Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice!

Sorry it’s been so long since my last post.  My blood sugars have been PMS’ing and unpredictable.  The other day I had a headache, a nosebleed, low blood sugar, high blood sugar, absolute and utter exhaustion, and still…it was amazing.  It was literally one of the best days of my life.  You are probably wondering if I hit my head.  How can a day like that have turned out so well? 

My newest niece was born just before 8a.m.  My sister asked me to be in the delivery room with her for the C-Section.  As I got ready for the birth and changed into my scrubs, I discovered that a hot pink bra is a no-no when wearing surprisingly see-through navy blue scrubs.  I had high blood sugar that morning upon waking so I took a massive shot…and regretted it as I felt it dropping and I realized I’d have a mask on and no sugar nearby in the operating room.  I was inhaling Skittles and having a quiet personal freak out as my sister was being prepped, when all the sudden a delightful nurse asked if I wanted juice.  “YES!” I replied as I downed as much glucose as my excited CrAzY self could stomach (what with all the nervous butterflies).  Thank goodness for the sugar, after the surgery my blood sugar was a happy 107.  I also snagged an extra juice in case the “baby daddy” needed one later since he is also a type 1 diabetic that has a knack (like me!) of going low in allll the wrong places. 

When the doctor said “stand up” to me so I could get the very first glimpse of my tiny, wiggling pink niece, I cried like a baby.  What a beautiful experience.  She was (thank you God) perfect.

We needed that little sweetie to be perfect.  My sister has been through difficult deliveries that resulted in NICU stays for two of her older children.  Her husband has Type 1 diabetes, her sister (me) has Type 1 diabetes, her other daughter has cerebral palsy.  She has a full plate with all of us needing her support and advice on a regular basis.  She never fails.  She gives unbelievable amounts of time and love to each of us.  She is, without question, my best girlfriend.  I’d do anything for her.       

All went well, baby and sis are doing great and this proud Auntie (whose name happens to be the baby’s middle name!) is on cloud nine.  J

It's August 12th, Time for 12 of 12!!!!!

On the 12th day of each month bloggers from all over the world take 12 photos of their day. The 12 of 12 project was Chad’s idea, go to his website to see links from the people who participated this month and to post a link to yours!

We were off work this week on vacation, but we stayed close to home.  Here was my day...

Ooh, the suspense!!!  

*Forehead Slap* as I realize it is after noon and I haven't taken my long-lasting injection yet.   Grrrr.

I know I'll regret posting this unflattering shot (Ha, "shot"!  Seriously...no pun intended!), but it's a day in the life of living with D.  Long-lasting insulin administered.  :)

Hubs and I went bowling.  Was going to make a "ball" joke here, but thought better of it. 

That sir, was a gutterball.  D'oh!

I won the first game!!!  He kicked my behind on the second one though. 

Picked up prescriptions.  Wondering why they are about $130 less than usual. Hmm. 

Oh boy,  why do I only have one bottle of Humalog for three months???  Pharmacy has to call the doc...we've only been doing this at the same doctor's office for SEVENTEEN YEARS.  Maybe someday, they'll get my re-fills right.

Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad for lunch.  I know I should've passed on the breaded chicken, but it was SO GOOD.  :)

Missed some of Shark Week so we had some catching up to do on the DVR.  Love Shark Week!

How cool is he?!?!?

Because last week's Diabetic Ice Cream Social was so much fun we had to do it again. :)  Finishing off the vacation with a small Oreo Blizzard from DQ.  Yum!   Goodnight Blog Buddies!

We Need A Cure

I feel like I’m at a loss for words.  Two lives lost to diabetes in the past 24 hours and a third reportedly hangs in the balance.  My prayers and thoughts are with the families.  I’m sad.  I’m heartbroken.  I’m angry.  My rage is with diabetes.

The lows scare me.  I’m certain they scare all of us, and our families.  I went low one night, about fourteen years ago and still, it seems like only yesterday.  To this day, I run my sugars high at night because of that night. 

I had gone to bed without eating, a simple act that anyone without diabetes can do.  Upset with a co-worker, I forgot to eat and fell asleep.  My live-in boyfriend at the time found me soaked in sweat, shaking and unresponsive.  He tried rubbing syrup in my cheeks to wake me – unfortunately he used sugar-free syrup…seriously.  We had no glucagon and had never even heard of or been trained to use glucagon.  Thankfully, he called 911.

I “woke” making noises like an animal in distress.  I couldn’t speak.  I was terrified.  I couldn’t respond as they called my name.  I literally had a problem with my own name for a while after that night, simply because the fire chief had continuously called my name in a rather stern tone, while he tried to calm me.  “Combative” was the term they used to describe me. 

I woke in the ER throwing up.  They tried to feed me a banana and I threw up some more.  I found this was a side effect of glucagon.  My tongue was killing me and I found it was bloody and scarred from biting it during my low.  It still has slight scarring to this day, reminding me of that unforgettable night. 

No one should have to go through this.  No one should have to be scared to go to sleep each night.  No family should experience this senseless loss.  We need a cure.  Falling asleep at night without eating should not be a fatal mistake.  I keep praying, fighting and wishing for that cure.   

Bret Michaels. Is There a More Awesome Spokesperson? I Think Not. ♥

These were taken in August of 2010, but I thought they were timeless.  

Love Bret's Tour Bus!!!

We ended up following his tour bus to the show!  :)

I adore this man for plastering this on the side of his bus.

