Conquering life living with Type 1 Diabetes

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Livongo Meter users get a FREE peel from Pump Peelz!

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@pumppeelz #pumppeelz

If you have a Livongo Meter you can get a free peel from Pump Peelz!

Go to: http://pumppeelz.com/collections/livongo

Their website states:

Livongo Meter Peelz - Holiday Gift

Express your unique style with a peelz developed specially for your Livongo meter.  As a special holiday gift for Livongo members, enter code “Livongo” to get your free peelz.  Limit one per member.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Thank you Nightscout! I am now using the xDrip App!

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#WeAreNotWaiting


Today I got my Dexcom with Share, my warranty was finally up and I could upgrade!  YAY! 

Two seconds after I entered the date and time and transmitter ID I downloaded the xDrip application onto my Android phone.  http://www.nightscout.info/wiki/welcome/nightscout-with-xdrip-and-dexcom-share-wireless

Im fairly certain that was the easiest thing I have ever set up in my life and now I LOVE IT!

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Join the I am a Diabetic Warrior! Diabetes Support Group on Facebook

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If you need support for your Diabetes and are looking for a group on Facebook, please feel free to request to be added to the one I started.  It is https://www.facebook.com/groups/diabeticwarriors/

I also have links on this page on my blog:  http://typeonediabeticwarrior.blogspot.com/p/join-my-diabetic-warrior-facebook-group.html

If you live in the Sauk Valley Illinois area join this group I started:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/SaukValleyDiabeticWarriors/  I hope to eventually get enough people in that group to maybe have a monthly support meeting somewhere if people are wanting to participate.
 

Please leave me your comments, it helps keep me motivated!

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Attention people in my area, join the support group I started!

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Do any of you know me, live near me and read this blog??  If so join the group I started on facebook.  I hope to eventually start real life support group meetings but so far there hasn't been much interest or membership.
Join today!!

So I finally fixed my blogger issues.

No comments:
I finally got my blogger issues fixed up and could just now reply to comments.  So I just replied to a bunch of comments, sorry for my delay. 

I hope you all are doing well! 


Please leave me your comments, it helps keep me motivated!

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Just want to clear something up

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I have type 1 Diabetes, yes me, the person who looks healthy and doesn't appear to have any weight control issues. You have a concerned look on your face, a look of worry and fear and like I have an expiration date stamped on me somewhere.  I am not exactly sure what you are thinking, because after all humans haven't mastered mind reading yet, but the face you are making kind of hurts me a little bit, its a face of someone who just received really bad news or like I told you I just ran over your dog or something, something not good.

This is the face I see every time I tell someone I have type 1 Diabetes or they find out or whatever the case may be.  I am unsure of the things you are thinking, but from my side of your face the expression you are making isn't really a good one. All those sad faces compiled on top of each other kind of start to hurt me even though I try hard to not let it hurt me.  I have a pretty tough hide for the most part but underneath that tough exterior I really do still have feelings.  Luckily I have a husband who understands all this very well and when I need to I can let all that hurt out without fear or judgement.

Monday, December 7, 2015

I got my Dexcom sensors FINALLY last Friday!

2 comments:
After many phone calls, emails and three weeks of working to get my dang Dexcom sensors approved by my insurance it FINALLY got approved last week and I called the guy at Dexcom that I had been working with and got them ordered, paid for and in my hands last Friday.

HUGE shout out to my awesome sales rep Joe, I am not sure why I didn't call him sooner.  I guess I thought it would have gotten taken care of much easier and sooner.  I had a really bad experience with Dexcom customer service, they really dropped the ball, but I did not give up and I kept annoying the crap out of them until all the paperwork that was needed got taken care of.  

Four years of wearing a Dexcom and this was my first bad experience, so I would say even though I really complained about it, those are pretty good odds.  I had a ton of bad experiences with Medtronic, a few with Edgepark and a few with Tandem Diabetes so I guess one eff up is ok!  =D

Hooray for last minute Dexcom sensor reorders!  HAHA!!  I get my  first Dexcom with Share receiver in a few days when my current one is out of warranty.  Im still not sold on the G5 and being forced to reorder transmitters every 6 months, nor do I have a iPhone.  My last transmitter lasted 14 months.....hmmm reorder them every 14 months or every 6 months......I guess if Diabetes wasn't super freaking costly to live with it wouldn't matter so much.


