Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ stars in Divabetic’s 6th Annual Diabetes Mystery Podcast, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, 6 -7 PM, EST. Chef Robert portrays Former Councilman Skeeter Jones who introduced legislation on the Sugar Tax. The Sugar Tax is a tax or surcharge designed to reduce consumption of drinks with added sugar. Drinks covered under a Sugar Tax often include carbonated soft drinks, sports drinks, fruit juices and energy drinks.
The tax is a matter of public debate in many countries and beverage producers like Coca-Cola often oppose it. Advocates such as national medical associations and the World Health Organization believe the tax will discourage unhealthy diets and offset the growing economic costs of obesity
In a recent profile on the Everyday Diabetes website, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ admitted that he feared the worst for his own love of great food following his diagnosis with Type 2 Diabetes in 1998.
“I suspected that my days of good eating were over,” Lewis writes on his blog. “Yet, as I worked through my ups and downs, I came to realize that the selection of foods I could and should eat was vast and included many of my favorites. This motivated me to attempt to create delicious, diabetic-friendly dishes that were also easy to prepare.
Today he’s a man on the go! is a man on the go. When he’s not working as a director of training for 60 restaurants in the Midwest, he’s traveling around the country as a keynote speaker for Taking Control of Your Diabetes and/or hosting his own podcast, ‘The Happy Diabetic Kitchen Podcast’! Read more about Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ in Diabetes Health Monitor magazine.
This year’s Divabetic Diabetes Mystery Podcast, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes, takes place at the fictitiously decadent world-renowned Gingerbread Men Cookie Baking Competition in New York’s Central Park Zoo. Mr. Divabetic’s culinary misadventures continue in this year’s escapade as he enters the competition with headless cookies and pureed kale hot cocoa for the judges to sample. As if this dreadful combination wasn’t bad enough to land him at the bottom of the throwdown, his mother, Mama Rose Marie, is accused of poisoning one of the celebrity judges. Things go from bad to worse when the snake phobic Mr. Divabetic hears about the giant python’s escape.
Now, the happy healthcare host must decide to face his fear of snakes and recipe rejection or throw in his apron and risk getting caught up in another murder investigation. Can Mr. Divabetic and his team of amateur sleuths hunt down the real killer and get Mama Rose Marie out of jail? Will he be the next murder victim? Can he ever create an edible recipe?
The cast of Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondesfeatures Mama Rose Marie, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach (Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and MaryAnn Nicolay BA, DTR), Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, Seveda Williams, Trisha Artman, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Dave Jones, Lorraine Brooks and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.
Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from the original Broadway cast recording of Gentlemen Prefer Blondesfeaturing the iconic Carol Channing courtesy of SONY MUSIC.
We’re thrilled to announce that Coach the Cure, Trisha Artman is joining the cast of Divabetic’s 6th Annual Diabetes Mystery Podcast, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondeson Tuesday, September 10, 2019, 6 -7 PM, EST.
Trisha Artman is a motivated Health Coach, Educator, and Writer. With personal diabetes experience, compassion, and professionalism, she nurtures trusting relationships—promoting healthy changes in an empowered environment.
“I teach people that they do not have to wait until things are at their worst to change negative thoughts and behaviors, but to start right where they are. Not because they have to, but because they choose to live out the life they desire and deserve,” says Trisha Artman. “Today, I spend my days not simply surviving, but instead thriving—inspiring other people to finally experience the freedom of getting “control” over diabetes, other chronic illnesses, and their lives. I’m excited to invite you on my latest journey— helping others realize their potential and strength within. Let’s live out loud!”
Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes Discussion Guide
This year’s Divabetic Diabetes Mystery Podcast, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes, takes place at the fictitiously decadent world-renowned Gingerbread Men Cookie Baking Competition in New York’s Central Park Zoo. Mr. Divabetic’s culinary misadventures continue in this year’s escapade as he enters the competition with headless cookies and pureed kale hot cocoa for the judges to sample. As if this dreadful combination wasn’t bad enough to land him at the bottom of the throwdown, his mother, Mama Rose Marie, is accused of poisoning one of the celebrity judges. Things go from bad to worse when the snake phobic Mr. Divabetic hears about the giant python’s escape.
