I was in love with the Sure-T infusion sets....but have they turned on me?
The past 4 sets have been painful and resulted in bruising! Not a small bruise, but an ugly bruise with all the typical bruise-rainbow-colors, and the size of 2 quarters. What!!?!?!?! My faithful Sure-T sets, why are they doing this to me?
Maybe I am inserting differently? One set was on the side of my thigh, the other was on my stomach. Both areas that are well accustomed to the Sure-T. This is very strange! I am not willing to give up on these sets, I enjoy that they do not leave a mark on my skin....well they didn't, until now!
I will keep you all posted about this strange occurrence!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
The Real Test.....
2008 has started out as an excellent year! My mind is blown away.....and it is only 27 days in to this life-altering year of the frog!
I am surrounded by very positive kindred spirits, who are encouraging and nurturing my mind, body and soul. I took a large leap and stepped out of my comfort zone at my workplace, and accepted a promotion. This ascension within my work company has caused me to think long and hard about my life's 5 year plan. Funny that, I never had a firm 5 year plan.....I merely floated day by day, week by week (but I did enjoy myself....!!!).....now I find myself actually thinking about where I want to be. Not in general terms, but serious "life" thoughts! Maybe this is a good push out of my rut. Who is it that says "Don't confuse the horizon with the edge of the rut you are stuck in" ....... !? I will admit, it is nerve racking to take on new challenges! Reminds a person they are alive.......
Now my real test. Can I maintain my health through all of these changes? I worked very hard over the past 6 months to obtain a certain level of health. My mind feels healthy. My body feels healthy....I must maintain!
On a good note....my new job means NO NIGHTS! Can you believe that! 8+ years of shift work, working nights.....and now, the latest I will typically work is midnight. THAT is going to be good for my body!!
I am surrounded by very positive kindred spirits, who are encouraging and nurturing my mind, body and soul. I took a large leap and stepped out of my comfort zone at my workplace, and accepted a promotion. This ascension within my work company has caused me to think long and hard about my life's 5 year plan. Funny that, I never had a firm 5 year plan.....I merely floated day by day, week by week (but I did enjoy myself....!!!).....now I find myself actually thinking about where I want to be. Not in general terms, but serious "life" thoughts! Maybe this is a good push out of my rut. Who is it that says "Don't confuse the horizon with the edge of the rut you are stuck in" ....... !? I will admit, it is nerve racking to take on new challenges! Reminds a person they are alive.......
Now my real test. Can I maintain my health through all of these changes? I worked very hard over the past 6 months to obtain a certain level of health. My mind feels healthy. My body feels healthy....I must maintain!
On a good note....my new job means NO NIGHTS! Can you believe that! 8+ years of shift work, working nights.....and now, the latest I will typically work is midnight. THAT is going to be good for my body!!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Diabetes visibility
I do not hide the fact that I have diabetes. Yes I did deny it for MANY years, but I do not hide it.
I will not meet a person and say "Hello, I am a person with diabetes". You have to meet me first.....meet who I am, what I am about....and along that journey my pump will fall into visual sight, or I will check my blood sugar, treat a low, twirl my tubing with my fingers....and that generally is the sign that I am ok to let you know.
I am not ashamed of having diabetes....why would I be? It was not my choice 23 years ago, and it was not my fault.....but for some reason I want people to meet me first, before they meet my diabetes.
BUT, ever since my life's journey included my amazing insulin pump, I find my diabetes is less visible to the public eye, and less visible in my daily thoughts. I am more vocal about my diabetes, but in turn my diabetes has become less visible.
When I started using the continuous glucose sensor system, the visibility of my diabetes reduced even further, to the point that I realize the people closest to me in my life are rarely aware of my diabetes (except for when the good 'ol pump pops out to say hello!). I calibrate twice a day, and that is usually when I wake and when I go to sleep. I eat generally what I want when I want (thank you carb counting)....have random meal times, a sporadic lifestyle......