@Dexcom, #dexcom 


Please leave me your comments, it helps keep me motivated!

Another good recipe for the books! Low Carb Raspberry Linzer Cookie Bars

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So yesterday I was craving something kind of sweet and I happened to stumble on this recipe and my local Hy-Vee actually carries the sugar free with fiber raspberry preserves that the recipe called for!  HAHA Score!


 All the flavor and texture of your favorite raspberry linzer cookie without the tedious work! Low carb, egg free, and gluten free

Low Carb Raspberry Linzer Cookie Bars – Gluten Free

Here is the super easy recipe, check it out: http://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/2015/11/raspberry-linzer-low-carb-cookie-bars-gluten-free.html 

 The sugar free raspberry preserves are Polaner brand.  If you live near a Hy-Vee they might carry at your store too!

Polaner Sugar Free with Fiber Preserves: Seedless Raspberry (Pack of 2) 13.5 oz Jars

The recipe didn't call for sugar to be added to the preserves and Xanthan gum mixture but I threw some of the kind I have in with it.  I like things sweet.  =D

I use this sweetener and get it at Wal-Mart for about $6.50 a bag. Keeping in mind this tastes sweeter so you use less.

Organic All-Purpose Blend Stevia Sweetener-Granular 16 oz



Please leave me your comments, it helps keep me motivated!

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Wierd blogger issues

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Do any of you other fellow bloggers know why things arent showing up properly on Firefox but show up on Internet Explorer and vise versa?  I dont know exactly what to do about it?  Like my twitter follow button doesnt show up on Firefox but it does on IE and my Facebook box doesnt show up on Firefox but it does on IE?  Any ideas?


Please leave me your comments, it helps keep me motivated!

My Dexcom transmitter finally gave me its death warning after 14 months!

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My Dexcom transmitter finally just gave me its warning on my receiver that my battery is low.  Dun dun dunnnnnn.  I bought a new one in July because it was acting crazy and it has sat in my cabinet since then.  Talk about aggravating as hell! $525.00 out of my pocket and now its at 5 months old so if it croaks next month I am shit out of luck.  Oh well, there are much worse things that could happen.

I got the current one I am wearing in October 2014 so I guess I should feel lucky in one way or another.  Lets hope the one I open when I get home will last me until after I meet my deductible next year!

Please leave me your comments, it helps keep me motivated!

Monday, November 30, 2015

Sharing my email from Tandem---Holiday discounts on pump accessories! Most coupons expire 12/31/15

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Holiday_WrapMeUp_Banner.jpg

Treat yourself and your Tandem Insulin Pump to something special for the holidays!
Our partners are offering discounts just for you this season.
Happy Holidays from our family to yours!
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Chic Buds creates sleek and portable power solutions that fit many different style and functional needs.
Visit the website to view merchandise:
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Myabetic creates innovative accessories for people living with diabetes. Their products are made specifically to transport daily supplies.
Visit the website to view merchandise:
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Great tasting, fast dissolving, all-natural glucose tabs, redesigned by someone who actually has to use them.
Visit the website to view merchandise:
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logo_spibelt.jpg Take a SPIbelt™ on your run, hike, bike, or travels without distraction, bulk, or bouncing. 


Visit the website to view merchandise:
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PumpPockets will hold your pump securely and allow you easy access. It's not a cure for diabetes, but it helps.

Visit the website to view merchandise:
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FRIO - the reusable evaporative insulin cooler. Keeps insulin cool two days. Re-soak for two more days. No icepacks, ever again!
Visit the website to view merchandise:
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Pump Wear offers over 800 different accessories to help you wear your pump comfortably.

Visit the website to view merchandise:

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logo_pumppeelz.jpg

Peelz are eco-friendly, non-pvc, personalized decals designed to fit over your insulin pump and other medical devices.


