This is a result of more than just Diabetes Blog Week, but it’s still worth noting that I’m quite miserable at keeping up with things.
Lazy Chris
Overload
diabetes blog week
Diabetes Blog Week 2012 – Diabetes Hero
“Let’s end our week on a high note and blog about our “Diabetes Hero”. It can be anyone you’d like to recognize or admire, someone you know personally or not, someone with diabetes or maybe a Type 3. It might be a fabulous endo or CDE. It could be a d-celebrity or role-model. It could be another DOC member. It’s up to you – who is your Diabetes Hero??”
I thought about this one for a decent amount of time (relative to the normal, “just wing it” approach I typically take to these blog posts). I suppose I could have written a brief tribute to Kerri, who I credit as my first “discovery” into the diabetes online community. Most of my social media presence (this blog, the podcast, the twitters) can be blamed on her. Kind of. I’ve certainly branched out from the early years, but it all started because I found her blog.
Diabetes Blog Week 2012 – Saturday Snapshots
“Back for the third year, let’s show everyone what life with diabetes looks like! With a nod to the Diabetes 365 project, let’s grab our cameras again and share some more d-related pictures. Post as many or as few as you’d like. Feel free to blog your thoughts on or explanations of your pictures, or leave out the written words and let the pictures speak for themselves.”
It’s wildly apparent that those in the diabetes community have a shared tendency to post pictures of our Dexcom receiver. It’s the most efficient way to detail how a day is going, or has been. I do what I can to spice up my Dexcom pictures by adding things to the background. Sometimes it works, other times I’m too creative for my own good. The point is that sharing these images strengthens the community. Sharing the highs and lows empowers others to be open and honest about their diabetes and while I’m no medical professional, I’m certain the effects of experiencing and participating in this openness has a positive impact on one’s diabetes management. Maybe not immediately, but the good will come.
Diabetes Blog Week 2012 – What They Should Know
“What is one thing you would tell someone who doesn’t have diabetes about living with diabetes? Let’s do a little advocating and post what we wish people knew about diabetes. Have more than one thing you wish people knew? Go ahead and tell us everything.”
Diabetes does not stop, ever. Diabetes shows no emotion. Diabetes does not care how hard you are working to control your blood glucose or if it’s your anniversary. Diabetes demands constant attention. And even when you give diabetes the attention it so desperately craves, your reward is a d20 roll away. Managing this disease is extremely difficult but if you’re reading this and your pancreas works fine, I’m sure you’re saying to yourself “I don’t know if I could do all of that” – trust me, eager reader, you’d be surprised what you’re capable of when your life is on the line.
To the prompt, what’s the one thing I would tell said functioning pancreas owner? I’m not alone.
Diabetes Blog Week 2012 – Fantasy Diabetes Device
“Tell us what your Fantasy Diabetes Device would be? Think of your dream blood glucose checker, delivery system for insulin or other meds, magic carb counter, etc etc etc. The sky is the limit – what would you love to see?”
Fun fact, I actually had a brainstorm about how I would improve my Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring system, you can check that out if you want a slightly more realistic vision for the future of diabetes care (if I had my way).
Now, if I had a magic wand and could make something magic appear, kinda like oobleck but less…weird, I’d create a teleporter.
Diabetes Blog Week 2012 – One Thing to Improve
“Yesterday we gave ourselves and our loved ones a big pat on the back for one thing we are great at. Today let’s look at the flip-side. We probably all have one thing we could try to do better. Why not make today the day we start working on it. No judgments, no scolding, just sharing one small thing we can improve so the DOC can cheer us on!”
I believe the saying goes “insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” Within the diabetes community, we know that expecting the same results from anything involving diabetes management is a exercise in futility. The only constant thing about this disease is its inconsistency.
At yet, I still assume.
Diabetes Blog Week 2012 – One Great Thing
“Living with diabetes (or caring for someone who lives with it) sure does take a lot of work, and it’s easy to be hard on ourselves if we aren’t “perfect”. But today it’s time to give ourselves some much deserved credit. Tell us about just one diabetes thing you (or your loved one) does spectacularly! Fasting blood sugar checks, oral meds sorted and ready, something always on hand to treat a low, or anything that you do for diabetes. Nothing is too big or too small to celebrate doing well!”
There are a number of ways to approach this one, as I am a person living with diabetes and I care for a person living with diabetes. Hi Dayle!
A Consequence of Hypoglycemia. 