Good morning! I really have not posted much on here. I started Tumbler, but am not sure I like the format. Anyway, I thought I would touch base and update.
Most of you know I began my own business. It took me a long time to understand it since I have never been a part of something like this. I also saw SO MANY people becoming successful, that I knew I could learn. Through the struggles, skepticism, and my own skewed way of thinking, I have finally been able to overcome so much. I am a better person due to my diligence with continuing to grow and learn because of my business. The best is, I get to help others do the same. Coaching has ALWAYS been a love of mine.
The business is two fold, health and wellness coach AND a coach to help people build their own business. In the health sector, we teach people how to eliminate processed foods, and foods that cause inflammation and introduce clean eating as well as supplements that are packed with nutrition. Due to being a T1 Diabetic, I had a lot of concern about trying this lifestyle, but knew if I wanted to do this business, I had to give it a try. So, January, 2017, I began, and have lived this lifestyle 80-90% of the time. I sleep better, have more energy, my blood sugars have stabilized continually and my cholesterol has reduced. I have reduced my 10 mg of Celexa to every other day (or less) and I have stopped the statin I was prescribed. I did not have weight to lose, but I was storing toxins in fat cells. Those pockets of stored fat/toxins have disappeared. I have learned so much about myself and am absolutely loving coaching and sharing the gift of health with others.
Now, I can coach about internal and external health since my business is the #1 company for Health, both internal and external, in the world! I can grow this business, currently, in 7 countries (and we continue to grow). If you are ever considering a lifestyle change to take a hold of your life and take responsibility for your health, please reach out. I am excited to help so many!v
Here is my website:
www.tammymiller2.arbonne.com
About Me
- trym215
- 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,...
Monday, August 27, 2018
Saturday, February 24, 2018
32 YEAR DIAVERSARY
Today marks what I consider to be my 32 year daiversary. It was the last Friday in February of 1986 when I went to a doctor appointment to discuss some changes in my vision. I was losing weight but thought that was due to planning my wedding. The doctor ordered a blood test and called me that evening with the results and their thoughts. I was told to report for a fasting blood sugar Monday morning which verified the diagnosis.
I already knew a lot about diabetes due to my sister having been diagnosed 12 years before. Although, living with this disease myself is much different than watching someone else deal with it. I must look at the positives about my diagnosis. I do not know if I would have been as focused on healthy eating and nutrition for my body as I am now. I believe that is a good thing and I really enjoy teaching others about their health.
Recently, I have added a more rigorous exercise routine to my life to continue to keep at bay the effects of aging and help my diabetes control. It is amazing how much working out will continue to impact my metabolism and stability of blood sugars (as much as 30 hours).
When I started 32 years ago I was on needles twice a day and increased through the years to 4 shots a day and would end up in the ER once every six weeks with low blood sugars. I did have two successful pregnancies (although large babies and one born two weeks early), but they were healthy. After having my last baby, I did go on an antidepressant and have stayed on a low dose of different kinds over the years. The reason for this? Living with a chronic disease can become very difficult. After a history of ER visits again, my doctor suggested an insulin pump, which really helped stabilize my blood sugars for a while.
I was very fortunate to be able to stay home with my children to raise them, I did work part time in education, be it home instruction, tutoring, teaching evening high school and substituting, but the hours did not take me away from my children for long. In 2004, I returned to teaching full time as a high school math teacher. I love this age group, and continue to work with them today. By 2011, the stress from teaching had taken its toll. I was suffering from cortisol overload and would be in the ER for high blood sugars every 6 weeks. As much as I did not want to leave teaching, I felt I could no longer maintain my health and continue teaching. I left in Oct. 2011 and was granted disability retirement in 2012. This was not an easy decision, but after watching both of my parents pass away young in their life due to disease, I knew my health was more important than my job. Near the end of my teaching career I switched my endocrinologist to one at John's Hopkins. This made an even bigger improvement to my care and they added a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) to my repertoire.
In 2013 we began thinking about where we wanted to retire. We knew we did not want to stay in Hagerstown and felt we wanted to move a little closer to family. We also knew we had to move where there was quality health care. We discussed with my doctor and her team at John's Hopkins and she encouraged the UVA area since that is where she obtained her medical degree in their endocrinology department. We moved to Churchville, VA in 2014 and I switched my doctor to UVA. I have become involved with artificial pancreas studies (a closed loop system) and am an advocate for this system. Of course a cure would be the best, but this system is the next best thing. With my results from the studies, my insulin pump has been able to be tweaked to get me in even better control.