Visit the website to view merchandise:

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JoeyBra - the sexy comfortable bra with pockets – gives you the freedom to go anywhere, do anything, and carry valuables without lugging around a purse.
Visit the website to view merchandise:
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Ok Dexcom you kind of REALLY dropping the ball here and I am very frustrated! Updated.

No comments:
Three weeks.  That is how long I have been trying to get a box of glucose sensors for the month of November and 3 boxes for December and a new receiver pre-authorized with my insurance before the end of the year. BEFORE the end of the year!

I have been in contact with 2 different reps at Dexcom.  Neither of them seem to be able to email or call be back.  I was on hold for 45 minutes this morning and I finally hung up.  I got my Doctor to fax chart notes and I emailed my BG dexcom logs last week because my terrible insurance Land of Lincoln is trying hard to not let me get my supplies and still no movement. It is now the end of November so I might as well forget about getting that box for this month. 

I am incredibly disappointed and shocked that I have gotten no where in THREE weeks time to get this done.  I called my insurance and Dexcom hasnt even submitted a prior authorization yet.  Jeesh its like pulling teeth I swear.

Update: So I contact my Dexcom rep, Joe, who is great and solves all my problems.  I should have just started with him apparently.   Dexcom faxed my prior auth in to my insurance today, which should have been done last week.  So I am out of luck for getting sensors for the the month of November.  Wonderful.  Now to wait for my lame insurance to approve my prior auth, if it takes 2 weeks again I might lost my mind!

Please leave me your comments, it helps keep me motivated!

Monday, November 23, 2015

Yet another curve ball from Land of Lincoln Health Insurance

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First off let me start by saying that I really really dislike Land of Lincoln Health Insurance and have had numerous battles with them.

They do not have enough customer service reps so your hold time is always more than 15 minutes.

Today I had the joy of sitting on hold and trying to work out a claim for my Smith and Nephew IV3000 tape I use to keep my insulin pump infusion sets on with for over 45 minutes.

Apparantly insurance companies can have the luxury of deciding what they will and will not cover based on what Medicare will cover even though I pay for my health insurance.

They stated that since Medicare wont cover this item that they also do  not cover it and consider it an otc (over the counter) item.  Awesome.  So I am sending my box of 30 pieces of tape back that they wanted me to pay $108.00, one HUNDRED eight dollars. Say what?  I can get 100 pieces of the same tape with no precut hole from Homelink for 60.00 and one box should last 300 days. That same tape is still 108.00 from Edgepark. FYI if Edgepark is your medical supplier you might want to shop around for a cheaper in network company.

They will however cover Dexcom Glucose Sensors, hmm, thats odd since Medicare does not cover cgm sensors.

How in the hell does that work? Can anyone explain to me how that is legal?

I got my Dexcom sensors covered in July when I ordered but now this month I have this giant ordeal of getting them to cover my sensors. I had to send in bg logs (seriously?) and get chart notes from my endo. Dexcom did kind of drop the ball on this. Its been 14 days, no one called to tell me they needed all this paperwork and they had not yet submitted a pre authorization for me to get my sensors. I also need a new receiver in December. Its all just a bunch of garbage.

I am so fed up. LAND OF LINCOLN HEALTH INSURANCE IS TERRIBLE. DO. NOT. buy a policy from them! Unless you are healthy and do not have Diabetes. If you dont have type 1 diabetes consider yourself very lucky and much more wealthy than some of us with it because my type 1 diabetes costs me a damn fortune.

Friday, November 20, 2015

Today I kicked Diabetes' butt! Check out this Dexcom graph!

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Yeah today has rocked!  I have been below 120 ALLLL DAAAAAY LOOONG! (ok almost all day)

This morning I had my eggs with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, heavy whipping cream and season salt.  Plus my coffee with heavy whipping cream and my sugar free torani syrup of course.  I cant function without coffee.

Lunch was terrible, I had those sugar free vanilla cookies that I posted about BUT no blood sugar spike and I have had 2 bai5 drinks. It wasn't terrible, just not all that nutritious I suppose but it tasted good. 

