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Did you see this week's  Intervention on A&E?  The subject of the intervention was John C, a young man with type 1 diabetes.  The episode's on YouTube, this is the link [the show has been removed from YouTube].

Watching his behavior around his diabetes nearly made me physically ill.  He never tested, guessed at insulin doses, didn't count carbs, didn't exercise - it was horrific.  John tests at one point and his meter only returns HI.  I'm surprised the producers didn't call 911.  He also looked like death warmed over - very pale and thin.  In several shots his arms looked as big around as the spindles on my porch railing.  (READ MORE)

I went for my 6 month endo appt week before last. I finally got my bloodwork back in the mail. That's one thing I really dislike about my doctor. I think it would be so much more effective to have the test results in front of us for the discussion.

By the way, where I write "doctor", feel free to substitute "physcian's assistant". As with most doctors who are in demand, he has 4 PAs that also see patients. The office tells you that you can make appointments with anyone, but if you want to see the actual MD, it takes a couple more months of waiting or accepting the oddball times, like 7:45 am on a Monday or 11:55 on a Friday - they close at noon on Fridays.

My HbA1c went up from 5.5 to 5.7. I realize that is still an awesome result and nothing to complain about, but I'm sure it's directly related to the 12 lbs I have gained in the past 6 months. That dreaded holiday weight that I was so afraid of? Yes, that would be about 8 of those pounds. (READ MORE)

It seems to me that nearly every female in the diabetes online community has thyroid issues also. I got curious about this and did some reading. Nearly a third of Type 1 patients have thyroid disorders, usually an underactive thyroid. It does indeed affect more women than men. This is because if you have one auto-immune disease, like Type 1, you are at higher risk for another. As if people with diabetes need another challenge. The linked article also cites a higher than normal incidence of thyroid disease in Type 2 diabetics, but no statistics are given. (READ MORE)

I finally got the results from my bloodwork. My endo has you come in for the appointment, then go do bloodwork, then mails you the results with a note of any changes they want to implement on it. I'd prefer to have the numbers to discuss at the appointment, but I really like the other aspects of his practice, so I stay with him.

Without further ado - the number all persons with diabetes are most interested in - the A1C. (drumroll, please)

5.5%. Yes, five point five! I have seen 5.5 before but I was pregnant and on insulin. I am pretty thrilled. My last A1C in May was 5.8, so this is great. (READ MORE)

I modified a recipe from the Hungry Girl website for a low sugar eggnog and found it very acceptable. It has nearly the same taste and mouth feel as the lite eggnog I've been drinking. It may be a bit late for this year's holiday season, but there's still New Year's.

The original recipe is here. My version is below.

6 C 1% milk
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 small (4-serving) package Jell-O Sugar Free Fat Free Instant Pudding mix, Vanilla
6 no-calorie sweetener packets (like Splenda)
1 tsp Mace (or nutmeg)
(optional) 6 oz dark rum or 1 tsp rum extract (READ MORE)

I have been working out about 4 times a week for SEVEN months now!  This is a lifetime record for me, working out consistently for so long.  I'm really starting to see a difference, and as soon as I figure out my health-care strategy, I expect to see results via my A1C test.  I have reached one goal already - the ability to play tag with my son until he gives up, not until I collapse.

I have found there are more downsides to getting fit than I expected.  Time, money, and physical effects are all turning out differently than I expected.   

  (READ MORE)