Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 25-29, Post #2

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 25-29
Elizabeth Edelmen, Diabetes Daily
Post #2

There is nothing more disappointing than going to a party and everything served there will surely skyrocket your blood sugars. This dip is delicious, healthy, and kind of scary looking- perfect for Halloween and your blood sugar levels. I serve it with loads of fresh veggies and pita chips.


2 15-oz cans of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup pesto
3 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

1 large acorn squash

Veggies for dipping:
Cut bell peppers
Carrot sticks
Celery sticks
Cucumber sticks

Squash Cauldron
Heat oven to 350 F. Line a baking dish with aluminum foil. Cut the top third of the squash off and remove the seeds with a spoon. Place the squash cut-side down on the baking dish and bake for approximately 30 minutes. Remove From the oven and cool completely. Trim the bottom of the squash so it stands upright and place the dip inside of the cool squash. Arrange the veggies under the squash on a plate and serve.

Dip
Puree the beans in a food processor until smooth. Combine the beans with the pesto and the lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Servings: 6

Amount per Serving
Calories: 246
Carbohydrates: 15g
Dietary Fiber: 5g
Sugars: 2g
Fat: 18g
Saturated: 3g
Trans: 0g
Sodium: 373 mg
Protein: 4g

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 25-29, Post #1

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 25-29
Elizabeth Edelmen, Diabetes Daily
Post #1

I have had type 1 diabetes since February 2005. When I first found out, I had absolutely no idea that diabetes was even something I could get. I figured since I was 23 at the time, I was too old to get "juvenile" diabetes. I didn't even go to the doctor thinking something was wrong. I felt fine. I went to my gynecologist for my regular annual visit and found out I was diabetic.

Right before my diagnosis I was on top of the world. I was 23, single, finishing college, had a lot of great friends, and was thinner than I had been since high school. I attributed my weight loss to stress. I had broken up with an ex-boyfriend , and I was a few months from graduating college. I was living in Denver, Colorado at the time and I thought that my extreme thirst was due to the altitude. Which in hindsight made no sense as I lived there for six years. My friends all thought I had an eating disorder because I weighed around 85lbs. I realized I was skinny, but I never weighed myself until I went to the doctor and found out I was diabetic.

I had a gynecologist appointment a few weeks before my graduation. I was finishing up my graduate project and as usual, was running out of time. I was going to cancel my appointment, but I figured I would just go and get it out of the way. When I got there, I gave her all my information. She took my blood, weighed me, and took a urine sample. She came back and asked me if I was on the Atkins diet. I was answered no. In fact, I had been eating whatever I wanted and was losing weight! She told me I was spilling ketones in my urine and was concerned. My doctor starting asking me all sorts of questions. "Have you lost a dramatic amount of weight lately" Yes. "Have you been thirsty lately?" Yes. "Have you been unusually tired lately" Yes. Finally she asked if I had a family history of diabetes in my family. I said yes. (My aunt has type 1, too.) She said "I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you probably have diabetes. I am going to take some blood and I will get back to you with the results." I was in shock. Who goes to the gynecologist and gets diagnosed with diabetes?

I went home in shock. My best friend, Candice, was at my house when I got home. I just broke down and started crying. If she wasn't there, I would have fallen apart. We just stood there hugging and crying together. She told me that I had to call my mom. My mom, like me, was in shock. She handled it pretty well. I tried to not think about it. I just kept telling myself to wait until we got the blood work back. That was one of the most difficult nights I have ever had.

The next day, I woke up feeling great. I didn't have diabetes. Not me. I was healthy. I went out and ran errands. I got a venti white chocolate mocha at Starbucks. I came home and had tiramisu for breakfast. Then my doctor called. She told me that I had to go to the ER. My blood sugar was over 600. I asked what the normal range was. "Between 70 and 120." I got scared. I was all by myself. My roomate was babysitting and wouldn't be home for a week. Candice was at work. I called my mom. She booked the next flight out. My mom called my aunt who is a nurse. She called me and told me what usually happens for people when they have severly elevated blood sugar. She told me that I was at a risk for falling into a coma. Funny thing is, I felt fine. She told me to expect to be admitted into the hospital. Pack a bag. Find someone to feed your cat. Expect to be gone for a few days at least. My friend Ashlee came and got me. For the first time in my life I was going to the Emergency Room.

