Diabetes and the Desk Job

Okay I don't know about you, but my 'd' and me have a rough time with having a desk job. Of course I've held a desk job for over 14 years, so this is nothing new. Personally, I am struggling with the lack of activity. Or maybe it's just me in my 'old' age...

My blood sugars do okay, but not as good as if I were physically active. I do try to get up, stretch, and walk around, but we all know how well that works.

Any ideas? I also wonder about those of you who have diabetes and a physical job. How well does a physical job work for you? What troubles do you encounter and how do you handle them?

A Time of Change

I love the fall season. I love the temperature change to the 60's. I love the sight of brilliant colors. Fall reminds me of change.

In the last 2-3 weeks, I have changed job positions, my diet, and different life routines. For example, my job has become very, very active again. I've gone from a sedentary job - lots of sitting with little to do - to actively solving issues. My blood sugar levels have been very happy with me.

Our family is slowly making a change to an 'organic' diet. We are trying not to purchase foods that have been grown or processed with steroids or chemicals. We made this decision based on how we feel after eating healthier choices. Life is too short and therefore, we must do what is right for us and our children. It's been tough, but so far, so good. (And, no, I'm not giving up a good beer!)

And what does a different life routine mean? Well, I've made the conscious decision to spend less time on the computer (and iPhone), including Twitter and Facebook, and spending more time being active. As a family, we are exercising and spending more time outside.

I am at a point in my life where the more simple I keep things, the better. I'm tired of stressing over, "the little things". I'm not perfect and refuse to live perfectly. But, I do want to enjoy life to the fullest and these changes are helping me do just that.

Enjoy your fall! :)

This Isn't Funny

One of my favorite muscians are the Dave Matthews Band. I've listened to them since the early 90's and have followed them off and on throughout the years.

If you have time, watch this video and think about how it relates to our lives:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew8hmVIGKcM

Just for today, this moment in time...

A New Diagnosis

What if someone you loved very much was diagnosed with diabetes? Maybe not even a loved one, but a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger? What would
you say?

What if that person was a child?

…a teenager?

…or an adult?

What would you say to the parents of a child, who have just spent several days in a hospital wondering--every waking moment--what the future holds for their child?

And what of a teenager who feels that their life is just starting and now they have to deal with this disease?

Or how about an adult who has tasted a “normal” life and doesn’t understand why?

What would you say?

Could you honestly look in to the eyes of a sleep-deprived parent and tell them, with a straight face, that everything was going to be okay?

When I was diagnosed as a child, with type 1 diabetes, negativity was the norm. There wasn’t much hope for living beyond 21. I was told to prepare for a slow death. Was I encouraged to do well? Sure, but I wouldn’t last with this disease as an adult. Thanks for playing.

My diagnosis was over 32 years ago. I am now 40. I’ve had my share of battles with diabetes, but (and note my words here), I still have the will to win. I still have the will to live a long, awesome life.

When I meet a newly diagnosed patient – especially a child – I ask them one question: What do you want to be when you grow up? Many sheepishly reply, “a doctor, nurse, police officer”, or the occasional “engineer”.

“Guess what?” I tell them with excitement. “You can! And don’t let diabetes stop you from being who you want to be.” Smiles follow and parents are relieved knowing that their precious child can live a long, productive life.

This writing is a gentle reminder that we, too, can be and can do anything we want when we properly manage our diabetes. The only boundaries we have are the ones we place on ourselves.

Properly manage your diabetes and…

...let your dreams take you wherever you want to go.

Diabetes History Quiz

I am not a physician, nor a medical professional, so please consult them if you have questions regarding your health.

Have fun!

1. Name the tool nurses and doctors used to show newly diagnosed patients how to give themselves a shot and, in some places, is still used today.

2. What is the name of the product used to test sugar AND ketones in your urine?

3. Name the lancet device that closely resembles a guillotine.

(still give me shivers...)

4. Can you name at least two brands of disposable insulin syringes that were available in the 70's?

5. Doctors and nurses taught a key phrase when mixing either Regular with NPH, Regular with Lente, or Regular with Ultra Lente. What was it?

