Wordless Wednesday

It's getting there!

Guest Post - Monster In Me

A few weeks ago Amy asked if I'd do a guest post over at Monster In Me in return for her lovely guest post on Teapot_Diabetic (which is here if you missed it).

You find my guest post over here.

Diabetes and Depression have always been closely linked, which makes me chuckle as Amy and I are such great friends and hopefully always will be :)

D Fighters Forever
KAPOW!

But Baby It's Cold Outside...

The cuddly winter duvet is out and the lower levels are starting to kick in!
Over the past couple of days my highest level has been 7.5mmol which I'm very chuffed with. I did a lot of walking yesterday at Grimsthorpe Festival (which was awesome), which did induce a 2.9 hypo just before lunchtimem but apart from that I was around 5-7 for the rest of the day. It seems to have rubbed off on today's readings too with my highest being 7.1mmol :)

I'm hoping that with a little extra dog walking, these levels will continue in time for my HbA1c in October and also my adjusting course next week.

If the bloods that were taken a couple of weeks ago show my HbA1c has stayed the same or gone down I will be sooooo happy! It's been between 8.0 and 8.4mmol for months and months now so a drop would give me a little boost of confidence, that I'm heading in the right direction..

I'm very much looking forward to the PDAC course starting on Monday. Sometimes I feel like I'm doing everything right and then it suddenly goes to shit despite nothing changing. I'd like more guidance/advice on when I'm feeling ill, time difference and different temperatures - especially if I'm to venture abroad again without being worried 24/7 that my levels will shoot up.

I know I don't eat enough fruit and veg.. something which I'm trying (not much lately but will get back on it) to improve. I'm drinking a lot more water and exercising regularly much more than pre-D so I'm getting there slowly I hope.

First Blogaversary!

Today is Teapot_Diabetics 1st birthday!

Wooooooot :D

I can't believe it's been a year already, it's gone far too quickly!

When I joined the forum last year I came across a number of great blogs and thought I'd have a go. It was a scary thought at first, opening myself up to total strangers about a condition that I was still getting to grips with myself.

I wanted to share my D experiences with people and hopefully alter people's perception/awareness about D as it doesn't get much press in the UK, nevermind good press! I also wanted to help people in a similar boat to me. D is a very lonely and emotional condition, and talking to fellow sufferers helps me personally a great deal.

Shortly after my first post I discovered the DOC (Diabetes Online Community) and haven't looked back since :) Unfortunately I can't participate as much as I'd like due to time differences but I love taking part in the DSMA blog carnival and talking to people all over the world with D via Twitter and Facebook.

I know that my blog isn't all unicorns and sparkles sometimes but neither is D, it's bloody hard work sometimes! However without it, I wouldn't have had the privilege to meet so many incredible people, on and offline, who either have D themselves or support a loved one. Over the past 12 months I've found a whole new support network which I'm very thankful for, especially during the past few weeks.

Thank you to everyone who has read my posts
Thank for the lovely comments you leave me, they are very much appreciated :)
Thank you to the DOC

D-peeps are the best.
Fact.

Two Years

I'm posting this a couple of days early as I'm not sure if I'll be in the mood to celebrate two years with D on Thursday, but maybe a cupcake at the weekend...

Two years ago on August 25th I took a trip to my local GP's which would change my life forever.

Despite my parents' fear that I had Diabetes, I didn't think I did. I thought they were overeacting and just being cautious.

If it weren't for them I'd have probably ended up in hospital in DKA.

Ever since my diagnosis they have been brilliant, buying food they thought would be better for me, taking me to appointments and coming in with me, hugs when I was upset and bought sugar free jelly when I wanted. They do get the rough end of the pineapple sometimes, D is incredibly frustrating and as the Diabetes fairy doesn't actually exist the frustration often gets aimed the wrong way..

I hope they know how much I love and appreciate them for all of their support and time. I don't think I could have coped during the first year without them. They don't know what DKA is or if I need to inject when I'm hyper (still working on that!) but they're here for me when I need them.

My first year with D was kind of a blur, figuring things out and learning day-by-day. So this second year feels more like my first.. if that makes sense.

I've learnt some things the hard way and have had numerous ups and downs throughout the year, but every day is a school day. With D I don't think I'll ever stop learning and I'll never fully know the ins and outs of how D works, but I don't feel like I'm on square one any more.

