Low Blood Sugars and the Mall

Everytime I go to the mall around Christmas time, specifically, I can almost guarantee my blood sugar is going to drop. It has become a huge burden lately and has made me conclude that next year for Christmas, we will be done shopping by December 1st and it will mostly take place online. I think it has to do with the combinations of wearing a heavy coat, carrying a purse and heavy bags, not having much direction as to where to go, and being overheated in the process. It is a horrible feeling because here you are trying to finish up getting gifts for your loved ones and all you want to do is go home because you feel so bad! At least now I can recognize what causes this and will plan on being more prepared in the future. I am sure it is a sight to onlookers to see me carrying around a juice box as I run in and out of stores!

Back at the Gym

Mike and I went to the gym last night. It was the first time we have both gone together in a long time. There were quite a few people there, but luckily by go to elliptical machine and bike were both open. We only stayed for a half hour, but I still feel that half hours makes all the difference in the world. I feel better today and slept better last night. And oddly enough I wouldn't mind going back again tomorrow. I am fascinated by the people at the gym. There were two young girls, both wearing coats, and one wearing clogs while riding a bike. Really? You couldn't put sneakers on to go to the gym? There was also an older lady who would sprint as fast as she could on the treadmill and then jump to the sides before she fell off the back. There was also a girl who sounded like she was causing an earthquake when she ran because she would slam her feet on the treadmill after every step. It may be a struggle to get to the gym, but it is always entertaining once you are there.

Eating Anything

It always amazes me when people say things to me like "oh I would give you this cookie, but I know you cant eat it." Over the years this has happened occassionally and the first thought that always comes to my mind is that the person saying that is clueless. The funny thing is that growing up I never ate that sort of food. Regular Pop was a foreign concept and it was something I was not "allowed" to have. As times changed, and as I got an insulin pump, my understaning of what I was allowed to have changed too. I guess I always thought that if my understanding changed, so should everyone elses. I dont drink regular pop and I rarely eat sweets, but not because I can't, because I dont have an interest in them. Eating and drinking that sort of stuff is not good for anyone so I should not eat it anyway, diabetic or not. I just wish sometimes that people would understand with an insulin pump and proper diet and exercise you can eat the occassional cookie.

Back to Life....

After the wedding and the honeymoon we both thought it would be best if I started going to see all of my doctors in case we decided that we wanted to have a baby in the near future. Being a diabetic brings along the added challenge of needing an official green light from all of my doctors before we should/can decide to try for a baby. And being that I have been told to try "sooner rather than later" many times before we thought we should get moving on this. My endo had told me over a year ago that I had the okay from her to start trying after the wedding. She always said I was one of her best patients and to stop worrying and everything would be okay. My last A1C with her was 5.8 so I had that going for me too. Sadly though with living in Columbia, her office in Georgetown is just too far from here and so as of Jan 2011 I will start to see someone new and hope she can be as positive as this doctor was. Then I went to see my new Primary Care Doctor in Columbia as I needed his help to balance out the blood pressure issues. He put me on a pregnancy safe blood pressure med, and 2 mos into it, luckily its worked out pretty well. He also did a new A1C and that came back at 6.1. He said that was obviously still good and I told him I blamed the wedding and honeymoon for causing it to go up and got prepared to make it go down again. He also did an EKG to make sure my heart looked good and that went well too. I see him again in Jan but he told me all is well as far as he is concerned. The last stop was the eye doctor and that was the best visit of all. He ranted about how "proud" he was of me and that if I had not told him I was diabetic for 25 years, he would have never known b/c my eyes were that good! So as far as the doctors are concerned we are 3/3 and ready to give this all a shot.

Then there are my numerous concerns. I read too many articles and always think it could happen to us. Sometimes it is hard to not think of all the things that can go wrong. But, we shall see where this road takes up, but reading other peoples blogs and listening to my always optimistic husband hopefully this road will take us to a healthy Jenny and a healthy baby at some point in the future, however near of far it is!

Hawaii

After the wedding we embarked on a trip to Oahu and Maui! And it was the most amazing trip either one of us have ever been on before. The longest flight of my life was not as bad as I had expected it to be and luckily I got to sleep for most of the trip. In Oahu we got to hike up to the top of Diamond Head Crater, swim with a dolphin, and enjoy the newness of being married. Onto Maui we went to an authentic luau, ate some fantastic dinners, went snorkeling, and went over to another one of the islands. A great trip and we are already planning to go back again in a few years!

Married!

I have not written on here in a long time and felt I needed to document a few key life events before getting to what is going on currently! We got married on Oct 9 2010 and it was amazing. Everyone says something is bound to go wrong at your wedding and I can gladly say I cannot think of one thing that went wrong. It was wonderful and beautiful and I still cannot believe I am now married to the most calm, giving and understanding husband in world who I love so much!

Diabetes Meme

A Diabetes Meme.


What type of diabetes do you have: Type 1

When were you diagnosed: 1985, that's 25 years and going!

What's your current blood sugar: 117

What kind of meter do you use: One Touch Ultralink

How many times a day do you test your blood sugar: A lot, maybe 10-12

What's a "high" number for you: Something over 160 probably

What's do you consider "low": Under 75

What's your favorite low blood sugar reaction treater: I don't know about favorite, but the most reliable are juice boxes and orange juice.

Describe your dream endo: Easy to get on the phone! Fills prescriptions within minutes!

What's your biggest diabetes achievement: A1C's rather consistent in the 5's and running a half marathon.

What's your biggest diabetes-related fear: Losing a limb

Who's on your support team: Mike and my Dad

Do you think there will be a cure in your lifetime: I cant go there, b/c it seems that even if there was a cure the line to get it would be too long to dream about.

What is a "cure" to you: Anything, either an artificial pancreas or new pancreas that keeps my blood sugars stable all day long without any intervention from me!

The most annoying thing people say to you about your diabetes is: Wow, you are so skinny, how did you get diabetes? UGH....

What is the most common misconception about diabetes: That all diabetics get complications.

If you could say one thing to your pancreas, what would it be: What happened?