Flashback Wednesday

Sister C and I loved this 1966 NBC made for TV movie, called Alice Through the Looking Glass. I have no idea how we came across the movie as children, but we wore out the Blockbusters copy.

Some very famous actors are among the cast, including Jimmy Durante as Humpty Dumpty  and Jack Palance as the Jabberwocky.

My favorite part of the movie is in the Royal Garden, when Lester the Court Jester sings "Please Keep on the Grass" and when Alice reaches the castle to be crowned queen.

I spent years looking for it and waiting for it to come out on DVD; finally last year it was available. Mr. Harer and I bought it and oh my goodness it is super cheesy! I was almost embarrassed while watching it, and I felt bad for putting my grandparent through countless viewings. 

What "classics" from your childhood do you remember fondly, but wonder what why you ever liked it in the first place?

All I want for Christmas is....

A new pink pump!

I've been anxious about getting a new pump for over a year now. I debated switching brands, there are some features of the Animas Ping, that I really like, but ultimately I decided to stay with MiniMed.

I like the MiniMed CGM, my endo is a lead researcher for Medtronic and I've alway gotten good customer service with Medtronic.

My new pump arrived just in time for Christmas, so Santa kindly left it under the tree.

November is long over....

NaBloPoMo was a bust :(

Here is a rundown of how November ended here at the Hollow.

• Sister C, is staying here for a while. It's been really interesting.
• I was hospitalized for DKA, it sucked.
• I hosted Thanksgiving at my house for the first time ever. (and used my wedding china for the first time, even though Mr. Harer and I have been married 6 years!)
• Karen G of BitterSweet won my 3 Truths and 1 Lie contest. The answer was #3, as a matter of fact I hate grape glucose tabs,  as well as anything else grape flavored. 

  

DKA

It came out of nowhere, I swear it wasn't my fault. No really, I didn't do anything to cause it. After 20 years of diabetes bliss, it just happened. I never want to go through that again.

Even though I had a little upper respiratory infection, I went to the rink like a normal Thursday night, we were working on the Christmas program. My pre-skating BG was a little low, but I treated, no big deal. On the drive home my stomach was feeling like a boxing match was taking place and I was so thirsty. First thing when I got a went to the little girls room, then I tested, although I already knew I was high.....

329! Okay, no problem. I dial a correction on the pump and watch Bones (and pee another 2 or 3 times). 1 hour later over 400. Okie dokie, I pull and replace my pump site, take a old school injection and wait another hour.  370, well it's coming down, I'm going to bed.

2am, I'm in the bathroom for possibly the 30th time. Test 429. Where are the ketone sticks? Mr. Harer says were out, so I run to CVS. Begin vomiting on the way home. I figure I don't even need to test the ketones, but since I need to pee anyway... Large Ketones.

Head to the ER, they give me 2 liters IV fluid and despite my BG still being over 350, they send me home. The vomiting continues at home and my BG is still rising. CDE says I need to go back to the ER, this time they admit me.

My hospital stay wasn't horrible, but the way I felt was miserable.

Now that it's been nearly a month and my BG's have been really stable. I kind of think the DKA reset my inner d-control center. I saw the endo on Friday, he assured me that the DKA was likely secondary to the upper respiratory infection and it wasn't my fault. In fact did you know that 90% of DKA hospitalized are secondary to infection?

I hope this helps prove to you D-Mamas, that sometimes things out of your T1's control will happen and mess up their diabetes bliss, but they'll know how to handle it. Don't be afraid of them growing up.

Big Blue Test!

Sister C and I both completed the Big Blue Test today at IceTown in Riverside, Ca.

Sister C (non-D)
Beginning BG - 159 mg/dl (uh umm, yeah that's a little high for a non-d person)
After Exercise BG - 92 mg/dl
Total drop = 67 mg/dl


Mrs. Harer
Beginning BG - 128 mg/dl
After Exercise BG - 126 mg/dl
Total drop - 2 mg/dl (so not fair!)

D-Blog Day 2011

As usual I am a few days late, but better late than never right?


This years D-Blog day is a scrapbooking project. Everyone will make a 12×12 scrapbook page and take a pic of their creation and post it on their blog. Then they will all be incorporated into a book format. 


Here is my page;

Christmas Wish List 2011

Last year by this time I had all my Christmas shopping complete, however not this year.

To expedite shopping for  my family I want to make sure they know exactly what to buy. There will be no ugly sweaters under my tree!

