Reflections of a Unicorn with Type 1 Diabetes by Beverly S. Adler, PhD, CDCES, Part 5

Reflections of My Journey with Diabetes

Over the past 46 years of living successfully with diabetes, I have developed some coping strategies that work for me.

Nobody is perfect! It is impossible to manage diabetes perfectly. If my blood sugars are fluctuating, I try to keep a close watch on stabilizing them. Diabetes is not an exact science and many factors, other than just food and insulin, affect their variability. Don’t panic and do the best that you can.

Take life – and taking care of your diabetes – one day at a time. When you look to the past, and focus on what you could have done, should have done, and would have done, that can leave you feeling depressed. It’s water under the bridge. No use dwelling on the past which you cannot change, Likewise, if you look to the future and focus on worrying, such as what if I go blind, what if I contract the Coronavirus, that will leave you feeling anxious. Worrying about the future does not make it more likely to happen or less likely to happen. It just zaps your energy. No use dwelling on the what if’s. The answer is: stay in the here and now.

Connecting with others. My journey which started in 1975 was before the Internet. There were not a lot of resources available for me. Today, there are books and blogs, online and in-person support groups, podcasts such as the monthly “Diabetes Late Nite” podcast hosted by Max “Mr. Divabetic” Szadek with guests and games to learn about diabetes and have fun at the same time.

Think of long-term benefits. Managing your diabetes is one of the primary ways to reduce your risks of complications. My personal motivation (I know it sounds silly) is to be able to wear cute shoes with heels. The same can be said for staying safe during the pandemic. Even if you are tired of wearing a mask, maintaining social distance, and following hand hygiene, the long-term benefit is keeping yourself safe and others safe, as well. It’s important to remember that you have control over how you will respond to the pandemic and do your part to control the spread.

Last, but not least, is feeling and expressing gratitude. I am grateful that I was born after the discovery of insulin or else I would not have lived to tell my story. I am thankful to all the doctors who have taken care of me during the past four decades. I am thankful to my patients with whom I have learned insights. A big thank you to Max Szadek for our collaborations over the years.  And. most especially to the love and support that I have received from my family. I will always appreciate the encouragement from my parents, my brother, my sister, my son, my daughter, and my step-son.

Wishing you success in your journey with diabetes!

Read Part 1

Read Part 2

Read Part 3

Read Part 4

Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDCES has published two books which include insightful lessons of empowerment written by successful men and women with diabetes. Available for purchase.

Dr. Beverly S. Adler, PhD, CDCES guests on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast featuring music from Meghan Trainor.

Megan Trainor’s break-out hit, “All About That Bass” features lyrics about body acceptance.  In this case, the bass is a metaphor for the booty. “Yeah it’s pretty clear, I ain’t no size two / But I can shake it, shake it like I’m supposed to do,” she sings.

How well are you at accepting the fact that you’re living with diabetes? Negative emotions such as anger, frustration, hopelessness, fear, guilt and shame is very common among people with diabetes. Navigating your way through a range of emotions as well as learning to accept your diagnosis can prove to be a major stumbling block for many people’s daily diabetes self-care management.

Marvelous Mask & Hat Combinations by Harlem’s Heaven

For over 20 years, our friend, Evetta Petty has designed hats in her uptown New York studio, Harlem’s Heaven Hat Shop. Her hats have captured worldwide attention and have been worn to the Kentucky Derby and Royal Ascot in England. Recently, she’s put her design skills to work making fabulous, functional face masks.

Don’t get down, get DIVA!

Having type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes increases your risk of severe illness from COVID-19.  But living in the new ‘normal’ and wearing a mask out in public doesn’t have to cramp your style. You can stay safe, live well with diabetes, and still feel beautiful wearing one of these gorgeous hat and mask combinations!

When sick with a viral infection, people with diabetes do face an increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), commonly experienced by people with type 1 diabetes.

Learn the signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and be sure to talk with your diabetes care team about when to check for ketones and when to contact your doctor if you have them. And if you are sick, know what to do.

Q: Tell us about your face mask collection. What colors and styles do they come in? Are they for both women and men?

Evetta Petty: My mask collection is functional and fun. Its for ladies and gentlemen. I use the same high quality textiles for my masks that I use for my hats which makes them very special. I’m using beautiful brocades In rich jewel tones and rhinestone embellishments for the couture mask collection.

Q: How can people purchase your hats and masks? 

Evetta Petty: You can purchase my hats and masks on my website www.harlemsheaven.com and we will promptly ship them out. My Hat shop up in Harlem has been closed during this pandemic and will reopen as soon as the law allows.