Now, the happy healthcare host must decide to face his fear of snakes and recipe rejection or throw in his apron and risk getting caught up in another murder investigation. Can Mr. Divabetic and his team of amateur sleuths hunt down the real killer and get Mama Rose Marie out of jail? Will he be the next murder victim? Can he ever create an edible recipe?
The cast of Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondesfeatures Mama Rose Marie, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach (Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and MaryAnn Nicolay BA, DTR), Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, Seveda Williams, Trisha Artman, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Dave Jones, Lorraine Brooks and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.
Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from the original Broadway cast recording of Gentlemen Prefer Blondesfeaturing the iconic Carol Channing courtesy of SONY MUSIC.
However, people without diabetes can get this type of hypoglycemia too.
A doctor can use tests to identify diabetes in people with the condition and prediabetes in those at risk.
Don’t miss Divabetic’s 6th Annual Diabetes Mystery podcast, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes, on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, 6 – 7 PM, EST.
Mr. Divabetic’s culinary misadventures continue in this year’s escapade as he enters the fictitiously decadent Gingerbread Men Cookie Baking Competition at the Central Park Zoo. As if his dreadful combination of headless cookies and kale hot cocoa wasn’t bad enough to land him at the bottom of the culinary throwdown, his mother, Mama Rose Marie, is accused of poisoning one of the celebrity judges. Things go from bad to worse when the snake phobic Mr. Divabetic needs a clue that’s guarded by a giant python.
Can Mr. Divabetic and his team of amateur sleuths hunt down the real killer and get Mama Rose Marie out of jail? Will he be the next murder victim? Can he ever create an edible recipe?
The cast of Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes features Mama Rose Marie, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach (Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and MaryAnn Nicolay BA, DTR), Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Dave Jones and Lorraine Brooks. We will be featuring music from the original Broadway cast recording of‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ courtesy of SONY MUSIC.
This story of diabetes mystery and intrigue provides proof that you don’t have to feel trapped in a diabetes life. You can make changes, even tiny incremental ones, and get into a life that feels just right for you.
We’re spotlighting our favorite cozy mysteries in preparation of Divabetic’s upcoming Diabetes Mystery podcast, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes, on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, 6 -7 PM, EST.
Want to go on camping adventure without all of the hassles of pitching a tent, packing up and being bug free?
Pick up Best-Selling Author, Tonya Kappes’s newest book, Assailants, Asphalt & Alibis, in her cozy mystery series of A Camper & Criminals Cozy-you’ll be wanting to sit next to the fire or joining Mae and her friends on their adventures!
Here’s a brief synopsis:
Welcome to Normal, Kentucky~ where nothing is normal. A Campers and Criminal Mystery Series is another brainchild of USA Today Bestselling Author Tonya Kappes. If you love her quirky southern characters and small town charm with a mystery to solve, you’re going to love her new cozy mystery series!
Telling stories around a campfire at Happy Trails Campground is very entertaining to The Laundry Club women until one of the story teller’s tall tale about murder and alibis comes true, leaving the story teller MURDERED!
Once again, Mae and the Laundry Club ladies find themselves doing things they never thought they’d do while trying to get clues to who or why someone murdered the tourist.
Mae discovers an unheeded warning that will bring the tall tale to life if she can’t end the story for good before the killer strikes again.
Divabetic’s 6th Annual Diabetes Mystery podcast, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes, will air on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, 6 – 7 PM, EST.
Mr. Divabetic’s culinary misadventures continue in this year’s escapade as he enters the fictitiously decadent Gingerbread Men Cookie Baking Competition at the Central Park Zoo. As if his dreadful combination of headless cookies and kale hot cocoa wasn’t bad enough to land him at the bottom of the culinary throwdown, his mother, Mama Rose Marie, is accused of poisoning one of the celebrity judges. Things go from bad to worse when the snake phobic Mr. Divabetic needs a clue that’s guarded by a giant python.
