Long Time No See

BG[CGM]: 60

I'm having a baby in 3 days.
*clapping* Whoo hooo!!!

I'm so ready for this crazy ride to be OVER.
Diabetes is treating me pretty well. It's a serious roller coaster, but the ups and downs haven't been debilitating. Handling it well with my pump and CGMS.

I feel I need a break from the CGMS, actually. So, though I'll be wearing it for a few weeks post delivery, I look forward to the day when I can take it off and give it a rest. Not forever, because I have come to rely on the little bugger, but just for a couple weeks. Back to the basics. Strip testing actually sounds like fun. LOL :D

I did hook up with a doctor recently. An Endocrinologist who I think is going to be good for me. When I got pregnant I was on the verge of breaking away from my PCP of Internal Medicine for someone more specialized. Lucky me, the CDE at my OB/GYN clinic had a name of someone highly recommended. I have an appointment with him on November 12th. Will keep you posted on how that goes. My fingers are crossed. :D

Otherwise... i'm a bit tired.
And ready to snuggle my new little baby.
Have a great start to November, friends!!!
See you with pictures as soon as I can get back on.
~Bethanne

Biggest Loser

BG[CGM]: 43, but don't worry I had a glass of OJ... as a matter of fact, I ate a cookie, too.

So my kids are into Biggest Loser again--and when I said kids, I mean me. :P One of the contestants is from NY, on many pills, and also a type II diabetic who takes...

30 units of insulin at EVERY MEAL!!

Yes, you heard me correctly. I was shocked. Course, this is a big guy. Obviously, he made it onto the Biggest Loser, right? But still, I sorta gasped and thought, wow. That is more insulin that I bolus in a normal/conservative day...

and then I hit the third trimester in this pregnancy. *blush* My bolus average went from 20-30 at the beginning of this great event to now--60-70 units of insulin bolused in a day. EEEK! My breakfast carb to insulin ratio is at 3:1, but really if I don't want a spike, I have to do some math in my head and get 2:1. The pump doesn't offer that option. :/ Bad Minimed!!! :P :D

I have a few weeks left...
I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THIS TO BE OVER!

A Diabetes Meme

A Diabetes Meme.

Finally, a blog meme just for those of us with wonky pancreases (and for the people who love us). If you're in the mood for meme'ing today, have at it!

What type of diabetes do you have: Type 1

When were you diagnosed: November 1988 (22 years!!)

What's your current blood sugar: 141. i'm working on my post dinner levels :P

What kind of meter do you use: One Touch Ultra that hooks up with my awesome Minimed pump.

How many times a day do you test your blood sugar: With the CGMS, about 4-5x on the meter, and the CGMS picks up about 200+ more throughout 24 hours. :D I really love saying that.

What's a "high" number for you: Anything over 160 mg/dl.

What do you consider "low": Anything under 60 mg/dl.

What's your favorite low blood sugar reaction treater: Orange juice, except for now that I'm pregnant it will actually depend on the time of day. From midnight to 10am, all I need is a small glass of milk and my sugar will skyrocket. Other times of the day, it's the usual juice or sweet treat--brownie?

Describe your dream endo: Involved and vocal, yet willing to hear what I have to say about MY disease.

What's your biggest diabetes achievement: Having four healthy babies and being able to do one more [but that's it!! NO MORE! *knock on wood*]

What's your biggest diabetes-related fear: Staying so healthy only to have it all end badly anyway... on the other hand, diabetes or not, life always ends with death, so I don't know what the heck I'm hoping for. Oh! that reminds me of the movie, Sleepless in Seattle! Remember??? :D Sort of. The line about relationships ending badly, if it wasn't bad, it wouldn't be ending!

Who's on your support team: My husband, close friends, indirectly, my family, and my OB/GYN team for now!

Do you think there will be a cure in your lifetime: No.

What is a "cure" to you: I can't say I've thought about this. A cure doesn't always mean healing. Except for the financial burden, I don't mind the management...and it keeps getting better, too.

The most annoying thing people say to you about your diabetes is: "You can't eat that." (uh, yeah, thanks dude. I don't know what I've been doing without you for the last 20 years)

What is the most common misconception about diabetes: All the promotions and cool drugs are for type I, and that if I just exercise and diet I'll be able to manage this disease a-okay.

