Last day of November...and I almost forgot!

I almost forgot to post! I am getting ready to head out with a friend and realized YIKES! I won't be home until December!! WOOOA, that was close!!

:)

Running

 As usual, after work today I went to the gym.

My co-workers think I am nuts. Working a strenuous 12 hours shift and then going to the gym.

Tonight my sugar was at 9.9 mmol/L before starting.

I completed about 25 minutes of weights. No change in the sugar.....

I did a hard 30 minutes on the EFX.....no change in the sugar......

I went for a 20 minute run and my sugar could hang on no longer.....

........I dropped down to 5.1 ..........PERFECT!

....and stayed there......

Affirmation of good health......

Today was a very positive day in terms of my health, and the changes I have made over the past few months!

YIPPIE!

Ohhh I bet you want details!! Please do read on!

I was in to see my dietitian this morning. Always a little bit of stress as I allow that silly number on the scale dictate my success. I tell myself my evaluation of my success should be HOW I feel, but every time I allow my success to be gauged by the digits that stare back at me. I feel good, there is no doubt about that, and every visit I see positive changes.

Excellent!

Later today I went to my doctor, to see how the blood numbers faired out! My doctor greeted me with a smile (and a blood pressure cuff). Pressure PREFECT. Cholesterol PERFECT. HA1C Not too bad....better then before and WITHIN THE RANGE!!!! 

A-OK!!

I topped off my day with a visit to my personal trainer, Devin, who gave me an excellent butt-kicking. Great end to the day!

Refreshing!

The power of touch

My body loves that I visit my massage therapist twice a month. My muscles and joints feel better! Ahhhhhhh yes......

More importantly, my mind feels better. I really like the connection with my massage therapist. I have been seeing her for the past 7 or so years I think. She has seen me through good times, and bad times. Through good health, and through bad health. I call my massage session "therapy for the mind and body". 

She is an unbias outlook on every situation in my life, and I value her opinion. She has the ability to reach deep into my muscles and deep into my mind leaving a clarity when I walk out of her office....

This is one of the most proactive health choices I have ever made.

Letting the Sensor Sit.....

I just inserted a fresh new sensor.....and here I sit with the introducer kneedle still inside....waiting to avoid a bleeder!

This is my routine. I insert, and then wait. I charge my transmitter. When the transmitter is done charging, I remove the needle, and the sensor never bleeds. 

This is not a bad thing, it forces me to sit and relax for at least 20 minutes! 

I still stand by my word, these sensors are worth their weight in gold! I sleep easy at night. I work out at the gym with no worries.....I hope some day soon my insurance will see their value as well!

Tired meditation

Today I am tired.......

tired from work and lack of sleep.....

and it really makes me crave some time off. I think about traveling, adventures, seeing friends.....and I think about it more when I actually stop to catch my breath! 

Often life is so busy I just keep going and going without stopping to....shall we say....smell the flowers! 

I think my coping mechanism is to keep busy....

I think we all wish for this time off :) 

Secrets......

Anyone else find they do not like to share their BG readings???

I often test in public, and people will always look and ask. Every time it is a show for all to see. I understand that, and have to accept that fact. 

People will ask:

"You have the sensor thing, I thought you did not have to test"

or

"Bet that hurts eh"

or even better

"What are ya?"

For the most part, it drives me nuts when someone asks me what my sugar is. Why does a stranger to my diabetes care need to know what my sugar value is? Am I acting crazy? Why are they suddenly concerned, and when I tell my sugar they walk away? Are they just trying to make small talk?

I don't mind if, for sake of an example, my sister would ask me. She is involved in my life and has invested interest, and concern. A person at my work whom I speak with once a week does not have invested concern in my heath, rather a general curiosity and does not realize I get asked that question every time I test my sugar :)

People are curious by nature....or feel awkward and need small talk, but I am a private person....and don't need to be lectured by strangers every time my sugar is outside of the desired 4-6mmol/L range......unless they are doctors :)

Happy Birthday Sandra!!!

I just tried three phone numbers to contact my sister, and she is not answering - so I decided to write here, knowing she will read it :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDRA!!!

The world's best sister :)

TOOOO BUSY!!!

Mold in my Soy Milk?

Gross. Mold in my soy milk. GROSS!

I took this soy milk, before I knew it was moldy - and made low-fat vanilla pudding.

I was very excited to have my pudding, a little treat!!

I could not figure out why it tasted moldy....I figured it was something in the dish. GROSS.

This morning I poured some of the soy milk to take to work. I was very good in packing up my lunch....including cereal with this soy milk, and a bowl of pudding.

