Diabetes

Perfect Since Never

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Last week, my diabetes educator gave me a new glucose meter to try out while I think about an insulin pump (I wish there was an easy answer to that question). It’s a meter that also acts as a blood glucose logbook, and calculates my insulin doses for me instead of the usual guesstimates. Unfortunately, the new meter uses a different set of test strips. Which means that if I do decide to “adopt” this meter permanently, I have a hoard of test strips (that I’ve put a lot of effort into collecting) that are completely useless. Or, I deplete my old hoard and go weeks upon weeks before I get to finally use my new meter. Wonderful!

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On the day I began using this new meter, I accidentally ripped open one of the test strips belonging to my old meter from its foil packet. I realised before it was too late, and put the unused strip back into it’s foil packet and tucked it away for next time.

Yesterday afternoon, I decided I’d use my old meter for the “odd” afternoon test. It was around 3 in the afternoon, and I’d just come home from work. I’d had lunch and given my insulin just over an hour ago, but I had a feeling that my blood sugar level might be higher than it should be. I’d probably had a few too many carbs at lunch, thanks to the Muesli bars and Old Gold dark chocolate sitting in my locker at work.

I pulled out that test strip that I’d ripped open from it’s foil packet a week ago. I pricked my finger, applied the blood to the test strip and waited. And this was the result that came back.

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I was in shock. It had been a while since I’d seen a number that low. Normally I test often enough to stop a hypo in it’s tracks, but I’m pretty confident that I can feel one coming on. Add to that the fact that I had just driven home. I couldn’t believe it. I knew that I should have been reaching for the bag of marshmallows on my desk ASAP, but I just could not believe it. 

I was in absolute disbelief.

I ripped open a fresh test strip, and tested again.

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And instantly, everything clicked.

For five years, I’ve been ripping test strips out of their individually wrapped foil packets. Ripping them open at just the right angle, to get the right end of the strip out first to stick into the meter. Without thinking twice about it.

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But it took me until today to realise that those test strips are individually wrapped in foil packets or stored in capped vials for a reason. I guess the outside air, light and temparature can wreak havoc on the results.

I love that after 5 years, I’m still learning something new about diabetes every day.

And, also this quote from Tuesday’s #OzDOC Twitter chat, just because I think it sums up diabetes perfectly.

Happy Thursday!

Type 1 Diabetes Looks Like Me

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Type 1 Diabetes looks like me.

A person who flew across Australia in July with 800 test strips, 200 syringes, 2 boxes of insulin, 2 blood glucose meters, a travel letter, a plastic sharps bottle, spare lancets, batteries and insulin prescriptions.

A person who placed his belt, watch, phone, camera, insulin pen and glucose meter onto a tray in order to get past security at Parliament House in Canberra on the afternoon of Tuesday July 7 2015.

A person who was fighting the urge to consume a whole packet of losenges to combat his sore lumpy throat on that freezing cold afternoon.

A person who stood proudly on those steps inside Parliament House, with his jacket pockets stuffed full of diabetes crap.

A person who is relatively healthy, and still able to do relatively “ordinary” things, despite having diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes looks like me. And I’m very proud of that.

You can create your Type 1 Diabetes Looks Like Me photo at jdrf.org/t1dlookslikeme and join the sea of blue on social media this November.

My Day From The Glance of a Glucose Meter

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At 5.48, you saw me walk into the kitchen.

By 5.48, I had discovered that I was a slightly hypo 3.6. Then I walked into the kitchen.

At 6.25, you saw me eat breakfast.

By 6.25, I had calculated an insulin dose for the slice of Burgen fruit toast and Latte that I intended on having, and a fix for that hypo. Then I ate breakfast.

At 8.54, you saw me return to my work area.

By 8.54, I had checked that my blood sugar level was okay after breakfast. I had corrected that 11.3 with one unit of insulin. Then I returned to my work area.

At 10.23, you saw me come in for morning tea.

By 10.23, I had calculated an insulin dose for the banana and latte with a half sugar that I intended on having. Then, I came in for morning tea.

At 12.59, you saw me come in for lunch.

By 12.59, I had discovered that I was slightly hypo again. I had calculated an insulin dose for the Burgen bread toasted sandwich, muesli bar and 2 squares of dark chocolate that I intended on having. I had factored a fix for that hypo into my insulin dose as well. Then, I came in for lunch.

At 3.28, you saw me come out of my room after getting dressed.

By 3.28, I had discovered that my blood sugar was 5.2 after lunch, with one and a half hours of active insulin still on board. Then, I came out of my room after getting dressed.

At 4.01, you saw me go to sit outside with (another) coffee.

By 4.01, I had checked my blood glucose level once again. I had decided not to bolus for the coffee I intended on having. Then, I went to sit outside with that coffee.

At 5.57, you saw me sitting down at my desk.

By 5.57, I had sworn multiple times at my latest blood sugar reading of 19.8. I had rage corrected with 10 units of insulin. Then I went to sit down at my desk.

At 6.30, you saw me come in for dinner.

