Archive for Juni 2015

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Because Of Diabetes.... I Will Never Be A Super Creepy Hand Model

Super Creepy Hand Model..... A career that alas I can never have~

Diabetes has made me notice the small things, like carb counts (which can some times be REALLY BIG,) test strips in unexpected places, and extemporaneous pump tubing on a stranger's person.

It has made me notice people's personality, including those who lack tact, and has helped me to put a bright and shining spotlight on those who possess empathy.
I can look at diabetes accoutrement's with an expert eye and give you a professional opinion as to why it's designed right, or where the flaws lie.

So in someways, diabetes has enhanced my engineering talents - And oh how my 8th Grade Mechanical Drawing teacher be proud!

Diabetes has made me have laser sharp focus what food goes into my body and when, and has made this Literature Major a Diabetes Savant when it comes to numbers, carbs, food, etc.
Diabetes has garunteed that I will NEVER have a career as a hand model - but I'm OK with that.
Especially after viewing this goofy hand model video - See Above!
Diabetes has made me think about the BIG things, like health insurance and my civil liberties regarding TSA patdowns and full body scanners. Diabetes has me always thinking about the threat of complications is always tucked away neatly in the back of my brain, but always there none the less.

Diabetes hasn't stopped me from doing ANYTHING.

Whatever barriers that I came across in my life were because I thought I couldn't do something - And not necessarily because of diabetes.

And for a long time I was guilty of believing others regarding what I could or couldn't do.

Luckily, as I grew older, I grew wiser and now I'm pretty much unstoppable

The only think I can't do because of "the diabetes" is be a super creepy hand model who produces her own insulin - And that's OK, because this >Diazon loves opening life's doors and charging through them - Faulty pancreas or not!

Cancer and Homeopathy (5)

The proof that homeopathy works is seen in its outcomes, its ability to make patients better. It is not within the narrow confines of the denialists view of science, based on Randomised Controlled Tests (RCT) that count with patients! It is what happen to sick people when they are treated - conventionally, homeopathically, et al.

This series of blogs has brought out the medical fundamentalists, the denialists, and the homeophobes! “There is no scientific proof” they scream, there is “no RCT evidence” They have said that “these stories are anecdotal”. And they do so just in case anyone diagnosed with cancer reads the testimony of the 3 contributors and prefers homeopathy to ConMed’s chemotherapy and radiation. They even claim that “it is dangerous for these people to make such claims”, that they are denying themselves, and others, the benefits of ConMed treatment!

But ConMed often makes similar ‘anecdotal claims, based on the evidence of individual patients, and do so in order to sell their noxious drugs and vaccines. Homeopaths do not attack them for doing so. There is room here for a careful consideration of the evidence, and some proper comparative analysis.

What the presentation of these cases demonstrate is that is potential in homeopathy for the treatment of people with cancer, and the extent of the denial that is endemic within ConMed Establishment. Indeed, medical fundamentalists will rather admit to making serious diagnostic mistakes than entertain the idea that homeopathy might have helped! Moreover, they will do so despite the fact that the three former patients themselves are convinced that they overcame cancer primarily because of homeopathy.

It is frightening that such people, who like to call themselves ‘scientists’, do not even bother to keep an open mind. As Dana Ullman has said:

“The antagonists to homeopathy are threatened (philosophically, scientifically, economically), and their anger is deep because of this threat”.

What people need to understand is that there are many safer and more effective alternatives to ConMed treatment,for all disease, not just homeopathy, but techniques based on exercise, diet, life-style, attitudinal changes, and many other factors, from which the Big Pharma companies cannot make a profit.

However, of greater concern are the patients who are being, and will continue to be diagnosed with cancer. What options to they have? Within the NHS, they are routinely given just one option - ConMed treatment. Rarely, if ever, are alternatives offered to them. Indeed, anyone who chooses an alternative path are subject to criticism, and even ridicule.

Central to this debate is patient choice, something the denialists are keen to avoid giving us within the NHS. This blog is committed to patient choice, and the availability of information about safe and effective treatments for all disease.

DBlogger Meet Up-Philly Style OR 9 Diabetics Walk into a Bar.....

