Ansley Dalbo – Divabetic

01/09/202301/09/2023

What Scares You Most About Diabetes?

We’re talking about what scares you most about diabetes on this Divabetic podcast with musical inspiration from the band Old Dominion.

Do diabetes and its diabetes health-related complications scare you?

How does this fear affect your life and daily self-care, and more importantly, what do you do about it?

Small amounts of fear might energize you and get you to pay attention, but the threat has to seem manageable. If there’s nothing you can do, and the future looks too awful, you will tend to give up and try to enjoy the time you have left.

Of course, some fear of diabetes is justified. The complications of diabetes are terrifying. So are the effects it can have on your family and your finances. Fears are stressful, and stress isn’t good for diabetes.

Fear increases insulin resistance and blood pressure and interferes with the body’s natural healing systems. It makes it harder to enjoy life.

So what do we do about it?

By taking better care of ourselves, we can reduce stress and even feel better about our diabetes lives.

Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Best-Selling Author Dr. Lori Shemek PhD, Diabetes What To Know founder Ansley Dalbo, podiatrist Dr. Michele Summers Colon DPM, gynecologist Dr. Andrea Chisholm MD,OB-GYN, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Jackie Mernit Muhlstock, and Mama Rose Marie.

Throughout the podcast, we feature music from Old Dominion’s Happy Endings album. Most tracks are upbeat, stay close to their debut album’s sound, and deliver a dozen radio-friendly songs. The album debuted at No. 1 on Top Country Albums, selling 31,000 copies and 41,000 equivalent album units when streaming and track sales are included.

12/03/201712/04/2017

Second Day of Blue Christmas Gift Ideas from Ansley Dalbo

On the second day of Blue Christmas my true friend, Ansley Dalbo sent to me a stylish set of Precise Portions dishware so I can easily figure out the size of my servings!

Precise Portions dishware has all the hard work designed right in, so all you have to do is follow the lines on each plate, bowl and glass. Their attractive vine and leaf design helps you to portion the right amounts without alerting anyone else that you are doing so. So you can use Precise Portions dishware for any occasion.

“Keeping portion sizes balanced is the key for healthy eating and Precise Portions makes doing that easy and beautiful!,” says Ansley. “Their plates will help anyone figure out how to eat a healthy, balanced meal and their china looks lovely so you don’t have to advertise that you have diabetes.”

The amount of food you eat is closely related to blood glucose control. If you eat more food than is recommended in your meal plan, your blood glucose (sugar) will go up. Although foods containing carbohydrate have the most impact on blood sugars, the calories from all foods will affect blood sugar. The only way you can tell if you are eating the right amount is to measure your foods carefully.

The only way you can tell if you are eating the right amount is to measure your foods carefully recommends the Joslin Diabetes Center.

QUICK TIP: Use a glass which you know only holds 4 or 8 ounces to better control your portion. You can also place a piece of tape on the outside of a glass to mark a 4 or 8 ounce line so you will be able to measure easily.

Our past Diabetes Late Nite guest, Ansley Dalbo and her husband run a website where newly diagnosed type 2 patients and their families could learn the basics about diabetes through an easy-to-use video-based email program– www.DiabetesWhatToKnow.com.

To help you feel blessed not stressed this holiday season we’re sharing our first-ever 12 Days of Blue Christmas Gift List . We’ve asked our panel of experts, friends and past Diabetes Late Nite guests for their product recommendations as well as tips to help you stay happy and healthy.

Remember, the holiday season can be an extremely stressful time for all of us. But stress, both physical and mental, can send your blood sugar levels out of whack. It’s important to start taking steps now to relax, unwind and/or mediate to keep yourself and your family healthy for life.

TUNE IN: Don’t miss December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring music by Elvis Presley on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, 6 PM, EST. We will be discussing ways to not let diabetes make you feel ‘blue’ during the holiday season with our panel of experts. Guests include ‘Walking With Peety’ Author Eric O’Grey, Chilbrook Kennels Breeder Author, Diabetes Alert Dog and Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, High Voltage. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring songs from the new “Christmas with Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” album courtesy of SONY Music. The album brings together Elvis Presley’s best-loved yuletide performances from “Elvis’ Christmas Album” (1957) and “Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas” (1971) re-imagined with sublime and exquisite new arrangements performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

NEED MORE INSPIRATION? Our panel of experts, Divabetic community members and past Diabetes Late Nite guests will be sharing more Blue Christmas Gift suggestions on this blog for the next twelve days to help you enjoy the festive spirit of the season without compromising your diabetes health!

Are you feeling ‘blue’ this holiday season?