Is my life......wait for it........normal!? Could it be? All of these years hating the word normal, as I felt it defined my life into a feeling of being wrong. Of course I know my life now is not normal, I have a pump hanging on for dear life 24/7, but being a person with diabetes......the mere fact that people around me forget I have diabetes is an amazing feeling. They are not thinking of me in terms of my disease.
They are thinking of me as a person first.......oh yeah, and a touch of diabetes :)
I will not meet a person and say "Hello, I am a person with diabetes". You have to meet me first.....meet who I am, what I am about....and along that journey my pump will fall into visual sight, or I will check my blood sugar, treat a low, twirl my tubing with my fingers....and that generally is the sign that I am ok to let you know.
I am not ashamed of having diabetes....why would I be? It was not my choice 23 years ago, and it was not my fault.....but for some reason I want people to meet me first, before they meet my diabetes.
BUT, ever since my life's journey included my amazing insulin pump, I find my diabetes is less visible to the public eye, and less visible in my daily thoughts. I am more vocal about my diabetes, but in turn my diabetes has become less visible.
When I started using the continuous glucose sensor system, the visibility of my diabetes reduced even further, to the point that I realize the people closest to me in my life are rarely aware of my diabetes (except for when the good 'ol pump pops out to say hello!). I calibrate twice a day, and that is usually when I wake and when I go to sleep. I eat generally what I want when I want (thank you carb counting)....have random meal times, a sporadic lifestyle......
Is my life......wait for it........normal!? Could it be? All of these years hating the word normal, as I felt it defined my life into a feeling of being wrong. Of course I know my life now is not normal, I have a pump hanging on for dear life 24/7, but being a person with diabetes......the mere fact that people around me forget I have diabetes is an amazing feeling. They are not thinking of me in terms of my disease.
They are thinking of me as a person first.......oh yeah, and a touch of diabetes :)
Saturday, January 05, 2008
2008 thus far.....
Well, we are officially 5 days into 2008, and I am enjoying the year! My favorite year thus far.....but I am also a person who lives for the present, so why wouldn't this be the best thus far!?
There are a lot of changes going on in my life these days, but for the first time that I can remember, the swirling world around me does not even phase my mind. Maybe I feel control over my own chaos, that the changes around me are all part of the journey, and I am accepting......quite a nice feeling. Other then this cold that decided to visit, I am starting 2008 with a healthy mind and a healthy body. I really think it is going to be a good year.......
Now diabetes.....I have stopped using the BD link meter. I stopped buying the strips when Medtronic made their announcement that they would no longer be using that product. I finished up the last of the strips, and am now using the Bayer Contour. Being in Canada, I was not involved in the strip recall, but it certainly caught my attention in the news.
I'm still using the Minimed Sure-T sets as well. I enjoy how they do not irritate my skin, and do not leave a mark when they are removed. I wish they had longer tubing options! I know they were created for children, but I know quite a few adults who are using them! Anyone know the best venue to have suggestions heard by Medtronic? I would love to see a feedback section on their website to allow users to make suggestions!! We all have so many, it would be nice to have them heard!!
There are a lot of changes going on in my life these days, but for the first time that I can remember, the swirling world around me does not even phase my mind. Maybe I feel control over my own chaos, that the changes around me are all part of the journey, and I am accepting......quite a nice feeling. Other then this cold that decided to visit, I am starting 2008 with a healthy mind and a healthy body. I really think it is going to be a good year.......
Now diabetes.....I have stopped using the BD link meter. I stopped buying the strips when Medtronic made their announcement that they would no longer be using that product. I finished up the last of the strips, and am now using the Bayer Contour. Being in Canada, I was not involved in the strip recall, but it certainly caught my attention in the news.
I'm still using the Minimed Sure-T sets as well. I enjoy how they do not irritate my skin, and do not leave a mark when they are removed. I wish they had longer tubing options! I know they were created for children, but I know quite a few adults who are using them! Anyone know the best venue to have suggestions heard by Medtronic? I would love to see a feedback section on their website to allow users to make suggestions!! We all have so many, it would be nice to have them heard!!
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