So 9 Diabetics walk into a bar.......
From left to right: Faye, Kerri, Caitlin, Karen, Hannah (flashing the t1 Gang Sign) Manny, LeeAnn, Yours Truly (also flashing the t1 Gang Sign) and Zack

Thursday night there was a Diabetes Meet up, Philly style.

Kerri over at SUM was in town for a conference regarding social media, pharmaceutical companies, and patient bloggers working together to help patients & their communities.

Kerri had mentioned on her blog that she was looking to for Philly Dfolk to meet up on Thursday night.

After a flurry of emails amoungst a group who had some names I both recognized & didn't, it was decided we’d meet up at Monks, a Belgian Beer Bar in the City.

Cut to Thursday, evening and me furiously trying to secure a parking spot near the bar. After finally finding a spot on Latimar Street, I was fanatically scrounging for quarters when I received a call from Kerri.

I picked up the receiver and said: I’m on my way, just scrounging for quarters to park!
Kerri: What? Is this Kelly?

Me: Yep! I’ll be right there, just trying to find quarters.
Kerri: The location been changed. Our party is too big; we’re going to The Black Sheep around the corner.

Me: Great-I’ll see you in a few!

I knew where The Sheep was and thankfully, it was literally two blocks up from where I’d parked.

I walked in the crowed bar and immediately spied LeeAnn from the Butter Compartment.
We hugged and she introduced me to her husband Jason, who I’d already felt like I’d known since I’d read so much about him over these many months.

We walked towards the back of the bar where I recognized Kerri.
We gave one another a hug and later I would find out that we both were eerily similar when it came to math, reading maps, and all things related to directional skills and the likes there of.
Kerri introduced me to Faye from Sugar Bump and her t3 counterpart Chris.
And then we were introduced to Zack and Karen, two t1’s who I’d conversed with over the groups emails.

And SURPRISE, SURPRISE-GUESS who was sitting at the end of the table? None other than Manny, A.K.A Mr. Tu Diabetes, who was also attending the same conference Kerri was.

We grabbed another table and the conversations started. We chatted away about all things diabetes and not. All of us commented on the fact that the bar was literally a sweat lodge, and all were saddened regarding Farrah’s passing, and shocked that Michael J had passed away earlier in the day. No wonder The Sheep was blasting Thriller!

We ordered our food, and LeeAnn and I made a bargain D style. I needed change for two dollars because I needed quarters for the meter. LeeAnn had forgotten her test strips in the rush to catch her train to the city.

LeeAnn: Do you have a One Touch meter? Because I’ll give you the quarters if you can give me some test strips- I forgot mine!

Me: YES, and you don’t have to give me the quarters-Lets just do an even exchange. After fumbling around at the bottom of my bag, I found my strips (whose code # was 17) and gave her 4, and told her the code.

LeeAnn: OMG, my meter is already calibrated for number 17!

Me: Then it’s kismet!

Then I cashed in my chips so to speak and felt relieved that my parking situation was under control.

My friend Emily walked in and was followed by Katelyn- a newly diagnosed t1 and Miss Hannah M from Dorkabetic!

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

It was a Diabetes frenzy of laughter and understanding. There’s nothing quite like being with a bunch of Diabetics- it’s an amazing experience to sit with a group who absolutely gets not only where your going, but where you’ve been.

We were a group of type 1’s-loud, proud, and all grown up!

Type 1 Diabetics are not just children. While it’s true that many of us at the table were diagnosed as a child, we’ve grown up to become adults, productive members of society and our communities. Some have married and had children; others are still looking for Mr. or Mrs. Right. All of us struggle not just with our diabetes, but to be seen and heard by a society who continually lumps PWD’s into two groups.

Small children and over weight adults.

All people living with Diabetes (t1, t1.5, t2, etc) are so much more than that.

We are a tenacious group who work hard to live good lives.
We are articulate because we have to constantly dispel any all rumors associated with our disease.

We continually educate ourselves and others regarding Diabetes because we must.

And when we get together as a group, we laugh from our bellies and appreciate those who we are laughing with us, because they get “it” on every level.

A wonderful time was had by all!

Don't BullSh*t Me Or My Insulin Pump, Mr. TSA Man At San Diego Airport!

Saturday morning came to soon for me as I my taxi made it’s way from The Hard Rock Hotel To San Diego’s Airport. It had been an amazing and jam packed three days at The 2011 Roche Social Media Summit and I didn’t want to leave.

