Last Call KISS

2f66677eb0cf8d07c91dbe56cd32015cIn a matter of hours, our T-shirt sale/fundraising extravaganza will come to an end (and the shirts will GO TO PRINT).  The ONE to NONE shirt sale ends TONIGHT at midnight CST.  I had hoped we’d sell 40 shirts (needed to sell 24 to go to print) and Pres-To-The-Effing-O (PRESTO) I just heard we are up to 46.  Wow!  Not bad!

Proceeds go to JDRF, rocking graphic T goes to YOU (or you could give it as a gift, right?  Or buy a whole bunch, and give as LOTS of gifts).

I’m too tired right now to end this post in a witty, or snarky or even sassy way (although I’d like to, so I’m open to suggestions), however earlier today I explained the rationale behind a KISS work/design project (Keep It Simple, Stupid).  I then used a photo from over the weekend when I happened to meet Paul Stanley in a restaurant (he of KISS fame) to drive my point home.  I laughed myself silly and even cheered for myself which is just full-on weird.  My wit is now long gone for the day (possibly week), so if you would like a T-shirt, just get on it, because you are running out of time (mere hours).

Rock and Roll all night?  Yep, tired.

http://inktothepeople.com/marketplace/ink-detail/38593

 

Wimpiss Breath?

Tonight is the official kick-off for the NYC (Manhattan’s) ONE Walk which is the roll out of a whole new platform for JDRF’s Walk (the evening is called Progress to Type None).  The purpose of the event is to discuss research developments over the past year (artificial pancreas, complications, encapsulation, smart insulin, restoration, and prevention), upcoming Team Walk plans, and the new website for the walk this year (thank God)… AND guess who the opening speaker is… ME.  Guess who I get to introduce? Jeffrey Brewer (I just found this out 15 minutes ago… yikes).

Today seems like a GREAT day to shake-off all this fear stuff that has really been nagging me since my 35th diaversary last week (check out the comments section of that post… yay DOC).  Let’s face it though… I’m not going to simply shake it off (although I really LOVED Scott’s comment “Yes, thirty five years is a long time – but it’s just a series of individual days, and so far you’ve survived every single one of them. There will be many more, and I’m sure you’ll survive those too.”)  So awesome. 

So, what’s my plan, you say?

Redirecting scared energy.  Granted this is an experiment… but, I think this could work (read: OMG this better work).  I have a lot more to read at this event than I thought and I haven’t actually seen the powerpoint that I will speaking along to (terrible sentence structure by the way… ending with a preposition.  “Along to”… cringe worthy).

But here’s the really great part… I get to speak a tiny bit about Alecia’s Stem Cells and with that, I will absolutely talk about the goals of this team.  That puts me in fighter mode.  That takes me out of worry mode.  I really need to get back to outlining that part though (geez where is this day going?).

Also on a slightly humorous side note: in my introduction tonight I am supposed to state that I am our Walk’s Corporate Team CHAMPION.  When I was a kid, my brothers and I would wrestle (although this story applies to most games we played).  When someone won, they SANG (often while flexing their muscles), “I am the CHAMPION, YOU ARE THE WIMPISS BREATH”, over and over (there was a tune involved, I promise).  I still don’t even know that wimpiss breath means but it had something to do with being a wimp and it sort of sounded bad.  It is damn near impossible to think of saying that line tonight, CHAMPION,  and not flexing like a professional wrestler from the 80s and then raising my arms up and hopping up and down like Rocky (I may just do the flexing anyway).

Tonight I get to embrace my fear of public speaking yet again.

I WILL redirect my fear.

I am forced to be brave.

When you’re SCARED but you still do it anyway, that’s BRAVE. -Neil Gaimon

 

New Rates And Some Other Stuff

Endo appointment yesterday.  Didn’t have high hopes (high, ha) as I have been running way TOO high lately, especially overnight.  A1c is a higher than it has been in 3 years.  Disappointing but not surprising (up .3 BUT that takes me to the next whole number and that I seriously dislike).  Also gained a chunk of weight.  More than I thought, but not upsetting as I missed having a butt.  Baby Got Back can’t be my favorite song without some junk in the trunk right?

Adjusted some basal rates with my doctor as the last adjustments did zilch.

New basals worked way TOO well overnight. Ooof.  This morning’s headache plus allergies was like being b*tched slapped by my pump and then a bag of freshly cut grass… over and over again.

20140528-081253.jpg

Also, I found a whole bunch of hearts this morning. And TONS the last few days.  Timing. Found: hearts . I still have a lot to add.  I find myself walking routes where I know I will see hearts that I’ve already met.  If nothing else, it’s a good breathing exercise.  See a heart, take a HUGE deep breath.

According to FitBit, I’m averaging just shy of 40 miles a week.  How the H-E-double-hockey-sticks is that possible?!?  Amazing.  That’s all walking!  Cray.