Once I got to the Emergency Room I sat for what felt like an eternity and finally was admitted. They gave me a bag of fluids, with insulin, and sent me home after several hours. Along with a prescription for Metformin and a note saying to not eat sugar. They also recommended I follow up with the Barbara Davis Center in Denver, which is the best thing I could have done.

Once my mom arrived, we made an appointment there. They got me right in and started me on insulin immediately. I worked with my team of endocrinologists, nurses and a very intelligent dietician who got me on the right track.

After graduation, I moved back to Ohio where I met David. We started Diabetes Daily to share what I was learning as a new diabetic. It was one of the best things I've ever did as I have met some of the most wonderful people who know what life is like when you live with diabetes. Never in a million years did I think that this is how my life would turn out. But you know, it was one of the best things to happen to me.

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 18-22, Post #2

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 18-22
Heidi, The D-Log Cabin
Post #2

You Say Diabetic, I Say PWD

Once upon a time, in a hospital far-far-far away, there resided a newly diagnosed teenager.

She didn’t know diddly-squat about diabetes, but there was no shortage of conflicting information coming

her way.

…you can’t be in the military…

...you can have a successful pregnancy…

…you’ll have this forever…

…you’ll feel so much better after your blood sugar stabilizes…

...severe hypos are likely, and can lead to coma/death…

All of this left left the teenager dazed and confused, and not quite sure what to believe. She soon learned that the only way to have control lay in taking control, doctors don’t know everything, and diabetes is not a “by the book” disease.

However, the blame game continued, everything was about “diabetic’s can’t do this” and “diabetic’s can’t do that” and “you’re a bad diabetic” leaving the teenager so over that label, in any context. She simply wanted the freedom to be an adult & manage the disease, without the guilt trip, dire warnings, and inaccurate information. Eventually, that teenager grew up, and became a functioning member of society. The label “diabetic” still leaves an incredibly distasteful taste in her mouth, but she no longer goes on long verbal rants (short blogging rants, yes,but its gotten better).

Diabetic and Person With Diabetes are not the same. (At least in the minds of those who choose to call themselves PWD) And I wish you could understand, that when you call me diabetic you are labeling me, you are defining me with all the fallacies out there. I respect others opinions, & whatever they choose to identify themselves as…& if they wish to call themselves diabetics, that doesn’t detract from who they are/their hopes,dreams, and accomplishments. It’s sort of like calling a person of short stature a “dwarf” (while that may be a word that could describe them, it’s not a complimentary term). I view the word “diabetic” (as a noun) in much the same way, it’s not a word I’d use to describe myself. I have diabetes, it is part of me, but it doesn’t define who I am. I hope that whichever side of the fence you may fall on, you can respect others of the opposite opinion.

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 18-22, Post #1

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 18-22
Heidi, The D-Log Cabin
Post #1

Scars

“Doesn’t it hurt?”

A friend, a coworker, a family member…all asking what they perceive to be such an innocent, simple question. They refer, of course, to the outward rituals surround my disease: lancing a finger for the gluco meter, stabbing my flesh with what must look like the world’s largest needle, the thwwwack of the CGM insertion device against bare skin. It’s a morbid mix of fascination combined with admiration for managing such a difficult disease. (little do they know, diabetes is not fully “manageable”, but still, I give it my best shot)

“No,” I reply. Because truth is, it stopped hurting in that way long ago…round about the thousandth fingerprick, the 4^th infusion set gusher, the 8^th I.V. I am a hardened veteran of the diabetes wars, and most of the time, it feels like most natural thing in the world to do the medical tasks associated with the disease. Physical pain fades,it ceases to be a novel event. It is my normal.

“It really doesn’t.”

But if I were to be perfectly honest, on the inside, it never stops hurting. I hurt for everyone who died too young(from the complications of this disease), who never got the chance to be a doctor or a lawyer or a ballerina. I hurt for the thousands in Third World countries who can’t even afford insulin,& even if they can acquire it, have to ration it in such a manner as to eventually die from complications. I hurt for the many who don’t get understand that going on insulin is not a failure, insulin is life. I hurt for every parent of a child with diabetes, who was told there would be a cure in five years. I hurt that so much false information is out there, and even someone with the best of intentions may be led astray by snake oil salesmen. I hurt for everyone, everywhere, who has been affected by this disease.

