Obat Diabetes

So I spent the weekend with my 8-year-old Niece Livvy, (sometimes called Olivia or O-blivia, depends on my mood - and hers) who will be 9 in September. She flew in from the “wild west” with my brother, (her Dad) to visit the family. To put it mildly, Livvy is a pistol: A.K.A., a piece of work, a TOTAL TRIP. She’s turning 9 in September, but I’d say she’s really 8 and 11 months going on 17. Very hip, very funny, and dare I say, quite the Tweener in training! We went to dinner, and the beach, where she showed off her expert boggie boarding skills. She was quite the pro for a girl born in the Mountains. We played with Photo Phone Booth on my MAC (you're actually seeing a very small portion of the photos in this post), and went to Lucy The Elephant & sat a top her howdah. We actually named the freckles on one another's faces - she has 5 and I have around 100 - all named Livvy.

I introduced her to Mad TV, which she now loves – sorry mom & dad, good comedy has no age limits!
We had lots of girl talk, which mostly involved Livvy talking about her favorite Singers and crushes. She knows every Hannah Montana episode/song verbatim and is a HUGE FAN of The Brothers Jonas! We spent way too much time looking those boys up on the Internet, and Livvy actually taught me who was who.






To quote my darling O-blivia:

“Nick is the cute and sensitive one and he has diabetes (like you Kel,) - He even wrote a song about diabetes. He was in the movie Camp Rock! He is my favorite,
and I love him.

Joe is the cute funny one. Joe is the star of the movie Camp Rock! He is the middle kid and he’s too old for me to love. He also looks like my cousin Anton.

Kevin is the cute romantic one. Kevin is the oldest. He is also too old for me to love. He was in the movie Camp Rock!

I love the Jonas Brothers – THEY ARE SOOOO AWESOME! THEY TOTALLY ROCK!!”


Like I said, LIVVY IS A TRIP.

Liv was also very interested in learning about all things diabetes. She knew it ran in our family, and that her favorite JB had been diagnosed with it as well.
Liv: “Can diabetes be cured?"

Me: "Nope."

Liv: "I thought the insulin in your pump fixed it."
Me: "The insulin in my pump I take is to survive, but the organ in my body that makes insulin (the pancreas) doesn’t work. That part that is supposed to make insulin, (The Islet of Langerhans) is damaged & doesn't work anymore.
I have to inject hourly with my pump and change the site every few days. I also take my blood sugar’s all the time, like when we had our treats earlier and when we have dinner later."

Liv: "Kelly, will I get diabetes someday?'

Me: "I don’t know, I hope not. It runs in the family, but that doesn’t mean you’ll get it."
Liv: "Oh, so you mean it’s ‘in the genes”, like our sense of humor and my red hair?'

Me: "Yes, exactly (OK, on a side note, "It's in the genes" is family saying regarding both diabetes and our occasional flakiness - obviously this kid has a mind like a steal trap - she forgets nothing!) How’d you get so smart?"

Liv: "Me? Oh, I know a guy… But what if I do get diabetes Kel?"

Me: "Then you’ll deal with it every day 24 X 7, wear your pump, take your blood sugars, and have a great life. Diabetes or not, someone is always worse off that you."

Liv: "Yeah, my friend had cancer! But he’s OK now. And we’re keeping our fingers crossed – toes to. So you and Nick Jonas both have Diabetes? WOW."

Me: "Yeah, so do somewhere between 1.7 million to 3 million other folks have it as well."

Liv: " WOW. Hey, Do you know him? I’M JOKING Kel."

Me: "No, I know of him – I’M TOTALLY SERIOUS Liv."

Now, I’m sure this comes as no shock to you, but Livvy is a total Disney Channel freak. Which means that we spent a lot of time watching Hannah Montana and using the “On Demand” feature to watch Hannah Montana AGAIN AND AGAIN. Livvy would act out each scene for my viewing pleasure. I don’t “get” the Hannah Montana thing, and I told her so. She still thought she could convert me, and I let her try.

Ironically about an hour after our JB conversation, while watching the dreaded d (Disney) channel, we were privy to a behind the scenes Rockumentry about The Jonas Brothers.

They actually featured a good bit of time on Nicks Diabetes. Viewers watched Nick take his blood sugar - his target range is 178, but he’d been 400 earlier in the day. Personally, I liked the fact that they showed the blood sugar roller coaster ride, especially among hormonal teens. From what the parents in dblogville have taught me, blood sugars and hormones make for a bumpy ride at times. NJ also showed us his “Pod,” (Omni Pod must have LOVED THAT) and talked about counting carbs and taking blood sugars in between sets.

The Jonas family was also interviewed about dealing with Nick’s diabetes. It was really quite good, and very interesting. Many a citizen of dBlogville has written about The Brothers J – Nick in particular, and all of us in dBlogville know that Nick wrote a song about diabetes, “A Little Bit Longer”.
Livvy knew every word and sang along – VERY PROFESSIONALLY, AND VERY LOUDLY. She also kept saying (VERY LOUDLY) “This song’s about diabetes Kel, LISTEN…LISTEN! KELLY THIS SONG IS SPEAKING YOUR LANGUAGE…. LISTEN”

So I did.

