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! 

Busy, busy day

Today I subbed at the high school.  Fun yet different experience.  I'm so used to the younger crowd, but the kids were well-behaved.  After that, I went to my other job at the Y, playing with little ones.  Only got spit up on twice. hehe  After work, my hubby surprised me with dinner out, just the two of us, then a nice drive around town.  When I got home, I helped dd#3 finish off her science fair display (due tomorrow of course). Helped dd#2 hang up her laundry. Got a little online time in, but now I'm ready to crash.  Hopefully I'll have something more profound to post tomorrow.

Thank you, Diabetes Dude!

Yesterday I received my Wish Shirt that I ordered from The Diabetes Dude.  I was so excited to wear it today.  A few people asked me about the shirt.  How many others read it without me knowing, I have no idea.  I love creative ways of spreading awareness.  Yes, my name is on the shirt.  What an honor for this Type 2!  My kids were excited to see it, too!

With the t-shirt, he also sent a few flamingo silly bands (scroll down to see a picture).  I immediately put one on (which I'm wearing as I type).  This afternoon I gave one to my friend who is a school nurse at the elementary school.  There is a student there that I know who has Type 1 diabetes.  I asked her to give it to that student.  We both agreed that it would make that person's day!  (Can't wait for an update!)

Praying for a cure!

Happy Easter!

Oops! Missed a day!  Sorry that I wasn't here yesterday.  We were outside most of the day.  It was beautiful!  I got three loads of laundry hung out. Hubby got the lawn mowed and cleaned up the front flower beds.  By the time I realized that I hadn't posted on my blog, it was 12:30am and I was needing some serious sleep.

The younger three got up at 6:30 am.  They found 42 plastic eggs filled with goodies waiting to be found.  Our fruit bowl was in the middle of the table filled with chocolate bunnies, peanut butter eggs, sidewalk chalk, sugar free gum, two card games (Harry Potter Uno, anyone?), and a jigsaw puzzle.

Church service was full of rejoicing.  Our jr/sr high bell choir played so beautifully, there were a few damp eyes.  The children found the "tomb" (box) where they had sealed away their Alleluias six weeks ago to be opened and empty.  They found them around the organ and choir inside eggs with symbols of the events (crown of thorns, spear, cross, donkey, cloth, coins, etc.). 

Right now most of the kids are playing outside with bubbles and sidewalk chalk.  Hearing their laughter fills my heart with joy!  Wishing everyone a joyful Easter!

Χριστος ανεστη! Αληθως ανεστη!
Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!

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!

Perfect diabetic?

Ginger Vieira's vlog entry, The Perfect Diabetic, got me thinking.  Is there such a thing?  Is it humanly possible to eat the right amount of carbs, exercise the right amount, and take the right amount of medication if needed?  If I watched everything and did it all the "right way," would my glucose level be the ultimate physician's dream?  I can answer that question with just two letters...

N - O !

There are so many more factors that what we can control.  Various types of stress - emotional and physical.  This week I've dealt with throwing out my back, a bad cold, a sick child, a sick husband, someone I know being seriously injured, worrying about my oldest child's future plans, wondering what's for dinner, etc.  All of these things also can affect my glucose level.

Ginger starts off this vlog episode with my absolute two favorite words about this disease:

Yes, it sucks!  As Ginger states, it sucks regardless what "type" you have.  None of us chose to become diabetic.  Not a single person would voluntarily chose to have a disease where you could become blind, lose a limb, or even lose your life.  It's scary stuff!

As I've already mentioned, stress can make things worse.  That is why it's important that people with diabetes try not to stress about being perfect.  No one is perfect!  No one!  That's why the diabetes police need to back off a bit.  Your concern is great, but we put enough pressure on ourselves.  (I love how he says we're all different in our diabetes management. "We're like snowflakes."  *snicker*)

Yes, I make mistakes.  No, I'm not perfect.  But I'm learning from my mistakes and trying to do better.  I'm still going to have that piece of cake every once in a while.  I'm ok if my glucose level goes a little high every now and then.  As long as my overall health is good, then I'll be fine.

Still sick

My back is feeling much better with just an occasional pain here and there, but I am still dealing with my cold.  Hubby came down with it and has missed three days of work.  The second one came home early from school today.  Overall I feel ok, just dragging a little.  I am back to my normal work schedule.  Under my nose is all red and chapped.  Luckily I've gotten some pretty good sleep this week, but I'm going to head to bed a little early.  Hopefully I'll be able to knock this out.

I'm still hopeful after yesterday's news articles.  Hopeful for better treatment methods.  Hopeful for understanding.  Hoping for an educated public.  Hoping for a cure.