Remnants of the Pandemic

Posted on September 18, 2022 by Laddie

The title of this blogpost might indicate that I think Covid has gone away and is no longer a risk.

I don’t.

But I am fully vaccinated with two boosters and will have a third booster this week. I have chosen to believe that vaccinations will protect me from severe illness. Amazingly neither my husband nor I have contracted Covid in the last 2-1/2 years although we have had numerous close and not-so-close exposures. We don’t feel virtuous; just lucky. Some of our friends have had the virus and fortunately none with serious illness. My children and their families have taken Covid seriously with masks and vaccines. Even still, three of the four parents have had the virus in the last 6 months as have six of the seven grandchildren.

My daughter-in-law from the East Coast contracted Covid while staying at our house in August for a family wedding. My son (her husband) and the three children returned home on schedule so as not to get Covid one-by-one at my house and spend the rest of the summer with us. My poor DIL posted on Facebook that she had long dreamed of a solo getaway from the family. She just didn’t expect it to be in her in-law’s basement….

My current Covid behavior could be classified as inconsistently cautious. I wear a mask to Costco. I go to senior fitness classes at the YMCA unmasked. If the grocery store is crowded, I wear a mask. If it’s not, I don’t. I wore a mask on the crowded bus to the Minnesota State Fair but didn’t on the uncrowded bus on the way home. I wear a mask on airplanes. I don’t wear one for outdoor activities. I have never once had anyone criticize me for masking although I rarely see others masked. I’m not sure if I am wasting my time by wearing a mask sporadically or if I am putting myself at risk by not wearing one all of the time.

Like everyone else, I just don’t know.

I am aware of how much the last two and a half years of pandemic life have changed me. Some of the changes are positive. Some of the changes are probably negative or at best iffy. Some changes are nothing more than doing things differently. For sure “Covid Caution” has given me a great excuse to avoid things I don’t want to do.

Here are some good things.

I started Duolingo Spanish in 2020 and am now at Day 752 of daily Spanish lessons. I have learned a lot but am miles away from being a fluent Spanish speaker. I am currently on Unit 50 with Unit 211 as the end goal. I can read many things in Spanish and understand random words from Spanish speakers. I occasionally stumble through a sentence or two with my grandchildren’s nanny from South America.

On an early walk during the pandemic I saw a pileated woodpecker and was inspired to learn more about birds. I am pretty good at common birds but not so good at LBB’s. (Little Brown Birds.) I enjoy the Merlin Bird ID App which gives size, color, and habitat clues to identification and identifies birds with recordings of their calls.

Although I have always been a reader, I have definitely read more since the beginning of the pandemic. I am not reading important literature or much nonfiction. My reading can mostly be categorized as “high quality trash.” Interestingly I watch much less TV.

I have let my hair grow out and proudly wear a ponytail. Much less work than shorter hair, especially hair that curls in weird places and frizzes in humidity.

Diabetes-wise my biggest bonanza from the pandemic has been Medicare coverage for telehealth visits. Hopefully this change will be permanent. I spend 5+ months in Arizona and telehealth allows me to easily satisfy Medicare’s requirement for endocrinology visits every 90 days. Other than that I don’t think my diabetes has changed much.

Here are some iffy things.

I have gained weight. Some of this weight gain started before the pandemic with my slowing senior metabolism. My endo is thrilled and reminds me that frailty is a huge risk as I age and a little ”pudge” can be helpful if I get sick. I had a bone density scan in May and my scores improved significantly. More weight: stronger bones. I am okay with some of the weight gain but hate that a lot of my clothes are too tight. Plus I don’t like what I see in my bathroom mirror. (Maybe I never did.)

I have always been aware of personal space and am increasingly uncomfortable with people getting too close. When my local YMCA resumed in-person fitness classes after a year of the pandemic, the workout rooms had big colorful dots on the floor to show proper spacing. Unfortunately they removed the dots last fall. Now when I am at yoga and someone lays their mat too close to me, I want to yell “Go back to your dot!” But there are no dots….

As a senior with multiple autoimmune conditions, I think that Covid Caution continues to be a good way for me to live. But I know that I use it as a copout. I didn’t want to go to a large indoor wedding reception this summer because I wouldn’t know anyone. I just said “Covid Caution” and was excused without hurt feelings. I don’t love traveling a lot and am a happy homebody. Covid caution and I can stay home or at least avoid trips outside the continental USA. I am not a party person and probably use Covid too often as an excuse to avoid large groups. At the same time I am aware that as I age, it is not good to be socially isolated.