Near the end of the program, Nick was backstage, talking to children with diabetes, slapping them “5,” shaking hands, & telling them it would be “OK.” Then, he gave them each a pin. Now, I’m not sure if they were special t1 Jonas Brother pins, or just JB pins in general, but I’m sure those kids were shaking in their boots. Livvy was, and she was watching in her grandmother’s living room.The kids backstage all wore insulin pumps, they all loved Nick, and one little boy who was spoke for the group said, ‘ Nick inspired them regarding their diabetes.’

I have to say, I was impressed how open he was regarding diabetes, & how he took the time to explain his daily routine, etc. But what really impressed me was how strongly the children with diabetes reacted to him. I’ve never been on the Hannah Montana bandwagon, but I’ll tell you what folks. l give the Jonas family a lot of street cred for spreading the word about the Big D, and I’m not talking Disney.
Musically, I like the song he wrote regarding diabetes, and yes, those boys can put on a show! While, I am in no way the caliber fan that Liv is, I do respect Nick as a Diabetic spreading the word, and the Jonas brothers as performers who are blessed that they get to do what they love, daily.
The doc was over and we needed to get ready for dinner. Neither one of us moved off the couch, and Livvy had her arm around me and her head on my shoulder.
“Kel, ”she said and looked up at me smiling with her big hazel eyes and pretty smile.’

”Yes, O-blivia.”

“If I do get Diabetes (I mean I really don’t want to get it,) but if I do Kel, IT’S OK. I mean, you and Nick have it, and you guys are doing great. It could always be worse. I told you my friend had cancer.”

Me looking her square in those big hazel eyes: “That’s a great attitude Livvy, but I’m hoping and praying you never have too deal with Diabetes – EVER.”
Livvy: “Me too. I love you Kel & I miss not seeing you!!!!!"
Me: 'I love you too O-blivia….And I miss you something awful!!!!!"

Livvy:" Now, let me tell you about Hannah Montana Kel…."

And so the story continues.......

Yesterday was my appointment with my Retina Specialist. And like every appointment re: 1 in A Million, I was nervous.

But this was the second time I was seeing Dr. S, and I knew that was not only a gifted specialist, he was a gifted communicator and incredibly kind, unlike his predecessor Dr. Shit For Brains, who was neither. Dr. Shit For Brains had been my beloved late Dr. Mac's predecessor, and while he may know all the Retina facts, his bedside manner sucked!

I was nervous from the get go, and had the elevated 214 bgnow to prove it, but his staff didn’t judge.

I told them that previous morning blood sugar was 111 and the nurse said: Hey, you were 90 the last morning visit you had - You don't worry about your 214.

Me: Thanks - You guys freak me out - I was so nervous last night and this morning!

Nurse: That'll do it!!!

She asked all the typical questions, and I gave the typical answers - And waited for my eyes to become dilated a’la an anime character.

Apparently my pressure was very good and there was no swelling to speak of - So I had that going for me.

The good Dr. came in, shook my hand and asked how my summer was going.

Me: Good....so far.

Dr.S: Doing anything fun?

Me: Working, traveling here and there - and of course the beach.

Dr. S: OF COURSE. Any changes that you notice since your last visit?

Me: Nope, everything’s the same.

Dr. S: That’s good!

Me: I hope so. Actually, I hope it's lower!

Dr. S: Your last a1c was 7 - You still there?

Me: I think & I hope so, but my Endo appointment isn’t until September - I had to cancel my June appointment because I was in California.

Dr. S: Don’t worry about.

Me: Ok.

Dr. S: So I’m going to examine your retina’s just like before.

Me: OK.

And he did. He put that crazy eye contraption up against my eyes, and began flashing a series of lights, white, red and blue that damn near blinded me.

He calmly rattled off Doctor speak to his assistant who wrote it all down.

I I could feel my eyes starting to tear from the all the lights - and possibly the stress.

He Did a physical exam of my eyes with the lights and his hands. Looking under the lids and having me follow his finger left and right, up and down.

Then he grabbed a tissue and wiped my tear away and said: EVERY THING LOOKS GREAT!

Me: REALLY?

Dr. S: No changes since last time -You still have a two tiny micro pinhole bleeds - Which is normal for 33 years of diabetes - But they are really small. Your pressure is great and I see no optic nerve swelling. Honestly, those tiny bleeds could stay that way for years and years before we’d have to do anything. And you’d need at least 6 before we could even consider working on them. Seriously, your eyes look great!!

33 years with diabetes and all I can say is, keep up the great work and I don’t need to see you for 6 months.

Me: OK, I will. But...I’d feel safer if you saw me in 4 months instead of 6.