If you could say one thing to your pancreas, what would it be: "It would be nice if you could at least pick up some kind of signal... wifi, DirectTV?"

Waiting on RX

I got a call not long ago from my pump company. I have to admit, I ignored the call. I have something of an outstanding balance on my account, and since I didn't need any supplies, I didn't feel like talking to the accounting department, either. *blush* Well, last week, I mentioned to my dear hubby that we needed to cut down the balance a bit so that I could reorder some supplies. Did that, check! Then was told, there hadn't been a hold on the account afterall. Oh, really? Why did you call then??

"Your Rx for sensors is expired. We faxed the doctor and he renewed everything BUT the sensors." Ugh.

First of all, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN A YEAR!!! Wow, a year on sensors, and A1Cs in the 5s the entire time. :D BONUS! The proof is in the pudding, people, even if it is sugar free. haha. anyhoo. So now I'm waiting for that Rx to go through and hoping that I can get what I need before I run out.

DOH! Stupid, silly me.
Lesson learned: Don't avoid the hard stuff.

School's Back in Session

BG[CGM]: 78

Somehow, the idea of a schedule brings a smile to my face. The kids need it, I need it. Whoot! Next week, we get back into it. Early mornings, late afternoon homework sessions, allotted TV and Wii times. Order, or a sense of it, anyway.

In case you're curious, I'm 26 weeks along today. And as I've gone as early as 37 weeks before, I like to think I have about ten weeks left. *wink* :D It's all about positive perspective, right? I've found my insulin resistance to be confounding! The funniest [or ironicest] part is that no one ever even said those words to me in four previous pregnancies. Sure, adjusting my insulin was still part of the deal, but I can NOT believe how much knowledge comes in a small battery operated transmitter. There's no way I had control over this like I do now. I'm still in awe even after 26 weeks. :D I cannot recommend the CGMS and pump combination enough, especially for pregnancy.

In other news, my hubby is now employed by the US Army and is officially on the reserves list until he goes to Basic Training in January. How blessed for us that he will be here for the new baby and Christmas...not to mention the six months for the kids to let his absence sink in. I want to soak up all this time we have, soak up his presence, him. Lots of pictures are the order of the season. :D Lots of hugs and kisses and snuggling and wrestling--for the kids. *wink* LOL

Every thing in life makes a mark on how my disease is managed. There's a learning curve for each new situation. I would love to hear of any other diabetics out there who spend a significant amount of time without their spouses.
Have a great weekend,
~Bethanne

Bethanne-ology

I picked this up from a fellow blogger, www.singlewhitediabetic.wordpress.com, and I'm not sure where she got it... but I thought it would be fun filler for this week.

Let others know a little more about yourself, re-post this as your name followed by “ology”.

***********FOODOLOGY***************
What is your salad dressing of choice? – Ranch <--BORING! I know! Raspberry vinaigrette is tied for first, depending on my mood.
What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? – Olive Garden
What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? – Ice Cream
What are your pizza toppings of choice? – Bacon, mushroom and Chicken
What do you put on your toast? – Butter and strawberry simply fruit

***********TECHNOLOGY***************
How many televisions are in your house? – One.
How many computers? – Two, now. A desk top and laptop.
What kind of cell phone do you have? – Samsung with Net10 pre-bought minutes.
Do you have an iPod? – No.

***************BIOLOGY******************
Are you right-handed or left-handed? – Right
Have you ever had anything removed from your body? – a cyst on my lip and one on my shoulder.
What is the last heavy item you lifted? – laundry basket
Have you ever been knocked unconscious? – KNOCKED? No.

************BULLOLOGY**************
If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? NO!
If you could change your name, what would you change it to? – I already got lucky enough to change my name... I made it STRASSER.
Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? – Hmm, everything in me wants to say yes, but I probably couldn't do it.