And because I am human, I hurt for myself. I hurt for the worry & fear I must cause my loved ones, on a daily basis. I hurt that severe hypoglycemia is an ever-present threat. I hurt for a thousand sleepless nights, dealing with an errant blood sugar. I hurt with guilt. (some deserved, some not)

The scars of diabetes run deep, on both the inside and the outside. People who do not live with diabetes cannot grasp the magnitude of the inner scars…& though physical complications of diabetes grab “center stage”, it is the psychological ones that leave the biggest impact.

My hope is that one day, there will be a cure & both the physical and emotional scars can start to heal.

To read more blog posts by Heidi, visit The D-Log Cabin blog

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 11-15, Post #3

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 11-15
Kim, Texting My Pancreas
Post #3

Last night, I was reminiscing. While I was cleaning the kitchen, I had one of the Music Choice channels on TV, and the song "Sledgehammer" by Peter Gabriel came on. (I can't help it; I'm a fan of 80's music. It makes me happy. So much so, that, dare I admit? Dancing happened. Good thing no one else was home!) As I glanced at the screen, I saw that the song was released in 1986 - which is the same year I was diagnosed with diabetes.

Wow, Peter Gabriel's face has a lot of carbs.

As ol' Petey sang on about bumper cars and feeding rhythms, I began thinking back to my childhood. More specifically, I thought about my childhood with diabetes. Being diagnosed at six years old, I don't have many strong memories of Before. That's not to say that my childhood memories can only be viewed through my diabetes - I have many fond memories that don't have a smidge of diabetes in them. But, I thought I'd share some of the diabetes-related things I remember with you guys.




Everyone have their slap bracelets and t-shirt clips on? Righteous. Let's do this.

• I have a memory of being in my newborn brother's room while my Mom was changing his diaper. I can remember her telling me, through tears, that I might have diabetes, and what that would mean, but that everything would be "okay". (And, guess what? She was right.)



• I remember the playroom/meeting room at the hospital I was diagnosed in. This is where the support groups met and where my parents and I first learned to do injections into dolls and oranges. I also have a faint memory of the hospital room I stayed in after diagnosis. And I remember getting flowers!


• Back when exchange diets were the way to go, candy didn't really fit into that. It wasn't like things are now - count the carbs, take insulin for it - where your diet can be flexible. The hospital gave us one of those forest green ADA booklets to take home; the one that explained what exchanges were, and had pictures of what one "exchange" of certain foods looked like. Because of the food restrictions I had, one of our neighbors at the end of the street I grew up on would always have RoseArt colored pencils or markers for me when I stopped at their house on Halloween. I thought that was the coolest thing ever. (Well, that and my She-Ra costume.)



• There was a pleather hospital bed in the room in the back of the nurse's office at my elementary school, where I'd lay down after shotgunning a can of juice. Those naps were never long enough.


• Fanny packs were an ingenius invention for someone like me. There was so much d-stuff to carry around (and meters were so much bigger then), and I was too young to be carrying a huge purse. When these became popular, carrying all that stuff didn't look quite so out of place.


• A trip to the pediatric endocrinologist meant getting to walk past the NICU unit at the hospital (they were down the hall from each other). Aww.


• The worst part about having a low blood sugar away from home was having to eat those nasty old BD glucose tabs. Remember those? They were square, white, chalky, and came in a foil punch-out two pack. And they came in one flavor - "Yuck".



• All of my testing equipment, syringes, and associated accessories lived in a clear, rectangular plastic Tupperware container on the kitchen counter. No matter what house we lived in throughout my childhood, that container always had a home there.


• One Easter morning, I awoke to paramedics in my room. I am told that when my Dad had come to check on me first thing in the morning, as he always did, my eyes were open, but I was unresponsive. Paramedics were called, glucagon was administered, and I came out of it just as they arrived. I remember feeling embarrassed that strangers were standing in my room while I was still in bed with pajamas on. (What a weird thing, of all things, to be worried about at that particular moment.) This happened to me twice, though paramedics didn't have to be called the first time. Unfortunately, this series of events lead to my next memory...