• Coach Handbag
• Ny&Co Gift Card
• Anthropologie Gift Card
• Janet Hill's "The English Major" painting
• Porch Swing
• Nora Robert's "The Next Always" (Kindle Edition)

• Coach Earrings
• Coach Ice Skate Key Ring
• Pump Skin (must be pink)
• SVM Coffee Mug
• Wonderland Rabbit Ring
• Boar Hair Detangling Brush

Attention Walmart Shoppers

It happens occasionally, you spot someone else with a pump and feel this instant pull towards them. Every fiber in your being wants to reach out and connect with them. And if you let the moment pass, you'll be thinking about it and wishing you'd acted on your impulses for hours afterward.

This isn't what happen to me at Walmart tonight...

Mr. Harer, Sister C and I went out for an almost midnight snack. As we were working our way towards the checkout lanes, basket full of carbolicious goodies, Mr. Harer informs me that he saw an ad for the One Touch Ultra Mini on sale ($10.97). I've been meaning to pick up another one for awhile now, so we head down the diabetes care aisle.

I ask Mr. Harer and Sister C to help search for the pink Ultra Mini (yes, it has to be pink), when a very lovely lady standing in front of the glucose meters ask, "Are you diabetic?"

"Yes, I am." I reply. She begins to tell me how her 14 year old daughter was just diagnosed. She asked about the pump and the glucose sensor. I happily relayed information about how the pump is wonderful especially for a physically active teenager. We talked about resources available in the community,  JDRF, Diabetic Youth Services, Camp, sparkly unicorns and about the DOC.

Suddenly I looked around and noticed Mr. Harer and Sister C had migrated off to another aisle. But I wasn't finished talking. That's the thing, when you get the chance to share your experience  expertice diabetes with someone and give them hope that everything will be okay, it's kinda hard to know when to stop! I could talk about diabetes for hours and I am happy to share it all.

After I did finish my conversation and track down my missing family members, Mr. Harer mentioned how awkward he thought the whole encounter was. But I don't agree,  we PWD's and family members of PWD's need each other's support. That connection is what makes the DOC so wonderful.

3 Truths and A Lie

It addition to being NABloPoMo, it is also National Health Blog Post Month!

Although I'am not participating fully this year, some of the prompts are too compelling to pass up. Like today's;

Tell us 3 things that are true about you, your condition, your Health Activism, or your life. Now tell us 1 lie. Do you think we will be able to tell the difference?

Exciting right? I happen to have a natural talent for making up "stories" so lets see if you can figure out which fact is not true. Leave your answer in the comments and I will enter all the correct answers in a give away for a really cool handmade diabetes awareness brooch. Happy Happy Joy Joy

1. Once when I was low, I disappeared for hours, then told my husband I was at a tea party with my friend from kindergarten. 
2. I was afraid to give my own injections until I turned 11 years old. 
3. I love grape glucose tabs.
4. I used to wear my infusion tubing as a belly necklace complete with charms and pendants.

Ok let's see your answers.

My Bolus Worthy Snack

  ♥

 

30g carbs = 3.7 unit bolus = Happy Mrs. Harer

This makes me mad

I know most of the people who read this blog are somehow associated with Type 1 Diabetes; but if even one person sees this and can be educated about the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, then it is worth posting.

Type 1 Diabetes is a disorder in which the body does not produce insulin (a hormone that aids in moving sugar from the blood to the cells).  This type of diabetes can be due to a virus or autoimmune disorder in which the body does not recognize an organ as its own and attacks it.  In this case the body attacks an organ known as the pancreas where insulin is made.


Those with Type 1 Diabetes are required to take insulin injections to move sugar from the bloodstream.  This type of diabetes is usually diagnosed before age 40.


Type 2 Diabetes occurs when insulin that the body produces is less efficient at moving sugar out of the bloodstream.  Some sugar is moved out of the blood, just not as effectively compared to a person with normal insulin efficiency.  High blood sugars are a result of this. 


Diet, exercise, weight loss, and possible medications are the treatment for this type of diabetes.  Occasionally, someone with Type 2 may be placed on insulin to better control blood sugars.  


Type 2 is often associated with physical inactivity and obesity, however this is not always the case. 


An unhealthy diet and lack of exercise isn't the cause of any type of diabetes. Insulin issues are the cause of diabetes.

About the Sensor

I took a nasty fall at the rink today while working on a backward outside to inside change of edge sequence. I hit my knee at first and then fell on my hip. Unfortunately I fell on the hip with the sensor site. 

About 15 minutes later Coach tells me "you're beeping." A quick glance at my pump, I've got a lost sensor alarm. Coach is uber concerned, so I explain;
"It's probably 1 of 2 things, either I bent the electrode under the skin when I fell or the transmitter popped off. Either way it's fixable and isn't life threatening, but I'd prefer it be the latter." 


Coach; "Why?" 


Me; "Well if the transmitter popped off, it means I just need to snap it back into place. If the electrode bent, then I will need to insert a new sensor and I really really hate doing that."


Coach; "Why?"


Me; "It's a long *** needle and it hurts!"