************DUMBOLOGY******************
How many pairs of flip flops do you own? Two.
Last time you had a run-in with the cops? – We had an issue once while living in Denver. That was 2000, maybe '01?
Last person you talked to? – Daughter
Last person you hugged? – Matt
Last person you kissed? – Matt

**************FAVORITOLOGY****************
Season? – FALL!!!!
Holiday? – Christmas
Day of the week? – Sunday
Month? – September

***********CURRENTOLOGY*****************
Missing someone? – It's hard to miss people when they are only a click away.
Mood? – Raring to go
What are you listening to? – The kids chat
Watching? – My computer screen
Worrying about? – Nothing

***************RANDOMOLOGY*****************
First place you went this morning? – Church
What’s the last movie you saw? – The Sandlot
Do you smile often? – Yes
Sleeping alone tonight? – No

***************OTHER-OLOGY*****************
Do you always answer your phone? – No.
If you could change your eye color what would it be? – More Blue, LOL
Do you own a digital camera? – Yes.
Have you ever had a pet fish? – No.
Favorite Christmas song(s)? – Golly--it's way too soon! Um, White Christmas. O Holy Night.
What’s on your wish list for your birthday? – A haircut... or an e-reader.
Can you do push ups? – Yes
Can you do a chin up? – Maybe ONE or TWO.
Does the future make you more nervous or excited? – EXCITED!
Do you have any saved texts? – No
Ever been in a car wreck? – No. A fender-bender, yes.
Do you have an accent? – No, everyone else has an accent.
What is the last song to make you cry? – Lots of songs make me cry when I'm pregnant.
Plans tonight? – WRITE and watch That 70s Show
Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? – Yes.
Name 3 things you bought yesterday? – Calculator, phone card, diet cola
Have you ever been given roses? – Yes
Current worry? – None, duh. See above.
Current hate right now? – I can't think of anything, except the fact that they're building a mosque at ground zero. I DON'T GET THAT!!!
Met someone who changed your life? – Yes. My son.
How will you bring in the New Year? – Even I don’t plan that far away
What song represents you? – I don't do thoughtful and philosophical. I have no idea.
Name three people who might complete this? – I can't.
Would you go back in time if you were given the chance? – Definitely! there is so much cool stuff in history!!
Have you ever dated someone longer than a year solid? – Yes
Do you have any tattoos/piercings? – Pierced ears
Will you be in a relationship 4 months from now? – Most definitely.
Does anyone love you? – Yes.
Would you be a pirate? – Yes!
What songs do you sing in the shower? – Not very often.
Ever had someone sing to you? – Yes.
When did you last cry? – Recently, just not sure when, exactly.
Do you like to cuddle? – Yes
Have you held hands with anyone today? – Yes. Church is good for that.
Who was the last person you took a picture of? – Family
What kind of music did you listen to in elementary school? – I have no idea!
Do you believe in staying close with your ex’s? – No.
Are most of the friends in your life new or old? – Both.
Do you like pulpy orange juice? – Yes.
What is something your friends make fun of you for? – Hmmm... my friends make fun of me???? :D

Sooo, I've been a little neglectful

And I've been contemplating it, too.
At first I thought it was just a case of too busy, too lazy.
Now, I'm not so sure.
Here's the thing, we live diabetes so much. We are focused on sugars and food the majority of the day. For me, about 60 percent.

I'm trying to cut back. I've found a wonderful routine. I've got a GREAT certified diabetes educator on my team who helps me. I've got a pregnancy that is going so darn smoothly, there are days I don't feel diabetic at all.

The question is, how do I incorporate that into my blog?
I want people to know that diabetes can be managed well.
But if I come in here more than a couple times a week, my focus becomes the diabetes.
And you know what? I'm more than my illness. <--and I didn't even need to read the book to figure that out. :D

On the other hand, I do love to blog. I don't think I'm ready to close this one down.
Is there such a thing as a blogging identity crisis?! haha. I think there is and I'm having one.

Hi FRIENDS! It's finally AUGUST! My kids will be back in school soon. My days will find routine. My writing efforts will increase. My new baby will grow so that I am uncomfortable [and fat]. And I will prepare for my husband's coming departure for Basic Training, which happens at the end of January. Yup. There is a lot to do this fall.

I hope, hope, hope and pray that your diabetic life is as full as mine, that you find yourself looking forward to tomorrow with an ambition that will push you to succeed despite the doubts and uncertainties.
Come back soon. I'm going to do a VLOG!
With Love,
Bethanne