Plus, I was tired, and the very thought of an almost 6 hour flight made me queasy - As did the thought of traveling with diabetes & previous TSA encounters.

I checked my bags and received my boarding pass at curbside check-in, and then I dragged my feet and carry-on over to security and mentally tried to prepare myself for the whole insulin pump TSA interrogation that would most certainly occur.

Just one day earlier on Friday, as the Roche Social Media Summit was in it’s last hour, I re-tweeted the following tweet:

@diabetesalic SHAMEFUL RT @hrana Elderly woman asked 2remove adult diaper during #TSA search bit.ly/lufLsr - Absolutely unacceptable behavior by TSA

The story of that poor woman, whose only crimes were her advanced age & declining health had me sick to my stomach. It made me think about my mother's fragile health and my own “insulin pump/TSA issues.”

And it made me angry! As I stood in line preparing myself mentally to be interrogated, it was that poor woman I was thinking of.

I was surprised how quick my turn came up and I put my shoes, laptop, carry-on, etc .in bins & then onto a conveyor belt. Then I walked through the security gate thing, and was immediately pulled over.

TSA Dude: IS that an insulin pump

Me: Yes it is.

TSA Dude: Well, you know I’m going to have to get a female security to give you a pat-down.

Me: Um, no you’re not. My pump (a 512 medtronic minimed - yes, you read right, a 512- YES, I suffer from Insulin Pump Purchase Anxiety ) has no metal parts so there’s no reason for a pat down. And even if it did have metal parts, it's still ridiculous & goes against my civil rights under the American With Disabilities Act.

Feel free to swab the pump and my hands, like they do at every other airport in the country, but you’re not patting me down.

TSA Dude then began to have a series of powwows with 3 different TSA employees regarding the best way to handle my insulin- pump contraband.

TSA Dude: Well...... You can have the female security pat you down.....or you can walk through the full body scanner.

Me: She's not patting me down and I’m not walking through the full metal body scanner.

If it damages my pump in anyway - I’m screwed.
I don’t need to give a free peep show. If you’re going to see all my lucky charms - so to speak, then you can buy me dinner first!

TSA Dude: You can’t see anything. FYI, he sounded both annoyed & hurt at that accusation.

Me: Yeah, actually you can.

God, I only wish I’d read THIS article before our exchange, because then I could have mentioned TSA Dude's co-worker’s unfortunate genitalia size and the fact that yes, you can indeed see EVERYTHING.

Then TSA Dude had me go over to the side, and then TSA Dude proceeded to swab my hands & my insulin pump, and then he told me I could retrieve my things.

Me: So, we’re done, then?

TSA Dude: Yeah, it’s just next time you should really just go through the full body scanner - It's easier for everyone.

Me: It's not easier for me!

At that point, I could either continue arguing my point & continue to prove him wrong, (but as far as I was concerned, I'd won) or I could get my things and grab a much needed cup of coffee.

I walked away and started to retrieve my things from the conveyor belt - Then, I noticed the woman who had been behind me in line had been pulled aside for her medical device. This woman, a breast cancer survivor who no longer had any lymph-nodes on her right side, was wearing a compression device so her arm wouldn’t swell up.

This was apparently the first time she’d ever experienced the TSA welcome wagon & she was scared & annoyed.

I heard her say to the TSA Chick: Look, I’m not going through the full body scanner with this and you’re not patting me down.

I’m going to assume that there was no metal parts, because TSA Chick ended up swabbing the device & the woman it was attached to.

When Survivor Woman’s ordeal was done, she and I looked at one another as we put our shoes on and said: You deal with this every time you travel?

Me: Yep, 9 times out of 10 - And it’s bullshit! My guy didn’t even know the rules and he was literally making them up as he was going along!

Survivor Woman: They have to figure this out!

Me: Agreed & no shit - This is ridiculous! I’m all for safety, but I’m also for respecting the person who medically needs assistance. Making an elderly woman remove her diaper & giving those of us with medical devices so much crap is WRONG.

Seriously TSA, if you want your jobs to be easier, respect the people who you are both protecting and interrogating - We are one in the same after all! And for god-sakes TSA, know the rules of engagement!

What Would You Like Roche To Know?