So where am I?

I don’t lose sleep over Covid. In early 2020 I was concerned that if I got the virus my overactive immune system might drive me into a cytokine storm. I live now trusting that my up-to-date vaccinations will prevent that. I have been lucky to have not lost close relatives or friends to Covid and don’t have traumatic memories from the last couple of years. I realize that not everyone is so fortunate,

Looking forward, as a senior I think that the biggest risk to my longevity is a fall. I dutifully hold onto stair railings and pay attention to my environment. I go to senior fitness classes where balance exercises are emphasized. A broken hip with a resulting surgery, hospitalization, and forced inactivity seems a bigger risk to me than Covid. My internist would say that as a person with longterm diabetes, heart disease is my biggest risk.

I don’t know my future and at some point it is just pick your poison. (Actually it probably won’t be my choice….) Until then I will do my best to stay active–both physically and mentally. I will work to avoid total social isolation but mostly with outside activities and gatherings. I will hope that vaccinations continue to help most of us avoid hospitalization and death from Covid. I will listen to experts and adjust my behavior accordingly.

For the time being I will continue to hope that what I am doing is good enough.

Diabetes Daily: How Covid-19 is Affecting People with Diabetes

Posted on April 16, 2020 by Laddie

Background: Several years ago Diabetes Daily teamed with Thrivable Insights to create the Diabetes Research Panel. In late March 1,300 people with diabetes (48% Type 1 and 52% Type 2) responded to a survey addressing their concerns and fears about the coronavirus and what they were doing to protect themselves.

Here is an infographic sharing the results of this initial study. If you would like to read an excellent interpretation of the results by Maria Muccioli Ph.D, her blogpost at Diabetes Daily is available here. Below the infographic is information from Diabetes Daily about joining the ongoing study.

This is a copy of an email I received from Diabetes Daily. Please join the project to let your voice by heard!

Dear Friends,

Want to help with the COVID-19 pandemic? Your data can make the difference!

We have donated our rapid research platform to help leaders respond to the epidemic.

Fill out this 3-minute survey to join the project:

Join the Study Covid Project

Your anonymous insights on symptoms, social distancing, masks, the economy, and more will be analyzed by a talented group of epidemiologists and public health experts and shared publicly.

Who can participate?

The project is open to everyone 18+ living in the USA.

How will my data be used?

Your data will only be used for research purposes. You will not receive any marketing messages. All personally identifiable information will be removed prior to the sharing or publishing of any data.

Who is behind the project?

Thrivable, the organization that created Diabetes Daily, has donated its rapid research platform to this project. The project is led by a group of leaders in public health who have important questions about your attitudes and behaviors around COVID-19. You can see the team here.

Can I share this with family and friends?

Yes! Please share far and wide. You can copy and paste this message to share:

Want to help with the COVID-19 pandemic? Your data can make the difference! Join me and sign up for the Study Covid Project at https://www.StudyCovid.org.

Best,

The Diabetes Daily Team

Medicare-Dexcom-Smartphones: Wait! Just Wait!

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Laddie

On 6/11/18 Medicare announced a change in policy to allow Medicare beneficiaries to use smartphones in conjunction with continuous glucose monitors.

“After a thorough review of the law and our regulations, CMS is announcing that Medicare’s published coverage policy for CGMs will be modified to support the use of CGMs in conjunction with a smartphone, including the important data sharing function they provide for patients and their families.

The Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors will issue a revised policy article in the near future, at which time the published change will be effective.”

I have not blogged about this change for several reasons. 1) I am a lazy blogger. 2) I was quoted extensively in articles by Diabetes Mine and Diabetes Daily about my reactions to the announcement. 3) Most of my diabetes preaching these days takes place on Facebook. Today I decided to enter the arena with a blogpost because of the chaos on diabetes social media about what this announcement means and when it will be implemented.

Dexcom initiated the confusion with a 6/11/18 press release that states: “With nearly half of adults ages 65 and up using smartphones, Medicare diabetes patients are now able to use the Dexcom Share feature that allows users to share glucose information with up to five loved ones or caregivers.”

