About Me

My photo
T1diabetic for 25+ years. 2 successful pregnancies. Teacher of high school math. Married. Love to cook, strive to be healthy and happy, love my pets, love to garden,...

Saturday, December 31, 2011

New Year's Eve

The doctor's appointment Thursday went well.  Can't share too much on here, but the doctor agrees that I should not continue to teach if my health is being compromised.

Anyway, not much to say.  I seem at a loss for words lately.  When I have news to share, I will.

Happy New Year one and all!  May 2012 be one of your best.

Blessings,
Tammy

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Thursday

Today I go to the dentist and doctor.  The doctor's office called yesterday to ask if I had blood work done yet, which I did not know I was to have it done.  I got up this morning and had it done and asked if they would have the results by 1:15 today and the nurse said probably not.  Wow, I even asked the nurse at the doctor's office if they would have it in time for my appointment and she said yes.  I look to speak with my doctor about lengthening my FMLA and about disability.  The questions that are asked on the form are suspicious and I want to answer them correctly so I am seeking counsel.

Blood sugar this am was 78.  Pretty good!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Wednesday

Well, everyone has gone home and we are adjusting to a quiet house again.  I love having company!  Anyway, a little higher reading this morning.  I changed my infusion site and am waiting to get my readings to normal.

We made way too many roasted vegetables for Christmas dinner.  I am wondering what to do with all of them.  I wonder if it is a faux pas to share with neighbors?

More later (perhaps)...

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Eve

It's been a day since I have written.  I hope you all are well.  After testing before going to bed, my reading was in the 200's.  I took about a unit of insulin and awoke at 12:30 am with a reading of 69, drank milk and ate 1/2 a cookie.  I am wondering how many of you have had young adults return home and they have different lifestyles than when they lived under your roof?  They are very active at night.  This is a little unnerving as well and upset my husband which in turn, stressed me out.  I did return to bed around 1:30.

At 6:30, I got up to begin the breakfast casserole I was making for the family and I was 51.  It is now 8:30 and the casserole is almost ready to be taken out of the oven.  Ah, there goes the timer, I'll be right back.  Mmm, looks good.  I will post the recipe if we like it.  The casserole was great!  It is called Amish Breakfast Casserole on Food.com  It has bacon, cottage cheese, cheeses, onion, and hashbrown.

At 12:00 today we met family at a restaurant for lunch.  It was Mexican food and I probably ate too many chips.  A reading of 289 at 2:30.  Bolused a little less than what the pump suggested I bolus.  Feeling sleepy, yet can't go to sleep.  So I choose to knit, watch football and peruse the internet.

Last evening I noticed a puddle on our kitchen floor.  This morning I kept finding puddles of water and a half hour before going to lunch I mention again to my husband about the water.  Upon closer scrutiny, he finds the spray nozzle hose on the faucet has a kink in the hose and is leaking.  He has gone twice to the store to get repair supplies.  Now he has the entire sink out of it's hole.  Why when we have company do we have plumbing problems?  My husband is so gifted to be able to fix these things.

So now it is the evening.  Dinner is done, got a glass of homemade eggnog and just chillin'.  Family, football and surfin', beautiful.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Thursday, already!

Woke up at 1:30 with a reading of 47.  Now I am 204, ugh!!!  Oh well, I made a correction and will get a shower.  By then the correction should have started working and I can eat.

Lot's to do this morning before we leave at noon to pick up company from the airport.


Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Oh What a Night

Let's see... I went to bed with a reading of 495.  I woke up at 12 and was 137.  Switched beds because I couldn't sleep.  I awoke at 2:30 with a reading of 53.  Drank apple juice and had two delicious chocolate chip cookies that my daughter made.  I knew it would probably be too much, but I did go back to sleep ad slept like a log in the original bed I started the night in.  Well, I woke up at 250.  Took insulin and waited for it to drop, then ate.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Tuesday

I woke with a 99.  Not bad...  Being this time of the year, there is so much to do.

Does anyone else feel that having this disease feels like a full time job?  It never leaves me (or any of us) and is always on my mind.  Looking back, I don't know how I worked full time and as a teacher!  Teaching is another job that never leaves you.  The two competed with my attention all the time.  There was so many times when I had to choose between the two.  There was no time to be a wife, really.  Anyone else deal with this?

Another thing that comes with this disease is depression.  This is not uncommon at all.  I take medication for this and will for the rest of my life.  Anyone else deal with depression?

Luckily, I have enough interests that I keep myself from slipping into nothingness.  This time of year seems particularly hard because of all the things to be done and that can be overwhelming.  I also have great loss in my life so that doesn't help either.

All in all, I have to pat myself on the back.  I have a lot to be thankful for and reminding myself of that keeps me going.

