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Life with Diabetes

A Few Things I’m Grateful For on World Diabetes Day…

by Cynthia November 14, 2015

Happy World Diabetes Day to all my fellow comrades. While in previous years I really celebrated this day like a holiday, things have changed for me and that’s okay. These are a few things I’m thankful for:

I’m grateful to be alive. There have been quite a few close calls over the last 28 years of living with Type 1 diabetes.

I’m grateful for medical insurance and a can’t-be-beat healthcare team including my awesome endo and super caring and smart holistic providers.

I’m grateful for insulin and the medical supplies which keep me alive.

I’m really grateful for my continuous glucose meter (CGM) which makes life with diabetes much more sane.

I’m grateful for a kick-butt local natural foods co-op just a few miles from my home which gives me access to an abundance of organic fruits and vegetables, many locally grown, and grass-fed meats, etc.

I am grateful for my knowledge and love of cooking which allows me to nourish my body with healthy foods.

I am grateful for my love of movement. Long walks, yoga, cycling and although not fun — the elliptical machine, help me feel so much better physically and emotionally.

I am thankful for a pup who likes to take long walks with me. Although sometimes he can be a little stubborn and just wants to go home right away.

I am extremely grateful for this community and each of you. Thanks for being here and sharing this journey with me as I/we do our best to move toward health and wholeness of body, mind and spirit.

On this World Diabetes Day, I am not thankful to live with diabetes. It makes my life more difficult in so many ways. But I manage, some days better than others. 🙂 And it has taught me a lot. I love to share everyday on Facebook things I do to help make life not only bearable, but healthy and fun. While we may be continually challenged in this life with diabetes and/or other health conditions, I’m here to make the most of it! And hopefully inspire you to do so as well.

Getting ready now to rejuvenate by going for a long walk in nature at a local regional park with my husband Jaim and dog Jonah.

Last but not least, my heart is very heavy today for the tragic events unfolding around the world. My heart is with all. <3

A touching quote and picture from the page, Illuminating Souls on Facebook.

Blessings to you,

Cynthia

November 14, 2015 0 comment

A Poem for Tuesday: Stopped Short

by Cynthia March 5, 2013

This is a poem I wrote last month as I was treating my low after being “stopped short” and feeling a ~~little~~ lot frustrated. How often does diabetes stop you short of what you want to do? It sure can be irritating when it happens..

Photo Credit: theminaretonline.com

Continue Reading

March 5, 2013 2 comments

Diabetes Anniversary Celebration Life with Diabetes

Today I celebrate 26 years!

by Cynthia February 13, 2013

I write this post today as a tribute to my life. Today marks 26 years of living with Type 1 diabetes. I wish I had some profound things to say in honor of this milestone but I’m having a difficult time expressing myself today. Here goes one last try.

I woke up with a blood glucose of 167 but must admit I was hoping for a perfect 115 thinking a good bg was something I deserved on my d-anniversary. But 167 can be how it feels to live with diabetes —not always bad or good but just letting you know it’s there if that makes sense. When I entered the living room I was greeted with an extremely friendly puppy. My dog Jonah. It was almost like he knew and understood somehow that today is special for me, almost like a holiday. He prompted me to sit next to him where I got a hug (he puts one paw on each shoulder) and then a kiss too as he let out a big squeaky yawn. It made me smile and thankful I slowed down a few minutes for him to cuddle up next to me.

February 13, 2013 4 comments

Life with Diabetes Poems

A Poem for Tuesday: The Princess and the Pea

by Cynthia February 5, 2013

Waking up in the night to tend to one’s diabetes can be a big pain in the butt! Whether it’s a low or a high or needing to use the bathroom because of a high. Or the worst—realizing you have to change your infusion set after all because the final bolus of insulin you gave at bedtime is not working (you are still high!) meaning your site really is dead and needs to be changed out pronto! One of my least favorite things is waking up in the morning with a high I’ve had all night long! Better to just get up out of your warm bed and take care of it. Anyone with me here?

