Coronavirus: Hey DOC - How You Doing?

Hey DOC  - 

Sorry for the radio silence on the bloggo. 
Like all of you,  I’ve had a lot on my plate and much to take in with what’s going on re: the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Prepping re: supplies - as in food and filling RXs, trying to rearrange work gigs, working from home is not business as usual because life isn't business as usual.  
Focus is hard to come by as of late - FOR EVERYONE.  

I live by myself - it's been hard dealing with what's been going on alone.  
I know I’m not the only one who is struggling with feelings of isolation and loneliness.

I’m worrying. A lot. 

I worry about me, my family, my friends who are family - including my you dearest DOC. 

Worries galore and in all dimensions: Work, income, diabetes, my country-everyone else around the globe dealing with this pandemic. 

Sleep has been crappy, lack of human interactions from less than 6 to 10 feet a part has been rough - but I’m doing it - And I’m staying home as much as I can! 

Every day the news overwhelms us all more than the previous day. 

Seriously guys, this episode of Black Mirror sucks!

And yes, I’m angry and grieving because it didn't have to get to this point.

But it did. We are here.

Not that I've stated all of the above to you  - I feel better!
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHARE. 

Now we need to fight - some of us from our homes/home offices, others from the front lines. 

And every single one of us needs to vote in November - make sure you are registered and continue to triple check your status. 

And WE MUST stay connected and practice self-care. 

Our diabetes online community has always been leading the pack when it comes to connecting in the digital world! It’s almost like we invented it - we didn’t, but you know what I mean! 

Keep connecting! 

Tweet, write, Skype, Zoom, text, phone a friend and use all your digital lifelines on a daily basis. Pick up the phone when a loved one rings - you both will feel better!

Connecting allows us to… well, CONNECT. 
Sharing prevents us from holding it all inside. 
Being able to say things out loud to our selves and others lets us know we are being heard and that makes it easier to focus, feel much-needed normalcy 

I’ve started dividing tasks into increments of time (THANKS Team egg timer and iPhone timer,) and rewarding myself when tasks get moved to the “Completed,” pile.

I'm willing to hunker down for as long as possible and as long as I am able to work from home to stop the spread 

And I am so incredibly grateful to the healthcare workers, cashiers, restaurant workers providing takeout for the masses, grocery store and pharmacy workers, cashiers, postal employees, police, fire, and EMTs - every single person running towards the flames because it's their job. I pray for their safety every night. 

I pray for all of us to stay safe. 

When this all over, I'm hugging every single loved one, friend, and coworker tightly - I’m going to drag my friends out in the sun for drinks and good food. 

And I can't wait. 

Until then, stay safe, stay in touch and let’s stay connected! 
#WeAreInThisTogether

Xo, Kelly

My Hopes For Us In 2019

Free 2019 image via VectorStock

My Hopes For Us In 2019 

Lots of happiness and health - which of course is a given - and boatloads of tenacity to boot!

The ability and strength to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and get back up whenever we fall - and the doggedness to try again until we succeed. 

Having more things to laugh out loud about and less things to cry about when it comes to our lives and our lives with diabetes. 

To continue becoming the person we truly are and were always meant to be - before self doubt crept in and veered us off path - and super power navigation skills accompanied by strong winds for our sails, to get us back on course. 

Strong inner strength to plow through all the crap that gets in our way on our path to becoming that person.

Being more successful than we were the previous year - and in all dimensions, while helping others to do the same. 

Having the strength to continue advocating for diabetes (and anything and everything else we are passionate about,) and to be the change that we wish to see. 

The ability to turn our self doubts into tools of self empowerment. 

Taking the lead with our diabetes more often than our diabetes takes the lead with us. 

To say yes to the things we fear and wish for!

For each of us to continue to grow and learn from our mistakes, while being grateful for the lessons learned. 

Politicians who grow spines and stop acting like spoiled brats - enough is enough and we deserve better! 

No pre-existing conditions clauses and health care insurance caps - EVER.

An end to sky rocketing health insurance costs including medications!

Speaking of life saving medications, lower insulin prices and #insullin4all become the reality and the norm in 2019, because people in the United States and around the globe shouldn’t have to die because they can’t afford insulin. 

World Diabetes Day 2017: Thank You, Great Job & You Are Magnificent!

Today is world Diabetes Day - Dr. Banting's Birthday and the day when those of us living the diabetes life wear blue, educate other,s about life with D, tweet, chat, and live our lives with diabetes. 

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Diabetes is hard work, it’s never ending and what we do as people living with diabetes, goes unnoticed and under appreciated by the mass, most of the time. 

So.... 

THANK YOU & GREAT JOB. 