Visit Harlem’s Heaven Hat Shop at the Bryant Park Winter Village (1065 6th Avenue and West 41st Street) from November 16 – December 2, 2020

Harlem’s Heaven Hat Shop is located 2538 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.   (@W.147) New York, NY 10039. Phone:  212-491-7706. Store hours: 12PM to 6PM. Closed Sunday & Monday. Appointments available after hours

Hat Designer, Evetta Petty

See hat desginer, Evetta Petty’s sensational hat designs sweeping across the New York Fashion Week runway. Evetta who attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City was inspired by the exhuberance of the Poppy Flower for this unique collection. Her hat designs are fierce!

Listen to Divabetic’s 10th Year Podcast Anniversary Special with music from the world’s most famous “Divabetic”–  Ms. Patti LaBelle. She’s encouraging a ‘NEW ATTITUDE’ about living with diabetes! Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle, RN, CDE, Dr. Andrea Chisholm OB-GYN, Luther McRae, Mama Rose Marie, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Seveda Williams and Terri Seidman.

Where can you find Customer Service for Word

Gorgeous Mask & Hat Combinations for Fall from Harlem’s Heaven

For over 20 years, our friend, Evetta Petty has designed hats in her uptown New York studio, Harlem’s Heaven Hat Shop. Her hats have captured worldwide attention and have been worn to the Kentucky Derby and Royal Ascot in England. Recently, she’s put her design skills to work making fabulous, functional face masks.

Don’t get down, get DIVA!

Having type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes increases your risk of severe illness from COVID-19.  But living in the new ‘normal’ and wearing a mask out in public doesn’t have to cramp your style. You can stay safe, live well with diabetes, and still feel beautiful wearing one of these gorgeous hat and mask combinations!

Q: Tell us about your face mask collection. What colors and styles do they come in? Are they for both women and men?

Evetta Petty: My mask collection is functional and fun. Its for ladies and gentlemen. I use the same high quality textiles for my masks that I use for my hats which makes them very special. I’m using beautiful brocades In rich jewel tones and rhinestone embellishments for the couture mask collection.

Q: What styles are new for Fall?

Evetta Petty: For fall I focused on the classic pillbox hat, it’s so sultry and sophisticated and the mask is an added plus. I also wanted to showcase a dressy holiday FASCINATOR or cocktail hat with a Couture mask for the holidays. It’s the new normal with HIGH STYLE!

Q: How has your life changed living in New York City and you’re living with type 2 diabetes since the pandemic? 

Evetta Petty: Being quarantined at home during this pandemic is very challenging with Type 2 diabetes. I’m really being careful not to overeat because food is too available. The good thing is that I can do some healthy cooking and try new dishes that I normally would not have the time to do.

Q: How do you cope with the stress and anxiety?

Evetta Petty: Being busy making masks and adding new items to my website has given me a great since of accomplishment. I really have been able to keep the stress level down by concentrating on daily tasks and limiting my time watching the News.  I realized early on that when I watched the News all day, it gave me too much anxiety.

Q: How can people purchase your hats and masks? 

Evetta Petty: You can purchase my hats and masks on my website www.harlemsheaven.com and we will promptly ship them out. My Hat shop up in Harlem has been closed during this pandemic and will reopen as soon as the law allows.

Harlem’s Heaven Hat Shop is located 2538 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.   (@W.147) New York, NY 10039. Phone:  212-491-7706. Store hours: 12PM to 6PM. Closed Sunday & Monday. Appointments available after hours

Hat Designer, Evetta Petty

See hat desginer, Evetta Petty’s sensational hat designs sweeping across the New York Fashion Week runway. Evetta who attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City was inspired by the exhuberance of the Poppy Flower for this unique collection. Her hat designs are fierce!

 

Listen to Divabetic’s 10th Year Podcast Anniversary Special with music from the world’s most famous “Divabetic”–  Ms. Patti LaBelle. She’s encouraging a ‘NEW ATTITUDE’ about living with diabetes! Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle, RN, CDE, Dr. Andrea Chisholm OB-GYN, Luther McRae, Mama Rose Marie, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Seveda Williams and Terri Seidman.

Coping with the Stress of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and Diabetes Dr. Beverly S. Adler, PhD, CDCES

This is a guest blog post from our friend, colleague and Diabetes Late Nite guest, Dr. Beverly S. Adler, PhD, CDCES (Clinical Psychologist and Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist).

