DIABETES/THE NITTY GRITTY

Scott Strumello @sstrumello.blogspot.com has tagged me for *5 Things You Won't Find In A Book*
Thanks Scott.

Some of these items that I will list, you might find in a book. But all come from a personal relationship that I have had with Diabetes(T1DM) for a long time.
1. If you are newly diagnosed w/T1DM or you are the Mother of a child with Diabetes, then learn as much as you can retain about this complex disease.......and keep learning.

2. Always have some sort of ID on your person that says, that you have Diabetes and are on Insulin.

3. Treat signs/symptoms of Hypoglycemia IMMEDIATELY w/o first using your meter to check your blood sugar level. The time wasted, even in seconds can be dangerous where a rapidly declining glucose is occurring. If later upon checking your glucose value, you can always correct "mistakes," with additional Insulin. Remember, you do not "have to pass Go" in order to treat a possible Hypoglycemia crisis.

4. Keep an Opened Mind regarding T1DM and Treatment. The Body is under a constant state of stress because of the presence of this chronic Disease.
Anything that will help your Body/Mind/Spirit is worth developing and using. This might mean food modification where you will avoid certain foods and utilize others, the use of Meditation to lower stress levels, the use of exercise to help balance and reduce Glucose levels, the use of certain herbs that have been used for thousands of years in the treatment of Diabetes,
the performance of Martial Arts where your Body/Mind/Spirit become one and unified. This is helpful against any Disease.
Basically, you have to find what *works* for your own Body so that you are creating a "better playing field" than before.

5. Don't be a "Passenger" in your Doctor's office. You have to be proactive and involved in all treatments and decision making regarding your health.
It is your Body, not your Physicians.........respect it. Thus, both you and your Physician can both be "Partners" and sit together in the front of the car.

There is of course much more that I can offer, but like advice from anyone and anywhere, you take what applies to you and what you can use.

I pass this chain now to Kathy at PurpleHaze.com

HOW HOMER DEVELOPS DIABETES

Most of you who are fans of the Simpsons know how overweight Homer is and how awful of a diet he has, with a fondness for doughnuts and other tasty treats. This history along with a lack of exercise
makes Homer a *ripe candidate* for the development of Diabetes(Type 2).
There is a message to be learned as well, and that is, what is perceived by
Marge as an addiction is really not but an attempt to inject Insulin.
Unfortunately, it looks as if Homer is doing it via IV rather than Subcutaneous.
Still funny.

Here is a visual development as to how it really took place:
↓ ↓

That's Marge in the opening scene feeding Homer nutritious hot Oatmeal so he will feel better.

DEATH RIDES THE OVERPASS

I just came across a story published in the Edmonton Journal(Canadian newspaper) by Jim Farell.
I and many others in the T1DM Community can relate to these events since it covers the horrible consequence of Hypoglycemia Unawareness that has again occurred to "One of Us."

Shaughn Butts/Canwest News Service: A semi truck and trailer lie in wreckage after crashing. The driver was killed after smashing into a guard rail on the overpass and crashing onto the railway tracks below.


EDMONTON -- Friends and relatives of the truck driver who died Monday in a fiery crash after a 20-kilometer, wrong-way drive down Yellowhead Trail believe his bizarre behavior was caused by diabetes, not anger or suicidal impulses.

"He has had Type 1 diabetes since he was young, and he has medically crashed many times after going into hypoglycemia," said Bill, a family friend of the 25-year-old driver. Bill is the uncle of the driver's girlfriend, whom he intended to marry.

Dr. James Shapiro, a prominent diabetes researcher from the University of Alberta, refused to comment about the specific aspects of the driver's death since he had never treated him, but he said that when a diabetic's blood sugar plunges below a certain point, bizarre behavior can result.
When blood sugar drops below a certain point, the brains of some people with diabetes can no longer function properly, Dr. Shapiro said. Results can range from sleepiness to unawareness and a mental disconnect with a person's surroundings. "It's certainly possible that a diabetes patient can be in a prolonged hypoglycemic state for minutes and hours," Dr. Shapiro said.

People tend to forget how complex of a Disease T1DM is. In spite of having "good numbers," there are hosts of other factors within the Body that can go awry because of the Diabetes.

Six Word Meme

Thank you for the Tag Minnesota Nice.............and that you are.
Here then w/o further delay is my Six Word Meme:

Still looking around Corners
for Cure..........

I, in-turn pass the Six Word Meme to:
Seonaid @http://snd1590.wordpress.com

Scott @Scott's Web Log

EAT SOMETHING GOOD(FOR YOU)

As reported in the Boston Globe 2/25/08/www.boston.com/news/health/articles
Eating Oats(Whole Oats) is good for you!!
The reason being, is that they contain an ample supply of beta-glucan, a natural anti-inflammatory agent that suppresses the body's production of certain cytokines.
Cytokines are Inflammatory Agents that produce elevated levels of Inflammation within the Body. This Inflammation can be found in Diabetes, Heart Disease, MS, Arthritis, Allergies, Asthma and many other Auto-Immune Illnesses. Often with this Inflammation comes further harmful effects within the cells, tissues, organs and vasculature leading to other Diseases or a further breakdown that has already begun.
So, here is something that is Natural and without side-effects that would be useful to all those with Diabetes and other Illnesses.
Oats have been available for a long time, are in abundance, are easy to prepare and digest; and have many healthful benefits to offer. They also lower LDL(bad cholesterol) levels. For those of us w/T1DM that is important because the risk of Coronary Disease is elevated in those with Diabetes.
Part of the treatment for T1DM is to be actively involved with taking care of your Body in a positive way.

You have to be willing to accept responsibility and modification for your own Body.
Remember, what you want are whole oats, not the 30 second kind.
In this case, a little cooking effort goes a long way. Have it with slices of fresh fruit or berries on top, sitting across the table from the person you love. If there isn't a person you love sitting across from you, have it anyway.

Diabetes Poetry

I turn the key to my apartment where I then drop spasmodically to the Floor.
Two dozen eggs are mixed as for an omelet that I never wanted as they fall out of the bag with me to the floor exposing yellow yolks on a brown wood surface creating the loss of a front tooth as I convulsively mash my jaw up/down and side to side not knowing what is real and what is temporary.
Unable to stand.
The refrigerator is near as my cats approach who have all too often seen their "Loved One" in similar past experiences.
They perform rescue by taking their claws to the open arm of my body that lays convulsing about in trying to revive me from the "Depths of Horror."
I squiggle to the refrigerator door and try to access any contents that will bring the Blood Glucose back up.
Pineapple juice bottle lay visible on the shelf as I reach for it but find my appendages are unable to grasp the potion as they continue to spasm.
I fight on...........Eternal Sleep is not welcomed.
Another attempt at the juice bottle yields it but quickly falls to the floor where juice and eggs now become a marsh reflection of Hypoglycemia.
Some juice remains in the bottle as I force myself to drink whatever liquid remains.
I lay in the marsh as my cats meow away the Evil from pressing on.
I search for honey and find a jar unable to avail itself because of immovable "stuck" lid.
Slowly the effects of the juice earlier consumed enables me to a steady gaze of another source which I now open and drink.
All is restored again, until.............................................................................

THE DEPTH OF DARKNESS

I seem to be sitting and wasn’t sure except my sense of touch appeared to be returning. All I knew was that I was in some type of dark enclosure within a space I never knew. I tried to get up, but each time I attempted this, my legs would buckle from under me and so I would fall back to the same original spot of fear and the unknown. There was no orientation to Time, Place or Space.
My next attempt was to find something around me that might support my decision to try and stand. The outstretched hand of my arm began to scan the void around me for an object that might help. I still was unable to see within the darkness and still without any identity as to what my relationship to everything around me was. A total loss of the power of navigation, knowledge and control within time - space - object.
My hand felt an object that by touch resembled a broom. and began to feel hopeful that my sense of touch recognition was returning but still within a dark void.

I decided that I would attempt to use this broom-like object to help me stand upright, which it did. In reaching a different perspective, I saw what appeared to be small flickering slivers of light within the space I was in. The broom stick pole aided my walking to this light but I nevertheless banged my body into an immovable object which prevented my going further.

I felt my senses slowly returning minus of being cognizant of where I was other than it was a room. I slowly began walking in different directions at the same time using my sense of touch to try to find a source of light that would visually tell me where I was. The pain in my ribs and other places of my body no longer mattered, my attention was only to access light as well as understanding from all of this. Slowly and slowly I felt my presence returning even in the “dark pit” of who and what I was in relation to everything around me.
My hand then felt a smooth object that turned out to be my refrigerator door. I knew that upon opening this door a light would come on which it did.
Without going through the time wasted protocol of testing my blood sugar to determine if I was Hypoglycemic(like asking someone who has one leg, if they have difficulty in walking) and besides I could not even find it at that moment in time anyhow. What I did find when I opened the refrigerator door was a thankful recognition of where I was as well as much needed sweet juice on the inside which I quickly consumed.
It turned out that the slivers of light that I first saw, were the pilot lights on top of my stove which I was unable to recognize at the time in greater context.

This rescue made possible by the grace and power of a force that very few of us know, is a miracle. It puts into actual meaning what the Body and its relationship with Outside things are as well as the integration of Body-Mind-Spirit are all about. I was returning back into being aware of the moments(hours) before this occurred. Being in bed and drifting off within the realm of sleep in my bedroom until transported to a different room and space no longer recognized by me within the depths of unconsciousness.
The contusions and open cuts from my falling which later turn to scars(Physical/Emotional) are but added mementos to previous ones on this adventure in having T1DM.
Insulin is just a Bandage for this Disease since it is only being treated as a Symptom. It is much more than that. It (Diabetes) is an open wound that continues to bleed through the Bandage and in spite of it.

"I alone am drifting, not knowing where I am. Like a
newborn baby before it learns to smile, I am alone
without a place to go."

Tao Te Ching/Lao Tzu

WHAT DIABETES IS NOT

Sitting on the subway this A.M., I noticed a billboard sign directly in front of me which was sponsored by the Epilepsy Society of Southern New York, It read:
"Epilepsy is about what we have..........Not who we are."

This same Wisdom should apply to those of us with T1DM as well.

THE PERKS OF BAKING

One of the real advantages to baking is not only in tasting the creation you have made, but sharing it with those you love or/and care about.

Such is the case as I decided to bake Cinnamon Doughnuts last evening so that I could have it with a great cup of coffee from selected aromatic arabic beans which I grind every morning.
After letting the dough rise and proofing it, I then baked the doughnuts to a beautiful golden tan color after upon which I applied melted sweet butter to the tops and sprinkled cinnamon sugar on each.
The smells from the cinnamon on a cold winter night was inviting and warm as the doughnuts "rested" only until the following morning to be consumed with delicious coffee and of-course enough Novolog to make this possible.
The remainder of the doughnuts I share with all of you for the Holidays and to one of my neighbors who has recently given birth to a new Life.

FIRST AID AT WHOLE FOODS

I don't like asking for help.
Having Diabetes(T1DM) at the age of 6 begins to make a person very responsible and independent in managing their own Illness.

While in the Meat/Poultry Department at Whole Foods, I began to feel disorientated and had short spurts of "blacking-out."
Nevertheless, I was determined to make it back up the escalator and then to the cashier section, where-upon I would quickly leave and consume something very sweet to bring me back to normglycemia.
I couldn't find the escalator or elevator and the "black-out spurts" were continuing.
Since I was still rationale and knew from many occasions of what happens if Hypoglycemia is not treated in time, I decided to ask for help at the Meat Department.
I told them that, "I have Diabetes and that my blood sugar is very low and need the Manager or someone to help me, since I feel like passing out."
The kindness and concern shown to me was gracious and immediate.. One of the Butchers asked me if I wanted some pie, while another Butcher asked me what type of Diabetes I had because as he said, "almost everyone in my Family also has Diabetes."
I told the Butcher who asked if I wanted some pie, that orange or apple juice would be better.
Percy who was the Manager, brought me a container of Tropicana OJ to drink and while he was gone to get the container, requested that someone stay and watch over me.
He retuned quickly with an opened container which I immediately drank, where-upon he brought back another (small) container for me. I felt myself getting better and "returning to reality." Percy then went on to tell me that his ex-girlfriend had T1DM and so he knew what to do. His ex-girlfriend would find herself in frequent episodes of Hypoglycemia where she would would be unable to help herself.
Talking with Percy and being reassured that I would get better, which I did after consuming 3 containers of Tropicana all helped in my resurrection of consciousness. I thanked all the people who helped me and was then able to find the escalator taking me to the first floor where I then departed for the Subway.
As I walked out of Whole Foods I kept thinking, Angels do exist in places that one would never expect.
Sometimes we are not able to see and feel their presence and at other times ......................we can.

POETRY

I did have a friend named Chrissie,
Who one day became somewhat Prissy.
She flew in a Rage
at the sight of a Page.
and remained in a deep drawn Tizzy.
Reminded of Pravda and Izvestia,
I began to seek what was best for her.
So, like a good Sage,
I had it Encaged
and gone was the current Outrage.

SUBWAY SIGHTINGS

THE NIT PICKER

Taking the subway back home after a Doctor's visit, I approach the only empty seat on the platform
bench as I await my train.
Next to me is seated a man in his early twenties with pomade greased shiny hair wearing a dark suit and polished shoes with a faux leather case on his lap.(probably coming back from a job interview)
Since looking at people can be an enjoyable past-time for lack of reading material, I notice that this "well-dressed man" begins
to pick the nits off his face............Disgusting!! I think and quickly remove myself to a standing position away from the bench as my train finally arrives.
These lessons bring to mind how "Appearances" really do not reflect the True Character of the person.
They are merely pretenses and costumes of the Self.
It is like, and I am sure many of us can relate to this.........seeing a Physician for the very first time in a starchy extra white lab coat who later turns out to be so incompetent and ignorant in treating the Body that one wonders how they ever "got this far as to be able to enter the world of Medicine."
The same Costumes can exist in Relationships, Marriages, Employment and more.
All you have to do, is "scratch" the surface just enough to expose the Self behind the Facade.

A DEDICATION

This is dedicated to those of us who had T1DM visited upon us as children and who still were able to feel the Magic within our world.......
Listen to the words with your Heart and watch the video with your Soul

BOB DYLAN'S WORDS OF WISDOM

It seems that the message has been widely spread throughout the Diabetes Community.
YOU are not your Disease!! Yes, you may have Diabetes but you are not Diabetes or Diabetic for that matter!!

DR. BERNSTEIN ANSWERS MY QUESTION

The question I posed to Dr. Bernstein for his Live Broadcast on 09/19/2007

http://ds1.downloadtech.net/cn1086/audio/2070306569679-001.mp3

was answered regarding C-peptide.
The question I posed was, "From your knowledge, Do you know if there have been any studies that have shown that C-peptide is of beneficial value besides that of a bio-marker for insulin availability?
Dr. Bernstein responded by saying that, "C-peptide is a by-product in the manufacture of insulin and indeed there have been studies on animals.
But since C-peptide is not available for human use, and no one is interested in making it, it is just an academic point.
But there are some benefits to it."

What we in the Diabetes Community need, is not only to make the Healthcare Profession MORE aware of C-peptide and how, yes how it can be beneficial to the prevention AND treatment of Complications resulting from T1DM. There are animal studies that have proven this and the Bibliography goes back at least 30 years regarding the beneficial effects of the use of C-peptide in T1DM.
It (C-peptide) can be made available just as Symlin is now available for Diabetes Management.
And, oh by the way, YOU can still develop Complications (micro/macro vasculature) resulting from T1DM in spite of having "good" blood sugar numbers. It is the Nature of The Beast or to say it another way, it is a part of the Disease.

REMEMBERANCE

God Bless All the First Responders/ Rescue Workers/Firemen/NYPD/Medical Personnel and Volunteers from NYC and elsewhere who helped to heal the Many on that day of 9/11/01 and the ones following.
......and God Bless the Friends that I have lost.
What we need Now are less tears and more closed fists to destroy Radical Islam as well as a change in the policy of the INS who were responsible (partially) in allowing these Terriorists to enter our country.

LUCIANO PAVAROTTI

G-D Bless You Luciano Pavarotti.
Your Voice allowed the Angels to come out and fill the Hearts to all of those who heard you sing.
They (Angels) then carried us to a place where no pain, no illness, no hurt, and no sadness was to be found.

INSULIN QUESTION ?

If anyone in the Diabetes Community can contribute your Knowledge, it will be very much appreciated by me.

Having been using Lantus as my Basal Insulin(bid) for a long long time, I recently decided to try Levemir.
I find that my bid doses with Levemir have increased substantially by about 13 additional units to create the same blood sugar numbers I had when using Lantus.
All the Variables such as Exercise, Stress, Food Intake/Amount, Sleep have remained constant throughout.
Has anyone else experienced this change where additional Basal Insulin amounts was required when using Levemir.
Thanks in advance.

HOME INVASION

We should all mourn and grieve for the Family Members of William Petit, MD an Endocrinologist(Speciality in Diabetes) in Cheshire, CT.

On Wednesday, July 25, 2007 2 Parolees(Joshua Komisarjevsky and Steven Hayes broke into the home of Dr. Petit and beat him with a baseball bat, then went upstairs where they tied and raped his two daughters and strangled Dr. Petit's wife, Jennifer Hawke-Petit. The Bastards/Vermin then set fire to the home causing the deaths of Dr. Petit's Daughters from the smoke inhalation.

These Bastards/Vermin were then caught by the police as they tried to flee in Dr. Petit's automobile.
I know that these horrible deaths and agony could have been prevented if the women of the home were taught the use of firearms for self-protection/self-defense.
Secondly, the judge who granted parole to these Bastards/Vermin should be held as an Accessory to the crime.
The Death penalty for these Bastards/Vermin should be immediately Delivered(like today)!!

ADDENDUM TO: EAT PUMPKIN NOW!!

Web MD has reported that the Pumpkin used in question was not our orange American pumpkin, but was an Asian pumpkin, which looks a little different Here is what was said:

"First, the scientists bought whole, mature Asian pumpkins — popularly called shark fin melon or Siam pumpkin — at a Shanghai market. Those pumpkins don't look like the orange pumpkins common in the United States. Instead, they've got a green and white rind."

You probably can find this in your local Chinatown produce market.