The problem is the word “now.” Now is not the near future as stated by CMS. Adding to the confusion is that a definitive policy was not communicated and standardized throughout the Dexcom organization and some Medicare beneficiaries were told by Dexcom reps that they could immediately begin using the G5 Mobile App.

A couple of Facebook quotes:

“Damnit. Dexcom said it was good to go last night.”

“I called Dexcom support/app & software department again today they checked & confirmed that we could start using it as of June 11.”

“It would help us all if CMS or Dexcom would give a definitive statement about when. There is no hard statement about waiting.”

On top of that, Diatribe (whom I normally consider to be the Gospel of Diabetes) published an article that is not entirely correct. It states: “Like other users, G5 Medicare beneficiaries can now choose to view real-time glucose data on the G5 app only, the receiver only, or both devices.”

Christel Marchand Aprigliano of DPAC who has met extensively with Dexcom and Tandem in regards to the Medicare negotiations responded on Facebook: “The receiver will still be part of the system. It is still required as part of any Medicare contract. The usage of the app will be in addition to the receiver.”

She also stated:

“While I can’t speak for CMS (Who will obviously have the final say), the meeting on Wednesday was that it would be receiver + smart phone. The receiver is durable medical equipment and the modification of language will reflect the addition of smart device (but not the purchase of said smart device).”

The date of implementation for the policy change is somewhat murky. A Dexcom official confirmed with Medicare diabetes advocate, Larry Thomas, that: “It becomes official on June 21. The technical correction notice must be updated in 10 business days from the notice.” Diatribe also wrote: “According to Dexcom, the deadline for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to update the coverage policy is June 21, if not sooner.”

But Christel cautions us that regardless of date:

“Do NOT download the app until the actual physical ruling has been changed.”

The last quote that I will share is a June 14 Facebook posting by Larry Thomas about his conversation with a Dexcom Medicare representative:

“The old regulations regarding NOT using the G5 app for Medicare patients are still in place and Dexcom representatives are still required and instructed to report you to Medicare if you are using the G5 mobile app until the rules are changed. This means not only will you be back charged if you are not in compliance, but you will possibly lose future coverage for Dexcom CGM supplies in the future i.e. you will become a cash-only patient with Dexcom. These are her words not mine. If you doubt them please call and speak with a representative in the Medicare department at Dexcom. Remember, just because a tech support person or app support person gives you the okay to use the app, it does not waive your responsibility to abide by the written contract you signed in order for you to get coverage by Medicare for the Dexcom CGM system. I have again requested Dexcom to send out an email to all of us affected by this situation to clarify that it’s “not a done deal yet” (again her words not mine) and have also reached out (again) to the media release department at Dexcom to change the media release so that people are not confused by this.”

*******

What you need to know if your Dexcom G5 is being reimbursed by Medicare:

1) You are not yet allowed to use the Dexcom G5 Mobile App. You must wait until the revised policy is issued by DME Medicare Administrative Contractors (MAC’s) such as Noridian. If you use your smartphone before this revision is released, you are in violation of Medicare policy and risk losing Medicare reimbursement for your Dexcom G5.

2) It is highly unlikely that you will be able to your smartphone exclusively without some use of the receiver. “In conjunction” means “with” and “combining” not burying the receiver in a sock drawer. IMO it is best to refrain from sharing your receiver-avoidance intentions on social media until the final CMS policies are released. Don’t give CMS ammunition to contrive stupid roadblocks to reasonable CGM use by Medicare beneficiaries.

3) Do not call Dexcom at this time. Christel Marchand Aprigliano of DPAC told me: “Tell everyone to wait for the policy change from CMS in writing – Dexcom will put out information when it becomes available. Please kindly also remind them that the customer service department at Dexcom is trying very hard to provide good customer service, but it is not in anyone’s best interest to call – wait for the announcement published by Dexcom on the website (and I’m sure we will be announcing this as well.)”

4) Nothing about this recent change in policy affects the use of the Tandem X2 insulin pump as a CGM receiver. Although Tandem and Dexcom are in negotiation with CMS, the current policy is that Medicare beneficiaries are forbidden from using their Tandem t:slim X2 pumps as a Dexcom G5 receiver.

*******

Special thanks to Christel Marchand Aprigliano of DPAC and Larry Thomas, bulldog Medicare diabetes advocate, for giving me permission to share their words.

Note that all bold text in this post is my emphasis and not that of the organization or person being quoted.

