Lucky 12

LUCKY 12I pass by this patch of sidewalk almost everyday.  I noticed it again as I rushed home from the gym this morning.

12

12 is my favorite number.  12 is my “lucky” number.  Alecia’s Stem Cells was founded 12 years ago.  2012 wasn’t quite what I thought it would be.  There’s gotta a be a BIGGER 12 out there.  Please, please let there be a bigger 12 out there.

I received some horrible news from a friend over the weekend.  My Dad hugged me and I just started sobbing.  I believe that is very much a Dad/daughter thing.  Hug from Dad = tears from me.  Life has thrown me a slew of challenges, all in a row lately.  My Dad kept whispering in my ear, “It doesn’t make sense right now, but there is a plan for you.  Just remember, there is a plan for you.  It’s just a different path.”  There was some God stuff thrown in there too but that’s between me and Dad and well, God.

I was with the friend with the horrible news last evening (that is a terrible description by the way).  There were some tears.  We discussed many things.  She’s always supported my diabetes and JDRF projects.  I told her about the JDRF Walk Kick-Off/ Research Update I’d attended on Wednesday night.  I told her about JDRF’s encapsulation program (or at least what I understood of it) and all the things I learned last week.  I told her about how I felt inspired, a renewed sense of hope, again.  I told her about my friend who’s part of JDRF’s Voices Council and how she recently shared with me that she too felt inspired.  At the end of our meal, I think I’d not only given her a pep talk, but I’d also given myself one.  She kept telling me how much I inspire her.  Talking with her really helped inspire me too.  Sometimes, I think the energy you give off, really does come back to you.  I got the most positive e-mail from her first thing this morning.  It felt like a hug.

12

LUCKY 12.

I’ve gotta a lot of work to do.

Join me.  Join our team.  Get involved.

Oh, and if you don’t like me or think I’m a jerk or I talk too much, just donate to this guy.

The fundraising all goes to the same place although we seem to be in some sort of competition.  This is the photo he put on Facebook last night.  Yes, that is me.  No, that is not my quote.  If this quote raises funding for research, then yes, that is EXACTLY what I said EXCEPT, I definitely didn’t call anyone Mr. Strahan*.

Ben H

 

And if you’d like more info on Alecia’s Stem Cells, want to spy on how we’re doing, want to join our team, want to sponsor one of our walkers, want to donate, please go here AND read the post below this one for more ASC info. XO

* Team Hoffmanderson is an awesome team and I am extremely happy to call them friends.  I mean, they might not even be friends, but I’m happy to call them that.

 

Kicking It in NYC

ASC sign1Let’s face it, I’m really not sure there will be a cure for Type 1 Diabetes in my lifetime.  I do know though, I will absolutely be part of finding the cure for Type 1 Diabetes.  This dream, idea, vision of mine has grown with intensity as I’ve gotten older.  I’ve been a T1D for 34 years.  That’s a long time.

I became involved with JDRF, because of my parents.  JDRF was their calm in the storm after I was diagnosed in 1979.  JDRF was still in its infancy at the time, but now stands the largest charitable supporter of T1D research.  JDRF and the families my parents met, managed to give my family HOPE.  My parents passed this HOPE along to me.  At 6 years old, my parents showed me what it’s like to pour your self into a cause and to BELIEVE. (check out my Mom’s 4-letter word)

In 2001, I founded Alecia’s Stem Cells in New York City with a tremendous amount of help from my friends.  A lot of things have changed in my diabetes world since that time.  One thing that hasn’t changed though is that our team is still based on friends and family who are willing to sacrifice their time and money (and often lend their creativity). They too will BE part of the Cure.

asc dodgeAlecia’s Stem Cells has had teams walk in Queens, Manhattan/Brooklyn, Boston and Los Angeles.  Our team has raised OVER $200,000 towards JDRF’s mission to cure diabetes by funding crucial research!  This is incredible and this is because of YOU!  YOU too are part of the CURE.

