I loved this Nelly Furtado song, "Say it Right", when it first came out. It's one of those songs that gets turned up in my car as loud as I can handle it, with the bass turned all the way on so you can feel the wonderful heartbeat-like rhythm. It takes a few listens to hear the lyrics, but the verses are neatly written.
I've been so busy working on a presenation for school that I almost forgot it was Wed! The video I chose this week is Martina McBride singing her recent single "Anyway" a beautiful song about living life. I love her songs because she's not afraid to talk about real issues, like in her song Concrete Angel, which is about child abuse. Not to mention her wonderful voice! Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn are who introduce her as she sings this at the Country Music Awards in this video, and they are another one of my favorite country acts. Enjoy!
Chris Daughtry whose recent single "It's Not Over" caught my attention, has a great first album out. Since he only made it to the 3rd runner up spot on American Idol, he was able to write and play what he really wanted to which is rock, not pop. You'll notice I tend to prefer singer/songwriters, and Chris knows how to write great lyrics. Check out the lyrics to "Over You" below.
http://www.lyricsmania.com/lyrics/chris_daughtry_lyrics_8522/daughtry_lyrics_33540/over_you_lyrics_362867.html
I love my insulin pump, and I've had minimal issues with sites in my 8 years. The main thing I need to do is make sure I'm rotating my sites enough, and I'm fine. Ever since I've been on the pump, I have used the Sof-set and Skin Prep underneath the tape to reduce irriation. It has always worked well for me, sites have to be seriously yanked on or messed with to come off unexpectedly. So, a few months ago when I was ordering my test strips, I also ordered Skin Preps. Or so I thought. I hadn't needed to use them until a couple weeks ago, and discovered that not all skin preps are created equal. This is a picture of the skin preps I usually use:
Ingredients: Isopropyl Alcohol, Butyl Ester of PVM/MA Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Ctirate
However, this is what I received to use:
Ingredients: Purified Water, Diglycol/CHDM/Isophthalates/SIP Copolymer, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Octoxynol-9, Dimethicone Copolyopl, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben
(Editors note- my theory is that the glycerin was the culprit. Who puts something that is in soaps in a skin prep?)
Now, I notice that the packaging was different,but the box I received actually looked a lot more like the ones I usually use. So, I figured I'd give it a try. Then next day in the shower, I hear something drop, and I hadn't dropped anything. I look down, and there is my site, on the shower floor. Huh??? I've never had a site completely come off within a day, so this was strange. I figured, okay, at least I can just change the site-and at this point was suspicous of the skin prep. However, I don't like to forgo using it, and I figured once wasn't enough to blame on the skin prep- maybe there was another explaination. So, I gave it a second chance. And the next shower my theory of it being the skin prep was proven- site came out again. I quickly changed the site using just alcohol underneath and it seemed fine for the rest of the day. I went out with a friend and treated myself to a Starbucks frappacino, and guessed at the carb amount. 2 hours later I tested, knowing that my guesses on these things are often wrong, and I had been cautious since I had done a lot of walking that day and my site was in my left leg. I was 385, so I corrected, and I felt fine, so I thought it was just the frappacino. Well, the site must have been bad because at 530 the next morning I was 438 with ketones and feeling sick, and spent the rest of the day chasing that high down and flushing out the ketones with water. So, that's why I wanted to share this story- especially for anyone new to pump therapy. Luckily the week following that one day has been fine, and no more site issues have happened. And this past Saturday my blood sugars were the exact opposite because I woke up at 81- and spent most of my day under 141.
3/24/07
Time BG
539 438-manual shot and site change
640 387
800 259-correction
1100 443-food and correction
1219 410-correction, more water
218 235
400 174-set lower basal because I was walking a lot
616 169
3/31/07
Time BG
530 81
730 99- one of my best post breakfast reading
1030 129
1200 142
150 197
300 131
430 49-oops over did the carb ratio with my last snack
Isn't it amazing the difference a site and starting out the day right can make?
This song was originally sung by Chris Tomlin, and though I love his version, Barlow Girl has certainly done a splendid job on it. It was one of my favorite songs to sing with the worship band. It's a great reminder that although this world challenges us to be discontent with what we have, we often have "Enough"- and many of us are blessed with more than enough.
I love music- whether I'm listening to it, dancing or singing along. So, I thought I'd do more than just occasionally share the lyrics of the songs I love on here. So each Wednesday, you'll learn who I've been listening to lately. I have an eclectic ear, so there will probably be something for everyone. Some people who know me may even be surprised by this Joss Stone pick- but I think she rocks! I love how she uses her voice- doesn't over or under do it and she obviously loves what she does for a living. She's only 19 and I have a feeling we'll be seeing plenty more of her.