Wildflowers, Wildlife, and Diabetes in the Wild

Posted on April 20, 2017 by Laddie

My spring has been filled with wildflowers on the hiking trail and wildlife in the neighborhood. I’ve seen hillsides of yellow poppies along with purple desert lupines, orange globe mallow, red Indian paintbrushes, and white soaptree yucca blooms. I’ve seen snakes, lizards, javelina, coyotes, and recently a bobcat while on an after-dinner bunny hunt** with my grandchildren. My spring has also had an interesting mix of “diabetes in the wild.”

**Whenever my grandchildren visit Arizona, we go out in the golf cart after dinner and look for bunnies. The children maintain a bunny book where nightly bunny totals are recorded. There is a column for “Ciyotes” which was edited this year to include bobcats.

Neighbor

My first “diabetes in the wild” encounter happened when my next door neighbor came to talk to me about a tree issue affecting both of our yards. She and her husband are part-time Arizona visitors because he still works full time. We’ve always been friendly but have never talked about much except the weather and grandchildren. Sylvia indicated that Jim wasn’t there yet because he was traveling for work. I knew that he was affiliated with a major university in their home state but had never asked for more details. I asked Sylvia about Jim’s profession and she said that he was a teaching professor and practicing physician in the speciality of…. Wait for it! ….Endocrinology!

So for 8-9 years my Type 1 diabetes of 40 years and I have spent the winter months next door to a renowned specialist in diabetes. Similarly he has unknowingly lived next door to a not-so-renown diabetes blogger!

It rained the next couple of days and before I knew it, Jim and Sylvia had left and I didn’t see them again before I returned to Minnesota. Thus I never got to have a celebrity-crush visit with the neighborhood diabetes doctor. I Googled him and learned that he is quite renown on a national basis. I didn’t get a chance to give him one of my blog business cards and I have no idea whether he ever reads patient blogs. My own endocrinologist avoids diabetes social media and does not read the blogs of her patients. On one hand I think doctors benefit from hearing patient voices; on the other hand I know my endo works long hours with insufficient pay and I don’t expect diabetes to be her hobby. If Dr. Jim chooses to read any of my blog, he will learn that I am an educated and involved patient who does her homework and improvises with “her own thing.” It will be up to interpretation whether he sees me as an empowered consumer or a nightmare patient….

Gym Meet-Up #1

I went to my Arizona community gym a few days before returning to Minnesota. A man about my age was the only other person there. We said “Hi” and continued with our workouts. After about 15 minutes, he introduced himself as “Tony” and asked about the Dexcom transmitter on my arm: “Hey, is that thing on your arm for diabetes?” I said yes and indicated that it was a continuous glucose monitor and described what it did. He told me that a year ago he had started working out and changing his diet to try to avoid diabetes which runs rampant in his family. He had lost 43 pounds, gained muscle, and felt energized by his new level of fitness. His doctor was thrilled with the effect on his lab work. I don’t think that Tony had been diagnosed with pre-diabetes but hopefully his hard work will prevent or at least delay diabetes coming into his life.

Gym Meet-Up #2

While Tony and I were speaking, an elderly man (I’m old, but he is older!) came into the gym and started his workout. After Tony returned to his weights, this gentleman came over and pointed to my JDRF tee shirt and said that his wife had been very involved with them. (Thanks to Sara of “Moments of Wonderful” for the shirt.)

A bit teary-eyed he told me that she had died six months ago after 60 years of marriage. He was an engineer by trade and had always helped her take care of her diabetes. She wasn’t good with numbers he explained. She used a pump and CGM which I assume were Medtronic because he said that her “thing” didn’t look like mine. It turns out that Morrie lives next door to one of my friends so I plan on looking him up next year when I’m back in Arizona. I would enjoy hearing more of his story as a caregiver and more about his wife’s journey with diabetes. Morrie indicated that he hadn’t been getting out much since his wife died and how much he enjoyed talking with me. The enjoyment was mutual, but tinged with sadness.

Poppies, bobcats, and diabetes. Wild things.

Fitbit Fun

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Laddie

In the spring of 2015 I wrote a couple of blogposts (here and here) about how much I enjoy using a Fitbit and how I find it to be a motivating addition to my diabetes toolbox. A year and a half later I am still using my Fitbit and participating in a regular challenge with members of the diabetes community. (Thanks to Sue R who invites me every week!)