 

This past November, I was asked to speak along with Michael Strahan at a JDRF NYC Fundraiser.  It was a fun event but most importantly, it gave me a chance to share my view.  I got to tell parents of T1D kids about my story.  How I’ve been diabetic for 34 years, about how I DO understand how they may be angry that there isn’t a cure yet, but how I am proof positive of how technology has changed and is advancing diabetes care and treatments.  I told them how I envy their children. I told them that the glucose monitors and insulin pumps I use along with their children simply didn’t exist when I was their child’s age.  I told how to check my glucose levels,I would pee in a cup and add some chemicals and that gave a glucose “range”.  THAT range that was flawed.  I showed off my Continuous Glucose monitor that I wore on my arm.  I explained how these technologies are not a cure BUT they are advances.  They are advances that come from critical research. Research is the key component of JDRF.

This June, I was honored to be voted to the Board of JDRF NYC.  At the same time, I also became the Coordinator of JDRF’s Adult Type 1 Group.  Both of these opportunities will hopefully enable me to take another step in my NEED to make a difference.  Government advocacy and peer-to-peer support?  Yes, sign me up.  There’s a third part to this news though.  I consider it my diabetes TRIFECTA.  I’ve started the process to participate in diabetes clinical trials.  Maybe Alecia’s Stem Cells should be Alecia’s Lab Rats?

So one last thought, I’m 40 years old now.  I think about how someday I won’t be here anymore, but hey, none of us will.  I wonder what my legacy will be.  I hope that my nephew and soon to be either niece or nephew live healthy and happy lives and have families of their own.  Maybe they will mention me as their creative aunt.  I HOPE they remember that I always followed my heart.  I REALLY HOPE they never have to worry about T1D in their own children.  I HOPE that someday they talk about how their aunt had a friend who told her one time that there are two types of people… victims, and ass-kickers and their Aunt Alecia was an ass-kicker and yes, she helped cure diabetes.

I am not willing to sit back and wait for change.  I will be part of it.  Be part of it with me. Grab your sneakers and walk with me.  Walk for the other 3 million people in the US who are also fighting T1D.  Walk for hope. WALK FOR MY HOPE.  Support our team. CHEER US ON!

You can join and/or support Alecia’s Stem Cells at: http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/AleciasStemCells

Xo,

Alecia the Ass-kicker

WALK 2012 - Brooklyn 1/2 way mark

Updates, Cussing and Such

Busy, busy, busy so a quick update (also I have another post after this one):

  • I never finished the post about my eye doctor appointment.  So here’s the short summary.  I am fine.  I took lots of pics at the office.  I was there for HOURS.  Is anyone losing sleep at night because I never wrote the down and deep about my eye doctor appoint?  No?  Okay, let’s move on and I’ll get info together for another time.
  • I read this earlier today:  “To strengthen the muscles of your heart, the best exercise is lifting someone else’s spirit whenever you can.” – Dodinsky.  Do Good, Feel Good.

    Brooklyn heart

    Found on Sunday in Brooklyn Heights

  • My ongoing issues with my pump sites going bad immediately after inserting and blood bath moments in my bathroom have remained but I have had 2 good sites in a row so that’s encouraging.  The discouraging part is my insurance won’t budge on my allotment of sites.  I went through 6 in a weekend.  I will be completely screwed towards the end of this 3 month prescription and forced to either leave in sites too long or switch back to shots.  No way Jose.  I’m an Inset kinda girl.  I like awesome packaging the doubles as the inserter.  I like pink and blue sites (I’m totally anti green though.  TOTALLY).  Today I was able to try out the Inset 30.  Things have changed since I used the equivalent version (Silhouettes) back in my MiniMed pumping days.  Although the needle still looks obnoxiously rude (like it’s going to spew curse words I’ve never even heard at me), there is now an inserter.  Yeah, I was nervous putting it in but not that pale, sweaty way that used to happen as my hands shook back in my manual insertion days.  It’s funny though that just looking at this new (well new to me) site took me right back to my first NYC apartment and pep talking myself as my hands shook trying to get those damn sites in.  So, I am currently wearing my old blue Inset (I can’t risk another blood bath at work.  Mint green pants and a white lace shirt SO does NOT go with my ruby red blood).  I also have my Dexcom on my tummy.  I am one hot stuff robot lady today.  Woo Wee. (I can’t show the Dexcom because  I’m keeping SurfaceFine PG… well for today). 

    2 sites.  1 tummy.