I poured the cereal and dug right in.

YUK! Mold!

It all clicked then...the MILK was bad!! Sure enough, a ring of mold on the top of the carton.

Anyone know how to bolus for mold?

HA!

I've had my first tagging!!

Well well well, my first tag and I was tagged TWICE!! Excellent!!

Thanks Donna and Adjoa!

Let the fun begin!!

So the rules,

1. Link to the person's blog who tagged you.

2. Post these rules on your blog

3. List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself

4. Tag seven people on their blogs

5. Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

My 7 Random and Weird facts

1. I once went really low, in a friend's house. I did not know where my sugar stash was (being in a strange house) and I was found in the spice cabinet with a mouth full of basil. 

2. I love ketchup and tofu. Each on their own, or together!

3. I drive a smart car and am only 5 feet tall. Very fitting eh.

4. I crave adventure.

5. I crave laughter.

6. I am a freak about being organized....like almost needing an intervention.

7. I love shopping at second hand clothing stores!!

I TAG :

Lori

Jen

Minnesota Nice

Hannah

Wendy

Taking Care of You.

Did I mention how much I love my CGMS? I just wish the clinical guidelines were produced for the sensors so I could fight for insurance coverage!!

The original date for the clinical guidelines for the usage of the sensors was October 2007. 

My good pumping friend Jen saw Dr Ian Blumer at a recent conference and she asked how these clinical guidelines were going. He stated Spring 2008 they would be ready.

.....and so I wait.....my insurance company will not even consider discussing any sort of coverage until these clinical guidelines are produced.

So my plight for coverage is still on hold. I have taken this fight as far as I can go for the time being....I must continue to pick up overtime to afford this amazing technology - but the work is worth the reward.

I had bloodwork today.....lets see how the ol' A1c is doing!! :)

Needing Others.....

This afternoon I had a very refreshing dosage of pump-friend-therapy! Jen called me up mid morning to say herself and another pumper were getting together for brunch. Excellent, I love pump lunch!

2 Minimed's and a Cozmo had a very tasty brunch......lots of chit chat, stories, advice....

Thanks Jen! Thanks Chris!

I love my pump friends.......

Busy Busy weekend

I almost forgot to post!

I am on my 4 days off, which are so busy I know they are going to fly right by.

I'm off to rake more leaves.....:)

The Gym :)

I'm loving the gym again. Maybe it's because I see results, but it is back in my schedule! 

I am fighting hard to fend off the winter weight :) Snow is coming soon!!

I am working nights right now, so this will be short....!! I have only a few hours of daylight before work tonight!!

Basal Rate Down Again

I can not believe that I need to reduce my night basal again!

My body is loving this new healthy living, and I feel great!

Last night I went to bed at 8.2 mmol/L. I took 0.2U of insulin and went to sleep. I woke this morning at 3.8 mmol/L. Hard to believe a little healthy eating and some weight loss would have such a drastic result. I am not minding !!!

Yesterday was world diabetes day. I was at work, and my co-worker Gary brought in 2 large bags of left over Halloween candy. Every single one of my co-workers were chowing down on the candy. I figured since it was World Diabetes Day we should take blood glucoses at the end of the day to see how people were fairing out with all of the candy. Not a single person would offer up their finger.....I think they were all scared! No candy for me....Gary brought in rockets.....I use rockets to treat my lows....so there was no desire to eat any of that candy HA!

The rockets, much like Orange juice....after being forced to consume it so many times when low, turns my stomach! Bad association......

Interrupted Sleep.....and a long day at work!

I must say 12 hour shifts make for a LONG day! I do not mind being up and on the go early (5:30am wake) but by 4pm, I want to leave work for the day!!! My shifts go from 6:30am - 6:30pm, but the luxury is that I work 4 out of 8 days. 4 days on, 4 days off...... a little vacation every 4 days!! 

Today's shift seemed extra long, my sleep last night was interrupted by yet another night time low. I am truly realizing the effect of the "snacking" on my night glucoses! I never felt I had control over the night sugars....but I feel now that I am very close to what I think is the best control over my night sugars!! Excellent!

I did reduce my basal rate last night by 0.5 mmol/L. I went peacefully to sleep at 5.8mmol/L. At 3:30am I woke at 3.6. DOH, just starting to feel low. Ah well, tiny snack and back to sleep. I woke at 5:30 at 5.5mmol/L. Not bad, I feel I am really close. Tonight I am going to try another 0.5 unit/hr reduction in my night basal and see how that fairs out! 

