Share the Love (#HAWMC)

Today's WEGO prompt: Thank a few of your fellow Health Activists for what they have done. Call them out by name or twitter handle. Share your love.

There are so many wonderful people within the DOC that I don't know if I could just pick a few.  There's Kim at the You Can Do This project, helping people know that diabetes doesn't have to keep you from doing what you love.  There's Cherise, Scott, and George at DSMA (Diabetes Social Media Advocacy), doing their own advocacy but also coming together as an awesome team, leading Twitter chats and online radio shows.  Of course I've mentioned Kerri at Six Until Me several times - my inspiration to blog.

We may not have the same type of diabetes, but that doesn't matter so much.  These people and so many others have inspired me, encouraged me, challenged me.  Without them, I wouldn't be the person I am today.

Diabetes Poetry (#HAWMC)

Today's WEGO prompt: Write a health acrostic for your condition, hashtag, or username. (Acrostic = poem where every letter of a word serves as the first letter of a word or phrase i.e. DOG = Digs Others' Gardens)

RFamHere's Diabetes Acrostic

Reason to fight
For family
Attitude
Members of DOC
Heavy at times
Emotional
Rage
Everyone needs a cure!

Hindsight (#HAWMC)

Today's WEGO prompt: What have you learned about being a patient/caregiver that has surprised you?

This picture answers the question better than any words I could write:

Diabetes and Technology (#HAWMC)

Today's WEGO prompt: Write about your favorite health iPhone app. OR Write about your favorite social network. Do you love Twitter? Facebook? Pinterest? Why?

This was a hard one for me.  First of all, I'm an Android gal.  So I could write about my favorite Android app..  I also enjoy social networking.  I'm on Facebook every day, Twitter about ever other day, and Pinterest at least once per week.  Should I approach this from the Sue the diabetic side?  Sue the mom of five side?  Sue the grad student side? Or Sue trying to escape for a little while side?

I think I'll touch both questions, touching briefly on any side that applies.

My most used app would definitely be Facebook.  I check it first thing in the morning, just like someone might check their daily paper.  Of course that would also filter over to my favorite social network.  Next in the realm of Android apps, not including email programs and texting, I would probably have to say my favorite health-related app is SparkPeople.  I have it on my Kindle Fire, but not on my phone right now.  I've been a member of that site for several years and really like it.  The app lets me enter in my food and exercise while on the go.  I don't have to try to remember everything until I get home.

Probably the one thing that helps me keep organized is my Google calendar.  I love that I can sync it with my husband's calendar and he can sync mine on his calendar.  This is a godsend for a family with five kids!

Well I guess I'm going to stop writing here.  Today is my birthday.  Although I would like to make it a totally lazy day, I do have two short papers to write.  A friend of mine sent me to following picture of a cake on Facebook.  Oh how I wish it were mine!

You all already know what I'll wish for tonight when I blow out my candles.

A cure!

Wordless Wednesday (#HAWMC)

Today's WEGO prompt: It's often hard to like pictures of ourselves - post your favorite picture of yourself.

It's a really goofy picture, 

but it shows me having fun and laughing without care.

That's why I like this picture!

Caregivers (#HAWMC)

Today's WEGO prompt: Patients, what advice or tips do you have for caregivers out there – professional or otherwise!

My "caregivers" would include my Type Awesomes and my primary care physician (PCP).  The main piece of advice I have is: LISTEN!

Don't try to fix me, don't tell me what I'm doing wrong, and, most of all, don't blame me.  Just be there for me.  I can't be fixed.

I know what I'm doing wrong.  Most of all, I don't need to be blamed.

Listen to me.  Let me rant.  Tell me that it's ok to be mad/sad/angry/frustrated.  Give me a hug.  Wipe my tears.  Give me a back rub.  Give me chocolate!

Tell me that you're there for me... NO MATTER WHAT!

Diabetes is a Blue Boy Beta named... HOPE??? (#HAWMC)

Today's WEGO prompt: If your health condition (or the health condition of a loved one!) was an animal, what would it be? Is it a real animal or make believe?

Yesterday I went to the pet store with my youngest to buy her a replacement beta fish and a new fish for my middle child.  While we were there, I picked out a fish of my own.  I thought it would be nice to have on my desk when my eyes needed change of focus while working on schoolwork.

Of course I got a blue fish.

And I named him Hope (with the encouragement of a mom of a CWD).

So my diabetes is a male beta fish named Hope.

Yes, it's a boy fish with a girl's name.  Get over it.  Who said anything about diabetes makes sense?

For those that are wondering, my doctor said my numb toes are more than likely not a result of diabetes or poor circulation.  Looks like it's probably from how I grip my toes when I walk.