February 5, 2013 1 comment

Life with Diabetes

Good self-care = perfect diabetes? Not always the case..

by Cynthia January 28, 2013

Yesterday was one of the worst D-days for me in recent history. After another horrible event last night—ending up in a low while trying to walk on the treadmill, I decided it might be healing to put some of my thoughts on paper and let the feelings out! Here is my journal entry shared with the world. I am guessing some if not most of you might be able to relate to a portion of it.

I am so upset right now. This is why. After a day of excellent self-care for my health and diabetes, I sit here with a low blood sugar. You see I started my day with a 10:00 am yoga class. Strength building, breath work and creating peace and harmony in my body. 75 minutes of hard work. Blood sugar after yoga? 225.

January 28, 2013 1 comment

Life with Diabetes

One of “those” lows

by Cynthia October 3, 2012

Editor's note: This post was written in the early hours of the morning last night after experiencing an unfavorable low blood sugar.

I just had one of “those” lows. You know the type I’m guessing.

October 3, 2012 4 comments

Life with Diabetes

Diabetes can really suck. Thank goodness for Grace.

by Cynthia September 8, 2012

If strength can be found in honesty and sharing, here goes…

This is my Dexcom graph for the last 12 hours.

She’s a real beauty, huh? Not exactly the kind of sugars you want to see — especially while attempting to get a good night’s rest!

September 8, 2012 3 comments

Lessons Life with Diabetes

Keep your chin up. You are nothing short of amazing.

by Cynthia July 30, 2012

Sometimes diabetes management itself (blood sugar checks, shots, pump/CGM maintenance, etc) doesn’t feel so bad or like too much. It’s all those related add-ons — co-conditions/diagnoses, longer recovery times, acute illnesses, the lingering effects of diabetes on the body and mind after a low or high, the emotional and financial stresses and the often necessary yet tiring advocacy vs. remaining misunderstood scenarios that can pop up sometimes much too frequently. These things that get tacked on can really drag someone with diabetes down (me included!) and make it hard to keep on going day after day.

July 30, 2012 0 comment

Lessons Life with Diabetes

25 years: what does that mean exactly?

by Cynthia February 13, 2012

Looking ahead to another 25 years of life.

25 years. What does this mean exactly? It means I am grateful to be alive. Every day is a gift. I have learned to identify the people and things that are most important in my life and this is what I focus my energy and time on. Today you see, I am celebrating 25 years of life!

25 years ago today I almost lost this life of mine. I was in 6th grade and just 11 years old. I was misdiagnosed for many months as having a virus when I first started getting sick in the fall of 1986 – until that fateful day of February 13, 1987.

February 13, 2012 27 comments

Life with Diabetes

31: that’s not my age.

by Cynthia January 22, 2012

Therefore, if the amount of glucose supplied by the blood falls, the brain is one of the first organs affected. In most people, subtle reduction of mental efficiency can be observed when the glucose falls below 65 mg/dl (3.6 mM). Impairment of action and judgment usually becomes obvious below 40 mg/dl (2.2 mM). Seizures may occur as the glucose falls further. As blood glucose levels fall below 10 mg/dl (0.55 mM), most neurons become electrically silent and nonfunctional, resulting in coma. These brain effects are collectively referred to as neuroglycopenia. (link to article).

‘Dead in bed’ syndrome refers to unexplained deaths in young people with Type 1 diabetes. Research shows little definitive evidence as to the cause of this very rare phenomenon. There is a small amount of published evidence looking at the condition. One possible theory has been a link to hypoglycaemia (hypo) during the night. It is suggested that this may compound an abnormal heart rhythm, which can cause death.” (link to article).

I had a scary experience last night. I was sleeping and everything was going fine… so I thought. Since experiencing significant stress from caring for my critically ill cat the last few weeks, I have been completely exhausted and had no problem quickly falling into a deep slumber.

January 22, 2012 10 comments