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)

aetv.com

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 have been keeping a dirty little secret. I don't know why it feels like a dirty little secret, it's legal in 50 states and not immoral.

I've told everyone I haven't needed insulin since Kate was born. I was up to 30+ units a day of NPH. I haven't taken any NPH since her birthday. I also had an insulin pen of Humulin for the days that I just didn't control myself at lunchtime. Sometimes it was lunch out with the girls, or birthday cake at work, or just unfortunate run-ins with the evil vending machine. But it was important to control my sugars for the baby's sake, so I did what I needed to do. (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)

I'm interested in the high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) debate, which has been in the news again. I believe it probably is a factor in the "epidemic" of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

I thought the Corn Refiners Association's ads this fall (here & here  were a touch defensive. Can you say "the lady doth protest too much"?

What I missed until now was the hilarious YouTube backlash at these ads. Watch this, or this or search for HFCS and peruse dozens of videos.

  (READ MORE)