The cast of Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes features Mama Rose Marie, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach (Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and MaryAnn Nicolay BA, DTR), Asha Brown, Chef Robert Lewis, Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Dave Jones and Lorraine Brooks. We will be featuring music from the original Broadway cast recording of ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ courtesy of SONY MUSIC.
This story of diabetes mystery and intrigue provides proof that you don’t have to feel trapped in a diabetes life. You can make changes, even tiny incremental ones, and get into a life that feels just right for you.
HomeUncategorized Divabetic’s 6th Annual Mystery Podcast Debuts in September 2019
Divabetic’s 6th Annual Mystery Podcast Debuts in September 2019
Love, Lies and Liquor by M. C. Beaton is a terrific read! The story continues the tradition in M. C. Beaton’s beloved Agatha Raisin mystery series―now a hit TV show on public television.
Amateur sleuth Agatha Raisin is lonely. Busy as she is with her detective agency and the meetings of the Carsely Ladies’ Society, she still misses her ex-husband, James Lacey, so she welcomes his return to the cottage next door with her usual triumph of optimism over experience—especially when he invites her on holiday at a surprise location that was once very dear to him.
With visions of a romantic hideaway in Italy or the Pacific dancing in her head, Agatha goes off happily with James to…Snoth-on-Sea, in Sussex.
But trouble has a way of following Agatha even if romance does not: Just as she and James are preparing to flee to warmer climes, Geraldine Jankers is found dead on the beach―strangled with Agatha’s scarf. So much for Agatha’s holiday fantasies: Not only is it time to put her detective skills to work, but the police are not even sure that she’ll be allowed to leave town.
M. C. Beaton believes the secret to her books’ popularity lies in its lack of political correctness. ‘Agatha (Raisin) swears, she drinks and she smokes,’ she says. ‘She wears these very high heels and fur coats and says things I wouldn’t say.
‘She has vulnerabilities about ageing and getting a moustache, which women sometimes think they’re the only ones to have experienced. And the stories show village life in the Cotswolds, which is a Britain people think is dead and gone.’
A second series of the television adaptation, starring Ashley Jensen as the chain-smoking, killer-heels-wearing sleuth, will be shown on Britain’s Sky network. The first eight-part series of the comedy drama was a hit when it aired in 2016. Its wit, sharp social observations and idyllic Cotswolds setting earned it the description by one reviewer as ‘Desperate Housewives crossed with Midsomer Murders’.
Divabetic’s 6th Annual Diabetes Mystery podcast, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes, will air on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, 6 – 7 PM, EST. Tune in: https://bit.ly/2YGnyB8.
Mr. Divabetic’s culinary misadventures continue in this year’s escapade as he enters the fictitiously decadent Gingerbread Men Cookie Baking Competition at the Central Park Zoo. As if his dreadful combination of headless cookies and kale hot cocoa wasn’t bad enough to land him at the bottom of the culinary throwdown, his mother, Mama Rose Marie, is accused of poisoning one of the celebrity judges. Things go from bad to worse when the snake phobic Mr. Divabetic needs a clue that’s guarded by a giant python.
The cast of Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes features Mama Rose Marie, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach (Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and MaryAnn Nicolay BA, DTR), Asha Brown, Chef Robert Lewis, Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Dave Jones and Lorraine Brooks. We will be featuring music from the original Broadway cast recording of ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ courtesy of SONY MUSIC.
This story of diabetes mystery and intrigue provides proof that you don’t have to feel trapped in a diabetes life. You can make changes, even tiny incremental ones, and get into a life that feels just right for you.
Divabetic’s 6th Annual Diabetes Mystery podcast, Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes, will air on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, 6 – 7 PM, EST. Tune in: https://bit.ly/2YGnyB8.
Mr. Divabetic’s culinary misadventures continue in this year’s escapade as he enters the fictitiously decadent Gingerbread Men Cookie Baking Competition at the Central Park Zoo. As if his dreadful combination of headless cookies and kale hot cocoa wasn’t bad enough to land him at the bottom of the culinary throwdown, his mother, Mama Rose Marie, is accused of poisoning one of the celebrity judges. Things go from bad to worse when the snake phobic Mr. Divabetic needs a clue that’s guarded by a giant python.
