My Diabetic Heart

Guest Post: Mike is the MAN!

Posted on October 4, 2012 by mydiabeticheart

Today’s guest post was written by the great Scott Johnson. Scott and I had a chance to hangout and work together a couple of weekends ago at the TCOYD conference in Des Moines. He was kind enough to answer my call for guest posts, and even kinder in what he wrote. Thanks Scott!

Mike, the awesome owner of this space, is away for a while and asked his friends to contribute a few guest posts. I am honored he asked, and I am more than happy to help out. Today, I’m writing on behalf of The Diabetes Collective, a new blog from DiabetesMonitor.com featuring several great contributors.

I had the opportunity to spend quality time with Mike at a recent TCOYD conference in Des Moines, Iowa where we volunteered to help spread information about Diabetes Advocates to those attending the conference. Attendees had traveled from hours and hours away to get the education and information from the conference speakers and exhibit hall booths.

Mike is compassionate, and that compassion was strikingly evident when he would strike up a conversation with visitors at our booth. He has walked in their footsteps, understanding the confusion and isolation diabetes delivers with its diagnosis. People really seemed to tune in to Mike’s message because he was delivering it from his heart.

Surviving the day and learning about Mike

The day was exhausting. It was a challenge for both Mike and I to stay on our feet (those concrete exhibit hall floors are killer), and it was surprisingly hard to be socially active for so long. But, the day gave me a chance to see another side of Mike that I hadn’t yet seen.

Although Mike tries to be casual about his self-care, he actually works very hard on his health. During our time together, I caught glimpses of his determination and hard work, making use of a fitbit, a small electronic activity monitor that helps him gauge his daily activity.

He knows himself very well, which prevents him from overdoing it. Even after all of the walking on Friday and Saturday, I saw the step counter on that little gadget flying faster than I thought possible.

Thank you, Mike, for being such a great partner for our adventure. I hope we have the opportunity to do it again.

Posted in Diabetes, Guest Post, Shout outs, TCOYD | 3 Comments

Wordless Wednesday: TCOYD in Des Moines

Posted on October 3, 2012 by mydiabeticheart

The trip to Des Moines, IA two weekends ago for TCOYD was fantastic. The conference was great and it provided an opportunity to spend time with dear friends from the DOC. And I was able to capture bits and pieces on camera. The pictures include shots of the diabetes guerrilla art banner created for Diabetes Art Day, shots from around town, and a few fun shots with Little G. Enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=121572

Posted in Diabetes, Diabetes Art Day, Humor, Popular, TCOYD, The Adventures of Little G, Travel | 7 Comments

Guest Post: Getting By With A Little Help From A Friend

Posted on October 2, 2012 by mydiabeticheart

Today’s guest post is from friend and fellow DOC member, Kate Banks. Kate lives with type 1 diabetes, and deals with some Anxiety as well. Today, she talks about an experience she had this past weekend. Thanks so much for sharing, Kate.

This week has been full of changes for me in my diabetes management. Changes for the better, mind. Due to anxiety that I have, and have had for a long time, I don’t manage diabetes very well. It’s hard for me to take insulin and test and do all the other millions of things that come hand in hand with diabetes because I’m seriously afraid of low blood sugars.

Diabetes is a lonely disease. In my day to day life, I don’t get to be around other PWDs much. I have the wonderful DOC, which really helps to keep me afloat. I wouldn’t be here today without all of the help and support from the DOC. But back in here in my everyday life, I am the only person in my world, or day, with diabetes, for the most part.

There a handful of times during the year where I get to be with other people my age with Diabetes, due to a support group we set up here in town a couple of years ago. But I don’t get to see them as often as I’d like.

Yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised when my friend, C, turned up where I worked and spent the day hanging out with me. I hadn’t seen her since D-Camp during the summer. Seeing somebody standing in front of me with pump tubing hanging out, testing their blood sugar, it just made me feel…better.

My goal this week has been trying to test before I eat, and bolusing for the food that I eat. That is a lot easier when there is somebody else around, doing the exact same thing. Thinking the same things I am, and fearing the same situations and outcomes.