There appears to be another shot (shots, ha) at my getting into an artificial pancreas trial.  I don’t want to think too much about it and set myself up for disappointment but the idea of this old body being used for diabetes progress is deliriously exciting.  Stop thinking about it.  Easier to say than do.

My 35th diaversary is approaching next month.  My feelings on this are a tangled web.  I should write about that, as maybe I’m not the only one?  35 years of this fear and giving myself incessant mental pep talks is a really long time.

In other news, my eye is FINALLY healing (and an allergy puff ball).

eyeheal

This past Saturday, I said goodbye to two of the very biggest Alecia’s Stem Cells supporters.  They were with me from the very beginning of founding ASC.  Saturday would have been their 60th wedding anniversary.  Now they are back together.  Also, being on a moving dock with ashes is a possible recipe for disaster.  Life is short.  Never lose sight of the wonderful experiences you’ve had along the way.  The people who believe in you… hug them, love them, appreciate them.  Sappy-McSappster moment.

GBK

A few other random thoughts and observations:  50 Cent should stick to rap, I need to try pump sites in my lower back, Maya Angelou was one hell of a woman, and I may have seen Apollo Creed at a train station in Jersey on memorial day.

apollo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be good. ONE Walk

little curl

How did I possibly breathe out of that nose?

 

 

There was a little girl
Who had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead.
And when she was good
She was very, very good
But when she was bad
She was horrid!

 

 

Let’s be good.  Let’s feel good.  Let’s do good.

It’s official.  Alecia’s Stem Cells NYC JDRF Walk Team is registered to walk again.

I want you.

I need you.

We need advocacy.

We need to push technology forward.

We need to a CURE.

Come walk with me.

Come support our team.

Spread the word.

Reach out.

What are you doing September 28th?  NYC.  Brooklyn.  A beautiful bridge.  13th Anniversary of the founding Alecia’s Stem Cells.  15th ASC Walk.  25th Anniversary of the JDRF Manhattan Walk.  My 35th year with a busted-up pancreas.  35…. WOW.

Type ONE, until NONE.

ONE WALK.

I need your help.

I.  NEED.  YOU.

For more info, come visit Alecia’s Stem Cells.  xo

 

Australia?

ASC 2013

Alecia’s Stem Cells- JDRF- 2013

 

WE’RE GOING TO AUSTRALIA!

 

Well actually the Alecia’s Stem Cells 2013 Shirt graphic is. Remember our award winning ASC 2013 JDRF NYC Shirts?

“New Technologies, New Treatments, New York”… ?

 

ASC JAJ

JDRF Australia contacted me for their New York, New York themed Gala (well, Galas!). They LOVED our shirts (hey we loved our shirts too), so presto, I sent over the graphics.  They have a printer who printed the shirts for free (yay) and I just got word they have printed shirts for all their volunteers to wear at the Australian Galas… So in a way, ASC will be at 4 Galas this May…Melbourne, Sydney, Perth & Brisbane.  Amazing!

This perfectly ties in with my last 2 Volunteering themed posts too!  More amazing!

Do good, feel good.

Me and my parents

Me and my parents

JDRF 2013 Walk

OUCH!

I have a pretty high tolerance for pain (that doesn’t mean I won’t complain incessantly when something hurts). I’ve been taking shots a long time (and they were WAY bigger when i was a kid), inserting pump sites and Dexcom sensors for oodles of years. Why then, is today the day that my left ring finger tip hurts so effing much from a finger stick? It’s almost comical in the realm of physical pain that typing is killing my damn finger and I keep wincing in pain… like a VERY angry splinter.

ouchJPG
Such a teeny red spot/ bruise. Sometimes it really is the little things that sting the most.

A bruised finger has me thinking about how ready I am for the next level of technology and ultimately, someday, I hope, a cure.  I think about how I speed packed this morning to get out of town for a few days.  Picking out what to wear today not based on weather or comfort, but what will keep my pump most accessible going through security at the airport and how I should have moisturized my legs as I may have to drop my pants to show of my thigh Dexcom site but at least I’m wearing my lucky heart undies.

I write this post to bring up a point near and dear to my heart (oh and to complain a bit)… This week has been National Volunteer Week (tomorrow is the last OFFICIAL day).

GO. DO. SOMETHING.

No really, go. Volunteer to help JDRF. Local chapters are always looking for people to help out. It’s not about donating/raising money (although that is indeed important). Encourage a non D to volunteer with you.  Believe me, it’s not always easy, but try it.  Spread the word.  Do good, feel good.  Figure out your talents and volunteer them. Give your time, your ideas, your heart and most importantly, your passion.

It is time. GO!

PS If you are looking for something to do…Alecia’s Stem Cells is ALWAYS looking for walkers, sponsors, social media pushers, friends, competitors, cheerleaders, huggers…. more info about ASC in the next few weeks.