As I mentioned a few days ago, I am volunteering with my local American Diabetes Association's Step Out to Fight Diabetes walk. And after a few days of working on it, I'm ready to unveil the Myspace page I designed to get the word out about our local walk. http://www.myspace.com/stepoutdiabetes
April 2, 2007 the walk website will be going live, so we'll have a link to that on our page at that point. We're hoping to encourage more donations since online donations tend to generate more funds. Let me know what you think- we'll also eventually have posts about why the committee members are involved with the ADA- how diabetes has affected them personally or a loved one. Also, if you have a myspace account, feel free to join our friends section!
Ahhh I love that feeling I get after going to the gym- that post workout high, the endorphins coursing through me. Even though I know I'll be a little sore the next day(and after my strength training class, for a couple days). Of course, it does make some fun times trying to predict when the muscles I worked are going to decide to pull the glucose my body needs away to restock their storage, and cause a low. I had my fun strength training class last night, and I lowered my basals by 10% for 4 hours this afternoon. During those four hours, I did not go low. Then, at 9pm, after a busy afternoon and early evening, and heading to the gym for just 30 min on the treadmill, I'm 73. WHAT??? I was frustrated, but took a deep breath and thought a minute about my options, decided on liquid sugar replacement, and got started with my friend. A little Gatorade and an 85% decrease in my basal did the trick- 82 mg/dl 1.5 miles and 30 min later. And now I'm 260- maybe I didn't need to decrease that basal for so long. That's what correction boluses are for, right?
Back in September, when I returned from Italy, I made the announcement that I was engaged. After that, we chose a date (9/30/07), started our planning. My sister was engaged within a few weeks of me, so we were planning our weddings together. They were going to be 6 weeks apart- hers in mid-August and mine at the end of September. Dresses were bought, reservations were made with the church, photographer, DJ, and the reception hall over the course of October and November. And then December came. And it all fell apart. It's a long, "dark and twisty" as Meredith on Grey's Anatomy would say, story. It ended 12/20/06, for reasons he gave that made it clear that it was for the best. And as those of you who read this blog know, I'm moving on- in so many ways. School has been one of the best things I've done, and work is going well. Come September 30th, 2007, I will be walking in the local ADA Step Out for Diabetes walk, which I am on the Planning and Fundraising committee for. Next week I will be working at the local ADA office to set up a Myspace page for the ADA walk- watch for the link to it here. Also, for those of you with Facebook accounts, there is an ADA group on there already. My family has been wonderfully supportive, as have been my friends. My dress for my sister's wedding came in recently, and it looks great!
So, while one chapter has ended, attitude is everything and I believe in looking at this as an opportunity for new beginnings.
Sometimes the ordinary tasks in life are the ones that you need to pay attention to- I've been thinking about this experience and mulling it over and was finally given the inspiration to share it.
A couple weeks ago, I took a drive to an unfamiliar town. I was due to be at my destination after nightfall, so I doublechecked my directions and headed out as the sun set behind me. The first 15 minutes were well lit, and the most familiar part. As dusk fell, the clear sky above began revealing it's stars to me. I was grateful for the full moon that had risen as these were country roads with stretches of pure land with no human inhabitants. My journey took me along a river and the moonlight danced off the water. Every now and then I'd have to refer to my directions and make sure I was on the right course. Once or twice I missed a turn and had to find my way back, reorient myself in this strange land, and set off again. The serene countryside had a calming effect, eventhough I was in uncharted teritory. It inspired a reflective mood and to realize how much of the beauty in everyday things we forget to notice. The way the stars travel across the sky, the way the seasons change. If we take the time to listen, nature will tell us one simple truth: change is constant and most of the time it is for the better. Sometimes in a moment it is hard to see, but time, perspective, and quiet reflection reveal what we need to learn about ourselves. Sometimes we have directions, or someone who is a guiding light, who has gone before us. And other times we seem to get lost, when in reality it was only a lesson in where that road may lead.
Vincent Van Gogh's "Starry Night"
Have you ever been reading, and had the words seem to jump off the page at you? Or feel like someone wrote those words just for you? Well, I had that experience as I was reading the "The Up Side" section of my Guidepost magazine last night. Readers send in inspiring and positive quotes to share, and this one was written by John O'Hurley who was on Seinfeld and more recently Dancing with the Stars champion.
"When we leap, we must leap as though the net will appear. A leap in life, however big or small, is an act of commitment with the expectation of success."
