That's a Wrap...

This month has been filled with diabetes awareness events, conversation, celebration and myth busters. Now that it's winding down, I thought I'd give a wrap up of 30 myth-busting awareness statements.  These are the things I most want the world to know about diabetes...because, really, without awareness and knowledge, our dream of a cure will not be realized. There is still far too much mystery about it, at least in the general public.

1. Know the warning signs of diabetes and tell others...it could save a life!...extreme thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weight loss and more...go to worlddiabetesday.org to learn more.
2. No one gets diabetes from eating too much sugar.
3. Sugar can actually save a diabetic's life.
4. There are several types of diabetes: type 1, 1.5 (LADA), type 2, gestational and several other rarer forms.
5. The onset of type 1 diabetes sometimes masks itself as flu...if your child's flu symptoms do not add up, ask the pediatrician for a blood glucose test and don't take no for an answer.
6. All types of diabetes are bad.
7. Making Sense of Diabetes is a great educational video compiled by the Diabetes Hands Foundation with the help of many friends from the diabetes online community.
8. There are theories, but not even the experts know why a person gets T1 diabetes...there's nothing that was eaten, done or said that gave them that disease.
9. People w/diabetes can and do enjoy just about any food that people w/out diabetes can enjoy...that means cupcakes too!
10. November 14th is World Diabetes Day...the birthday of Frederick Banting, one of the men who discovered insulin.
11. Knowledge is power...and power brings change...we need a cure.
12. Diabetes is not contagious.
13. W/diabetes, the total carbohydrate count on food (not just sugar) must be balanced w/insulin, which is on a very individual basis.
14. Kids w/type 1 diabetes grow up to be adults w/type 1 diabetes...they will not grow out of it...we need a cure.
15. Type 1 diabetes is sometimes termed juvenile diabetes.  However, it can be diagnosed at any age.
16. The main difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes:  In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas ceases to produce insulin, a hormone which enables the body to convert food into energy...In type 2, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin that is produced...sure wish there were different names for them.
17. Insulin is not a cure.
18. For insulin-dependant diabetes, there are several ways to deliver insulin...syringe (several times a day), insulin pen (still a needle) or...insulin pump, which goes into the person's fatty tissue via a catheter that is changed every few days (still with a big "needle" poke)...did I miss any?
19. This is not an easy thing to do -- People w/diabetes strive for blood sugar readings anywhere between 70-120...(some people's range numbers may differ slightly)...It is a constant balancing routine that requires diligence and thought.
20. The term hypoglycemia refers to a blood sugar reading below 70...symptoms vary among people...but some are shakiness, dizziness, sweating, pale color, difficulty communicating, sudden behavior change like becoming weepy for no apparent reason.  Hypoglycemic episodes (insulin reactions) MUST be remedied immediately w/a source of fast-acting sugar or seizure, coma and death will occur.
21. Diabetes is an expensive disease.
22. The term hyperglycemia refers to a blood sugar reading that is too high...It is the main cause of complications...Symptoms include frequent urination, increased thirst...If undetected, it can lead to ketoacidosis (diabetic coma) and can include shortness of breath, fruity-smelling breath, nausea/vomitting and extreme dry mouth...If undiagnosed, it can lead to death.
23. Sometimes diabetes isn't manageable at all.
24. Contrary to popular belief, yes, a type 1 person can eat that.
25. Exercise can lower a blood glucose reading...However, if the reading is extremely high (over 240), the exercise can cause it to go even higher...This varies from individual to individual...crazy diabetes!
26. A personal favorite...having a type 1 daughter and loving the movie Steel Magnolias...type 1 women can have wonderful, healthy pregnancies when supported by a great medical team, with love and diligence...and, if you don't know the reference to Steel Magnolias, all I can say is "why have you never seen that movie?!"...the first thing the doc who diagnosed C told me was, don't think about Steel Magnolias!
27. People with diabetes can do anything...it just takes a more preparation.  Once, we heard an inspirational speaker talk about his ascent to Mt. Everest...with type 1 diabetes!
28. Nighttime rest for parents of a type 1 forever changes with that diagnosis.
29. There are countless variables when it comes to managing diabetes from hormonal changes to illness to stress...and everything in between.
30. Diabetes is 24/7...every minute of every day...there is no break or vacation from it...until...there's a cure.