Yeah I just don't feel like eating much today but it has resulted in a really freaking fantastic Dexcom graph!  I just love my Dexcom, I don't think I could survive without it!



Please leave me your comments, it helps keep me motivated!

Did you know Diasend has a mobile app now?

No comments:
 So I guess I missed the news. Diasend has a mobile app now!  That is awesome!

I upload my tslim insulin pump and my Dexcom CGM to the Diasend website and my doctor can log in and look at my data.  I was uploading my Verio meter but I recently switched to the In Touch Livongo program and I dont believe it is compatible just yet.  Maybe now I will upload my data more regularly if I can just look at the data on my phone instead of logging in. 

You can download the app for Android and Apple.

Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.diasend.diasend

Apple:
https://itunes.apple.com/se/app/diasend/id961929984?l=en&mt=8



Please leave me your comments, it helps keep me motivated!

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Happiness is a choice with Type 1 Diabetes

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Lately it seems I keep running across a lot of unhappy people. Some are unhappy for reasons I don't know but others I hear, sound just like I use to, mad at their Diabetes and their inability to control their blood sugars and sometimes mad that their weight has spiraled out of control.
If you are unhappy with how your life with Diabetes is, only you can change it and the path you are on.  Only you can decide to get out of the delusional cloud of the ADA saying we type 1s can eat whatever we want, just take insulin. We CAN eat whatever we want and take a boat load of insulin, BUT your blood sugar is going to spike and when you take huge amounts of insulin it becomes unpredictable. It can cause you to crash later on, it can cause you to sit with a high blood sugar for much too long and it can cause you to gain weight.

Sugar free grain free vanilla wafers are next on my to do list

No comments:
So the typeonegrit group members say these are great and they look great too. I just have to get some vanilla liquid stevia and I will make them. I need a good crispy cookie. I need to stock up on things to bring with me to Thanksgiving because I will not allow myself to suffer through the day with high blood sugar and feeling like syrup is pumping through my veins. I hate that feeling more than anything. 


Update:  I made the yesterday 11-19-15 and they are GREAT!!!  

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

The best low carb bread recipe ever.

No comments:
Best low carb bread recipe ever. Period. 

This recipe is great I will be making this regularly and will attempt to make it into a bread loaf soon!

 

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

I don't know you Sean Parker, but I would love to give you a GIANT hug!

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Read the article here:
http://techcrunch.com/2015/11/17/sean-parker-grants-10-million-to-aid-radical-autoimmune-research-for-type-1-diabetes

Did you read today's news?  Sean Parker donated 10 million dollars to research for type 1 Diabetes!  TEN MILLION DOLLARS!

This is incredible!  This guy donated 10 million dollars out of his pocket to help find a cure for the Disease that I live with every single day of every single moment of my life!

“This is literally a life or death situation with a diabetes 1 patient and in that sense there’s a real need to get down to the mechanistic level and understand how to repair the immune system so that it no longer produces these self-reactive T cells and in the event that it does those T cells are sufficiently suppressed by immunosuppressive elements like regulatory T cells,” Parker said.

Sean Parker, thank you, thank you from every inch of my being.   I really REALLY hope and pray and wish to be cured from Type 1 Diabetes in my lifetime!

Please leave me your comments, it helps keep me motivated!

Monday, November 16, 2015

Early Bird sale ID's only $15.00 7 days left

No comments:

Livongo Early Access Program states applications for the program are now closed on their website

No comments:
I hope those of you who wanted to sign up for the Livongo for Diabetes Early Access Program got signed up because I noticed today is says:  

Applications for the program are now closed.



 
https://go.livongo.com/START?d=1


Please leave me your comments, it helps keep me motivated!

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Have you tried Bai5 drinks yet?

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When you are pancreatically challenged finding a drink other than water or unsweetened ice tea can be difficult at times.  I drink a ton of water every day and I swear that is makes me feel better than the times when I do not or I forget.  I get bored with water sometimes and I do love ice tea but I can't really drink that all day long either.

I was told about the Bai5 drinks.  I finally found them in my local Hyvee and my local small grocery store has them too.  I was like, eh what the heck I'll try them.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

My experience with the In Touch Livongo glucose meter so far.

