How Do You Wish To Be Remembered...

I know we've been a little quite here at BHS but not for lack of doing nothing. Sometimes life gets in the way and you just gotta go out and live it. Or unforeseen moves occur for some. Or husbands take the week of so I manage not to get anything done but our downstairs bathroom is almost completely redone...so things are busy and good. Recently I've had an Uncle pass away and it left me thinking a few things. 1. I really didn't know him 2. What has he done? Or what will he be remembered for.

This got me thinking. If I were to die tomorrow I want to be remembered for loving my family first and foremost. AND I want to be someone who at least tried to make a difference. I'm not talking about having the biggest crowd at my funeral. I'm talking about leaving a lasting imprint on my family, my friends, my community. If you take all the social media away and all of you never knew me...I still want it said that I fought the good fight. I met with people. I talked with people. I told our family story. I fought diabetes. I fought bleeding disorders. I TRIED to recycle...honestly...I tried. I raised awareness. I made a difference. I'm not trying to pat myself on the back nor am I looking for you to do that for me. I'm trying to raise three kids to carry on my legacy of advocating for their cause, to help others and to make a difference. What good is just living? We should be doing. I know that not all of you are as vocal and in your face as I am and that's totally cool. But you can still make a difference quietly. Maybe it's volunteering at your local diabetes chapter. Having a bake sale and donating the profit to an animal shelter. Shoveling your elderly neighbors driveway. Paying for the cup of coffee for the person standing in line behind you. Whatever it is...don't just be content to breathe...LIVE!

Introducing Dr. Jen Nash, Clinical Psychologist & NEW Blue Heel Society Team Member

The Blue Heel Society is very happy to introduce yet another in a string of Jen's, Dr. Jen Nash. Jen is a  Clinical Psychologist with the British Psychological Society and holds a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology, and has graciously agreed to be a part of our continued effort to help bring the specific tools needed to help keep our lives as Bluetiful as can be!

Along with sharing tidbits from her Blog, Dr. Jen will be contributing special Guest Blog post's for us from time to time. We are currently working on other aspects of our new relationship with Dr. Jen, and will be sharing more very soon on what is planned.

Dr. Jen is no stranger to diabetes, as she has been Type 1 since the age of six, so she understands firsthand the trials & tribulations we face with management of diabetes, particularly the impact of managing a chronic condition while maintaining psychological well-being. 

Dr. Jen is also no stranger to the DOC, just another 'hidden Gem' from across the Pond, going beyond the call of duty as she personally helps so many from her offices in London, as well as her numerous Outreach efforts. 

As were the BHS Co-Founders, Diane & Tony, Dr. Jen was selected and featured as a 'World Diabetes Day (WDD) Hero' by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), where she also tells that as a teenager, she developed some problems around her body image and food, and struggled with comfort eating. This led her to purse a life of helping others, and as noted in her WDD Hero award "She is gifted and inspiring, and also very down to earth, real and approachable." We certainly agree! 

Dr. Jen was also a featured contributor in the Book by Dr. Bev Adler "My Sweet Life: Successful Women with Diabetes". 

Along with her private practice and Website , Dr. Jen is a regular Speaker for both Patient and Professional Groups, including the 'Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation' on the subject 'Think, Live and Be Positive: The Psychology of Living with Diabetes'.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Jen to our Team as our resident Psychologist, Contributor, and Professional Maker of Smiles, dedicated to helping navigate the sometimes rough terrain of emotional well being, as we all fight the good fight everyday to be as happy & BLUETIFUL as we can!

Candy Crush Saga..

I've been suckered (pun intended!) into the game Candy Crush and it hit me today how much this game is kind of like the game of diabetes (and no...NOT because it's candy). A game of swagging, bolusing, counting, weighing, calculating, factoring in stress/puberty/exercise/illness. It doesn't matter if you do everything the EXACT same everyday...you can still have wonky numbers. However, many of us, myself included, have this tenacity to get numbers in range. We see it almost as a challenge. Oh...you want Frosted Mini Wheats? Okay, a little pre-bolus, temporary basal and you enjoy them mini wheats...two hours later your dealing with a high/low...no problem...we will try again next time.

So how does some game and diabetes relate? Well, I am stuck on level 33. I've been stuck on this level for DAYZZZZZZ! Ask my husband...I'm driving him nuts with it. As I was eating my lunch I thought I'd give it a whirl...maybe this is my time to pass this level. Yea, that would be a big fat NOPE. It was then I thought about giving up. Seriously, I've been trying to clear this stupid level for days and I'm done.

That's when it hit.

