camp nejeda and freinds from camp
Anna,
It is definitely a compilation answer for me -
My parents who had the strength to both let me find my own way when I needed to and push me toward compliance when it was needed (and forced me to try out D camp - which was FANTASTIC - Gina, I agree, we need an adult D-Camp - and legislation to fit it under FMLA so it doesn’t come out of vacation time, LOL)
My wife who is strong enough to be around a knucklehead like me and still be willing to wake up at O’dark hundred to say: “Honey – you’re beeping again” – because the CGM wakes her and she, in turn, has to wake me… and still has the energy to keep up with the other two children in the household ;)
My doc’s who know I’m going to show up with a stack of research and questions at every meeting and take the time to at least have the discussion
All of the support, stories, humor, and honest sharing, both on this site and insulinpumpers – not a week goes by where I don’t read something and think “Wow – what an amazing idea/person/approach/story” – to be able to see so many amazing people tackling so many sides of the D world with such flare and caring fills my heart with a special warm comfort I don’t think I’d achieve anywhere else or in any other way.
All of the D books I keep reading and re-reading that remind me that whatever I think I know… there is WAY more to learn!
Pubmed – and sites that publish good research where I can get my grubby little brain around 1/1000th of the information that some of these brilliant minds are putting out there and the theories they are testing
The Drs. Eades’ books – which got my mind right (for me) about a dietary approach that I can live with and stay healthy and maintain a weight with which I can be pleased
P90X and P90X+ workouts – because staying less out of shape at home on a budget is AWESOME
Okay – I’ll quit before I publish a novel –as is my fashion - I’m sure I’ve used a lot of words to leave a lot of stuff out…
Cheers!
A-D
The diabetes online community and other T1's.
My dad who had it before me, the first doctor who taught me how to take care of myself, Jesus Christ.
Exercise is the most helpful part of my dealing with type 1. To anyone, woman or man, that's worried about their weight & diabetes, I have one word: run. Start running 5 minutes at 4.5 mph on a treadmill. In a few months, bump up to 10 at 5.0. After another few months, 15 minutes @ 5.5. Eventually, possibly in a couple years, when you can do an hour @ 8, I guarantee you will love the way you feel. Be patient with yourself, and eventually the improvement in your diabetes control will be shockingly great, believe me. The real world will also work for this plan if you don't have access to a treadmill. This am I went trail running in Temescal Canyon with my dog, in LA, about 4 miles, it was hot but beautiful. I've had type 1 for 29 years, my last a1c was 6.3. I'm 6'4", 185 lbs. When I started running I was 212 lbs.
I apologize for this off-topic remark, but in regards to dogs for diabetics, my dog is smart and I've had him for 8 fantastic years and he's a great dog but he's never given an inkling that he knows what my blood sugar level might be. I think for most dogs that kind of interaction would take A LOT of training. Just my 2 cents.
The biggest support for me had been my husband, who is also a type 1 diabetic. He has helped me to understand everything and has been there to help me to get through though times. I have also used information on Juvenation which has helped me out greatly with everything.
I've been really lucky I've had a lot of people in my lifetime that has helped me with my diabetes.
From about the age of 3 - 17 I went to a diabetic camp here in Georgia called Camp Ivey, filled with other diabetics just like me trying to live a normal life.
Camp helped me out a lot and taught me a lot about myself and the disease that I was living with.
Also my parents, have always supported me when I needed them. At the age of 2 I was diagnosed and my parents would have to chase me around the house because I didn't understand why I was having to take these shots.
My grandparents while they were alive also helped me every chance they could... My whole family knows about my disease and knows just how to treat it if it gets out of hand.
Now that I'm on JUVENATION, it feels good to be able to talk to people that are going through the same exact things as me. Because even though my family has always helped me, I don't think they fully know how I feel because they don't have to walk in my shoes.
For me, hands down, my husband and children. My sweet husband always knows when I am low and is right there with my 15 grams of apple juice to fix it. He always has my back when the comments like "she does not look sick" or "it could be worse" start flying. My kids because they keep my grounded and focused on the need to be here for the long term. My daughter actually saved me before she was born....I was not a controlled diabetic before I was pregnate but once I knew she was coming, I became the best patient ever!! And my son was the reason I decided to go on the pump, so I could have an easier pregnancy. Also, writing, I write everday about my experiences good, bad, funny...etc. it really helps to keep the stress, emotional and physical toll on me out of my head. I am not good at letting people know how I feel verbally, so writing gives me an outlet . Maybe someday someone will read my story and it can help them!
[quote user="Lisa D'Imperio"]
For me, hands down, my husband and children. My sweet husband always knows when I am low and is right there with my 15 grams of apple juice to fix it. He always has my back when the comments like "she does not look sick" or "it could be worse" start flying. My kids because they keep my grounded and focused on the need to be here for the long term. My daughter actually saved me before she was born....I was not a controlled diabetic before I was pregnate but once I knew she was coming, I became the best patient ever!! And my son was the reason I decided to go on the pump, so I could have an easier pregnancy. Also, writing, I write everday about my experiences good, bad, funny...etc. it really helps to keep the stress, emotional and physical toll on me out of my head. I am not good at letting people know how I feel verbally, so writing gives me an outlet . Maybe someday someone will read my story and it can help them!
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I've had a lot of doctors through the years just flat out tell me Hey, you can't get pregnant with Type 1 Diabetes. And every time they've told me this, I've just laughed because I know with good control you can have children... I got on the pump about a year ago me & my boyfriend have planned on having a kid in the next 3 to 4 years and I figured getting on the pump would help me best keep my blood sugars under control.
It's very good that your kids understand what's going on and helps you keep an eye on yourself.
I think it has been a combination of Camp Kaiser every year since i was diagnosed and my nurse, Vicky, who made me drive (by myself) all the way to her office every other week until i got my a1c down.
[quote user="Michelle18"]
I think it has been a combination of Camp Kaiser every year since i was diagnosed and my nurse, Vicky, who made me drive (by myself) all the way to her office every other week until i got my a1c down.
[/quote]
Small world I believe... Sarah went to Camp Kaiser last year (loved it! Even though she swears she nearly drown in the lake), and Vicky (in Roseville) is her nurse as well. She's pretty awesome!
Just looking through old threads that were popular before I became active on this site...
The mention of Camp Glyndon in the original post brought back memories! I went there when I was a kid. I haven't thought about it in a long time, but it definitely did help me be a little more independent of my parents when trying to figure out how to control the disease by myself.
The biggest help for me, though, has been support from family and friends. This site, too, has been amazing. Even though I don't know any of you in person, just getting my thought down in words, and seeing thoughts of others that are in the same situation, has been amazingly therapeutic for me!