You’re not alone. Diabetes can cause complications and health problems that may worsen symptoms of depression. Depression can lead to poor lifestyle decisions, such as unhealthy eating, less exercise, smoking and weight gain — all of which are risk factors for diabetes.

The good news is that diabetes and depression can be treated together. And effectively managing one can have a positive effect on the other.

If you think you might be depressed, seek help right away. Your doctor or diabetes educator can refer you to a mental health professional.

12/02/201712/04/2017

12 Days of Blue Christmas Gift Ideas from Ansley Dalbo

On the first day of Blue Christmas my true friend, Ansley Dalbo sent to me a ReliOn Prime meter and test strips for checking!

To help you feel blessed not stressed this holiday season we’ve asked our panel of experts, friends and past Diabetes Late Nite guests for their recommendations to add to our first-ever 12 Days of Blue Christmas Gift List.

Our past Diabetes Late Nite podcast guest, Ansley Dalbo and her husband run a website where newly diagnosed type 2 patients and their families could learn the basics about diabetes through an easy-to-use video-based email program– www.DiabetesWhatToKnow.com.

Ansley puts ReliOn Prime meter and test strips at the top of her list! “This may not seem super-Christmasy, but what could be better than the gift of good health?”, says Ansley. “Checking blood sugar is SO important for people with diabetes, and ReliOn Prime is the most affordable way to know exactly what’s happening with your diabetes.”

We agree! The good news is that both the ReliOn Prime blood glucose monitor and strips are very affordable. Believe it nor not, they’re about half of what you might pay for another brand.

Ansley adds, “Diabetes is a disease that YOU can control…. and the best tool you have to do that is your blood glucose meter. It gives you all the information you need to stay in control and be healthy. Get your meter, test strips, lancets, and lancing device together in one place right now. You probably got a prescription for a meter and the other supplies from your doctor, or maybe samples. If not, call your doctor today. Then go to the Videos section of DiabetesWhatToKnow. com and watch the “How Do I Test My Blood Sugar?” video to learn how to use them.”

NEED MORE INSPIRATION? Check out Mr. Divabetic’s 12 Days of Blue Christmas Gift suggestions to help you enjoy the festive spirit of the season without compromising your diabetes health!

Why celebrate a ‘Blue’ Christmas?

The blue circle is the universal symbol for diabetes. The purpose of the symbol is to give diabetes a common identity. It aims to: Support all existing efforts to raise awareness about diabetes. Be crazysexycool and blue! Remember, we believe in YOU!

https://youtu.be/Uwfz5mMLSDM

10/11/201710/12/2017

‘Making Friends With Fear’ by Lorraine Brooks

What scares me about diabetes in me?

There’s so many things I could mention

From finding out “sugar free” isn’t so free…

To dealing with my hypertension.

On some days there isn’t much that I can do

To keep from experiencing highs

And some days no matter which foods I pursue

My blood sugars are a surprise.

I’m fearful that this is affecting my heart

And maybe my eyesight will fade

There’s so many things I don’t know where to start

But I won’t spend my life being afraid.

On Halloween night I might have me a treat

And I promise myself not to feel guilt

I won’t overdo it, I won’t overeat

But I’ll enjoy life to the hilt.

See, here’s my philosophy, here’s what I know

And here’s how I do this disease

I don’t let fear stop me from letting me grow

And I won’t live in parentheses.

Make your own choices, make you own way

And get good professional care

Take care of your health each and every day

And take all your supplies everywhere.

So yes, I get frightened and yes, I’m concerned

And yes I can sometimes get weary

But when I apply all the things that I’ve learned

Diabetes gets less and less scary.

LISTEN NOW: On October’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast we’re talking about what scares us most about diabetes with musical inspiration from the chart-topping band, Old Dominion.

Does diabetes and it’s health-related complications scare you? How does fear of diabetes affect your life and your daily self-care, and more importantly, what do you do about it?

Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Michele Summers Colon DPM, Dr. Andrea Chisholm MD,OB-GYN, Diabetes – What To Know founder & CEO Ansley Dalbo, Diabetes Advocate Cindy Lou, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, newly diagnosed Diva living with diabetes, Jackie, and Dr. Lori Shemek PhD.

09/28/201706/24/2020

‘What Scares You The Most About Diabetes?’ on October’s Diabetes Late Nite

We’re talking about ‘What Scares You the Most About Diabetes?’ on October’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, 6 PM, EST with musical inspiration from the chart-topping band, Old Dominion.

Does diabetes and/or it’s diabetes health-related complications scare you?