I just read yoga helps with depression.  The picture showed a downward facing dog pose.  I may try this to get myself motivated!

So tonight I have a reading of 495, really?  I changed my site and bolused.  I am chillin' and waiting for the insulin to kick in or fall asleep.  I hope tomorrow will be a better day.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Sunday and pump site ?

What a night.  I had a low of 71 and a low of 58!  UGH!  At least I awoke at 126.  I was high last night and yesterday afternoon so I changed my site.  It seems my body absorbs insulin differently in my 'bum'.  The diabetes is easier to control.  I think my stomach is so scarred that it is difficult for insulin to be absorbed there.  I am not sure how to adjust this and will ask at my appointment in February.  Suggestions?

More decorating, maybe baking and completing some knitting today.  I am enjoying this time of year as I have the time rather than being stressed with grading papers and planning.

Have a wonderful day!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Saturday and ? for T1's

A reading of 65 upon waking this morning.

Question for T1 diabetics: How many of you have had a colonoscopy?  How was your diabetes handled with the fasting?  Since I turned 50, my doctor wants me to get this test, but I have some real concerns.

Have a great Saturday!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Friday

Good morning!  I woke up at 6:30 with a reading of 55.  The odd thing is I didn't feel the low.  I did take care of it and am on with my day.

My daughter is home from college and she has my day planned with what she would like for me to do with her.  So cute, yet I have my own ideas for the day too.  I am so happy she and I get along so well.

It is amazing to me how much easier it is for me to control my diabetes without the stress of teaching.  No adrenaline rushes all day long = in control blood sugars.  YEAH!  I never knew the disease could be quite  this easy.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Tuesday

A good reading this morning, 87.  Amazing, how much better one can feel when one is not stressed and can take the time to take care of one's self.  Have a super day!

My principal called to see what my plans are for the future.  My adrenaline and anxiety got going just hearing her voice.  She is as frustrated as I am since I do not have answers.  More phone calls to try to get answers.

Blood sugar dropped to 62 when I caught it at 11:30.  Ate lunch and plan to go to the barn for some relaxation and peace.

Science identifies powerful rejuvenating substance - Nitric Oxide

Science identifies powerful rejuvenating substance - Nitric Oxide

Interesting for all of us. Eating healthy and living healthy, including, helping others, makes our body produce its own rejuvinating substance!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Monday

A busy day for me.  But, first, last night...  I went to bed in the 300's so I took some insulin which should have been over 3 units but I took 2.5 or so.  Anyway, I wake up at midnight with a blood sugar that is dropping and it was 95 so I had some juice.  By 3:00 I was 46, so I go downstairs to have mild and trailmix.  I finally woke up at 176, not too bad, considering...

So now, onto the day...  I need to take hubby to the airport, mail Christmas packages, go to a sewing store to complete monogrammed napkins for a Christmas gift.  Poor Bootsie will have to wait until tomorrow.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Sunday

Good reading upon waking up this morning, 98.  I did feel GI issues during the night and during the day today.  I don't know if it is from using the soy isolate powder or not.  I only use 1/3 the flour content replaced with the soy protein powder.  Perhaps I need to use less than that.  I must see if there is a different type of soy powder to reduce carbs and replace for flour.

I didn't get to the barn today to see our horse, Boots.  I WILL get there this week!  I must start working with her to get her on our trailer.  She does not like a ramp entrance to a trailer.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Saturday

Last night, at 9:00 when I headed to bed, I tested and found I was 169.  I did not treat since in the past I have dropped too low during the night or when I wake up in the morning.  At 1:43 I awoke at 43 and drank 22g carbs of juice.  I then woke up at 6:00 and was 54!  What the heck?  I drank another 15g of carbs.  Not the best way to start the day!  I am sure there will be more to add later.

Back again... A slow to get going morning.  I finally fell back asleep after dealing with a headache all morning and just feeling like yuck (I think yuck feels not normal).  The remainder of the day went fairly well.  Now, I am suffering from a low sugar of 55.  Treated with milk that is taking way too long to work!

Friday, December 9, 2011

Teaching with T1 diabetes

The day begins with some anxiety of how the students will behave and how many will argue with me or yell at me when I correct their behavior so the classroom is quiet.  This anxiety, in turn, causes adrenaline to be released into my body which causes my blood sugar to rise.  The day is endlessly a roller coaster with blood sugar swings that I try to stay on top of while monitoring teenagers.  The teens who want to learn do not have a voice and so much energy is put into correcting or waiting for the poorly behaved to correct their behavior or be sent from the room for not behaving.  This is a daily occurrence.  Some may say, I need to work on classroom management, but I have shared my stories with teachers who have taught for 20+ years and they say the behavior of teens in our society and the lack of discipline in the schools, has deteriorated drastically.  It is not my fault and many of those teachers are retiring or counting the days until they can get out.  This makes me so sad since, again, those who want to learn do not have a voice.