By 6.30, I had rage bolussed another 10 units for that plate of high GI risotto we were having. Then, I came in for dinner.

At 8.27, you heard me watching television in my room.

By 8.27, I had begrudgingly forced myself up to check my blood sugar level. Then I went back to watching television in my room.

At 9.29, you could hear that I was still watching television in my room.

By 9.29, I had begrudgingly forced myself up to check my blood sugar level once again. Then, I went back to still watching television in my room.

At 9.58, you heard me switch off the light and go to bed.

By 9.58, I had corrected my bedtime blood sugar reading of 4.3 with two marshmallows. Then, I switched off the light and went to bed.

At 11.59, you assumed that I was asleep.

By 11.59, my alarm had woken me up for my middle-of-the-night blood sugar check. 5.3. Then I was asleep.

Today, I did all of this without you even noticing.

Then tomorrow I’ll wake up only to do it all over again.

“Really? But You’re So Slim and Fit!”

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I briefly checked into a bit of an impromtu #DSMA chat yesterday morning (thanks to the end of daylight saving time in the US, the chat now happens to coincide with my morning tea break at work and I can check in!).

The question that was being discussed at the time was one of the simplest, yet mind blanking questions. How would I define diabetes? Would I be type specific? Broken pancreas, insulin injections? Or would I go for a blanket definition? Regulating blood glucose levels, healthy lifestyle? Would I say something witty? It kind of stumped me a little.

I recalled a chat over the phone with a work colleague on Wednesday. Coincidentally, we were discussing the issue of a diabetes related appointment during work hours. I casually mentioned that I had diabetes, and her response kind of suprised me.

“Really? But you’re so slim and fit!” 

I wasn’t suprised by her response. Nor did it upset me. What I was suprised at, however, was the way in which she responded. That it was a big deal. I guess for me, I’ve gotten to the point now where bringing up diabetes in real life is not a big deal.

Which brings me to my own interpretation of that #DSMA question. I would like people to know that diabetes is not something that I inflicted onto myself. And I’m not saying this as a selfish person with type 1 who is completely and utterly offended. I’m saying it for people with all types of diabetes.

I’m a bit sick of the media associating diabetes with all of those “lifestyle” factors. Yes, obesity is an issue. Yes, inactivity is an issue. Yes, they’re epidemics, along with diabetes. Yes, in some cases they can be prevented. And yes, we need to work to halt them.

And we can. Independently of each other.

Why can’t we promote healthy diets and active lifestyles, without bringing the words “causes diabetes” into the mix? Wouldn’t it lead to the same outcome? We’d be working towards haulting those epidemics, without stigmatising the people who are already living with chronic conditions.

People living with diabetes would feel motivated and empowered to manage their condition through a healthy lifestyle. And at the same time we’d be encouraging people at risk of developing these conditions to adopt healthier lifestyles.

The only difference?

People already living with diabetes wouldn’t be stigmatised. They wouldn’t have to hear demoralising messages that blame and shame them. They would be able to look forward, instead of being continually dragged backwards into the pit of could ofs, would ofs and should ofs.

Truth be told, nobody chooses ANY type of diabetes. Except for the health care providers, researchers, advocates and donors who are trying to make sense of, and solve it. Each and every single day. And it’s time that we, the patients, are encouraged to look forward rather than backward.

“You Should Be Making Your Appointments Outside of Work Hours.”

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“You should be making your appointments outside of work hours” is something that I was recently told.

What a lot of people in my life don’t realise is that I have diabetes. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes that you don’t see. Insulin injections, piles and piles of used test strips stuffed into the pocket of my meter, and countless bags of jellybeans that have been begrudgingly stuffed into my mouth over the years (except for the black ones).

I see specialists who assist me to manage my condition. Endocrinologists, diabetes educators, and dieticians to name a few. Then there are other issues that must be closely monitored by professionals including optometrists and podiatrists. All of these specialists are in short supply. These specialists have long waiting lists of patients, often spanning several clinics or places of work.

Which brings me to last week. I found myself in need of a consultation with my diabetes educator. Factoring in her volume of patients, Christmas break, and her annual leave that will not be replaced at the clinic, the earliest appointment available was February. Possibly even March. That’s an extremely long wait for an issue that I am dealing with right now. An issue that I want to work through and get past as soon as possible.

I wish managing diabetes was as easy as ringing the doctor to make an appointment after work. I wish that I was able to select the most convenient time of my day or night to see one of these specialists. But it’s not that simple.

I actively chased up a cancellation appointment with my diabetes educator this week, so I could have this issue sorted as soon as possible. I was not thinking about how it would interfere with my other commitments. Because getting this issue sorted is what will ensure that I will continue to be able to manage the other commitments around me to the best of my ability.

I am very proud of the fact that for the better part, I don’t let diabetes interfere with the other commitments in my life. I don’t make diabetes anyone else’s problem. Many people don’t realise, or remember that I have diabetes when I bring it up. That just shows how good I am at it.

I think that all of the benefits that come from my continued, healthy existence far outweighs an occasional inconvenience. Just saying.