The DOC - hard to explain

I've been thinking about the DOC (diabetes online community) a lot lately.  I've told others about DOC road trip get-togethers, my desire to go to the next closest ADA expo in hopes of meeting other DOCers, and DOC online conversations.  Sometimes I think they wonder if I have any real friends.  Some people don't understand social media or the online world.  Others don't understand the intensity of the relationships within the DOC. 

Last night I was listening to DSMA Live, chatting with those in attendance, when I felt that my glucose levels were a high.  Yes, it was probably due to the cake and ice cream I had for my youngest child's birthday, although I had a smaller portion than my smallest child.  (Birthday dinner was a little high on the carb count, too, I have to admit.)  With their encouragement, after the show I went to the gym and walked a mile on the track.  It felt good to walk and my glucose level came down nicely. 

Diabetes management is so much easier when you have others who understand.  I mean truly understand.  My husband and my kids, my wonderfully amazing Type Awesomes, are understanding but they can't truly understand. To truly understand, you need to be in the same situation.  Although other diabetics understand better than non-diabetics, each person with diabetes is unique. No one can know 100% what the other person is going through, but the people of the DOC come closer than anyone I've met.

Thank you, Brian, for your Faith Friday post, sharing how your faith in God and friends of the DOC have helped you deal with diabetes.  Also, I want to thank Jess for posting the following song on her blog today.  Although I've never seen the musical Wicked, this song touched me.  Each person I've come in contact with, whether in person or online, has influenced who I am today.  The DOC has changed me "for good." I love you all!

Type Awesome

Tonight I was listening to DSMA Live and the topic of those who support those of us with diabetes came up.  Some use the term Type 3.  I've always called my support system "hubby and kids."  That works most days, but then I also have extended family and friends who come into my cheering section.  So what term doesn't sound medical but yet describes these people that love us and support us?

Team Awesome!

Everyone listening agreed!  Team Awesome is the best way to describe the people in our lives that love us, watch out for us, comfort us, take care of us, and put up with us.

Thanks for everything, Rachel, who was tonight's guest on the show.   I loved hearing your perspective! 

Brownie Cheesecake, anyone?

Since I've already admitted to being the imperfect diabetic, I'll go ahead and make my brownie cheesecake confession.  My oldest child is not very domestic, so when she asked to bake yesterday I was all over it.  She wanted to make a brownie cheesecake recipe that she had made in school recently for a get-together a group of them was having today.  I nicely informed her that if she only made one brownie cheesecake, it wouldn't make it to the party.  She had to make two.

So last night we went to the store to purchase the few things we didn't have at home already.  One of her close friends has celiac disease and is on a gluten free diet as a result.  A proud parent moment came to me last night as my daughter asked if she could make the cheesecake gluten free.  Of course!  I really care about her friend and wanted to include her in as many of the goodies as possible.  We found gluten free brownie mix.  It was three times the price of the regular brownie mix that we were buying (on sale), but I considered it my gift to the friend. 

Then the questions came... What about chocolate chips?  Cream cheese?  Vanilla extract?  Were they all gluten free as well?  We didn't want to go to the effort and expense of gluten free brownies only to add something else that contained gluten.  We weren't at the grocery store that keeps a dietician on staff and lots of information, so I did the next best thing.  We called the friend's mom.  (Thankfully it was only a little after 9 pm, so I felt ok about calling her.)  She gave the all clear to the other ingredients.

So last night, my oldest makes a gluten free brownie cheesecake.  This morning, she made the non-gluten free version.  I had suggested baking them at the same time to save time, but she wanted to avoid possible cross-contamination between the gluten-possessing and gluten-free desserts.  Very smart!  And very thoughtful!

So this evening, while she is with her friends enjoying the gluten-free goodness, we had the gluten-containing dessert.  My little ones didn't care for the cheesecake portion, but gobbled up the brownie.  (Here comes my confession...)  *sigh*  Not only did I eat my piece of brownie cheesecake, but I also at the cheesecake portion of two other pieces.  I know, I know.  I can feel my sugar rising as I type.  Thankfully I cut all the pieces small, so it's not as bad as it could have been.  No, I don't do this on a regular basis. Yes, I'm still human, and this human loves the brownie cheesecake made by her oldest child!

I'm still debating if I want to test my glucose levels.  I know it's got to be high.  I don't take medication for my diabetes, so testing wouldn't help me with dosage levels.  It's almost 10 pm and I'm not going to work out.  I already know it would not be wise to have another slice (or any other food with a trace of carbs for that matter!).  Testing right now, honestly, would only be for my own curiosity.  Ok, I'll do it....

After carefully washing my hands to make sure there wasn't a sign of the yummy delicious brownie cheesecake on my fingers, I tested my sugar.  I was actually surprised.  177.  I was expecting posibly higher, but maybe not.  I knew I was over 150, but I wasn't sure if I was as high as 200.  I have a few things to do before bed (get two sleeping kids off the couches and upstairs, tidy up the kitchen a little, etc), so hopefully it will start going down. 

Was the brownie cheesecake made by my amazing child worth the slightly elevated glucose levels?  You bet!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today was a good day overall.  We stayed home and had a simple dinner, just the seven of us (yes, I like saying that).  My husband, as always, made a wonderful dinner.  Turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing (technically dressing since we don't stuff the bird...whatever), cranberry sauce (canned and homemade), and gravy.  I added to the meal by making a creamed corn casserole.  There were also some olives, though I don't eat them.  It wasn't my mom's recipe, but it was close.  Dessert consisted of homemade pumpkin pie (hubby) and pudding pie (the only pie I make).  Our second one also made chocolate chip cookies.

 The kids behaved overall.  The holidays wouldn't be the same without a squabble or two (or three or four...).  Dinner was pleasant with a cease fire for almost an hour.  My glucose level went up a little, of course, which made me a little cranky, of course.  Hubby made me drink a little water before I took my little turkey-induced nap. 

I could honestly go to bed for the evening now (little after 9pm), but I'm planning on hitting some midnight shopping.  Then of course there's the 5am shopping as well.  Yes, I'm one of those crazy people.  Living in a small town helps.  The shoppers are usually polite through the craziness.  I already hit two stores today.  I didn't get everything I was hoping for, but I'm not one that gets angry if something sells out or if corporate doesn't send enough to meet our demand.  My hope during my holiday shopping is to be thankful for what we can provide for our children and do it in the loving, giving spirit of Jesus, whose birth we celebrate.

As we go from Thanksgiving into the Christmas season, may your family be blessed with many things to be thankful for!  Every day I thank God for my husband and five children, our extended family, and the many friends that have blessed our lives. 

Counting my blessings

This evening I've been working on a project to help someone else that has in turn helped me.  Tonight I have had time to contemplate how lucky I am.  I have had the opportunity to count my blessings.  All too often we take things for granted.  I am blessed to have a wonderful family and a great extended family.  We are also blessed to have a caring church family and lots of friends.  All too often I forget just how blessed we are.

Even when dealing with diabetes, it is easy to lose focus on how lucky many of us are.  Many of us have insurance that helps pay for our supplies and medications, at least in part.  Many of us have access to healthy foods.  Many of us don't think twice about having the resources we need.  However, we do know there are people in the world, more than there should be, that don't have access to diabetes testing supplies, medication, and insulin.  Not everyone has a supporting family with a spouse who will adapt favorite recipes to make them lower carb or a daughter who will step up and raise money for a cure. 

As we prepare for Thanksgiving this week, let us concentrate on our blessings.  Be truly thankful for all that you have and pray for those that aren't as fortunate.  Find a way to help out someone else this week.  Be a blessing in the life of another!