As I had mentioned when I started this blog last April, I'm an RN who enjoys teaching and I was hoping to get into diabetes education. I did investigate that, and enjoyed it, as I always enjoy teaching patients how to manage their disease and prevent future complications. However, for many reasons now is not the time for me to be in diabetes education. So, I had to start back at what I thought was square one figuring out how to use my talents and what I value most in nursing, and my almost 6 years experience to develop my career further. I have my Bachelors of Science in Nursing, and had been encouraged by my professors to go on for my masters. At the time, I wasn't sure in what, and desperately needed both real-life work experience and a break from writing papers that I wasn't sure how were going to apply to work situations. About 6 months ago, after 3 years away from school, I started to get the desire to take a class or two, still not sure what exactly in. I knew that I wanted to apply myself even more to my masters if I decided to go back, so I wasn't going to do this halfway. I take awhile to make the "big" decisions (because I like to think all the pros and cons through), but once I'm committed, I'm determined to make things work. After spending the last month or so job hunting and tired of jobs that were not fulfilling to me, I decided it is time for me to pursue my Masters of Nursing Education. There was even a spot open in one of the classes this semester, so my first day back as a student is this Saturday! I am also starting a new job.
So, now back to why the quote jumped out at me. As you can see, I'm taking a two leaps of faith in myself at the moment. I also signed up for The OC New Me Challenge to work on my A1C goal. Each of these things will be challenging. They will require hard work and perseverance when life throws me a surprise or two. And continued reliance on my wonderful family, who has been super supportive, my true friends, and this wonderful OC Community. Because that's what life is really all about, isn't it? Being able to rely on community, contributing back to it, and living your life to the fullest.
I had to! Boston Creme is one of my weaknesses when I'm actually inside a Dunkin Donuts (which isn't often) so it was too funny that it was the result of this funny quiz. Even funnier that it describes me pretty well. And I figured it was better to post this before my "ways I'm going to improve in the new year" post
You Are a Boston Creme Donut
You have a tough exterior. No one wants to mess with you.
But on the inside, you're a total pushover and completely soft.
You're a traditionalist, and you don't change easily.
You're likely to eat the same doughnut every morning, and pout if it's sold out.
http://www.blogthings.com/whatdonutareyouquiz/
You may all recognize these following lines from the beloved tale How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss. For reasons I may or may not explain later, I've been thinking about it a lot since yesterday. It's one of my favorite holiday stories, for the reasons in the lines below:
"It was quarter past dawn...
All the Whos, still a-bed
All the Whos, still a-snooze
When he packed up his sled,
Packed it up with their presents! The ribbons! The wrappings!
The tags! And the tinsel! The trimmings! The trappings!
Three thousand feet up! Up the side of Mount Crumpit,
He rode to the tiptop to dump it!
"Pooh-pooh to the Whos!" he was grinch-ish-ly humming.
"They're finding out now that no Christmas is coming!
"They're just waking up! I know just what they'll do!
"Their mouths will hang open a minute or two
"The all the Whos down in Who-ville will all cry BOO-HOO!"
"That's a noise," grinned the Grinch,
"That I simply must hear!"
So he paused. And the Grinch put a hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low. Then it started to grow...
But the sound wasn't sad!Why, this sound sounded merry!
It couldn't be so!
But it WAS merry! VERY!
He stared down at Who-ville!
The Grinch popped his eyes!
Then he shook!
What he saw was a shocking surprise!
Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any presents at all!
He HADN'T stopped Christmas from coming!
IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?
It came without ribbons! It came without tags!"
It came without packages, boxes or bags!"
And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.
"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"
And what happened then...?Well...in Who-ville they say
That the Grinch's small heart
Grew three sizes that day!
***************************
So as the year draws to an end, let us all be clear, the best gifts of all are of good cheer.
Hugs from family, well wishes from friends, time spent together- that's what lasts to the end.
Happy Holidays everyone!
Every experience God gives us, every person he puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only he can see. -Corrie ten Boom
This quote was on a friends website and it is so true- sometimes it's hard to see what's down the road for us and and we just have to have faith that even if we don't understand now, it will work out for the best in the end. It was a reassurance I needed now that I'm trying to figure out where my talents best fit. I haven't quite found my niche yet and it's been a frustrating though educational. Michael W. Smith, one of my favorite songwriters/singers expressed it well with his song Missing Person:
1st Verse:
Another question in me
One for the powers that be
It's got me thrown
And so I put on my poker face
And try to figure it out
This undeniable doubt
A common occurence
Feeling so out of place
Guarded and cynical now
Can't help but wondering how
My heart evolved into
The rock beating inside of me
So I reel such a stoic ordeal
Where's that feeling that I don't feel
Chorus:
There was a boy who had the faith to move a mountain
And like a child he would believe without a reason
Without a trace he disappeared into the void and
I've been searchin' for that missing person
And his song "My place in this world"
Words: Michael W. Smith and Wayne Kirkpatrick
Music: Michael W. Smith
The wind is moving
But I am standing still
A life of pages
Waiting to be filled
A heart that's hopeful
A head that's full of dreams
But this becoming
Is harder than it seems
Feels like I'm
Chorus:
Looking for a reason
Roaming through the night to find
My place in this world
My place in this world
Not a lot to lean on
I need Your light to help me find
My place in this world
My place in this world
If there are millions
Down on their knees
Among the many
Can you still hear me
Hear me asking
Where do I belong
Is there a vision
That I can call my own
Show me I'm
Chorus
* * * * * * * * * * * *
I know I'll find my niche, I'm just slowly running out of patience for it to happen.