2 comments:
I got my Welcome kit 2 days ago, which includes the meter, charging cable, lancing device, lancets, and however many strips you wanted.  I got 300, which I probably won't use but that is what my prescription was for so I just kept it the same.  You know how it
goes, some times you use a ton in a month and other times not so much.

The meter is rather large, but it was free and it has a ton of cool features so I don't mind it. It has a built in T-Mobile internet connection so it uploads your data to your account online and you can choose who you want to share that data with.  You can share it with your doctors, a family member, your cell phone and even a CDE that Livongo provides for you to call for free. If your blood sugar is below 50 or above 400 the CDE will try to contact you to be sure you are ok.

I don't have connection to the T-Mobile network at my home but I do at my work so when I go to work and check my blood sugar it updates all the missed data and retrieves any messages.

You can also use any Micro USB charger to charge this meter, this is HUGE for me because my Verio meter has a lame proprietary charging cable.  Drives me NUTS.

I am not using the lancing device because I have a One Touch Delica that I use and I love it, I will never go back to any other lancer, that thing is almost painless.

The test strips are also rather large, but there are many benefits:  I don't have to do the b.s. fight with my health insurance to get the number of strips I feel I need, I don't have to get a prescription renewed every year, I don't have to visit a doctor every 6 months so they will continue to write my test strip prescription and I don't have to wait in line at the pharmacy to get my refills.  Those are so many more pluses for me that I wont let the size of these huge strips bother me.

So far I am really happy with this program. I am a tad bit concerned what they will raise the price to after the locked in 2 year price of only $25.00 per month.  I do NOT want to go back to the battles of getting my test strips.

It's crazy to even talk about how hard it is for us Diabetics to get the test strips that we BASE our whole control of this disease on.

THANK YOU LIVONGO for this program, please continue to keep the price at $25.00/month, there has got to be tens of thousands of people who will benefit from this. 


Please leave me your comments, it helps keep me motivated!

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Prior authorization, pre certification, pre when the heck did I get cured?

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Gray hairs, I have gray hair because of health insurance companies!

Holy crap I do not like Land of Lincoln health insurance. I have to get a new precertification/prior authorization whatEVER every 3 months.

Seriously? Why?

Do they think I am going to find a cure for type 1 diabetes every 3 months?
This time it took them 2 weeks to approve my pump supplies! TWO WEEKS! Wow Im glad I didnt run out of supplies.

I get that some people abuse their insurance but good grief Im the same person I was for my last approval and why cant they be like all other companies I have had? 1 approval is good for a year. I mean really.  Get with the program Land of Lincoln Health Insurance.

Dont put your Diabetic patients through any more b.s. than they already deal with from everyone else.


Please leave me your comments, it helps keep me motivated!

What keeps you motivated?

2 comments:
Type 1 Diabetes is a life long sort of thing and sometimes the people who live with this disease get burned out, depressed, sick and tired of managing it, tired of critical comments from doctors, friends, family and even strangers.

What are some of the things that keeps you motivated to stay on top of this disease?  Do you have any helpful knowledge you care to share with others who have either had Type 1 long term or those just starting out?

Let me hear what you have to say!


Please leave me your comments, it helps keep me motivated!

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

I just signed up for Livongo for Diabetes Early Access Program 25.00/month test strips!

2 comments:
So I just signed up for this.  It's worth a shot as $25.00/month is less than I am currently paying or have ever paid for Glucose test strips.

I signed up online and called the 800 number that popped up after I entered all of my information.  When you call them they will verify your information and get your credit card information from you and where you want your strips mailed to.

They told me it will be 2 weeks before I get my strips and welcome kit because of the HUGE amount of people signing up! 

https://go.livongo.com/START?d=1

The part that hooked me was: Unlimited testing strips and lancets are included as part of the program. No more co-pays or other out-of-pocket expenses.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies!!

No comments:
Got these in the oven and used walden farms pancake syrup instead of maple syrup, its totally sugar free. Also used lily's chocolate chips which are also sugar free.