Seriously, THANK YOU for dealing with diabetes 365 days a year with no time off for good behavior. 

THANK YOU for pricking (and dealing with pricks, personified,) and bleeding for your diabetes health when it comes to blood sugar checks, fasting labs, and the likes there of. 

THANK YOU for dealing with insurance company bullshit on a weekly basis, fighting for you (or your loved one's coverage,) and BRAVA for making it look easy. 

YOU ROCK. 

Fantastic job counting carbs - even when you have no freaking clue and wild ass guesses, included!

Phenomenal job dealing with snarky diabetes comments from people who don’t understand. 

Diabetes burnout - you live with it, and it likes to rears its annoying and ugly head from bring us down - and it tries it’s best to keep us down. 

Getting back up can be so damn hard and there are moments when it seems like we can’t.

Thank you and great f^c$ing job for falling down seven times and getting back up eight.

MONDO job advocating, educating for yourself and others living with diabetes and doing the best you are able to do, every damn day. 

Thank you for the tremendous job you do for helping others (including myself,) in the Diabetes Online Community and in real life. 

STANDING OVATION for all your diabetes victories - big and small. 

Thank you for for inspiring others, for showing them that they are more than the number on their glucose meter or A1C. 

Thank you for showing healthcare professionals that every number has a story; word choice matters, and people with diabetes are PEOPLE first.  

YOU ARE MAGNIFICENT - never forget it! 

Diabetesaliciousness Turns 10

Time freaking flies~

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10

10 years ago today, I published my first blog post. 

I had no clue what I was doing - clearly that's obvious from my blog's name. 

I knew that I had something to say, I wasn't quite sure how or where to say it. 

Blogger looked easy enough - like a glorified word file - so I went with it.

I didn’t know that the DOC (the Diabetes Online Community,) was an actual “thing” and 

I had no freaking idea how much I needed my community - until I found it.

And thank God, Jesus, Buddha, The Goddess,The Spirit In The Sky, Kali,

(whatever and whomever the heck you believe in) that I did! 

These past 10 years the DOC has given me love; laughter, support, knowledge and a fantastical D Tribe that has been there through all my HIGHS and the LOWS.... and not just re: my life with diabetes. 

Over the past decade, you guys have been there for all the highs and lows of my life! 

Cheering me on.... and picking me up whenever I fell. 

THANK YOU. 

Blogging about and advocating for diabetes has changed my life; reinforced that I am not alone, altered my career path, and taught me that my greatest perceived weakness ( my busted pancreas,) is actuality my greatest strength and biggest passion. 

I learn and continue to learn from every person with diabetes - or who has a loved one with diabetes. 

 I’ve made friends around the globe - some I’ve been lucky enough to meet in real life!

AND I AM ONE LUCKY DUCK.

My community taught me to speak up and speak out - that my voice mattered - that all of our voices matter. 

The DOC taught me that people with diabetes - and no matter the type, are in this together. 

There is no "separate but equal," when it comes to diabetes types - or anything else. 

And the Diabetes Online Community has proven to me time and again, that alone we trudge up hills, together we move mountains.

Guys, thanks from the bottom of my busted pancreas for always being here for me!
 Now, back to moving mountains! 

2015 Ended With A Break & 2016 Started Out With A Bang!

Back from break refreshed and with a lumpy head - it's all good~
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So my blogging end of year break is over and I’m excited to get back into the swing of things. Personally, I needed to take some time to regroup - I’ve felt burned out creatively for quite some time and the holidays exacerbated those feelings.
Look, the holidays are harder for some people, and I'm one of those people, so taking a break fit perfectly in the scheme of things. 

I took time to finish up on several freelance projects, spent some much needed time with my family and friends who are family, and now I’m happy & ready to embrace everything 2016 throws my way!
As far as resolutions, I’m focusing on what needs to be done, and being the procrastinator that I am, face the things I fear first in my life  - and my life with diabetes.

2016 started off with a bang - literally and figuratively. After a really nasty smack on the head and fall last night, I went to the emergency room. 
The CAT scan revealed swelling of the soft tissue and an egg size lump on the right side of my head. But lumps and all, it’s all gravy - no concussion or internal bleeding. 
I will have a sore, lumpy head for a few days  - but I’m OK with that - that’s what coffee and icepacks are for.

FTR: If you take any medications that cause your blood to get skinny, get checked out, especially if you bang your head to the point you see stars and start to cry. 
Same goes for any and all pupil weirdness after a head injury. 
And yes, it’s a pain in both the ass and head to go to the emergency room, but get checked out - you're worth it. 