6. Who were the two gentlemen who discovered insulin? (arguably the easiest question here)

7. According to Dr. Francine Kaufman, which country in the world far exceeds the United States in diabetes care for type 2s? Hint: Go to dLife.com and watch this episode.

8. Is it better to wash your hands, with soap and water, before taking a blood test or use an alcohol swab?

9. Can you name the physician who fought for many years advocating tight blood glucose control to prevent diabetes-related complications?

Last, but not least...
10. Name any blood glucose monitor that takes 5 seconds or less for a result to appear.




Answers
1. That tool was, and is, an orange
2. Keto Diastix
3. The Autolet lancet device
4. BD & Monoject
5. "clear before cloudy"
6. Frederick Banting and Charles Best
7. According to the episode, Finland outscores the United States in type 2 diabetes care
8. Either way is preferred, BUT your fingers should be completely dry before testing
9. Dr. Richard Bernstein
10. You name it!

Weekend Wrap Up

As many of my fellow diabetic or 'd' Tweeps already know, I've been taking care of my sick children and wife. Thankfully, this illness seems to be a bad cold and not the flu. I am very thankful and relieved.

Yet through the colds, we were able to sit in the family room and watch football; college and pro. Here's my college summary report including BG levels:

1. Fresno State vs Wisconsin - Wisconsin wins in double overtime. Being a "born and bred" Badger, I was a nervous wreck. My BGs did great until the end of the game and subsequent OTs. The game, and my BG levels, were on a roller coaster.

2. Notre Dame vs Michigan - As much as I like Michigan, I love Notre Dame more. Arguably, it was a fight to the very end (11 seconds left in the game!). My BG went from 114, with 5 minutes left in the game, to a 236 at the end (with no food in my system). I was a wreck. I quickly made a correction, then moved on to game 3.

3. South Carolina vs Georgia - Okay, I knew this was going to be close, but the total points blew me away. My BGs didn't sway too much, since we Georgia fans come to expect a close game. South Carolina should've won this game, hands down, but our Dawgs prevailed. In my opinion, nothing to be proud of...

4. Last, but not least, catching glimpses of the Mississippi State vs Auburn & USC vs Ohio State games. The Tigers man-handled the MS Bulldogs, while USC pulled out a win (30 seconds left?) over the Buckeyes. I felt bad for Ohio State, but USC is always fast and impressive.

Overall, my BG numbers were really good on Saturday (42,114, 236, 51, 96, 60, 57), with a Sunday morning wakeup of 89. I had pasta, for dinner on Saturday, so I knew my BGs would swing. The 236 came from the Notre Dame game (boo!). Many of my 'lows' came from excitement and not over-corrections. Go figure!

(Oh, and for you 'Huskers and 'Bama fans, I was catching highlights from these games as well.)

Ah life... It's great!

Uncle Vinnie

I have an alter ego, if you will, and his name is Uncle Vinnie. To get an image, think of the great Paul Sorvino in a dark suit, doing the Zaxby's commercials (or in Good Fellas, whichever comes to mind). Uncle Vinnie appears whenever some uneducated person makes a wisecrack or pushes their way in to my diabetes life.

For example, if I'm at a restaurant with my family and I want a glass of wine. The waiter/waitress notices me take my blood sugar. They realize that, yes, I'm a diabetic. But then they attempt to assert their "knowledge" on me by questioning my drink choice:

Waitperson: "Um, since you are a diabetic, um, isn't it bad to be drinking alcohol? I mean my great aunt Bertha died from diabetes 20 years ago. She had every appendage lopped off before she died."

Me as Uncle Vinnie: "I'm really sorry about your great aunt. However, I try to take care of myself and make sure my blood sugar numbers are in good shape. Now, if you don't mind, please bring us our chardonnay." I would snap my fingers, but I try to have some decency. :)

Our drinks usually appear within 2 minutes of said conversation.

But, there are some times Uncle Vinnie has to get rough with some folks. Another example, insurance companies who "think" they know what's best for you, but don't:

Insurance person: "Mr. Mansheim, you are only approved for 150 test strips a month."