Coach; "Oh!"


After a few failed attempted to find the lost sensor, I gave up hope that it was the transmitter (although I hadn't actually looked to be sure the transmitter was still connected.)


When I got home from the rink, down came the transmitter as I peeled off my skating tights. I am so thankful I didn't have to insert a new sensor. 


But I do wish the connection was a little more sturdy, I hate being without the instant gratification of the sensor data. 

**I do use IV3000 over the sensor/transmitter to keep it in place, but I guess I am too rough on it!

Fashion Magazines

You know what really bothers me about fashion magazines? I hate it when they advertise on the cover "Outfits for Every Budget!" and when you flip to the article you find 1 or new pieces of clothing featured that are reasonably priced surrounded by other clothing and accessories that are budget busting.

I want to see a magazine address how to dress for the upcoming holiday season head to toe for $100. Because let's face it, none of us have a ton of cash to blow on new holiday clothing. Here are a few of my finds.

Work Friendly: $114

Holiday workwear by jharer featuring sparkle jewelry

Weekend: $108

Holiday Weekend by jharer featuring fleece jackets

Party: $108

Holiday Party by jharer featuring cocktail dresses

New furniture

We bought a new bedroom set for our guest room today. I am so excited to set it up, since we may have a guest coming on Saturday. All our new furniture is from Ikea.

 

Dog Blog Day - Moral Obligation

Duke our corgi mix has some issues. My sister C, adopted him from the shelter. At the time she lived in a place where they were not animal friendly and Duke was subjected to some very inhumane treatment.

Sister C, moved out of there and was living in her car and moving from place to place (that's a whole 'nother story), so Mr. Harer and I offered to care for Duke until she could find a permanent place to stay.

We've had Duke for 5 years now, and Sister C has moved out of state.

The problem is, Duke has major behavior issues;

• He is aggressive to all men other than Mr. Harer. 
• When we are away at work during the day Duke has to be contained otherwise he destroys household items and furniture. But, he doesn't like being locked in a room, so he's tore up carpet and scratched through a door. We can't put him outside because he barks constantly. He also doesn't like to be in a dog crate. 
• After tearing up the mattress for Sheila's dog bed, just after we moved into our new house, we decided that Duke needed to be in a crate whether he likes it or not. 

 We bought him a metal crate and a nice cushy mattress for it. 

*similar to this crate

Within a day, he tore the mattress to shreds. Then he chewed on the water dish until it broke. Now he's started tearing apart the plastic tray that lines the crate and biting the metal bars, which are all bent out of shape.

At this point I just don't know what to do with him. He gets lots of love and attention from us, plenty of exercise at the dog park. He is socialized (Sheila's crate is right next to his and she behaves fine) We feed him high quality food. I just don't know, why he is misbehaving.

We can't place him with another family because he is aggressive. Mr. Harer says we need to put him down, but I don't think that is ok. You wouldn't kill your kids if they had behavior issues. However the dog destroys our house and costs us hundreds of dollars in pet supplies and medical bills.

It's tearing me up and I don't have a solution to the problem.

Sheila & Duke

T1 Day

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. It has been mentioned all over the DOC (diabetes online community) that we kind of get shafted since our "month" comes right after breast cancer awareness month. You just don't see blue everywhere, the way you see pink. But! With enough voices I think that we can have an impact and begin to see more diabetes awareness type activities.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation JDRF has announced November 1 to be T1 Day. They created this short video to raise awareness.

I will definitely be getting a foam finger, but in addition I plan to have blue Fridays at work and wear my blue skating skirt at the rink. My hope is that by wearing blue, I will have the opportunity to talk to people about Type 1 and answer any questions or misconceptions they might have. 

What other great awareness ideas should I implement?

It's NaBloPoMo

That's right, today is November 1st, which means it is National Blog Posting Month. I think we are in for a wild month here at Mrs. Harer's Hollow.

Diabetes Art Day

I know I am a few days late posting this, but it was my birthday, so I have an excuse. Right. Yeah. So here is my art;

It is a brooch, made from a dead CGM transmitter. I wrapped the transmitter in lace, because no matter what you try to hide diabetes under, it doesn't make it disappear. 

Then I added some tulle and sequins around the base of the transmitter, to pretty it up. 

The bunny charm is a Hare :) 

There is a star button, that I cut off of an Anthropologie catalog, which is my favorite store. 

The netting wrapped button is a spare button I found in my button drawer. 

The rhinestones and metal bow I saw at Joann's and decided they would look good on my brooch also. 

Lastly I added a red sequin drop of blood. 

I think it turned out beautiful and I've worn it several times. 

Halfway Through

I am halfway through summer quarter. Next week will be crazy as I finish up my 2 week intense Microbiology class. So far in class I have a 95%, which is great.