I’m looking forward to forging ahead together and making 2016 a great one - Lets get this party started! 
And FYI: Any and all protective headgear worn is your choice and is not mandatory~ 

A Lauren's Hope Giveaway & A Life Lesson In The Surf~

After THIS low blood sugar of 46,  incident at TJMAXX in June, the folks at Lauren’s Hope reached out to me and offered to send me a couple of their new Summer/casual inspired Medical Bracelets - and I was glad they did. 

FTR: I'm a fan of Lauren's Hope and I wear (and wrote a review,) for their Ooh,La La bracelet, which I love and. Unfortunately, I wasn't wearing that bracelet during  my TJMAXX experience - AND I WILL NOT MAKE THAT MISTAKE AGAIN. 

The Bracelets
First up:  The ClearWater Medical ID Bracelet. 

This is the Clearwater bracelet ~

Why I like The Clearwater bracelet: It’s pretty, I wear a lot of blues, greens, yellows, purples and black, so the aqua beads work with everything I own. I also wear a lot of sterling silver jewelry, so the sterling bar beads seamlessly blend with my other sterling accessories. 

The ClearWater can go from casual to dressy and it’s one of the few “dainty” looking pieces of jewelry that I can wear. And while it looks “dainty,” it isn’t - it’s incredibly durable.
Also. the bracelet is interchangeable with any Lauren's Hope medical ID tag.  

On Tuesday, my niece Tess saw the bracelet on my wrist and thought it was beautiful, which it is - and several strangers have stopped me and asked where they could get one.

Important info:  
Important information regarding this bracelet: The Lauren's Hope website states that the clearwater bracelet is not not to worn in hot tubs, the pool, or ocean water.

Lauren’s Hope also sent me the Journey Cuff bracelet - see below. 

I love the textured pattern of the Journey Cuff - I also love that it's swimming and surf proof!
Also: It makes me feel like I'm Wonder Woman! 

The Journey Cuff is stainless steel, is impervious to both the elements and my clumsiness, and it’s stylish. Personally, I LOVE cuff bracelets and I’ve been wearing the Journey out and on the town, I also wear every time I go swimming in the ocean. The Journey stays securely on my wrist and has never come off in the water, and both the patina and the Rod of Asclepius symbols have not faded.

The Journey Bracelet also became a valuable teaching moment for my 10 year old friend “BrownEyedGirl," who I’ve written about several times, before.  

The Lesson

Brown Eyed Girl and I made our way past the crowds and through the waves - the storms off the coast meant the waves were good and the currents were strong - we went out deep and began body surfing  

One wave took me all they way to the shallow water - and as I stood up, Brown Eyed Girl came running towards me and shouting: KELLY, YOU’RE WEARING JEWELRY IN THE WATER - THAT’S NOT GOOD. TAKE IT OFF AND PUT IT WITH OUR STUFF!

Sidebar: BrownEyedGirl notices EVERYTHING.

I looked down textured pattern of my Lauren’s Hope Medical Cuff bracelet and smiled. 

“No, this bracelet is for wearing all the time - even in the water. It protects me.” 

BrownEyedGirl: From the waves?

Me: NO! It’s a Medical Identification bracelet - My information is on the bracelet - My name, that I have diabetes, my Doctor’s name and phone number, incase I can’t tell them myself.

 

BrownEyedGirl: What do you mean,“if you can’t tell them?” 

Me: Liiiike if I’m in a car accident or something happens because of my diabetes and I can’t talk or I’m not awake.

Sidebar: I was trying to keep things simple and low key. Brown Eyed Girl is a 10 year old going on 40 - she was born with the personality of a little mother hen and she’s a worrier.

Brown Eyed Girl: But Kel, how do they KNOW it’s that kind of bracelet? 

Me: Good question, BEG. I can’t believe I forgot to tell you that. 

See these two red symbols on the front of the bracelet - their called the Rod of Asclepius and it’s code for Medical bracelet. Doctors, police, firemen and EMTs are trained to look for the symbols on jewelry and tatoos with the symbol - even regular people like you and me know what the symbol means. 

Brown Eyed Girl. OH, OK - I GET IT.  Kel, is that bracelet just for people with diabetes? 

Me: No, it’s for anyone with a disease or allergies, or other health issues. 

BrownEyedGirl: Hey, you wore a black and silver bead bracelet with that symbol on it on Christmas Eve. 

Me: I did! that’s my fancy Medical ID Bracelet -  but this one is to wear everyday and especially when I swim. 

Brown Eyed Girl: Kelly, can I see what the bracelet says about you? 

Me: It says I’m AWESOME... but OK. 

I took it off quickly, turned the underside of the cuff towards her while holding it tightly in my hand and let her read the info out loud, then quickly slipped it back on and tightened the cuff securely on my wrist. 

Brown Eyed Girl: I’m glad you have that bracelet, Kel. 