In 2017 I tried the Arbonne30 Program. This program allowed me to eat low carb, have the convenience of nutritious products as a healthy meal replacement, and I learned so much about how my body reacts to various foods like gluten and processed foods. I have cut most of these out of my diet bringing me further into control. My digestion is SO much better and improved. I also learned how much protein we should be getting in our diet. Most of us eat too many carbs because we believe that is where we get energy. I have more energy now and sleep much better.
This past week I had a quarterly visit with my endocrinologist and she looked at my reports that I download for information to tweak my 'artificial pancreas' so I can become even better in control. I explained some of the things I struggle with and she explained the closed loop system will be the best way for me to become "normal". She thinks this will be the answer for me since a 1/10th of a cc can drop my sugars a lot. We also discussed my symptoms of frozen shoulder (for some reason diabetics are prone to this and thesis my second time), and we both agree that is what is happening. I know now to keep moving it rather than allowing it to rest. Resting only allows it to stiffen worse and freeze more resulting in lack of motion.
I admit each year my eye doctor appointment unnerves me. I fear retinopathy and the loss of my sight. So far, knock on wood, I have yet to show any signs of complications in this area. Yes, there are other complications, like kidney disease, neuropathy, and heart disease. My doctor keeps an eye on all of these and I am blessed to have my medical team. Is this easy? Hell, no! Am I fortunate to have health care? Hell, yes!
I have learned a lot about health and eating and what it does for my health. I LOVE to help others with their food choices, gut health and overall health and encourage them too. We cannot offer much to others without our own health. Losing both of my parents, Mom at the age of 42 and Dad at the age of 55, I strive to help others to understand that the odds for a longer life resides in what you feed your body. Looking back, I do not believe the way our family ate growing up was very healthy at all. I know there were families who ate even worse than we did, but then again, there were not the studies in those days about food and its impact on us. I cannot lie, I have thought about my own genetics and if I had eaten the way I do now when I was younger, if maybe I would have been able to fight the attacking of my pancreas by my own body's immune system. "What if's" are not worth dwelling on, all I can do is strive to be the healthiest I can and help others, willing to let them, help them too.
I already knew a lot about diabetes due to my sister having been diagnosed 12 years before. Although, living with this disease myself is much different than watching someone else deal with it. I must look at the positives about my diagnosis. I do not know if I would have been as focused on healthy eating and nutrition for my body as I am now. I believe that is a good thing and I really enjoy teaching others about their health.
Recently, I have added a more rigorous exercise routine to my life to continue to keep at bay the effects of aging and help my diabetes control. It is amazing how much working out will continue to impact my metabolism and stability of blood sugars (as much as 30 hours).
When I started 32 years ago I was on needles twice a day and increased through the years to 4 shots a day and would end up in the ER once every six weeks with low blood sugars. I did have two successful pregnancies (although large babies and one born two weeks early), but they were healthy. After having my last baby, I did go on an antidepressant and have stayed on a low dose of different kinds over the years. The reason for this? Living with a chronic disease can become very difficult. After a history of ER visits again, my doctor suggested an insulin pump, which really helped stabilize my blood sugars for a while.
I was very fortunate to be able to stay home with my children to raise them, I did work part time in education, be it home instruction, tutoring, teaching evening high school and substituting, but the hours did not take me away from my children for long. In 2004, I returned to teaching full time as a high school math teacher. I love this age group, and continue to work with them today. By 2011, the stress from teaching had taken its toll. I was suffering from cortisol overload and would be in the ER for high blood sugars every 6 weeks. As much as I did not want to leave teaching, I felt I could no longer maintain my health and continue teaching. I left in Oct. 2011 and was granted disability retirement in 2012. This was not an easy decision, but after watching both of my parents pass away young in their life due to disease, I knew my health was more important than my job. Near the end of my teaching career I switched my endocrinologist to one at John's Hopkins. This made an even bigger improvement to my care and they added a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) to my repertoire.