In the classroom, I deal with high and low blood sugars every day.  I have never once asked for the health needs or adaptations I may need because daily that would be impossible.  A person would have to be hired to stand by to take over my classes each day so I can treat and wait for treatment to work for the swings in my blood sugar.  This is not healthy for me either.  The treatment can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours to take effect!

Friday (alas)

I awoke with a bs of 141.  In the middle of the night I tested and had a bs of 99.  Fell back asleep and woke up 1.5 hours later and felt shaky so I drank some of a Juicy Juice juice box (I find these nice since they are premeasured to 15 carbs).

Anyway, I have been up for an hour and should probably get some breakfast.  I will add more later...

The rest of the day has been uneventful.  A little low late this afternoon.  Sitting down to rest now before we go out to get some Christmas shopping and get a bite to eat.

I hope anyone reading this has a wonderful Friday evening.  If I feel the need to update because of unusual occurrences, I will do so.  :-)

So, dinner went well but I had a cup of soup (a think chicken, chili, like concoction; who knows how many carbs) and half of a calzone that my husband and I split.  It was very good, but I guessed, as always, on the carbs and insulin.  We ate @ 5:30 so I will test soon and update then.  Does anyone hate eating out and having to guess at the carbs?  There are many things that I make at home too, that I do not know the carbs.  I hope to get software for Xmas for cooks that has a place where you can enter the ingredients and know what the carbs are.  Does anyone have a suggestion of software?

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Thursday

Well, I got the news yesterday that I am officially menopausal.  Another milestone, as my husband so nicely put it.

Before going to bed I had a bs of 223 and took a lower amount of insulin than my pump recommended so I would not get a low sugar.  Sure enough, at 5:00, I awake with a low of 58.  So, I have been up since then.

I plan to return solar Christmas string lights to Target.  Great idea, the idea needs to be perfected though...

Looking for a recipe to make a crusty dipping bread for olive oil or to serve with pasta dishes that has less carbs via Joyce Schneider, the author of The New Diabetes Diet.  I will share if I find one and it is palatable.

So, to reflect on yesterday, I ended up with a bs of 308 @ 10:00 to which I bolused, took it easy and rested and in an hour I was down to 178.  My day was productive, but I was very tired.  I listened to my body and rested when needed.  I did get some Christmas shopping done and decorating.

Anyone reading this, please share what you would like to hear (or not hear) on this blog.  I am trying to reach out and help so T1 diabetics do not feel so alone in this world.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Wednesday

This morning I woke up with a decent bs of 77.  Since I spent much of my day actively up and down a ladder cleaning crown molding, I experienced low blood sugars around 2:00 this afternoon which I treated.  Each time I have tested, I have been in a good range.  If I can keep these readings going, today will be the 2nd day of normal readings since I have been off from work.  Hopefully this will reflect in my next A1C.  I need to be able to show that not working allows me to be less under stress and more able to be in better control of this disease.  Looking into applying for disability retirement.  I think I will hook up the continuous glucose monitor soon so I can really see and have record of what is going on.

Good readings all day, YAY!  Not too many hot flashes either, Yay!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Tuesday

Last night, after going to bed around 9:00, and I should have tested, I woke up at 10:40 and tested and I was 348!  WTH?  Bolused to just shy of what the pump recommended and woke up at 3:00 am with a bs of 58, uh, really?  Drank 4 oz of milk and took 2 glucose pills.  Couldn't fall back asleep because of a hot flash so upon leaving the room and trying not t trip over dogs, I did in fact trip and pulled my infusion site out.  Off to reinsert a new on and try to go back to sleep.  Finally got back to sleep around 4:00 am and woke up at 6:00 am with a reading of 211!  Anyone else on the roller coaster?  What a way to start the day... ugh!!!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Slow Cooker Salmon Chowder

http://www.food.com/recipe/slow-cooker-salmon-chowder-222338

Very good and tasty.  I think adding the corn, as one reviewer mentioned, would be good too!

I used canned salmon but leftover salmon could be used as well.

How Fit Are You?

http://www.more.com/health/fitness/how-fit-are-you-take-our-test

I thought I would share this.  I will work through the exercises, one/day.

The first one, strength, I tested as a 20 year old and got 15 reps in!