I have continued working with my patients, via telehealth phone calls, during these past few months, while they and I are following stay-at-home orders to try to flatten the curve of the Coronavirus pandemic. This is some information that I’ve gathered to keep everybody informed.

To manage your health proactively and ward off any respiratory system threats, the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION recommends the following:

  •  Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
  • Avoid touching surfaces others have touched. Use your knuckles to push buttons, elbows to open doors, disinfectant wipes to clean tables or chairs.  Use gloves or wipes to pump gas or when pushing grocery carts.
  • Teach yourself not to touch your face. If you must do so, then wash/sanitize hands, touch your face, wash hands/sanitize afterwards.
  • Practice social distancing—keep 6 feet away from others in public places
  • Make yourself a cloth face mask to wear in public, especially in high traffic areas (i.e. the grocery store)
  • When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw a tissue away immediately and wash hands
  • Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever and/or cough
  • If you have a fever, cough and/or difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your healthcare provider. Contact your healthcare provider via phone/portal first. Going into a clinic can expose you to the virus, so if you are told not to go in, then don’t. Many centers have increased their use of telemedicine.
  • When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of novel coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals
  • The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk, or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.

Recommendations for people with diabetes have been endorsed by The American Diabetes AssociationBeyond Type 1Harvard Medical SchoolISPAD, and JDRF.

Establish and maintain strict personal hygiene 

  • Wash hands every time you come into contact with an out-of-home item or place.
  • Regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a handkerchief.
  • Act as though you have COVID and could pass it on.

Minimize risk when out in public

  • Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others.
  • Wear a cloth mask or face covering.
  • Adjust schedule to avoid busy times in public places. Take advantage of dedicated shopping times for vulnerable individuals if available.

Small routines can have a big impact on how we feel.

Barbara Corcoran advises, “Staying motivated at home can be tough.  So, I divide my day in chunks. First, I knock out my chores and exercise, zone in on my work, then spend time with my family.  I find being in control of my time keeps me mentally in a good place and makes me feel productive.”

Set yourself up for success with diabetes management 

  • Test blood sugar levels more often; your body may be reacting differently under these new circumstances.
  • Familiarize yourself with how to check for ketones. Check for ketones regularly, regardless of blood sugar levels.
  • Secure a sufficient amount of supplies, including ketone strips and severe hypoglycemia treatment (glucagon).
  • Maintain a routine of physical movement and blood sugar friendly eating.
  • Contact your doctor or health professionals by phone / telehealth, if possible, for diabetes management questions and concerns.
  • Lean on your community for help – none of these behaviors are easy, and we all need support. Look into digital and online communities.

Lockdown can lead to “quarantine fatigue.” Try to stay busy by focusing on a project. Some projects my patients are working on include:

  • ·         Working on a vegetable garden
  • ·         Exercising
  • ·         Meditating
  • ·         Journaling
  • ·         Trying new recipes
  • ·         Putting together 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzles
  • ·         Quilting
  • ·         Sorting out their closets
  • ·         Reading a novel
  • ·         Writing a novel

What can you add to this list? One project that I worked on was updating my website. Check it out www.AskDrBev.com.

It’s okay if you can’t wait for lockdown to be over and also be uneasy for it to end. Most importantly please remember that you are not alone. You are not alone in this pandemic and you are not alone living with diabetes. If you need to, check your local area for mental health assistance and your local diabetes associations for help with managing your diabetes. As Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases says, “We’re all in this together.”

Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDCES is a clinical psychologist and Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist, in private practice, specializing in treating the emotional issues of people with diabetes. She has lived successfully for over 45 years with type 1 diabetes. Visit her website: askdrbev.com

Dr. Beverly S. Adler helps us to celebrate Divabetic’s 10th Year Podcasting Anniversary with music from the world’s most famous “Divabetic”– Ms. Patti LaBelle on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST.

Divabetic’s 10th Year Podcasting Anniversary continues with a free Virtual Smoothie Party with special guest, Co-Author of the Best-Selling Intimacy & Diabetes e-book, Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND. on Zoom on July 16, 2020, 7 – 7:35 PM, EST. REGISTER NOW

10th Year Podcasting Anniversary Giveaway! Win a Dario Blood Glucose Meter starter kit in our random drawing. This all-in-one pocket-sized device can track blood sugar fluctuations and trends and identify hyper/hypoglycemic episodes right from your smartphone, providing readings within as little as 6 seconds. It’s scientifically proven, HIPPA compliant, and includes Dario Coaches to offer support and motivation to help manage your diabetes. Enter Divabetic’s Random Drawing by ‘LIKING’ Divabetic’s Facebook page.