Me: "I understand, BUT I test between 8-10 times a day. The math is approximately 240 strips. Could you please..."

Insurance person: "Well, you will need to consult your doctor before..."

Me as Uncle Vinnie: "Excuse me, NO, please contact the doctor and get the job done. Understand?"

Pharmacy calls me 10 minutes later with my test strips all ready with a nice ribbon around the package. Side note: Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Georgia did the opposite. They did all the work, including a call to my pharmacy, and followed up with a phone call to me. Now THAT was service.

However, yesterday's blog post from Kerri Sparling at SixUntilMe, really had me reaching for my black suit. Please read the post and the forum at TuDiabetes to get a better understanding. Essentially, a fellow diabetic was asked to remove her pump while swimming for fear of contaminating the neighborhood pool. The guilty party? Her home owner's association forced her to do it.

Uncle Vinnie ain't happy.

Uncle Vinnie is supposed to be in Jacksonville sometime mid-October. This woman, "Shipaddict", lives only 3 hours away from Jacksonville. Guess what Shipaddict? If this issue isn't resolved by the time I come to Jacksonville, I will make a visit and deal with the matter "personally". No one threatens a diabetic and gets away with it. Nobody.

Aside from that, Uncle Vinnie rarely has to show "his self". I try to handle situations with respect and patience. Even though it is 2009, there are still many people who simply don't understand this disease.

Then again, there are days I don't either...

Friday Thoughts

A week in review with thoughts mixed in like a bowl full of chili...

(Yes, that's UGA!)

1. Fall brings thoughts of cooler weather and college football. Can't wait!

2. My trip to San Francisco was wonderful. The cool weather brought on the thoughts of #1.

3. My OmniPod behaved well albeit a "communication" error at 35,000 feet, mid-flight, coming home. I had backups, so problem was resolved.

4. Just as I was having a "low" on flight home (47), flight stewardess says to me, "Peanuts, pretzels, or cookies?" Beautiful timing...the pretzels did the trick nicely.

5. I gained 2 lbs on aforementioned trip and feel "heavy". Haven't exercised in 5 days. That, my friends, stinks!

6. Can't wait to have dinner with "D" friends on September 15! Woohoo!

7. Contemplating eating low-carb, low-protein foods. Any thoughts?

8. Contemplating continuous glucose monitoring, e.g. Dexcom or Navigator. Any thoughts?

San Francisco was fantastic from a visitor's point of view. The weather never got above 65 and there always seemed to be a breeze. Sadly, I would never live there since the cost of living is so rediculously high and the houses are too close together. Otherwise, I really enjoyed my time there. Enjoy the photos taken not too far from my hotel...

Camping with the OmniPod

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nor a member of any medical profession. This post references what works/worked for me and may not work for you. Please consult your physician before attempting any changes to your routine. Thank you. Now please stay tuned...

What comes to mind when you think of camping? Tents or cabins? Really roughing it (e.g. hunt/fish for your own food) or semi-(e.g. bring food, but find a way to cook it)? Or...

How am I gonna survive this with my diabetes?!? (Cue Mission Impossible theme music.)

We all know that no matter the circumstances, we need our supplies. In this case, my OmniPod PDM, extra pods, bottles of blood strips, bottles of Novolog and Lantus, syringes, and granola bars. I also carry a box of Ziploc sandwich bags (the double closure kind) for waterproofing purposes.

We (my sons, brother in-law, and his son) journeyed to Lake Blue Ridge in Morganton, Georgia for a 3 day camping trip. Complete with a large tent, coolers of food, and fishing poles, we ventured in to the woods. As a PWD and a person who has had survival training, I was ready. The weather was perfect: daytime highs in the upper 80's with lows in the high 50s's/low 60's. Fabulous!

So, how did me, my diabetes, and OmniPod do? Well, my BGs never went above 120. We fished, hiked, and played around. I went low once, but handled it with a granola bar. And the OmniPod? It worked like a champ.

