(Insert Witty Simile About How Fast Sarah Goes Through Pump Sites Here)

Last night, I knew I had to change my site because I had been floating in the 300's all afternoon and evening.

I went to change my site, and as I pulled back the canula, and it popped of the needle. Just fell off, right then and there. I got another site out, and this time it cooperated, but it got caught on my shorts, and ripped out.

The site that the canula fell off of.

Finally, I out in the third one. It hurt, but it is still attached to my skin, so yay! Let's give my site a round of applause! *clap clap clap*

Moral of Story: I guess the third time is really a charm... (I hope that's how the expression goes.)

PS: If someone comes up with an awesome simile (see title of this post) for me, I will love you forever.

It's Summer!

It's finally Summer!
That means no more school or homework, Camp Kudzu, going to Oregon, swimming, having fun, and just relaxing.

I am so excited because my little sister and I are going to Camp Kudzu, the best place on the planet! Camp Kudzu is a  camp for diabetics ranging from 8-16. It is awesome because you do everything that normal kids do at camp, plus extra, awesome stuff. I'm not going to my favorite camp site because school starts during the last session, but it is still awesome.

I've already read the yearly camp guide, (it has packing lists, check-in and check-out times, and etc.) am counting down to the day we go, (8 days left) and I am going to make my list of things I need for camp.

I'm just so happy about camp!

*INSERT HAPPINESS & UNICORNS HERE*

Diabetes Blog Week: What They Should Know (Day Five)

Today's Topic:

Today let’s borrow a topic from a #dsma chat held last September.  The tweet asked “What is one thing you would tell someone that doesn’t have diabetes about living with diabetes?”.  Let’s do a little advocating and post what we wish people knew about diabetes.  Have more than one thing you wish people knew?  Go ahead and tell us everything.

I don't want a pity party because I am diabetic. I know you say, "I can't imagine living with diabetes!"  I know you can't imagine it, but I have lived with this since I was 5, I don't remember not having diabetes, so I don't need you to cry for me.

I think I'm normal.
I can't imagine a life without diabetes.
Testing my blood, giving myself insulin, and counting carbs, these will always be things that I will do. When I am on my deathbed, I will be counting the carbs in the sugary foods I am eating.

That's just how it is, and it will always be that way.

Moral of Story: It is not as hard as you think.

Here is the page with all of the blog posts for today.

P.S.- It is my birthday, I'm 14 today!

Diabetes Blog Week: Fantasy Diabetes Device (Day Four)

Today's Topic:

Today let’s tackle an idea inspired by Bennet of Your Diabetes May Vary.  Tell us what your Fantasy Diabetes Device would be?  Think of your dream blood glucose checker, delivery system for insulin or other meds, magic carb counter, etc etc etc.  The sky is the limit – what would you love to see?

This topic brings me back to this tweet:

I want my cell phone to magically dispense a unicorn to reward me when my BG is perfect to help me with my diabetes management. #dsma
— Sarah (@ghost_catfish) April 19, 2012

 So that is it. This would be an epic reward system that only diabetics would understand.

Moral of Story: Pretty awesome, right?

Here is the page with all of the blog posts for today.

Diabetes Blog Week: One Thing to Improve (Day Three)

Today's Topic:

Yesterday we gave ourselves and our loved ones a big pat on the back for one thing we are great at.  Today let’s look at the flip-side.  We probably all have one thing we could try to do better.  Why not make today the day we start working on it.  No judgments, no scolding, just sharing one small thing we can improve so the DOC can cheer us on!

I could definitely do better at testing my blood when I am supposed to. I often forget to do it, or by the time I remember I needed to, it is too late. I should also be charting because it helps me realize when I do and don't test, but I have to take it one small step at a time, right? I also need to remember to cover my my meals because I forget sometimes at school.

Moral of Story: Charting is... *GASP* helpful.

Here is the page with all of the blog posts for today.

Diabetes Blog Week: One Great Thing (Day Two)

Today's Topic:

Living with diabetes (or caring for someone who lives with it) sure does take a lot of work, and it’s easy to be hard on ourselves if we aren’t “perfect”.  But today it’s time to give ourselves some much deserved credit.  Tell us about just one diabetes thing you (or your loved one) does spectacularly!  Fasting blood sugar checks, oral meds sorted and ready, something always on hand to treat a low, or anything that you do for diabetes.  Nothing is too big or too small to celebrate doing well! 