Whew!  In the beginning of the month I thought that it might become difficult to come up with statements.  Sadly, I could continue for a while yet.  However, I think I'll leave it at the above 30 issues until next November!

Thankful for...

• the husband who works super hard so I can stay home and take care of our kids and learn this new thing called business
• big C who, even though frustrates me to no end at times, also makes me just as proud
• middle C who continually keeps the comedy coming
• C who blesses me daily by simply being my daughter
• friends who understand all about me and love me anyway
• home, though small and modest, is warm and filled with life
• church family, who has welcomed us with open arms
• our city that is filled with home-town ideals
• the diabetes online community for helping us feel not so alone
• teachers who not only teach my kids, but care about them as well
• our baseball family who genuinely loves the game
• the U.S.A. where we feel free and blessed
• health, though not perfect, has brought me through another year
• sisters who have grown to be more like friends over the years
• nieces and nephews for filling the future with great promise
• sisters and brothers in-law who actually seem like my sisters and brothers
• jobs that continue to put money in our pockets
• Lily, our dog, for thinking I'm the best person in the world, even when I'm in a very grumpy mood.
• my mom and dad for just being my mom and dad...their quiet generosity is such a loud example.
• the Lord...for everything

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

The Cost of Diabetes

"The national cost of diabetes in the U.S. in 2007 exceeds $174 billion."  This is taken from the American Diabetes Association website.  That was the most recent statistic to be found.  I am certain last year's calculations are higher just as 2009's amount will be higher still.  But $174 billion?  That's overwhelming right there.

I don't exactly know what that amount includes.  Doctor fees?  Surgeries from complications?  Medication?  Co-pays?  I don't know.  But I thought I would do a little research of what diabetes actually costs our family on a monthly basis and beyond.  Without insurance, it would be nearly impossible.

100 lancets:               $ 13.99

300 test strips            $356.97

2 vials of insulin          $227.98

10 resevoirs:              $ 33.00

10 infusion sets:          $116.00

total monthly expense: $747.94

The following items are not monthly, but still an expense.

alcohol wipes:              $   3.00
iv preps:                      $ 12.00
glucagon kit:                $117.99
emla creme:                 $ 63.99
glucose tabs                 $  5.00

                           total:  $201.98

The following items last a while but need to be replaced once in a while.


QuickSerter:                $ 24.95
meter                           $ 69.00

                          total:  $ 93.95

Finally, the pump itself...this expense is replaced every 4 years.

Minimed insulin pump:    approximately $6,000.00

Thank God for insurance!  Now, don't get me wrong.  We've had more than our fair share of insurance woes.  Like the time they wouldn't believe that we actually really use 300 test strips per month.  And sometimes they've "forgotten" that we paid a copay and bill us again.  Or, there is the occasional mystery bill that comes and puts us on the brink of collections for no apparent reason.  However, they do pick up most of these charges.  Yet, glancing over this list, if we simply paid an average $20 copay for each item, diabetes is not a cheap disease.

Diabetes?  Expensive.  Keeping our daughter alive and healthy in spite of diabetes?  Priceless.

Introducing...Captain Insulin!

Captain Insulin...a superhero, for sure!

This November, during Diabetes Awareness Month, I have had the pleasure of having a couple different D moms guest post here.  Today, I have another special treat.  I am so excited and feel priveleged to be able to share the perspective of a teenager, living with type 1 diabetes since the age of 5.  He is now a high school senior, very involved in sports and high school activities.  Recently, his thoughts have been turned to college.  Applications have been filled out and submitted.  What follows is Michael's personal statement as written by him...part of his college application process.  I am happy to introduce Michael, son to Melinda (@notsostilllifes) whose own guest post showed a mom's perspective on her son's experiences living with type 1.  Now, we get to hear from Michael! 