We missed the opening act waiting outside for Bret...it was WORTH it!!!  I held up my Tour de Cure jersey that says "I RIDE WITH DIABETES" and he stopped, smiled, and waved. ♥

He spoke about his diabetes and recent health scares during the concert. 

Best. Concert. Ever!

Somebody May Need To Slap Me

I’m good at overreacting.  I should win an award for it.  I get ruffled at stupid things.  I worry.   I don’t hold my tongue when I often should.  I need to work on this I know. 

Yesterday was stressful, I woke to stress, had a day filled with stress at work and came home to…peace, serenity and a hot bubble bath…NOT!  Yep, came home to stress.  I can’t help but wonder what this stress is doing to my blood pressure (You were sure I was going to say blood SUGAR right?  Well, I already know what stress does to my blood sugar, and it’s not pretty).    I haven’t filled the prescription yet from my last post.  I know, I know.  I plan on taking all my prescriptions to a new pharmacy to comparison shop this weekend, though it means I am delaying starting the BP meds.  While he was contemplating putting me on the pills, Doc mentioned something about the med not only protecting my kidneys (?), but also lowering my blood pressure which may help me “calm down”.  Calm down?  Is that possible?  I’m ready to try anything at this point and I’d rather not start drinking heavily.

In honor of calming down, I’m posting a favorite pic of mine that just so happens to make me smile every time.  I totally ruined any hope of a “Wordless Wednesday” post with my rant, but darn it, I’m just not going to worry.

Here’s my dog back when she was just a pup.  The breeder had a stack of Benjamin’s in her hand the second I saw this.  Little did I know that she’d literally pee on my pillow when we got home, (would you like some stress with that?).  However, she was totally worth the stress (and a new pillow).  J

Insulin Doesn’t Grow On Trees

I had a visit with the doc today, I was happy when I walked in and saw a piggy bank for a diabetes fundraiser at the front desk.  Though it wasn’t much, I emptied my wallet into that piggy.  I probably looked like I had robbed a Super Mario Brother because coins were rolling over the counter into the receptionist’s lap.  I refused to stop until I had shoved every last one into that pig.  They thanked me, I thanked them, and they waved me in without charging a Co-Pay…NICE!  I am sure I’ll see a bill for that shortly, but nevertheless, I was in a good mood just knowing people care about curing D.    

They took my blood pressure and it showed on the high side.  I get nervous at the doc, “white coat syndrome” and all and so I wondered if it was because of that.  After the doc checked me out, he had the nurse take it again.  It showed higher.  Then she tried another blood pressure cuff which showed way lower (over 20 points!).  Um, if I’m at the mercy of these devices, shouldn’t they be accurate???  Nurse shrugged her shoulders.  Doc contemplates putting me on a new med. Another prescription?  Not happy at all.

I had a talk with the doc because, even with insurance, the prescription costs are getting out of hand.  In addition to diabetes supplies, I’m also on a couple of non diabetes meds.  Prescriptions are expensive.  Insulin doesn’t grow on trees, and there is no generic form of insulin.  Doc was a sweetheart and brought me two free vials of insulin, a very kind gesture for which I am grateful. 

I have to wonder though, back when I was eighteen and newly diagnosed, I was dropped from my parents insurance.  I used to have to pay for insulin (and strips, syringes, etc) at retail prices on my security guard salary.  I was not in nearly as tight control as I am now, and I’m pretty sure I barely ever ate.  If I remember correctly, it was about $20 a bottle when I was eighteen – now a bottle can go for well over a hundred dollars without insurance.  Do they harvest it from Unicorns now?  Just how the heck did it get so expensive?

It's July 12th, Time for 12 of 12!!!

The F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S Mike Lawson inspired me last month with his 12 of 12 pics.  He actually offered to remind me of it in July when I expressed interest.  True to his word, Mike emailed me last night to give me a heads up....Love him!  You must check out his kick a** blog at http://whatsomewouldcalllies.com/   Thanks Mike!  :)

On the 12th day of each month bloggers from all over the world take 12 photos of their day.  The 12 of 12 project was Chad’s idea, go to his website to see links from the people who participated this month and to post a link to yours!

Here was my day...

Started out with two uncooperative Pomeranians.  They were not at all interested at looking at the camera. 

Second injection of the day.  I leave rubberbands on my long-lasting insulin so I can easily tell the bottles apart even if I'm drunk  tired.  Definitely NOT medical advice.  :)

Just finished working six days in a row...It's coffeetime with Sis now! 

Almost cried in my coffee, sis tells me they are naming her baby (due end of summer) Emma Meagan.  The "Meagan" part after me.  :) 

Having a great time together, let's SHOP!!!

I swear to you I was walking through the store AFTER she told me the baby name and saw this sign.  I made her hold it because - I think this SIGN is a SIGN.  :)

It's all fun and games until someone (ME) has low blood sugar.  Tried telling my sister I was fine and promptly almost fell over.  Hmm, time for a snack.

Slooowed down and had snack, took in the beautiful flowers at Town Square.

Yep, even the Jeep wears a "STOP DIABETES" ADA sign.  :)

Had to stop at the market on the way home.  I decided I should force myself to post a pic of my shopping cart...keeps me less naughty!  Though, somehow those cookies did still manage to sneak in there.  Um, they're for J-Bear. 

I apologize I am all disheveled and tired after a long hard day of shopping.  It's not pretty but I needed a twelfth pic.  :) 

Night night!!!