In 2013 we began thinking about where we wanted to retire. We knew we did not want to stay in Hagerstown and felt we wanted to move a little closer to family. We also knew we had to move where there was quality health care. We discussed with my doctor and her team at John's Hopkins and she encouraged the UVA area since that is where she obtained her medical degree in their endocrinology department. We moved to Churchville, VA in 2014 and I switched my doctor to UVA. I have become involved with artificial pancreas studies (a closed loop system) and am an advocate for this system. Of course a cure would be the best, but this system is the next best thing. With my results from the studies, my insulin pump has been able to be tweaked to get me in even better control.
In 2017 I tried the Arbonne30 Program. This program allowed me to eat low carb, have the convenience of nutritious products as a healthy meal replacement, and I learned so much about how my body reacts to various foods like gluten and processed foods. I have cut most of these out of my diet bringing me further into control. My digestion is SO much better and improved. I also learned how much protein we should be getting in our diet. Most of us eat too many carbs because we believe that is where we get energy. I have more energy now and sleep much better.
This past week I had a quarterly visit with my endocrinologist and she looked at my reports that I download for information to tweak my 'artificial pancreas' so I can become even better in control. I explained some of the things I struggle with and she explained the closed loop system will be the best way for me to become "normal". She thinks this will be the answer for me since a 1/10th of a cc can drop my sugars a lot. We also discussed my symptoms of frozen shoulder (for some reason diabetics are prone to this and thesis my second time), and we both agree that is what is happening. I know now to keep moving it rather than allowing it to rest. Resting only allows it to stiffen worse and freeze more resulting in lack of motion.
I admit each year my eye doctor appointment unnerves me. I fear retinopathy and the loss of my sight. So far, knock on wood, I have yet to show any signs of complications in this area. Yes, there are other complications, like kidney disease, neuropathy, and heart disease. My doctor keeps an eye on all of these and I am blessed to have my medical team. Is this easy? Hell, no! Am I fortunate to have health care? Hell, yes!
I have learned a lot about health and eating and what it does for my health. I LOVE to help others with their food choices, gut health and overall health and encourage them too. We cannot offer much to others without our own health. Losing both of my parents, Mom at the age of 42 and Dad at the age of 55, I strive to help others to understand that the odds for a longer life resides in what you feed your body. Looking back, I do not believe the way our family ate growing up was very healthy at all. I know there were families who ate even worse than we did, but then again, there were not the studies in those days about food and its impact on us. I cannot lie, I have thought about my own genetics and if I had eaten the way I do now when I was younger, if maybe I would have been able to fight the attacking of my pancreas by my own body's immune system. "What if's" are not worth dwelling on, all I can do is strive to be the healthiest I can and help others, willing to let them, help them too.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Monday, January 11, 2016
Mold Journey pt. 2
Leaving the property Dec. 2, 2014, we were offered to stay at a neighbor's vacation home at Bryce Mountain Resort. We stayed there for 10 days until our belongings could be cleaned and we found a rental to move into. Dec. 16, we moved to a rental home in Staunton, VA. We met with a builder, Darrell Marshall, of Marshall Home Construction. Darrell was our rock and had many connections. Because our property is in a flood plain, we had a more complicated case to rebuild and had many hoops to jump through. Surveying of the land, choosing a house plan, presenting to the county for approval of the foundation, tearing the old house down and removal of trees and bamboo to rebuild, and breaking ground. Thank goodness all went smoothly, we believe because of our fortune to be guided to the right people. Being outsiders in a small community, many times outsiders are not treated well (as we believe happened to us when we bought).
In the meantime, we did file a letter with those we feel were responsible for our predicament. Of the 5 parties, we got one letter back from a lawyer of the home inspector. We then proceeded to file letters of complaint to the state and were told those involved would have notations put in their file. If this would have happened in Maryland, we would have had a case. Virginia is a 'buyer beware' state.
The decisions were many, the weather was not always ideal, yet, all in all, the build went fairly smooth. We broke ground May 18, 2015 and moved in November 12, 2015.
The holidays were wonderful in our new house! All siblings and family visited throughout the season and now we are settling into January 2016. A storage unit awaits us to remove its contents, still. How much of the contents are really necessary, we shall see. The house needs special design for storage, such as bookcases and shelving.
Anyway, our dreams have been realized in our safe, beautiful house. More to follow,...