Every mystery high morning sugar I ever had in the past can be contributed to what I ate for supper/snacks the night before. This has become very clear to me! Eye opening ... yet so simple! 

As I continue to trade body fat for more muscle (going very well!!!), my insulin requirements will continue to decrease. I feel so wonderful with a good morning sugar....well for that matter I feel wonderful with any good blood sugar.....it's a control thing :)

....Basal Reduction.......

I finally clued in after going low 3 nights in the past week, I need to reduce my overnight basal rate.

Seems when I am not snacking at night, I do not need the extra basal over night. Now I can see that my extra basal was merely covering for the extra snacking I was enjoying throughout those nasty evening hours!

I reduced my rate by 0.50 units/hr throughout the entire night. Tonight will show now this goes! 

I have stopped eating after supper. I enjoy a later supper (lets say around 6:30pm-7:30pm) and find I am not wanting to eat before I go to bed. 

My morning blood sugars have been amazing!

Those nasty late night snacks are proving to be bad for me :)

Obsessive?

Do you think that diabetes creates obsessive tendencies for a person?

I have been told by every health care professional that I need to be in control. I am talking overall control of my life to predict the control of my diabetes. I need to allow my life to follow a direction that is indicative of healthy diabetes control, and with that will come positive results.

After 22 years, 7 months of hearing I need to be in control of my life, I can honestly say I am a control freak. I am obsessive about things in my life that I can control. My diabetes, my food, anything to do with my pump, cleanliness, money, work. I like to know I have control over all of these items. Maybe I do this to reduce stress, knowing if these things are all in line I am ok.....or perceived to be ok. Either way, it brings comfort to my mind to have this control.

Others can just "let things go". I can not. I need to know where my next paycheck is coming from. I need to know my blood sugar at almost all times. I need to know if my sister popped in at any moment the toilet would be clean (HA!). 

I am convinced the need for these areas of control have stemmed from my diabetes. Being trained all those years to BE IN CONTROL has warped me into a control freak. Get me in a group, and I will lead. Put me in front of people, and I will talk. Ask me at any moment what my sugar is, I will know. 

You have to find positive in every situation....sometimes you need to dig deep. Others may not agree, but in my life this is a positive trait from my diabetes. 

WOW

I put on a pair of pants today I have not worn in 3 years......and people ask why I don't throw them away :) HA!

It's Cold!!

The temperature right now is sitting at zero and the weather is calling for SNOW tomorrow. Ohhh my the start of winter. I have my snow tires on, I feel prepared :) It is November, so I should expect snow, but it is the start of cold mornings.......scraping the ice off the car........frozen fingers......SKIING!

Infusion Sets......something good!

I am forever trying new infusion sets. For about 5 years I used the same type of set, the silhouette. This set worked fine, but one day I woke up and realized I wanted more!! I wanted to explore my options!!

One of the main web sites I refer to it: Diabetes Mall. When I first heard about this website I figured it was a shopping area. I was wrong! This pages is an excellent resource of information! I think this is where my infusion set sampling crave began!

Tiffany offers up a very details journey through her infusion set sampling as well on her blog, Candid Diabetes. Excellent details!!

As it stands now, I am enjoying the metal infusion sets. I never thought this would be the case, as I felt the metal sets were "Old School".......but I was wrong!! These sets leave minimal to no mark on my skin! The adhesive does not cause me to itch at the site for days on end.....I am impressed.

I am using the Minimed Sure-T. When I asked my rep for a sample I was told they do not stock these. They were created for children and not popular!!! It took me a little work to find them but it was worth the trouble!

BUT the tubing is short. I would like to see 31 inch tubing, or even 43. Some people will take the tubing from another set and connect. Good idea, but seems like a waste!

So for now, my infusion search is over. I am a metal set girl for the time being.......but I will never stop exploring!!

Exercise.....whoops....busy!

I have been trying to keep active, through this busy time in my life......and I am not finding enough time.....or am I avoiding it??

I think I need to make the time because there will always be a reason or excuse to not go to the gym :)

Last night, my friend Kerry wanted to go to Costco after work. She is moving away soon to the Yukon, so I want to spend as much time as possible. There was my reason. The night before I worked until 7pm and then needed to prepare for a friend's visit. There was my reason that night. Always something !!

I know it is my choice to schedule in my activity, so I am going to make an effort to try harder. I was going really well before I came down with this cold......which is ALMOST gone (thankfully!!!)....again, there is an excuse. Always excuses :) I don't hate the gym, it's just the effort to get there!!

I will try harder......and stop making excuses.........tomorrow.

Taking A Break....