Can Mr. Divabetic and his team of amateur sleuths hunt down the real killer and get Mama Rose Marie out of jail? Will he be the next murder victim? Can he ever create an edible recipe?
Diabetes topics discuss throughout the podcast include gastric bypass surgery, alcohol and blood sugars, sugar tax legislation, low sugar recipes, and surprising sources of calcium.
The cast of Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes features Mama Rose Marie, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach (Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and MaryAnn Nicolay BA, DTR), Asha Brown, Chef Robert Lewis, Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Dave Jones and Lorraine Brooks. We will be featuring music from the original Broadway cast recording of ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ courtesy of SONY MUSIC.
This story of diabetes mystery and intrigue provides proof that you don’t have to feel trapped in a diabetes life. You can make changes, even tiny incremental ones, and get into a life that feels just right for you.
Nut-based pie crusts are becoming more popular as people with diet restrictions and health conditions look to substitute sugar and gluten while maintaining the great taste and texture of their favorite desserts.
Walnuts are rich in heart-healthy fats and high in antioxidants. What’s more, regularly eating walnuts may improve brain health and reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer. These nuts are easily incorporated into your diet, as they can be eaten on their own or added to many different foods.
Spice Up Your Crust!
To add a layer of flavor your friends and family may not expect, add spices to this nut-based pie crust that complement the pie’s filling. Only use a small amount—1/2 to 1 teaspoon is sufficient and should be added first to the liquid ingredient in the pie crust (in this case, the melted butter) before it’s mixed with the remaining ingredients.
Have you heard that about 28 grams or three-four tablespoons of walnuts may help reduce risk of developing type 2 diabetes significantly? There have been enough emphasis on including a handful of dry fruits and nuts to one’s daily diet
Why not try this thick, velvety low carb cheesecake recipe with a walnut crust?
“This Low Carb Cheesecake has all the delicious flavor and creamy texture of traditional cheesecake without the added sugar. Serve it up as a special treat for anyone watching their sugar intake.”
Tune in to August’s Diabetes Late Nite . We’re talking about ‘Diabetes, Sleep & Mental Health Issues’ on Diabetes Late Nite with musical inspiration from the iconic Phyllis Hyman.
Guests include Alyson Williams, Queen Diva, Patricia Farrell PhD, Kristina Wolfe, ‘Tabouli: The Story of a Heart-Driven Diabetes Alert Dog’ Author Matt Pelicano, Elizabeth Vaughan Gallagher, Stacie Shonkwiler, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach with Patricia Addie-Gentle.
Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from ‘The Essential Phyllis Hyman’ album courtesy of SONY Music.
Recent Diabetes Late Nite podcast guest, Joan Salge Blake, EdD, RDN, LDN, FAND, who is a nutrition professor at Boston University and the host of the health and wellness podcast SpotOn!, says that the biggest nutrition fallacy she sees online is the advice to avoid white foods.
“The biggest myth is that white foods, such as pasta and white vegetables, are nutrition slackers compared to whole grain and more colorful, phytochemical-rich veggies,” explains Salge Blake as reported in US News & World Reports. “This is totally wrong.” Pasta is fortified with riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, iron and especially folic acid, a B vitamin that is critical for pregnant women – and many don’t consume enough folic acid in their diets. Similarly, a cup serving of potatoes (about one small baked potato) costs less than 20 cents, yet will provide over 650 milligrams of blood pressure-lowering potassium. Because most Americans don’t get enough of this nutrient, a potato is a cheap way to fight high blood pressure. In addition, Jones explains that white foods like Greek yogurt, natural aged cheeses and milk, potatoes and even many enriched grains can contribute significant amounts of nutrients: calcium in dairy, fiber and potassium in potatoes and B-vitamins in enriched grains. “Ironically, one of the most popular veggies these days just happens to be white – cauliflower!” Jones notes.