    2 sites. 1 tummy.

  • I have finally finished my JDRF Walk letter.  I wrote an earlier version that I tried out on a few people last week.  It had one of 2 reactions.  It either made people cry, like really cry and hug me or TOTAL radio silence.  Like no email, text, IM silence.  Oh well.  My new letter is a bit long but it touches on what I think is important.  Once I clean it up a bit, I’ll post it here. 
  • I need to stop cussing so much.  I’m not sure if this is diabetes related or not.  F*ck Diabetes?  Yeah, totally diabetes related.  Oh and PG is over now.

Wordy Wednesday – Strength

I had something else planned for Wordless Wednesday but the quote below crossed my path and stopped me in my tracks this morning.

This applies to things far, far beyond diabetes, huh?

And to the person I was thinking about at the exact moment I saw this quote, this is for you.  You are a star in my world.  xo

“When something bad happens you have three choices. You can let it define you,

let it destroy you,

or you can let it strengthen you.”

Ricochet. Grrrrrrr.

Ricochet. Grrrrrrr.

And in other news, this morning’s awesome Viper workout (oh boy am I going to be sore) resulted in a bg of 82 and a straight down Dexcom arrow in the last 5 minutes.  Grrrrr *shaking fist at sky*.  Quick Sticks to the rescue but I was running so late, and didn’t have time to wait it out before I hopped in the shower.  I am almost positive I washed my hair with body gel and washed my body with conditioner.  My skin feels very slippery (but soft and detangled).  I’m not-so-patiently chasing down the ricochet bg high that is occurring.  Ah diabetes… why so sassy today?

 

 

 

Are you feeling blue?

#BlueFridays !

My buddy Stephen over at Happy-Medium referenced my blue boots this morning in a post explaining Blue Fridays.  Check out his post to learn more about why we participate in Blue Fridays.

Oh and here’s my contribution (yes, my pants are neon blue, don’t judge me.  It’s OK to dress like Charo).  So happy Friday and cuchi-cuchi.

Neon anyone?

Neon anyone?

 

Diabetes Thoughts and Notes

  • I love this idea from Chris over at A Consequence of Hypoglycemia Seriously, how could you not like this idea? #DBlogCheck ! Do this. It’s a great Do Good, Feel Good to start off the week!

2Dexcom

  • I am back in business (see previous post). My broken slidy door Dexcom needs to be sent back ASAP, but for the weekend, I was monitored by 2 glorious blue G4s. It was perfect timing for #BlueFridays (and some pretty nice pre-lunch BGs from Friday too).
Training starts when?

Training starts when?

  • JDRF is involved in the Disney Marathon (and 1/2 marathon, 5K and 10K). It’s actually called the Disney Princess Marathon. I’m not going to hide it. This intrigues me (heck, I’ve already got the ears right? A friend recently got them for me and my name is even embroidered on the back. Oo-la-la). I would have to get rid of the shooting pain that keeps happening in my left knee when I run. I’d also need to actually train. Going to Disney World to run a 5K would be funny. Going to Disney World to run a 5K AND raise money for JDRF? Sounds kind of awesome (and still funny).
  • I’m a big fan of Katy’s over BigFoot Child Have Diabetes. As someone who did not go to the FFL conference, I enjoyed her recap of all the events and activities (she also cracks me up).
  • Am I the only one who thinks this looks like some sort of vampire call signal? I watch too much True Blood I guess.Vampire Call Signal
  • Are you going to be in NYC on Sunday, September 29th? Want a GORGEOUS view of NYC from the Brooklyn Bridge? How about getting a little exercise? Come join Alecia’s Stem Cells! Our goal is simple, to assist JDRF in it’s mission: to find a CURE for diabetes and its complications through the support of RESEARCH! If you’d like more information on ASC, we’re on Facebook too.
  • Also, if your looking for some in real life D bonding, JDRF NYC hosts a New York Metro Region group for adults living with or new to type 1 diabetes (T1D). The meetings are monthly at the NYC office “to greet and chat with one another in a safe and supportive environment”. Last week we had fun presentations from John at ShugaTrak and Caitlin at TypeTanks and then some of us went out afterward. If you’d like more info, please check-out the JDRF Metro NYC T1D Adult Group page.
  • And finally I am off to my diabetes eye specialist. I was supposed to go in May. Life got in the way of my remembering to make that appointment. My doctor’s office treats a D celebrity. My doctor has done amazing things for my peepers. I have tons of reasons not to be scared. I’m scared.