(Oh, and Captain Insulin?  Not too long ago, Mom shared Michael's Halloween costume...Captain Insulin!  It's awesome...so I had to include it!)
____________________________

On June 30, 1997, when I was only five years old, I was diagnosed with Type1 Insulin Dependent Diabetes.  At first, I was devastated.  It seemed like the worst thing that could ever happen to someone.  My days, once carefree, were now dominated by injections, finger pricks, and pain.  Food, instead of being something that I could enjoy, was now a chore because I was forced to count carbohydrates before I ate, and inject insulin accordingly.  I felt sorry for myself.  None of my peers could ever imagine what I went through on a daily basis.  It didn't seem fair.

Within a few years, however, I developed a completely new mindset about diabetes.  Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I now took it as a challenge that was presented to me, to see what kind of a person I really was.  I became determined to beat diabetes by always staying in control of it.  I was not going to let diabetes define who I was, but instead use it to show myself what I could become.
Over the years, I have adapted to life with diabetes.  The injections and finger pricks that used to haunt my thoughts are now just a part of everyday life.  Although I think about every bite of food that I eat, these thoughts are in the back of my mind, creating room for other important thoughts that average teenagers have.  Yes, I have diabetes, but that does not stop me from doing everything that my peers do.  I play competitive sports year-round, go to the beach, have wonderful friends, and keep my grades up in school.

I see now that diabetes has been the catalyst to make me work harder at everything I do.  What once limited me, or so I thought, has actually made me stronger.  Diabetes has made me tough, mentally as well as physically.  It has made me really appreciate hard work and what it takes to be successful.  Diabetes has also made me compassionate.  It has made me want to reach out to those meeting life's challenges head to head, just as I did, and give them love and support.  For example, last summer I worked as a coach at a soccer camp, and three diabetic children attended one of my sessions.  Soccer camp was the very first place their parents had left them alone, and felt comfortable enough to do so, because I was there to take care of them.

I am very aware of the medical complications that I may face later in life, regardless of how well I take care of myself, but this does not stop me from doing everything in my power to stay in control of my diabetes.  I thought diabetes was going to limit me, but I prove everyday that it doesn't.  I took a challenge many years ago, and I'm going to see it through until the end, because that's the person diabetes has helped me to become.
____________________________

Michael, that is quite the statement!  Thank you for letting us post this.  Wow, what a great perspective...one I hope my own daughter will have as she struggles yet grows strong because of type 1.  Thank you for that inspiration for type 1 kids everywhere...and for moms everywhere too! 

Is it any wonder after reading Melinda's post, that she would raise a young man such as this?  Thank you, Melinda!

A Circle of Blue

Yes, the blue cupcakes!

It was a beautiful day on Saturday.  Yes, the weather was near perfect here in Southern California.  Yes, C's soccer team won their last game.  Yes, big C's baseball team had an extraordinary first day of their tournament.  But there was something else that made it a great day.

There was an energy that was being spread, across the globe, really.  World Diabetes Day was here!  The big build-up to the Big Blue Test was being felt via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, news channels, even a mention on a radio show.  We felt connected.  We felt so amazingly different than during those first couple years after C's diagnosis.  We felt understood.  We felt encouraged by friends we've never even met face to face...yet.  We felt compelled to reach out to others.  We felt hope.

We participated in the Big Blue Test.  We posted C's numbers.  They weren't great...188 and 192 after exercise.  I wanted different numbers!  But as I posted them, I thought, well, that just goes to show the inexplainable when it comes to diabetes!