Although I am a self-motivated Fitbit user and would tackle my daily step goal without DOC competition, I still enjoy the motivation resulting my daily interactions with other D-people. Recent thoughts include:

I have a good chance of beating Kerri of Six Until Me in a challenge for the first time ever because she had a baby by C-section two weeks ago. I wouldn’t be so stupid as to place a bet on my results once that “little tomato” “biscuit” “fourth chair” is a month old….

My trick of attaching my Fitbit One to my pump tubing is gaining traction as I recently witnessed Scott Johnson borrow an old-style Fitbit (Zip and One, unlike the more recent bracelet models) so that he could clip it to his pump tubing to track his steps on the basketball court.

David E has moved from being an “also-ran” to an unbeatable champion almost every week. I’m not sure that he is more active these days. I think that he is just becoming better at syncing his Fitbit so that his steps count.

Just so your know! On Monday Fitbit added a new do-it-yourself challenge called “Adventures.” If you click on “Challenges” from your phone/tablet Fitbit home screen, you’ll see a section called Adventures. This allows you to select a daily or multi-day hike to challenge yourself and receive the rewards of 180º photos at landmarks along the trail. Today I selected the Vernal Falls hike which requires 15,000 steps. (The options that show up in your adventures are based on your average steps.) Although my daily goal is 10,000 steps, my average is closer to 15,000 and that is why all of my adventure options require a lot of steps. As I type this blogpost, I am 331 steps short of my goal and I will walk around the house this evening to make sure I reach my destination.

Because I am a hiker, I enjoy the idea of “Adventures” and it is something different from my normal goals. If you need motivation to pull your Fitbit out of the junk drawer, check out Adventures on the Fitbit website and see if it interests you. If nothing else, you can download some new wallpapers from the Yosemite Adventure as seen below:

See you out on the Fitbit trail!

Fitbit: A Challenging Week

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Laddie

I’ve been using a Fitbit for over two years. I originally purchased it to track hiking mileage but quickly started wearing it every day. Although I have enjoyed the weekly stat updates from Fitbit and definitely watched my steps on a daily basis, I have rarely used the social media aspects of the device. I had a couple of Fitbit Friends, but not too many interactions with them.

Last week I was invited to participate in my first Fitbit challenge called a Workweek Hustle. Total steps — Five days — Monday to Friday. Usually I say no to things like this because I don’t want to bother and am mostly self-motivated when it comes to reaching my fitness targets. But I figured I might as well give it a try even if I wasn’t sure what my goals were for participating. Cherise of DCAF/DSMA was the organizer and most of the participants were diabetes types. When the challenge started, I was still in Arizona where I am a step-monster walking the dog, hiking, biking, playing golf, and enjoying easy access to the outdoors. I flew back to Minnesota mid-week and although I keep the same goal of 10,000+ steps/day here, it sometimes take more planning to get to my target.

Because there is always social media trash-talk when you get into contests like this, I had fun from the beginning. On the first day I learned from Kerri that Ben (whom I didn’t know previously) was very “steppy” and she wasn’t kidding. From the beginning his step count was in the stratosphere and he ended up winning the challenge with a 5-day total of 176,727 steps (35,345/day). I don’t know whether he is a runner or walker fanatic, but using my steps/mileage ratio, he clocked in at least 16 miles a day (probably more because his stride might be longer than mine). Kerri was not too shabby with a 5-day total of 143,457 steps (28,691 steps /~13 miles) per day). She was focused on beating Ben up until the end.

Kerri and Ben were so far ahead of the pack that I didn’t compete with them; I just marveled at their statistics. The group itself had a big range of results, but we were all winners as the ten of us totaled 768,205 steps (~350 miles) for the week.

I had a firm lock on 3rd place moving into Friday afternoon. Thus began my favorite part of the challenge. The story is shared in the timeline below:

Fitbit Challenge Timeline

At the end of the day, I lost 3rd place in the Workweek Hustle. No, I won because I got to watch Cherise be a champion. She refused to rest until she clocked 23,000! steps on Friday and rocketed from 4th place to 3rd. One stubborn and competitive lady, that Cherise:-)

I won. I lost. But I won.

Here is a link to Cherise’s video. I don’t know whether you have to be a member of Twitter or a follower of @SweeterCherise to view it, but give it a try. On my laptop and desktop, the link works fine. On my iPad, I have to click the Tweet below the photo and then on the next screen, click on the arrow/TV icon on the upper right of the screen.