So what is the good thing I do?
I think that I am good at explaining diabetes. People at school are always asking me about my diabetes, and I always tell them what they want to know, (or at least a basic explanation about it.) I've had diabetes since I was five, so I'm used to explaining it, and if I do say so, I am good at it! I also seem to be able to have a meter with myself at all times; there might not be enough test strips or a good lancet in my pricker, but I do have a meter with me at all times.

Moral of Story: I am multi-talented!

Here is the page with all of the blog posts for today.

Diabetes Blog Week: Find a Friend (Day One)

Today's Topic:

"It seems the most popular thing about Diabetes Blog Week is that it helps us find blogs we weren’t reading yet and connect with some new blog friends.  With that in mind, let’s kick off Diabetes Blog Week by making some new connections.  Think about the d-blogs you read that you think we may not know about and introduce us to one that you love!!  Let’s all find a new friend today!"  

 Yay, I am so excited for this one, so let's get started!

Blogs You Might Not Know About:

• Bajan Sugar
• This is a blog about a girl with diabetes- that lives in Barbados, no less! I think it is awesome to know that even in tropical islands, diabetes is still there.
•  Ironic Sweetness
• This is a blog about Tilly, a diabetic for two years. She just started her blog, and I'm really liking it! This is definitely a must-read blog because her posts are the perfect length and have great topics!
• I Run on Insulin
• This is and awesome blog about an awesome type 1. She has done the Tour de Cure, and her posts are always super detailed!
•  The Angry Type 2 Diabetic
• I usually don't read about type 2's because I can't really relate, but I LOVE her posts. She doesn't post 24/7, but when she posts they are long, detailed posts that you have to take a break, test your blood, eat a snack, then go back to reading. They are relatable, and well thought out. Check out her blog, right now! (Or, you know, after you finish reading my blog...)

Blogs You Probably Know About:

• Bitter~Sweet
• Karen's blog is just amazing! She is a great advocate, in charge of the menacing, but awesome task of running Diabetes Blog Week, and is just super! How could you not read this one?
• Six Until Me
• If you don't read this blog, you are really missing out! Kerri is an awesome Type 1 AND mom of one of the cutest kids alive! Her posts are fun to read and I can totally relate to them. Hopefully, you can too!
• Texting my Pancreas
• This is my favorite D-Blog EVER! I can relate to her, love her cartoons, and she is just plain awesome! This is the ultimately awesome D-Blog! She also runs the amazing You Can Do This Project.

Moral of Story: Read all of these D-Blogs... NOW!

Here is the page with all of the blog posts for today.

Goodbye, Old Friend.

Today is the last day with my black Animas Ping.
Why?
Because the screen is so scratched up, and the screen's light doesn't work right. (I can't see the screen unless I am in a dim room inside.)

*Sniff Sniff* I'm going to miss you...

I dropped it last night, and I got an error message saying to take out the battery and put in a new one. I ended up having to put on a new battery cap, and my Mom called Animas.
They shipped my pump today and it should be here tomorrow.

So, here is a picture of my pump, on its last day of full combat against diabetes:

Moral of Story: Goodbye old pump. (Even though I had a green one before you, and it had to be replaced for forgotten reasons, but still.)

Oh, and I am also participating in the 3rd annual Diabetes Blog Week!

 

Click here to see all of the information about it, and to sign up!

Karma Chameleon

I was scrolling to my daily diabetes blogs, when I see Sarah's post about Lenny the Lion.
When she typed this:

I was suddenly interested, because I love stuffed animals, so I clicked the link!
I was taken to Medtronic's Store, and I scrolled down and saw the cutest pump carrying chameleon ever.

Carl.

He is one adorable little pump carrying chameleon and I just want him so much!

Maybe I can convince my parents to let me get him...

Moral of Story: Pump carrying chameleons named Carl are amazing!

All You Need is Blood!

Have you ever thought about how much we need blood?

Our blood tells us how much sugar is in our bodies, how to calculate the insulin to give ourselves, and lets oxygen flow through our bodies.

Have you ever wondered, "What is blood?"
According to Medilexicon, it is:

"The “circulating tissue” of the body; the fluid and its suspended formed elements that are circulated through the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins; blood is the means by which 1) oxygen and nutritive materials are transported to the tissues, and 2) carbon dioxide and various metabolic products are removed for excretion. Blood consists of a pale yellow or gray-yellow fluid, plasma, in which are suspended red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets."

Wow!
Have you ever realized how much blood does for us?
I haven't either!

Have you noticed that blood shows up every where?
Commercials, health journals, test strips have to do with blood.

So, try to be more like blood; it is hardworking.

Moral of Story: I'm pretty sure blood does a lot more work than the average American.

And if you didn't get the song reference, listen to this: