tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67456719054806652462024-03-06T19:35:38.171-08:00The Roller Coaster Ride of Diabetes!!!The musings of FatCatAnna - a T1 diabetic with a zest for thrills despite her fear of the unknown!FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07066683693099915727noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-7524509154862240512024-01-11T09:57:00.000-08:002024-01-11T09:57:43.283-08:00Lentils and Ham<p>If you're here because of seeing my post on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1znDtNuT9U/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MjM0N2Q2NDBjYg==" target="_blank">Instagram </a>about using up last of the smoked ham I had bought for Christmas (guests had cancelled last minute - so we had a bit of leftovers) - then get cracking on making this comforting meal. Remember, you don't have to follow the recipe to a "t" - tweak the recipe your taste bud way! I've never gone wrong with this easy recipe that originates from a Fanny Farmer cookbook that I've had since the 1980's. I modify with what I have on hand, that's how I cook, nothing goes to waste and I like to think Fanny would have approved of this. </p><div style="text-align: left;"><u><b>Ingredients (assemble to make it easier to follow my instructions):</b></u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />1 cup dried lentils</div><div style="text-align: left;">5 cups of water (I plop in some Madeira wine) <br />2 tablespoons chopped parsley (or 1 tablespoon dried)<br />1 tablespoon of olive oil (EVOO)</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 onion, chopped<br />1 carrot, chopped<br />2 cloves of garlic, minced<br />1/2 cup chopped celery<br />2 tomatoes, seeded, and chopped<br />1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper<br />1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika<br />1 teaspoon <a href="https://www.theendlessmeal.com/herbs-de-provence/" target="_blank">herbes de provence</a><br />1 bay leaf<br />1 <a href="https://www.daringgourmet.com/how-to-make-preserved-lemons-moroccan-middle-eastern-cooking/" target="_blank">preserved lemon</a>, chopped up<br />Splosh of smoked essence<br />2 cups of ham, in bite-sized pieces</div><p style="text-align: left;"><u><b>Instructions:</b></u></p><p>Wash the lentils (I used green in my Instagram post). I braise my veggies (use a dollop of EVOO) prior to adding the lentils/water, etc. because I find it releases more flavour. If this isn't your thing due to time factor, skip it. Add 5 cups of water with onion, parsley, garlic, celery, pepper, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil and simmer 30 minutes or more until tender (lid on but slightly ajar). Drain, reserve liquid, put lentils into a casserole dish (I split it up between 2 - one for now - one to be frozen for later). Put the liquid that's left over from simmering lentils (generally about 2 1/2 cups - a bit more is fine) back into saucepan, boil briskly until it is reduced by about 1/2, about 15 minutes (watch carefully). Pour over lentils, stir in the ham, cover, and bake for 1 hour in a preheated oven of 350F / 180C. Serving size of 6.</p><p>You'll notice no salt was added into the recipe - because a smoked ham tends to be a bit of the salty side, I don't bother putting any in. If you really want to put in some salt, all I can say is, use a good salt. I love to use smoked salt - and this article at <a href="https://www.thesaltbox.com.au/news/a-complete-guide-to-smoked-salt-what-it-is-the-different-types-and-how-to-use-it/" target="_blank">The Salt Box</a> will show you why I love it (I use Alderwood).</p><p>I used <a href="https://www.nutritionvalue.org/nutritioncalculator.php" target="_blank">Nutrition Value Org</a> to give me a rough idea of the carbs / fiber / protein - which came to ~ 30 grams of carbs when factoring it all in along side of a salad. If you ever need to have an idea of nutritional values of any recipe you may come across or make up, I thoroughly recommend it!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGg_gYas4YByxppnbVHy1J1xL4uzByp33dFjAvNwqCF_OSJWcevk77qH2cm3_WAGD65rlRr5GUhgQwpFz_EcEKnU4K3lbQyxn9il5nwLkMKVcn3LrIdyjKgopg7MWq9FmENQyKjsQaQ7NO9pGaiN1jZmx3yKc6Bh8_SIIt_0nUSzQ5eN6VdH10swnE7Y_/s2095/PXL_20240107_232337977~3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Picture of a plate with mixed salad and the lentil and ham dish" border="0" data-original-height="2095" data-original-width="2094" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGg_gYas4YByxppnbVHy1J1xL4uzByp33dFjAvNwqCF_OSJWcevk77qH2cm3_WAGD65rlRr5GUhgQwpFz_EcEKnU4K3lbQyxn9il5nwLkMKVcn3LrIdyjKgopg7MWq9FmENQyKjsQaQ7NO9pGaiN1jZmx3yKc6Bh8_SIIt_0nUSzQ5eN6VdH10swnE7Y_/w320-h320/PXL_20240107_232337977~3.jpg" title="Lentil and Ham Dish" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2c2d30;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2c2d30;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">~Virginia Woolf~</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">~~~~</p><p>BTW, you'll notice I haven't posted a blog in quite a while, and have been posting mainly on Instagram or X (and now Threads). The Pandemic sadly did me in mentally, as it did for many others. One day I'll get around to writing exactly the nitty gritty (some of you know or have heard some of the podcasts I've been invited to talk about it). Main thing, one day at a time, and the light is at the end of the tunnel - right? One way I have with coping with thoughts that aren't good, is to cook up a meal to share with loved ones which I hope this one will do for you.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Happy New Year!</p><div><br /></div>FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-66997459904920320442022-05-21T11:59:00.000-07:002022-05-21T11:59:13.846-07:00Disappointment with the Ontario Government's Assistive Devices Program<p>Last Tuesday, I finally had my endo appointment. While my A1c is at the highest it's ever been since I started insulin pumping, the team had no problem with it. When you're used to being able to use a Continuous Glucose Monitoring device (CGM), it can be a great tool for waking up from an overnight low (especially if you live alone, or have a partner who doesn't wake up to anything). Sadly, as most of us can attest to, many of us with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) don't sleep very well (my Fit bit doesn't lie) - because we are tuned into our bodies as best as we can to detect lows/highs. I fail at miserably without having a CGM to recognise those fluctuations in blood sugars that for some make make or break them. </p><p>I've been hypo unaware all my life. I didn't realise this until starting on an insulin pump in 2008, and learning about CGM's. I'm very lucky that no ill effects have come from often working with being at times so low, I wondered how I did it. I either must have a very strong will to not let diabetes effect my work, or now that I think about it ... I was dumb and uneducated as to how low blood sugars can bugger up your brain. Luckily, in 2014 I was gifted Dexcom G4 receiver/sensors, and my life changed at that time. I've been fortunate to have had over the years friends with benefits that have helped to keep me supplied with their discards as they go onto more advanced systems. A nurse onboard the cruise ship I was on a few weeks ago (still working on that blog - it's an interesting one) - who was from South Africa - explained that in her country many diabetics like myself are unable to afford these pieces of technology. We both agreed, it's only the rich folks / countries (we laughed sadly at ... the white man privledge - especially in the developed countries). </p><p>Since earlier this Spring, when the Ford government released the <b><a href="https://haldimandpress.com/province-to-offer-continuous-glucose-monitoring-coverage-to-portion-of-ontarios-type-1-diabetics/?fbclid=IwAR1pVCT5B4kGKUMy8GFGi8aNqYHj5jghtTcK726TPZlHNrTYDee0DIZLX90" target="_blank">news</a></b> that CGM's would be part of the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) in Ontario. Except the catch was, only 29% of T1D's would be able to have coverage. I'm not one of those 29% since even though I am hypo unaware, I do not fall into the other areas that would allow me to have some help with paying for this device. As someone said, have a few bad hypos ... go to ER ... then you'll have proof that you need a CGM. It's like, WTF, no way. After having attempted suicide last year and ending up in ER where it took awhile to get my blood sugars stable, I'm not going to play Russian roulette with my health. </p><p>I'm lucky I survived this, but to do it again to be able to prove that I need the CGM? What goes through my head is, the cost of that ER visit, along with 3 weeks in the mental ward (where staff did not understand what T1D was, and the hospital records I have access too statingf that I'm not a well controlled diabetic). Fork it! Give me a realiable CGM (and correct insulin coverage) and I'll be able to show you what this tool can do to help a T1D, and not be forced to do ER visits for lows/highs. The cost of these hospital trips far outweigh what the cost of being supplied the CGM by the province.</p><p>The one thing that has come to my mind since being denied coverage through ADP for the CGM based on the guidelines ..... </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">DISCRIMINATION</span></b></p><p>Why do T1D's who are on Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) not have the same guidelines as we working stiffs for going on the CGM? And when I say working stiff, many of us are either working 1 or 2 jobs to pay the bills, usually at minimum wage (currently in Ontario it's $15 CDN / $12.68 USD / $16.60 AUS / $11.06 EURO ). Majority of work that many of us are able to find also do not have health benefits. I would love to have all my medications, eyeware, dental to name just a few covered, even if I wasn't fully reimbursed ( here's <a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-disability-support-program-health-and-disability-benefits" target="_blank"><b>what is covered through ODSP</b></a> ). Yes, I know I will get comments, stating how little ODSP recepients receive from the Ontario government, but either they don't understand how much health benefits are if they were paying for it on top of their rent/food/entertainment monies received. I could go on here, but as someone who has always had to budget in order to afford things, I've given up luxuries that I'd love to have just to be able to live. Is there something wrong with me??? That I give up not having a dog, a new car, a pack of menthol ciggies (yes, I used to smoke occassionally but a $20/pack ... that's potential food on the table or a credit card bill), a coffee out more often? </p><p>So, with that in mind, I'm going to attempt to reapply for the Disability Tax Credit, that I'd been fortunate to have that helps pay off medical expenses that aren't covered by province. I did finally find an endo willing to sign it off last year, but even with following guidelines from various virtual diabetic events I've attended in . I was deemed to not be "meet the eligibility criteria". And yes, this lead up to my suicide attempt last summer, because I felt so unsure as to why I had been accepted prior. Why do government institutions make it so hard for the honest person to be able to have some financial help and be a productive part of society?<br /></p>FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-71799089491436505802021-08-31T08:34:00.002-07:002021-08-31T08:49:31.929-07:00I Do What I Want<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3H1u9EAADH1YqrtD-AV2DSAiNEj2ywyrQCzs3Bpr95TEXfgY0xu60f-oM-TLaKJecR6Qt6BQdMcRX27JttJ2Onp4PmkW5urDfSMO9TbXVl8BEE_bCwAIZeSXnNL5oQZPy2nr6yUDcLZK/s2244/Screenshot_20210831_084108_com.freestylelibre.app.ca.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Picture of Libre trend for blood sugars" border="0" data-original-height="2244" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3H1u9EAADH1YqrtD-AV2DSAiNEj2ywyrQCzs3Bpr95TEXfgY0xu60f-oM-TLaKJecR6Qt6BQdMcRX27JttJ2Onp4PmkW5urDfSMO9TbXVl8BEE_bCwAIZeSXnNL5oQZPy2nr6yUDcLZK/w193-h400/Screenshot_20210831_084108_com.freestylelibre.app.ca.jpg" title="Libre trend" width="193" /></a></div><br /><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">My first
night of not having any low blood sugars since starting back on an insulin pump
(using the Omnipod for the next month for a change of pace).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Waking up to with no eye aches <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is such a relief ! Originally I’d thought the
low blood sugar was due to left over Levemir from Multiple Dose Injections (MDI) that
I’ve been doing since leaving the hospital back in June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
there for 3 weeks while after overdosing on insulin ( trying to get my thoughts
on paper about this experience to make sense of it all to help anyone who
perhaps are dealing with issues especially during this Pandemic). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">While in
the mental ward, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not allowed to
take care of my diabetes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My insulin
regime was based on a sliding scale that in reality works perhaps for Type 2
Diabetics ( T2D ) but <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sadly the efforts
of my CDE who came by to encouraged me to live, her recommendations went mainly unheard due to how the mental ward is considered to not be part of the hospital system (that needs to really change). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like many had said in my Instagram posts about this being so wrong, at
least here in Canada, it's common.. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Perhaps, my
body has changed since then as I had lost 10 lbs during my stay there (and maybe more <lol>). Mainly
due to being in the high range of blood sugars which can cause muscles breakdown but it's an unhyealthy way to lose weight). </span>This was due to the food served was so high carbs and it was a “Diabetic Meal”. The good thing, I’ve gained that weight back since then. I’m
also needing much less insulin BUT as we
all know with Type 1 Diabetes ( T1D ) you just never sometimes what the causes
are. It can be the alignment of the
sun/moon/Venus … who knows.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">My only
problem with the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Omnipod, is that the
increment of 0.05 for setting your basal rates isn’t the same as other tubed pumps I’ve
used (I’m comparing it to my Animas Ping that I probably will be going back to
after this since I have ample supplies to keep it running), so it’s a
challenge, at least<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to this highly
insulin sensitive gal that’s writing here, but like anything, it’s a learning
curve that makes us better at what we do 24/7 to stay healthy and able to function
at our work place / home life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Also, as we
all know, getting your basal rates down pat, before tweaking any other settings
in your pump / MDI routine is a must before looking at other settings such as
Insulin to Carb ( I:C ), Insulin Sensitivity Factor ( ISF ), etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise, you’ll be frustrated as all heck,
and just keep on going around and around in circles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">It’s only
Day 4 of being back on the pump, and I have to admit, being on MDI has been a
nice break from technology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Libre
has been an awesome tool for keeping me online, and even though I do miss using
the Dexcom G4 that at least has alarms to notify you when you’re going low/high,
I do find the Libre an alternative for those of us who have no private /
government coverage (and thank you to a few of the T1D’s who have donated some
Libre’s to me to use, you know who you are).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">I'm alive and back in the land of living. Be safe.
Wear a mask. Get a vaccine. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVd9b_W8zG1WzSZMgNSRP4GxyR8-hS1NlWjK2szZZ7tPHNKpwIUrQV-o-CuxCeLcfX9mAuTVPbdJm_Hw1f0e9Q62-MsBFdEH9Lde0LfOMGpfslM3C50G3OGx0ewyzSdUD1qkVIzBrRF7G/s1506/Screenshot_20210831_102154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cat knocking over a plant" border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="985" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVd9b_W8zG1WzSZMgNSRP4GxyR8-hS1NlWjK2szZZ7tPHNKpwIUrQV-o-CuxCeLcfX9mAuTVPbdJm_Hw1f0e9Q62-MsBFdEH9Lde0LfOMGpfslM3C50G3OGx0ewyzSdUD1qkVIzBrRF7G/w261-h400/Screenshot_20210831_102154.jpg" title="I Do Want I Do" width="261" /></a></div><br /><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span><p></p>FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-37139123754154912832021-05-16T14:30:00.002-07:002021-05-16T15:14:51.429-07:00Ontario Government rejects covering Continuous Glucose Monitor / Flash Glucose Monitor<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5afKbJmGzKniRvXp3uQ8KucqsnKpKAkJlgukPFh427MuDBa_H6Hxutb2ITPw4CqXKfi7kUd5cu5aOMPmSrCJePjwxMmTgV3SjAxRzLyQsx47oRAmsf8IawTSDOYXY_UcrOcpZYawjmVk1/s530/slap_in_the_face.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Two pigeons talking about Slap in the Face" border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="530" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5afKbJmGzKniRvXp3uQ8KucqsnKpKAkJlgukPFh427MuDBa_H6Hxutb2ITPw4CqXKfi7kUd5cu5aOMPmSrCJePjwxMmTgV3SjAxRzLyQsx47oRAmsf8IawTSDOYXY_UcrOcpZYawjmVk1/w400-h246/slap_in_the_face.jpeg" title="Slap in the Face Synonym" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Last
Thursday, May 13<sup>th</sup>, 2021 in the province of Ontario, coverage for <b><a href="https://www.diabetes.ca/DiabetesCanadaWebsite/media/Managing-My-Diabetes/Tools%20and%20Resources/Continuous_Glucose_Monitoring_Advocacy_Pkg_4.pdf?ext=.pdf" target="_blank">ContinuousGlucose Monitors</a></b> and <b><a href="https://www.diabetes.ca/DiabetesCanadaWebsite/media/Managing-My-Diabetes/Tools%20and%20Resources/Flash_Glucose_Monitoring.pdf" target="_blank">Flash Glucose Monitor</a></b> ( CGM / FGM ) for Type 1 Diabetics was sadly defeated. We diabetics in this province are very
fortunate that tax payers of Ontario currently fund our insulin pumps and some of our supplies through the <b><a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/insulin-pumps-and-diabetes-supplies" target="_blank">Assistive Devices Program</a></b> ( ADP ). I am one of those working stiffs, that pays their taxes diligently to support
important programs like this and feel like I've been slapped in the face hard.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>32 Nahs / 14 Ayes</b></span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For many of
us who advocate for the use of CGM / FGM, especially ones that do not have
work/private/provincial assistance to purchase this life saving piece of
technology this is a pretty hard hit! Compiling the list of the “Nahs”
list and seeing the faces of the Ministers and how they represent us, started
to make my blood boil up (stress is not good for anyone, but with diabetes, it
can cause blood sugars to rise … and the CGM will show it off with rising
arrows and alarms).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you were 1 of the just over 2,000 people that signed
to push this bill through, fantastic! Many of
us reposted the petition asking fellow Canadians to sign, because if this had
gone through, other provinces would hopefully follow suit.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/john.whitehead.123276" target="_blank">John Whitehead</a></b>
stated to the public on his Facebook page that reflects in a nutshell my thoughts - </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><i> “</i><i>So yesterday in Ontario, CGM for all was defeated. Who
should we be mad at? Of course the current in power government with the voting
power to defeat it is one.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span> </span>But
who else is part of this defeat? You are not going to like this answer. Go to a
mirror look at it, if you signed the petition give a high 5, if you didn't sign
the answer is staring you in the face.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span> </span>Just
over 2000 people signed to push this bill. Other organizations or causes get
20,000 signatures in a week.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> If you
sat in the government which causes would you focus on? The more noise the more
focus and attention given to it.”</span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><b><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></i></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><b><i><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">OVERALL
A BAD DAY FOR ONTARIO</span></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">That last statement above in <b><span style="color: red;">BOLD RED</span></b>, pretty
well sums it up for me as an advocate trying to make living with T1D less
complicated for ALL so we can live our lives to the fullest. To not be a
burden on our medical system that even with the current Pandemic, has been flailing
with budget cuts to make corporations happy (the joys of a Conservative government ... NOT). I would love to put those 32 members into our shoes for even 24-48 hours or spend time with us, to see how
diabetes affects each one of us differently, even if we do the same thing every
day in our workplace / private lives. Would they perhaps have voted differently? </span></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thank you if you’ve taken the time to read this
far, are living in Ontario (or even if you’re not), consider sending an email
to the MPP’s listed below who had signed Nah (what a horrible word to use for
No) … let us be heard. I know that even though
I don’t notice my MPP’s name on the list, I’ll be writing to each and every one
of those listed below, so that they hopefully understand how important these devices are and how the
initial cost factor to the province/tax payers will reap benefits with having
healthy Ontarian’s living in their province.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">If you need further information such as snail mail address, etc. you can find the details easily using the link for the Legislative Office at the following <a href="https://www.ola.org/en" target="_blank"><b>Ontario Legislative</b></a> website - </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Deepak Anand (Mississauga—Malton) - deepak.anand@pc.ola.org </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Aris Babikian (Scarborough—Agincourt) - aris.babikian@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Robert Bailey (Sarnia—Lambton) - bob.bailey@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Hon. Paul Calandra (Markham—Stouffville) - paul.calandra@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Stan Cho (Willowdale) - stan.cho@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Lorne Coe (Whitby) - lorne.coe@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Rudy Cuzzetto (Mississauga—Lakeshore) - rudy.cuzzetto@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Hon. Doug Downey (Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte) - doug.downey@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Hon. Jill Dunlop (Simcoe North) - jill.dunlop@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Hon. Christine Elliott (Newmarket—Aurora) - christine.elliott@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Goldie Ghamari (Carleton) - goldie.ghamari@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Mike Harris (Kitchener—Conestoga) - mike.harris@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Christine Hogarth (Etobicoke—Lakeshore) - christine.hogarth@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Hon. Sylvia Jones (Dufferin—Caledon) - sylvia.jones@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Andrea Khanjin (Barrie—Innisfil) - andrea.khanjin@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Daryl Kramp (Hastings—Lennox and Addington) - daryl.kramp@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Hon. Stephen Lecce (King—Vaughan) - stephen.lecce@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Hon. Monte McNaughton (Lambton—Kent—Middlesex) - monte.mcnaughtonco@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Norman Miller (Parry Sound—Muskoka) -norm.miller@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Sam Oosterhoff (Niagara West) - sam.oosterhoff@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Randy Pettapiece (Perth—Wellington) - randy.pettapiece@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">David Piccini (Northumberland—Peterborough South) - david.piccini@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Jeremy Roberts (Ottawa West—Nepean) - jeremy.roberts@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Hon. Laurie Scott (Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock) - laurie.scott@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Donna Skelly (Flamborough—Glanbrook) - donna.skelly@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Hon. Todd Smith (Bay of Quinte) - todd.smithco@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Dave Smith (Peterborough—Kawartha) - dave.smith@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Hon. Kinga Surma (Etobicoke Centre) - kinga.surma@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Vijay Thanigasalam (Scarborough—Rouge Park) - vijay.thanigasalam@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Hon. Lisa M. Thompson (Huron—Bruce) - lisa.thompson@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Hon. Bill Walker (Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound) - bill.walker@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 15.3333px;">Hon. John Yakabuski (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke) - john.yakabuski@pc.ola.org</span></span></p><div><br /></div><p><br /></p>FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-57648414697123678772020-12-08T09:44:00.005-08:002020-12-08T09:49:57.564-08:00Doing the limbo dance with carb guessing<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi7_dz_nXuw8xrmjPXoEQQB1Dlar-tjlJEFGNMOVVnRAPyNSbtPOMiE6OCQOFBOgUlTunot1dNTRuCFjEyE5QfOz-pUfOML0hAmrqEC-Kfl0mn1ggDiRmUldh1w8OS6nZAa0xkfl4Cuiq/s720/deletesantalimbo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="720" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi7_dz_nXuw8xrmjPXoEQQB1Dlar-tjlJEFGNMOVVnRAPyNSbtPOMiE6OCQOFBOgUlTunot1dNTRuCFjEyE5QfOz-pUfOML0hAmrqEC-Kfl0mn1ggDiRmUldh1w8OS6nZAa0xkfl4Cuiq/w400-h209/deletesantalimbo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">On the
weekend I was attending the 3-day <a href="https://childrenwithdiabetes.com/conferences/friends-for-life-winter-2020/live/" target="_blank"><b>Friends
For Life Winter 2020 virtual conference</b></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even though it’s aimed at parents of Type 1 diabetic children, it is an
event that even grown up Type 1 diabetics like myself can attend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You would think after all these years as a
diabetic, I would know it all, but I don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I learn from both young and old through organisations like this, in
Facebook/Instagram posts/groups that keep me sane and alive at times, especially
during this year of Covid-19, where events like this have now gone virtual.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">One of the
speaker sessions that I attended was by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/constancebrownriggs" target="_blank"><b>Constance Brown, RDN</b></a>
on </span>Carbohydrate Controversies: How Low Should You Go?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve always been curious about low carb
eating, as many of my diabetic mates swear by better blood sugar control,
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, to go under 100 grams of
carbs a day, isn’t something that I can do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It takes a lot of dedication and sometimes depending on where you live,
a more expensive option of eating for purchasing of <a href="https://kaseytrenum.com/keto-grocery-list/" target="_blank"><b>keto ingredients</b></a> .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The good thing is that Constance stated that
whatever works best for you is all that counts, so don’t feel bad if you enjoy
bread like I do! </p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you’re new to diabetes, you are maybe finding it daunting
to figure out the carbs in your food, when figuring out the amount of insulin to
cover the carbs you’re about to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s so many things that we diabetics have to think about before even
contemplating what’s about to go into our mouth, let alone figuring out what we’re
going to make for our meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On top of
all of this, taking our fast acting insulin at least 20 minutes prior to eating
a meal that we can’t even maybe visualize yet on our plate before our eyes can
be a daunting feat!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, imagine just
digging into your plate of food, not having to think about this number and
that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, to at least start off on the right foot, an app was
mentioned at the talk that I’m going to be downloading called “<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=figwee.com.figweevisualfooddiary&hl=en_CA&gl=US" target="_blank"><b>Figwee Visual Food Diary</b></a>” .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has a library of foods (I think it's at least 8,000), that as you
can see in the video at this <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1VmrwvJlQ0" target="_blank">LINK</a></b> , if you just want “x amount” of apple slices,
you pick the amount you are about to eat, and viola you have your carb count
along with calories (great if you’re trying to lose Covid-19 weight like I am)!
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">As usual, portion control is the most important thing, along with the quality of the foods we are eating, and at this time of the year, if we can make it easier to control our blood sugars, I'll try anything that can help me attain good numbers!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Remember as well, with going low carb ...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"></span></span></i></p><blockquote><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">To <b>get</b></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> fat-burning physiological changes, </span><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">you</b><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"><b> </b>need to keep your </span><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">carbohydrate</b><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> intake exceedingly </span><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">low</b><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> (only 20 to 50 grams per day). This is hard to achieve or maintain and runs the risk of limiting important nutrients, phytochemicals, and fiber in your diet.</span> ( taken from <b><a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-smart-way-to-look-at-carbohydrates" target="_blank">https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-smart-way-to-look-at-carbohydrates</a></b> )</span></i></blockquote><p></p>FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-36948326723621627702020-08-29T12:43:00.000-07:002020-08-29T12:43:51.996-07:00Living the high life on the water<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxV0Mob_B9P4fbjYvAqjB4quUh5Belu8VXPRunOzhULeTi1PE5dOghtR2KTLWvzfc2VywKyR1E8v3pCZSR9KLmSfF281cGmVJgP7_9FcunkD81khB_hU7a0F-pCJzsOWAWHtDd5rJ1-57P/s2048/IMG_20200829_122449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxV0Mob_B9P4fbjYvAqjB4quUh5Belu8VXPRunOzhULeTi1PE5dOghtR2KTLWvzfc2VywKyR1E8v3pCZSR9KLmSfF281cGmVJgP7_9FcunkD81khB_hU7a0F-pCJzsOWAWHtDd5rJ1-57P/w384-h512/IMG_20200829_122449.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><p>Okay, first, I am not Bill Gates, where I never inhaled and neither does Sock Monkey (really, he doesn't). I thought this would be a great opener for what I'm finding a VERY difficult blog to write. I've been dwelling on how to put my experience that many of you saw and commented on my <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CERztpEBPz0/" target="_blank">Instagram </a></b>post, but I personally, do not remember too much, but my DH does. </p><p>Since the '70s, as a Type 1 Diabetic, I took up the occasional <b><a href="https://weedmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/scooby-doob-ppp-weed-memes.jpg" target="_blank">puff puff</a></b> when going out with friends. It was mainly due to the fact that drinking alcohol was not one of my top things to relax with when out. Being an introvert, it helped me loosen up a bit and at least remember the next day what I did. Also, I tended to be the designated driver for my friends, since most of them couldn't afford the luxury of a car. </p><p>Fast forward 40 years later, cannabis (weed) in Canada has been legal for both recreational and medicinal purposes since 2018. Along with that, this year where I live, our small town that I believe still holds the record for the most Tim Horton's in Canada. It looks like we are going the same route with shops opening up (and the one we went to called <b><a href="https://www.shinybud.com/" target="_blank">Shiny Bud</a></b>... right across from, yuppers a <b><a href="https://www.timhortons.com/" target="_blank">Tim Horton</a></b> ). Think of these weed shops as being like a "candy store", which is how I felt when I stepped into one about a month ago to check out what it's all about. Lots of goodies behind locked up display cases, etc.</p><p>My DH uses medicinal weed to help him deal with life. Since he's started, I have seen an increase with my puff puff range during the week, unlike when he was working, it was just a weekend treat. My main dislike is getting the <b><a href="https://www.t-nation.com/pharma/tip-weed-and-the-munchies" target="_blank">munchies</a></b> afterward, which we all know, will increase blood sugar control along with weight excess as a diabetic. Of course, we all differ in how our bodies react, just like our insulin use.</p><p>Last weekend, my DH went to the shop to pick up some goodies, and the package you see above nestled in Sock Monkey's legs is a pre-rolled joint from <b><a href="https://www.tweed.com/en" target="_blank">Tweed</a></b>. It's a fat little bugger, and just a few puffs, sent me into a horrible spiral.</p><p>Here I was sitting on the side of our sailboat at our mooring ball, feet dangling over, relaxing after a day of work (I do a weekend shift) as we waited for dinner to cook on the BBQ. I try to only smoke when I know that food will be involved since it works out better for the munchies along with insulin coverage. Basically from what I can remember over the period of an hour was my husband trying to hold onto me as I puked, sweated like I was in a sauna (I remember that bit), and slipping in/out of laa-laa-land so I wouldn't slip through the lifelines and fall into the water. I swear I was hallucinating, and talking out loud (I thought I was shouting), but he said I wasn't quite making sense, even though it felt so real. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbjCH2oXvBC0LLu3lAL3bUFjgaRNmxles45B61ktWDJS1D8SoHb3yFYBnZFZRh6zVeryPObujB_Q87n7gGix264pr9ASoRszSrRqS260Num2viwH10wIYBdnZwooZfazZz-denR6DNibq/s2048/IMG_20200823_184353+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbjCH2oXvBC0LLu3lAL3bUFjgaRNmxles45B61ktWDJS1D8SoHb3yFYBnZFZRh6zVeryPObujB_Q87n7gGix264pr9ASoRszSrRqS260Num2viwH10wIYBdnZwooZfazZz-denR6DNibq/w384-h512/IMG_20200823_184353+%25281%2529.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><p>What was alarming him was my Fitbit showing my heart racing away, and I think I remember telling him to check on it, along with my Dexcom to see if I was having a low blood sugar (see - we diabetics can't shut our brains down when we're in a bad place). Blood sugars were perfect! </p><p>What follows after that was him trying to get the attention of a few other moored boats for help, and when they did hear him, one of the members of our club who had experienced a stroke on his boat (where he voice-activated his mobile since he could not move, to get help). I vaguely remember being rolled under the lifelines (and I'm no small person), into a dinghy. Being held, talked to keep me from passing out, it seemed like it took forever to get to shore (and the same thing with the ambulance ride). The whole time I had my eyes closed for some reason. Weird, weird, weird. Even composing this now, it feels like a dream.</p><p>So, this pukey coated old cat got loaded off onto the front dock of our club and whisked away by ambulance to the closest hospital about 20 minutes away. Once I started to feel my body again, and be able to talk/think properly, it was basically determined that the higher concentration of TSH in this pre-rolled joint is probably the culprit. The doctor pointed out as well, weed has come a long way since the early days, before it, and growers for the markets we have here in Canada are creating <b><a href="https://www.mic.com/articles/168922/is-marijuana-stronger-than-it-used-to-be-heres-what-the-science-says" target="_blank">stronger and stronger high THC strains</a></b> then what many of us smoked back in the day. </p><p>So, all is good in my little world. I've not smoked since then, and the smell of it makes me feel nauseated but that may soon pass, but for now, I think if I do partake in a puff puff session, using homegrown (we're allowed to grow 3 plants per household here in Canada) may be the way to go in future. My DH was so worried he was going to lose me, and in my brain during the whole time, I was trying to not freak out that I was having <b><a href="https://www.diabetes.ca/managing-my-diabetes/preventing-complications/heart-disease---stroke" target="_blank">heart issues</a></b> that are one of the many complications of diabetes.</p><p>Thank you to the members of our yacht club who did such a marvelous job of handling the situation, and because of what happened, we're planning on holding a course to teach people how to handle an offshore rescue like they did for me in the near future. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuttTkb_b6AtDuj8iJbV9Vpxdu30619FB6PI_SI4kEbRt0YzEq7ijqMkGW0D2GhyfVnq7-vpPGH6m2nZBi3GreWZVBp5eHkeqZwG3jCpMsv1NaabKANkc3Za6jT_WrrsRcrkcsgKttlXB-/s2048/IMG_20200823_184732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuttTkb_b6AtDuj8iJbV9Vpxdu30619FB6PI_SI4kEbRt0YzEq7ijqMkGW0D2GhyfVnq7-vpPGH6m2nZBi3GreWZVBp5eHkeqZwG3jCpMsv1NaabKANkc3Za6jT_WrrsRcrkcsgKttlXB-/w307-h410/IMG_20200823_184732.jpg" width="307" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Life is good on the water - one of my rescuers :)</span></div>FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-63304763032637269122020-07-05T13:54:00.003-07:002020-07-05T13:56:51.793-07:00Baked Rutabaga and Hot Italian Sausage Sauce<br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I have been posting
quite a few of the usual #dblog that I would have done here at the Roller
Coaster Ride of Diabetes being posted on my <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/fatcatanna/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></i></b> account.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find a picture, with a few words (well, not
always in my case <lol>), I get more satisfaction with knowing that it
might touch someone’s life in a hopefully positive way, rather than going the
route of a blog where many people are just so darn busy, they don’t have time
to read all my words, funny links I pop in.</span></span></div>
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</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So, just remember, if
you don’t see me posting here as often, you can always find me hanging out on
Instagram while it’s still a fun place to post (sadly since Facebook bought it
up, it’s changed slightly, but I still prefer to coziness, less drama of
Instagram).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;">Now to the topic of
this wonderful subject of pasta, that often makes those of us with diabetes/gluten
intolerant and/or trying to lose weight, shudder and say “ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No, No, No … it’s evi</i>l – it’s<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQGhbZE8buY" target="_blank">Creepy Pasta</a></i></b></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span lang="EN-CA">“.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I had ½ of medium-sized Rutabaga sitting in my crisper that I figured before it went funky, should
be used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> I’m only
trying to keep enough food to see me through the week, to not only to cut down
on the grocery bill costs but also live the “waste not want not” way that I
was raised on as a child living at home with parents that went through
WWII. I’m telling you, this Pandemic is making a few of us revert back to days
of the old (e.g. I no longer buy paper tissues aka snot rags). I've been making my own from thrift shop finds of cotton sheets that help to reduce landfill!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyC_NHY2xOsrv89zdHTdo5ofHjiFxzrVK6is1Cpz1dJ6RcC3zc4TW8bibiRpL6Two_DcqI4e4yLzzgIpNDvlg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 115%;">If you watched the
above short video compilation above … something new that I learned with my
HuaweiP20 mobile … then you will get an idea of why I’m raving about this type
of “pasta” over the usual spiraled zucchini (tends to be watery) / carrot (which is good)
. Rutabaga packs in a lot of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="ttps://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2611/" target="_blank">nutrition</a></i></b></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 115%;"> and is low in carbs depending of course on how much you
eat!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, it looks like pasta, is al
dente, what more can you ask for?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;">“ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ugh</i> “ you are saying to yourself (or <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhSKqmV19Y" target="_blank">out loud</a></i></b> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span lang="EN-CA">– watch out someone might be watching you) … <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Really
isn’t that turnip that my Mum forced on me in some form or another as a kid?</i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nope don’t like it, won’t try it …</i> “ yadda,
yadda, yadda. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Come on – what is the harm in giving it a try?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtU97kCzlqn8NZGe05yUnE-BZE7FyRhokWV_hr-tyWPMm4CVuRFBRPO-liXor3ZkSiURY_7Lzko82MuTnl1UPdHqBaffmqrhDjWXa-GMa0BYJZdRSLgxfmSgCbwTUinCH2RS4wOTk3pY2/s1600/what+the+fork.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="389" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtU97kCzlqn8NZGe05yUnE-BZE7FyRhokWV_hr-tyWPMm4CVuRFBRPO-liXor3ZkSiURY_7Lzko82MuTnl1UPdHqBaffmqrhDjWXa-GMa0BYJZdRSLgxfmSgCbwTUinCH2RS4wOTk3pY2/s320/what+the+fork.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-CA">Well, listen up matey … it’s NOT a
turnip. Yes, they are both root
vegetables but found out when doing my in-depth research that’s done for all
my scribbles you read that it’s probably a hybrid of a cabbage AND a
turnip. Sadly, the poor humble rutabaga
is sadly confused and sold</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #0c0c0c;"> </span><span style="color: #0c0c0c;">as yellow turnips or wax turnips. It's part of the clan of root
vegetables and a member of the <b><i><a href="https://paleoleap.com/eat-brassicas-just-ones-know/" target="_blank">Brassica</a> </i></b></span><span style="color: #0c0c0c;">family
(doesn’t this sound like a story out of Outlander?) and rutabaga is probably a
hybrid of a cabbage and a turnip. </span><span style="color: #0c0c0c;">The first known printed reference to the rutabaga
came from the Swiss botanist </span><b style="color: #0c0c0c;"><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaspard_Bauhin" target="_blank">Gaspard Bauhim</a></i></b><span style="color: #0c0c0c;"> in 1620, where he
noted that it was growing wild in Sweden.</span><span style="color: #0c0c0c;">
</span><span style="color: #0c0c0c;">Of course, then speed on to WWI / WWI … many folks ate it, that's all they
had at the time, so tend to not eat it because of the memories.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZVHfReZ4KElXsXToYTL0OKVwuOmK0clk64p7pi6bRVTZPeZYJ-F-LDlf0s_4fyvPAyVKHaDlRxy5haMJu4l-74ddkxoBZM3IEo0a95UjtLxQEdgbHWK6MdIoOlhy0un-Wo-lWCHNH3YR/s1600/rutagaba+turnip.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="720" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZVHfReZ4KElXsXToYTL0OKVwuOmK0clk64p7pi6bRVTZPeZYJ-F-LDlf0s_4fyvPAyVKHaDlRxy5haMJu4l-74ddkxoBZM3IEo0a95UjtLxQEdgbHWK6MdIoOlhy0un-Wo-lWCHNH3YR/s320/rutagaba+turnip.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Turnip / Rutabaga - picture courtesy of <a href="https://www.finecooking.com/article/turnip-or-rutabaga" target="_blank"><b><i>Fine Cooking</i></b></a> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #0c0c0c;">Where they both differ you may ask?</span><span style="color: #0c0c0c;"> </span><span style="color: #0c0c0c;">Rutabagas usually have yellow flesh and a
purple-tinged yellow skin, and they’re bigger than turnips. Both vegetables
have a slightly sweet but snappy flavor reminiscent of cabbage, but rutabagas
are sweeter.</span><span style="color: #0c0c0c;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So, here’s what I did. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;">I peeled the wedge of rutabaga I had. Stuck it on my <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/ZOIC-Mandoline-Handheld-Vegetable-Spiralizer/dp/B07SR2VWBG" target="_blank">Spiralizer</a></i></b> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">and spiraled away (you won’t get dizzy trust me). Note, you can get many different versions, go with what you can afford, have storage area for, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">If baking in oven like I did. Set your
oven at Gas Mark 4 / </span><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 115%;">350 °F / 175 °C</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Ensure you have the right sized pot
for your “pasta”, and get the water boiling (you could do this first, but after
I spiraled what I thought wouldn’t amount to much, I’m glad I got the water
boiling afterward, it would not have fit in the pot I'd intended to use. During that time of waiting
for water to come to a boil, just clean up the area to have less to deal with
afterward, have a sip of your fav bevy, contemplate your navel, whatever.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Drop “pasta” into the water (it’s up
to you if you want to put in a bit of salt, I didn’t), and cook for about 4-5 minutes. Drain. Set Aside.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This next step is now up to you! You are the creator of this wonderful dish.
For myself, I had a leftover Hot Italian sausage sauce from a few days before. I simply put a few scoops over the cooked “pasta”
in a ceramic one–person dish smearing a bit of olive oil on the sides/bottom
to prevent sticking. Stirred it around and topped it with some grated Parmesan. Now, maybe that’s not your cuppa tea, go with
whatever sauce you like with your regular pasta. Maybe you like it simple, tossed in olive
oil/butter with a bit of freshly grated pepper and some grated cheese. It’s up to you! </span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bake for about 30 minutes until bubbly
and cheese melted. </span></span></li>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">If you’re not oven baking like I did, I can’t
wait to see your comments below on what version you created, be it
Vegan/Vegetarian … whatever makes your tummy feel happy, and blood sugars
stable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feel free to post the link from your
social media account as well so we can all drool over it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbiEI2_TtzbFM-XpWmW_j3mKrCGAFVe901nNvsvhglm8WXLqU_iAHL1yfQc11ZIrWjJSqodLOq5oZEIRL9RnzC6Ulra7g8k-Hy_pK5SluGyR8hZSfSRCKOll2J3NOU3AbKNoW-t9Vr_CH/s1600/Rutabagapastadish.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="531" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbiEI2_TtzbFM-XpWmW_j3mKrCGAFVe901nNvsvhglm8WXLqU_iAHL1yfQc11ZIrWjJSqodLOq5oZEIRL9RnzC6Ulra7g8k-Hy_pK5SluGyR8hZSfSRCKOll2J3NOU3AbKNoW-t9Vr_CH/s400/Rutabagapastadish.jpeg" width="355" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bon appetite!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">NB:
Many thanks to <b><i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/rutabaga_fest_blyth/" target="_blank">Rutabaga Fest Blyth</a></i></b> on Instagram for getting my mind interested in trying a vegetable that sometimes can get overlooked. They are also on <b><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/rutabagafestblyth" target="_blank">Facebook</a></i></b>. </span></span></div>
<br />FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-41479950978383663622020-05-04T10:01:00.003-07:002020-05-04T13:00:59.052-07:00Virtual Slipstream Event: CanadaI just finished up with a virtual weekend-long event by <a href="https://www.connectedinmotion.ca/" target="_blank"><b>Connected in Motion</b></a> (CIM) and I am very surprised to say that<br />
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">WOW, IT WAS FORKING AMAZING!!!</span></b></div>
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The meet up on Friday ... AMAZING. The discussions all weekend with great speakers ... AMAZING. The new friends I've made from not just Canada, but UK / NZ / India / USA / Germany ... hoping I didn't leave anyone else - AMAZING. Over 300 were in virtual attendance, and you never would have known it, but we were all there. What a wonderful way to together with other diabetics from the comfort of your home (some were in their backyards taking part in the workshops / etc. online). Also, not all of us can drive /fly the distance to some of their events, let alone afford them if we're on a limited income (this virtual one was free, with the option to pay X amount, which is what I did to help support the wonderful group of people/volunteers who run this nonprofit organisation).<br />
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I mean, what more can you ask for with a virtual meet up like this? Okay - maybe the smell of the wood fire, and the lap of the water on the shoreline as you sip on your morning/noon/evening cup of coffee (or what you may like to indulge in). Hopefully, the <a href="https://www.connectedinmotion.ca/event/ontario-slipstream-2020/" target="_blank"><b>Ontario Slipstream</b></a> will be a reality on September 25-27th in Algonquin Park if lockdown and social distancing have been lifted.<br />
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This weekend's Slipstream was originally going to take place in British Columbia, but with the current pandemic with Covid-19, self-distancing, social distancing, lockdown in many parts of Canada since March, it was decided to hold it virtually through <b><a href="https://zoom.us/" target="_blank">Zoom</a></b>.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>IT WAS FANTASTIC!!!!</b></span></div>
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I'm not a big lover of crowds. I know this may come as a surprise to a few of you who have known me since the early days of the Diabetes Online Community (DOC) when I was hired by <b><a href="http://diabetes1.org/">@Diabetes1.org</a></b> back in 2009, but yes, at meetups, I can get crazy, with my cat ears and <a href="https://diabetes1.org/blogs/blog/index_singleentry.cfm?cleanURL=Ohhh_I_dont_know_whats_come_over_me" target="_blank"><b>Sock Monkey</b></a>. Most of that craziness does not come from having a low blood sugar, but more my introvert side of myself, trying to overcome my <b><a href="https://images.app.goo.gl/B4tckHWsQTCdBboD6" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">scaredy-cat</span></a></b> (pun intended) of being with a lot of people. I've found too that it can be very overwhelming for me, along with the clickiness of groups. That's never been my scene, and I tend to be attracted more to others who are like myself, feeling a bit overwhelmed. Well, in this virtual atmosphere, you could have it all, with either being a fly on the wall just listening in or being upfront and personal. It was the best of all worlds, and hope others felt this way too.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b>THE VIRTUAL STREAM <strike>CAFE </strike> BAR</b></span></div>
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What a blast the cafe was that some of us would go to in between sessions. It eventually became a bar in the evening, along with a big surprise of having <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_s62wUB3qm/" target="_blank">Crystal Bowersox</a></b> come by to play some of her ever so relaxing music. Let's hope she is good on her promise to come to Canada, not to work as a musician, but to hang out with the friendly folks from Canada. We said we could send her back home with good ol' Canadian insulin. </div>
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One interesting workshop I was involved in, was on 'Growing our Community'. I won't go into all of them, but for some of us who are older T1D's, we find a bit put off in attending due to how CIM advertises pictures of youth who seem to be in tip-top fitness shape and not quite into outside activity. <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/deadpancreasanxiety/" target="_blank">Reba Redmond</a> </b>was the moderator, and took many notes to help make the T1D Community, especially here in Canada more open to everyone .... aka Diversity! Also, what I found out from others this weekend, is that no matter what age (you must be over 18 to attend CIM events) you can either be super active, a lazy cat (that's me, that's me). That has been a big put off for me in attending CIM events, besides the travel/cost to attend that is required to get to them. The main thing is ... it's whatever <b>YOU<span style="color: red;"> </span></b>want to get out of it and be with others who get you! So I may be able to set aside some monies to attend the <b><a href="https://www.connectedinmotion.ca/event/ontario-slipstream-2020/" target="_blank">Ontario Slipstream</a></b> in September hosted in partnership with <b><a href="https://beyondtype1.org/" target="_blank">Beyond Type 1</a></b> if rules for social distancing are lifted. Hopefully, I'll have a workable <b><a href="https://www.diabetes.ca/DiabetesCanadaWebsite/media/Managing-My-Diabetes/Tools%20and%20Resources/Continuous_Glucose_Monitoring_Advocacy_Pkg_4.pdf?ext=.pdf" target="_blank">CGM</a></b> at the time to do the 6-hour road trip by myself with less anxiety of having a low blood sugar below 5 mmol/l / 90 mg/dl. </div>
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If I've got you thinking that this could be something up your alley, to at least try from the safety of your home, then check out this <a href="https://www.connectedinmotion.ca/events/category/slipstreams/virtual-slipstreams/" target="_blank"><b>LINK</b></a>, that shows the upcoming virtual slipstreams that may interest you. There's even one for our loved ones, aka <b><a href="https://www.connectedinmotion.ca/event/virtual-slipstream-20-support-crew/" target="_blank">Support Crew</a></b> since they need help at times with understanding us. Remember, if you don't live in North America, you are more than welcome to join, the more the merrier I say! Also, virtual events like this, no flapping of wings is required/driving a long distance thus polluting the lovely blue marble we call Earth (Greta Thunberg would love us for this).</div>
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I know, a lot of information above, to take in, but I hope this helps you understand how awesome this event was for me. Even an ol' 60 year-old like myself, who still thinks she's a <b><a href="https://imgflip.com/i/3noagv" target="_blank">youngsta</a></b> after 54 years as a T1D!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5Uim0syrErPR-wyxOrBAgEz0gvsW0DZJFL6vvEftHazLwnx77KHzwUer6gNA1kN6kK0sUDa90wH9z8tNnYlrczNxcBu8xEAlnkLwAJ1Z_WyBCqPzm_nREQHn1WTf1cb4Ew0jRtpRRm6O/s1600/virtualslipstream.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="773" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5Uim0syrErPR-wyxOrBAgEz0gvsW0DZJFL6vvEftHazLwnx77KHzwUer6gNA1kN6kK0sUDa90wH9z8tNnYlrczNxcBu8xEAlnkLwAJ1Z_WyBCqPzm_nREQHn1WTf1cb4Ew0jRtpRRm6O/s400/virtualslipstream.gif" title="Upcoming Virtual Slipstreams for USA / World" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you so much to the sponsors that helped make this all possible. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTXjgOxhgHWcTj9hUNzmVAqtiiZUQ1stBXG_Q6D1DMQbWRNRQjFIw2ydfUWCqQpRxA6O1a9XtpZoNSOcBSOWDzgRKSf0Gc5IF7KOoNXZo_fE07cOFMsS98Ye_8IyEoMBiB20a19AUfxSz/s1600/sponsors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="146" data-original-width="1047" height="55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTXjgOxhgHWcTj9hUNzmVAqtiiZUQ1stBXG_Q6D1DMQbWRNRQjFIw2ydfUWCqQpRxA6O1a9XtpZoNSOcBSOWDzgRKSf0Gc5IF7KOoNXZo_fE07cOFMsS98Ye_8IyEoMBiB20a19AUfxSz/s400/sponsors.jpg" title="Thanking sponsors Dexcom Medtronic Omnipod Tandem" width="400" /></a></div>
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FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-16933837847553919942020-02-11T11:59:00.000-08:002020-02-11T12:20:48.267-08:00Nominate Dr. Frederick Banting for next Canadian $5 bill<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">“Insulin belongs to the world, not to me”</span></i></div>
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I don't normally do blog posts like this, but in light of how the cost of insulin is affecting many people around the world, I felt it important to give a little introduction to where my post will eventually go.<br />
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I'm one of those Canadians that don't have work coverage, provincial coverage, private insurance for buying my insulin and other medications I need to live life, to be able to report to work, and be part of the taxpaying Canadians. I am lucky that I can afford to live a pretty good life as a middle-income wage earner and stay healthy as a Type 1 diabetic on the juice of life that was discovered here in Canada. Meanwhile, in other countries, it's not that great. We hear of rationing of insulin, deaths from this. It's not good. I do help some Americans with affordable insulin by shipping it to them, at least I can do this!<br />
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So, where is the post taking you to ...<br />
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Which #bankNOTEable Canadian do you want to see on our new $5 bill? Many of us who live with diabetes are thankful for the team that discovered insulin. The most notable of course is <b><a href="https://bantinghousenhsc.wordpress.com/2018/12/14/insulin-patent-sold-for-1/" target="_blank">Dr. Frederick Banting</a></b>, and that is personally who I've voted but also mentioned the other team members in case they want to include all of them that you see below, at this <a href="https://ipsosasks.ca/banknoteable-surlebillet" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">link </span></b></a>( <a href="https://ipsosasks.ca/banknoteable-surlebillet" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>https://ipsosasks.ca/banknoteable-surlebillet </b></span></a>).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZlUQ5S-7728j3Ua79JGpOdR3ZtEjhVQjOTfClyM7zBy-UN-Qg5UCRU9jX0aF41zRk6Y06jfnGVFIgGvFpuKx4PgCE6RsI8G1iUMkRBiL7NeR5EXk5x9HlzQiUKvdxwMWQoDEPty9QzEM/s1600/banting.best.macleod.collip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="726" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZlUQ5S-7728j3Ua79JGpOdR3ZtEjhVQjOTfClyM7zBy-UN-Qg5UCRU9jX0aF41zRk6Y06jfnGVFIgGvFpuKx4PgCE6RsI8G1iUMkRBiL7NeR5EXk5x9HlzQiUKvdxwMWQoDEPty9QzEM/s400/banting.best.macleod.collip.jpg" title="Copyright https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/5cfa/e904c40c2efd7bcb6ed00022df36afd13a28.pdf" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*** The Mighty Insulin Discovery Team ***</td></tr>
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If you decide to vote (see <b>UPDATE</b> below), I will leave it in your capable hands (I mean fingers on the keyboard) to decide. The deadline is *** March 11th *** and after that, all entries will be reviewed and considered by an independent Advisory Council. </div>
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May the best Canadian win!!! Ehhhh!!!<br />
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<b>UPDATE</b>: John James Richard MacLeod as far as I can tell by research, was only in Canada for a short time (he returned back to Scotland in 1928). Therefore, cannot be included as one of the Canadians for this campaign. Thank you to one of my readers, Simon Lee Wallace for pointing this error out - for more info you can find it at <a href="https://insulin.library.utoronto.ca/about/macleod"><b>https://insulin.library.utoronto.ca/about/macleod</b></a></div>
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FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-32186590296740439192020-01-13T12:21:00.002-08:002020-01-13T12:21:59.015-08:00Brain function in Type 1 DiabeticsWow, it's hard to believe that the last time I composed a blog was in the summer. Life has been a roller coaster ride and surprisingly, it has very little to do with diabetes hiccups, but more coping with everyday life and trying to keep plodding away at work to pay the bills. Aren't we all in the same boat, unless you've lucked in on a win fall!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5mfmK1Yi_zVEh2UL6ycvxYshVuIP58pdx4hfa1Hou5eTpxqOa1QRI_walD-e-sgcPNdeI2xAtz1sM2PnDB-ThVDw-7Rms9SlDE5l7Ltz0PJdadgqMGdWE9BrCKgHzJCeODLBgqv6Vvn6/s1600/goldluckycat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="433" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5mfmK1Yi_zVEh2UL6ycvxYshVuIP58pdx4hfa1Hou5eTpxqOa1QRI_walD-e-sgcPNdeI2xAtz1sM2PnDB-ThVDw-7Rms9SlDE5l7Ltz0PJdadgqMGdWE9BrCKgHzJCeODLBgqv6Vvn6/s320/goldluckycat.jpg" title="Japanese Gold Lucky Cat" width="320" /></a></div>
Also, I've taken a bit of a step back from social media. Facebook to be exact. It's too time-consuming and it's not real life. Real-life is what we do outside of these machines that go bing. Though I have to admit, Instagram is my fav social media hang out, as it has some great Type 1 diabetics who post not just about diabetes, but their lives outside of it. It's a much happier place, and I guess I've always liked pictures. Of course, I time myself to how much I spend there!<br />
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One of my fav Instagram posters is Melissa Allison from Australia. One of her children has Type 1 diabetes, and we just happened to click with our posts. Her pictures are breathtaking showing their life in Australia as well. You can follow her at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shinybrightskies/" target="_blank"><b>ShinyBrightSkies</b></a> .<br />
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Last week, she sent me an interesting study from Standford University that was released back in December 2019 on <b><a href="http://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2019/12/brain-function-abnormal-in-children-with-type-1-diabetes--study-.html" target="_blank">brain function being irregular in children with Type 1 diabetes</a> </b>wondering what I thought of it.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">' The study, published online Dec. 9 in </span><span style="background-color: white;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">PLOS Medicine</i>, is the first to evaluate what happens in the brains of children with diabetes during a cognitive task. On functional magnetic resonance imaging scans, when their brains were at work, children with diabetes displayed a set of abnormal brain-activity patterns that have been seen in many other disorders, including a cognitive decline in aging, concussion, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and multiple sclerosis. '</span></span><br />
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It's nothing really new to myself since insulin plays a big role in brain functionality and I've always known that another outcome of long term diabetes is possibility of dementia. It's the reason why I try to educate folks with diabetes to keep their blood sugars from going too low or too high. In my mind, our blood sugar when out of whack is like a car battery leaking acid onto metal. Need I say more?<br />
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This wasn't new to Melissa as well, but she felt that this article was good ammunition when dealing with schools if a child was having problems in the classroom. Showing that blood sugars can play a role in how our brain works. I'll be passing this article onto a few of my school teacher mates, especially those who already have diabetics in their classroom, to give them a better understanding.<br />
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Another segment of the papers had me reread it a few times, and you'll understand why when you read it below :<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: #f0f4f5; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif;">' </span><span style="background-color: #f0f4f5;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The study found that, although the children with diabetes performed the task as accurately as those in the control group, their brains were behaving differently. In children with diabetes, the default-mode network, which is the brain’s “idle” system, was not shutting off during the task. To compensate for the abnormal activation of the default-mode network, the brain’s executive control networks, responsible for aspects of self-regulation and concentration, were working harder than normal in the children with diabetes.</span><span style="font-family: Source Sans Pro, sans-serif;"> '</span></span></span><br />
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The "idle" system not shutting off during a task really resonates with me, and I wonder is it because we are always having to think about whether or not we are low or high in the blood sugar area subconsciously in the background? Other diabetics I've spoken to, have said the same thing, that our brains don't really take a rest, we are always thinking. About the only time we get to go idle is sleeping. That's if we aren't dealing with low or high blood sugar, whether or not we have the use of a CGM (continuous glucose monitor). Our brains just do NOT shut down. <br />
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As someone who been diagnosed well over 50 years, I wonder if that one of the reasons I had problems at school, it was a bloody challenge at times. Of course my fav subject, writing/arts were my favs, but those don't gain your foot in the door all the time for employment! I managed to grind through, but I wonder if I'd had the devices like we have today, that keep us more in check if perhaps I'd gone further on in education.<br />
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<br />FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-32251486970235576162019-08-12T10:08:00.002-07:002019-08-13T09:02:15.965-07:00Getting out of my comfort zone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">My only meetups with other diabetics tend to be outside of Canada over the past 11 years since I started dabbling in the diabetes education/advocacy area, at conferences where you're inside and learning about new advances, meeting new friends, etc. Most don't tend to involve much activity, so this recent long weekend trip near Sudbury, Ontario back in the beginning of July was a nice treat.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I attended an outdoor adventure with other Type 1 diabetics and their "5.5er's" (either our partner in crime or friend/parent) organised by <b><a href="https://www.connectedinmotion.ca/" target="_blank">Connected in Motion</a></b> (CIM). It's been over 40 plus years since I went "into the wilderness" as a child in the 1970's at <a href="https://www.campbanting.ca/" target="_blank"><b>Camp Banting</b></a> near Ottawa (it was almost closed down last year by <b><a href="https://www.diabetes.ca/" target="_blank">Diabetes Canada</a></b>, but luckily funding from private organizations, folks like myself are keeping it running for hopefully many years as Canada's longest-running camp for Type 1 diabetics since 1953). All I know is that the 2 weeks away back in those days (giving my parents a much-needed break) was awesome, even better was being with others like myself. Back then, it wasn't a cheap experience for my Dad to fork out for as the only breadwinner in our house. To me it was heaven having blisters on my hands from paddling hard in the Ottawa River, getting dirt under my nails as a child, listening to haunted stories around the campfire, and scaring some of my bunkmates with wiggling legs of a daddy long-legged spider. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7fLZCUq9BeQT6VU1mme5TmmRp1_UYZoum-hzCuGdEhqaobn3c4R_q_V3iU_CHBJMugV6X3cdhyphenhyphenEymt2iKpao5UYtfNVRhx4rytjCaWg-gZMF5IJm0EbmV74HUPXakKKFQydcaPQEdq75/s1600/IMG_20190712_194806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7fLZCUq9BeQT6VU1mme5TmmRp1_UYZoum-hzCuGdEhqaobn3c4R_q_V3iU_CHBJMugV6X3cdhyphenhyphenEymt2iKpao5UYtfNVRhx4rytjCaWg-gZMF5IJm0EbmV74HUPXakKKFQydcaPQEdq75/s320/IMG_20190712_194806.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canoes all lined up for their next adventure</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit;">Back to the present, the <b><a href="http://www.ontarioparks.com/park/frenchriver?ref=l_mair+dumont_web_de" target="_blank">French River Provincial Park</a></b> was our first initial meet up for the </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.connectedinmotion.ca/event/5-5er-canoe-trip-2019/" target="_blank">2019 5.5er Canoe Trip</a></b></span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit;"> event. Majority of people who attend these events tend to live closer to the areas that events are held, so it was a good 8 hour drive through some beautiful parts of Canada as we traversed along the </span><b style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.ottawariverkeeper.ca/home/ottawa-river/" target="_blank">Ottawa River</a></b><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit;"> on Hwy 17. If you're a true Canadian, road tripping is part of what we're known for due to the large size of our <b><a href="https://www.canadianaffair.com/blog/how-big-is-canada/" target="_blank">country</a> </b>and the cost of air travel here.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMWqFrunlORUgovAwkGgQYdNd81sLHD8tIoGIWk9vw_TDQ-FDlN-9xkQTAU4VcbY1YGGcIjBg15r0vbwx_WnXUljalwVihqsBMCCxUm9PKMVVsalwuUeIauopUtQ33RbToiqHYHwRiU1H/s1600/DSCF0861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMWqFrunlORUgovAwkGgQYdNd81sLHD8tIoGIWk9vw_TDQ-FDlN-9xkQTAU4VcbY1YGGcIjBg15r0vbwx_WnXUljalwVihqsBMCCxUm9PKMVVsalwuUeIauopUtQ33RbToiqHYHwRiU1H/s320/DSCF0861.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paddling along and well protected from the sun</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We'd not calculated properly the time it would take to get there, so arriving in the dark was fun on the Friday night, even more fun later on, once we set up our 2-man tent that's provided (really meant for 1 - but if you don't mind sleeping opposite each other at night ** my feet don't smell **, you are comfy as a little bug in a rug). I'd not been in a provincial campground, especially one that many Toronto folks can easily drive to, was a wee bit daunting for someone like myself that's not too big on those types of campgrounds. The main thing, it was only one night - otherwise - Sock Monkey. Yes, he came along despite some of the other attendees thinking it a wee bit odd that an old fart T1D would have a stuffed toy ... ahhhh ... long time insulin junkie ... makes the brain refuse to grow up perhaps??? Well at least in my case it does. If I keep on attending more CIM events, hopefully, they'll get used to him being part of the team like my American #foundmytribe have, along with my cat ears (these weren't revealed at this event).</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey enjoying his cuppa joe in the morning !</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLT8GSPAHvP08sZAwszg8ENO5bEahwHdc7WSjkCZalaZTXncXHtpHpn68_jKaIg1yle6NzR1oILeCDGfTYI8XZIeJ4K_tmTTHKgopQx1teqVc2OB_DQ6bATCfOkF1WWAIGMdMTjirsUhGX/s1600/IMG_20190713_085217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit;">All, I can say is, the 3 days we were all together, was absolutely awesome. Exploring via your own canoe, and feeling like you're in a </span><b style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/canada/articles/who-were-canadas-group-of-seven/" target="_blank">Group of Seven</a></b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit;"> picture, breathtaking as you paddled along. Helping each other out, e.g. if your insulin gets fried in your canoe in the sun/heat, everyone has extra vials of insulin to help you (they did get it all sorted out). For those of us (mainly myself and my hubby Mike) who hadn't canoed in a while, the whole gang was very forgiving as we slowly meandered to them to give them a love tap as we figured out how to steer (as Mike said, very different from sailing LOL). If we could have been captured flipping our canoe over close to shore, you'd be seeing it here in this blog ... in </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>s l o w</b></span><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit;"> motion, which is what someone had said it looked like when it happened. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">The fresh air, the water (no one contracted <b><a href="http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/disease/giardiasis.aspx" target="_blank">Beaver Fever</a></b>), the crackling of the fire as our food was cooked over it (no fire ban that weekend - yee haa), paddle going through the <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT5xEDhyztw" target="_blank">water</a></b>. If you're a lover of good coffee, then you will not be disappointed with the filtered water we used to prepare our morning wake up call of the wilds bevy! What a way to start the day off, #insulinandcoffee! And of course, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;">sitting on the throne (aka </span><b style="color: #1c1e21;"><a href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a9/40/46/a94046fd0375ee55fa0a409c38f5d6a2.jpg" target="_blank">thunderbox</a></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;">) .... ahhhh ... nothing like taking a crap in the woods!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">I was surprised that at my age, I could keep up with some of the younger folks within the crowd. I was a bit worried and having an anxiety attack as I arrived (it's weird as I'm aging, I find large groups are difficult to handle when I've been to diabetic conventions), along with not knowing anyone. Luckily, the 14 of us all easily melded together as a team. Even better, there wasn't much of an age difference that would make me stand out like an old fart in a canoe as well </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2xAM-WOg17Z8mFtjUANuKyPVJZoj9kRqYL7jt4cGSWCGNodo51P_ic7LHMMAA8jYeKKkKeyoJLfwHLMpstLf1fHCy6HxuslV6qirDlfTQB6L9O-vCzadezvXJVsilYmYZrLPm5Bjfl3t/s1600/maxine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="253" data-original-width="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2xAM-WOg17Z8mFtjUANuKyPVJZoj9kRqYL7jt4cGSWCGNodo51P_ic7LHMMAA8jYeKKkKeyoJLfwHLMpstLf1fHCy6HxuslV6qirDlfTQB6L9O-vCzadezvXJVsilYmYZrLPm5Bjfl3t/s1600/maxine.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit;">So, if you're ever thinking it's too late to try an adventure that may be out of your comfort zone. I can thoroughly recommend going on this yearly weekend event that CIM<b> </b>holds as well as their other events in North America (not just in Canada, but also in the United States). I know that despite this only being my second time portaging, I'm wanting to do a longer trip eventually. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTNB_GXHuOGV4U5pOrp0yPFlVh9x5h1c6xFbvX7MeF6SbxYqFKwDxteVGtrpf37APjTlxO0nuWG2i8Q57sMeln83CyEdv2BNj9ocaLYWitMptLuExuVoSH464g3A5fZq9pf2za4YneQXV/s1600/IMG_20190713_084231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTNB_GXHuOGV4U5pOrp0yPFlVh9x5h1c6xFbvX7MeF6SbxYqFKwDxteVGtrpf37APjTlxO0nuWG2i8Q57sMeln83CyEdv2BNj9ocaLYWitMptLuExuVoSH464g3A5fZq9pf2za4YneQXV/s320/IMG_20190713_084231.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evidence that someone had a low blood sugar - can you spot the gumdrop?</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: inherit;">And before I go, all I want to say is " <i>Eat your heart out Gordon Ramsey, cooking over a campfire is the best way to eat</i> ". One of the meals that we had over the weekend, was so delicious, that many of us asked for the recipe. Thank you, Amy Burrows, for showing us you can eat well when canoe tripping and don't have refrigeration! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Portage Heaven Buddha Bowl </u></span></b></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1c1e21;"><br style="content: ""; display: block; margin-top: 10px;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tablespoons vegetable oil</span></span><span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups cubed extra-firm tofu</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">8 cups hot cooked brown rice</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups grated carrots</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups grated beets</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups packed baby spinach leaves</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups slivered almonds toasted</span><br /><br style="content: ""; display: block; margin-top: 10px;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>-- Glory Bowl Dressing --</b></i></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup nutritional yeast flakes</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup Tamari</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup soy sauce</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup apple cider vinegar</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/3 cup water</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 tablespoons tahini</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cloves garlic crushed</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 1/2 cup vegetable oil</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1c1e21;">Really, no directions needed. It's that easy!!! And we used rice that we had leftover from the previous nights' dinner. This feeds a crowd of 15 hungry paddlers easily! Bon appetite!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB60TY5WE-fcAv0Ciilp2eEr439jmubYN-XP5LaJVOMTeZdbZYD1n_wXGxI-Wps645xxuSRnLkab2zfHIGFPijh_iaWy6VD1iTXuVZ3uhi7WXqVBMKAau4oh8-SsHJcR3ax-nGX20MLHF6/s1600/FrenchRiver5.5Foundmytribe2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="518" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB60TY5WE-fcAv0Ciilp2eEr439jmubYN-XP5LaJVOMTeZdbZYD1n_wXGxI-Wps645xxuSRnLkab2zfHIGFPijh_iaWy6VD1iTXuVZ3uhi7WXqVBMKAau4oh8-SsHJcR3ax-nGX20MLHF6/s320/FrenchRiver5.5Foundmytribe2019.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to head back to city life ... waaahhhhh</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEN-tQmn6J7njLBXQX-hsp3685PN8du-VnVzptZpCk1JfhVho78ugPInHn8tfNzxqkSLf6_cm_54myx024qlCVs6jYfZxRdMqZaegTE0ZVPzoyPCOtoTJr8tbK4PnPkQ6vHBhFfzTJvqk/s1600/FrenchRiver5.5SockMonkeyGillCampbell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEN-tQmn6J7njLBXQX-hsp3685PN8du-VnVzptZpCk1JfhVho78ugPInHn8tfNzxqkSLf6_cm_54myx024qlCVs6jYfZxRdMqZaegTE0ZVPzoyPCOtoTJr8tbK4PnPkQ6vHBhFfzTJvqk/s320/FrenchRiver5.5SockMonkeyGillCampbell.jpg" width="269" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #1c1e21;">Psst, if you're wanting to attend one of the Connected in Motion 2019 SlipStream Events -this check out this <b><a href="https://www.connectedinmotion.ca/events/category/slipstreams/" target="_blank">link </a></b>for more info. Meeting up with fellow T1D's over a weekend event and chill around an open campfire. You still have time to register and I may see you there (you could be bunk mates with me and Sock Monkey). </span></span>FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-3630464759636297782019-01-19T12:13:00.000-08:002019-01-19T14:04:43.006-08:00Flying High While Chasing the Sun<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;"> Earlier this month, I arrived back home to
Canada after a 30 hour flight from Singapore. I’d had a working / holiday in Asia for the month of December that had started off in Tokyo, and
couldn’t ask for a better holiday with the various countries we explored along
the way while cruising the high seas on the Diamond Princess (and
discovering that some of what we take for granted as diabetics here with
gadgets, etc. is unheard of in many of the countries I visited - we are
very spoiled!!).</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;"> When I'd originally flown out earlier in
December to Tokyo, I had worn my Animas Ping insulin pump after reading a
comment on Facebook advising against wearing it when flying. I've gone
back to find that post since seeing it back in November before I departed , but
you know Facebook, lots of action in these groups we belong to, and you need a
lot of time/patience to search posts at time, and so far, I’ve had no luck.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;"> Fast forward to our rather turbulent flights at
the end of the December to bring us back home. Early 4 AM (ugh!) start to
head to Changi Airport in Singapore (the most beautiful airport I've ever been
and below is a little video at this <b><a href="https://youtu.be/bkyFOW7mKbE" target="_blank">link </a></b> I made with fishies in the <a href="http://www.changiairport.com/en/airport-experience/attractions-and-services/enchanted-garden.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Enchanted Garden</span></b></a>). </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;"> The 6 hour flight to Tokyo I slept the majority
of it, in-between my last bits of yummy food service on the flight. Blood
sugars were doing fine just like they had done throughout the whole month when
I was on the Omnipod. When we were approaching Narita Airport we heard
the engines accelerated as the plane pulled up to a higher altitude to avoid
either an ongoing plane (or a drone LOL?). The plane landed and as usual
we let all the folks in a rush get off with us being the last. I noticed
my water bottle that had been emptied earlier, sucked in pretty flat.
It’s not unusual for that to happen, but it was something that came to my mind
later on when problems started to occur in the 2nd leg of our journey
home. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: blue;"> <a href="https://en.tokyonarita.jp/" target="_blank">Narita </a></span></span></b><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;">is a big airport, so with the 3 hour layover before our next
flight, I got to use up the rest of our Yen walking around and getting some
much needed leg stretching. Of course, this kept Sock Monkey amused
as you can see below. I’d noticed my Dexcom G4 that my trend arrow was
straight but my blood sugars seemed to be rising with the alarm/vibrations
going off. No big concern to most of us, simple correction bolus, and all
was good (or so I thought). At this point in time, I still had a days’
worth of insulin left in the Pod, which I’d calculated would last out until the
Pod needing changing when we got home to Canada.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;"> The next leg of our trip was a 13 hour flight, I realised something was up. Corrections didn’t seem to be doing anything and trend line though still straight was showing blood sugars on the rise. </span><b style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://www.fiasppro.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Fiasp </span></a></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;">to the rescue though I was worried about the risk of stacking insulin at this point in and maybe going low fast. The strange thing was that the Omnipod PDM at this point hadn’t alarmed of an Occlusion or possible problem with the Pod. Confirming blood sugars with a meter to see if my CGM was off track, proved it was pretty well spot on. I can’t say enough about how valuable a CGM is to a diabetic on insulin!!</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: red;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">25 mmol/l or 450 mg/dl</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;"> We informed the Air Canada flight crew at this point in time that even with the turbulent air that we had most of the flight, that I was having some serious health issues and needed a safe space (not the cramped loo) to do some medical change outs and also to be prepared in case I crashed low . Due to majority of folks on this long journey sleeping, with our mini flash light in our mouths, we pulled out my medical kit bag and proceeded to remove the Pod which when we looked at the site, it seemed dry as a bone. This is unusual as usually you see either a drop of insulin and/or blood at the site where cannula is inserted and/or on the cannula. Also, the cannula of the Pod wasn’t kinked, so obviously that wasn’t the problem. My hubby Mike assisted me especially with the turbulent flight, and in less than 20 minutes, the Animas Ping was back up and running! Let’s just say the crew of Air Canada was very sweet in allowing me to take over a busy area and at the same time, they learned abit about insulin pumping and Type 1 diabetes. Yuppers, that’s me, always the educator!</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WwmhpnilIm2_u93Eb7YFCTj6_q1shXj8t6CnP3dNJz_asSbdOmxEDV2qjG7IJjBRcpv8FMpoyYmBg358UITKpIuHZv2wYvgzN5hOKQBx5SFhtMA_5QnwUXZwUkVPwpJpKz8wuHYTQbY/s1600/20181230_210805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WwmhpnilIm2_u93Eb7YFCTj6_q1shXj8t6CnP3dNJz_asSbdOmxEDV2qjG7IJjBRcpv8FMpoyYmBg358UITKpIuHZv2wYvgzN5hOKQBx5SFhtMA_5QnwUXZwUkVPwpJpKz8wuHYTQbY/s320/20181230_210805.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEl8M_xwrErHRJ86GhaWosolw5w2I5A5IJKfdjtvlUoGwnRYkSpjxHbJMHxrAoM85zKrfTT9wSydTrdQYTnUoJPr45FRsvRPjHEL6xzp79gLAiIuAdBQVSYaPUwDERPzKPL8ikQMzypk/s1600/20181230_210958+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEl8M_xwrErHRJ86GhaWosolw5w2I5A5IJKfdjtvlUoGwnRYkSpjxHbJMHxrAoM85zKrfTT9wSydTrdQYTnUoJPr45FRsvRPjHEL6xzp79gLAiIuAdBQVSYaPUwDERPzKPL8ikQMzypk/s320/20181230_210958+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHkZbcx14PVYSgWhR8Q7xSWxYFCn5BoZDNfpuqnNz3QRjoV2xhhVkwcoQkUfRf6D58ADu9FctivlcX4jjnZrlvyse6PERnDXnfJkBMSo8xv7SAelQS4WnfAvDd9MmLLeYJKQ8xWCSlfo/s1600/20181230_211134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHkZbcx14PVYSgWhR8Q7xSWxYFCn5BoZDNfpuqnNz3QRjoV2xhhVkwcoQkUfRf6D58ADu9FctivlcX4jjnZrlvyse6PERnDXnfJkBMSo8xv7SAelQS4WnfAvDd9MmLLeYJKQ8xWCSlfo/s320/20181230_211134.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back on my juice of life with the Animas Ping</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;">The waiting game started, and with the Fiasp in
me, basal insulin working, within 3 hours, I was seeing my trend line going
back to my happy zone that I like to keep myself. I managed to nod off at
that point (I was freaking out of course with what was happening earlier), but
still being on high alert, it was a pretty crappy sleep even sitting in the
Premium Economy that we managed to snag for a few extra bucks for this long
flight home (personally, it’s not worth it, but we gave it a try, I prefer
cattle class).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;"> Our conclusion of what we think may have
happened - remember that water bottle above? I found out from a long time
Omnipod user that the reservoir that holds the insulin is a bladder, so unlike
my Animas cartridge that is solid plastic, this one is flexible. That
could explain perhaps why the insulin was not being infused into the skin if
the bladder had sucked itself in. I had looked over the manual while on
flight, to see if there was any mention of this, but there’s nothing stating
that this could be a potential hazard. I’ve talked to a few other Omnipod
users, who do frequent long distance flying, it’s never occurred to them. So
I’m a freak of nature.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;"> I dutifully reported what happened to Omnipod
Canada (my first time calling Customer Service, and despite what Americans have
said about them, which isn’t the greatest, I had absolutely no
issues). I did tell them that I was surprised that in the manual that
there is no mention of this potential problem. Having this at least mentioned
as a potential problem would be a good thing to have in the manual, just in
case. The fact that not all insulin pumpers have the ability to afford a
CGM that does keep you aware (if you have alarms set properly, etc. etc.) then
it could be a potential problem.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;"> Meanwhile, to be on the safe side, I’ve
reported this incidence to FDA and am still trying to figure out how to report
it to Health Canada (it’s like looking for a needle in the haystack to find the
area unlike the FDA that is very user friendly). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 10pt;"> Yes, I’m still enjoying using the Omnipod, don’t get
me wrong, but at least I’m now aware of a potential problem and will be more prepared, or wearing a tube pump, and/or MDI to ensure I
stay in my happy zone of blood sugar control when I'm flying or experiencing
frequent air pressure changes! Flying should be stress free!!!</span></span><br />
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<br />FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-5098063522148127422019-01-02T13:04:00.002-08:002019-01-02T13:04:27.583-08:00Greetings from Japan! 日本からのご挨拶 !I was away visiting various countries in Asia during the month of December. Lots to write about, lots of pictures to share so keep your yes posted as I find time in between my work to put my thoughts together (and go through all the pictures that both my husband I took together).<br />
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One thing that worried me abit in the beginning of my trip was the mainly rice based diet that Asians tend to eat. Like many diabetics, I try to limit my carb intake to keep my blood sugars from spiking, but with any food, it's all about PORTION control. All I can say, was I ever wrong about what they eat. While rice does remain the base of their meals in most cases, they also eat alot of fresh vegetables and fruits. All very healthy and tasty and the main thing as I've always written about, eating food that is not processed, cooked from scratch is the way to go with being healthy!<br />
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One thing I loved to have in the morning for my meal was congee while I was away. It's basically a rice based porridge (or gruel to some of you). It can be eaten plain (this is according to research I have done for this short blog), but my morning meal tended to be flavoured with chicken, along with fish or other meat served along it. Along with a scattering of roasted seaweed and some nuts, it kept my blood sugars more stable then my usual oatmeal porridge and my tummy happy until later in the afternoon. Let's just say, I was pretty impressed with the results of my blood sugars as well.<br />
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So, on that note as I'm supposed to be "working", without further adieu, here is a <a href="https://www.canadianliving.com/food/lunch-and-dinner/recipe/slow-cooker-ginger-chicken-congee" target="_blank"><b>link </b></a>that I found in my latest Canadian Living that uses your slow cooker to cook up this tasty meal (in their article no reference is made to whether it's for breakfast or dinner ... but who cares!).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAsub4bbXkT3fnkeExCOJBortqBMhK90u74nn7SY3SqaqM35wEmFN0-6cm8NCIVfXqTcHBmniMAAMe5TiizGCzZ-eh7THLQ7NiSNA_aSzdUIJd-QWP3tmHuKMLc4gIV1hj3ivElZVrnMp/s1600/BLOGcongee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="415" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAsub4bbXkT3fnkeExCOJBortqBMhK90u74nn7SY3SqaqM35wEmFN0-6cm8NCIVfXqTcHBmniMAAMe5TiizGCzZ-eh7THLQ7NiSNA_aSzdUIJd-QWP3tmHuKMLc4gIV1hj3ivElZVrnMp/s320/BLOGcongee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And for those of you who poo poo carbs, according to the nutritional breakdown, I can now see why perhaps I was having a few lows as I was guesstimating on the amount of carbs for the portions I was eating. So, take a peak, I dare you to try something that is different then what you normally eat, and your body may thank you.<br />
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If you're wanting to know about the benefits of eating congee then I highly recommend this <a href="https://amalunawellness.com/at-home-digestive-cures-the-healing-powers-of-congee/" target="_blank"><b>link </b></a>to help educate yourselves.\<br />
<br />
And with that, <span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>どうもありがとう</b> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dōmo arigatō </span></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- </span></span>thank you very much for reading my dribbles here. The pictures below are when Sock Monkey and I got to be dressed up in beautiful kimonas by some wonderful ladies in <b><a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6354.html" target="_blank">Shimizu</a></b>, Japan (they say it takes them only 15 minutes to dress themselves up). Of course, I chose a beautiful blue design for diabetes and yes, the Children with Diabetes bracelet from Friends for Life that I attend back in Niagara Falls, Ontario in early November was still on!).<br />
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And of course,<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">HAPPY NEW YEAR !!! </span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 25px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 25px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>明けましておめでとうございます</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYnJ1mE3U9PLtX46pUdMTxlFEXJXSWjsEfhnWjDfeBNDrFFBSy86k5j_EXIJ5Lkj0gIemPaEKG8eE0qur6A9ttgk2rCD2z8I4-a3GrJWjBHgQ19O7ss1OWsg05to1e-IBnN1VaaBxQjyh/s1600/Shimizu+and+Area0251.CR2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYnJ1mE3U9PLtX46pUdMTxlFEXJXSWjsEfhnWjDfeBNDrFFBSy86k5j_EXIJ5Lkj0gIemPaEKG8eE0qur6A9ttgk2rCD2z8I4-a3GrJWjBHgQ19O7ss1OWsg05to1e-IBnN1VaaBxQjyh/s320/Shimizu+and+Area0251.CR2" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Fuji was very clear that day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1h8WnzPQ4XfSWX056yE5BqwGuaawMA39CCZdB2U1gXxvJzcQ0JI9cl9ZzcJ3CHlZPsQ6Qvtn5xG3FDDwHUahw1aY6tppZalUs9OniaeHsqt7kmjTCqyajMWWgEzo3OEF9Jbc-CMUTnWr/s1600/Shimizu+and+Area0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1h8WnzPQ4XfSWX056yE5BqwGuaawMA39CCZdB2U1gXxvJzcQ0JI9cl9ZzcJ3CHlZPsQ6Qvtn5xG3FDDwHUahw1aY6tppZalUs9OniaeHsqt7kmjTCqyajMWWgEzo3OEF9Jbc-CMUTnWr/s320/Shimizu+and+Area0400.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sock Monkey likes his hiding spot!</td></tr>
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<br />FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-39644027152966604602018-08-19T17:59:00.000-07:002018-08-19T17:59:34.371-07:00Mental abuse and guilty treats<br />
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<span lang="EN-CA">Well, as I
figure out what to do with a week off from work, which was supposed to be spent
with my DH on our sailboat but then I chickened out with what happened during the week that made me realise that on terra firma I can escape, but on water, in a 30' boat ... not so good. So, I’ve got too much time on my hands (wanna
listen to some music while you read the rest … then click on this <span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XcKBmdfpWs"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LINK</span></b></a> </span>) and I've decided to finally get back to what I love to do, put my thoughts down to save my sanity and amuse whoever reads this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">I’ve been
abit out of social media, especially in the #DOC this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s mainly due to my Mum bidding adieu to
the world in January, spending much needed <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>time with my Dad, and at the same time trying to do my best
to repair a marriage that’s been going downhill for the past 10 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe it or not, one of the biggest factors
that had caused problems in our 30 years together that I only found out about in 2017?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">*** F_ING DIABETES ***</span><span style="font-size: 48pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Sadly, he feels I spend too much time on it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good
for me though, since starting insulin pump therapy back in 2007, I was offered work at
various websites, discovered <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the
Diabetes Online Community (#DOC), and life I thought was good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with many other issues
that can affect anyone's relationship, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m taking slow steps to venture out on my own. It's a bit scary, now with compromised eyesight from the cataract surgery last year that I've written about, but it's time to open the door to new experiences, even at my age when retirement is just around the corner. I know I'm stronger than I think but it'll just take time with what's been going on over the years that pushed me into doubting my sanity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">So, that’s
my life in a nutshell … I’m still alive and kicking – despite a failed attempt
at suicide back in April with over dosing insulin when I just couldn’t take it anymore (seeking help when usually it's you who is helping others made me feel silly, but they helped me understand that my situation demanded help).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve had a few moments since
then, but am hanging on as best as I can as I rediscover myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">On to a
good subject to end this blog that was difficult to sit down and write … this
will leave a sweet taste in your mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I discovered last week, when I was in Ottawa
at Costco, getting yes, my cheaper diabetes … these delightful little sweet
treats to have with my café that you see below !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Yes, <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmier" target="_blank"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">palm leaf pastries</span></a></b>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even better they are made
with butter, which is rare when you find commercially prepared ones where other
fats are used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last time I had a
true butter one was in Spain, and it just melted in my mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, this ones do too, and they’re the
perfect portion size to not overdue it if you’re watching your calories or
carbohydrates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of these little
pastries rings in a 60 calories, and 9 grams of carbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perfect for my almost low carb meal plan (I
try to aim for less than 120 grams a day … most of the time it’s less depending
on what I eat).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With abit of cheese on
the side to balance things out, it’s a great way to start off my day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">So, if you’re
looking for them here in Canada (sorry my American friends) … check out <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.sweetcreations.ca/ourstory"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sweet Creations</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></a></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to find out where you can purchase them besides Costco … and
be prepared to fall in love!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-4135667074168302482018-02-22T12:00:00.001-08:002018-02-22T19:55:33.451-08:00Where to start?<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am typing
this out with one eye that is presently seeing 20/20 while the other I see
nothing through my centre vision, it’s a hazy veil, and my peripheral vision, is
webs of blood, etc. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once again,
cataract surgery that I had last summer has reared its ugly head. It is most likely due to the 2<sup>nd</sup>
surgery done last October, to correct a problem in one of the lenses that
the ophthalmologist had not been able to insert properly in the beginning (previous blogs explain it all). Monday
comes around (Family Day here in Ontario where everything is closed), with less
than a week before seeing him, for follow up, I started to see a lot of
floaters, which are blood bits which originally
I thought were tiny flies due to a new rose plant I’d been given for Valentine's Day. Along with these dots, webs, flashes of light
in the peripheral vision of that eye ... I thought "fruitcake" what's happening now (if I could turn back time is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9Vm9v4J-3E" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">playing</span></b></a> through my head alot over these past 6 months).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Of course,
things go through your noggin as you search <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1138905667814" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">Dr. Googl</span></b><span style="color: red;"><b>e</b></span></a>. Is it retinopathy finally rearing it’s ugly
head after 50+ years of having Type 1 diabetes? Am I having a
stroke (my Mum, had one back in December that caused her to lose her eyesight
in one eye)? Am I developing perhaps a 3<sup>rd</sup>
eye?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Joking
aside, after making a call to see my ophthalmologist here, I’ve found what I figured it was via Dr. Google. <b><u><a href="https://www.mdfoundation.com.au/content/posterior-vitreous-detachment-and-floaters" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Po</span></a></u></b></span><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><u><a href="https://www.mdfoundation.com.au/content/posterior-vitreous-detachment-and-floaters" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">sterior V</span></a></u></b></span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><u><a href="https://www.mdfoundation.com.au/content/posterior-vitreous-detachment-and-floaters" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">itreous Detachment</span></a></u></b></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> or </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">PVD. It’s common as we age, doesn’t cause blindness, yadda, yadda, yadda. The 2<sup>nd</sup> cataract surgery, where I
felt very uncomfortable to the point of puking, which I didn’t get with
the original surgery, was due to the surgeon giving the eyeball a good workout as he placed the another lens into the eye. My personal
opinion, not that the surgeon will probably admit it, is that 2<sup>nd</sup> surgery
most likely put a lot of strain on the vitreous which surrounds your eyeball. You can read more about it if you wish from the
link above that explains it all very well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“ </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">PVD itself is not a sign of a disease or eye
health problem</span></i></span></b><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"> “</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I like
that above statement, since I am now looking out of one good eye, and trying my
best to wait for the blobs, haziness to disappear, which they say can take up
to 6 months and sometimes longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
trying to make myself feel better by saying that at least the retina hasn’t
detached, things could be worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
things we folks do with various health problems say to ourselves to stay
sane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What me sane???<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Again, as
my previous blogs have stated with my saga of cataract surgery … </span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(32, 18, 77); line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>DO
NOT HAVE IT DONE IF IT IS NOT NECESSARY!! </i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Also, don't have both eyes done at the same time as a precaution against possible problems. </span>I would not have to be dealing with this if I’d
just listened to my inner gut saying not to do it and my Mum too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rosina Kiff - 1935 - 2018 and me, Ann(a) Kiff >^,,<</span></span></div>
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FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-21445048886407310442018-01-01T12:55:00.001-08:002018-01-03T11:57:29.102-08:00Life as a Podder Chapter Deux<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-CA">Well, with
the approach of the New Year I decided to go back to my Animas Vibe after having issues
with the Omnipod in my leg as well as dislike of the PDM (more on that at end). My legs are an occasional place that I put my infusion sets in but I
never had blood sugar results like I was having with the pod … high high high
(my meaning of a “high” is anything above 12 mmol/l or 324 mg/dl ). Compared to where I had placed the Pod in other areas of my body over the month … it
rarely went over except when I didn’t either bolus properly for food, etc. So obviously, my legs with the plastic
cannula … just do not work. As you can
see by the assorted pics below, with the 2<sup>nd</sup> pod placement … with
what looks like watered down blood … maybe the infusion set wasn’t placed quite
right, but the window that you can view the placement of the infusion set, is
pretty well impossible to see if things are okay. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWKXjDHdK-zxos01K6qxN9IGHEzMhczg-wldmIr_TtAILTbdZghrYpYkeWpkvKUEU64OPr_AoHxF1qjjYsbXoSKTmuB6wyRQqgZEN1X3PiVI_6mNa0qsXvC_XygCOxpxRebZoyXVASl1A/s1600/20171230_111625%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1582" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWKXjDHdK-zxos01K6qxN9IGHEzMhczg-wldmIr_TtAILTbdZghrYpYkeWpkvKUEU64OPr_AoHxF1qjjYsbXoSKTmuB6wyRQqgZEN1X3PiVI_6mNa0qsXvC_XygCOxpxRebZoyXVASl1A/s320/20171230_111625%257E2.jpg" width="316" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9succj3a3ji16IbvG1rbJZyPqS1YOvmCKecQXr9BrBym2OeNRek_y4BKjAwRrALM-768069TYTfJkXiTSFDg9BJ5Xp6OQKw88yokRMdFstk45LjbMwJEVqcIihJXZskhTjPDARk9VTcf/s1600/20171229_215936%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9succj3a3ji16IbvG1rbJZyPqS1YOvmCKecQXr9BrBym2OeNRek_y4BKjAwRrALM-768069TYTfJkXiTSFDg9BJ5Xp6OQKw88yokRMdFstk45LjbMwJEVqcIihJXZskhTjPDARk9VTcf/s320/20171229_215936%257E2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I guess my
other thing with going back to the Vibe, is the simplicity of changing the
suggested amount of insulin, either with using a different ISF or I:C ratio in
the calculations that Animas programming allows you to do (see photos
below when I'd decided enough is enough with the Omnipod). The Omnipod PDM doesn't allow you to do this, along with extra steps to see what IOB you have onboard, tick tock tick tock ... my time is precious. On the Animas below you can change the
suggested amount to bolus based on the calculations of the “set” ISF and/or I:C
ration. To give Omnipod at least a run for it's money, I tried and tried with both user manual and forum groups to figure it this was possible … but nope – not doable. I have a
feeling the Omnipod PDM programming is abit on the “basic” side, and more for
the person who perhaps doesn’t want to go outside of what the program in the
PDM allows you to do. Probably for the
safety of the user, but not all of us follow the rules. This has been my way of controlling my
diabetes over the past 40+ years since leaving the next of home as a teenager.<br />
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I was
finding too that when I was really high with the Omnipod … like really high … <b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1170687308"></span>DKA<span id="goog_1170687309"></span></a></b> possibility …
that correcting with an insulin injection, based on my calculations (this is what
I do when I’m on MDI … using either my noggin’ and or calculator to determine
amount of insulin to inject) … would bring me down much faster. Otherwise, putting that large glob of insulin via the Pod was almost like putting water into me. Even
with doing a split shot of the amount over ½ hour … it just didn’t work well.<br />
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<span lang="EN-CA">Plus, again, that
friggin’ huge PDM (yes the clip pouch I was given, more bulkier than a tubed pump IMHO). I found in the
beginning of the months trial as a Podder, that when I was needing to bolus
quickly, I often was going to my waistband, where I usually keep my
Animas. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-CA">One thing that I did do by accident during the trial run, near the end ... due to how itchy the pod was on my skin, and that was only at the end of Day 1 (this was the only time I had irritation with the pod) . Because I didn't want to lose the insulin left in the pod (would Omnipod have replaced the pod because of that???) ... I stuck it out. By the time came to remove it, by accident, when placing a new pod in place, without thinking ... I<b> REMOVED A NEWLY INSTALLED SENSOR FOR MY DEXCOM</b>!!! I broke down at that point, and my hubby gently reminded me it was not the end of the world removing the CGM by accident. Because I pay out of pocket for the Dexcom, it meant I went for 6 days without the CGMS. And even now, as I write this, I'm taking a break from the Dexcom so I'm not out of pocket ... but I do miss the CGM the most for staying in the right range I like of blood sugars.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">What
has me abit miffed, and not just with Omnipod, but also Medtronic. That the devices they are offering Animas
users sort of like “old stock” to be able to make a profit I expect (in
Medtronics case they are offering us the MiniMed
630g<b> </b>( see this link <b> </b></span><a href="https://www.medtronicdiabetes.ca/minimed-630g">https://www.medtronicdiabetes.ca/minimed-630g</a> ) . I recently came across an article about
the Omnipod Dash System (read more at these links <a href="https://diatribe.org/insulet-omnipod-dash-system-to-add-touchscreen-and-bluetooth">https://diatribe.org/insulet-omnipod-dash-system-to-add-touchscreen-and-bluetooth</a> and <a href="https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/omnipod-q3-earnings-call-dash-pdm-update/2576">https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/omnipod-q3-earnings-call-dash-pdm-update/2576</a> ). The Dash was expected out
in the 2017, but it’s set
to launch sometime in 2018. So, for any Animas
users that are getting the “free” PDM offer (which is what I went for) … you’d
probably want to upgrade to that, but at what <b>COST</b> is my big question. I just know that my fingers got split with
pushing those darn buttons on the PDM (doesn't help with the cold weather we've been experiencing that's not normal at this time of the year and lack of humidity). I found it easier to use if I kept some of my finger
nails longer, in order to ease up on bloody thumbs/fingers. It was abit annoying
since I like to keep my claws clipped.<br />
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<br />
So, that’s
it in a nutshell. I’ll be heading out on
holidays for almost 3 weeks, and bringing along both insulin pump systems (yes,
have carry on – you can travel with all your medical crap <lol>). I’ll also be bringing my pen needles, using
Fiasp and Levemir as my insulins of choice for control.
Last time I went on a 3 week trip, all I used was MDI, sans CGM (I’m on
fence post right now with bringing CGM for this holiday due to the space it takes up for souvenirs <lol>).<br />
<br />
See you sometime in February and thanks Boss’s for letting me off the hook for abit of much needed down time from work!<br />
<br />
NB: Remember, my trial with the Omnipod may vary from yours. So while I may not like it, doesn't necessarily mean you won't. I've heard through the grapevine that Omnipod is offering the deal up to March now, rather than the end of December. If you've ever wanted to know what it is like to pump insulin without any tubes, I'd say give it a try. Perhaps your experience will be much better than mine has been.</div>
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FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-31028783519909144062017-11-29T10:30:00.000-08:002017-11-29T10:30:13.475-08:00Cranky one eyed catYuppers, that's been me pretty well since my cataract surgery (see the original post <a href="http://www.therollercoasterrideofdiabetes.com/2017/10/ive-got-my-eyes-on-you.html" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>) - that has left one eye slightly buggered up for seeing properly. <br />
<br />
I am hoping I am doing the right thing here, since tomorrow, I am going back under the knife - to remove the original lens ... and have a new one put in place (with or without stitches - it all depends according to my surgeon <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DrTarekYoussef/" target="_blank">Dr. Tarkek Youssef</a></b> ... and yes ... I'm bloody scared!!! <br />
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Like all of us with diabetes, our fear is always having <b><a href="https://nei.nih.gov/health/diabetic/retinopathy" target="_blank">diabetic complications</a></b> with our eyes. So far, touch wood, I've been blessed, but since the surgery back in July, it's been non stop problems that have left me drained emotionally, since I depend highly on my eyesight for the work I do. I have finally, after 4 months, learned to accept my limited vision which varies daily, but it's put a lot of stress on everyone around me, since I can get a wee bit impatient sometimes!<br />
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I think my biggest fear tomorrow is ... the surgeon is performing surgery at the local hospital here in <b><a href="https://www.cornwallhospital.ca/" target="_blank">Cornwall</a></b> rather than in his office (where my original surgery was done privately). In the past (see my post of how my blood sugars over a 6 hour surgery caused DKA <b><a href="http://www.therollercoasterrideofdiabetes.com/2015/10/falling-through-cracks-of-small-town.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>), staff do not have much knowledge of Type 1 diabetics or the devices we use to stay healthy and out of overcrowded ER's! It'll be interesting to see how things go with my wearing the <b><a href="http://www.therollercoasterrideofdiabetes.com/2017/11/life-as-podder.html" target="_blank">Omnipod</a></b>, and whether the PDM device also will be allowed in the OR ... along with the <b><a href="https://www.dexcom.com/en-CA" target="_blank">Dexcom CGMS</a></b>. If I was able to have my DH in the OR, or someone who has knowledge of what to do incase of alarms ... I would be more at ease. <br />
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So, hopefully the next time you see a blog post or post on Facebook ... I'll be more perky ... and I'll be able to perform my job that has been sadly sacrificed due to limited vision (my work requires good eyesight). Though if I have to only have vision in one eye - I'm sure I'd be rocking a <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BaCh7Q0hGpL/?taken-by=cat_with_the_eyepatch" target="_blank">eyepatch</a></b> that is out of sight!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6yTjAT4ECDd8fbbtffbv5y9hC_tgxyNv23jm6KWCjJb6epRSw-dpP3MSEUZt8Qc17Rgt1yAQELuCGTAKfqSjPUpJkUOmd2TT9O3RDoRUxompeMvS3tkLsTLSFJz6d0REgkMmRyNQ8cIg/s1600/eyepatch.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="576" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6yTjAT4ECDd8fbbtffbv5y9hC_tgxyNv23jm6KWCjJb6epRSw-dpP3MSEUZt8Qc17Rgt1yAQELuCGTAKfqSjPUpJkUOmd2TT9O3RDoRUxompeMvS3tkLsTLSFJz6d0REgkMmRyNQ8cIg/s320/eyepatch.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handmade eye patch from https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/iPatching</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-71157340686038158132017-11-25T15:37:00.001-08:002017-11-29T09:25:03.162-08:00Life as a Podder<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">Okay – well
at least for a month – I’m being a Podder … and for those of you who are
wondering … WTF is she talking about ??? .... I’m
using what is referred to as a “tubeless pump” for pumping insulin through my
body 24/7 called the <a href="https://www.myomnipod.ca/content/en/"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Omnipod</b></span></a>. A plastic mini-me type of insulin
pump is replaced every 3 days on your skin (if you’re lucky enough to not have
it fail as you’ll see below). </span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
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I’m now approaching
my 2<sup>nd</sup> week as a Podder and the notes I’ve made up so far on how it
has been going will hopefully help any Canadian on the fence post as to which
of the 2 current pump manufacturers we have as an option with Animas exiting
the pump market (<b>NB</b> – you can still
use your current Animas pump – get supplies well into 2019 – so do not think
you have to jump ship just yet – it’s just you’ll be buying your supplies from
Medtronic eventually once Animas closes up shop – sigh).</div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">As far as
purchasing Omnipod supplies, especially if you are one of the Canadian provinces
that have a pump program, the price tag of $300/month for the pods will go over
and beyond what you might be paying for a tubing pump. For some, that can be a deal breaker,
especially if you do <b>NOT</b> have
private insurance/work insurance. In
Canada, you also have to buy the pods directly from <span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://omnipod.diabetesexpress.ca/"><span style="color: blue;">Diabetes Express</span></a></span></b> .<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: blue;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">My first
few pods I used before the meet up with the rep from Omnipod were from a former
Podder who for one reason or another, decided to go with a tube pump. The funny thing, was the pods I used from
them are newer, but they are the ones that I had problems with. The 1<sup>st</sup> one alarmed with “<b><span style="color: red;">OCCLUSION</span></b>” about 2 hours before the Pod
would shut down for a new one to be installed.
The 2<sup>nd</sup> pod, after 1 ½ days, just “<b><span style="color: red;">FAILED</span></b>”. I went through the
steps to get it to work again, and after a few futile attempts, had to remove the
pod, losing about 50 units of NovoRapid.
I was <b>NOT</b> to happy with that
since I have no insurance anymore, but I just told myself, this is an <b><i>EXPERIMENT</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">After that,
I started to use the pods that the Omnipod rep had given me (and these are
older manufactured ones than what my friend had donated to me). So far, with only filling the pods up with
the minimum amount of insulin ... <b>NO
PROBLEMS</b> to report to date!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Now for my beefs (isn't that a cute cow or what?) with the Omnipod so far, is the PDM (Personal Diabetic Manager) – which serves
as your blood meter as well as for bolusing for meals and/or corrections … and
setting up the programming for your pod on your body. It’s abit dated due to not touch screen and
it’s so bloody big!!! I still keep on occasionally
reaching for my waistline where I used to clip my Animas Vibe, to bolus, etc. – then having to remember where I left the PDM (I now have a system - which works most of the time - yes - you can teach a cat new tricks)! I also find it takes longer to punch in everything into the PDM to get my juice of life infused into me for a meal and/or correction (though I'm getting faster now - but I find more thinking is required than my Animas Vibe). If you do misplace the PDM, the pod
will continue to disperse basal insulin, nothing else, but f the pod starts to alarm, and you don’t have your PDM on you, you have
no idea what it’s alarming for. <b>NB</b> Rep did give me a belt clip case for the PDM, but it’s kind of useless since
you still require the test strip container and finger pricker – and there’s no
room for either of these. So I am designing a little wristlet to fit everything in (yes .. I am such a Fashionista).<br />
<br />
Always, always have a spare pod, insulin, gunk remover, alcohol etc. on hand. I know people who inject, or use tube pumps are always ... <span style="color: red;"><b>ALWAYS</b></span> ... supposed to have those with them every time they leave the house. In the case of the Omnipod, if it starts screaming, and it can't be resolved with following instructions on PDM, you will have to remove and put a new pod in place (tip - always have an opened paper clip to mute the bloody thing - been there done that - and it is all in the very detailed instruction manual supplied with the PDM). So, with an tube insulin pump, if you're a 15 minute drive away, and haven't got supplies, it's abit less stressful and not go bonky with a screaming pod. </div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">One of my other
concerns originally with Omnipod was the large amount of adhesive along with the 60 degree 6.5 mm cannula. I’ve not had much luck
with plastic cannulas over the last 8 years of pumping with Animas, so
stainless steel 90 degree sets are what I’ve always used, and when removing the
sets, you would never know I had been infusing insulin, along with no skin
irritation from the adhesive. So my other beef is, where my insulin has infused the cannula … there’s a hard small lump underneath the skin. I never had this with the Animas sets, so have
been closely watching how the area heals (so far it seems it may take 2 weeks
for the lumps to go away). I was
wondering how people who are insulin resistant – and take more than my normal
2-4 units each time for a bolus or correction
- if they experience this - and how long it takes to heal.</span><br />
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Now for bonuses of being on the Omnipod ! I
feel quite free without any tubing (oohhh cannot wait for a romantic weekend
with the hubby). Oh, and last weekend I went
thrift shopping, and usually when trying on clothing, it takes forever with
unclipping pump, etc. With no pump
clipped on me, or bulk of pump … badda bing badda boom … I feel like a
fashionista again … though … damn … where did some of those <a href="https://i.pinimg.com/736x/f4/82/6d/f4826d117f32ff9a436ced9bf88819c2--too-funny-funny-cats.jpg"><b><span style="color: blue;">extra rolls of fat</span></b></a>
come from ? <lol></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA">There is less
waste of insulin, that's if the pod doesn’t fail!
Usually with tube pumps, we have to fill our tubing, which we can’t
reuse again (some do, but I wouldn’t recommend it). So, on average, I’d lose about 10 units of
insulin. With the pod, filling it up to
exactly to 3 days worth of insulin, I’m seeing about 2-6 units wasted. <b>NB</b>:
I have been using Fiasp a few times for
last minute meals via MDI, or a correction over 12 mmol/l (very rare these
days) – so in reality – I might have run out of insulin before the 3 days is up.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-CA">One caveat is the <span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://omnipod.diabetesexpress.ca/collections/infusion-set/products/eco-pod-disposal-kit">Eco-pod Disposal Kit</a></b></span> available free of charge from Diabetes Express. I hate the amount of garbage that our gadgets we use for health creates on our big blue marble. According to my rep, some items can be recycled. I hope so!</span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-CA">The other great bonus though? It uses FreeStyle test strips – yippee – small droplet of blood – more accuracy! I sadly am almost out of the strips I was given, so back to use my One Touch since I have lots of those test strips. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">So, that’s
about it in a nutshell - I'll carry on testing it out until the last pod is used up, and decide from there ... <span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QirsBCrXNI0"><span style="color: blue;">should I stay or should I go</span> </a></b></span>... back to Animas or just MDI. If you’ve not caught
my posts on <b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/fatcatanna/">Instagram</a></span></b> and/or <span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FatCatAnna">Facebook</a></b> </span>you’ll be able to see some extra pictures
and discussions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-79121604833609555662017-10-08T13:16:00.001-07:002017-10-08T13:16:26.412-07:00My trial with FiaspWith the advent of FIASP now coming to the United States, I thought I'd finally get around to doing my much promised write up on how my trial with FIASP went earlier this year. If you can't wade through my words here ... just go to "Dr. Google" and type in "FIASP review" and you'll get lots of hits from various bloggers around the globe - some engineeringly intense- and some - like mine - less so. Again, remember, what I write here ... does not mean it will be the same for you. Our bodies are all different as to how it will react.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfmFRJE0tzRiwq4bVSZIkvS37CMvUUDmLuXcPRSpUftNSmuDDZLkvuwwyOnVp_qOEdDPeT61obEMTn_S_O2xII3ut0nnZsidxI4rCx7eju4FGkhnPHChgdUhsXf17gGhbveL3DtqhSJzj/s1600/fiasp.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="248" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfmFRJE0tzRiwq4bVSZIkvS37CMvUUDmLuXcPRSpUftNSmuDDZLkvuwwyOnVp_qOEdDPeT61obEMTn_S_O2xII3ut0nnZsidxI4rCx7eju4FGkhnPHChgdUhsXf17gGhbveL3DtqhSJzj/s320/fiasp.gif" title="Vial of Fiasp" width="155" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I went against my endocrinologists wishes. She felt that because of no medical proof/research showing that it works in an insulin pump (I'm presently on the soon to be dinosaur <b><a href="http://www.therollercoasterrideofdiabetes.com/2017/05/first-week-with-animas-vibe-aka-big-blue.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Animas Vibe</span></a></b> ... sigh) that she doesn't recommend it. I'm such a #diabadass, and off to my favourite pharmacy here in Canada, and viola, a freshly squeeze vial of our juice of life called <b><a href="http://www.novonordisk.ca/content/dam/Canada/AFFILIATE/www-novonordisk-ca/News/Fiasp_Launch_PR_English.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Fiasp</span></a></b> ... with a touch of Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) to increase the speed of
absorption, along with a naturally occurring Amino Acid (L-Arginine) for stability. These last two additions are what make Fisap work supposably much faster to absorb. It's like they're describing a fine bottle of Chianti, maybe with some <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVlkZVAw8Gc" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">fava beans</span></a></b> ?<br />
<br />
My experiment involved for 2 weeks, keeping my insulin pump filled with NovoRapid purely for the basal portion of my insulin regime. For meal times, and corrections, I injected Fiasp according to my blood sugar results. Taking the injection a few minutes before a meal resulted in hardly any spike at all, e.g. I tested a 5 mmol/l ... 2 hours later 8 mmol/l . I didn't eat any differently when I ate, I just did my usual thing as a semi-low carb eater (I try to stay under 150 grams of carbs a day which according to my medical team ... is not enough ... but that's the way I've always eaten).<br />
<br />
Testing it out 20 minutes later resulted in various results, rarely did I go over my zone of 10 mmol/l after eating. As well, it all depends on how accurate you are with figuring out carbs for that yummy dessert you decide to have later.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrq8POkDBSKHMrMkxi7LIJexNGJWaAQ7kfdZzG5IXHVKfTe-qRytq-GFmJb9ywtTIOK1Ma7FgMO2k6HmLHErl0zBcgICvjIvnWOEGdKreC6w10mOcpVS2jEKT6IEeUZpjw271a6kZw498/s1600/catdessert.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="724" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrq8POkDBSKHMrMkxi7LIJexNGJWaAQ7kfdZzG5IXHVKfTe-qRytq-GFmJb9ywtTIOK1Ma7FgMO2k6HmLHErl0zBcgICvjIvnWOEGdKreC6w10mOcpVS2jEKT6IEeUZpjw271a6kZw498/s400/catdessert.gif" title="Picture from Kao-ani.com - Sugar Craft Cat Cakes " width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
Correcting via injection with Fiasp went well if I had to, but I found it very rare that I went crazy high, unless, again, I didn't calculate the insulin to carb ratio (I:C). We have to be precise in our calculations in order to stay within the range we want to be in, without sacrificing ourselves to either a low blood sugar or high blood sugar. At times when you think about it, diabetes can be a game of chance like at a casino of <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLNW5tWuS5s" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">rolling the dice</span></a></b> !<br />
<br />
Next came a 2 week session with having Fiasp in my insulin pump, so both basal and bolus were taken care of it. Testing it out the same way, the results were no different than just using NovoRapid. The other problem I had with the Fiasp was when removing the infusion set after 3 days, the puncture point of the Contact D set was red and irritated. I'm thinking it maybe due to the additive, not sure. Also, there was stinging at times with infusing insulin, but not often.<br />
<br />
I keep on wondering if the reason it didn't work as well for me in my insulin pump was due to the insulin not being "fresh", which it is when drawn up by syringe each time. Hard to say.<br />
<br />
One thing before I forget, I tend to do something I've learned from the Diabetes Online Community (#DOC) that my endocrinologist and her team chastise me about. That's the intramuscular shot (IM) of rapid insulin to lower a high blood sugar (for me this is only done when in the 20 mmol/l range). I do it in the upper muscle of my shoulder, and based on my Insulin Sensitivity Factor (ISF), I am usually in range within an hour or two. Because the pump with Fiasp didn't do as well, I did hit a few above 20's ... and found that Fiasp via syringe worked the same. No sudden drastic drop into no-no-land which is what I have been warned about over and over again from my medical team.<br />
<br />
So, that's it, in a nutshell, how my little trial went. It's worth giving it a go, if the vials aren't too expensive (here in Canada I can get a vial for $35 ... or 5-pack of penfills are $72 ... I have no insurance ... so according to my "legal drugs dealer" aka pharmacist ... I'd be paying about $10 more if I had insurance (urrrhhhh). Both my pharmacist and myself are curious to see what Americans pay out of pocket for Fiasp - so if you do look past your co-pay - and do question why you pay such and such for a drug ... great ... let me know.<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!!! WAIT - WAIT - WAIT - I'M NOT FINISHED !!!</span></b></div>
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Since this experiment with Fiasp - I have found that with NovoRapid in my insulin pump ... in order to <b>NOT </b>have spikes ... waiting almost an hour for the insulin to start doing its "thing" ... rather than 20 minutes which is usually recommended for most of us ... gives me much better results. Therefore, I may give Fiasp another go and try different waiting time before eating. Also, with contemplating what insulin pump to go on due to <b><a href="http://animas.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Animas Canada</span></a></b> pulling out of the pump business and my dislike for the company that has said they'd replace our pumps with theirs - I'm on the fence post about continuing with an insulin pump. I was injecting for 40+ years before going onto a pump, and can if I have to, go back hopefully with <b><a href="http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/health-canada-approves-tresiba-a-new-basal-insulin-for-type-1-and-2-diabetes-641991993.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Tresiba </span></a></b>being introduced in Canada this month as another long lasting insulin (and that'll make another blog post one day in the near future).FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-17020417550851259612017-10-02T10:21:00.008-07:002023-10-21T12:26:02.628-07:00I've Got My Eyes On You<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before I go on ... all I can say is #prayersforlasvegas ... words cannot describe my feelings of what happened in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2017/oct/02/las-vegas-two-dead-in-mandalay-bay-casino-shooting-latest-updates" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><b>Las Vegas</b></span></a> Sunday night. </span><br />
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Last Friday night, one of my neighbours commented that my inner eyeball looked red. It felt abit hot and itchy (I'm still not sure if I maybe had scratched it earlier, but since being told women are the worst out of the sexes to have eye irritations due to rubbing their eyes, I now am vigilant to NOT rub) . If you think this is all poppy cock ... go check out this <a href="https://visioneyeinstitute.com.au/eyematters/dangers-rubbing-eyes/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">link</span></b></a> to learn how dangerous it can be!<br />
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When I was washing my face later at night as I prepared for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vExoyqi5C1I" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">zzzzz time</span></b></a> I saw how the blood vessels had broken in the corner of my eye. Pretty ugly to say the least, but it was when I opened my eye up wide, I discovered what looked like a clump of cottage cheese. Of course, I freaked out, when after washing my hands carefully, I couldn't dislodge it. When my DH eventually heard me, he tried with a Q-tip. No luck. So, off to ER at Cornwall Community Hospital (CCH) we went. <br />
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Three hours later ... it was mutually decided to not remove it (the on call doctor said he could but to me that's like having a dentist do plastic surgery). My ophthalmologist luckily was on call that weekend so he would be contacted the next day. Main thing, they determined it was nothing serious and to use lubricating drops every hour. I felt abit stupid going to ER, but they've told me that I did the right thing, especially being a Type 1 diabetic. The fear of losing my our sight is always in the back of our minds, or it is for me!<br />
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So fast forward to Monday, which is today. Took a cool stroll into downtown, and discovered that what the white clump is all to do with is the "Dropless/No Drops Long Acting Meds" that you see in the bill below when I had double cataract surgery performed at the end of July. It will dissolve in time, and as the surgeon said, it lasts a long time. I went this route rather than drops due to already having enough to remember about with diabetes and other meds I take. This way, bing ... it's done ... though as he explained ... he thinks he should now maybe warn his patients about what may occur.<br />
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If you notice below, in the bill ... I went private due to feeling unsure about how I'd be treated at the CCH as a Type 1 diabetic wearing an insulin pump and CGM. Also, any <b><a href="http://www.rnib.org.uk/eye-health-eye-conditions-z-eye-conditions/cataracts-laser-treatment-following-cataract-surgery" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">laser correction</span></a></b> required for follow up to lens implant, is covered with this charge (this is where I'm abit puzzled, if I'd gone public, then I'd be paying for this???). Laser has been performed once to remove cloudiness on the implanted lenses, called posterior capsule opacification (PCO) and is often more common in younger cataract patients - so that must mean I'm not an old fart <lol>. Laser will probably be performed again to hopefully correct my other eye that surgeon had difficulty placing lens into the <b><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitreous_body" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">vitreous</span></a> </span></b>so it's sitting more securely (that eye had the bigger cataract .. my buggered up eye in this blog had just a itsy bitsy one starting). Today, he also talked of removing that lens and suturing a new one in place rather than compromising my thinning vitreous. The things I learned today when he was open and honest with both myself and my husband.<br />
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From a personal point of view, which is why I haven't written in awhile ... I wish I had never had the cataract surgery and saved the $3K for something else (wine, holiday, yadda, yadda). I also wish I had not gone with having BOTH eyes done. I only had a small cataract starting in the other eye (the eye that you see here in this post) ... the other one was supposedly larger. I miss my glasses (have been wearing them since Grade 5), and during this process of recovery, miss having good vision. My vision was never that bad even with needing extra light once in awhile due to the larger cataract, plus I only wore glasses for driving since my eyesight had been improving over the years believe it or not. Now, both distance and close up ... are buggered up - I have my good days of seeing semi-clear ... and bad days where I frustrate myself and my husband to no end when I'm trying to read a recipe or magazine (I do not read as much or watch TV now that often - which I miss so much). Again, I keep on telling myself it's still early days as other cataract patients (thanks Dad) have told me as well as my surgeon. <br />
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The only thing I can leave you with, if you are like myself, having doubts about going for cataract surgery along with the promise from your ophthalmologist of having perfect vision (which most times does happen ... along with not wearing glasses if you dislike wearing them). DO YOUR RESEARCH ... this is coming from someone who researches diligently when creating a blog like this and didn't for her own health. I sadly, did not, and only saw afterwards a statement at the RNIB (see below) that if your vision is NOT helped by changing your lenses, then having cataract surgery is probably your best option. <br />
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If you need more help in understanding about cataracts, I highly recommend the Royal Institute of Blind People based in the UK ... it has amazing information ... written in easy to understand terms ... you can find a downloadable .pdf file at this website <b><a href="https://www.rnib.org.uk/sites/default/files/Understanding_Cataracts.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">link</span></a></b>. If you're wondering about complications like I've just had with this surgery, check out All About Vision at this website <b><a href="http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/cataract-complications.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">link</span></a></b>. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">NB: the wait time for cataract surgery varies from province to province in Canada. I was told if I'd not gone private that it would not be performed until 6 months later. If you're Canadian and reading this, you maybe able to find a similar link like this one for <b><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.ontariowaittimes.com/Surgerydi/en/Service_Data.aspx?View=0&Type=0&Modality=1&ModalityString=1&ModalityType=1&ModalityTypeString=1&LHIN=&city=&pc=&dist=0&hosptID=619&str=B&period=0" target="_blank">Ontario wait times</a></span></b>. </span><br />
<br />Update to blog 2023-10-21 - with another link below to a post that was written a few months later - when surgeon removed lens that they'd had problems with - and my fear of hospitals that don't understand Type 1 Diabetic patients - entitled <a href="https://www.therollercoasterrideofdiabetes.com/2017/" target="_blank"><b>Cranky One Eyed Cat </b></a>. <br />
<br />FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-32005517181486489532017-07-18T11:40:00.002-07:002024-03-06T11:20:52.573-08:00Drooling acidity as a diabetic<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The first thing that came to my mind as I was trying to figure out what title to give this post was ... </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">yeah, that drooling alien that makes you just want to hug it and bring it home to meet your Mum (due to some problems with Google saying I violated rules of posting in 2023 - years after this post - I have removed the picture of the "alien" and instead you'll find what I'd posted in this <a href="https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315204837326" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">YouTube video</span></b></a> clip. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today, I went to have my fangs <a href="http://scaled."><b><span style="color: red;">scaled</span></b>.</a> Something I'm doing now in between the once a year cleaning. As of September, this will no longer be covered since medical insurance that we've had through my husbands work place ... stops. No more, 80% payout for anything we have performed that isn't covered by the provincial healthcare (optometrists, eye ware, dental, specialist services). So, of course, I'm stressed out (and maybe my Dad is right, my recent <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWDDHM1BHZM/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">ocular rosacea</span></b></a> flare up that sent me to ER since my regular eye doctors were both on holidays and their answering machines said ... take thyself to the ER ... which I did).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It didn't help that I was having a low about an hour before hand, and as I was telling this to the Stephanie, my dental hygienist, that I was okay at 4.1 (yes, yes, yes, I know, I was below 5 - but sometimes we break our own rules that we try to get others to follow - don't shoot the messenger). Oh darn, I'm just realising as I write this, that I was supposed to contact the dental office that I arrived home safe .... uhmm ... that was like 4 hours ago. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stephanie went off to my dentist, and they both came back to my chair to make sure I was okay for this small procedure. If it hadn't been myself in the chair, <b><a href="http://cornwalldentalclinic.com/bio-dr-lynne-chadwick/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Dr. Chadwick</span></a> s</b>aid if it was anyone else, she would have rescheduled. So, we proceeded while I suspended Big Blue, my Animas Vibe (and the CGM was way off with saying I was 2.8 mmol/l when I was actually at 4.1 mmol/l ).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, the point of this long winded story? Here I was thinking, since I am known by many of my dentists over the year as the "Drool Queen" that this was a good thing. It is ... and it isn't. It's better to not have a dry mouth as this can cause <b><a href="http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/dry-mouth" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">problems</span></a></b>. In my case, Stephanie went on to say that with being a Type 1 diabetic, we tend to have acid saliva which causes tartar build up. It doesn't help as she explained that when we have a low blood sugar we are eating sugar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At that point, I told her that I after eating foods containing sugar when I have a low blood sugar, I tend to rinse my mouth with water, and eat either a few nuts or cheese to offset the evils of the sugar decaying on my teeth. While it is good, what she suggested next for future use after eating a meal is something I wish I'd known about before!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You know how we've all been told to brush our teeth after eating? Well, again, it's 50/50 sorta good. Because we have such acid saliva, and because the majority of the foods we eat (yes, eating healthy foods like fruits, vegetables have/create acid in the mouth) ... that if you go to brush your teeth after eating a meal ... you are only pushing the acid further into your gums.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Her tip? Before brushing your teeth, always rinse your mouth out with mouthwash <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">BEFORE</span> </b>... not afterwards. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, here's my take on the whole thing ... that I will retain in my sponge brain for future, and maybe you will too, since as we all known healthy teeth and gums as a diabetic are important, and many people overlook this thinking</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If need be (and do this on a daily basis anyways before bed), after your meal, <b><span style="color: blue;">FLOSS </span></b>your teeth to remove any food debris stuck in between your teeth. <b><span style="color: blue;">RINSE </span></b>thoroughly with <b><span style="color: blue;">WATER </span></b>to remove any dislodged particles. <b><span style="color: blue;">GARGLE </span></b>mouthwash for 30-60 seconds, then SPIT out. Then without rinsing again, <b><span style="color: blue;">BRUSH </span></b>your teeth for 2-3 minutes with a toothbrush, being sure to follow the correct brushing procedure shown to you by your dentist and/or hygienist.</span></div>
FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-71320663757547378712017-06-02T16:07:00.001-07:002017-08-27T14:27:24.143-07:00Big Blue and Bowie - in bed together forever<b>UPDATED August 27, 2017 (see Note 1)</b><br />
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So, if you haven't read my blog post about Big Blue, my Animas Vibe's first week of use, then hop on over to this <a href="http://www.therollercoasterrideofdiabetes.com/2017/05/first-week-with-animas-vibe-aka-big-blue.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">LINK</span></b></a>. The rest of what I write about below will make more sense. I'll try to keep this short and sweet since hey, it's TGIF! Let the weekend begin!!!<br />
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After posting the blog on my disappointment with the accuracy of Big Blue who has CGM capability (this sounds like the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CPJ-AbCsT8" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">Six Million Dollar man</span></b></a> ... we have the technology ) along with a few other quirks. Here's my update.<br />
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I cannot return the Vibe. Plain and simple according to the Animas representative that came by after my blog went around the globe. Due to the ADP program in Ontario, you cannot just pick and choose a pump, then decide it's not to your taste. A wee bit disappointed with that, but the rep made things abit easier with the following suggestions that I will have to live with for the next 5+ years, or until Big Blue bites the dust.<br />