We’re talking about ‘HEART HEALTH & DIABETES’ with musical inspiration from the rock band “Heart” on March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.
Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease than adults without diabetes.
People with insulin resistance or diabetes in combination with one or more of these risk factors are at even greater risk of heart disease or stroke. However, by managing their risk factors, people with diabetes may avoid or delay the development of heart and blood vessel disease.
The rock band “Heart” was started in Seattle in the 1960s.Heart’s mix of hard rock and folk yielded one of the longest lasting and most commercially successful bands of all time. The band is fronted by sisters, Ann and Nancy Wilson who wrote many of the band’s songs.
Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Author of ‘Nutrition & You’ Dr. Joan Salge Blake, EdD, RDN, LDN, FAND Mama Rose Marie, Glucose SOS founder Pamela Heyward and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.
Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from Heart’s “The Essential Heart” album courtesy of SONY Music.
Great news for the Kardashians! Future blood pressure monitoring could become as easy as taking a video selfie. Researchers have developed smartphone-based technology that can accurately measure blood pressure from a video of a person’s face.
Finding an accessible, easy way to monitor blood pressure could be a breakthrough in healthcare. Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure and many don’t even know they have it, according to the American Heart Association.
“High blood pressure is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease — a leading cause of death and disability. To manage and prevent it, regular monitoring of one’s blood pressure is essential,” said study lead author Kang Lee, Ph.D., professor and research chair in developmental neuroscience at the University of Toronto in Canada.
Don’t miss August’s Diabetes Late Nite on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 starting at 6 PM, EST. We’re talking about ‘Diabetes, Sleep & Mental Health Issues’ on Diabetes Late Nite with musical inspiration from the iconic Phyllis Hyman.
Guests include Alyson Williams, Queen Diva, Patricia Farrell PhD, Kristina Wolfe, ‘Tabouli: The Story of a Heart-Driven Diabetes Alert Dog’ Author Matt Pelicano, Elizabeth Vaughan Gallagher, Stacie Shonkwiler, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach with Patricia Addie-Gentle.
Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from ‘The Essential Phyllis Hyman’ album courtesy of SONY Music.
Catherine Lawrence celebrates 50 years of living with type 1 on Divabetic’s 9th Year Anniversary podcastwith music from P!nk.
Below, Catherine shares her successes as well as a few stumbles from living life with type 1 diabetes to the fullest! Tune in to hear her full interview .
Catherine Lawrence’s 5 Decades of Diabetes
1st Decade – Age 9-19
I was 9 years old when I was diagnosed [with type 1 diabetes] and it was very traumatic, not just for me but for my mother as well. I remembered that it took two aides at the hospital to hold me down for my very first blood test. You can just imagine a 9-year-old seeing a huge needle coming at her.
I remember asking the nurse why I had to get up so early in the morning and go down the hall to do my urine test when the young boy, around my age, across the hall just had to put his urine in a container and the test was done for him. The nurse explained that he had had diabetes longer than I had and already knew how. BUMMER! I ended up spending 1 month in the hospital learning everything.
Speaking of testing, way back then, 1969, we were using test tubes, drops of urine and water and then put a Clinitest tablet into the tube to get a certain color. Blue (negative for sugar) was the best and brown (very positive for sugar) was the worst. And, that is how I had to do ALL my urine tests for the next well over 10 years or so. This was not something I could carry in my purse. But, being so young, thankfully I was not going out many places except for school and to play. These urine tests always put quite a bit of stress on me as I tended to get the “brown” color a lot. Blue would please me to no end! My endocrinologist called me “brittle.”
In the early years, it was so hard NOT to want to eat the things I liked so much, such as candy, cookies and esp. birthday cake. I wanted to be just like all the other kids and eat the same things they did. There were no sugar free items available on the grocery shelves that I could eat. Fresca, Tab and then sugar free Shasta was available to drink which made me very happy! It was also hard for my mother because I had a twin sister and brother who were not diabetic, and she had to try to keep their sweets from me.