We baked our blue cupcakes.  We enjoyed them after snapping a few pictures with them in the shape of the World Diabetes Day circle.  We bolused a guess for 30 grams.  C ended up at 212 a couple hours later, but we corrected and went on with our beautiful day.  We painted our nails blue.  And, Big C really wanted to join in, but Dad protested. 

And while huge monuments were being lit up in blue across the world, friends all over the place were doing all sorts of creative things to bring diabetes to light.  There was a collage.  Tatoos.  Poems.  Beautiful photography.  Blue Christmas lights being strung.  This year's best diabetic duo SugaSheen putting Beyonce to shame!  It was amazing.  We came up with some other ideas that we're tucking away for next year.  We had fun!

And, like I said, we felt...hope.

                           

The BIG Blue Test

The BIG Blue Test is almost here!!!  And, in case you don't know what that means, I thought I'd give a rundown.  However, I can't say it any better than this guy...Manny Hernandez (founder of TuDiabetes, a diabetes online community).  I borrowed the following from him.  And I know he doesn't mind...Let's do this thing!



November 14 is World Diabetes Day. On that day, at 14:00 hours (local time), thousands of people with diabetes will test their blood sugar, do 14 minutes of exercise, test again and share their results on TuDiabetes or on Twitter.

The event is called The Big Blue Test because blue is the color associated with World Diabetes Day. It is based on a test-in activity that took place July 14, where more than a thousand people with diabetes tested their blood sugar at the same time and shared their results online. This time, the activity incorporates 14 minutes of physical activity to reinforce the importance of exercise.

Participating in this event to raise diabetes awareness on November 14 is easy:

1. At 2 pm (your local time), test your blood sugar.

2. Run, jog, walk the dog or do anything you’d normally do as part of your exercise routine for 14 minutes.

3. Test your blood sugar again.

4. If you are a member of TuDiabetes click on the home page banner and share your readings and what exercise you did between them. If you have a camera, you can also add a photo of your reading(s) or you exercising.

5. If you have a Twitter account, post your readings on Twitter (use the #bigblue hashtag) and link back to: http://bigbluetest.org.

We hope to see most readings posted at 14 hours (2 pm) local time, on November 14. If you are early or late, it’s OK.

What really matters is that you test your blood sugar often and that you exercise regularly. If you don’t have diabetes, you can still take The Big Blue Test. Regardless, tell others to test, exercise and share on November 14.

IMPORTANT:

If due to disability or medical advice you cannot exercise, naturally we don't expect you to do anything that will put you or your health at risk. We'd love you to participate entering your blood sugar readings.

THINK BLUE!

Do you think World Diabetes Day can borrow this slogan, Dodgers?

We had a great day at the JDRF Walk at Dodgers Stadium last Sunday! 

We were invited to walk with team "Beat the Betes," headed up by a family we've been friends with for several years now.  We know them through Little League Baseball.  The father has coached our oldest son and his own youngest son for several years now on a travel team.  So, the love of baseball, of course is a common denominator for both families.  But, there is another commonality.  Their oldest son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 3 years ago at the age of 15.  Both C and he started out with the same endocrinologist.  He quickly moved from injections to an insulin pump...just like C.  We've had lots of diabetes conversations with them.  But, I think, the great thing is that there's a lot more to their son than his diabetes.  So not every conversation between our families mentions it.  We talk lots of baseball.  We hear of their oldest son's water polo experiences and plans for college next year.  Type 1 has not been given permission to hold this kid back!

So, on Sunday, we felt honored to be included on his team.  C's name was included on the team's shirts.  It could have been all about him that day, but he gladly included us.  The team was invited back to a relative's house after the walk for a wonderful meal and time just to relax.  C had an excellent time talking with all the teenage girls and hanging out on the trampoline with them.

It was a special day.  You can see the rest of the pictures on our Facebook page:  http://tinyurl.com/ygel3ef

Oh, a little sidenote: Sugar Ray Leonard cut the ribbon at the beginning of the walk. And while wandering around, my husband and 2 sons went right up to his limo and shook his hand. (No camera, darn.)