20130722-082953.jpg

Don’t Bite Me (Keeping it PG)

Got to the gym early this morning.  Not nearly as early as I had hoped, but I made it.  My overnight Dexcom graph was awesome.  The basal rate changes I made a few weeks are working (well the overnight part at least), amazingly! My Dexcom numbers turned to “???” during my workout.  No biggie, short workout and the sensor (disappointingly) was ready to be changed.

Made it home to shower and a wee bit tight on time (Late for work?  Who me???).  I kept my Dexcom sensor on, hoping it would spring back to life while I scrub-a-dub-dubbed. Scrub-a-dub-Nope.

I inserted a new Dexcom site on my lower abdomen. OUCH-to-the-MOTHER-CHUCKING-OUCH!  I took the brain (ok transmitter) out of my former site/sensor but for some reason I just couldn’t get that damn brain to click into the new, why-are-you-biting-me sensor.  Was I LOW?  I’d been in range at the gym before the “???” started.  Hmmmm.  The sensor site still hurt, the brain just wouldn’t snap in.  I COULD get the brain (ok transmitter) to click back into the sensor that was now dangling from the edge of my bathroom sink (so everything seemed to still be working, right?).  The site still hurt, less like a “mother-chucker” and more like a “what-the-H-E-double-hockey-sticks”.  As I kept trying to line-up the brain, I noticed something.  RED.  I took a photo to get a better view (ahhh technology).  Yep, blood coming through the sensor.  The theme song of The Beverly Hill Billies started playing in my mind.  You know the scene in the intro when Jed shoots the ground and oil starts slowly bubbling to the surface?  Yep, that was happening with my Dexcom site.  Damn I was really going to be late for work.

Ouch!

Ouch!

I replaced the Dexcom site, cleaned myself up, decided on a hair style I refer to as No-hair-style, and rushed to work.

If you know me, you know how very much I love my Dexcom.  One might even say I am IN-LOVE with my Dex.  So here’s the silver lining part of this story.  I called Dexcom.  I finally got a human.  I actually have no proof she was human but my gut instinct says, yes, human.  I told her the story.  I didn’t have any of the packaging information.  I have to send Dexcom the information when I get home.  They are replacing the sensor.  Yippie Skippy.

While I waited on the phone for the human, I remembered something.  That slidy door on my G4 receiver doesn’t close.  It hasn’t lost it’s sliding ability, but it gets caught on the plastic body that seems a wee bit cracked (What the heck am I talking about?  Check the photo below).  So after I went over the whole sensor-bit-into-me story, and agreed with the human lady that yes, I agree and believe I’ll have a nice bruise too, I told her about the chipped plastic no-slidy door issue.  It took maybe a minute.  My replacement sensor and my replacement receiver will arrive next week.

Dexcom chip

Dexcom chip

So maybe the pain, wasted sensor, late for work, bruise, waiting for a human was sorta worth it.  I should have called weeks ago about the receiver but kept forgetting (read: procrastinating).  Silverish lining?  Yes please, I’ll take it.

 

 

******** UPDATE********: That human lady from Dexcom was right…I’ve got a bit of a bruise.  Also I received an email confirmation that my replacement sensor and new, non-chipped receiver have been shipped as well.  All good.  Tough as nails.

New Dex sensor and my previous bleeder bruise.

New Dex sensor and my previous bleeder bruise.

 

 

 

*******2nd UPDATE********  I guess that chip broke off at some point.  The slidy door made a run for it.  Amazing timing by me!

Dex door

 

No Charge

I am currently on vacation.  As any D knows, there’s a lot of planning that goes into packing D supplies… getting prescriptions filled, double checking all your gear, bringing back-ups to your back-ups.

Things have changed in my diabetes world in the past 2 years.  Well lots of things have changed but the one that explains this post is that I have rechargeable devices.  These devices combined with all the other rechargeable, non-diabetes devices that may eventually lead to my mental demise.