I starting using the Minimed Real Time Glucose Sensing system in August 2006.

This was life changing. For 442 days straight I wore a glucose sensor. Every hour of every day I knew my blood sugar. I knew if I was dropping or rising, there was no surprise.

This morning, I decided to take the sensor off. I left the house for work this morning without the sensor. It felt weird, but I think I needed a day off.

I don't get obsessed with knowing what my blood sugar is, but today I just wanted to BE and stop looking at my pump all the time.

I think I felt comfortable to take off the sensor today thanks to the wonderful sugars I have been having lately. Now that I am not snacking all of the time I am avoiding the mystery spikes (which now I realize are not so mysterious!!! I snacked-up those spikes!)

Downfall, I am not used to manually testing - so I was not up to my pre-sensor level of testing, but I still made it through just fine.

Tomorrow morning I will put a new sensor in, but it was a refreshing day away from the sensor.....but I will be happy to have it back in the morning :) 

I have power!

I was very happy to have power again! Yippie....warmth!

Today was a very long day at work! At around 4pm I just wanted to go home, but I knew I had a few more hours to get through! My co-worker walked by my desk and dropped several halloween chocolate bars on my desk and said "this will get you through the hump"

.....I looked at the chocolate sitting there .....calling out to me......then my mind clicked....

Not worth the hassle. Not worth the headache. Not worth the time to push the buttons to deliver the bolus :) 

Onwards and upwards! Another several great days. Good blood sugars and feeling good!

I made it!!

Well Hurricane Noel passed by, and left quite a mess...and left me with no power.....so here I sit at Starbucks, with all the other powerless persons...drinking coffee and catching internet!

So yes, I did make my post for today.......and my power is expected to be back within the next few days :(

All I have to say is how thankful I am that the Minimed glucose sensors do not have to be refrigerated anymore!! I would be worried........now my insulin, it will be garbage by the end of the several days of no refrigeration, but insurance will cover that!!

Off to rake the leaves :) A LOT of them!!

Button down the hatches!

Yes it seems it is going to be a nasty day today.

I went to the store last night to pick up a few bottles of water, there was not a flashlight or propane bottle to be had in the whole city I think. Last time a hurricane came through I was without power for a week (in a downtown city!!)....so good 'ol Noel could certainly have a bearing on my NaBloPoMo Success! 

Hope this hurricane misses us!

All of these leaves are soon going to be on my lawn asking to be raked up.......as hurricane Noel is heading right for Nova Scotia. The weather people say it will be a tropical storm, but either way these beautiful leaves to not stand a chance!! As it stands now, when I get to the bottom step at my back door I land into a foot deep pile of leaves.....every day a little bit of fun to jump and kick these leaves (yes my neighbors have accepted I am not normal....). What a mess it will be Sunday morning! 

Amazing (for me) story from last night. I went to bed, my glucose was 4.8mmol/L. I knew it was stable as I had not eaten in several hours and no extra insulin. I rolled over knowing that if I dropped (for an unknown reason) my sensor would gently wake me as it always does. I slept like a baby, which will be good for this friendly cold that is loving to hang out with me. I woke in the morning, checked and I was sitting at 4.4mmol/L. WOW....this could happen every day and each day I would still be equally excited!  

I cherish and value a good blood glucose reading as there is a lot of hard work behind every single one :)

Always a great way to start the day! Off to enjoy the leaves before they are all blown to the ground....

Do I need more stress? Apparently so!

For the past few days I have been thinking about joining NaBloPoMo.

Today, the 1st of November I decided YES I would give it a try. I have a lot of things going on in my life right now, so there will be no shortage of my babbling!

The only trick is to remember EVERY day and have some sort of creativity!

Tomorrow, day 2 :)

GI Index

I will give Dr Bernstein credit. He was right on when discussing the GI index with reference to diabetes control.

For the past week I have been eating foods that are low of the GI index scale, and what a profound benefit it has had on my glucose levels.

This was no surprise to me, I knew the tools I needed to use - but to actually do this is sometimes a hard change.

I decided one say just to do it, and instantly I changed. I felt better, and frankly have not had a large BG swing at all. I have had one low and that was minor. No high sugars.....and I feel good (other then this cold that is hanging on!!!).

Funny tho, with the reduction in refined sugars my insulin requirements have gone down drastically! I had to do a site change this morning before my reservoir was empty! I could have let it go on but I was not willing to risk an infection from leave it in too long!!

I am going to try to keep this up. It seems to be working well with my life!

It all started one night when I googled "GI index" after reading it in a magazine article.....that was all it took :)