As a person who has troubles keeping infusion sites stuck to my skin, I use Mastisol to keep my pods secured. Here is a post camp photo of my pod:

(the black is leftover Mastisol with dirt, ewww...)

Mastisol has been a life saver. Since my workouts tend to be for hours, I sweat a lot, so the poxy works very well. Mastisol comes off with Detachol or finger nail polish remover (without Acetone). After applying the Mastisol, I let it sit for a minute before placing the pod. I then secure the adhesive tape and I'm good to go. Pod changes generally last ten minutes or less.

Okay, back to the camping part. We all had a wondeful time and I look forward to doing it again soon.

Here is a list of camping and diabetic hints that work for me, pending the situation:

1. Keep your insulin out of the sun and preferably in a cooler, but not directly in contact with ice. Sudden temp changes to insulin cause problems, e.g. extreme hot to extreme cold. So, buffer/protect your insulin from these conditions. Survival tip with keeping insulin cool in the wild: Dig a hole, in the ground, about 4-6 inches deep and place your insulin container in it. Cover it with leaves or sticks. Mark the spot with a standing stick and brightly colored handkefchief or rag. The ground will keep your insulin cool.

2. Food: Natural granola bars, nuts, and trail mix are the ultimate "survival" foods. They tend not to spoil too much with temp changes and provide carbs, fats, and proteins that the body needs for fuel. We had coolers of food to cook, so none of us really suffered. (Did I mention a small bonfire, hotdogs, and smores?) :D

3. Water: Bottles of water are fine, but cumbersome and wasteful. Many camp sites have potable water spickets. The key is to stay hydrated, no matter the temperature. (Please boil your water, if you feel there is a problem.)

4. Expect the unexpected: Always prepare for the worst (carry several backups) and hope for the best. A good attitude and laughter go a long way.

5. Enjoy and have fun.

(after being in the woods for 3 days, ewww...) :D

Men, Women, and Diabetes

In the world of diabetes management, who has a harder time: men or women? Let's face it, we all have our daily challenges. As I wrote this post, I just finished raising a 55 mg/dl blood glucose reading. Not fun, but not too troubling.

So, who really has it harder? Get ready for a laugh and learn session.

Ask any guy who has had this disease for awhile and they should tell you that women (yes, women) have a harder time managing this disease. Why? Duh!

Let's look at a few of the challenges women with diabetes have to face:
- Hormones, beginning from the "tween" age to well in to the golden years, reek havoc. They cause a beautiful blood sugar level to go from a 100 to a 310 in minutes. Men? Don't our hormones begin to level off at around 40 years of age? Oh, wait a minute... I'm 40!
- In addition to hormone havoc, emotions are tied in to this mess (hormones and irregular bg levels, cause emotions). Men can, and usually are to blame, but we won't discuss that here.
- Stress. Everything from school, peers, family, work (lather, rinse, & repeat), lions, tigers, and bears can cause BG levels to drop or soar. Do men really have this problem?
- And let's talk about family for a moment. For working women (single, married, and or married with children), the challenge to maintain normal BGs are a huge responsibility. If the word, "deadline(s)" causes your sugars to rise, then I'm sorrry. Really, it stinks.
- Oh, and let's not forget mothers who take care of diabetic childen! Face it, we men are sometimes CLUELESS (hello!) of all the work these wonderful women do. Talk about LOTS of responsibility and they make sure our undies get cleaned. Oh my!
- Food and exercise! In addition to all the other things diabetic women experience, they work very hard to take care of their health. Maintaining good BG control is paramount. Men? Yeah, we workout, too, but there's always time for a light beer (or two, or...) and a few pretzels.
- Lastly, the other health issues women face compared to men. I ain't touchin' this one. Nuh, uh. You can't make me. Men just don't belong in this particular point. We would lose miserably. (Some of you guys are gonna shake your heads in disbelief at this one. Okay, why don't you ask any mother what child birth is really like and see if you can pass that test. Hmmm?)

Special note: If you're not laughing, nodding you head in agreement, or smiling in the least by now, YOU need to get with the program. End special note.