Today kicks of the Roche Social Media Summit & I can't wait ! I've already caught up with many old friends & new last night & this morning, more on that to follow! :)

My questions for you are: What would you like Roche to know? Or what would you like to ask them? I'll be checking for comments throughout the summit & will forward your questions to the folks at Roche !

Cancer and Homeopathy (4)

One reason for this series of blogs is to demonstrate that ConMed apologists will not acknowledge the personal experiences of people diagnosed with cancer, and who have got better after homeopathic treatment. Imagine the kind of hype that the Big Pharma companies would come up with if they were able to come up with that sort of outcome that Kevin Morris experienced! They would be claimng the discovery of a 'wonder drug', selling it for enormous amounts, and saying they were on the way to being able to treat cancer successfully.

Homeopathy makes no such claims. But examples like the 3 given in this blog do suggest that people with cancer, certainly those who have been given up on by ConMed, should seek the individualised treatment offered by Homeopathy.

Moreover, the mainstream media would be reporting it as front page news! Kevin has written a book about his experience, and no-one is interested in publishing it! His attitude is simple, as implied by the title of his book - “It’s only a disease - how I fought cancer and won”, but as he says, the subject of recovering from cancer using alternative treatment is generally embargoed by the mainstream media.

This is a very short version of what happened to him, 12 years ago, in his own words.

In July 1998, and after at least a year of seriously ill health, I visited my GP who said he thought I had cancer, and arranged for me to undergo the usual tests. Early, and after two days spent having blood transfusions in order to get me fit enough, in early August 1998, it was found that my left kidney had 15 1/2 centimetre tumours. I was told later that month that there was an 80% or 90% chance of another tumour, either at the same site, and/or secondaries tumours elsewhere. I had a scan on 21st December that highlighted a new 4 centimetre tumour. I was then offered four options:

* Hormone therapy

* Interferon

* Interleukin

I was told that, in my oncologist's opinion, my tumour would not respond, and that therefore these treatments would only be ‘palliative’.

The fourth option was to 'Do nothing’. I was told that I might not live as long but that my quality of life would be better.

I told him that this was my preferred option. When he warned me that I was likely to be seriously ill quite soon, and in need of pain relief and/or drugs to treat the resultant cachexia, I told him I was seeing a homoeopath.

In his letter to my GP he stated, “Mr Morris has decided to explore some homeopathic options and I feel we must respect him in this”, or words to this effect.

I have not been to hospital since - except to visit friends, About two weeks after this meeting, my homoeopath prescribed Nat Carb 10m, a remedy which she has used with great success in terminal cancer cases. In just a few days afterwards I knew I would recover, and I happily told those I knew of my belief. Needless to say, most of them thought I was mad!

Kevin is now studying to become a homeopath, and he wants people to know about his experience so that other people are able to make informed choices. He shares my deep concern about the censorship imposed on such information by the mainstream media, a censorhip that means most people do not realise that there are good, effective, and safe alternatives to ConMed drugs for the treatment of all diseases.

What is, perhaps, more concerning is that ConMed practitioners do not usually tell their 'terminal' patients that an alternative treatment is available, or suggest that (as they can do nothing) they might like to try it.

For the next blog in this series, click here.

My Spin On The 2011 Roche Social Media Summit

2011 Roche Social Media Summit Casual Group Photo

A.k.a. "Lean On Me."

I’m back east, having returned from the left coast & the 2011 Roche Social Media Summit, but for some reason my body is still navigating through time zones - SO Right now, my energy is hovering somewhere around Kentucky.

With that being said, I have to say I was really pleased with this year’s Summit.

Here’s a brief 411 (OK, I tried to be brief, but that’s really tough) on the Summit with more posts to follow on all of the subject matter, etc.

This is my third year attending the Roche Social Media Summit, and seeing the other members of The Clan of Diabetes Bloggers is always incredibly special, but this year it felt special to see the folks from Roche too! They are “D Clan” by more than association.

They’ve taken the time to get to know us, both individually and just as importantly, collectively as a community.

Everyone (blogger or not) on Wednesday greeted one another with hugs and a familiarity and that was a wonderful thing.

Cut to the Reunion Dinner later that evening, where we all had the opportunity to catch up and participate in the live twitter #dsma chat

Thursday we got down to business (after some participated in a killer workout with Ginger & Scottie J,) of Diabetes and Social Media.

