diabetes

June 20, 2014

Let’s just keep piling it on!

As if working full time at one of the busiest country clubs in the country during the busiest season of the year and still finding time to manage my diabetes (also a full time job) wasn’t difficult enough, I’ve decided that on top of all of that, I’m also going to run a golf tournament with proceeds benefitting the JDRF.

The idea to do a golf tournament wasn’t hard to come up with.  My husband and I both work in the golf industry.  And he happens to be the Assistant General Manager at one of the busiest and nicest driving ranges in all of Los Angeles, so Westchester Golf Course and Driving Range was the obvious choice (also my club doesn’t allow charity tournaments).  So now I’ve given myself the task of planning a tournament.  Now my days off are filled with organizing teams, creating printouts and fliers, scheduling food and prize donations, bargaining down the registration price at the course and setting up a donation website.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to be busy.  And I’d rather be busy doing something to help find a cure for this terrible disease than be busy doing anything else. It’s amazing how people will come together to help out in any way.  Even some of my friends who don’t play golf want to get involved!

At this point I’m just winging it.  I’ve been involved with enough tournaments to know what goes on behind the scenes, and I’ve volunteered for enough Walks for Diabetes to know what JDRF needs as well. I’m just praying that everything comes together. Right now I’m working with the customer service people at JDRF to customize my event website.  As soon as It’s up and running I’ll be able to post it to facebook, my blog and include it on my fliers.  I just gotta get the word out!

 

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April 23, 2014 Aside

Vegas Wont Stop Me

The saying usually goes, ‘What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas’. But for my much needed girls weekend in Sin City, I will make healthy food choices the whole time and document my meals as best I can. I was worried at first because as much as I want to keep eating quality, fresh foods I know it’s easier said than done. Last time I went I enjoyed the biggest slice of Sicilian pizza I’ve ever seen– without taking any insulin. This time, I’ll stick to lean meats, salad and veggies. Thankfully I’m going with my wonderful college friend who will keep me in check. It might not be a week long exotic vacation, but sometimes a few days away with the people you love is all you really need.

I’ve been going over checklists in my head all week so that I don’t forget anything. To start documenting this trip right, here is what I need to bring just to help manage my diabetes:

-3 infusion sets (in case I accidentally rip one out or it malfunctions)
-3 reservoirs
-1 blue inserter
-1 bottle of Novolog insulin
-2 AAA energizer batteries
-1 syringe (in case my pump decides to stop working)
-my insulin pump belt clip
-my insulin pump leg pouch
-my one touch blood glucose monitor
-2 tubes of test strips
-my finger pricker
-extra lancets
-glucose tablets
-if I had sensors, 2 sensors and my CGM, (but I’m still waiting to receive the sensors and can’t use my CGM without them so I wont bother bringing it because I’ll probably lose it).

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Wow, that’s a lot. I didn’t even realize how much stuff goes into regular day-to-day diabetes management. I’ve never thought about it before and when it’s all laid out like that it looks like I’m opening a clinic! Hopefully I have room for the 6 pairs of shoes I’m planning on bringing. I might be a diabetic, but first and foremost I’m a fashionista!

April 19, 2014 Aside

Just Keep Swimming

This week has been really difficult for me. Not only am I constantly thinking about and worrying about my blood sugar, what I’m eating, how much insulin I need, or whether or not I have time to exercise, I’ve also been stressed to the max with my job. And to top it all off, even though I called Dexcom to order more sensors almost a month ago, I finished my last sensor this week and am still waiting for new ones to be delivered. It really feels like everything is going wrong, or that I’m doing everything wrong, and I’m trying really hard not to get discouraged. Running helps, but with work as crazy as it has been, I’m finding it harder to make time for that.

What I really want, and what I truly think I need, is a vacation. A whole week off where I don’t need to think about work, or grocery shopping or cleaning my apartment or counting carbs or remembering to give myself insulin and I can just relax. Preferably on a beach. I’m so lucky to have Sean, because I’d feel twice as overwhelmed if he wasn’t always there to calm me down.

I need to try to stay positive. While that’s easier said than done, I realized today that I can only do my best. I’m not perfect, and even though I might mess up, I know 100% that I’m doing better than I was a year ago. I know that my husband, my parents, my doctors and my friends are proud of my progress and that they’re all behind me while I figure out how to manage everything. I’m not going to see results overnight. Diabetes control doesn’t work like that. I have to make smart and healthy choices to stay ahead and continue to improve.

In the meantime, I’m going to stare at this picture I took from the last time I was in Cancun, almost 5 years ago. I will keep staring at it and imagine I’m still there.
sunsetcancun

April 9, 2014 Aside

Way too early Wednesday

Last night was a tough one.  My BS was over 400 all night.  In my sleepy haze I didn’t even think to change my insulin pump site until an hour before I was supposed to wake up (4am).  I changed it gave myself a correction and woke up to my BS steady at 244.  Because of my early schedule I grabbed a couple quick (healthy)  food options before running out the door.  Early mornings suck, but at least I can go home at 3:30 and I have the next 2 days off.

As soon as I got to work, a wonderful member came in with a giant box of bagels.  They were warm, smelled amazing and looked delicious.  I didn’t eat any, but I could smell them all morning and if I hadn’t been so busy probably wouldn’t have been able to resist.

Morning BS reading: 437, then 244 when I woke up

Breakfast: 2 hard boiled eggs and half a medium sized banana

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-2 hard boiled eggs- they were made last night so Sean and I could both grab something quick and easy before work: 0 carbs

-1/2 a medium sized banana: 12 carbs

Post meal BS reading: 285 and steady

I felt great all morning.  I got so much done at work and I honestly had a ton of energy.  It was fantastic.  I almost didn’t care that I had to come in so early.  Today’s lunch at work was difficult to work around.  The options were pasta, potatoes, egg rolls, pork, black beans, rice and mushy vegetables.  I tried to grab the healthiest options.

Mid-day BS reading: 238

Lunch: pork slices over lettuce and 1/2 cup of black beans

-I put 3 slices of pork on my plate, but it was really really dry so I only ate about 1 and a half: 0 carbs

-The lettuce was good, it had a light vinaigrette dressing that I liked: 0 carbs

-1/2 cup black beans: 20 carbs- I made sure not to overdo it because I love me some black beans!

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Post meal BS reading: 264

I was really excited for dinner tonight.  I wanted something light and super healthy especially since my blood sugars have been running pretty high the past couple days. I messed up though.  I ate 2 enormous pineapple spears that were chillin in my fridge and didn’t even think about checking my sensor or even bolusing and didn’t realize I hadn’t bolused until I saw my sensor before dinner.

Dinner BS reading: 334

Dinner: Grilled Eggplant over salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing

-plate of salad: 0 carbs

-2 slices of grilled eggplant: 0 carbs

-2 slices of gooey, melted provolone cheese: 0 carbs

-a filling, delicious meal: priceless

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post meal BS reading