In the meantime, we did file a letter with those we feel were responsible for our predicament. Of the 5 parties, we got one letter back from a lawyer of the home inspector. We then proceeded to file letters of complaint to the state and were told those involved would have notations put in their file. If this would have happened in Maryland, we would have had a case. Virginia is a 'buyer beware' state.
The decisions were many, the weather was not always ideal, yet, all in all, the build went fairly smooth. We broke ground May 18, 2015 and moved in November 12, 2015.
The holidays were wonderful in our new house! All siblings and family visited throughout the season and now we are settling into January 2016. A storage unit awaits us to remove its contents, still. How much of the contents are really necessary, we shall see. The house needs special design for storage, such as bookcases and shelving.
Anyway, our dreams have been realized in our safe, beautiful house. More to follow,...
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Friday, December 18, 2015
Final Weekend of T1D study at UVA
After being set up with all of the technology, I am now on auto pilot for insulin and must eat at dictated times because the artificial pancreas gives me insulin to coincide with eating. Praying this all works. More updates to follow,...
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
The Mold Journey
Since I have not been keeping up with this blog since retirement and now picking up again with the diabetes research, I looked at my history and realized I never wrote about our mold story and moving to Virginia.
You see, we lived in Maryland our entire lives, and in Hagerstown for 24+ years. We always wanted to try rural living and looked for property in Washington County for many years, even putting offers in on properties. None of our offers panned out. When it came time to consider retiring and moving away from Maryland (where we had no family), we considered beauty of surroundings, health care, college life and somewhat closer to family.
Our daughter attended Bridgewater College in Virginia and we really liked the area. We happened upon Staunton, VA when we were on our way south for a surprise 50th birthday party for a family member. Staying overnight in Staunton, we discovered this small town with a college, history, and a great vibe of energy and culture. I began searching for properties and found a realtor. I/We visited many times to look at properties. I also subscribed to the local paper and looked at Zillow for listings. I found this one listing that kept at me. It had a creek with a swimming hole, 15+ acres, a barn and an old hunt cabin, turned into cottage (dated 1904). Upon seeing the property, we fell in love! The property even has a ridge. We thought we were getting a good deal and would have little mortgage in our retirement years.
We listed our house and put in an offer on the Churchville property. Everything was working out, we found buyers for our house and the price on the property in VA was reduced because there was concerns with the roof. We learned this after it was inspected. We left Hagerstown and started the adventure to the VA property. We arranged to stay in a cabin at a KOA campground for 15 days and then we were to settle. Once we got down here, the owner of the property decided she would not be ready to settle on the date we had agreed upon. We had no place to go, so we told her she would have to pay to put us up someplace until she would be ready. The agreed upon date was set for October 14, 2014.
We moved into the house and the next day saw that the roof was leaking on the porch and on the furnace. We started to call for estimates to get the electric and plumbing updated and for other upgrades on the house. After 3 weeks I started to have symptoms of asthma like I had as a child. Paul began feeling similarly and he never even had asthma. We both also began having difficulty thinking clearly. Paul had an episode where he thought he was having a heart attack! I would wake up at night and have heart racing and panic attack like symptoms. We had no idea why since we were living what we had always dreamed of. After explaining our symptoms to a neighbor, who happened to be in the mold business, we decided to test for mold. The results were horrendous! We had a few types of mold growing in the house, but the highest levels of black mold were found. The house was so far gone that it could not be saved. We left the house December 2nd, never to return to live there.
I will continue this saga,...
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Happy Thanksgiving
Woke up about 6am and started coffee and the sweet potatoes. It is now 8:45 and I am still the only one awake! It is quiet and I am enjoying the peace. Living here seems like a dream. I believe we will eat the big meal around 5:00 or so. The turkey will take 4 hours. Since it is just the 4 of us, there is no pressure to eat at a certain time. Besides cooking, who knows what the day will bring. There is a log down in the creek that needs to be cut up and moved. The run-in for the horses needs to get completed too. Since we do not have TV, the day is ours to do what we will. Shortly, I will venture to the barn and let the chickens out, as well as walk up the lane to get the paper.
I hope everyone finds something to be thankful for this special day.