We discussed a multitude of things, including, but not limited to; costs, as in helping the patient to keep their diabetes costs down. I’ll give Accu-Chek props for doing just that and have implemented the Cash Card Program for 3rd party insurance & cash paying customers .

How does the Cash Card help?

For those with Third Party Insurance it means

 Paying no more than $15 on every test strip prescription*

 If co-pay is greater than $15: discount up to $50 for 50/51-ct purchase, 100/102-ct or greater purchase

For Cash Paying Customers

 Patient takes card to the pharmacy to be entered as primary insurance*

 Discount up to $40 for 100/102-ct or greater purchase  Discount up to $20 on 50/51-ct purchase

For more info on this program, visit www.accu-chekconnect.com

It's all about diabetes options, and this is a great option for those with test strip cover issues re: their insurance, or lack there of.

We discussed How pharma can better engage with their patients both on-line and off and Digital & Social Media Demographics such as:

 Globally, more than 76 million people with diabetes will be online by 2014, a 142 percent increase from today.

 Hundred, thousands of blogs are dedicated to living with diabetes.

 230,000 Facebook members, 18 and over, list diabetes as one of their interests.

 Diabetes is the fifth most popular search term among all health conditions.

 PwD spend over 20% of their time online and in social networks. This has grown 66% from 2009 to 2010.

We discussed PODS . What are PODS? PODS are a nationwide Signature program of monthly meet-ups for women with diabetes around the U.S. courtesy of Diabetes Sisters . org. And are the brainchild of my DiabetesSister & DiabetesSisters founder, Brandy Barns.

Before lunch we had the chance to hear the the Head of Communications for IDF (International Diabetes Federation), Isabella Platon.

I think the IDF is a really wonderful organization dedicated to making sure every child/pwd with diabetes on the planet is able to receive insulin & medical care, and according to their website: IDF’s mission is to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide.

I'm all about and for what they do! BUT I'm going to be honest, I felt a disconnect when Isabella spoke.

Not about the subject matter, she knew her diabetes facts.

No, I felt a disconnect with our diabetes on-line community. I don’t care if you read my blog or not, that’s not what I’m talking about.

I’m talking about making a genuine effort to know what the community that your speaking to and with.

Engage with us on twitter, facebook, etc.

Be aware of what's going on in the community and the projects that our community is working on, both on-line and off.

Knowing the audience that your speaking to is a wonderful thing and will help all parties to get the word out!

FYI: We had the opportunity to hear the President of the IDF, Jean Claude Mbanya speak at dinner, and I have to say, Jean Claude is one INCREDIBLE, MESMERIZING & INSPIRING PWD. More on both IDF and Jean Claude later.

During lunch we had the opportunity to hear Jeffrey Brewer, father of a type 1 and President & CEO of JDRF. Jeff is “good people” and he sees the big diabetes picture.

Jeff discussed and fielded questions regarding The Artificial Pancreas Pancreas, research regarding the cure, embracing adults with type 1 back into The JDRF family. As a type 1 child who is now all types of grown up, I really appreciate being welcomed back.

The Rise, Fall and Rise of Jacques Benveniste

There have been many scientists who have looked into the working mechanism of homeopathy, and whether it is possible for a substance so heavily diluted in the process of homeopathic potentization, to actually work

Benveniste was one of them, who came up with the idea of the 'memory' of water, and set about to test the hypothesis. He was a 'real' scientist; that is, he was a scientist with an open and enquiring mind. He was not a scientist of the 'Sense about Science' kind, committed to little other than disproving something that is a threat to their paymasters, the Big Pharma companies, who fund SAS, and the host of homeopathy denialists of follow them.

Benveniste suffered because he pursued his science, lost his career, and eventually his life. He was undone by fraudsters masquerading as anti-fraud scientists. His work has been assessed in this film, a film that demonstrates the lengths that ConMed, and Big Pharma will go in order to discredit those they see as opponents to their business, and their trade in toxic, disease-inducing, and often, lethal drugs.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xiqyt1_jacques-benveniste-heretic_

It is a 30 minute film, well worth the time to see.