Okay, take a deep breath. Yes, we diabetic men have our problems, too. When our BGs are high, we get angry or disappointed. When having a low, we open the fridge and eat everything in sight without much regard for our loved ones. We, too, hate stress and cry shed a tear during a great action movie. Other than that, the list is pretty small compared to women.

Truth be told, we all share much of the pain and joy that comes with this disease. We are all a part of a community that weeps and laughs together, and cares for each other with hopes of living long, fruitful lives.

By the way, are you smiling yet? :)

Learn to Adjust

The heat here in Georgia can, at times, seem tropical. For instance, mix high 80 degree temperatures--with high humidity--and you get the tropics, but without the coconuts. It's this type of weather that my insulin pump and I do not get along. Due to my skin type and the heat, the pump insertion, aka "pod", keeps popping off.

I have Mastisol [skin adhesive] which works very well, but it leaves my skin a little battered. So, for at least two days, I have gone back on shots. I'm not happy about it, but adjustments are sometimes necessary when different conditions arise. [I'm playing in a couple of softball games--first base--if you should know. :) ]I've interacted with a number of diabetics who have experienced similar situations. One in particular, goes back on shots every summer, and returns to pumping in the winter.

I'm open to suggestions/recommendations if anyone has any.

Have a great day!

Mark

Sorry I haven't posted in a while...

Here's the latest health update:
My new OmniPod is working great. I've had a few very minor speed bumps, but otherwise the pump works wonderfully. A big "thank you" goes to the OmniPod support team at Insulet. They are always kind and patient dealing with my troubles.

I haven't been able to cycle much, due to family activities, e.g. constructing a landscape area for a fire pit complete with pavers. Am I nuts? Yes, but that's beside the point. I have two boys who need to experience the goodness, and safety, that comes with a fire. We purchased a fire pit, at Lowes, and have had a blast making smores. No, I don't eat them, but watching my family have fun is good enough for me.

I am still losing weight, but gaining muscle mass as I do different exercises. I stationary bike 3 times a week [40+ minutes], but run or play with our boys the other 4. I put on a pair of 38 size jeans yesterday and they fell down around my ankles. I've had to tighten my belt another notch to prevent "wardrobe malfunctions". Co-workers want to know my secret. It's called, "sweat". I tell my wife and boys that if you don't sweat, during a workout (other than swimming), then you're not working out hard enough. Thank you, Jack Lalanne!

My oldest son and my wife are now exercising daily and eating differently. My son is taking it so seriously, that he is sad when he forgets to exercise. He doesn't realize that swimming, for 4 hours, is a great workout. I can't wait to see our "new" family in the coming months.

Big kudos to the new Wii game, Active Personal Trainer. My family loves it! I highly recommend this product. In my opinion, it is much better than Wii Fit.

Final words:
Diabetes is a give-and-take disease that must be watched with careful diligence and determination. I personally admire diabetics that want to live longer, healthier lives. Many of these people I've encountered on dLife.com and here around Atlanta. We have our good days, and not so good, but overall this disease won't conquer us. We must never give up hope that one day there will be a cure. We must never give up.

Have a great day!

Mark

2009 Roswell Criterium

On Sunday, April 26th, I and our boys went to the 2009 Roswell Criterium in the city of Roswell, Georgia. For those of you new to cycling, a criterium is a road race which takes place in a small amount of space, e.g. town square.

My intent for going was twofold: 1. For our sons to experience a bike race and 2. To hopefully bump into members of the pro cycling team, Team Type 1. This pro cycling and triathlon team, is comprised of members who live with insulin-dependent diabetes [type 1s & 2s].



The weather was beautiful, but slightly warm. We parked at the city of Roswell government building and walked over. During our walk, we witnessed the boys 16-18 year-olds racing. Man, those kids were fast! It was truly amazing what they could do.

Seeing as lunch time was approaching, we ate at our friends' restaurant, The Fickle Pickle. The food was awesome, especially for two boys who were starving at the time. :) We sat right in front of the Start/Finish line and watched the cyclists go by. Every time the announcer mentioned the sprint, on the last lap, both boys jumped from the table to the fence to see the finish. Very, very cool.