According to the members of Divabetic, Diabetes – What To Know, Diabetes Type 2 Group Support Facebook communities, people fear experiencing diabetes health-related complications such as: amputation, blindness and kidney disease.

Many of our members posted messages about their fears including:

“The questions I didn’t know to ask. You just don’t know what you don’t know” – Marie Jean

“Not being in control of my appetite and not being able to lose weight!” – Chrysta

“Having kids and passing diabetes on to them” – Mallory

“Not having a family that I can talk about this!”– Gaye

“Not knowing if the meds I’m taking are actually helping or creating more of a problem. My belly is super bloated from metformin with digestive issues all the time.” – Kristine

“There’s so much to fear, so much I don’t know, and so much to learn. I guess in hindsight, I don’t want diabetes to become my life.” – Stephanie

“My biggest fear is that I will never have it under control and it will over take my life causing harm to not only myself but my loved ones” – Karen

“My son died two years ago from diabetes health-related complications. He absolutely didn’t do anything to help himself. He lost his right leg and half his left foot. He was going blind and just totally gave up. I’m heartbroken that I lost him, but I watched him give up on himself. As diabetics, we have to fight every second we are alive to be as healthy as we can with this disease. Don’t fear, fight.” – Roberta

“I appreciate that there is a lot to be scared of. I had a few days of being afraid of all of these things when I was first diagnosed. But then I got a new mindset. I refuse to be afraid of it. I will fight it with everything I have for the rest of the days God gives me. And if it does eventually get me, well I will go down swinging. Life is too short and precious to be afraid. And there are so many good things we can do to fight it.” – Sam

How does fear of diabetes affect your life and your daily self-care, and more important, what do you do about it?

Small amounts of fear may energize you and get you to pay attention, but the threat has to seem manageable. If there’s nothing you can do, and the future looks too awful, you will tend to give up and try to enjoy the time you have left.

Of course, some fear of diabetes is justified. The complications of diabetes are truly ‘scary’ as our members indicated in several posts. So are the effects fear can have on your family and your finances.

Fears are stressful, and stress isn’t good for diabetes. Fear increases insulin resistance and blood pressure and interferes with the body’s natural healing systems. It makes it harder to enjoy life.

So what do we do about it? Tune in to October’s Diabetes Late Nite to get advice from our panel of experts including: Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Michele Summers Colon DPM, Dr. Lori Shemek PhD, CNC, Dr. Andrea Chisholm MD,OB-GYN, Ansley Dalbo (founder of Diabetes – What To Know), Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and Jackie Mernit Muhlstock.

Throughout the podcast we will be playing selected songs from Old Dominion’s “Happy Endings” album courtesy of SONY Music.

The country band, Old Dominion’s success makes it hard to believe that its members were once just a group of individual songwriters trying to navigate Nashville’s music industry, playing tiny bars and hoping their songs would catch the right ears. They’ve quickly become of one ofNashville’s savviest songwriting collectives with their highly acclaimed new album Happy Endings.

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a lot.”

TUNE IN: Diabetes Late Nite on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, 6 -7:30 PM, EST.

10/24/201610/24/2016

Ella Fitzgerald is our Diva Inspiration for National Diabetes Awareness Month

We’re getting ‘jazzy’ for National Diabetes Awareness month in November.

Jazz legend, Ella Fitzgerald is our musical inspiration for November’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, November 8, 2016, 67- PM, EST.

Ella Fitzgerald had to have both of her legs amputated below the knee due to complications related to diabetes in 1993.

However, people with diabetes can prevent amputation by inspecting their feet daily and by being vigilant for warning signs of ulcers, including irritation, redness, cracked or dry skin (especially around the heels), or drainage on their socks.

The reason why amputation is common is because of nerve damage related to diabetes. A person with diabetes who experiences nerve damage is more likely to be unaware of a foot injury until it becomes infected. Infection can lead to partial or full amputation of the foot or lower leg. Regular care from a podiatrist can help reduce amputation rates between 45 and 85 percent, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).

Podiatrist, Dr. Jodie Sengstock, DPM, MPMA says, “it’s important for those with the disease to receive regular foot exams by a podiatrist.”

“Although ulcers can occur anywhere on the foot or ankle, they are typically found on pressure points on the foot, like the ball of the foot or bottom of the big toe,” added Dr. Sengstock “If an ulcer is discovered, or other symptoms, a podiatrist should be seen immediately. In many cases, the foot can be saved with early treatment.”

TUNE IN: November’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music by Ella Fitzgerald. Guests include the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach (Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN) Poet Lorraine Brooks, Ansley Dalbo, Best-Selling Author Anna J. Stewart, and Mama Rose Marie.