One of my next blogposts will be my views on how Fitbit and other step/fitness trackers can be a helpful, fun, and motivating part of your diabetes/general health regimen. That sentence sounds awfully preachy, but I promise (hope!) that the post will be better than that….

Yellow Dot Program

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Sue from Pennsylvania

What happens if a traffic accident leaves you unable to speak? For that matter, what happens if you are a diabetic with hypoglycemia unawareness and suffer a severe low while operating a motor vehicle? I can go even further and ask what happens if you have a heart condition and suffer an incident while driving your automobile? There are many what ifs. I recently found out about a program called the Yellow Dot Program. I learned of this program when my fellow blogger Sue and her husband Steve were visiting us from New York during the summer. Somehow we got into a diabetes discussion, and the subject of this program came up because they had a Yellow Dot on the driver’s rear windshield of their car and the Yellow Dot booklet in their glove compartment. I googled my Pennsylvania State Department of Motor Vehicles and found out that Pennsylvania had the program and immediately sent away for the booklet which contains the Yellow Dot and information about using the booklet to inform police and first responders in the case of an accident.

So, what is exactly is the Yellow Dot Program? This program was created to assist citizens in the “golden hour” of emergency care following a traffic accident when they may not be able to communicate their needs themselves. Placing a yellow dot on your Yellow Dot Example vehicle’s rear windshield alerts police and first responders to check your glove compartment for vital information to ensure you receive the medical attention you need. While it was specifically created for traffic accidents, I have been told by my Department of Motor Vehicles that they are now adapting it to include any type of medical issue including diabetes. That wonderful yellow dot on the rear driver’s window of your vehicle will alert the police or first responders that you are not drunk…you are having a diabetes-related incident.

I sent away for the pamphlet immediately and received it within 10 days. If you have read my blogs on this site, you will know that I write extensively about my worry for my husband, Marc, when he is not with me. His hypoglycemia unawareness has caused many frightening moments in our lives and my constant worry was always that he would be in the car and be stopped by the police and they wouldn’t realize that he was having a diabetic incident. This simple Yellow Dot gives me some peace of mind.

It’s very simple to start using the Yellow Dot Program. All you need to do is contact your Department of Motor Vehicles and request the Yellow Dot Kit. When you receive it, fill out the information booklet, put the yellow dot on the bottom of the rear driver’s side window and the information booklet in your glove compartment. The information booklet has a place to put your photo, all your medical information including medical conditions, emergency contacts, medications, allergies and physician information. You can also indicate your hospital preference. When the police or first responders see the Yellow Dot on your car they know to look in your glove compartment immediately. It couldn’t get any easier.

According to Peter Kissinger, president and CEO of AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, “older individuals tend to have more medical conditions, are on more medications and are generally more fragile. This well-justified program, especially in light of the growing number of older Americans, is innovative and addresses the unique risks associated with older Americans”. While he specifically targets older Americans, it gives anyone, whether young or old, with specific medical conditions, the ability to telegraph to police or first responders that there is information in the glove compartment that will help in the event of an accident or other incident. This information is invaluable.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation supplies the Yellow Dot and Booklet at no charge. On some websites, I have seen places that do charge for the materials. And I also saw that every state has a Yellow Dot Program. In asking around, I found out that with the exception of Sue from New York and her husband Steve, no one else knew about this program and I truly believe it’s vital that the information be passed around. Because of this lack of knowledge of the program, I called my Department of Transportation and found out that they actually have a special department for the Yellow Dot Program and are aware that they need to do a better job getting information out to their various police departments, first responders and fire departments in my State of Pennsylvania and also to all the citizens of the State. They are having meetings with these groups in order to promote awareness.

I hope that after reading this blog, you the reader will contact your local Department of
Transportation and request your kit and also find out how much they are doing to promote this very, very important program. It can definitely save your life.

Kate and I hope that others in the DOC will jump on the communication bandwagon and initiate some conversations. Type 1/Type 2 discussions are great, but don’t be limited by that combo. How about a LADA talking to Type 1 diagnosed as a child? How about a Type 2/Parent of a Type 1 dialog? How about a pregnant Type 1 talking to a young T1 mother? How about a conversation with your spouse or child? Maybe a cat-lover and dog-owner (or would that generate too many fireworks?) The possibilities are endless.

