So it's been a while...I was going gung ho in November trying to write posts that could be shared with people who maybe just didn't get diabetes...trying to educate just one person. It was going well, World Diabetes Day was fantastic here in Cincinnati and the next day I took my girls in for their 3 month check up. Both visits went well. Changes to basal and sensitivity were made. But I have one who is in the throngs of teenage stuff. Add diabetes. And well...if you have a teenager and you're reading this I know your shaking your head and giving me a gentle pat on the back. For those who don't have one yet. Enjoy it...it comes too fast. I want to share that visit with you but really need to find the right words. So I will save that for another post. Don't worry...all is good...I promise! What I DO want to share with you was the CWD: Focus on Technology Conference that was here in Cincy at the beginning of December.

The morning kicked off with keynote speaker: Dr. Jeremy Pettus who has Type 1 diabetes himself; diagnosed at the age of 16. He shared his diabetes background and the important piece he made sure we walked away with was that even he STILL has bad days. No matter how hard we try, as caregivers, there are still going to be bad days. We all know D has a mind of its own and that doesn't change when our kids grow up, move out and have careers.

The second session I attended was Advanced Pumping Concepts with Gary Scheiner, MS, CDE. I've heard him speak before and he is a fountain of knowledge. My head was literally spinning after his session. Even with 8 1/2 years in and pumping 6 of those years, there is ALWAYS something new to learn.

The next session was Dealing with Diabetes Burnout with Jill Weissberg-Benchell, PhD, CDE and Korey Hood, PhD who was also Type 1. I went into this session thinking I would get some tips on how to work through burnout...(see opening paragraph...teenager!!!). But it turned into burnout for the caregiver. Whether that was the original intention or not it was eye opening. We struggle, or at least I do. I won't show it unless I'm VERY tired. But the frustration, jealousy, resentment of this stupid disease is felt by all of us. In our family, I know my husband is the one that suffers. Meaning, I'm so busy worrying about the kids and their needs that I put our marriage on the back burner. It made me realize how much of a wonderful man I married. Who is supportive in everything and doesn't mind being put last. (I decided to schedule a surprise date night a few weeks later and we BOTH loved it!!) This topic is really its own separate blog post. So I'll save it for a future edition.

The afternoon session was Puberty and Adolescence: Mind and Body. This was also a good topic. Yes, I was a teenager...(it wasn't THAT long ago) but dealing with all the puberty issues, peers, mean girls, teenage crap on top of diabetes just sucks. It's easy to look at those years now and realize all that stuff doesn't matter but it does matter to them...especially since they are dealing with it right now. I've tried to be more supportive when stories/issues are shared with me. To let her know I'm here and listening and care.

Then evening session was Parents of Teens Discussion Group. This was one of THE best sessions. It has changed my approach on how I act and respond. What made this session even better was that two out of three speakers had Type 1 (Natalie Bellini, BSN, RN, CDE and Marissa Town, BSN, RN). They shared how the tone of how you ask what your kids blood sugar is or how you react to a blood sugar reading translates to feelings of failure or hostility. An

d that is totally true. How many times have I said, "What's your blood sugar?" and as nice as I try and say it, it comes out demanding. Or the reaction to a blood sugar over 300, "What did you do?" as if it is my daughters fault. So I have tried to ask nicely when I ask for their blood sugars. I wait patiently. Receive the number (NO reaction), thank them and move on. It has seemed to work.

I want to wrap up as this has become quite lengthy and if you're still here reading...thank you for your time! I have much more to share...like how I met some DOC peeps (and we all know how awesome that is!!) So I'll sign off for now and try not to be away for too long!

What I Want You To Know

Hi,

You are reading this because you are or have a love one who has diabetes. You may be reading this because a friend or family member sent this to you. You may be reading this because you are bored. Whatever the reason...I have your attention. November is Diabetes Awareness Month. If you fall into the category of not knowing about this disease; count yourself lucky. Please indulge the diabetes community this one month to post facts, dispel myths and give you a glimpse of what it's like to fight diabetes 365/24/7. My hope is that we are able to educate at least one person who can be a champion in diabetes awareness.

These are some things I would like you to know:

1. NO ONE causes themselves to get diabetes. I don't care what Type.

2. Eating sugar does not cause diabetes.

3. Diabetes canNOT be reversed or outgrown.

4. Diet DOES help all types of diabetes...but doesn't diet help us all? Diabetes or not?

5. Diabetes is not "One Size Fits All". Every diabetic is different. Believe me, I know. Having two Type 1 daughters who eat the same thing and blood sugars do two different things.

6. Diabetics can eat anything they want in moderation and you can too! They just need some insulin or a pill to help cover the food they eat.

7. Diabetes has a mind of its own. Seriously.

8. Diabetes is a chronic illness and can be life threatening at any given time.

9.People with diabetes and caregivers welcome questions not judgement.