• As a child and tween, I had to sleep with one of those urine-detecting bed mats under my bed sheets. It was probably 2' by 3', and it wasn't all that comfortable because it would make very loud crinkly sounds whenever I'd move around. It had wires embedded in it that would detect moisture, thus triggering a very loud alarm for my parents if I ever passed out from extreme hypoglycemia again. This bed accessory became especially embarrassing the first time I had a boy over, because I had forgotten to remove it before he sat down. THANK GOD HE SAT ON THE OTHER SIDE. Once I realized the potential horrificness of this situation, I quickly said "Um, maybe we should go watch TV in the living room. Okay??" He obliged. Crisis averted.



• Rotation of your finger sticks and injection sites is important to avoid a build-up of scar tissue, so my parents and I devised a system. In my log book, we'd assign each scheduled blood test a finger - L1 for my left thumb, R4 for my right ring finger, etc. Injections were more memorable, so I guess we didn't need a system for those (or I don't remember what that system was).


• I loved, loved the Babysitter's Club series. One of the four main characters, Stacey McGill, had type 1 diabetes, which made the books that much more relatable for me. A popular children's book had a character with the same condition as me - it was reassuring.


• I can remember when JDRF was just JDF.


• The meter I had as a kid was the One Touch II. It was huge by today's standards, the typical beige color all meters came in, and it came in a matching plastic snap-shut case. (Thanks to Sara for the picture link!)



• Fundraising as a child for the annual JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes was always something I - well - dreaded. It was never a very enjoyable task to walk around my neighborhood and ask people for money, but I did it. Did I use the guilt trip? You bet I did. My mom wrote out a script for me, which went something like, "Hi, I'm Kim, I'm ___ years old, and I have juvenile diabetes. I will be doing the JDF Walk for a Cure on ____, and I was wondering if you would donate some money to my walk." How could you turn that down?


• At the end of sixth grade, a classmate had a pool party and invited everyone in our grade. Towards the end, this kid Michael decided it would be really funny to grab my towel and throw it in the pool. Unfortunately he did this when I was sitting by the side of the pool, trying to recover from a bad low. (Swimming lowers my BG very quickly.) Somehow, in my confused and hypoglycemic mind, I thought that the longer the towel was in the pool, the more wet it would get. Which, you know, totally makes sense, right? So what did I do? Dove in after it, and retrieved it from the bottom of the deep end.



• Speaking of grade school, I really missing skating parties. You can't beat strapping on some old school roller skates, proudly wearing your fanny pack and friendship bracelets, and rolling along to "Ghostbusters".

Diabetes was a part of my childhood, but that never made it an unhappy one - just a little different than it might have otherwise been. I still got to do everything I wanted to: take dance classes, play piano, try (and fail) at soccer and softball, go to slumber parties, and be a "normal kid". It just took a few extra steps to make it happen.

Kim can be found blogging at textingmypancreas.blogspot.com, tweeting @txtngmypancreas, and posting on Juvenation.org

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 11-15, Post #2

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 11-15
Kim, Texting My Pancreas
Post #2

Staying Motivated.

I’m a little obsessive about blood testing. The amount of finger sticks I do each day varies, but it can be up to 22 per day. My average, the last time I looked, was 16.

It’s not that I enjoy the feel of sticking a shard of metal into one of my fingers every hour. I don’t particularly relish in the sight of my own blood, though it doesn’t bother me. My calloused fingertips aren’t big fans of this behavior, either.

I’ve had several fellow PWD (people with diabetes) ask me over the past year how I do it. How am I so motivated to test that often, and how do I keep up that motivation? I’m not claiming to have a magical one-size-fits-all answer for this, and I’m certainly not an expert (though, I like to think of myself as a “veteran” – 24 years with type 1, no major complications, and going strong) – I’m just going to share what works for me.

Some people are motivated by fear – of complications, of overnight lows they won’t wake up from, of a family on the horizon. While those things certainly are motivating for me, they’ve always been there for me, every minute of those 24 years. It’s only in the last year or so that I have really gotten serious, borderline obsessed, about this – so what changed?

The key for me can be divided into three parts: attention, accountability, and acceptance.