If you would like to participate in the Conversations project, please check out the Conversations page at Test Guess and Go. You’ll find a few hints on how to proceed and information about obtaining the Conversations banner and graphic if you’d like to use them. (I can easily customize the graphics to fit whatever your conversation is, so be sure to let me know what you need.)

What are the rules?

Be respectful.
Have fun and be creative. If you don’t want to write a long post, consider using Storify with Tweets and/or Instagram photos. Write limericks back and forth. Publish email conversations. Write comic strips. Create vlogs.
Feel free to tackle controversial subjects but don’t avoid fluff pieces that will make us smile.
Choose a partner. A familiar online friend, a new Twitter follower, a big-name blogger, a new blogger, an acquaintance from a TuDiabetes message board. Don’t be shy and send an invitation. The collaboration is just as important as the finished product.
Don’t forget #1. Be respectful.

If you need help or ideas, please contact me or Kate through the contact form on her homepage. Once you’re published, send me your link and I will add it to the list of blogposts on the Conversations page.

Please help the project grow. All you have to do is join the conversation!

*****

If you missed any of our Kate’s and my conversations, you can find them here:

Type 1/Type 2 Conversations: Talking about Weight

Type 1/Type 2 Conversations: Diabetes in the Great Outdoors

Type 1/Type 2 Conversations: Friends and Family

Type 1/Type 2 Conversations: Food, Glorious Food

*****

My Favorite Things

Posted on May 18, 2014 by Laddie

Today’s Topic: As we wrap up another Diabetes Blog Week, let’s share a few of our favorite things from the week. This can be anything from a #DBlogWeek post you loved, a fantastic new-to-you blog you found, a picture someone included in a post that spoke to you, or comment left on your blog that made you smile. Anything you liked is worth sharing!

My first Diabetes Blog Week was a great experience. Mid-week I was tired of writing and swearing that I would never do this again. Quickly I regained my mojo and was back on track. I am still overwhelmed at the number of posts that I have already read and by the huge number still to be perused. By far the best part of this week was my interactions with old friends and the introductions to new friends.

Old Friends: When I started blogging a year ago, very quickly I met Rhonda of Fifteen Wait Fifteen and Kelley of Below Seven. Their blogs sit side-by-side in my bookmarks and because they are so closely aligned in my mind, I occasionally worry that I might accidentally switch up their names. (Please forgive me if I do!) Rhonda and Kelly, thanks for being loyal readers, commenters, and always an inspiration to me.

Rhonda’s Thursday post about her mantra of “Fake it ‘til you make it” is a must-read for everyone. Kelley’s Friday post about Diabetes Hacks has a ton of suggestions for everyone with Type 1, especially Medtronic users.

Also thanks to James of t1dme for following my blog and then challenging my liberal arts education with his philosophical and artistic blogposts. His Wednesday post on mental health wove the story of Sisyphus into some vivid imagery about the mental burden of diabetes. As a former flower-child, I can only say “Heavy, Man.”

New/Old Friend: Sometimes it takes a while to put together the puzzle of who someone is and how they fit into your life. Colleen of d-meanderings has left comments on my blog several times in recent months, but it took Diabetes Blog Week to introduce me to her blog. Anyone who starts Snapshot Saturday with a photo of Krispy Creme donuts deserves special mention.

New Friend: One of the first posts I read on Monday was by Kyle of Active Diabetic-An Ongoing Experiment. His Change the World post was passionate about athletic endeavors as a way to empower people with diabetes. I totally agree with him although rock climbing and extreme cycling are out of my reach. All week his posts were beautifully and intelligently written. Plus he loves dogs and lives in Newfoundland! Be sure to investigate his blog.

Best Laugh: Kim of Texting My Pancreas bent the rules a bit for Poetry Tuesday by providing some diabetes rewriting of a couple of Saturday Night Live skits. If you want a good laugh and yearn for knowledge about strippers and tube trimmers, check it out.

I read many wonderful blogposts this week and am amazed at the talent and passion of my fellow bloggers in the DOC. I could have mentioned one hundred posts here and just picked a sampling of my favorite things. Parents, Type 1’s, Type 2’s: thanks to everyone for sharing your life with me.

Final thanks to Karen Graffeo of Bitter~Sweet™ for a great Diabetes Blog Week!

Test Guess and Go

Even with testing, diabetes is a guess every day.

Tag Archives: Diabetes