Time to Wait (D-Blog Day 2009)

It's D-Blog Day...and I feel priveleged to bring you this post today!  I get to introduce another special D Mom! A while ago, Dina (@DinaMullins) shared a song she had written called Time to Wait.  There is an incredible story that goes along with this song.  You see, Dina is the mother of Benjamin (5 years old)...just diagnosed with diabetes in July of this year.  The intriguing part is that she wrote this song before his diagnosis.  She wrote it while thinking about a family friend who had diabetes...someone she knew while growing up as a young child.  Some would think, coincidence.  But I don't think Dina sees it that way!
_________________________

Time To Wait
By Dina Mullins

Sometimes I feel so low
I don’t know which way to go
Every time I turn around
Seems I’m headed face-first towards the ground
They search for cures, but there not there
I wait for answers to my prayers
How much longer will I have to wait?
Do I have time to wait?


And I wait
For them to find the reason why
And I wait
Will I have to say goodbye?
Will the answers come in time for me to stay?
Oh, how I pray, for time to wait


Every day I try to lift my head up high
I see the look in other people’s eyes
Don’t pity me
Oh, can’t you see, that I still have my dignity
I’m just like you
I love and laugh and I have hope and dreams
And sometimes it seems
That I have time to wait


And I wait
For them to find the reason why
And I wait
Will I have to say goodbye?
Will the answers come in time for me to stay?
Oh, how I pray, for time to wait


Time to wait
I’ve got a life I want to live
Time to wait
I’ve got so much love I want to give
Time to wait
There’s so many things that I still have to say
Just one more day?
Time to wait

And I wait
For them to find the reason why
And I wait
Will I have to say goodbye?
Will the answers come in time for me to stay?
Oh, how I pray, for time to wait

Dear God, I pray… for time to wait

…time …to….wait

…time…to…wait
_________________________

Dina, thank you for sharing your creative and touching song with us!  You can read more from Dina at her new blog:  RockReality...oh, and hey!...It's Dina's birthday today!  Happy Birthday!!

Time to Wait is property of Dina Mullins.  It is a violation of copyright law to reproduce it in any manner without her written consent.  So don't do it!

This is a cool logo, don't you think?...thanks to Chris at The Big D Blog.

Guest Post from a Special D Mom!

When a diagnosis of diabetes is given to a family, it can be a lonely road.  The statistics of diabetes are staggering.  However, only a small percentage of diagnoses are type 1.  When C was first diagnosed, we knew just one girl who was type 1...only an aquaintance at the time.  And, though so many children have type 1, they are not all in one place.  So, yeah, we felt alone.

At first, I searched the internet, reading article after article about diabetes.  Most were strictly factual.  Then I came across organizations such as the JDRF...proof that there are a whole lot of families out there, just like us!  When C began using an insulin pump, there was a whole new subject to research.  Enter the DOC.  And by DOC, I mean the "diabetes online community."  And, that's when I found Kerri @sixuntilme...a young woman, living a full and happy life with diabetes.  Her writing inspired me (and she's funny!)  Her blog pointed to tons of other D bloggers.  It opened more and more windows for us to learn about this thing called diabetes.  Last but not least came Twitter.  It's strange.  But some people roll their eyes when I mention Twitter.  Really, it has become invaluable for me.  These people provide encouragement, a venting station, a resource for learning.

I am so happy to introduce a guest-poster today.  A special D mom I've "met," Melinda  (@notsostilllifes), has graciously written about her son, who is now a senior in high school, diagnosed at the age of 5.  So, she's "been there, done that."  And I have learned a ton from her.  I hope you enjoy getting to know her a bit too!  (An interesting sidenote about Melinda?...She paints beatiful watercolor paintings!  You can find them on Etsy.)