Sometimes I filled my syringe in the morning with insulin then went to my room and just squeezed it all out onto the rug because I had a very hard time with giving myself injections. The doctor did not want my mother to do it for me cause I needed to learn to take care of myself. Most times I would sit for what seemed like an eternity, and just stare at the pinched skin of my thigh in my left hand and the syringe in my right and wait for the courage to plunge it into myself. I struggled quite a bit with all of it in that 1st decade and I was in a state of denial for quite some time.
There was so much to learn, and it was all so overwhelming at such a young age, but I am grateful I had such an awesome endocrinologist, and even though my family was learning along the way with me, they were supportive and helpful. I guess we all learned together that 1st decade.
2nd Decade – Age 19-29
Getting older led to working and getting out more socially, such as dating, going to a movie or out dancing, etc. and this created a new set of problems. I believe by then they had test strips that you could carry in your purse and urinate on in the bathroom and compare it to a color chart on the bottle. That was a big improvement as it provided the freedom to go out, be with my friends and do more things, but it still didn’t provide a precise picture of my blood sugar levels. It was hard being in my 20’s, working, partying and constantly wondering what my blood sugars were. I was still learning how to “listen” to my body and differentiate between the low and high blood sugars and dealing with the frequency of the swings between the two. Many times when my body was trying to e me something was wrong, I would either ignore my symptoms and avoid doing a blood test or I didn’t trust the symptoms and would tell myself I was just sleepy or that the anger I felt was due to some external pressure. It took a noticeable change in my behavior or and obvious physical change to take place to provide a clue to those around me that I needed help. Not knowing exactly ALL the time what my blood sugar was and feeling either sleepy or angry was extremely frustrating. Then the very first blood glucose meter was on the market I was thrilled! It was quite large, about as big as a small purse and I had to carry it over my shoulder! However, I was so grateful for this as it provided a clear picture of what was going on with my blood sugars and was making my life less stressful. I still had the swings in my blood sugar levels but at least now I knew exactly where the levels were and could attend to them immediately and properly.
I learned the hard way about one of the many complications of diabetes when I was studying to be a surgical tech in my early 20’s. I was having a good deal of trouble reading the board and taking notes. I went to an ophthalmologist, thinking I would just need a prescription for glasses, but he instead diagnosed me with diabetic retinopathy. He told me I would need laser therapy in order to try to save my vision. I was so frightened about the actual laser treatment and whether this would save my sight or not. I had to drop out of school due to treatment and recovery time. The laser treatment consisted of 4500 laser burns in one eye and 1500 in the other one. I was so blessed to have an excellent doctor who saved my vision! I have not had one bleeding vessel in either eye since then.
I met a young man in my mid 20’s whom I taught about the disease, its complications and daily proper care. He learned quickly how to give me a test, what physical signs to look for and their meanings and even how to give an injection. He helped me a great deal. At age 28 we married and have been now for 30 years.
3rd Decade – Age 29-39
Life was getting better with my diabetes. I was more in tune with what was going on with my body and blood testing had gotten SO MUCH better. I was able to know, in real time, what my blood sugars were and that was an immense step forward for me, and ALL diabetics. I was learning more and more about the complications and the various ways I could prevent some of them.
When I was 39, I discovered the insulin pump. It WAS A LIFE SAVER. I still wear it today. No more injections, except to change my site, and having ready access to giving myself insulin when my blood sugar is high and to be able to cover the carbohydrates that I eat at meals, WITHOUT HAVING TO INJECT insulin is amazing. Just the fact that I did NOT need to carry insulin and syringes around with me was such a relief. Just because someone has an insulin pump DOES NOT mean your diabetes is out of control, it is just the opposite – helping to keep it more under control.
TESTING, TESTING, TESTING of one’s blood sugar is of upmost importance to any diabetic, but especially to one that wears an insulin pump. And I did at least 8-10 blood sticks a day to keep track. Someone on an insulin pump needs to be able to do at least 8 tests a day to keep track of the fast-acting insulin that is being given to the body throughout a 24-hour period. I was, and am, very fortunate to have an excellent Certified Diabetes Educator to help me.
