New Job

Time for a schedule change. Just started a new job. I have worked for two days so far. It is a physical job so I need to make sure my blood sugar does not go too low.

Eating habits, sleep schedule, and insulin doses have all changed. It is not a big change but enough to mess up my entire system if I let it. So far I have had no trouble at all adjusting to the change.

I am very excited.

Holiday Eating

I know that it is a little early to think about the upcoming holiday season but it is right around the corner.

I remember in my mid teenage years (before diabetes) Thanksgiving was my favorite holiday. I was a growing boy and I loved to eat. After diabetes, holiday parties became very stressful trying to avoid an extreme high blood sugar that would ruin my entire day. There are always plenty of high carbohydrate foods during the holidays. So I began to dislike this time of year.

In recent years I have begun to like the holiday season again. The extreme high blood sugar doesn't happen. That is for a number of reasons. I do not eat the same way I did as a teenager. I do not have the insatiable appetite. I also eat smaller amounts of the high carbohydrate foods. I have a good time again.

Wrestling

In high school I was involved in wrestling. You constantly had to watch your weight. You had to monitor absolutely everything that you consumed. The season before I was diagnosed with diabetes I showed up to an all day tournament having to cut my nails, hair, had to shave my face and was 1/2 lb overweight. Had to put on as many clothes as possible go to the "hot" room and run around in circles for awhile. Then go back to the locker room and hop on the scale in the nude. I successfully completed all those tasks and was able to wrestle that day.

When I had diabetes my coach told me not to concern myself with losing weight. What ever I weighed a spot would be found for me to fill. That was a relief. 1/2 lb weight loss hours before competition was not a fun experience.

During my high school wrestling career I wrestled every weight class from 130 - 189.

Understanding

I have had a number of low blood sugar incidents, seizures, and hospital trips over the years. I had always experienced low blood sugar from the inside looking out perspective. Did not know what people around me experienced when I was having an issue.



I was in a band and another member of the band also had diabetes. We performed one night and it was a long 4 hour marathon at a local bar. Since it was local we all went home to our own beds. We got home about 3 in the morning. We had a performance the next day. It was either in the afternoon or a lengthy drive but we had to get an early start.



So the next morning I showed up at my band member's house and gave a call. (no answer) Called again. (no answer) I walked to the front door and knocked. His roommate let me in. I knocked on his bedroom door. (no answer) I opened the door. "Hey we need to get going." He looked at me, smiled, and put his hands behind his head. I thought "he is still sleeping". So I was a little more forceful with my speech. He did not really respond. He just laid there and stared at me. (a glassy eyed stare, very scary)

Then he moved his hands. I noticed that they were shaking and he twitched a couple of times. I then realized he was having a low blood sugar. I walked out of his room and went straight towards the refrigerator. I grabbed a can of root beer. Got him to drink from it and a few minutes later (seemed like forever) he became conscious.

We got something to eat and continued our journey for the day like nothing happened.

Big Events

There are many things to think about when you have diabetes and are going to an event with an extreme concentration of people.

Waiting in line at a concession stand to correct a low blood sugar - not too fun.

Jumping up from your seat to go to the bathroom and wait in line because your blood sugar is too high - not too fun.

Either scenario you are missing the event.

If it is an outdoor event and the sun is beating down on you precautions need to be made to keep from frying your medication.


A couple of days ago I was trying to figure what I wanted to write about next. The idea came to me that I would write about how to handle "big events" in particular sporting events. A few hours later my older brother came home with two tickets to todays college football game. Very cool!

I had a great time. My younger brother is an alumnus so he was there as well. My blood sugar was in balance so I had no issues. The only challenge was that it was very hot and the sun was beating down on me all day. (Got a little red) Did not have a cooling system for my insulin. I took it out of my pocket put it under my seat and made sure it was in the shade all afternoon. Stayed at optimum temperature.

Had a great time watching football and spending time with my brothers.

Are You Scared of Needles?

No choice. If you are an insulin dependant diabetic either you get over your fear quickly or you have an extremely difficult time keeping yourself healthy.

I recall as a young boy having trouble with needles but by the the time I needed to take shots everyday I was over it. It is a very small needle and just goes under the skin. Sometimes it does hurt but with practice and confidence you can reduce those incidents.

I am so used to needles now that if I get my blood drawn I will look directly at the needle and watch where it is going. No fear.

Newly Diagnosed

I remember when I was first diagnosed. Was going to high school. People looked at me differently when they heard the news. Close friends looked at me strangely only for a little while and quickly got over it. Acquaintances would always ask if I could do this or that and seemed uncomfortable around me.(Especially when food was involved)

At the time it felt extremely annoying but these people cared about my well being.

Don't notice it now. Perhaps more in tune to what people thought as a teenager. Or these "looks" were imagined.

Over the years I have learned that it is much better that somone knows about your condition than if they don't know. Even when their knowing could create some awkwardness.