Monday, November 23, 2015
Research Purpose
As I reflect on my experience this weekend, I am grateful that I was able to be a part of this fantastic study. I have NEVER been able to take some time just to focus on my diabetes. I am thinking this is what camp would be like. Anyway, the study is through NIH, as well, and they are developing an artificial pancreas. When I return in December, I will be wearing an evolving version of an artificial pancreas.
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Day 3 - UVA Basal Rate Research Trial
Upon waking, I felt better physically than the day before, just tired. I ate breakfast and we headed to the gym. I completed the exercise easily and then returned to the research house where I ate lunch. Oh, I forgot, I was given a Fitbit to use for the 30 days and instructed on how to download it as well as the blind CGM and my pump for additional data. The great thing about this study is 3 doctors, IT technicians and more were watching my data live on a computer the entire time I was in the study. I did get to nap this afternoon before leaving the research house. I returned home with their CGM, glucometer and a Fitbit. Each Tuesday I am to download everything onto the computer, including my Verio pump. The data will be collected until Dec. 18, when I will return for the final part of the study. It is my understanding that at this point I will be fitted with a device that will automatically manage my diabetes based on the test results. I am intrigued to see what happens. I am very tired tonight and look forward to sleeping in my own bed.
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Day 2 UVA Basal Rate Study
Technology can be great and then again, it can have shortcomings. I was hooked up to all of the devices yesterday and for some reason my sugars went to 300. This meant I was awakened many times during the night for blood sugar readings and blousing to cover them as well as encouraged to drink water. By morning the readings still had not come down and I was beginning to suffer from the highs. I awoke at 6:50 and was not able to eat until 9:30 because we were waiting for me to respond to insulin on board. Once the doctor got here, we agreed that I should take an injection. The injection, water and Pedialite helped me to begin to respond. I really did not think I would be able to continue with the day's activities, but alas, I started feeling less nauseous and my ketones reduced. Onto the exercise portion of the study,... This went very well. I rode a stationary bike at a gym for 3 15 minute intervals with a 5 minute rest in between. My heart rate needed to get as close to 140 as I could maintain through the 15 minutes. It felt good once I got through the first session. I struggled with that one being that I had such high sugars. Once we completed the exercise we had to wait for a taxi that did not show so we walked back to the research house. My sugars have been much more stable through the day. The CGM refused to function properly so we reinserted the sensor and calibrated it. Dinner is minutes away now,... Let's hope the evening goes smoothly and I can get a good night's rest. The evening did not go as smoothly as I would have liked. My Nokia for dinner when I counted my carbs was to be 9 units. I have never taken that much insulin for a meal! After the highs the night before, I was convinced to take the 9 units as I trusted they were watching me very closely. I knew the exercise would keep my sugars down. After 2 hours, I dropped and from that point through the evening, I had to treat for low blood sugars. Even through the night.
Friday, November 20, 2015
T1D Research Weekend at UVA
Today I entered the beginning of a 30 day research trial for optimum basal rates for the artificial pancreas. This trial is being held in Charlottesville. I stay this weekend with the team and complete the trial Dec. 18-20. So far, so good. I have applied their CGM, insulin pump and been given a phone as a remote for the pump. As I go through this trial, I will keep you updated with information. Any out there who are interested in participating, let me know. The trial runs through March, which means the last group will begin in February. The more people who are involved, the better data. I can pass your name along to the study coordinator. I hope to not only provide the researchers with data, but to also optimize my pump and its many functions so I can be the healthiest I can be.
So far the staff has been great! I am connected to a system that everyone can watch my CGM, but me. They will monitor me at all times. This entire process is very interesting.
As for the rest of life, we moved to Churchville, VA, Oct. 2014. After 6 weeks in our new/old house, we became sick and learned the house had black mold to the extent that it had to be torn down. We rented a house in Staunton, VA and built a house with a wonderful builder. Last Thursday, we moved into our new house! As much as I would love to be able to help more with organizing and settling into the new house, my husband and I believe this study is valuable for the diabetic community, so here I am,... Some of the things we appreciate having again in our new house, a dishwasher, a flat sink, good quality washer and dryer, a gas stove, a large refrigerator and best of all living on our property, finally, and waking up to the views out of every window.
So far the staff has been great! I am connected to a system that everyone can watch my CGM, but me. They will monitor me at all times. This entire process is very interesting.