10. Diabetes can strike anyone, of any age, of any race, at any time.

I could go on but I want you to let these settle in. The next time you hear "oh, I have diabetes" or "oh, Little Suzy was just diagnosed" stop and think about some of these facts and know that it wasn't their fault.

Thank you.

This Ain't Your Granny's Diabetes

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month! For some of us, so are the rest of the 11 months out of the year.  For me, this is one month I get excited about. I like to try and educate at least one person to the world of diabetes. To give them a glimpse into our family life. To dispel myths.

This was my first introduction into diabetes:

ahh! Yes, Wilfred Brimley. And good heavens, man! It's pronounced: Di-a-be-tes... So as a kid I thought old people got it.

If this is your perception of what diabetes is...erase your memory, bleach your eyes out...do anything that will get rid of what you think diabetes is.

Wilfred Brimley is just ONE face of diabetes.

There are so many others. Faces that are young, old and in between.

This ain't your Granny's diabetes.

Diabetes IS...

for Type 1 diabetes (T1D) it is an autoimmune disease. The pancreas no longer makes insulin and therefore blood glucose cannot enter the cells to be used for energy. T1D patients did NOTHING to cause them to get diabetes.

for Type 2 diabetes (T2D) either the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body is unable to  use insulin correctly. There is a big genetic component to T2D. It's not just for the obese. If that were the case everyone who was considered obese would be diagnosed as Type 2. There are plenty of fit, thin people being diagnosed with Type 2.

For both types there is NO CURE. I don't care what you read on the cover of Women's Daily as you are waiting in line in the checkout at the grocery store. Diabetes canNOT be reversed, grown out of or disappear when eating salad.  Diabetes is a serious disease...no matter the type.

What I would like you to know is both types suck. Who wants to have to worry about taking blood sugars, taking insulin shots or pills everyday...sometimes several times a day. If you or your loved one live diabetes you know what I'm talking about...if you received this because a love one or friend shared it with you please take the time to educate yourself about diabetes.  I encourage you to ask questions. Help us dispel the myths about diabetes. Help us raise awareness for diabetes.

Destination ME

Our friend Hallie, from the Princess and the Pump, has made a declaration of ME time. You can read about it here and join in for some ME time. Our lives are SO consumed by diabetes. We are so worried about carb counting, insulin bolusing, site changes, insurance coverage, Dr. appointments...the list goes on and on that we hardly take time for ourselves.

I have joined Hallie and some other wonderful people in her Destination ME challenge. You can read about my challenges here as I am posting in my other blog: Captain Jackson's Hemophilia Adventures. This week I have decided to start running again...well I walked more than I ran today. BUT I found ME time! It doesn't have to be physical. You can find ME time reading a book, learning to knit, painting...what ever. The goal is to find time for YOU. I found an hour today but I may only find 30 mins tomorrow. I have already thought of other things I want to do to find me time. I want to paint a canvas for our newly remodeled bathroom. I want to read some books. I want to go shopping for some cute fall BLUE shoes. I want to learn to knit...but that requires patience...and I'm not there yet! I'm thinking ahead of finding ways to find time for me and in doing so I know I'll feel better about myself. I'll be a better mom...not so on the edge.

So I encourage you to join Destination ME!! You can join via Hallie's blog page, you can comment below or comment on our FB page. We would love to know what you are planning for your ME time as we would like to cheer you on!!

Good luck and Happy Me time!

DiabetesCare.net Beta Test

For those whom participated in the Beta test of the DiabetesCare.net App, please make sure and visit and take the Survey as a follow up to the Beta test. 

Also, they are looking for two people to also conduct an Interview for a followup. If you participated and would like to be considered for the Interview, please send an email  indicating your interest for the Up Close story on the tracker.

We are very pleased to also be planning to work with DiabetesCare.Net after the Beta test Project, and you will be hearing more about that in the very near future.

About DiabetesCare.net From the  'About' Page:

Our name says it all - we help you to take care of your, or a loved one or friend's diabetes - and we willhelp!

Use DiabetesCare.net daily as a personal resource to learn, explore, ask questions, interact and share your experiences of living with diabetes, or caring for people with diabetes.

DiabetesCare.net is also your one-stop location to track your health with our free-to-use tools, find others you want to communicate with about your, or a loved one or friend's diabetes, and gain access to healthcare professionals.

Bottom line, DiabetesCare.net, which contains no commercial advertising whatsoever, and therefore that means no bias, just useful information and support, is a friendly and interactive medically-based website offering practical information to take care of your, or a loved one or friend's diabetes. We strive every day to provide you with the resources you need to deal with diabetes so you and/or your loved ones and friends can enjoy the best quality of life.

DiabetesCare.net is a 100% philanthropic project funded by Robert Schwartz, who declares no interest with any other organization related to diabetes.