In diabetes, self-care is everything. Unfortunately, when you don't fit the textbook scenarios for basals or boluses, or have unexplained highs and low, there is a certain stigma attached.
My endo often suggests more education. The last four day course (vacation time to boot), I didn't learn anything. I can tell you (pre-gastroparesis) that 1 g of sugar will raise me 5 points (now it's like 10 pts). That if I am below 200, 0.1u will lower me 30 points. That if I am 300 or near to it, that the ratio is more like 1 u/75 points.
I can tell you precisely how many grams are in lots of foods. Small hamburger bun? 30g carb. OJ? 15g/4 oz. Milk? 14g/8 oz. Small flour tortilla? 22 g.
There is a certain accusatory stigma when you are a brittle diabetic that you simply must not be doing enough. But what about us rare folks who live, eat, and breathe diabetes, but still have an a1c over 8.0?
The thing about diabetes is that everyone is different. I've never hid my diabetes, or ignored it for that matter. Everyone has always known and it's never been an 'issue' (okay, once I cried at work due to a low blood sugar hehe, but that is to be expected).
Diabetes is just unpredictable in some folks. Earlier this week, I woke up three times in the middle of the night in the 40's (alerted by my fabulous dexcom), and drank 4 oz of OJ each time, waking up finally at 136. Last night, awoke to a 40 again, and drank 8 oz of OJ. Result? 370!
Note this was not a liver glucose dump - it's more like dumping syndrome.
There are a lot of variables. People who get complications are not to be blamed... For 20-30% of diabetics, even with perfect a1c's, complications result.
We got a Prius! We are flying to Vegas this weekend, making it into kind of a birthday weekend for me, to pick it up and drive it home. Julian can't wait.
We just finished a month of family visits, all of which went well.
And then the big news, which I hesitate to share... I might be put on the UNOS list for a pancreas transplant. I have some hurdles left to clear:
- the surgeons and my endocrinologist need to meet to decide to accept me as a patient (the question is whether I am sick enough, this is not likely to be an issue)
- I have to pass all of the prerequisite medical tests, like a heart stress test, echo, etc.
- My insurance has to approve it
So this is by no means a sure thing at this point. I have set up a listserv to update folks on my progress throughout this process. I will likely post updates to this website as well, however, email is easier, especially if I actually do get put on the waiting list. That way a friend just has to send mail to one address to update all y'all when the time comes. Email me if you want on it!
Also, feel free to ask questions, which I'll post answers to either here or on the listserv.
There has been a recent rash of bombings in Turkey as of late.
Having loved, so much, our trip there with FloUSA, it's sad to see. So much of their economy is based on tourism - and if the situation wasn't already dire, with foreigners being 'scared' of Muslims.... well, this will be the final nail in the coffin.
Turkey is an enormously beautiful country, with land varying from heavenly beaches to the awe-inspiring views of cappadocia. I wish, with all my heart, that you can experience this beautiful country. And I hope that Turkey can become an example of a place where Muslims and Westerners can walk down the street, head scarves or not, hand in hand. Ah, PKK.... sigh. Yet another terrorist org changing the world.... for the worse.