D Meme

What type of diabetes do you have:
Type 1.

When were you diagnosed:
August 15th, 1975

What's your current blood sugar:
90

What kind of meter do you use:
Freestyle Lite

How many times per day do you check your blood sugar:
I'd say the average is about 8-10 times a day.

What is a "HIGH" number for you:
I should probably direct this question to Dixie. She believes that the ideal range is 85-105. I correct for anything over 130.

What do you consider "LOW":
Under 70.

What is your favorite low blood sugar reaction treater:
I usually treat with apple juice in the night, Powerade and fruit snacks during the day. I use Gu and Carb-boom when I need a bigger lift or if I need to grab it out of Dixie's vest.

Describe your dream endo:
Hmmm. I like my endo. I guess it would be ideal if she would call me personally every couple months just to chat and answer random questions.

Who's on your support team:
My family
My friends
Dixie
The DOC

Do you think there will be a cure in your lifetime:
Nope. At least, not one without "hitches." (like needing to take anti-rejection meds)

What is a "cure" to you:
Being able to live spontaneously. Eating and/or drinking without a second thought.

The most annoying thing people say to you about your diabetes is:
"Oh, you must have the brittle kind!"

The most common misconception about diabetes:
That eating is the cause of diabetes.

If you could say one thing to your pancreas, what would it be:
Really? Come on!

D-versary day

Wow. Where did the summer go??

I had to post today since today is my 35 year d-anniversary day. It was 35 years ago today that I went to my pediatrician for my back to school (1st grade) physical. They did a random urinalysis and I was diagnosed with diabetes. My clinic was so small that it didn't have a lab in it, so I was sent to Minneapolis Children's Hospital for a blood test. Back then, I had to have a venous blood draw. Fast forward an hour from then and I was being admitted to the hospital with Type 1 diabetes. I stayed a week, so my parents could learn all about the big D. I didn't start insulin until sometime in September, as I was honeymooning and the doctors didn't think I needed to start insulin until my blood sugars were really high.

35 years later and I celebrate all my hard work. Living with diabetes for a long time takes a lot of persistence and hard work. (and also a heck of a lot of guessing!) I celebrate because I am proud of tackling this disease day in and day out. I'm proud that I see my endo once or twice a year, and that is the only specialist that I need to see. I'm proud (and really lucky!) that my only diabetes complication is hypoglycemia unawareness. And I'm happy that I have good friends and family (and a great dog!) who stick with me and help during the challenging times.
Of course, as always, I'll be celebrating my hard work with chocolate cake (with chocolate ganache) and good beer. (Beck's light, in case you're wondering)

Dixie and I just returned from our yearly wilderness canoe trip.

This year we ventured into the Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada. We had to mail away for Remote Border Crossing Permits (RABC, so we could enter at a little cabin on Basswood Lake) and carry our passports. The trip was much more rugged than I've ever done before. The mosquitoes were worse than they've been in a couple years. The weather was beautiful. Daytime highs in the mid-70s and nighttime lows in the mid-50s. Dixie was a star. She has learned how to do "remote alerts." She sits in the middle of the canoe (on top of a pack), and I sit in the back. Several times she looked back at me and lifted her paw to hit the pack that she was on. I tested and was able to catch lows. Really, during the entire trip, I only had 5 lows. That's 8 days of rugged exercise with only 5 LOWS!! Amazing. Dixie was able to alert when I was still in the average range, and I could make adjustments by turning down my basal rate (or turning it off) or having some gel.

It's hard to believe that school workshops start in two weeks, and I'll be back to work. Honestly, where does the time go?

Cheers!
Molly and Dixie

Dblog day 6 - pictures

Just a couple snapshots of life with diabetes.