The second one, core, I tested as a 20 year old too.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Low blood sugars and hot flashes

For those of you who do not have T1 diabetes, here is something I am experiencing which may help you relate to some of the things we feel.  If you have ever had hot flashes due to perimenopause, that same sweating occurs with a low blood sugar.  That is only half of the feeling.  Now that I am experiencing both, every time I get a hot flash I have to stop and test to see if it really is a low blood sugar.  I guess wearing the continuous glucose monitor would help determine without testing, but even that has to be verified with a blood test.  I think a call to my doctor may be in order.  UGH!  For the men who have diabetes, now you have an idea of what a women feels during the change of life.

Sunday

A rough night with high sugars last night.  I made Dreamfields pasta last night and I do not think that the low carbs they claim are true for T1 diabetics.  I tested at 8 pm and I was 288, took 2.2 units, then tested 231 at 3 am and took 2 units of insulin.  I finally woke up this morning at 133.  The dinner was delicious, the after effects, not so much.  Anyone know any hints for this pasta?  Next time I will bolus even more insulin for that meal.  I made marinara and served it over angel hair pasta.

Ate breakfast and walked the dogs.  I continued exercising when I got home and then it hit me, I forgot to take my insulin.  UGH!  So now I am 315, but took 4 units so I should be good.  Now off for a walk.  Luckily, I will have my husband with me to keep an eye on me.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Healthy Chocolate Caramel Thumbprints

Chocolate Caramel Thumbprints...adapted from Good Morning America

6T butter, at room temperature, and 6T of milled flaxseed
1/3 cup sugar, 1/3 C. Splenda
1 egg (separate into yolk and white)
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 C flour, 1/3 C whole wheat flour pastry flour, 1/3 C soy protein powder
1/3 C cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup finely chopped pecans

16 plain caramels, unwrapped
1 tablespoon milk

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips



Beat together butter, flaxseed, sugars, egg yolk, milk and vanilla until well blended.  Sift flours, cocoa and salt into batter and mix on low speed till well combined.  

Form dough into two logs, each 8 inches long.  Whisk egg white till frothy.  Paint logs with egg whites and roll in pecans.  Wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least 30 minutes.


Preheat oven to 350ยบ.  Line two baking sheets with parchment.  Cut each log into 16 slices (each about 1/2 inch wide).  Arrange on baking sheets, about 1 1/2 inches apart.  Use fingers to reshape each cookie back into a circle if needed.


Bake 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press center of cookies with finger or end of spoon to make an indentation in each cookie (I used the flat end of a whisk).  Allow to cool completely.


Melt caramels and milk in microwave (about 60 seconds or less).  Stir till smooth.  Spoon a bit of caramel into the center of each cookie.  Allow to cool till caramel is set.


Melt chocolate chips and place into a ziplock bag.  Snip off a corner and drizzle chocolate over each cookie.

The addition of SPP (soy protein powder), Splenda and milled flaxseed make for less carbs and more antioxidants. Makes 32.

Diabetic Beef Casserole

http://www.diabetic-diet-recipes.net/diabetic-beef-casserole.html

The lean beef and cabbage provide healthier ingredients.

I may have to try this one!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Healthy Black Gold Cookies

These taste like brownie cookies.  Fudgy, chewy and rich chocolate.

2T white flour
2T whole wheat pastry flour
2T soy protein powder
1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt

Whisk together above in bowl.

6 oz. semi sweet chocolate (chopped if needed)
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate (chopped if needed)
4 T. butter
2 T. milled flax seed

Microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring to blend until mixed.

2 eggs
1/4 C. sugar
1/4 C Splenda measure
2 t. vanilla

Mix w/ electric mixer until blended, then beat on medium for 6 minutes.

Add chocolate to egg mixture and mix for 1 minute.
Scrape bowl.
Add flour and 4 oz. of chopped semi sweet chocolate and mix for 30 seconds.

Scoop by tablespoons onto parchment lined cookie sheets and bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes.

Cool at least 30 minutes (may need to continue cooling in refrigerator if too soft).  (I stuck my batch outside since it was in the 40's outside.

I have yet to get software to figure nutritional values.  Once I do, I plan to edit.  The soy protein powder, Splenda, and milled flax seed, make this healthy.  There is less carbs, more Omega 3's, and less fat.

Purpose of this Blog

To share the life of a T1diabetic and how life effects the disease and to share healthy recipes.

December 2, 2011

My first post.  I woke up at 5:30 with a bs of 71.  A little celebration goes on inside and I start the woodstove and get a little something to eat since I feel a low coming on.  Next, made warm lemon water, a good way to get one going for the day.

Today I have an appointment in the am and will take our 9 yr. old lab to an orthopedist.  She is a walking companion and in pain.  Xrays revealed something in her left shoulder that is causing the pain and limp.  I hate my pets being in pain.  The orthopedist is 1.5 hours away and I hope that the trip will be uneventful as far as traffic and blood sugars.

The goal every day is to have normal blood sugar readings.