It's good to be humbled!

 Yesterday I participated in the American Diabetes Association's Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes. This is a picture of me with my Red Strider hat and shirt. The sign I am kneeling next to read, "Red Striders rock! You are why we walk!"

While we walked, it hit me. I am a Red Strider. These people are walking for ME!

I looked behind me and saw all of the people not wearing Red Strider attire. Those people we not just walking behind me. They were behind me in more ways. Ways that humbled me.

These people raised thousands of dollars to help find a cure for ME. These people took time out of their Saturday morning for ME.

After I took this picture, I started crying. My youngest two were walking with me. I told them that all of those people walking was a humbling experience.

What does humbling mean, Mom?

It means.... it means.... *pause due to tears I'm trying to hide*

Mom, what does it mean?

"It's when you realize that other people are more awesome than you are," is all I could get out.

These people that were behind me are awesome. They didn't have to be there. They didn't have to raise money. They did this because they are amazing.

At last count, this walk has raised a little over $30,000. Unfortunately the goal was more than twice that. Thankfully donations are still being accepted. My goal was to raise $1,000 and I'm half way there!

Why do I walk? I walk for not just me, my children's future, and those with diabetes. I also walk as a thank you to those who reminded me to be humble yesterday. Those who helped remind me that there are people in this world who are awesomely amazing. People who go above and beyond - just because they want to.

Thank you to those people!


If you would still like to make a donation, please click here.

Is tomorrow Christmas?

When I was a child, Christmas Eve was filled with anticipation and excitement. My mom always told us that the sooner we went to bed, the sooner Christmas morning would arrive. One year, my sister and I went to bed at 5:00 pm only to be disappointed when we awoke to find out it was only 9:00 pm.

Tomorrow I walk toward a cure for diabetes. Just like Christmas Eve, I'm feeling excitement and anticipation. Tomorrow I will meet so many people who either have diabetes or care about people with diabetes. Two of my children will be joining me as the other members of my family had previous commitments. Although they can't be there, I know that they are supporting me. I know I will feel them walking with me tomorrow.

Please consider donating if you're able. Your donation is like a Christmas present for all of us. Not only will your donation work for a cure, but also provide information and support to those with diabetes while we work toward that cure. Together we can make a difference!

Click here to donate!

Will You Walk With Me?

This Saturday, I will be traveling to an American Diabetes Association Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes.

Will you walk with me?

If you're able to join your walk in your area...

If you're able to join our team at the walk or as a virtual walker...

If you're able to sponsor me, one of my teammates, or any walker...

you are walking with me.

Walking with me involves finding a way to support the American Diabetes Association helping find a cure as they offer support and education to those currently dealing with diabetes.

Whatever way you are able to walk with me, thank you!

Today is #dblogcheck day!

Check out some diabetes blogs today!  Maybe find some you haven't read.  Revisit those you haven't read in a while.  Of course check out your favorite diabetes blogs!

Follow the hashtag #dblogcheck on Twitter and check out where this idea started at: A Consequence of Hypoglycemia “I Think We Need A Check In Day“  Thanks, Chris!!!

I have to finish the final project for my grad summer class today, but I'll try to sneak in a few comments here and there.  This is exciting!  Chris put it nicely as he said, "#dblogcheck is not about pageviews, it's about building a stronger community through interaction."

Depression and Diabetes

It is said that people with diabetes (PWD) run a high risk of depression.  Even with good control, diabetes is a tough thing to deal with on a daily basis.  Let's be blunt here: Diabetes sucks!  Really, it does.  Even with a great medical team, awesome friends, and an amazing family for support, it's understandable why many PWD deal with depression on some level.  Would I consider myself clinically depressed?  No.  Do I have some days that are harder to deal with than others?  You betcha!  No one would know it though.  I'm overall an upbeat person.  However there are days that are harder than others.  I get angry.  There are times I may overdo the carb control and exercise and other days where I just want to eat a whole package of chocolate chip cookies.

Mental illness and depression are looked at negatively in our society.  Almost as if it's the person's fault.  It is no one's fault!  Below are two videos.  The first one I was introduced to today.  It's a speech given by a 19 yr old young man, wise beyond his years.  The second video is a a song that means a lot to me.  It gives me hope.  It gives me something to hold on to.  Even if you're not a believer, everyone needs something that gives them hope.  My faith in God and belief in the Savior give me that hope.  Enjoy!

Werther's Sugar Free Caramels (product review)

This spring I was contacted by a representative for Werther's candies, asking if I would be willing to try out their sugar free candies. They were hoping to get opinions from some of my friends, too.

I like candy!  These were sugar free.  Sure, why not!

I received a cool box with the four different sugar free flavors:  Classic Caramel, Cinnamon Caramel, Caramel Apple, and Caramel Coffee.  I also received a nice looking candy jar.  It was small, plastic, with their logo on the side, but cute with the lid.  The candies were kind of sparkly inside when the light hit it just right.

Everything was looked over and admired.  Then it was time to try some candies.  Of course my kids helped me sample.  Every flavor was tried at least once.

Classic Caramel - smooth and simple

Cinnamon Caramel - like a red hot with the smooth taste of caramel to calm it down

Caramel Apple - reminds me of those green apple suckers with caramel on top that I used to get

Caramel Coffee - We're not coffee drinkers here, but this one was a hit with me and my 11 year old.  Not overpowering.

I shared all of the flavors with coworkers the next day.  Everyone seemed to love them.  These caramels don't have a sugar free taste, but they also don't have an overwhelming sweet taste either.  Smooth is a good adjective for the Wether's sugar free caramels.

Now the negative.  Since they are sugar free, they need to get their sweetness from somewhere. Isomalt.  Sugar alcohol.  Now the body doesn't see this in the same way of regular sugar, so (for me) it didn't cause a blood sugar spike after three pieces of candy in a row.  However it's good that I stopped at those three pieces.  You see, for some, sugar alcohols can have some nasty intestinal side effects.  I don't know how else to say it but straight out.  For some, diarrhea and other tummy upsets can occur.  Luck for me, all I got was a tummy ache.

Yes, we continued to sample and share these yummy candies, passing out coupons, too. But we made sure to let people know about the sugar alcohols and not to eat too many at once.  Moderation, my friend!

Mr. Hope admiring the Werther's sugar free candies

Disclaimer:  I was contacted by a representative of Werther's through my blog.  The candy and candy dish were sent to me free of charge in hopes that I would share on this blog my honest opinion.  All of the opinions are my own.

The Type 2 Experience

I've posted several times that I sometimes feel alone in my diabetes journey.  My family is awesomely amazing in their support, but sometimes you need someone who has walked in your shoes.  Someone who has been there.  Someone who really understands.

The DOC (diabetes online community) has always been very important to me through this journey.  We've laughed together.  Cried together.  We've supported each other.  There was only one thing.  Most of the DOC consists of people with Type 1.

Please understand that I have nothing against Type 1s.  They're awesome!  Amazing!  It was a Type 1 who was the inspiration for me to start blogging.  However there are times when you want to talk to someone whose struggles are closer to yours.

Sometimes you need the support of someone who is your type.

Then last month I was contacted by Bea Domínguez with the idea of a Type 2 collaborative blog. A group of us started discussing the possibility. The idea took off and The Type 2 Experience was born! There are currently seven of us contributing: Bea Domínguez, Lizmari Collazo, Kate Cornell, Mike Durbin, Rachel Foster, Bob Pedersen, and yours truly.  We each bring out own experiences and perspectives.  Please stop by for a visit.  Click on the authors page to read a little more about the people writing at TT2E.  Links to our personal blogs are there as well.

Welcome to our (diabetic) home!