┣▇▇▇═─ I have a brilliant network of support both on and offline, in the UK and Overseas.
┣▇▇▇═─ Readings are now more in range than above.
┣▇▇▇═─ Last HbA1c had come down after a while of sticking at 8.4
┣▇▇▇═─ My PDAC course starts at the beginning of next month.
┣▇▇▇═─ I'm trying to deal with the D emotions more openly

Happy Diaversary to meee xD

Diabetes From A BFF's Point Of View

My first ever guest post comes from my BFF Amy at http://fallenangelkilljoy86-monsterinme.blogspot.com/ 

She is my Type Awesome person, my D Police and my part-time pancreas/D-Mom so it's my pleasure to share her view on the big D!

If you would like to guest post on Teapot_Diabetic then just click Contact Me and drop me an e-mail! :)

Diabetes From A BFF’s Point Of View

     

"Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down" - Fall Out Boy

Emma (my BFF) was diagnosed with diabetes just after her twentieth Birthday, approximately two years ago. She’s a type one diabetic, who treats with insulin injections. When I found out she had diabetes, I really didn’t know a lot about it. I knew what diabetes was, but that’s about as far as my knowledge went.

For those of you reading this who aren’t diabetes savvy, I’ll do a quick run through. Diabetes is caused when the organ in your body that creates insulin, the pancreas, doesn’t work correctly. Insulin is the chemical the body uses to control blood-sugar levels (the amount of sugar in your blood-flow), and without it, the body will push sugars level to a dangerous high, which can lead to a diabetic-coma.

There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetics have usually inherited the diabetes from somewhere in the family gene-pool. They tend to have to treat using insulin injections, but some cases may require a diabetic insulin pump, which is connected to the body around the clock, feeding you a constant stream on insulin.

Type 2 diabetics, usually develop diabetes through-out their life, and are normally diagnosed much later on it life. Some very lucky Type 2’s can treat with diet regulations, or oral medication, but some cases will have to inject. The injections for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics, must be issued after every meal, and for general corrections to the blood-sugar levels, which are monitored with a metre. The testing of the blood-sugar levels must be done periodically through-out the day, and then treatment provided when necessary.

I knew Emma when she was diagnosed; we had worked in the same department of our place of employment for a while. But we weren’t close at the time. However, Emma took my medical curiosity in her stride. I can be a little bit of a pain when it comes to things I don’t understand, and tend to ask several questions, until I do understand.

I didn’t have much idea about diabetes, but Emma patiently, and thoroughly answered every question that I asked, and seemed to perceive that I meant no offence by this, and that I was just a little curious. Within these conversations, and due to some extra-curricular activities (outside of work fun), we began to grow close, to the point that I now joke and call her my BFF (Best Friend Forever).

Emma is amazing with her diabetes, and is a true inspiration. She’d probably say that she doesn’t think that she handles it well at all. But I beg to differ. From my reasoning, a diabetic has to walk a fine line of monitoring your sugar levels, whilst not letting it become an obsession. If it were me, I’d constantly be giving my finger the little pricks that it takes to test. But Emma seems to have got this balance just right. She has the odd little hiccup with the levels, but it (the diabetes) doesn’t stop her from doing anything.

She has a very refreshing sense of humour about her diabetes (even sporting t-shirts with the slogan "Ducking Fiabetes"), and seems able to overcome any problem that D has to throw at her. Her strength in the face of Diabetes makes me proud to be her friend.

I know that her "adaption" period after her diagnosis was really hard. I sometimes wish that I had been her close friend before her diagnosis. I’m not sure if I would have been much comfort to her during this life-changing time, but I sure would have tried my hardest.

However, she did have some amazing support. I can never thank the Diabetes Support UK Forum members, and fellow D-Bloggers and members of Circle-D for the support they have provided Emma. It’s a difficult time for newly diagnosed people, but the Forum gave her answers to questions that the NHS (with all it’s well-meaning) couldn’t, and gave her an ear of someone who knows exactly what she was going through. The support the Forum members offer is invaluable, and, as I’ve found out from the couple of diabetes meets that I have had the privilege to attend, they are amazing people, who all seem to have that same drive and strength to not let the diabetes beat them.

It’s not all plain sailing with diabetes (as you can probably imagine), and like most people in her position, sometimes Emma finds herself quite down in regards to her circumstances. Almost anything can affect your sugar levels, and as a non-diabetic, I sometimes take my pancreas for granted, but Emma doesn’t have that choice. Occasionally, after a particularly bad hypo (when her blood-sugar levels have dropped to well below what they should be, which can have some rough after-effects), or due to the finality of her diagnosis, she can seem troubled by her diabetes. It’s at times like this that I would pay the world for a cure; just to see her smile again.