I invited her back to my place for the night, and it was the best time I had all week. Being in the company of another PWD is very comforting for me. It’s like you’re not fighting that big scary battle alone. You’re not the only one feeling the pain and the impact of this disease. Somebody else is too, and I realise I’m really not alone, and that maybe everything will be okay.

It is so alien to me to see somebody else sitting next to me checking their blood sugar. So weird to see somebody pulling out their pump and wondering what they should bolus for what we just eat. It’s like the people without diabetes are the odd ones out. I felt like I wasn’t singled out for once.

The last 24 hours have been a lot easier for me just because somebody else with diabetes was here with me and I wasn’t alone. So for the last 24 hours, bolusing and testing was just a background thing. It wasn’t the be all and end all of my day. Now let’s focus on the next 24.

Posted in Diabetes, Guest Post, Mental Health, Shout outs | 2 Comments

No D Day: Taking Care of Business

Posted on October 1, 2012 by mydiabeticheart

So, today is No D Day, a day for talking about everything but D. Because, there is so much more to life than just that. So, today I’ll be talking about this past weekend instead.

Early last week, after returning from a trip to Des Moines, I discovered that my driver’s license was missing. And, as you might imagine, I panicked. I triple checked my wallet, tore apart my suitcase, and dumped the contents of my laptop bag. Not there. Checked the clothes I was wearing. Still, not there. And then I made the phone calls. You know, the calls of shame you make to all the airports and air lines you traveled through in hope that someone might have found and turned it in. And still, no license.

So, having resigned to the fact that my license was lost forever, I found out what I would need to do to get it replaced. Much to my chagrin, Kentucky doesn’t have an online renewal or replacement option, and the folks at the license branch tolk me I would have to visit the office for a replacement. There was nothing they could do to help me until I got there. So prepared for an early morning drive to Louisville, KY. The story why I have a Kentucky license when I live in Indiana is long and complicated, so I’m not going to bore you with that. I’ll just say it involves owning property and stuff like that.

Since the license branch in Louisville was only open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, I had no choice but to leave for Louisville right after I left work Saturday morning. So, after working a 10 hour shift that ended at 3:00 a.m., I hit the road for the longest 5 hour drive I’ve ever taken. Let me tell you, I don’t recommend long road trips on little sleep. But, much like the other thing I had to overlook in order to fix this problem, I did what was necessary to take care of business. And, in the end, everything worked out as I needed it to.

After that bit of insanity was over, I went to my grandmother’s house, breakfast was had, and sleep was in order. And let me tell you, I’ve never enjoy sleeping on a couch so much. Honestly, I would slept on concrete at that point. I slept for a good four or five hours, until my sister’s dog decided to wake me up. The little shit got a running start, jumped up and landed square on my chest. Talk about a rude awakening.

After getting my berrings about me, I went outside and found my grandmother working on painting part of the enclosure that had been build on the front porch. She’d work a little bit, then stop. Then a bit more, then stop again. And, of course, there were parts that she just couldn’t reach anyway. Personally, I think she got the stuff out and started messing with it in hopes that I’d see it, take the brushes away from her and get it finished. That’s just how it works. When I go home to visit, there’s always something that needs to be done. Some project that someone else has started or promised to get done, yet didn’t. And that’s when I get involved and take care of business.

I didn’t have handy-work clothes with me, so I did the job in what I had. Khakis and a polo. That poor red polo is now covered in white paint and will have to be replaced, but the job is done. That’s just how I work.

And as if I wasn’t sufficiently exhausted, I went to the gym with my mother, her boyfriend, and my sister after dinner. I spent 30 minutes on the treadmill and then went through the weight lifting machines. I finished the visit with a 10 minute massage on the hydro massage table. Good times.

My time in Louisville came to an end after dinner with my family Sunday evening. I packed the car, said my goodbyes, and hit the road for the long drive home.

And my next order of business? Preparing for a weekend away with April to celebrate our 10th anniversary. I can’t wait!

