimming under some waterfalls with no cares of being attached to a pump, and I'd eat smores before bed around a fire.

22. My illness has taught me: How many carbs are in everything. What food are really "healthy." I can spot a marketing scam a mile away. "Multigrain" "Low fat" "No preservatives" doesn't mean it's good for ya. :)

23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: “Should you be eating that?" ARG!!!! Don't ever ask me that!

24. But I love it when people: Ask questions and then genuinely listen to the answers. And remember what I tell them. Or ask more questions.

25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: "I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full." - Jesus He motivates me every day.

26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: It gets easier. Some days are hard, but perspective is important.

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: Diabetes forces me to be very "in tune" with my body. If I'm feeling off in any way, I catch it quickly. :)

28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: There's no way to nail down one experience. My parents sacrificed a lot of time, money, and energy to take good care of me. My husband also does many awesome things to keep me healthy and safe. Even my kids get me juice sometimes. :) I'm blessed.

29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: I thought it'd be fun to share!

30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: That you are a VERY good friend and you care. Thank you!!

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Sep 16, 2011 (3 days ago)

D-Blog Week: Awesome Things

Today's D-Blog Week topic was to write about AWESOME things that you've done BECAUSE of diabetes.

A very special gift that diabetes has given me over the years, is a determined spirit that is quite unstoppable. I am the type of person who is motivated by being told that I CAN'T do something. I'm a problem solver. I will get what I want, no matter how hard I have to work to find a way to get it.

Diabetes once said,

"You shouldn't have children."

Oh yeah? How about two? Cute ones at that.

"You can't go on foreign mission trips where there might be no refrigeration."

*Yawn* Been there, done that, Diabetes.

"You can't fast for 30 hours to raise money for hungry kids."

Hmm, funny... I just did that last weekend with about 17 amazing students in my youth group.

I credit Diabetes for being my motivator in many aspects of my life.

BECAUSE of diabetes I have also had the opportunity to make many friends in the diabetes online community. I am so grateful to share experiences with them. The DOC rocks and I'm honored to know some of the people in it!

Many of my friends at church and I also share a special bond too, through the likeness of our pancrei. (ya like that?)

So yes, diabetes sucks. Dur. (word of the day for me) It's all about perspective and I choose to not let it rob me of my joy, but to find contentment in the midst of a challenge. I hope you will choose joy too!

Bummer

I'm having some issues with my Mac Book Pro and sense a trip to the Mac store is coming for tomorrow. I tried to post my 10 Things list last night and Blogger wasn't working, so unfortunately I minimized the document (instead of saving it....dur.) and today my computer turned off without saving it.

My screen keeps randomly going to the log in screen and closing programs, so I won't be posting again till my computer is all better! Sorry! Very sad to miss this!

D-Blog Week: Diabetes Bloopers

This one is going to be short and sweet! (for once!)

You got a taste of this story yesterday in my letter to my beloved juice fetcher.

One night, during a very extreme low, I stumbled into the living room and looked at Justin.

I wanted to say, "Hey honey. I just tested my blood sugar and I am 31 mg/dl and I could really use some grape juice right now if you don't mind getting me some."

But what came out instead, in a slurred, drunken speech was:

"I am diabetes!"

Luckily, Justin is fluent in Windy-has-low-blood-sugar.

And now, my friends and family say that phrase to me every time I say something stupid. Even if it is not a result of diabetes. haha.

D-Blog Week: Dearest Juice Fetcher,

Dearest Juice Fetcher, (a.k.a. Justin, Hunkaliscious, J-Smooth)

I love you for all these reasons. And many many more....

You bring me juice in the middle of the night, and the middle of the afternoon, and sometimes the middle of the morning too.

When I say, "I'm high." you know that in fact I am not strung out on marijuana, but I just need you to watch the kids for a couple hours until my blood sugars drop back into range enough for me to function.

Before the days of Dexcom CGM, you woke me up when I was unconscious and face down on the floor and called 911 and told me in my ear that I would be okay, even though you weren't sure that I would.

Later... you made light of it by creating our inside joke about my low blood sugar ramblings, "What's that Windy? Timmy's stuck in a well?"

I love inside-diabetes-jokes.

Which brings me to these three words. "I. Am. Diabetes."

You never, ever, EVER make me feel unsexy for wearing multiple medical devices on my body.

You tolerate brown rice, flax seeds, hummus, cottage cheese, sugar free yogurt, and whole wheat pasta in our house. You'll thank me when we're 60... I promise.

Justin, I love you so much. I fall more in love with you every day and I am so thankful for the special care that you give to me in my weak moments of having diabetes. The word "care taker" makes me feel like I am some 90 year old geriatric patient... so I won't use it.... but you do play a big role in managing that aspect of my life and you do a phenomenal job and don't get thanked enough. I am thankful to be in a marriage where my husband is also my best friend and confidant. *and now I'm humming the Golden Girls theme song in my head*

Thank You for being a frriiiiiiiiiiieeeeennnnndd...........

Admiring Our Differences

I have had Type 1 diabetes for 23 years this August and I have learned so much from the brave people in the Diabetes Online Community. There are three who stick out to me this morning, that have really encouraged and taught me in unique ways. I want to share them with you in this post!

Cherise has taught me a lot about Type 1.5/LADA and provides awesome opportunities to connect with other diabetics through the DSMA online events. When I am able to participate, I always learn new things that help me in managing physical and emotional aspects of diabetes. Thanks Cherise!

Scott- is always my encourager. His honest blog entries always have an undertone that resounds, "Never give up!!!" I find myself constantly relating to both his triumphs and his frustrations! Thanks Scott!

And Missy- Oh heavens, have you read about Missy? Missy Foy is a very decorated ultra marathoner who can run like 15,000 miles a day. OK, not really... but just one glance at her "Long Run Day" entries about running 40 miles... and what she gets to eat before, during, and after a 40 mile run.... it's just jaw dropping and inspiring that she never lets diabetes stop her from doing what she loves. She always inspires me to get off my butt and do something. Thanks Missy!

There are so many dozens of other wonderful people! Spouses and parents of PWDs, Type 2s, Type 1s, Children and Teenagers, even Unicorns who support diabetics! I love the DOC so much and respect the diversity which we represent!!

A Good Day

Today was beautiful. I love the heat of the Florida sunshine. I've only seen snow one time in my life on a ski trip in the 9th grade. That was enough... I missed the sand.

This afternoon my kids and I jumped in the SUV, picked up my niece, and drove towards the beach.

When we arrived the kids immediately started digging a "hot tub" with their shovels and buckets. Then they made pillows out of the sand. Then castles.

The waves were pretty big. We went in the water to cool off, jumping over breaking waves and squealing as each one knocked us over.

As the kids were building their various creations together, I took a moment to just soak in the perfect moment that was happening. I mean really just sat there, with tears in my eyes, thanking God for this perfect moment, trying to sear the memory into my brain.

I lost a good friend to cancer last week. Her Celebration of Life service was yesterday. Just a couple months ago she was giving me advice about my Kindergartener who was being mischievous at school. She was a mentor and a friend in so many ways. The impact of her life was shown yesterday as countless people gave testimonies of how she encouraged them, sacrificially gave of her time, efforts, talents. It was amazing to hear. Now she's gone.

Just like that.

Life is such a fragile thing.

We always say that, but yet we often don't live like we believe it.

So today I savored every little moment intentionally. I gave to others sacrificially. I reflected with a grateful heart all God has done for me. I spent time with good friends. And I sit here in gratitude for one more day I've been given here on earth. I tried to make a difference.

I really want to live every day like I did today.