On Monday we have a quiz,
Tuesday we have a quiz, and we will read out our susceptibility tests in lab.
Wednesday we have a quiz.
Thursday is our lecture final and the lab final. That is 2 exams on the same day.

In addition to my work in Microbiology, I have Anatomy and Physiology too! Our midterm exam is due on Monday (it was take home).

Plus I have a full 40 hour work week.

Also on Monday I start a new fitness program, Kaia Fit at 5am!

I am looking forward to next weekend, to take a break and relax. Mr. Harer and I,  are going camping up at Barton Flats and the Center Ice Arena ISI Open competition is on Sunday.

Dog Toy Craft Tutorial

I'm crafty, although not nearly as talented as Cynthia over at Precious Cupcakes. Over the weekend I made a Tinkerbell fleece blanket for my niece, who is turning 5 this month.

As I was cutting the selvage off the fleece, I notice Sheila playing with it. Which got me thinking, I could totally turn the selvage into a dog toy.

Sheila can destroy most dog toys in less than 30 seconds. She enjoys soothing on them, like a baby would suck on a pacifier, until they get a hole in them. Then she tears all the stuffing out and spreads it around the house like carpet fertilizer. After that is complete she continues to soothe on the empty stuffy carcass.

This toy is perfect because it is stuffing free and still satisfies her oral fixation.

Here is what you'll need:

Fleece Selvage 

(any fabric selvage may work, but the texture of the fleece feels like a stuffy toy)

Scissors

Let's Begin:

Fold selvage piece in half and tie a knot at the top to form a loop.

Continue to knot without any space between the knots.

Leave approx. 1 1/2 inches of unknotted fleece.

Tie the unknotted end into the loop at the top of your fleece, creating a circle.

Repeat with additional selvage pieces, linking them together to form a chain.

Sheila has been chewing on this one

That's it! You're all done.

Accident Prone

My mother misnamed me. I was named after both my Grandmothers;  Judith April Earhart and Elizabeth Ann Lansdell, however I should have been named Jane....

As in Calamity Jane

*not my x-rays

I've always been accident prone. Like the time when I was around 7 years old and my grandparents were coming to visit from Arizona. I tripped over some electrical thing, with sharp edges, and needed 8 stitches across my 2nd-3rd toes.

Or when I was 11 years old, at my grandparents house in Arizona, I fell off a dead tree and broke the radius and ulna and my left arm.

How about when I lost my glasses on the Mist Trail in Yosemite, and had to hike 3 mi. back to the valley nearly blind.

Just in the past year, I have broken my scaphoid, tripped over a curb and tore up my knee. Today I ripped my pants while skating.

It seems I am always one step away from catastrophe. I should be bubble wrapped and wear a helmet. The good news, bubble wrap is available in pink!

Baby Drama, or not....

Every few years it seems all my coworkers, friends and family go through a baby making  cycle.

It gets me all worked up about having my own bundle of spit up joy.

So I figured I'd make a list to remind me why Mr. Harer and I are waiting to have a family.

Reasons to have a baby right now;

1. Risk of general complications increases with age.
2. Diabetes related risks, increase with age
3. Pressure from friends and family is steadily increasing.

Reasons to wait to have a baby;

1. Doing clinical rotations while pregnant would not be fun.
2. I will make significantly more $$$ after I finish school.
3. Our house is too small for Mr. Harer and I (and the dogs) a baby won't fit.
4. My A1c needs to be lower.

Reasons not to have a baby at all;

1. Babies are expensive
2. The idea of a diabetic pregnancy is scary
3. Sheila will be jealous

CGM in the Pool

I am trying to fit daily exercise into my schedule. So working out at the Drayson Center is ideal, since I don't have to leave campus between work and school to go to the gym.

I'm not really into using the weight room or the fitness machinery and the aerobics classes tend to be really crowded with staff and students around 5pm.

Hence, I swim.

I am not a strong swimmer, in fact most would call what I do, dog paddling. In order to stay out of the way, I dog paddle in the leisure pool, with the kiddies, rather than the Olympic size pool.

Have you ever noticed how curious kids are? Yeah, the kids at the Drayson Center are no different. I spend about 10 minutes of my swim time explaining the CGM to the kiddies and giving mini lessons on type 1 diabetes to the parents.

Anyway, there is a really cool water slide into the leisure pool, but I am afraid to try it.

"What if my sensor gets ripped out, slides down the slide and doesn't float. I don't dive, so I'd have to enlist the help of a little kid to retrieve it; only to discover that since it became detached the water got inside the connection and ruined the transmitter."

Really, I am serious! Can someone please share their experience with water slides and CGM's? I'd really like to enjoy the slide without worrying.

In addition, does anyone else get a minor skin irritation from their IV3000 (or CGM adhesive) and chlorine?