The Global Diabetes Handprint

Another great achievement for TuDiabetes.com:

Inspired by the Word in Your Hand™ Project started on TuDiabetes.com®, The Global Diabetes Handprint is bringing greater diabetes awareness to the world - and giving back to it in the process.

We invite you to join our growing community at DiabetesHandprint.com by writing the one word on your hand that best expresses what diabetes has meant in your life, taking a picture and sending it to us. Or design your own hand here on the site.

For every hand submitted to The Global Diabetes Handprint, a $5 donation will be made to one of two non-profit organizations - Diabetes Education and Camping Association or Taking Control of Your Diabetes. The choice is yours.

October 21, 2008 | Filed Under Life | Leave a Comment 

Be Featured on DLife TV

dLifeTV is conducting a nationwide search for real people with real stories about living with diabetes. Your special story could be a featured segment on a future episode of dLifeTV. What obstacles have you overcome? What challenge have you met? What unique experiences have you had? Who has made a difference?

October 20, 2008 | Filed Under Links | 1 Comment 

JDFR Walk — October 11th @ The Legends, KC


Visit my fundraiser page.

One of my co-workers, and fellow diabetic, sent me this video today. I plan to attend the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk on Saturday. I couldn’t make it to the last one, so now it’s time to make up for it.

Diabetes is silent, yet deadly sometimes. I work with diabetes patients, and when I see a medical history of a child who’s already blind it makes me want to cry. But it also gives me a reason to keep doing my job, and to join any initiative to find a cure.

October 6, 2008 | Filed Under Life | 1 Comment 

Help TuDiabetes.com

A message from Manny:

We know that diabetes is a disease that can be very hard to live all by yourself, without knowing others who really understand you. That is why we formed the great family of TuDiabetes.com that now has more than 3,000 members from around the world.

Earlier this year, the Diabetes Hands Foundation was formed to run our communities. This was possible thanks in part to the partnership with LifeScan around the Word In Your Hand project.

However, that partnership will only let us cover part of our operational expenses. We will not be able to cover all our costs this year without more help. So, today I come to ask YOU for help.

You know us and you know where we come from and what we do. I trust you will find it in you to help us however you can.

No amount is too small. If you can give $100, that is great. If you can only give $5, that is great too.

June 27, 2008 | Filed Under Life | Leave a Comment 

Things I will never understand…

How doesn’t a doctor want a patient to test at least twice a week, if the patient is supposedly borderline diabetic? There isn’t such a thing, you either are or are not. Doctors should listen to patients, and if they want a meter, give them the prescription! Most insurances will cover the cost.

If someone claims to be type 1 diabetic, how come they say they don’t use insulin? Is there such a thing as a non-insulin dependent type 1 diabetic? Someone, please, enlighten me.

And what is the minimum times per day a type 1 diabetic patient needs to test? I don’t get Medicare standards sometimes.

Oh, the joys of working with diabetic patients. But I love my job!

April 30, 2008 | Filed Under Life | Leave a Comment 

TuDiabetes & OneTouch partnership


Find more videos like this on Tu Diabetes - A Community for People Touched by Diabetes

April 21, 2008 | Filed Under News | Leave a Comment 

An Invitation from Manny


Find more videos like this on Tu Diabetes - A Community for People Touched by Diabetes

April 9, 2008 | Filed Under Life | Leave a Comment 

I know why I like Tai Chi

From Medical News Today:

According to two small studies published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in April 2008, Tai Chi exercises can improve blood glucose levels and improve the control of type 2 diabetes and immune system response. [...] After 12 weeks in the exercise program, the levels of glycated hemoglobin levels fell significantly, from 7.59% to 7.16% in diabetic patients, a significant difference. Interleukin-12, which boosts the immune response, increased in level; interleukin-4, which lessens the immune response, declined. In conjunction, T cell activity also significantly increased.

Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art that combines diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation with soft, gentle movements. It is considered moderate exercise, which has previously been shown to improve immune system response, in contrast to strenuous physical activity, which depresses it. Previous studies have shown that it improves respiratory and cardiovascular function, while improving flexibility and relieving stress.

April 1, 2008 | Filed Under News | Leave a Comment 

I’m not ashamed of being a diabetic

I was working on a survey this morning that happened to be about diabetes. The normal questions about what kind of treatment, or how willing would I be to use insulin… And then the more personal questions about the way I feel about my diabetes. They were asking me if I feel less of a person, or ashamed of my disease. NO, I DO NOT.

Just a few weeks ago, when we went to have dinner with a friend at a local restaurant, I had forgotten to refill my carry-on pill container, so I just grabbed the whole Metformin bottle on my way out. Once in the restaurant, I proceeded to take one of the pills to have with my meal. When we were coming home, my husband asked me “Why did you bring the whole bottle? Don’t do that…” - I got upset. I know he didn’t mean anything bad, but I thought “Well, I am not ashamed of having to take pills, and most certainly not ashamed of being a diabetic. It happens, deal with it.”

I find it sad that there are people who neglect their diabetes care  because they are afraid of testing their blood glucose in public, or giving themselves insulin shots. I have no problem with taking my glucometer out in public. In fact, it makes me feel important, it makes me feel RESPONSIBLE. What if other people feel uncomfortable? Well, that is not my problem, really. I have a chronic disease to take care of, and I’m not going to change my habits just so other people won’t freak out.

It is our job to educate others. So next time I’m in public taking care of my diabetes, and someone looks at me with enquiring eyes, I will offer a diabetes overview. :-)

February 21, 2008 | Filed Under Life | 1 Comment 

Posting good news

I have to get used to post here more often. I’m not very good at reporting health related issues, especially personal ones. But that was the idea of this weblog, and I will stick to it. Taking care of 4+ weblogs kinda makes me lose track. But I have good news… really good news!

I went to see my endo last week after blood work. My A1C went down from 7.2% to 6.2% (still to improve, but much better!), my thyroid levels are NORMAL for the first time in months, and I’ve lost 10 pounds since November. The doctor was rather happy, she gave me high 5, and reminded me to exercise more often. That’s where I run into trouble, but I’m getting there.

I’m eating much smaller portions these days and I’m rather surprised. I didn’t set my mind on it, but somehow my body is getting used to it. I think I’m nourishing myself properly without getting sick. I’m also choosing salads over potatoes with no problem, and taking my meds with an amazing discipline.

If I continue like this, the doctor says I can work on getting pregnant in a year. :) I’m happy!

February 18, 2008 | Filed Under Life | Leave a Comment 

Next Page →