I just tried one and theyre amazing!!

Next time Im going to add some stevia/erythritol...the Walden Farms doesnt quite make it sweet enough for me. 


Please leave me your comments.  It helps keep me motivated to blog!  =D  

Friday, October 23, 2015

Living with Diabetes "Grit"

6 comments:
Six months ago on April 3rd, I walked out of my Endocrinologist appointment with a couple of sample bottles of some off label use drugs to help me control my blood sugar spikes. (I have been t1d since 2000)

Side effects of these drugs can be urinary tract infections and yeast infections.  Those side effects really got stuck in my mind.  I thought about this the whole one and half hour drive home.

Is anyone reading this using the new Dexcom G5 yet?

No comments:
Hey, you, yeah you all out there in the internetland! Are any of you using the new Dexcom G5?  Do you like it, hate it, what do you think of it?

I am due for a new receiver in December, my warranty will be up, so it will be covered by insurance.  I have no idea what to get.

My issues are:
I just bought a new transmitter in July as mine was being crazy AND now it is still working, its lasted me and ENTIRE YEAR.  So I paid 525.00 for that freakn thing and still haven't used it.  Hopefully when I pop it off the magnet it will last me a long time.  Otherwise I will be out of transmitter warranty in January ( I KNOW what a terrible time to be out of warranty with insurance deductible resetting, I am not so stoked about that crap at all)

I don't know if I want to go back to a larger transmitter?

I don't know if I want to be forced to buy new transmitters every 6  months no matter what?

I don't own and iPhone and I never will.  I hate iTunes.  I love my Android.

So I think I need to go with the share transmitter and hang around waiting for Android FDA approval.  COME ON Dexcom, this Android approval delay is freakin lame.

What do you guys think?

Let me know, LEAVE A COMMENT, for reals.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

I can finally walk somewhat normally!

No comments:
I am nearly three weeks post surgery for my ingrown toe nail procedure.  I am still kind of walking on the outsides of my feet but not as much as before.  My toes dont tingle much anymore but the nerve on the tops of my feet are still a bit unhappy.

The foot doctor checked me out Tuesday and said they are healing really well so that is good.  I am suppose to take the bandaids off next week and let them dry up.  That sounds horrifying to me right now as they are still painful and the bandaids so offer a little bit of protection from my clumsy self.    I have already dropped several things on my toes and stubbed them a couple times and my stupid dog ran across my toes yesterday.  I could have strangled her I swear.


Here is yesterdays updated pictures of my toes.



Please leave me your comments.  It helps keep me motivated to blog!  =D

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

The Teal Pumpkin Project and how you can help the kids with food allergies or Diabetes this Halloween!

No comments:



I saw this a few days ago somewhere on the internet and then seeing theperfectd blog post today: http://theperfectd.com/2015/10/13/the-teal-pumpkin-project-diabetes/ inspired me to write a quick post also.

The Teal Pumpkin Project http://www.foodallergy.org/teal-pumpkin-project

My birthday is on Halloween and I loved it, tons of candy on my birthday and Halloween themed birthday parties!  I wasn't diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes until I was nearly 20 years old, so my trick or treating days were long over.  A lot of children do not get as "lucky" as I did and they feel left out of trick or treating because they cannot eat ALL the candy their friends and or siblings do and if they do their blood sugar suffers and most of us can get or do get very sick from elevated blood sugars.


(((**Side note: Type 1 children are capable of eating sugar and can take insulin to counteract eating sugar, but I personally believe since going low carb 6 months ago, that all people with type 1 Diabetes deserve to have normal blood sugar readings with no or few blood sugar spikes.  The constant up and down of a type 1 Diabetic's blood sugar is what causes the damage to our bodies and can lead to complications later on in life.  *LATER on in life, they won't be seen in the coming years or months, but after years of this damage is when you can get complications.  I personally am doing everything I can to live a full life complication free. The typeonegrit facebook group http://typeonegrit.blogspot.com/ is a perfect example of thousands of people living on low carb and children that are THRIVING and growing perfectly well on low carb lifestyles (it is not a diet and it is not ruining any childrens lives there are thousands of alternatives to sugar laden foods, you just have to not be lazy and actually cook the food).  Our ancestors didn't eat carbs and we don't need to either.  CARBS are an industry created evil and are the cause of many many health issues our society faces today.  No one NEEDS carbs to survive.  Do your own research, don't listed to the American Diabetes Association, look at who is funding their research.  Look up Doctor Sarah Hallberg https://www.facebook.com/Dr.SarahHallberg, looks up Doctor Bernstein http://www.diabetes-book.com/ There is plenty of proof out there that people with Type 1 Diabetes do thrive and thrive much healthier on a low carb lifestyle. End side note** ))) 