Attention.

Back in January of this year, I started using a continuous glucose monitor. (I named it “Jim”.) I could go on and on about why I love my CGM – it helps me learn from my mistakes, and alerts me when something has gone terribly wrong. Two days into using it, I felt like I had learned more about my body’s glucose patterns than I ever had in the previous two decades with finger sticks alone. A blood test gives you a snapshot of where you are right then, with no clues as to where you’ve been prior to that, or where you’re headed. It’s the difference between a photograph and a video. Finally, I could start to connect the dots.

While CGM usage has given me many great things, it also brought with it a heightened sense of awareness. On finger sticks alone, I could forget about diabetes in the time between blood tests. It was easy to not worry about it unless I chose to. With a CGM giving me a new reading every 5 minutes, and beeping VERY LOUDLY when I fall out of the target range I’ve specified, it’s pretty hard to ignore diabetes. In fact, over time it becomes hard to not check the CGM receiver every time I think there might be a new reading. Because the CGM can, but will not always, have fluctuation in accuracy (due, in part, to the fact that it takes readings from the interstitial fluid in your body, not blood), I find myself constantly second-guessing the results – and doing a blood test to verify. Some people might find this stream of information irritating or annoying, but I find it fascinating. Having so much data available causes me to want even more of it.

Accountability.

It began with a diabetes patient blog I stumbled upon, which then led to many others. I found diabetes online communities I bonded with. I was searching for answers; for friendship; for support. The diabetes online community (DOC) as a whole has been a wonderful gift to find. Reading the successes and failures of others helps me feel less alone in this fight, and more inspired to try my very best at wrangling this beast every day. The achievements of others give me the courage to reach for such goals myself. When I see others posting their BG readings online, I am motivated to test and do the same. And, when all else fails, I make a game out of it – Can I stay under 200 mg/dL today? Can I get myself to test every 2 hours, exactly? Can I eat that previously troublesome meal, and see if I can rock it BG-wise this time around?

Sometimes a long road looks too daunting – but that shouldn’t stop you from taking even the smallest steps down it. It’s easier to do when you have someone to hold your hand and keep you pointed in the right direction.

Acceptance.

The third component has involved coming to terms with this state of living. It’s taken a long, long time to get there, but I feel like I’m in that last stage of coping with the death of my beta cells – Acceptance. This doesn’t mean I’ve given up hope, or feel resigned to the fact that I’m somehow a broken body. I’ve had my denial, plenty of anger, and a large heaping spoonful of depression. I wallowed around in self-pity for far longer than was acceptable. I was spiteful and bitter. (And although I still feel this negativity at times, it’s no longer for as long, or in such large doses.)

What it means is that I understand and respect the gravity of the situation I’m in. I know what I need to do, and why I need to do it. I’ve also realized that life is too damn short to feel sorry for myself all of the time. It’s a fruitless use of my energy.

For as long as I get to stay in the ring, I’m going to keep throwing punches.

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 11-15, Post #1

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 11-15
Kim, Texting My Pancreas
Post #1

My Bad Romance… With Adhesive.

I love the technology that helps me stay healthy. I use an Animas insulin pump, and a Dexcom Seven Plus continuous glucose monitor (CGM), and I’m certainly thankful that I have these tools on my Diabetes Utility Belt, so to speak. They assist and allow me to take the best possible care I can of my diabetes. I’ve never been as healthy, diabetically speaking, than I am right now.

But sometimes I feel like my gear is taking a cue from Lady Gaga.

What I mean by that is, most of the stuff she wears is… fragile. She’s usually wearing something breakable, easily torn, strategically placed, or something that most people wouldn’t be able to walk, let alone sit down, in. I imagine that if she turned around too quickly, or moved the wrong way, some part of her get-up would pop or fall apart. (Bubble dress, anyone?)

It’s a lot like how some of the adhesive on my diabetes equipment makes me feel.

The first few hours of a new CGM sensor feel pretty weird to me. I’m very aware of the sensor on my body, yet I need to leave it alone so it can marinate in my interstitial fluid to be ready for calibration after two hours. The adhesive needs some time to “set” as well, so in other words, I’m trying to not move around a lot. Those CGM sensors are expensive little suckers, and disturbing a brand new one is a sure-fire way to get me from zero to Incredible Hulk Angry in about two seconds.