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The reps suggestion? While I still have a functioning Ping aka Ziggy. When I want to wear something slinky that I can't access my insulin pump in order to bolus, etc. Simply use Ziggy along side Stardust my One Touch blood meter with Bowie my Dexcom receiver. Simply remove insulin cartridge from Big Blue - plop it into Ziggy. Best of both worlds as the rep put it! <br />
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We also came to the decision that due to incorrect sensor placement on arm, that this was the reason for the Vibe CGM and Dexcom receiver being off that I wrote in my previous blog. I can agree on that after removing the sensor due to the fact that it was not sticking well on my arm and sensor wire looking not too straight. We think it was barely in my skin. Plus, I had placed the sensor incorrectly, since the muscles in my arm when it's placed <b>HORIZONTALLY</b>, tends to pull the wire back/forth, cause sensor tape to not stick as well. <br />
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Silly me, deciding to try the horizontal placement for a change of pace, thinking well, if it works great on my "flat" stomach, why not the arm too? NOPE! Muscle, muscle, muscle ... pull ... pull ... pull. The rep of course reminded me that we are not supposed to place our sensor anywhere else but our stomach, and basically just pretends he doesn't know that many of us do things with our medical devices that are not approved of in the manual. <br />
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So, after placing a new sensor in ... correctly ... this is where I found both the Vibe and the Dexcom receiver were spot on with each other. Cancel that <b>FAIL </b>quote from the previous blog!<br />
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So, I am now only using my Vibe for seeing my trend (when you press the <b><a href="http://www.animas.ca/sites/default/files/vector-smart-object.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Contrast button</span></a></b>, you can see the last CGM screen viewed). I tend to to like to see the <b><a href="https://activeanddiabetic.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/dsc01029.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">current blood sugar</span></a></b>, that shows which way the arrows are going, along with the IOB (Insulin-On-Board). Bowie, takes care of all my other needs for info on my blood sugar trend, etc.<br />
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<b>NOTE 1: </b> August 27, 2017 - since writing this blog - I have decided to no longer use Bowie - since often I lose him ... urrrhhh. I've gotten used to relying on the vibrations/alarm set up on the Vibe ... though I may eventually go back to Bowie ... since again ... the alarms on the receiver are easier to determine if it's a LOW/HIGH .<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NFm8bL76cEbeovR7MpcXWSDp0A4vbm-v8i2gADN03qil-nOjD1xGMKvTGWLYgh-f00igy5t5tL-sMFoqFyIG4GUvbp23qYOk-3KPjPKluOYOin3x-dxvMHP7SJcc82DfT0hbx8PtEzoE/s1600/DEXCOM+TREND+ARROWS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1433" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NFm8bL76cEbeovR7MpcXWSDp0A4vbm-v8i2gADN03qil-nOjD1xGMKvTGWLYgh-f00igy5t5tL-sMFoqFyIG4GUvbp23qYOk-3KPjPKluOYOin3x-dxvMHP7SJcc82DfT0hbx8PtEzoE/s640/DEXCOM+TREND+ARROWS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handy Trend Arrow Chart from Animas representative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The trend, and other information that is shown on Bowie aka the Dexcom receiver. It is far is better for viewing than the Vibe pump screen. Also, when it comes to alarms, as stated in previous blog, hands down for Bowie who sings like a <a href="https://youtu.be/GIKehChI__k" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><b>Hero</b></span></a> in my eyes to save me from either going too low or too high.<br />
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Remember use me as an example .... don't rush in too fast for something until you do your research, which I should have done! You might regret it! <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnaeIAEp2pU" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">DOH</span></a></b>!!! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSsgRZ4o5NaGL3F9un2aNzEG1I4gk0e68Dkf_M4XdathSnLbA7OLaDTxhvuX9_8HSAHXh3jCDaAaId_TxQqSSpBCm4DGyrGNoczn6R_JrxzPWhlvb7LGBvfNyDhoMgYjRg2bitslM69NH/s1600/lips.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSsgRZ4o5NaGL3F9un2aNzEG1I4gk0e68Dkf_M4XdathSnLbA7OLaDTxhvuX9_8HSAHXh3jCDaAaId_TxQqSSpBCm4DGyrGNoczn6R_JrxzPWhlvb7LGBvfNyDhoMgYjRg2bitslM69NH/s1600/lips.gif" /></a></div>
<br />FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-35423078400893345742017-05-21T10:36:00.000-07:002017-08-27T14:27:54.966-07:00First week with Animas Vibe aka Big Blue<b>UPDATED August 27, 2017 (see Note 1)</b><br />
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I finally took advantage of the <a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/insulin-pumps-and-diabetes-supplies" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">ADP program</span></b></a> here in Ontario and now have been in possession of Big Blue .. aka an <a href="https://www.animas.com/diabetes-insulin-pump-and-blood-glucose-meter" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">Animas VIBE and CGM System</span></b></a>. The program pays for all age groups of Type 1 diabetics in the province of Ontario for the pump and $2,500 a year towards pump supplies. So, no more paying outright for my pump ... and making Visa travel reward miles on the purchase - boo! hoo! The pump warranty is for 5 years rather than the 4, when I would purchase my pump privately, so win win. So until the pump breaks down, it's my buddy until it's death date of ... get this ... 2040!!! Unlike my previous pump, a <a href="http://diabetes1.org/blogs/Annas_Blog/Welcome_Ziggy_Stardust" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">ONE TOUCH Ping aka Ziggy Stardust</span></b></a> ... his death date IS December 31, 2022. I'm still keeping Ziggy, as a back up for holiday until then. He served me well! I just wanted to have the pump and CGM integration that the VIBE offers.<br />
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A few people have written to me privately, asking me what I think of the Vibe, and after a week of using it, here's my honest thoughts. I'll keep this as easy to understand as possible. If it doesn't make sense, comment below and I'll do my best to answer you.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOLoMrplH0FzF4vmHjF6rBvxmqbsmn9N-JKgSRZb2kfFPPT85E4goS6nCzF33TW0gtPZ5pZSYxcE_gLh6cgrMFXrLC12sVIofKJaU7wdSJIqPrS0KOew2z7mpDv072fPBy4pe7GBrFufP/s1600/20170521_125335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOLoMrplH0FzF4vmHjF6rBvxmqbsmn9N-JKgSRZb2kfFPPT85E4goS6nCzF33TW0gtPZ5pZSYxcE_gLh6cgrMFXrLC12sVIofKJaU7wdSJIqPrS0KOew2z7mpDv072fPBy4pe7GBrFufP/s400/20170521_125335.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comparison of Ziggy and Big Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>PROS:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><strike>The pump is a little bit bigger then the ONE TOUCH PING, so the screen is abit larger. Probably due to housing more hardware inside due to the CGM being incorporated into it. See below in CONS. </strike> <b>NOTE 1: After meet up with Animas rep - there is NO size difference - both the way (even they were fooled by the way the picture turned out).</b></li>
<li>When it comes to entering the TOTAL that is shown on your screen when doing an EzCarb or EzBg. You no longer have to scroll the numbers from 0. If your TOTAL is showing 3.0 units ... as soon as you touch the OK and the UP BUTTON ... you are at 3.0 instantly. It is still taking me time to remember this ... since you can rapidly go up to 6.0 in a nanosecond.</li>
<li>You have your CGM display available to you. See below in CONS.</li>
<li>You can use any blood meter you want to - which in my case when I was using the 2020 - was FreeStyle Lite which uses the smallest droplet of blood and according to research has better accuracy of many other meters on the market (plus the strips are less expensive - a big factor for me come September when I no longer have work coverage).</li>
</ul>
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<b>CONS or as I call it FAIL:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I'm finding the screen keys abit less soft, so you do have to press abit harder. For someone with arthritis (which I have), it could be problematic in time. Also, I wonder if the plastic on the buttons is more hardier, since the 2020 and PING seemed to wear down faster. I never had these problems, but have heard from others who did. Again, warranty for most people should cover this problem if it occurs.</li>
<li>For the CGM ALARM settings - they suck compare to the DEXCOM Receiver! You only have options similar to what you use on your insulin pump portion for ALARM settings. It's annoying as all hell when you're driving, and it's going off on some hissy fit. Hard to distinguish one from the other. FAIL!!!</li>
<li>Accuracy between the DEXCOM receiver and the VIBE are not as accurate as I thought. I had started them both off within 5 seconds of each other when booting them off so that Calibration times would coordinate. The DEXCOM receiver wins hands down. FAIL!</li>
<li>You cannot set the REMINDER time on the PING for HYPO any lower than 30 minutes. The receiver you can enter in as low as 15. Not good in my opinion. This also surprised my CDE's when they witnessed me experiencing a 2.8 while in their office (and I amazed them further by acting the same way ... cool and under control ... actually I was sweating like a pig ... and sadly ... the alarms on the VIBE did not forewarn me of my rapid decline in blood sugar like my DEXCOM receiver does. FAIL!</li>
<li>Too many screens to go though to get to the CGM area. DEXCOM receiver wins hands down.</li>
<li>No ability on the VIBE to enter in Activity or additional Insulin perhaps given by IM for high blood sugar (a no no still in my endo and CDE's eyes ... I swear I have whip marks on my behind from them!!!). DEXCOM receiver - wins hands down.</li>
<li>I am now limited to wearing separates again when it comes to being a Fashionista, no remote for pump entry for blood sugars, and also if you rely on pump soley for CGM reading ... you get it ... I dare you to look at this <b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw04_2ecqmVpYPRXnzQHbR2682FZqQX8Ih8zbUAs0-YOPXuf5E9pbp-7HEQUxAScXnUm5ZlxiDl3JuHKGWl3aquRWASjjb7itmVp-uZVX_Hm5kVj-9SQu5x9_pA8iS3F9dtwpFSbEyn-vc/s640/under.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">naughty</span></a></b> picture!!</li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDH63ImuIUSgxhXZd653GX8v2dlCpQuxyiaXS4pfqqLaECZH760hfmqTO31cYnIkN48UiLJys1fEospbn6jlCbZWOR561iyz89n17K0t5cr3ZgoFUG7AIxpnyoWlRb6p8Tbb_xlGfrrWu/s1600/brainlustX.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDH63ImuIUSgxhXZd653GX8v2dlCpQuxyiaXS4pfqqLaECZH760hfmqTO31cYnIkN48UiLJys1fEospbn6jlCbZWOR561iyz89n17K0t5cr3ZgoFUG7AIxpnyoWlRb6p8Tbb_xlGfrrWu/s320/brainlustX.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My lust for the ANIMAS Vibe was bigger than my brain! </td></tr>
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<b>CONCLUSION:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
If you are with the ONE TOUCH PING ... stick with it. The only thing that got me into going onto the VIBE was the representative wiggling a carrot in my face at the yearly Insulin Pump meeting in March that all ADP participants have to attend ... that for only $800 I could get a box of sensors, transmitter, and receiver IF I purchased the VIBE soon (Animas Canada is no longer going to be selling Dexcom supplies as of this summer, so they're getting rid of all their G4 stock). As many of you know, I live on handouts of expired sensors, receivers (and I even have a transmitter that may still have life in it from someone who went onto a G5 system) due to paying out of pocket. Here I was with lust in my eyes for this great deal (as bad as I am when I see a deal in a thrift shop, but this is a life saving article that isn't $2!!). <br />
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A week later .... this is how I feel ... blah ... and wishing maybe I'd just stuck with good old Ziggy and his side kick Stardust (the ONE TOUCH blood meter) who sucks up alot of blood, but means I don't have to pull my pump out all the time to bolus, look at CGM reading. Really fun when you're wearing a dress I'm telling you, make sure you are wearing clean, unholey underwear!!) - and if you didn't click on the "naughty" picture in the CONS area ... scroll back up - I double dare you!!<br />
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Sigh - I should really be more serious when I write shouldn't I? Chin up and all that stuff.<br />
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Anyhow, I've turned off the CGM on my Big Blue, gone back to the DEXCOM receiver, that I've had for almost 4 years that is still working strong. I had hoped with the VIBE that I would not have to use it, but I guess I was spoiled by using the receiver, and it works, it notifies me when it's unhappy with me. Perhaps if I was a newbie to the CGM system on the pump, and had nothing to compare it to, then I'd not be writing this. I wouldn't know any better.<br />
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In hindsight, I should have just waited it out until the end of my ONE TOUCH PING life when perhaps updates could have been made on the programming of the VIBE. I'm going to contact both my CDE and Animas (they'll be getting a link to this blog) next week to see what we can do. I'll keep you posted in upcoming blogs on my progress and I hope it's good news.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWNWorDiz76bcQelg_bSqDoVU1imvywHg3U32_DWPYLjINUS7BqCXl_ArFRQGt94UOCca7HjBZGKDwq_Xe3WyXQB7MgWS0LRbArZFe9Jnn71OYF7sUvodZmzSxb15_vDOkRSTb7bh1f74/s1600/hope.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWNWorDiz76bcQelg_bSqDoVU1imvywHg3U32_DWPYLjINUS7BqCXl_ArFRQGt94UOCca7HjBZGKDwq_Xe3WyXQB7MgWS0LRbArZFe9Jnn71OYF7sUvodZmzSxb15_vDOkRSTb7bh1f74/s400/hope.gif" title="Hope for a CURE - by Manny Hernandez - 2008" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Manny Hernandez - 2008 - Hope: Diabetes Supplies Art </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-4946410633769931022017-02-26T08:51:00.002-08:002017-02-26T09:24:03.065-08:00Vampire testing on the fingertips <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5ZkguzyjrUTdT3RW1zs-ypXYTXD4NUSyfPXQdgth32Iuhop7ihv0JbFVZyjhOAUSrRS2PSYOTNjkbl4su1hW_jyvSvTcpJwln2RPnSxLeCQUQZGbuDYl-Rh_qYKrfppX7CXlhFA_vIF6/s1600/vampire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5ZkguzyjrUTdT3RW1zs-ypXYTXD4NUSyfPXQdgth32Iuhop7ihv0JbFVZyjhOAUSrRS2PSYOTNjkbl4su1hW_jyvSvTcpJwln2RPnSxLeCQUQZGbuDYl-Rh_qYKrfppX7CXlhFA_vIF6/s320/vampire.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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Okay, kidding aside ... as diabetics ... testing your blood sugar on your finger tips can be abit of a drag at times. I've been doing this process since home testing was introduced back in the 1980's (you can read more about the history of these blood sucking devices at David Mendosa's link <b><a href="http://www.mendosa.com/history.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a></b>). Even with wearing a CGMS (aka <b><a href="http://diabetes1.org/blogs/Annas_Blog/My_first_month_with_Bowie_my_Dexcom_G4_CGMS" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Bowie</span></a></b>) which many people think means you won't have to do the old finger prick anymore, I still test on average about 6X a day, sometimes more, depending on what is going on in my life.<br />
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Recently, a family member of mine was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Luckily, with the help of their spouse, they're are diligently performing 4 tests a day in order to stay in a good blood sugar range to avoid any complications of <b><a href="http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/how-sugar-affects-diabetes#1" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">high blood sugars</span></a></b>. The one thing they admitted to me the other day, was how much it hurt. I discovered the "nurse" was pricking the fatty portion of the finger tip, where numerous nerves exist ... that beg <NOT> to be heard when they're mistreated.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrMWZqWkQ1lxCz4yaNENFcEb5_DLctN1IsfpegM4dGGvs6mYDLBSqu_n62QxiGzy7PQmAfmBMA6PqQIMGgxmnKt_Ejctm2oYEX4zhzhg-P7BNqkIlt9Q9HmmAZZ5gLzmQxYK2NIDCRQMy/s1600/fingerscreaming_hand_by_lintza-d3272ir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrMWZqWkQ1lxCz4yaNENFcEb5_DLctN1IsfpegM4dGGvs6mYDLBSqu_n62QxiGzy7PQmAfmBMA6PqQIMGgxmnKt_Ejctm2oYEX4zhzhg-P7BNqkIlt9Q9HmmAZZ5gLzmQxYK2NIDCRQMy/s640/fingerscreaming_hand_by_lintza-d3272ir.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screaming Hands by http://lintza.deviantart.com/</td></tr>
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I then slowly explained the best way to avoid the pain, by testing on their finger tips, which over the years I've shown nurses how to perform this task on their patients hands. What better person to show them how to treat their patients, and not have them stop testing when they go back home to deal with diabetes on their own.<br />
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I even went as far as to post a few pictures on my <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/fatcatanna/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Instagram</span></a></b> account that you see below, since sometimes pictures are worth a thousand words! If you've never tried testing on the sides of your finger tips, then give it a go next time, and be rewarded with no pain or scars. <br />
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Here's some of my tips to get the best results out of a pain free blood test:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Always wash your hands before testing, simple soap and water are fine (alcohol dries out the skin).</li>
<li>If your fingertips are cold, rub them gently to warm them up and get better blood circulation.</li>
<li>Use your lancing device on the SIDE of your fingertip to get a drop of blood sufficient for test.</li>
<li>Then hold the edge of the test strip to the drop of blood and wait for results 😀 </li>
</ul>
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<br />FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745671905480665246.post-32673628831918564792017-02-04T15:47:00.000-08:002017-02-05T12:56:21.611-08:00I finally got inked for Diabetes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media2.intoday.in/indiatoday/images/stories/tattoostory_647_052815064035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media2.intoday.in/indiatoday/images/stories/tattoostory_647_052815064035.jpg" height="396" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've been humming and hawing for awhile about getting a tattoo representing my diabetes status for sometime. I finally decided to give it a go last week and made an appointment, since I'm celebrating my Diaversary of over 1/2 a century. Along with this treat of being inked I'm </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">going on a well deserved break from social media / work this Spring and</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I thought if I meet up with anyone from </span><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.diabetes.org.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Diabetes UK </span></a></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> it would be fun to show it off! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The good thing with this holiday treat though is that it's been basically paid off by a few years of purchasing diabetic meds, pump supplies, food, clothing, you name it with a credit card that gives back the most travel rewards. I figure, if I've got to have diabetes, I might as well enjoy some rewards from purchasing all the crap needed to stay alive with a credit card (and yes, I pay off my balance EVERY month especially at the current 19.99% interest rate). So, it's win, win all around with getting to see family / friends overseas - relax on an ocean voyage and not doing dishes for a change of pace!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, with further adieu ... here's the <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQETibgg6-M/?taken-by=fatcatanna" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">design</span></a> </b>that my new best tattoo artist Nat from <b><a href="https://www.theskinwithin.ca/nat" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">The Skinwithin</span></a></b> and I came up with after she looked over some of the designs I'd come sent to her during the week. She knew I wanted to incorporate the blue circle from <b><a href="http://www.idf.org/bluecircle" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">IDF</span></a></b>, along with my pen name of FatCatAnna which evolved from my diabetic cat <b><a href="http://diabetes1.org/blogs/Annas_Blog/How_I_became_FatCatAnna" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Beauduoin</span></a></b> (though on hindsight ... I should have asked Nat to maybe tweak the cat to be abit fuller (okay fatter) since this cat looks a bit malnourished ... but as my skin stretches with age ... maybe it'll blimp out <lol>). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All in all, I'm happy I did it, and found out that having it on the left wrist is actually the best place to put a tattoo like this. According to a paramedic, the left arm is where they first go to when checking your pulse, etc. Even with the tattoo stating my being diabetic, I'll still wear my other piece of medical ID from <b><a href="https://www.mediband.com/ca/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Mediband</span></a></b> ... just to be on the safe side. Again, as the paramedic told me, they still look for medical ID over a tattoo when they are performing their work in an emergency situation!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqbFEZIDtc82ppDVtXJhP2IVxb55BHWNWG9h7w9e4jKWK-aqGsWUjqdEEbt4fmbjjE3tAWTOoAZsjzPnouFnedjyWN2ODy8kEWM4PpULDwxXVDGmF_9QdqJCIFfI8wyUCyzRUw2Vi34CA/s1600/keepcalmgetinked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqbFEZIDtc82ppDVtXJhP2IVxb55BHWNWG9h7w9e4jKWK-aqGsWUjqdEEbt4fmbjjE3tAWTOoAZsjzPnouFnedjyWN2ODy8kEWM4PpULDwxXVDGmF_9QdqJCIFfI8wyUCyzRUw2Vi34CA/s1600/keepcalmgetinked.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you're looking for advise on getting a tattoo <b><span style="color: red;">SAFELY</span></b> - check out T1D's Chris Clement's blog post at this </span><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://insulinnation.com/living/6-tattooing-tips-for-people-with-type-1/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">link</span></a></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. He's got some great tips so you can safely have one done by your fav ink artist. He should know, since I've viewed a few of his up close and personal ;) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Below is how it's looking at the moment, after removing the plastic wrap it was kept in for about 12 hours. I'm using <b><a href="http://www.aveeno.ca/products/baby-soothing-relief-moisture-cream" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Aveeno baby cream</span></a></b> to keep it moist. Luckily, I heal well from cuts, surgeries (due to my being a healthy diabetic probably). Now what will be my next tattoo?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegtXnwp1sbMPBiM-Cx8UCe5p6NRvMQIo6UGm97Z0oTHKbRuTMO6sNo1wCD1ISFrlukiKNBZ8Ygi5h22Zkr-XoJCPmoJC7AuxZVPG3FuA5MBdqJqwGLQB5-QMXqo1gXMyIrnOSU60UeCo7/s1600/AnnaDiabeticTattooRemovalBandages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegtXnwp1sbMPBiM-Cx8UCe5p6NRvMQIo6UGm97Z0oTHKbRuTMO6sNo1wCD1ISFrlukiKNBZ8Ygi5h22Zkr-XoJCPmoJC7AuxZVPG3FuA5MBdqJqwGLQB5-QMXqo1gXMyIrnOSU60UeCo7/s640/AnnaDiabeticTattooRemovalBandages.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>REMEMBER - ALWAYS WEAR A PIECE OF MEDICAL ID - A TATTOO MAY NOT SAVE YOUR LIFE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION!!! </b></span></div>
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<br />FatCatAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11947584853884796526noreply@blogger.com10