Homeopathy and the BBC

The BBC have been heavily infiltrated. They no longer recognise that there is a 'health debate' going on out here, dominated by the failing bureaucracy of ConMed, and the power and wealth of Big Pharma (who now control the BBC), but with that ever-growing number of people who are searching for a safer, more effective way of dealing with the illnesses, and maintaining their health, than ConMed offers them. The BBC no longer tell the truth, the whole truth, or indeed, anything like the truth!

For anyone looking to participate in the health debate, the mainstream media is no longer of any use to them. National Newspapers and national broadcasters are content to reproduce, without question, the press releases of Big Pharma. I hear regularly on the BBC about another new conventional medical 'breakthroughs - and how we could expect new drugs in 15 years time.

Always a triumph of hope over experience.

And the BBC is happy to avoid telling you about the full picture of mayhem currently being caused by ConMed treatment and drugs, and to withold giving you information on the lies, deceit and corruption in which Big Pharma companies have become embroiled, especially in the USA.

Yet it was not always like this. I have recently been talking with a former producer of a BBC programmes, now retired, and he has drawn my attention to this film: "Q.E.D. Homeopathy".

http://www.alternativemedicineanswers.com/blog/alternative-medicine/qed-homeopathy

It is a film well worth watching. What's more, it is as relevant today as it was when it was first broadcast. It demonstrates that people don't have to wait 15 years for treatment! And also that farmers can stop wasting their money on conventional treatment, and turn to something much safer, more effective, and less costly.

Ice Capades In Vegas

Sometimes we forget that before our parents became parents they lived completely different lives - they were completely different people. They did amazing things, throwing caution to the wind so they could live their dreams.

Sometimes the dreams defer or change because of life and circumstances.

The old life gets put on a shelf - along with the pictures and the memories.

Occasionally a glimpse of that old life appears - a snapshot or a memory shared when pouring over old photos.

I was and am always in awe of my mothers old life. She was an a professional Ice Skater in The Ice Capades.

She made her own money at a time when most women did not - and she made more money than most of the men.

She performed all over the US and Canada, and had the opportunity to live her dream.

Her picture was on billboards, stars like Gene Kelly and Judy Garland waited in line to meet her and her cohorts, and George Petty voted her one of the 16 most Outstanding Ice Capets in both talent and beauty.

She gave it all up and married my dad. She became a mom and raised six children.

She gave birth to her first daughter at 22 and her last daughter in her mid forties.

She worked hard and helped my father start a business.

She had her share of heartaches, including three of her six children having type 1 diabetes.

And she lost her middle daughter to the disease.

The woman who dealt with diabetes 24X7 used to be a completely different person before my siblings and I came to be.

Through it all she remained the strongest, toughest, most beautiful woman I know.

She is the one who taught me to pull myself up by my bootstraps whenever life decided to throw me a curve ball - and to do it with a smile on my face.

She is the one who taught me by example that "the show must indeed go on!"

I was incredibly proud of my mom when I accompanied her to The Ice Capades 70th Reunion in Vegas last week.

Since she was one of the oldest skaters there, she was treated like royalty.

Younger skaters came up to have their pictures taken with her. Some recorded her voice because they considered her to be part of their history. She was interviewed for several podcasts and for the Ice Capades historical archives.

There were moments when I started to cry from shear pride. At one point I went up to thank a skater for interviewing my mother and for being so attentive and nice to her and ended up crying.

"Your mother is wonderful and she's living skating history, I'm incredibly honored to have been able to interview her." And then he gave me a hug and told me I was a good daughter-which made me cry even more.

It was a hectic, emotional, and crazy three days - and I wouldn't have missed it for the world!

LOVE YOU MOM!

My mom when she was in The Ice Capades.

She was an athlete and performer, and was

simply beautiful~

500 skaters dancing on the strip

My mom & three friends from the show~

My mom and her friend &former roommate Mary

3 of the most seasoned professional Ice Skaters in existence

My mom (Ice Capades ) Reiko Kato(Holiday On Ice)

Mary H. Ice Capades

Reiko Kato is a Professor Emerita at Daitobunka University in Japan and is a Professor of Arts of Movement, Figure Skating & Dancing~

Sparkling Icicles - Vegas style!

One of the official sponsors

My mom, still beautiful after all these years!

This "D"Pirate is incredibly proud to be her mother's daughter~

F NORMAL

FUCK NORMAL.