Hey, want to go back out in the deep water  and watch me do the Butterfly Stroke? 

Me: You mean your award winning Butterfly Stroke? The one you won a 1st place medal for at swim clinic a few weeks ago? Yeah, I do!

And that’s exactly what we did... and a wonderful time was had by all ~

Speaking of winning... 

The Contest

Here’s your chance to win a $50 egift certificate, courtesy of Lauren’s Hope.

The Rules

1. Leave a comment on this blog post stating why you'd like to win the Lauren’s Hope gift certificate - and any other thoughts that cross your mind while reading this post.  

2. You or someone you love must have diabetes.
FTR: Lauren's Hope offers Medical ID Jewelry for women, men and children. 

3. The winner will be chosen announced here on the blog, Monday, August 8th and the winning entry will be chosen by random.org

4. If you win, you have 48 hours to email me (kellykunik@gmail.com.) or facebook me with your name and email address.

If I don't hear from you by Wednesday, I will choose a new winner. 

As I stated previously, Lauren’s Hope gave me both bracelets, free of charge. 

And while I appreciate that kind gesture, it was up to me if wore them or wrote about them. 
As you can see, I did both. But as you all all know, my thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone~ 

Shaking Off The Funk Of Increased Insulin Requirements~

The other day I got myself in a funk - and not the kind with cool beats and a loud base. 
My self-imposed funk was regarding my insulin pump’s basal rates (hourly insulin rate via my insulin pump,) which are still elevated since doing 2 rounds of antibiotics and a round of steroids to combat bronchitis and few other itises back in May. 
And before the steroids,  my insulin requirements had increased slowly over the previous year. 
Thanks to Gary Scheiner and the wonderfulness of being me, I know that it takes my body longer to process meal boluses than most and I try and take meal boluses 15 minutes before I eat - but that's not always possible.

For now, I try not to let the amount of my daily insulin requirements upset me - I remind myself to be grateful that I have insulin - and that access too insulin.
And I keep moving - walks, bike rides, swimming and body surfing in the ocean until I'm forced to leave the water from sheer exhaustion. 
FTR: I LOVE BODY SURFING!

But every now and then I wonder what if I require more insulin now and forever ... just because. 

• Because I will have lived with diabetes 38 years as of October 21st, 2015
• Because I’m a woman in a certain age bracket
• Because our bodies change and shit happens
• Because diabetes demands it
• Because change is a part of life. 

And I worry because of the cost of my increased insulin requirements - I worry about that a lot. 

I’m once again contemplating a secondary injectable to prevent the spikes - I’m not sure which one, but I'm going to be discussing the possibility with my Endo in October. 
FTR: I won't attempt going back on Metformin - my numbers were great, I lost 8 pounds, but my hair fell out in clumps. Symlin caused sticker shock and there was a lot of stops and starts due my travel schedule  - so I stopped taking it. 
I'm also being proactive and scheduling an appointment with my CDE before I meet with my Endo - hopefully 6 weeks before my appointment in October and not during the Pope's visit to Philadelphia - that would be logistically insane!

Lastly, I remind myself that things take time and that my life will always be measured out in units of insulin - sometimes I will require less - and other times (like now,) I will require more. But I will always require insulin in order to live. 
And that things could be a lot worse than increased insulin requirements.

 If any of you out there in DblogLand are or have experienced similar issues - I’d love to hear from you & any advice would be greatly appreciated.  

Diabetes Blog Week Day 7: Favorites - With A Twist~

Diabetes Blog Week 2014 officially ended yesterday and what a crazy & wonderful week it was! But here's the thing: I'm still behind in reading all of the fantastical  #dblogweek posts - So I don't feel right picking day seven's subject matter - favorite things in the form of posts,  (and honestly, picking favorites is really hard to do,) until I've completed the task of reading them all. 

Instead, I'm going to share my favorite parts and feelings of Diabetes Blog Week. 

Diabetes Blog Week takes a series of topics and allows each participant to put their own D spin on them. And as Diabetes Online Community members, we are given the gift of viewing those subjects through hundreds of different voices - And I love the sound of the voices, individually and collectively. 

I love the creative writing challenge, the connections and the different POVs on the same subject matters.

And I absolutely love that because of Diabetes Blog Week, we become inspired by new diabetes blogs and discover wonderful and inspiring things about the people behind the blogs we've already come to know and love. 

And you know that combined feeling of exhaustion and being reignited by the whirling dervish of Diabetes blog Week (plus a few days) of nonstop diabetes blog reading? 
I LOVE THAT TOO!

The DOC is an amazing community that is continually growing, evolving and inspiring & Diabetes Blog Week reinforces the gifts of our community in all dimensions.