_________________________________________

On June 30th, 1997 my then 5-year-old son, Michael, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.  I suspected something was up with him before the diagnosis.  He was thirstier, and using the bathroom more often than usual.  Then, he wet the bed 2 nights in a row.  Not just a little wet.  Wet from neck to ankles wet.  He had never wet the bed before.  I had a book I used to look up symptoms and it said "Bed wetting in a previously trained child" was a symptom of diabetes.  We headed to the pediatrician, but I already knew the diagnosis.  She looked at him, and said that it would be highly unusual for him to have diabetes because he looked so well, hadn't lost a pound, and had had his Kindergarten check up in April and was fine then, but to be prudent, she would test his urine.  I saw that strip poised over the cup, and knew that with that dip our lives would change forever.  So began the roller coaster ride of living with diabetes.

Six weeks after he was diagnosed, we packed the car with his two brothers (Daniel was 8, and Dylan was 3) and headed to Bearskin Meadows Family Camp.  There, we were tossed a lifeline.  We met wonderful young adults with Type 1, who were happy, healthy and well adjusted.  I realized that Michael could grow up and be like them.  We were taught to take the judgment words out of blood sugar readings.  They were High, Low And Target, not Good or Bad.  You either needed insulin, food, or nothing.  Food wasn't good or bad either.  You just needed to carb count and cover.  We were also told to let Michael be a kid first, and a diabetic second.  Camp was such a safe haven.

12 years later, Michael is a healthy, happy well-adjusted 17 year old with diabetes.  Has it always been easy?  No.  At 14, he and his older brother were at a sleep away camp about 35 miles from home at Santa Clara University, staying in dorms.  It was a big step for us, but he was ready for it.  The phone rang at 1 am about 3 days into camp.  It was Daniel.  "Mom, Michael's having a seizure and I can't wake him up".  Michael had not cut back enough on his insulin to make up for 12 hours of basketball for the past 3 days.  Daniel had to call 911, and get paramedics to the dorms.  He handled it like a champion.  Michael remembers "waking up" on the gurney having the paramedics asking him questions he knew he should be able to answer, but couldn't.  Scary?  Yes.  Learning opportunity?  Absolutely.

I can't even believe that this time next year he will be in college.  We don't yet know where.  Would I like to keep him home?  Yes.  But I know I can't.  We have raised him with wings, and he is getting ready to fly.  He wants to play college volleyball (and soccer too) and major in Marine Biology.  He wants to live in the dorms, and have the college experience.  I am so proud of him.  I know he will be successful, diabetes and all.  I know that I can let him go, but it won't be easy.   I used to say that the hardest thing I'd ever done was learning to poke a needle into my little guy.  I'm anticipating, however, that saying goodbye and driving away from wherever he chooses for college is going to be even harder.  I guess it's just another one of the hills and dips on the roller coaster, and we will still get to enjoy the ride.
__________________________________________

Thank you, Melinda!!

Once, Twice, 3 Times a Flu Shot

I can thankfully say all 3 of my kids received the H1N1 vaccination.  It only took going down to the massive clinic 3 times (okay, really 5, but 2 times don't count!)

We had already received our seasonal flu shots.  And, I had been calling and asking both the pediatrician office and CHLA about availability since mid-August.  Finally these free clinics began happening last week.  I know there's been lots of talk, many articles written, advice from experts, opinions from others---I took it all in and made the decision to get my kids the shot.  I know it's new.  I know some people aren't comfortable with that.  Hey, neither am I!  However, between C's type 1 diabetes and middle C's recent asthma issues (and my affair with breast cancer,chemo included) I was even more uncomfortable in taking the risk of swine flu.

So C and middle C and I went down to get ours last week.  I had driven by the mass of people earlier that day thinking I would just run in and get mine but decided better of the 3 or 4 hours of my time it would take (once).  The kids had a shortened day so we all went back after school and the wait was only about an hour (twice).  Middle C would not be getting the shot that day because of a pesky little cough that had followed 2 days of fever the weekend before (darn).  The workers had it pretty well managed but when we got up to the front of the line, they were really combing through for high risk people.  They were actually turning people away.  I felt badly for these people.  But, when we were all deemed "high risk," I was grateful we got through.