Similarly, an insulin pump infusion site will sometimes need reinforcements. My tape of choice is Smith & Nephew’s IV3000 iHand, and while it works pretty well for me most of the time, it’s still an imperfect solution. While it stretches a little bit, I still feel like I’m wearing tape. If it’s on my stomach, I get paranoid about twisting and bending, for fear that it won’t twist or bend with me. If it’s on my hip or thigh, I’m struggling to not catch any clothing on it when I’m changing clothes or doing some bathroom business. (Speaking of bathroom business, how the heck does Lady Gaga use a restroom in those outfits? At least she has assistants, probably – I have to do pump tubing yoga on my own, if I want to avoid accidentally ripping out an infusion site.)

Like most of the technology we have available to us for diabetes management, it’s not ideal, the technology and accuracy is imperfect, and I’m looking forward to the next thing that comes along. But, it’s pretty amazing that it even exists, it’s better than previous technology and options, and I’m thankful for it.

The next time I have to send in tape reinforcements, I’m indulging my imagination a bit. Next time, I’m pretending I’m sporting some sort of bandage dress, and it’s fabulous. Who cares that my get-up is hard to move around in? It’s my look, and I’m rocking it.

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If you would like to be a featured blogger please send an email to diabetesoc@gmail.com and put FEATURED BLOGGER in the subject.

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 3-10, Post #3

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 3-10
Crystal Lane, Randomly capitalizeD
Post #3

Hey all! Last post as the Featured Blogger here on The Diabetes OC. I have been debating all week on what to write about. Do I write about Diabetes? Me? Randomness? Bring up an old post, start anew?

I went with old, with some adjustments. One of my favorites. Enjoy and thanks for having me, Gina!

I am, I have

I am . . . .

Human.
Woman.
Daughter.
Sister.
Cousin.
Friend.
Aunt.
Advocate.
Volunteer.
Blogger.

I have . . . .

a love for life, for laughter, for SIRSY.
two tattoos that remind me of something Very special I've lost.
some questionable addictions.
zillions of pictures (non digital) I should organize.
many elephants figurines I don't want to part with.
way too many pairs of jammy pants.
family and Amazing friends that care about me, love me.
this love/hate relationship with feelings that spawns my poetry.
two boxes of crayons and four coloring books.
a sense of humor that edges on simple wrongness in every way.

I just happen to live with Type 1 Diabetes.
It is not who I am.
It is not what I am.

It is but it's also what it can and will be.

I am. I have. I can. I will. I do.

To keep stalking, err, following Crystal Lane's antics, check out Randomly capitalizeD and/or her tweepage seepage.

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 3-10, Post #2

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 3-10
Crystal Lane, Randomly capitalizeD
Post #2

There it is

A glimmer
It shines brightly
but not blindingly
It beckons; asks to be followed
It leads with a soft reminder
It lingers, waiting to be found
I know it's there
I see it out of the corner
From behind the shadows
I am afraid
I know my past, not my future
It has not stopped me before
But now I am hesitant
I am unsure; oh so unsure
I am drawn to it
Always have been
I want it to be a part of my life
I am scared
I know it exists
Can exist for me

Read more poems by Crystal Lane at Randomly capitalizeD. Poems are her favorite way to express what she is feeling. Crystal has a love for words offering imagery that may be interrupted to suit each reader. Take it for what it is and adapt, for, it is what it is.

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 3-10, Post #1

Featured Blogger of the Week: Oct. 3-10
Crystal Lane, Randomly capitalizeD
Post #1


Hey, D-OC! Check out the new look for The Diabetes Online Community! Gina did a fantastic job. I am honored she asked me to kick off the month of October as the Featured Blogger of the Week here on The Diabetes OC. Take a look around and see what the site has to offer.

Now enough about you all, ha! I kid. I've been living with and managing my Type 1 Diabetes for over 25 years. I was diagnosed at 6 years old in 1985. An estimation between my parents and I, we figure I was testing my blood glucose via urine on test strips, cut in thirds by my Dad, to get a range of blood glucose for about five years. Joy.