Over the past few weeks, thanks to reconnects on Facebook and meeting a few dbloggers face to face, I’ve been asked about my late sister Debbie -in detail. People wanted to know why diabetes did such a number on her. Why it took her life.

I think there are many reasons, not all having to do with The Big D. Debbie’s health was fragile to begin with, diabetes or not.

When she was diagnosed, (in the late 60’s) the diabetes diet was strict and archaic in terms of diabetes today. There was no such thing as Blood Sugar testing at home; urine testing tablets and tape were the only choices.
HA1C’s didn’t exist; neither did support systems, in real time or on the web.

Insulin pumps were a pipe dream and insulin was obtained through cows and piggies.
Needles had to be boiled and sharpened, and were never pleasant.

Diabetes treatment in the last 10 to 20 years is historic to say the least.

The freedom we have to day is so crazy compared to how it used to be.

I mean my sister couldn’t eat anything with sugar, and boy did she overcompensate when she did. She snuck food at all hours. Food and alcohol became her addictions and that addictive behavior followed her into adulthood.

Her alcoholism is another posting in itself. Let’s just say alcoholism can do a number on one’s kidneys, and when she finally quit, it was to late.

But what really worked against her (at least in my eyes,) is the fact that Debbie wanted so desperately to fit everyone else’s ideal of normal.

If I could change one thing for my sister Debbie, (besides never having been diagnosed with Diabetes) it would be to change what her ideal of normal was, especially when she was a teenager and in college, when most of her damage was done.

I guess what I’m trying to say to those in dblogville is screw everyone’s version of normal, diabetic or not. What’s normal for a diabetic is not considered normal for the rest of the population. It is what it is…. And what it is, is DIFFERENT.

Different is ok.
Different works for me.

My blood sugar and A1C goals are different than yours, and I’m fine with that.
I’m fine with testing, no matter where I am, or who’s with me.
Debbie wasn’t.
She tried to be so damn “normal." Normal was eating and drinking everything she wanted, going into DKA, and doing drugs, so that she could fit in with experimental teenage years that occurred in the early 70’s. She over compensated when it came to “being normal” and the damage was major.

WHY BE NORMAL? Some people will sit in freezing stadium (shirtless and with faces painted) on a Sunday afternoon to be part of THE PACK. I THINK THAT’S INSANE. To them, it’s TOTALLY normal.

Some people stay with someone because they are afraid to be alone. That’s not only not normal, it’s really quite sad.

Some people go the Vegan route, no animal products ingested at all. I think that’s difficult and limiting to say the least. They think it’s normal.

Some folks love the Hannah Montana. I just don’t get it.
To them – NORMAL.

Everyone has a different ideal of normal. Instead of relying on some else’s ideal of the word, how about embracing what the world represents to each of us individually.

While there is a format to diabetes, it needs to be fined tuned for the individual.

Diabetes is a different creature every day.

We’ve all said that, and we all need to practice that.
Now, we all need to give ourselves a break and say," I'm really doing the best I can and some days are better than others. Shit happens, with our life and our diabetes."

We need to be proud of ourselves for all our hard work regarding diabetes, even when our numbers aren't where we'd like them to be.

We never get a vacation from D, and we deal with it everyday. Some days, are just better than others.

I wish Debbie had focused on what was normal for her, instead of trying to live everyone else’s view of the word. I wish she could have met all my nephews and nieces, watched with pride as our niece perform on Broadway, be blown away at our nephews “great brain” as he works towards completing his Doctorate at Berkley, and I wish she could have met out oldest nephews son.

I wish she had the confidence to be and love herself, and I wish she didn’t have to suffer.

I wonder what my life would have been like, had her view of what was normal had been different.

I don’t know why I’m really writing all this. Maybe it’s because a few friends from grade school recently told me they had no ideal that Debbie had been so sick, because I had kept it to myself.

Maybe it’s because I’m SO HORMONAL and I’m craving salt and chocolate & can actually see my 5 lb water weight gain happening right before my eyes.

Maybe it’s because I want people in dBlogville to know that while their D reality is different than the “norm,” it’s so much better than what it had been in the past.

Maybe I need to remind myself of how far we've come, and how far we still have to go.

Maybe I just needed to remind myself of Debbie.

Obat Diabetes

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