Help an anxious girl out?

So.  Okay.  I might be freaking out a little over here.  And you are so going to laugh at me when you hear why.  But here goes.

So tomorrow I have to fly.  On an airplane.  A very very long way.  All alone.  Next week I’ll be posting more about the fabulousness that awaits me on the other side.  But for now, I’m completely freaking out about the flight.

Yes, I’m one of those nervous flier types.  It’s not so much the “oh-my-gosh-I’m-way-high-up-in-the-air” thing that gets me.  It’s more the “holy-crap-I’m-sealed-in-this-little-tube” that freaks me out.  I’m extremely claustrophobic and the last time I flew across the country the seats were really small.  I didn’t even really have the space to reach into my carry-on to get my meter and test.  It was bad.

If the seats were this spacious I'd be fine.  But they aren't, are they?

If the claustrophobia isn’t enough to agonize over, there is always the hassle of traveling with diabetes.  Being stuck in a confined place for a number of hours is nerve-wracking too.  I’m less concerned about going low because I’ll be packing plenty of glucose tabs and granola bars - but it’s unlikely I’ll be needing those.  I’m more worried about going high, and I'm not talking about altitude here.  The nerves, the stress, the lack of activity - they all suggest I’ll be fighting high blood sugars all day.  And the other people in my row won’t be too pleased with me climbing over them to run to the bathroom every hour because my blood sugar is making my bladder fill up at record speed.

So, can you help a girl out?  I know what to pack so I’ll be prepared.  But those of you who stress over flying - what are your tips for staying calm and keeping yourself occupied on a long cramped flight?  I’m begging you, lay your best travel secrets on me . . . .because I’m gonna need them!

Is Exercise a Four-Letter Word??

So yeah, I guess you can tell by the title of this post, I really struggle with exercise.  Or, more specifically, I struggle with the motivation to exercise.  Sticking with it for the long haul is my main problem.  Sure, my husband and I get a good workout at our weekly ballroom dance lesson, but that’s only forty-five minutes a week.  Last summer I stuck with the Couch to 5K program and completed three 5K races, but as soon as winter hit the running was over.  So my main problem with exercise is finding something I like and will stick to - even on days when I just feel like being lazy.

For me, the hardest thing about managing diabetes and exercise is figuring out the magic combination of pre-exercise snack, lower basal rate and physical activity to keep my blood sugar from getting too low or too high while working out.  And this is where my exercise inconsistency really makes things even harder than they have to be.  Because every time I slack on exercise and have to start my workout routine all over again, I also have to start my “workout blood sugar plan” all over again.  *sigh*

“This post is my March entry in the DSMA Blog Carnival.  If you’d like to participate too, you can get all of the information at http://diabetessocmed.com/2011/march-dsma-blog-carnival“

Wordless Wednesday - Breakfast Remnants

I knew the blueberry escaped into the sink when I was washing them for my breakfast.  But the test strip?  Not quite sure how that got there . . .

Germ Magnet

After making it through that terrible stomach virus three weeks ago I thought I was in the clear.  I was wrong.  Apparently I have become a germ magnet and each and every little germy bastard is intent on making my body its home.

This time, it’s not a barfy germ.  It’s a throat-on-fire germ.

This germ also brought some body aches.  And just for fun, a very stuffy nose.  I suppose this could be Spring allergies . . . . but it feels like the work of some mean cold germs to me.

I’ve had enough of being sick.  I feel like I catch more than my fair share of the crud and I blame diabetes for that.  And to rub salt into the wounds, the stress of fending off those germs makes blood sugar management extra difficult.  My meter will back me up on that statement by showing that my readings ranged from 197 to 44 yesterday.

Got any tips for keeping the germs from attacking?  (ROAR)

Bitter~Sweet Chips

Today I’m sharing a few tasty morsels that have recently made their way into my in-box!

• How would you like to spiff up your Spring wardrobe, save some cash, and donate to a worthy cause all at once?  Check out the JDRF and Gap Inc.'s Give and Get event.  From March 17th - 20th you can save 30% at The Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic - and 5% of your purchase goes to JDRF.  Click here to get your shopping pass!
• In late September, the United Nations High-Level Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases will be held in New York.  In preparation, the International Diabetes Federation has began an electronic signature campaign to gather support for essential care for all people with diabetes.  You can help by clicking over to http://www.idf.org/I-agree to add your e-signature and learn more about how to promote the campaign and get involved.
• The 2011 Diabetes Mine Design Challenge has been announced!  You have until April 29th to submit your idea for something that will improve life with diabetes.  I always love seeing what the brilliant minds out there come up with and I can’t wait to see this year’s entries!
• I’ll be posting more about this soon, but if you are in or near Fairfield County, CT be sure mark your calendars for the first JDRF Fld County Chapter Type 1 Adult Outreach Event.  Join us on April 28th for some beverages, snacks and chatting!  Click here for more details.
• Have you taken a look at the #DSMA March blog carnival topic, Exercise Does A Body Good?  You have two weeks left to share your favorite exercises and what keeps you motivated.  Or share the most difficult part of exercising and what your favorite and least favorite exercises are.  Don’t forget to leave us a link to you blog post in the comments section!