We stayed almost 4 hours, but due to a prior diabetes-related engagement, we left before Team Type 1 showed. :( Oh, well. We'll try to see them in the near future. All in all, we had a great time and developed a deeper appreciation for the riders. Both boys now want become bike racers some day... We'll see.

Have a great day!

Mark

Thoughts on my 40th

Today, I was born 40 years ago and as I reflect on my life, I know that I am a truly blessed man.

If someone were to have said to me--back when I was a sarcastic teenager--that my life would one day be filled with special people, filled with love and joy, I probably would've scoffed. If someone were to have said that surviving through the trials and tribulations, I would be a much better, stronger person, I would've laughed.

But here I am, on this my 40th birthday, with more optimism and motivation than ever before in my life:
- I am married to the woman of my dreams; my best friend and forever love
- I am blessed with the two most adventurous, loving boys
- I am surrounded with lots of loving family and friends
- I have experienced the triumphs and challenges of managing a disease [32+ years with diabetes] with hope for a cure
- I gave my life to God, through His Son, who watches over me and our family everyday. His love endures forever

God willing, I am hopeful to see another 40 years and witness a great future. There is hope today for a better tomorrow.
God's love to you all,

Mark

Staying Motivated

When I began planning my exercise routine, my wife and I agreed that the time of day to exercise was critical. Why?

1. I drive 25 miles each way to work everyday; out at 6:30 am, in by 5:30-6ish pm.

2. After I get home, I help my wife with either the kids' homework or cooking dinner (yes, I cook and everyone is still living)

3. Intense exercise before bedtime is NEVER a good idea (waking up at 2:30 am with a 25 blood sugar is not cool)

4. In the past, my body always did better with morning exercise

Before my stationary biking venture, I awoke every morning at 5:30 am and was out the door at 6:30. Now, I am up at 5 am (or sometimes 4:45 am), test, use the potty, drink a little water, then bike.

So, how do I stay motivated even though my body sometimes screams for more sleep? In addition to prayer, music, and writing, I search for articles and blogs on the web that motivate me. Such sites as dLife.com, Team Type 1, Jay Hewitt, and Triabetes.org are just a few. These sites offer so much valuable information on diabetes, exercise, and diet.

Being motivated to take care of my disease is a step closer to preventing further complications. Staying motivated means that I don't live in fear of what is around the corner; be it further retinopathy, neuropathy, heart disease, or cancer.

Keep well and...

get motivated!

Mark

Bad Diet / Bad Results

Sometimes I get the urge to eat something really bad.

Okay, not really, really bad, but you get the point. And, hey, I've been doing very well on my stationary bike! I deserve a couple of greasy meals, right?

Sooooo, let's just say a double-cheeseburger, chicken philly, and an order of fries made their way into my diet this past weekend. No, not in one meal as some of you might believe. :)

Ye ole blood sugar did very well. I managed to keep it tight amidst my greasy binge. My body though, did not appreciate the intake of said foods. Let's just say, it immediately flushed out my foolish choices.


Ah yes, my body is feeling much, much better now.

Back to yogurt and salads...
Eat well!

Mark

Exercise: Day 12

Today, I switched up my routine.

I noticed yesterday that I wasn't sweating as much when riding my typical 10 miles on the stationary bike. Sexy, isn't it? [Yeah, I don't know if I mentioned this, but I began riding 10 miles on February 18th]

Today, I decided to ride 15. The ride went fantastic and no small creatures were injured... :)

In preparation for this increase, I lowered my Lantus to 18 units at bedtime and Novolog to 1 u. per 15 grams. My blood sugar levels have not been above 130 in 3 days. However, I have had my share of lows, which is why I lowered my insulin intake.

In other news...
If you haven't signed up already, the Atlanta Diabetes Expo is on March 21st at the Georgia World Congress Center. This is a good opportunity to attend symposiums and see displays of diabetes-related information.

Stay well!
Mark