Mike Felton

2007 is behind us now. It blurred by and stamped in key moments that will surely be remembered. My past year with diabetes stacks upon only a few others since I was diagnosed. 2008 will mark four years since that day in the hospital and it seems like I'm always learning something new. Each highlighted moment in this year taught me a little more about how I successfully live with diabetes. From steady blood sugars at over 10,000 feet atop Rendezvous Mountain in Jackson Hole, Wy, to my near involvement in an Exubera clinical trial, pertinent reads from diabetic authors, and even a new caffeine-enriched job.

I am thankful for being in good health, and I should be; I take care of myself daily. Each day's events fill in around the routine of testing scattered blood sugars, counting elusive carbs, and dialing up varied amounts of insulin. There were days I tested my threshold for carb heavy foods, not always coming out on top. There were even days when diabetes faded into the background and everything went on as smooth as butter.

I finally got settled in with a new doctor in San Diego- delving deeper into the possibility of starting CSII (continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion), wearing an insulin pump to maximize efficiency of insulin use. And most recently, attending the TCOYD diabetes conference to stay current with all things that impact people with diabetes.

The grand scene I've drawn in my head is that while diabetes touches every part of life, it can be tamed with informed decision making. Being able to know your own body and how it reacts to food/exercise/insulin/stress/ theothermillionthingsthatacceftbloodsugar is the key to happy, healthy days.

My best to everyone this New Year! Keep popping by and throwing down comments- it is great to connect with you all through Blogabetes. I expect 2008 to be ever stronger because of it!