Thankfully there are other options and you, the people handing out candy, can do to help!  

Launched as a national campaign by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) in 2014, the Teal Pumpkin Project™ raises awareness of food allergies and promotes inclusion of all trick-or-treaters throughout the Halloween season. This year, you can be part of an even bigger movement by joining 100,000 households pledging to participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project™! Take the Pledge>

How can you help?:
  • Provide non-food treats for trick-or-treaters and paint a pumpkin teal to place in front of your home, along with a free printable sign from FARE, to indicate you have non-food treats available. Download a Sign>
   
 
Ideas for NON Food items you can hand out this Halloween:

  • Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces
  • Pencils, pens, crayons or markers
  • Bubbles
  • Halloween erasers or pencil toppers
  • Mini Slinkies
  • Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers
  • Bouncy balls
  • Finger puppets or novelty toys
  • Coins
  • Spider rings
  • Vampire fangs
  • Mini notepads
  • Playing cards
  • Bookmarks
  • Stickers
  • Stencils

I will be out trick or treating with my child this year and I live way way out in the country so I wont be the one handing anything out, but I will be watching for people who are supporting this cause and stopping to tell them thank you for helping the kids who have type 1 Diabetes like I do!

#tealpumpkingproject

Monday, October 12, 2015

If you ever decide to have ingrown toe nail removal surgery done, here is your warning.....graphic images don't open if you can't handle it.

No comments:
So I have been batteling ingrown toe nails for at least 10 years.  Digging the little fragment of nail out of my toe and clipping it.  My right toe for a least 10 years, the left toe for at least 3-5 and the other side of my right toe for 3-5.

If you have this issue DO NOT WAIT to get it taken care of.  Mine finally got to the point where I was digging way down by the bed of the nail. Almost all the way down.  I figured with me having type 1 Diabetes I shouldnt mess with my feet anymore and some day I probably wont be able to see that stupid little tiny sliver of nail.

I was unaware of the repercussions of my "bathroom sugeries" all the trauma I had been causing to my toes made them build up extra tissue.  Well this tissue has to be removed after they cut your nail off.

I had both my big toes fixed on 10-2-15 and I could finally bear weight on them again on 10-10-15. The pain was terrific and on my drive home Friday after having this procedure done, I thought I was going to have to pull over and puke.

Getting your toes numbed up with lidocaine and whatever else it was, was pretty awesomely painful and feeling that medication go around my toe was pretty crazy.

I watched the whole thing without feeling sick or anything, it was pretty awesome to watch and gross at the same time.  I had the nail deadend on the outsides because I dont want to ever have to go through this crap again.

Gross pictures ahead:

Opinion: ADA: Low Carb Diet Helps Diabetics, but Still Not Recommended

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"As reported by Regina Wilshire in her low-carb science blog Weight of the Evidence, a spokesperson for the ADA says that low carb diets are helpful for managing diabetes, but they aren’t recommended because the ADA thinks that low carb is too difficult for people to “live with long term."

In other words, instead of trying to help people follow the diet that is best for them, this prominent organization admits to recommending a diet that is less healthy for diabetics –- a diet that could cause a type 2 diabetic to take more medication, progress to becoming dependent on insulin, or even suffer from any of a number of health problems caused by poor blood glucose control."
 