Never a fun thing to get an injection.  And all the diabetes stuff she has to deal with does not make it any easier on her, but C was a trooper.  Only a couple tears.  After she was finished, she held my hand while the nurse gave me my shot...

So fast-forward to this week...

I was bound and determined to get the boys vaccinated too.  My husband would have to fend for himself.  So yesterday was another free clinic time at the same location.  I thought I would out-smart the system and take the boys first thing in the morning and get them back to school, with most of the day spared.  We dropped C off at school and made our way over to the clinic (3rd time).  We got out of the car and headed for the end of the line.  Where was it?  We walked and walked.  People had umbrellas, chairs, bags of food!  Walked and walked.  Still couldn't see the end of the line....Ackkk.  We decided that after school might be a better option.  So back to school.

When C and middle C got out for the day (early day, again!) we made our way back to the clinic (4th time).  No line at all.  We went in without a hitch.  The lady at the first table looked up.  "Back again?" she asked me.  Out of all the people in there, she had helped us the previous week!  I told her we'd be back again in a couple hours for my oldest.  The workers told me that the injections were very limited and when they run out, they run out.  Ug.

Two hours later, we picked up big C and went right back (5 times).  Not a huge crowd.  But soon, the line became long behind us.  We could feel the agitation in the crowd.  The news was being spread...no more injections.  The remainder of people waiting could still get the nasal mist.  But there were no more injections.  Okay, I had made this day revolve around getting all my kids vaccinated and I didn't want to go home without that task done.  I talked to the first screener and explained about our high-risk.  All of us had been vaccinated, except big C.  Just one more.  Several medical people had told us that no one in the family should be getting the nasal mist with the live virus.  A nurse, who seemed a bit more in-charge, overheard me.  She looked at me.  I must have had quite the defeated look on my face.  She said, "Hold on, hold on, don't worry.  Let me see what I can do..."

In the meantime, I told our scenario to the next screener and then the next.  Each time, they tried to direct us to the nasal mist line.  Finally, the in-charge nurse came back and whisked us away to another table.  An injection had been found!!  I was so grateful.  "Thank you," I said.

Strange to have more than half our family listed in the high-risk group.  So thankful to have received the injections.

Diabetes Awareness Month...It's On!

And so begins November, diabetes awareness month.  There's so much going on!  Where to start?  Here's a few ideas to stir the diabetes advocate in all of us.

• Well, how about we start simply by bringing attention to it.  Have you put that little blue circle on your twitter avatar yet?  How about your facebook picture?  That's a simple way to draw out conversation about it.  Then, friends and family may ask, "what does that little blue circle mean?"

• Take those teachable moments this month and do something with them.  Instead of smiling and nodding, really explain why you're testing your or your child's blood.  When a person mentions your "beeper," actually tell them it's an insulin pump that delivers insulin to your body...and...not just to keep you healthy, but to keep you alive.  Explain to someone who thinks diabetes means staying away from sugar, that, in all seriousness, sugar is extremely necessary in diabetes.  (You know, I'm writing all these suggestions down because, really, I need to do these things too!)

• Sign a petition!  Sign the Google Doodle petition.  It's asking Google to light their homepage doodle in blue to raise awareness for World Diabetes Day (November 14th).

• So much more going on.  Take a look at the World Diabetes Day website.

• Join diabetes social site like TuDiabetes or T1P (Type 1 Parents).

• On World Diabetes Day (November 14th) there will be a whole diabetes community blood glucose check at 2:00 pm eastern time.  Check and post the number on your twitter account, facebook, blog or website.

• And, don't forget to wear blue!

If we take even these small steps together, we can help raise awareness.