Dr.S: OK, I understand - But Kelly, diabetically speaking, you're in good shape.

Me: OK, I’m happy about that..... But I still freak out every single time I walk through your office door.

Dr. S: Of course you do - You had 1 in a million vision issue that was a fluke that had nothing to do with your diabetes!

Me: Part of me still gets so nervous.

Dr. S: Of course you do - The clot cut off your eye's oxygen supply and the fact that all your test came back normal was great - but unfortunately, your vision was affected.

Me: I know - So I guess you can't put some robotic camera in my brain and make my eye see better?

Dr. S: Actually, we are working on some robotic type brain cameras connecting to the optic nerve, but right now it's only for patients with a certain type of eye disease.

Me: Well, I'm lucky to see what I can see out of the eye and that it looks and moves perfectly normal, which is a lot more then some people have - And I'm so grateful for that! And don't worry, I'm not going to hold my breathe on ocular robotics - But I'm glad you guys are working on it!

Dr. S: Tell me again what exactly happened - I want to make sure that I know everything.

And we went over the “one in a million” from the beginning, including all the crazy tests that ruled everything, including diabetes out. No brain or heart problems to speak of!

I looked him straight in the eye and told him about what had happened, as if I’d been a spectator instead of the actual participant.

Dr. S: And they did the corroded arteries scans?

Me: Yes, and the tech told me, and I quote: You have one of the best sets of corroded arteries I’ve seen!

And then my Doctor laughed out loud and his ears turned red!

Dr. S: You are a lucky woman and you are a healthy woman.

And that really made me smile.

We said goodbye and I went to the front desk; scheduled my appointment for December and I walked to my car.

The butterflies in my stomach had stopped flapping their wings when Doctor S and I were mid conversation - And I hadn't even noticed until now.

I wasn't upset or scared. I was calm - Like the ocean a day after a hurricane hits. Quiet, calm, and surprisingly relaxed.

I was a healthy woman - And a very grateful one indeed!

Listen Newbie - This is your life - this is your life with diabetes.

And this is me punching you in the crouch~

It seems like almost everyday I meet, or receive an email from, someone who (or who's love one has) been recently been diagnosed with diabetes.

YO, DIABETES!!!

As of late you’ve been reminding me of your temperamental side and frankly Diabetes- THIS HAS GOT TO STOP.

This is my second letter to you, and this time, my tone is harsher - you need a good talking to!

Stop acting like a spoiled child who doesn’t receive enough attention from its mama!

Look, I know you’re here- I know your not going anywhere, and I’m always more than willing to make nice.

I’m even willing to say I love you- because you are a part of me and I refuse to hate myself. High School and Glamour Magazine taught me that there are plenty of others who will do that in life- I refuse to.

With that being said, please stop it with the attention grabbing tricks!

Ixnay on the whole weaving the pump tubing around doorknobs and chair backs when I’m in a hurry.

And amscray to the unexplained highs and or lows- I mean really, who needs that?

I’m testing my blood sugar levels like a mad woman and counting carbs like a math professor - you need to get with the program.

AND what was with the crazy high after the Mediterranean salad last night??? That’s a low carb meal that I’ve achieved “Blood Sugar Nirvana” with over and over again.

SO why in the name of the great states of both NJ & PA did you decide to hit 270 1.5 hours after eating said Met salad? Do you really want me end up in the crazy house? Because after last nights numbers, I was damn close!

Saturday was a whole “Festival of Carbs,” and I couldn’t keep my numbers above 112- even after lowering my temporary basal rates twice!

And D, can we PLEASE talk about the whole insulin going crazy from the heat thing? Well, perhaps the blame lies more on the insulin and it's heat/sun "bake rate" factor and not you. You off the hook on that one! My apologies~

BUT, it’s all your fault that the mosquito bite on the back of my leg has taken so long to heel. Granted the scab is gone- but the purplish pink skin hue remains. Fix that please!

D, I’m scheduling my eye exam again and I’m nervous- SO PLEASE don’t decide to go all medieval diabetes when we are at said appointment.

You know how much I dread this particular Dr.'s visit- and last time you did so great and made me proud- I NEED A REPEAT PERFORMANCE!

Look D: you’re the longest relationship I’ve ever had in my life- and the fact fact won't change anytime soon.

Yes, we’ve had our ups and downs-and we’ve been through some major sh*t together, BUT we’ve also had some GREAT TIMES!

Let’s not forget how well we did during our performances at the Triangle Theater, and I’m so proud that we’ve managed (for the most part) to figure out the whole workout basal rate issue.

We rock when it comes to water sports!

And we totally nailed Blood Sugar Nirvana at Sue and Clint’s BBQ - we were awesome!

So D, get it together- stop with bitchfits for no good reason and get with the program.

As for me, I’ll remember to breathe deep and thank-you more often whenever I notice how great your doing!

BTW D: Really great job re: accepting the blous for the Cocoa Jones Jr. brownie on Sunday! THANK YOU