Possibly in 1990 I started using a very large Accu-Chek meter. It took about five minutes to read a digit. We're still unsure on that meter but a Huge and welcome change. No more "pee-cup" on the back of the toilet in the One bathroom for a family of five.

I recall diagnosis by my Pediatrician, getting labs done in the local Hospital, visiting Joslin in Boston. I remember practicing on an orange. I remember my first plunge into my right thigh, my first sleep over, many school birthdays where my snack was specific and certainly not cake or cupcakes. I will never forget getting caught buying chocolaty snacks at lunch. I was never picked on in school about my Diabetes. If I did, I don't recall. All my years in school I was required to go to the Nurse's Office to test my blood glucose, eat a snack if low or dose for a high. I was happy to have freedom in College, testing and shooting up wherever necessary. I did have to tell each Professor that I carry food and I may need to eat during class; deal with it.

Through all that I have very fond memories of my childhood. It was not all about Diabetes. I had many interests; jumping in leaf piles, animals, kickball, go-carting down the hill on our street, forts in trees, swinging on branches, riding my bike, sledding in the winter, building snow forts, watching my Dad spray water on a ramp in the winter to make it faster, trying skateboarding and leaving it to my brother, enjoying horses with my sister then meeting my best friend through some horse shows, gymnastics...... it was a full childhood. Most of it were those memories, with a few important Diabetes moments that shaped me forever sprinkled in.

I give my parents loads of credit for letting me be myself, more importantly they let me be a kid. Every holiday it was a debate between my Dad and Mom about the size of dessert I would receive. Back then "cheating" was as common as "Not me." My Mom never won, sorry Mom, I was Daddy's little girl and he slid me some extras. They let me find my way with my interests. They let me create my path with education and my future interests. They supported me, encouraged me and loved me. My Mom played a pivotal role when I was a teenager and angry about having to take a shot before I ate. Testing my blood glucose was not the issue, the issue was I wanted cookies and then to be left alone. She told me the consequences and left saying, "You know what you need to do and why." That moment changed me forever. I thank my parents often for how they raised me.

In college I had more freedom and it scared me a bit. I was not tempted by most "typical" college experiences. I managed best I could and took one day at a time. I was there to learn and get on with my life.

My first job after college woke me up to a reality that I did not want to live in but knew I had no choice. This was the first time, in 15 years, that I started to deal with some adverse reactions to my Diabetes. "But you look fine." "You were drinking last night just like every young person out there." "What could possibly be wrong now?"

I struggled for a couple years then moved back home, but for different reasons. Through the past ten years I've dealt with the worst and the best of every situation that came my way. Three years ago I decided to find a job first, worry about benefits later. I do not regret my decision. Those with a chronic illness are not left with many choices; find a job with benefits or marry someone with that job. Two options were not my style. So I made a third. Yes, it's been hard. But I Knew it would be. I knew I would struggle with income and needs.

Out of 10 years of anger towards the world in general but never giving up, I found the D-OC and a way to advocate. Finding, interacting and finally meeting other people with Diabetes has changed my life forever. I'm grateful for what the D-OC is and continues to become. I'm also grateful for my Boss; she has never given up on me during some really tough struggles the past three years.

We each choose our path. We make our decisions. They are ours. I have no regrets with my journey of 32 years thus far. I also very much look forward to the rest of the journey.

Thank you, D-OC. I love you all, sincerely.

To learn more about Crystal Lane, check out her blog, Randomly capitalizeD. She also tweets and takes photos. She is a very opinionated and loud voice amongst the D-OC. She has no plans to stop.

Diabetes OC Special Events

Hey all,

I hope you like the new look of The Diabetes OC website! Equipped with a new logo! Whaddayathink? We are super excited about it and looking forward to hearing your feedback. Also, a new feature we added was the D-OC special events calendar on the top right of the page, which will tell you when there is a featured blogger, birthday, diaversary, blogaversary or whatever special event you want us to add!

All you have to do is send an email to us at diabetesoc(at)gmail.com and put DOC Event in the subject line. That simple!

Anyway, hope you will all contribute and don't forget if you want to be a featured blogger fill out the form on the Want to be Featured link at the top of the page! We are currently filled up for October and taking submissions for November.

Talk to you all soon!

~Gina