Posted in Life, No D Day, Travel | 1 Comment

Diabetes Art Day: The Garden of Pain

Posted on September 24, 2012 by mydiabeticheart

Today is the 3rd annual Diabetes Art Day, and I’m proud to be able to participate and support this worthwhile event. This year, I’ve strayed away from the community theme that I ran with previously. The idea for this creation came from another project that I had started a few months back, was extremely excited about, and then it fell apart. It happens. But the idea stuck around. And after a visit to a sculpture garden in while in Des Moines for TCOYD this past weekend, I was inspired to move forward. So, I give you “The Garden of Pain”.

Diabetes can be a very dark, lonely, and painful disease.

Posted in Depression, Diabetes, Diabetes Art, Diabetes Art Day, Inspiration, Life, Photos | 8 Comments

30 Things about my Invisible Illness

Posted on September 13, 2012 by mydiabeticheart

This week is Invisible Illness Week. As someone who has been living with Type 2 Diabetes and Congestive Heart Failure for nearly 4 years, I’d say I know a thing or two about living with such illnesses. I posted this 30 Things About My Invisible Illness Meme last year and it was well received, so I decided it was worth reposting this year. A couple of things have changed since last year, so I’ve updated here and there. Enjoy.

1. The illnesses I live with are: Type 2 Diabetes & Congestive Heart Failure

2. I was diagnosed with them in the year: 2008

3. But I had symptoms since: Longer than I really care to admit. Looking back, I probably had the symptoms of type 2 diabetes for at least a few years before I developed the yeast infection that led me to the doctor. I’d been experiencing some chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, etc… related to the congestive heart failure for a while too. As with so many people, I didn’t have insurance and couldn’t afford a doctor visit.

4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: Has been in my attitude and outlook on life. And I’m thankful that it has changed for the better.

5. Most people assume: That because I’m a big guy I must have given myself Type 2 Diabetes and Congestive Heart Failure. And you know the saying about the word “assume”.

6. The hardest part about mornings are: Is that my mornings are really afternoons. I work nights. And working nights with diabetes and congestive heart failure is a bitch. You might even say it’s not for the faint of heart. (Pun) haha.

7. My favorite medical TV show is: I don’t really have one.

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: My meter. My cell phone is a close second. I use it to keep track of all of my doctor appointments, med refills, etc…

9. The hardest part about nights are: Well, I work nights as a professional code monkey for a newspaper. So, I’ve got thoughts about diabetes, heart failure, etc… racing around while I’m working through complex algorithms needed to make things work properly and what I end up with is a clusterf **k topped off with a migraine headache. By the way, chronic migraines is another invisible illness I deal with.

10. Every day I take 10 different oral medications, some multiple times a day, take two injections of Byetta and one injection of Lantus, use an asthma inhaler, and a nasal spray. And this still my blog, and I’ll comment if want to. :-P

11. Regarding alternative treatments I: If by alternative treatments you mean cinnamon, miracle diets, and snake oils, I’m not a subscriber to the philosophy.

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: I’m torn on this. Some days, I’m glad that my conditions are invisible because it’s easy to conceal them on the days when I just don’t feel like talking about it. On the flip side though, there are many days when I wish people could see the hell that’s going on in my body. So people could understand that life with type 2 isn’t easy and that congestive heart failure is scary as hell.

13. Regarding working and career: Honestly, I work for the insurance, and for the money to pay the co-pays forced on me by the insurance company. And I’ve been doing this work thing in the same place for 6 years now. I guess you can call that a start to a career.

14. People would be surprised to know: That prior to my diagnoses, I really didn’t care about Twitter. Had no use for it, and thought it was just another trendy thing that would fizzle.

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: The overwhelming financial burden that has come with it.

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: when I was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure, I gave up all hope of ever being able to fly on an airplane. Everything I read and heard indicated that I shouldn’t it. I’m so thankful that I’ve had that opportunity, and that my first flights were taken to meet my DOC friends. And now, a year later, I’m preparing to fly to see DOC friends again.