I love Emma, with or without diabetes, but for her sake and peace-of-mind, I wish it was something that she could escape from. She would say that she moans a lot, and is forever apologising to me about off-balance level readings, or for being down, and I say, I want to be a good friend to her and that I will always want to offer any support that I can, even if it’s just a little thing.

Although diabetes is a life-long circumstance, Emma has decided that she will be in control on diabetes; diabetes will never control her, and it’s this fighting spirit that makes me love her so much. Plus the fact that she’s the funniest person I’ve ever known. Diabetes making it’s presence known or not, Emma is the person I have the most fun with, and the person I admire more that anyone else. She’s a true friend, and I hope that she knows, as long as she the BFF (which will hopefully be man more years) we’re a team, and despite everything, we’ll kick D’s ass!

DSMA August Blog Carnival - Fighting Our Cause

Unfortunately not all PWD out there are able to access the supplies and medical devices they need. Insulin, pumps, strips etc cost a heck of a lot to fund each month and although I'm lucky that I don't have to pay for my supplies at the moment, I'm very aware of how fortunate I am.

So what can we do?

In my opinion the first step is education. When I was diagnosed with D I couldn't name a single person in the spotlight with the condition, it wasn't until a year later I discovered that a famous Olympian athlete and a certain member of a well-known American boyband also have D.

In the UK we don't have adverts for D on the TV (saw them in FL this year and was like OMG a D advert - got a bit excited..). D only gets mentioned here in a bad way especially in the press (particularly for T2 PWD), we don't have a famous face proving that these stories are total bull. It's sad that you have to have a famous face for people to take notice, but unfortunately that's what we need...

I try to educate people whenever I can, proving that I CAN eat what I want in moderation and that you don't get Diabetes by eating too much sugar. If that one person spreads what they know on to another person then that's another person beating the D myths. Educating people would hopefully lead to more fundraising for PWD who don't have the same access to insulin and supplies. Silent advocacy with awesome D-Tees is another way that I try and use. Ducking Fiabetes being a fave of mine :D Not everyone with D fits the stereotype! Plus we have the BEST sense of humour ;D

What can the DOC do offline? How can we be heard?

By shouting it from the rooftops! Continue educating people and raising awareness either by wearing a Tee, blogging, Tweeting or Vlogging. Prove people's ignorant pre-conceived idea's of D wrong.

Stand up and fight for our cause. A change is coming.

This post is my August entry in the DSMA Blog Carnival.  If you’d like to participate too, you can get all of the information at http://diabetessocmed.com/2011/august-dsma-blog-carnival

Back to Black

So I've finally decided to bite the bullet and write this post. It's been a few weeks/months coming but hopefully sharing will help... *gulp*

Since getting back off my holiday I've been incredibly D focused, trying to get back on track with my BG levels and feeling more in control of things. I've had the occasional blip along the way with both bad hypo's and one bad hyper a couple of weeks ago but levels are back to pre-holiday.
PHEW!

My moods are yet to return to normal though. Losing control on holiday got me pretty low and upset, it was like I'd gone back to square one after almost two years and I hated it. I was snappy one minute and crying the next in sheer frustration. None of which is great in the Sunshine State and Disneyland where everyone is happy happy happy!

It's not as frequent, but it's still very much there.
Diabetes burnout or depression? Both? I don't know.

I pretty much wake up in a 'black' mood, irritable for no reason, lethargic, introverted and generally not nice to be around. Nothing bad has happened though, it's like waking up on the wrong side of bed as some people say. Little things can set me off, crying, angry and generally feeling alone (even though I know I'm not). Thoughts of living with D for the rest of my life enter my head and I question if I'm strong enough to do it?

Since been diagnosed I got on with it, I didn't really grieve if that makes sense.. I went back to work within a couple of days and that was that. As my parents still don't know a huge amount about my condition I don't really tell them how scared I am sometimes about D and its possible complications..

I'm hoping that the PDAC course next month will help me with my emotions and how to deal with them properly. I'm a bugger for bottling things up and not telling people how I'm feeling. I'm trying though. I try and be open with Amy as much as a can, even though its still a bit alien to me and it does help. Hopefully these 'black moods' will become less and less frequent and will just be a once in a blue moon thing..

Wordless Wednesday - Winnie Special