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.