Since when do we allow other people/organizations to decide what is best for us?  Isn't what's best suppose to be based off medical research?  Research shows that a low carb diet is what is BEST for us.  Just because it is HARD they wont recommend it?   Or is it because of their crap guidelines and the resulting crap blood sugars keep all the Diabetes related MILLIONAIRE companies afloat?

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

New pump idea from a Dutch company but I don't think I would personally wear it.

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 Kaleido


Kaleido: Adding Color to Insulin Pumps with an Odd Hybrid Device

http://www.healthline.com/diabetesmine/kaleido-color-pump#1 
"Kaleido is insulin pump therapy for those who don’t believe in boring. Although our main focus is to provide an effective insulin delivery device, we also believe that diabetes is not what defines people –- instead, it’s their personality and freedom to choose. After all, if you’re going to wear something 24/7, it should look good and be something you can enjoy, right? With the choice of 10 colors, customers will be able to choose two pump colors for their Starter Kit."

Life is short

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Since my daughters' birth I have learned a lot of things about life. Children are blessings from God that teach you what life is really all about and how to love unconditionally. I have learned you have to live each day to its fullest, you are not guaranteed tomorrow. Only you are in control of your reactions, don't let others bring you down. Life is hard and sometimes it feels like the rest of the world should stop because your life feels like it has stopped but it doesn't. You have to keep moving forward. 

The past year has seemed to be a rough one for me, but I can't stop going forward, the loved ones we have lost this year wouldn't want me to stop living life to the fullest. Cherish each and every day, make each day the best day of your life, make other people smile every day, make yourself smile every day for today could be your last.

Friday, September 25, 2015

The Holiday Season is fast approaching along with the dreaded carb and sugar loaded family gatherings

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The Holidays.  I love them, I love family gatherings, I feel blessed to be able to share so many holidays with so many of the people I love.

I also dread family gatherings but not for the most typical reasons.

My broken pancreas.

It rules the choices I make in my life because I choose to live a long life with less diabetes complications and hopefully less blood sugar swings.  The ups and downs are what are doing the damage.  I want to try as hard as I can to mitigate the swings.  The only way to do that with today's tools and medications is to avoid the things that make my and every other type 1 Diabetics' blood sugars spike or go up.  The higher I am away from a non-diabetics blood sugar levels the more damage I am doing.  If I want to prevent complications later on in my life from type 1 Diabetes I need to try to keep my blood sugar as close to the levels of someone without type 1 Diabetes.

A normal persons blood sugar stays around 60-85.  90 is my goal.  I'm not there yet and I am trying hard to nail down my pump settings. Its hard, Diabetes is hard.  Being a woman with Diabetes and menstruating is even harder.  Hormones mess with everything including your insulin resistance levels.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Some good Diabetes news

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I just saw this on Facebook this morning and FINALLY something positive about Diabetes and our insanely high cost of treatment and insurance.

This is what sounds amazing, "patients with diabetes receive discounts on their health insurance for achieving better outcomes"! I and thousands of others could really REALLY use cheaper health insurance and medications.

Things are changing, they have to change, someone has to do something because someday some of us wont be able to afford our health insurance and manage this disease in a way that doesn't bankrupt us. I am dreading my insulin pump warranty expiring next August.  I am looking at anywhere from 1200-1500 I will have to pay for a new insulin pump AFTER insurance coverage.  Does that sound appealing?  I don't have a flipping clue how I will pay for that but I can't live with this disease without it and a pump under warranty either. 

Cheryl's Spinach Squares

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https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/1c/ca/8d/1cca8d715b0e22d38a6fd98caf075c05.jpg

2 10 oz pkgs of frozen, chopped spinach; cooked, drained and squeezed dry
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1/2 c grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 t garlic powder (or 4 cloves fresh garlic)
1 lb Muenster Cheese slices (not thin)
Dash of pepper
Combine all ingredients other than Muenster cheese.
Use nonstick olive oil spray on pan before laying down cheese
Line a 9 x 12 in pan with cheese on bottom and sides, using the cheese as a "crust."
Spread filling over cheese and top with remaining Muenster cheese.
Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.


These are FANTASTIC and my husband and 2.5 yr old loved them!   Thanks to Cheryl McLeod for this recipe!