4th Decade – Age 39-49
Some years later more complications began to surface. I began to have stomach issues which led to ER visits. Gastroparesis was thought to be the culprit, but luckily for me testing confirmed it was not. Through trial and error my Gastroenterologist finally found a medicine that has seemed to help with symptoms. I had cataracts in both eyes removed which was caused by the diabetes. I have stage 1 kidney disease but am doing very well with that. It has stayed at that stage for quite some time now due to not only a medicine but by also drinking a ton of water every day. My heart is okay for now, but, as the doctor says, “I have some rust in my pipes” and that is also due to the diabetes.
5th Decade – Age 49-59
Well, after still dealing with the swings of blood sugar levels, I finally decided it was time to try a CGM, continuous glucose monitor. I have recently begun to use this tool and it has proven to be extremely useful for me, especially at night. It has an alarm which will sound when it reaches the parameters I have set for high and low blood sugar numbers. This provides a much tighter control throughout the day and MOST IMPORTANTLY the alarm wakes me at night so I don’t have the fear of dangerous levels that may go unchecked. It is not “real” time, but it comes very close to the actual number and it also shows me whether my level is stable or headed up or down. Now, this was initially stressful for me as I was seeing what my numbers are constantly throughout the day. I would get so upset to see it going either high or low. It was hard in the beginning to see all those numbers and that just added stress which just sent my levels even higher! Argh! It has been a learning curve and my endocrinologist told me I have always HAD these number, I just never saw them. My CDE said that your blood sugar can change as fast as your blood pressure. Always learning something new about diabetes!
Living for 50 years with diabetes is just amazing to me, considering I was not always the best diabetic I could have been. I fought it constantly, and still do to certain degree. Diabetes can be CONTROLLED, but you must learn all you can about proper diet, consisting especially of portion controls of your food, exercise and stay aware of what is going on with your body. That is why I always tell other diabetics about the importance of testing blood sugars. Doctors also need to be able to let their patients do more than 4 blood tests a day! That simply is not enough. I am a volunteer at my local hospital, in the Diabetes Management Center, and we see a lot of Type II diabetics. I have to say that I’m grateful I am a Type I diabetic, as I grew up with it and became used to the diabetic way of life. I believe it is much more difficult to be diagnosed later in life and then be forced to abruptly make all the necessary changes to diet, lifestyle, etc. I see all the time how hard it is for some Type II’s to handle. Continued research is so important for advances in care and control and, at the very least, I hope research continues with implantable insulin pumps as I know technology can and should do this! Check out the non-profit called the Implantable Insulin Pump Foundation. The diabetic community needs to push for this research!
Nevertheless, living with diabetes has been, and continues to be and “adventure”. I continue to read all I can to keep up to date with all the latest information, ideas, advances, etc. and my endocrinologist and the Center where I volunteer are excellent sources of help and formation. Every diabetic needs to be their own advocate at every doctor’s visit and ask as many questions as possible. There are NO stupid questions. AND, ABOVE ALL, DO YOUR BLOOD TESTS!!!! They can save your life. The future ahead looks very promising for a diabetic, and so long as a diabetic follows ALLL his or her doctor’s orders, and stays as active as possible, it CAN work. There will always be complications, but so many of them can be prevented with good care of your disease. There is so much promise out there and I’m looking forward to living to see all the changes!
GLAM MORE FEAR LESS! Share your experiences of living with diabetes and mark a milestone with us on Diabetes Late Nite. To be a guest on Divabetic’s podcast e-mail Mr. Divabetic at: mrdivabetic@gmail.com
Listen to Divabetic’s 9th Year Anniversary podcastwith musical inspiration from P!nk. Guests include Beyond Type 2’s T’ara Smith, Catherine Lawrence , Dr. Sara (Mandy) Reece PHARMD, CDE, BC-ADM, BCACP, FAADE, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Glamazon Beauty owner Kim Baker, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach. Hosted by the happiest health care “MC,” Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek.