Wordless Wednesday - Accurate?

(It wasn’t too far off . . . )

Not Quite the Only One . . .

All weekend and into today, I’ve been immersed in the updates from JDRF’s Government Day.  I watched the Blogger Round Table live and was so proud of my friends who worked so hard to advocate.  (If you missed the live-stream, you can still catch the archived video here.  Click on the one entitled JDRF Government Day Blogger).  I’ve also been following all of the action on Twitter - look for the #JDRFGovDay hashtag.

One of the presentations this morning prompted some side chatter about whether or not others in our families have Type 1 Diabetes.  This topic actually comes up more often than you would think, and I always answer that I’m the only T1 in my family.  But when I think about it, I realize it isn’t really true . . . .

Only one person in this picture has T1 diabetes (hint: it's me).
But everyone in this picture has more than one relative with T1.

My aunt by marriage (she married my Mom’s oldest brother) had Type 1 diabetes.  (She’s not in the picture above.  I’d have to make a run to my parent’s house to dig out a picture of my aunt.)  For as far back as I can remember she was in poor health.  She was on dialysis.  She needed a walker.  Eventually she couldn’t come to our house for visits because she wasn’t strong enough to walk to the second floor to use the bathroom.  She was never anything but kind and loving and I don’t ever once remember her complaining about anything.  She was an amazing woman.  In the spring of 1986, just as we arrived home after buying my prom dress, the phone rang and we got the news that she was gone.  (And yes, I do think that was one of the events that pushed me into the diabetes denial and rebellion I experienced during my college years.)

That leaves me as the only surviving Type 1 diabetic in my family, right?  Well, no, not quite.  Her daughter, my first cousin, also has Type 1.  So why am I always likely to say I’m the only Type 1 in my family?  It’s not because I’m lying.  It’s because I honestly forget.  You see, my cousin is not in touch with our family.  The last time I saw her was almost 10 years ago, at our grandmother’s funeral.  Her surprise exclamation of  “Karen, oh my gosh, you’re a grown woman now!” is a clue to how long it had been since the last time we’d seen each other.

Does Type 1 diabetes run in my family?  Yes, I guess it sort of does.  I’m one of three T1s - one related to me by marriage and one by blood.  And still, in a way, I am the only T1 in my family.  And thinking about that today makes me very very sad.  I miss my wonderful aunt very much and I wish she had lived to benefit from all of the amazing advancements in diabetes treatment.  And I regret that my cousin and I don’t have a chance to share our bond and lean on each other.

On the other hand, these circumstances make me even more thankful to have found the Diabetes On-Line Community.  We may not be related by blood,  but we share a bond more special than family ties.  And for that, I am very grateful.

Never say never . . . .

I’ve said it more than once.  Oatmeal does not work for me.  I’ve tried different bolus combinations.  I’ve tried different types of oatmeal.  I’ve tried just about everything I can think of, but a little bowl of oatmeal always sends my blood sugars through the roof.

Until now.

Tuesday, after my #sweatbetes workout, I decided to have a couple of eggs for lunch.  And for whatever reason, I really wanted to have a bowl of steel-cut oatmeal.  So I did.  And to my surprise, the line on my CGM stayed flat all afternoon.  Crazy, right?

Yesterday I decided to really push my luck.  I did the same 30 minute cardio routine.  I added 20 minutes of strength training.  Once again I made a couple of eggs for lunch, but this time I made regular quick-cook oatmeal.  I saw a bit of a rise on my CGM graph, but not high enough to trip my 170 high blood sugar threshold.  My two hour post-lunch finger stick rang it at 147.  And before dinner, my blood sugar was holding steady at 83.

Holy glucose, I have unlocked the Oatmeal Key!!!!  I CAN eat oatmeal - provided I eat it later in the day and after a good workout.  Diabetes, you are one crazy intricate fickle master - but my days of never eating a hot bowl of oatmeal are over!  Ha, I win, the “oatmeal round” goes to ME!!