I'm no quitter!! Not in anything! I will keep pushing forward...I WILL clear that ever lovin' level 33 if it's the last thing I do. I'm like that with life too. A series of highs/lows? I'm on it. Oh, three kids with chronic illnesses...BRING IT! Yes, I get tired and frustrated but I can't quit on any of them. I may whine and complain but I have all of you to sympathize/empathize with me. Your living it too. I find the DOC is the most wonderful place to bounce ideas, ask questions and rally the troops. Yes, I loosely compared a game to diabetes but the trying and trying until you get it right, or in this case pass the level, are the same. Now...on to play my little game. (Oh and if you want to send me some lives I'll take 'em!)

Everybody Knows Somebody #NEDAwarenes

This week brings awareness to a struggling sometimes taboo subject that potentially lingers in the background of diabetes. Eating Disorders. The theme this year is Everybody knows Somebody. Whether you, yourself, have one, a friend, a loved one have an eating disorder or poor self image, body issues or food issues. It seems as I am reading more posts about eating disorders and diabulimia in regards to diabetes. This week the National Eating Disorders Association is broadening its outreach efforts to include these topics and offer support to those who are struggling.

I never wanted food to be an issue for my kids and diabetes. When Children's was teaching us how to take care of Nora (she was 4 years old when diagnosed) the Nurse asked when do you want to bolus? Before or after a meal. I thought about it. I had a  picky eater who may or may not finish her meals. So I chose after because I didn't want to get into the habit of fighting about food. "You HAVE to finish your plate" or "fine, you can have smarties instead of finishing your dinner". I never wanted to create that monster. Now that she is older (she's 12) we are transitioning into the bolus before eating. ESPECIALLY if we know she is going to finish her meal. Be that good or bad it works for us. She has grown up knowing food is nourishment not something to fight over. Then I have my eldest who boluses before she eats. She's 18 so she can pretty well gauge what she is eating and know if she is going to finish it. However, it's still a struggle. There are times the girls may want ice cream, lets say, but they've had a crappy high blood sugar day and know it's probably not the best option as it may spike their blood sugars higher. So they choose the lower carb, high protein snack to help combat the highs. They are old enough to know how that all works and want to feel better by lowering their blood sugar to their range. In the end they are usually happy about their food choice. Food and diabetes just go hand in hand. The constant weighing, measuring, counting. I'm positive I think about food and healthy choices more than if my kids weren't diabetic. Which maybe isn't a bad thing...

If you have read this and clicked on the above link and thought hmm...I know someone or I am someone with an eating disorder please know you are not alone. There are wonderful resources out there for you to use and that is what this week is about in raising awareness but finding hope and happiness in living your life.

1-800...

Insurance...ya gotta love it. As most of you know our eldest is 18 years old (well...she would say she is 18 and a half which makes me 39 and a half but really? I gave up half birthdays years ago!) she has started getting personal mail from our insurance (we still carry her on ours) about managing her health condition. The letter welcomes her to their health program and states "based on your medical claims you may have a health condition (nah, you don't say) so we have matched you to a program that can help you now."

Now? Um...she was diagnosed in June of LAST year. But thanks for your letter and booklet in February of 2013! I would hope she received help by now! (and now that I think about it...I believe they sent something in July last year...at this point my brain is mush!)

I guess it's me. I get all defensive when this stuff comes in the mail. I remember the same kind of service was offered to us when Nora was diagnosed. I asked the nurse on the phone why would I call you when you've never seen my child, know nothing of her diabetes and yet feel you can give me advice? I would call her diabetes clinic before I would call some 1-800-Nurse-on-call (yes, I know...it's too many letters). She had no answer for me. Imagine...if I happened to call them AND the diabetes clinic and got differing views on treatment. It's confusing enough...why make it that much more? Especially for newly diagnosed???

I will step back, however, and give them kudos for at least knowing the difference and actually differentiating the different types of diabetes AND getting it right! It does provide tips for monitoring your blood sugar, exercising, taking your medicine, staying healthy, watching your feet and eye health. It even has a Kids' Corner that offers advice on sending your diabetic child to school and they do offer good tips! Good for you United Health Care!

I have to wonder how often these services are used. We are lucky to have a good diabetes clinic here for my girls so that their services are not needed. However, I also know the area in which I live being diagnosed as an adult has much improvement to be made. So in that I'm sure these services would be needed. It's a quick diagnosis with no hospital stay (for Type1's) and a bunch of info thrust upon you as you leave the hospital. Leaving many in a state of panic and helplessness. I just hope that the nurse on the line is caring and empowering to the newly diagnosed. I wish she knew about us, the DOC, so that she could tell them all about us and WE could give them the encouragement they need. That yes, it's scary but your not alone.

So I end with a thankfulness in my heart that my girls have a wonderful Endo and a good diabetes clinic, a sadness that not everyone does, a hopefulness that this program works for those that need it and a weariness that they offer good advice.