17. The commercials about my illness: Annoy the hell out of me.

18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: If anything, I miss not constantly thinking about my health. It gets old.

19. It was really hard to have to give up: You know, I don’t believe that I’ve given up much at all. Unless you count giving up my sanity, and I didn’t have much of that to lose to begin with.

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: Traveling to meet strangers I meet on the internet. And I do so at the drop of a hat.

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: Normal scares me. Besides, I can’t change what’s happened in the past. I can only make the best of the days I have yet to live.

22. My illness has taught me: That it is OK to stop and think about what is best for ME. And that life is precious.

23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: “You don’t look sick.”

24. But I love it when people: Actually take an interest in how I’m doing, and show that they genuinely care.

25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: “A little heart can do big things.” I’m living proof.

26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: That there is great life after diagnosis. They are loved. And they are not alone.

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: that so many good things have come to my life because of something bad.

28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: Give me a hug and tell me that she loves me. :-) Just like she has for nearly 10 years.

29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: People need to know that we are living with these Invisible Illnesses. Because we need to raise awareness. And if it’s going to be, then it’s up to me!

30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: That you care. Thank YOU!

Posted in Diabetes, Health, Invisible Illness Week, Lessons Learned, Life, Shout outs | 1 Comment

A Somber Anniversary

Posted on September 11, 2012 by mydiabeticheart

“April’s parents were married on 9/11, about 30 years ago. And given her mother’s battle with cancer, today I have mourned for them. Because this 9/11 may very well be the last that they have. On this day when we should be celebrating them, we are mourning. Yet another link to a tragic day, which we will never forget.”

I wrote the words above last year on the 10th anniversary of the attacks of September 11th. Sadly, the feelings expressed in those words turned out to be true. April’s mom lost her batter with cancer on May 15th.

As I looked at the many tributes to those lost on 9/11 today, the only thing I could think about was the fact this is the first anniversary since Wendy died. The first that Ray has spent without his wife. The first that they haven’t been together for the family to celebrate with them. My heart hurts thinking about it.

We weren’t able to have a service for Wendy when she passed due to arrangements falling apart and because our family is spread across the country and couldn’t make it then. It was decided, though, that some sort of service was needed for the sake of helping to bring closure to us all.

So, on Saturday, there will be a celebration of life service at 2:00 p.m. at Good Shephard United Methodist Church in Fort Wayne. Anyone wishing to send flowers, etc… may do so. Just let me know before hand.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all who are mourning the loss of a loved one today. May they never be forgotten.

Posted in Inspiration, Lessons Learned, Life | 1 Comment

Got Type 2? Take the survey.

Posted on September 10, 2012 by mydiabeticheart

Amy T. over at the Diabetes Mine is working on an article for the ADA journal Diabetes Spectrum on patients with type 2 diabetes and their glucose monitoring experience, and as part of the process, she’s looking for input from real people living with type 2.

If you have type 2 diabetes, kindly visit the CALL FOR INPUT: Glucose Monitoring Experiences of Type 2s page over at the Diabetes Mine and take the survey. It’ll only take a few minutes and it’s for a good cause.

And, of course, please pass this along to anyone you know who is living with type 2 diabetes.

Thanks!

Posted in Announcements, Diabetes, Shout outs | Leave a comment

Wordless Wednesday: Comparing Meter Readings

Posted on September 5, 2012 by mydiabeticheart

I spent the day Tuesday checking my blood glucose with three different meters in order to see how the results varied between them. The meters used were the Contour USB, the Accu-Chek Nano, and the OneTouch Verio IQ.

Fasting

2-hours post breakfast

Random Check

3-hours post dinner

Posted in Diabetes, Lessons Learned, Photos | 8 Comments

Wordless Wednesday: AADE Highlights

Posted on August 29, 2012 by mydiabeticheart

Photos from AADE 12 in Indianapolis.

Four amazing diabetes advocates: (L to R) Hope Warshaw, Manny Hernandez, Amy Tenderich, and David Edelman. It was an honor being featured in their presentation.