1 charger didn't come on vacation.

1 charger didn’t come on vacation.

My current cast of mental demise making characters involve the following items: Macbook (1 charger), Kindle (1 charger that charges from Macbook), IPhone 5 (1 charger that charges from Macbook), Mophie case (to give Iphone extra charge so I don’t run out of power) (1 charger), Dexcom (looks EXACTLY like charger for Mophie case but they don’t work interchangeably) (1 charger), Verio IQ (charger looks like the old, old blackberry charger, 1 charger).

So yes, I should have 6 chargers with me on this trip.  I have 5.  I am missing the Verio IQ charger.  I am with most of my family.  I have ransacked their bags.  There are a ton of chargers.  3 different types of cellphone chargers, 4 different laptop chargers, one iPod charger, an iPad charger, and a Kindle charger.  There is NOT one charger out of all these items that will fit my Verio IQ.  THIS is a problem.

I was in Manhattan when hurricane Sandy struck.  I had plenty of time to prepare.  I had my to-go bags.  My dog had a to-go bag.  I reinforced my windows.  I had a flashlight.  I saved water.  I watched the news and worried UNTIL my power went out.  I kept texting my sister (a newbie Manhattanite).  I wanted her to stay safely inside and be prepared.  Power gradually diminished on my phone.  By “gradually”, I mean really quickly.  I did all the things you do to conserve power on your phone… turned off apps, reduced the brightness, turned off wifi.  The next morning my phone had barely any power.  My home had NO power. I could not reach my sister.  I packed-up and headed north.  I found power at Avis on 43rd street. They let me charge my phone.  My sister was ok and not evacuated (her whole neighborhood lacked power too).

I didn’t get power back for over a week.  When I say I didn’t get power back, I mean my home, office and gym, all the places I would have gone to charge stuff.  I stuck it out 3 days in my home but the lack of running water and the creepiness of my neighborhood eventually got the best of me.  The dog and I sofa surfed for 4 days.  I was constantly turning off my phone because I was concerned, when I was below Manhattan’s power line, I needed to save it for an emergency.  Although batteries were at a premium, I watched people with powerstrip cords charging all their gear at ATM terminals.  I pretty much decided that week that this rechargeable stuff may be “better’ for the environment BUT it is super stressful to me.

Chase Bank ATM - Manhattan above 42nd street

Chase Bank ATM – Manhattan above 42nd street

I saw someone with a T-Slim pump last week in my endo’s office.  I saw the pump for maybe 2 seconds.  Seeing the T-Slim being used in real life was cool.  Diabetes technology is cool.  A rechargeable pump would give me a friggin’ heart attack.  Seriously my stomach just did that knotty, No-No thing just thinking about it.

I gotta stop writing this post now.  I’m on vacation and have to figure out how I’m going to charge my glucose meter.  Give me a damn battery please.

 

 

Feeling Blue?

I really love a rainy Friday.  No joke.  When I first learned of the Blue Fridays Initiative through Cherise Shockley’s tweets, I believe my first thoughts were along the lines of, “That’s cool.  Oh wait, I don’t own blue clothing.”  Blue jeans?  Yep, but that’s about it.  When I decided this winter, after years of soaking we feet, that I should indeed buy myself a pair of boots, the blue ones happened to be on sale and hey, they’re perfect for #bluefridays (follow it on Twitter).  Now, less than a year later, I carry a ridiculously bright blue purse and my Dexcom G4 is blue too.  Sometimes feeling blue is actually a good thing.  I will admit, there was a Blue Friday a few weeks ago that turned out to be a Blue Thursday.  I swear it felt like a Friday!

blu

Blue Fridays can also be found on Facebook.

Happy Friday!

Wordless Wednesday Dress-ups

Dazzled insulin

Let’s face it shall we?  My purse is an incredible place.  A lost & found, a glucose tablet cave, a world of gum wrappers, or just the Land Of The Lost?  Yesterday I pulled out a bottle of insulin to do a site change.  It felt odd.  That’s because it felt bumpy.  I don’t know what’s going on in that purse but things are getting freaky or maybe just fancy?

Hey Insulin, if you’re having a party in there, rock out with your bad self and thanks for keeping me alive, you sexy Diva, you.  xo