Advocation and Childhood Nostalgia

     So I guess that this post starts way back, to about when I was in second grade, and decided to save up enough money to buy my own American Girl doll. I really wanted one that I thought looked just like me, which is funny now because:

a) it didn't really, and
b) it seems a little vain.
   
     Anyway, I loved that doll, and admittedly dressed her it up sometimes past when playing dolls was  considered a socially acceptable activity. So today when I stumbled across a site that 3D prints dolls with medical conditions and their medical accessories (With insulin pumps in progress!) I was reminded of my American Girl Doll, and yeah, I did go to the website to see what medical "accessories" were available. They have special dolls without hair, and hearing aids, and wheelchairs for dolls, as well as a kit with various casts and bandages. Very cute, in a somewhat unique way (coming from a girl who always played doctor with her toys).

     I LOVED this stuff at one point, and I know I would have wanted an insulin pump for my doll if I had been diagnosed younger. Because of this (and the image of a tiiiiiny insulin pump), I actually decided to call the company and (somewhat awkwardly) ask about diabetes supplies for dolls.

     I ended up talking to the lady for 10 minutes (LOL but also very cool), and she was very excited the idea, she emailed the suggestion for supplies, telling me the idea gave her the chills, and the rep even entertained the idea of a book, which I thought was great, explaining to her the heaps of misinformation out there, hence the recent crossfit controversy.


     Interesting experience, and I'm glad so many people are so supportive of our little diabetes community family.

I donut care.

I donut know why but I like this drawing. But this is an appropriate response to crazy blood sugars following dessert.

Blogger.

I have no idea why blogger is being so stubborn but you can check out my latest post titled "Well Loved" back by July 12. I rewrote an old draft from around then, but it should be a new post.

Katy (:

Another World.

A few weeks ago, I left the "real" world to go somewhere that may as well be in another universe.

When you first get there, it seems pretty ordinary. It seems like you're an ordinary person on an ordinary day in an ordinary place, but just wait. It may take you a few minutes, hours, days even to realize something is different here.

Here, you'll find a place to belong... Even as teenagers who are fighting drama and jealousy and each other. Something breakes down the walls we have up, and none of the superficial feelings matter.

But what brings us together like this?

 If you look closely, everyone has their battle scars. More than anywhere else,everyone knows what you go through on a daily basis. They've fought their own battles against the same monsters.

The result is magical. I can't imagine not having diabetes camp.

Spikey.

        I have been spiking so much lately. My nighttime and afternoon blood sugars have been fine. But the morning and evening? I've been spiking well into the 200s every time I eat. They come down by the time I need to retest, but while I have active insulin, my blood sugars are shooting way up and slowly drifting back down to range like fireworks. Bleh.

        I've tried everything. I have been waiting 20 minutes after bolusing to eat, and making sure I'm not eating all fast-digesting carbs. My endocrinologist looked at my dexcom last week and recommended that I wait 15 or 20 minutes to eat, (I am) and try not to eat something that is 50%+ of sugar too often. (Check.) But even so, I am spiking way past where I should.

        For example, I ate 40 carbs for breakfast- a homemade waffle (not a lot of sugar) and berries. I waited 20 minutes to eat, and right now (an hour later) my dexcom graph is showing 241 with a straight arrow up.

What gives, diabetes?

Well loved.

I have had my insulin pump for a year now. And even though it has a four year warranty and works like magic most of the time, it doesn't look like new anymore. 

This is a picture from around last September. No worn or chipped spots.

Just one view of my beat up pump.

What does this to my pump after a year? Sorry pump ;)

Ps. I'm writing and posting this August 24th 2013, I have no idea why it's out of order on the post list

Relate-ability-ness.

     I haven't blogged in 11 days. That's not a record. Not even close. I haven't blogged in a long time. I haven't blogged much at all this year. But then I read this post from Candy Hearts Blog. And I realized that even though I am busy, and I don't always want to sit down and write, I love being able to blog for you guys. I may not inspire you, I don't need to change anyone's life. But finding someone to relate to? Priceless. 

That's my goal here. To put my story out there for someone- anyone to relate to.

     So I'll try really hard to keep blogging for you guys. Thank you DOC for giving me so many people to relate to. I just hope I can do the same for you.

Bringing Dexy Back

So, as many I you know, I tried a Dexcom G4 last summer at camp, before they were available. I was very impressed, and I finally got to start using mine last Wednesday! Here are some snapshots (cause you know I'm bringing dexy back).

I brought Pepe to the endo for you guys! Look at all these boxes! 

Ummm. This is the inserter. I think it looks more like a lethal weapon than a medical device, but it's actually painless.

I am so incredibly impressed with the accuracy of this thing. (I think I was 56 when I took this)

I can't keep it on for the life of me. On day 4 I had used 2 big waterproof band aids, a small waterproof band aid, a tegaderm, and lots of tape. And my mom asks why I won't go swimming. 

Overall, I am very happy with the dexcom, even though having it on my arm has made me a little self conscious. It's a big chunky sensor, and doesn't make me look all that great. But I feel great, and that's what matters (:

Pictures.

I just installed the blogger app (: now here are a few of my instagram pictures I've wanted to post for a while (:

Skiing Vs. Blood Sugars

I'm FINALLY posting about my spring break! Aren't you guys so excited to hear all about it? ;)

First of all, you should know that I went skiing in Mammoth this year, for the first time since my diagnosis. And it was awesome. I also realize that it's a little bit late for a skiing post, but I know there's still snow somewhere.

The first thing I did for the trip was pack. And shop. (In my opinion that's one of the beat parts :P) I had THE HARDEST time finding pants to go with my brown ski jacket, but that is a whole nother story.

I have to say, diabetes takes up a *boat* load of space! I had to get EVERYTHING for the week: strips, lancets, insulin, sites, cartridges, meters, batteries, alcohol wipes, the goods. But its a good thing I did get all of this, because I needed a lot to keep my blood sugars decent.

The altitude and excercise made my blood sugars run low, and for the first three days, I was constantly munching tabs and candy. On the third day, my blood sugar ran high (200s all day) and the fourth day as well, before everything calmed down.

It is so. Pretty. Ignore the signs.

I was expecting diabetes to be a little more intrusive, but really it wasn't a big deal. I tested a couple times, adjusted insulin or grapped some sugar, and kept skiing. Although I learned it's not a great idea to test your blood sugars ON a chair lift in the wind... All my alcohol wipes and used test strips rained onto the slopes under me. (Although personally I imagine them landing on a fellow PWD's head. Then the person would be like, "hey, not my test strip for a change... ")