I've been keeping busy lately. As you can see I put up my Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving and had fun creating my blue and silver theme for this year. I've also started knitting again as a way to keep my hands busy and make some scarves for friends for Christmas. Last night I attended a neat church service that was developed with U2's permission using their songs and reminded us all that during this time of year it's important to do something for those whose holidays may not be so bright. Whether that be simple gifts or cards for your local nursing homes residents who don't get many visitors, to reaching out to a local food pantry or other community services that need a helping hand at this time of year. U2 also requested that churches who used their songs donate their offering that day to an organization such as the One Campaign: http://www.one.org
Jack and Grubby are getting bigger and they just reached another milestone-the all important 6 month all day vet visit. They continue to manage to get into trouble though, especially since Jim has his tree up. One time he found half the garland pulled off of it when he had been busy doing chores in another room. Here are some updated pictures of them. They had been running around after their new laser pointer and were a bit parched, which is why Jack is sticking his tongue out.
And here's one of the two brothers hanging out near one of their favorite rooms- the bathroom. They are forever playing in the bathtub, teasing eachother from the other side of the shower curtain.
"Must....conserve....energy for next play fight...."
And I start with this question for a reason- I've been quite frustrated recently with my fasting blood sugars. They have ranged from 170-300 without apparent predictability. I've done some night time testing and I know up until 3am I'm at or near normal range- right around 100. So am I spiking after 3 then? But it isn't consistent, and I live alone, so I fear waking up low. It doesn't seem to matter whether I've had a snack before bed and bolused appropriately or not. I know that my hormones to tend to make me more resistant to insulin in the am especially- my insulin to carb ratio is 1:3- and no that isn't a typo! So, I thought I'd asked my wonderful blogging community for some thoughts on what to do- I've adjusted my basals some but it's a tricky thing when I can't be up every hour checking to see what my BG is doing. Plus, the rest of my numbers lately have been pretty darn good-working on getting that 8.7 HbA1c down by Jan 18. But these mornings are counter productive. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
"Whatcha doing?"
Tomorrow is Election Day. A day when any registered voters the age of 18 and up get to have a say as to who is making decisions that affect us and our families and communities. So please go out and vote tomorrow. Find out which one of your local represenatives support healthcare initiatives, our schools; who makes changes that count. And if you don't get a chance to vote tomorrow, or do and the people you wanted in office don't get voted in, let your voice be heard other ways. The ADA needs advocates willing to just send a simple prefilled out email to their representatives as issues come up. They do all the work for you, all you have to do is take a few minutes to go to the website. Senators Clinton and Collins are trying to pass a bipartisan bill that would help support research and proper care for gestational diabetes. Check out the link below for more information about the bill: http://www.diabetes.org/advocacy-and-legalresources/federal_legislation/Gestational.jsp
All you have to do is go to their advocacy center to sign up to get email notifications to take action on bills that effect diabetes healthcare in general.
Another movement to keep an eye on and sign their petition is Unite for Diabetes at http://www.unitefordiabetes.org/ It was an eye opening reminder to me that we live in a wealthy, priviliged nation where we don't have to worry about refridgerating our insulin, or even obtaining it for that matter. Diabetes is considered a pandemic, and if prevenative education measures are not made by the global community, it will only continue to effect more and more people. Who may or may not have access to the healthcare we do in this country (yes, I realize that there are about 44 million uninsured people in the USA, but that is a whole other debate for another day).
Diabetes facts to ponder when considering how to help:
1 in 10 healthcare dollars are spent on diabetes in the US each year.
22% of the US population, or 50 million adults have Metabolic Syndrome which places them at high risk to develop Type 2 diabetes and heart disease if they don't change their lifestyle.
41 million Americans are considered to have pre-diabetes, or fasting blood glucose levels between 100-125. These individuals often already have signs of the effects of above normal blood glucose on their blood vessels.
This disease isn't going away. It isn't the only disease out there, and I fully support research for other devastating illnesses. This one happens to effect billions of people around the world in ways no one without diabetes can understand. Unless they are a parent (=hero) of a child with diabetes or know someone with it, most people don't get that diabetes isn't "just a touch of sugar" or that there is no such thing as "borderline diabetes". But we can change that. One voice at a time.
