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My Diabetes New Year’s Resolutions
I have been thinking a lot about New Year’s resolutions. I have decided this year to concentrate on diabetes to see if I can improve management. With that in mind, I asked people in the diabetes community what might be good New Year’s resolutions for me. I got plenty of feedback but will share three resolutions I have decided to adopt for 2016. 1. Change my lancet more than twice per year. I know if you are reading this it sounds sort of gross, but the truth is most of us do not change lancets. I long ago adopted the notion that I...
read moreChronic Blessings 2015 – Family
The fourth and perhaps the most important blessing we have this holiday season is family. Yeah, I know too much family is nerve shattering. But I am not talking about the entire family you were born into, rather the family you choose to be nearest to. No one knows us better than those with which we live. Wife Not surprisingly, I often discuss the importance of my wife Sheryl in my daily living. She is a rock and a person who will often help me see a different path, or both sides of the situation. Sheryl and I have been married for 38 years...
read moreChronic Blessings 2015 – Community
When we are first confronted with RA or Diabetes we usually feel alone. Even if we know others there is something about being told you have one of these conditions that just feels isolating. I know, for me, when I was diagnosed with diabetes I already knew many with type 1 diabetes (mother, other children older and younger) but still in that instant I felt isolated. I adopted a notion of me against the world. I was determined to win. Looking Inward The hospital staff and others I knew were so positive and they tried to reassure me that others...
read moreChronic Blessings 2015 – Medicine
I am so thankful for modern medicine. I would not be alive today without it and if by some odd chance I were alive my quality of life would be drastically reduced. My story is the story of medicine overcoming long odds. It is a story of people toiling in labs to work on new treatments and doctors trying new things. My story is a mix of good fortune and the skill of others that have brought me to this point and I am forever thankful for the blessing of modern medicine. Here are two examples. Diabetes management: In 1947 my aunt became ill. It...
read moreChronic Blessings 2015 – Technology
In this time of counting our blessings, one of the most promising blessings for people with chronic conditions (in my case Type1 Diabetes and Rheumatoid Arthritis) is the blessing of technology. I recently attended two conferences; one the 2015 Annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology and the other the Diabetes Innovation Summit. What I saw at both gatherings amazed me. Patients simply have no idea of the innovation in the pipeline or that which has been recently announced. And I am not just speaking of drug development. While...
read moreLaughing to overcome
A friend of mine, we will call him Jason lived in a homeless shelter. Jason would tell you he was not homeless , rather he was housing challenged. He would tell you he was not diabetic, rather he was overly sugar blessed. He did not have aides; rather his immune system was lazy. Jason I met Jason while volunteering at the shelter and his smile and laugh were infectious. We hit it off immediately. He asked why I was coming there I told him I was looking for something to do and he said I should stare at paint dry or color leaves green instead...
read moreGiving thanks in 2015
I have a lot to give thanks for this year. A beautiful wife, amazing children, three grandchildren, okay health, the opportunity to be myself, a nice house, and the list goes on and on. Still, I am often asked what about your RA or diabetes? Surely these chronic illnesses must make you unhappy? And I always respond the same: Yes they do. So, if I have these issues why am I thankful? It is actually fairly simple; I am thankful even with my RA and diabetes. I know it is easy to complain; I do as most everyone I know who shares even one of...
read moreHope
Today I am presenting a guest blog by my friend Trip Stoner. I met Trip at TUDiabetes and her posts are truly inspired. I know readers will love this post, which marks World Diabetes Day. In case you are interested, Trip has another post on this site and you can find it here. It is also well worth reading. Hope As World Diabetes Day approaches us, I am surrounded with feelings of hope. Emily Dickinson defines hope as “the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without words and never stops at all.” For a long...
read more‘the Betes’ complication survey
Sheryl and I have long supported the work of ‘the Betes’ both with our time and money. We are proud to do so and we deeply appreciate the important work Marina is doing to help those of us with diabetes incorporate mental health into our everyday treatment plan. This past summer Marina presented ‘the Betes’ message at camps, in small groups and at large assemblies like MasterLab and the ADA scientific sessions. It was an amazing year and the success that was realized was driven by the hard work of Marina, the creator, and main facilitator of...
read moreDiabetes and National Mental Health Wellness Week
I watched my Grandson playing soccer last Sunday and as a typical 5 year old, he was less than fully engaged. Sure, he kicked the ball a lot, but as far as knowing what to do and when he was a typical 5 year old; in other words he was disconnected. One problem is that he has a hole in his jersey, about the size of one of his fingers so he delights in poking his finger through the hole. He also seems fascinated with covering his face with his shirt and looking out of the hole while he was playing soccer. This makes him a big fan of falling...
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