As for the rest of life, we moved to Churchville, VA, Oct. 2014. After 6 weeks in our new/old house, we became sick and learned the house had black mold to the extent that it had to be torn down. We rented a house in Staunton, VA and built a house with a wonderful builder. Last Thursday, we moved into our new house! As much as I would love to be able to help more with organizing and settling into the new house, my husband and I believe this study is valuable for the diabetic community, so here I am,... Some of the things we appreciate having again in our new house, a dishwasher, a flat sink, good quality washer and dryer, a gas stove, a large refrigerator and best of all living on our property, finally, and waking up to the views out of every window.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
I Won!
After a long patient time, I found out a week ago that I won my ordinary disability claim with the State of Maryland Retirement. I can now retire. It is a bittersweet decision, but I believe the right one.
I have found ways to connect with young people to encourage those who need positivity in their lives. I am also considering volunteering in a program called AVID at the high school to tutor students. If there is misbehavior with students, I can opt out of helping them. I may also consider tutoring privately in math.
I spend my days visiting friends, riding my horse and taking life at a much slower pace. This gives me time to manage my diabetes and live my life with much less stress. During my time off, I have thought a lot about my life. It has taken me this long to realize, my thoughts and attitude are in my hands. No one can make me happy. I am the only one who can make me happy. I will not tolerate others bullying or negativity, nor will I allow it to make me unhappy. Stating this clearly to others, has reduced their abuse on me and actually allowed them to have a more positive attitude. Clearly better for everyone! Life is far too short to be miserable.
I have one more claim to file. I will keep you posted on how it goes.
By the way, we are in my most favorite time of year. The days are cooler, yet not too cold. The woodstove has been fired up to take the chill off and the coziness of being home is wonderful. Sometimes, I wish the days were longer since the sun's presence keeps depression from trying to creep in. Mostly, I am very happy and grateful for my life. Being able to cook again and allowing heat from cooking into the house is a pleasure. Cooking in the summer is difficult. By freezing, canning, and dehydrating, I am able to save money, live frugally and eat healthy.
Off to clean the kitchen floor!
Have a great day,
Tammy
I have found ways to connect with young people to encourage those who need positivity in their lives. I am also considering volunteering in a program called AVID at the high school to tutor students. If there is misbehavior with students, I can opt out of helping them. I may also consider tutoring privately in math.
I spend my days visiting friends, riding my horse and taking life at a much slower pace. This gives me time to manage my diabetes and live my life with much less stress. During my time off, I have thought a lot about my life. It has taken me this long to realize, my thoughts and attitude are in my hands. No one can make me happy. I am the only one who can make me happy. I will not tolerate others bullying or negativity, nor will I allow it to make me unhappy. Stating this clearly to others, has reduced their abuse on me and actually allowed them to have a more positive attitude. Clearly better for everyone! Life is far too short to be miserable.
I have one more claim to file. I will keep you posted on how it goes.
By the way, we are in my most favorite time of year. The days are cooler, yet not too cold. The woodstove has been fired up to take the chill off and the coziness of being home is wonderful. Sometimes, I wish the days were longer since the sun's presence keeps depression from trying to creep in. Mostly, I am very happy and grateful for my life. Being able to cook again and allowing heat from cooking into the house is a pleasure. Cooking in the summer is difficult. By freezing, canning, and dehydrating, I am able to save money, live frugally and eat healthy.
Off to clean the kitchen floor!
Have a great day,
Tammy
Monday, April 16, 2012
Contributing
It has been a while since I have written and posted. Life has been very good and busy. My daughter is nearing the end of her first year of college and her lacrosse season has been going strong. It has been so fun traveling to watch her games.
I have contracted with lawyers to prepare my case for disability retirement. There are only two highly rated law firms in the state of MD that do this. I am grateful that I located the firm I chose who believe they can win my case, actually two claims. One for ordinary disability through the state retirement policy and one for long term disability insurance that I opted to pay for that coverage when signing my contract 8 years ago.
Day to day life is busy with taking care of the 3 dogs we now have, caring for our horse who has a foot injury, gardening, caring for the home and preparing meals. I love the slower pace of my life and am able to step back to care for my diabetes as needed. My A1C is slowly coming down too.
With the warm weather expected today, I plan to bathe the horse and dogs before the cool air returns and I miss my chance.
Something occurred yesterday while driving and I am sure many of you T1's have experienced this. I took a break from my CGM for the weekend and thought I was dropping low because my focus all of a sudden became difficult. Luckily, my husband was with me and I pulled over so he could drive and tested. I was 87, but the symptoms felt like I was dropping lower so I ate some almonds. My focus slowly improved. This feeling of reduced focus and difficulty thinking was what I dealt with in teaching day in and day out. Whether my sugars were high or low, my thinking could be affected. Looking back I do not know how I persisted in the classroom with the type of students I had and did not have something awful occur.
Life is much better. For those of you new to this blog, see my history for a more in depth description to why I left teaching due to my diabetes.
Have a great day!
I have contracted with lawyers to prepare my case for disability retirement. There are only two highly rated law firms in the state of MD that do this. I am grateful that I located the firm I chose who believe they can win my case, actually two claims. One for ordinary disability through the state retirement policy and one for long term disability insurance that I opted to pay for that coverage when signing my contract 8 years ago.
Day to day life is busy with taking care of the 3 dogs we now have, caring for our horse who has a foot injury, gardening, caring for the home and preparing meals. I love the slower pace of my life and am able to step back to care for my diabetes as needed. My A1C is slowly coming down too.
With the warm weather expected today, I plan to bathe the horse and dogs before the cool air returns and I miss my chance.
Something occurred yesterday while driving and I am sure many of you T1's have experienced this. I took a break from my CGM for the weekend and thought I was dropping low because my focus all of a sudden became difficult. Luckily, my husband was with me and I pulled over so he could drive and tested. I was 87, but the symptoms felt like I was dropping lower so I ate some almonds. My focus slowly improved. This feeling of reduced focus and difficulty thinking was what I dealt with in teaching day in and day out. Whether my sugars were high or low, my thinking could be affected. Looking back I do not know how I persisted in the classroom with the type of students I had and did not have something awful occur.
Life is much better. For those of you new to this blog, see my history for a more in depth description to why I left teaching due to my diabetes.
Have a great day!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Monday
Not a bad Monday, as Mondays go. I am grateful to be available to help a friend who is a neighbor and is elderly. She is 86 and is in need of rides to visit her husband who is still in a nursing home and is suffering from a stroke. I do not have living parents so I do enjoy spending time with them. These are the neighbors whose dog I watched for 5 weeks.
I am still dealing with high blood sugars after most meals. My endocrinologist has contacted Animas who is to send me someone to show me how to use the combo bolus feature on my Animas Ping pump. I will try this for meals before trying a drug called Simlyn which replaces the hormone Amylin. Amylin prevents the liver from producing too much glucose with meals and upon waking in the morning (dawn phenomena). I suffer from this, but the drug is dangerous because if you go low with it, even when you eat, the drug prevents glucose in the liver so no matter how much you eat, it may not be enough. It also slows down digestion.
The other issue I need to get an answer to is my CGM. It will occasionally shut off and make this awful beep. Then the word 'INITIALIZING' will go on the screen and after a few minutes the monitor will beep loudly twice again. At this point, sometimes it comes on and sometimes is shuts off. I have not been able to get it to come back on unless I plug it in to charge. I have no idea what is going on with it. This is why I stopped using it when I was teaching because the sound of the device was so loud and I could not predict what made it beep so loudly. Now that I am home and not teaching, I use the CGM more often and find the information it gives me useful.
I made two good recipes through AllRecipes that we had for dinner tonight. One is Chorizo Lentil Stew and the other is Blueberry Cornbread Muffins. They compliment one another nicely and the carbs are included with the nutritional value!
I hope everyone had a nice day!
I am still dealing with high blood sugars after most meals. My endocrinologist has contacted Animas who is to send me someone to show me how to use the combo bolus feature on my Animas Ping pump. I will try this for meals before trying a drug called Simlyn which replaces the hormone Amylin. Amylin prevents the liver from producing too much glucose with meals and upon waking in the morning (dawn phenomena). I suffer from this, but the drug is dangerous because if you go low with it, even when you eat, the drug prevents glucose in the liver so no matter how much you eat, it may not be enough. It also slows down digestion.
The other issue I need to get an answer to is my CGM. It will occasionally shut off and make this awful beep. Then the word 'INITIALIZING' will go on the screen and after a few minutes the monitor will beep loudly twice again. At this point, sometimes it comes on and sometimes is shuts off. I have not been able to get it to come back on unless I plug it in to charge. I have no idea what is going on with it. This is why I stopped using it when I was teaching because the sound of the device was so loud and I could not predict what made it beep so loudly. Now that I am home and not teaching, I use the CGM more often and find the information it gives me useful.
I made two good recipes through AllRecipes that we had for dinner tonight. One is Chorizo Lentil Stew and the other is Blueberry Cornbread Muffins. They compliment one another nicely and the carbs are included with the nutritional value!
I hope everyone had a nice day!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Leap Day 2012
A new day and many new readings. At least the day began on a good note, but the trend of my bg was rising steadily. I gave extra insulin for breakfast since I have real issues with dawn phenomena and liver glucose with eating. The two combined can be awful and set a vary bad trend for the day.
Today I have my first riding lesson and it is raining. I plan to get to the barn around 12:30 to get the trailer ready, get Boots ready and load the horses.
I must find a replacement protein bar for the kind trainer who gave me on last week when I dropped low and had no food plus the soda machine was broken. I have looked at 2 grocery stores and a health food store for a bar by Nature Valley called Recharge and the flavor being cherry dark chocolate. It is very good. I think today I will look at Sheetz for this so I can pay her back.
Tomorrow I drive to Silver Spring to turn over my disability papers to the lawyer. I need to get this over with and pray that this decision is the right one.
Have a SUPER day!
Today I have my first riding lesson and it is raining. I plan to get to the barn around 12:30 to get the trailer ready, get Boots ready and load the horses.
I must find a replacement protein bar for the kind trainer who gave me on last week when I dropped low and had no food plus the soda machine was broken. I have looked at 2 grocery stores and a health food store for a bar by Nature Valley called Recharge and the flavor being cherry dark chocolate. It is very good. I think today I will look at Sheetz for this so I can pay her back.
Tomorrow I drive to Silver Spring to turn over my disability papers to the lawyer. I need to get this over with and pray that this decision is the right one.
Have a SUPER day!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Friday
Life is pretty good. My blood sugars are substantially more stable. I have really focused on reducing carbs, especially processed carbs.
The American Diabetes Association gave me a call from a legal advocate. This person gave a me a list of lawyers to contact for assistance with my disability forms and filing. Of the 4 that I contacted only one responded and seems to want to do everything over the phone. I am skeptical since I have not dealt with legal issues before and it is hard to trust. A friend said he will try to help and speak to a lawyer friend for someone who he would recommend for this type of issue. I hope this lawyer has heard of the lawyer I am using or will suggest someone even closer geographically to me. I really want to get this turned over to a professional and filed so I can get an answer.
Have a wonderful weekend!
The American Diabetes Association gave me a call from a legal advocate. This person gave a me a list of lawyers to contact for assistance with my disability forms and filing. Of the 4 that I contacted only one responded and seems to want to do everything over the phone. I am skeptical since I have not dealt with legal issues before and it is hard to trust. A friend said he will try to help and speak to a lawyer friend for someone who he would recommend for this type of issue. I hope this lawyer has heard of the lawyer I am using or will suggest someone even closer geographically to me. I really want to get this turned over to a professional and filed so I can get an answer.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Saturday
Last night I had 3 bouts of low blood sugars! Unbelievable! I couldn't eat enough and have no idea why this happened. This morning I had another incident and ate too much. It seems I can't win. So frustrating and no rhyme or reason.
I hope everyone else is having a good Saturday!
As the day progressed, my blood sugars continued on their roller coaster ride, up and down, all day long. It really takes it out of me and makes it hard to persevere to do anything for the day. I just felt like laying around all day.
Thank God, my husband is understanding. I love him. He has to put up with so much. Hopefully tonight and tomorrow will be better.
I hope everyone else is having a good Saturday!
As the day progressed, my blood sugars continued on their roller coaster ride, up and down, all day long. It really takes it out of me and makes it hard to persevere to do anything for the day. I just felt like laying around all day.
Thank God, my husband is understanding. I love him. He has to put up with so much. Hopefully tonight and tomorrow will be better.
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