What To Do If...

So about five or six weeks ago I went kayaking and I had this idea that since my pump is water resistant (not water proof) it would be safe to keep it on. Not a good idea. I forgot that I had my pump on and I went floating downstream for fun in my life vest. I got out of the water to put my kayak away, and my pump beeped. When I took a look it said BUTTON ERROR. This was new to me. I took out the battery and set it in the sun to dry, since obviously it had gotten soaked in the river. That wasn't working so I put it in rice and waited. I got home from that adventure and told my mom who was upset, but there was nothing we could do. I figured that if it dried I could use it and if it didn't I would be on shots for about two years. I waited a while and when I looked at my pump again it was dry! Too bad I lost the battery cap. I was on shots for about three weeks or so before my mom cornered me and told me to call Medtronic and ask them for a new battery cap. When I called they told me that since my replacement policy works till April 2013 I could get a brand new pump for free and it would be there the next day.
I learned to call right away next time.

I Think I Can

Remember, when you try to change, or make a new habit, it takes three weeks for it to stick. Try your best and everything will turn out okay. I'm working on checking my blood more, and I've been pretty good, but it's not all fun and games, there are times when I see those high numbers and I start to freak out like my dad always told me to, because I don't want to slip back into my old habits. Through thick and thin there is always someone out there who is supporting me and no matter what the trial I am sure the same is for everyone in the world.

Diabetic Dangers

I've always been told that when I don't take care of my blood sugars I'm stocking up on long-term consequences. I've been told everything from going blind to getting my limbs chopped off, but I've never really looked into it. Here are some sites to fill you in.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/30047-longterm-effects-type1-diabetes/

http://kidshealth.org/parent/diabetes_center/diabetes_basics/complications.html

http://type1diabetes.about.com/od/schooldaycareandlaws/a/Complications.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/type-1-diabetes/DS00329/DSECTION=complications

I hope these scare you, because if they don't your insane. I don't want to end up deaf, blind, and with heart problems. If you stay on top of your glucose levels none of this should be a problem. My diabetic brother sent me a chart to help me out.

I didn't know how to add the file on here, but if you want you could try making one like it or copy and pasting it and then making it bigger.

I hope this helps out anyone that needs it!

The Little Things Matter

I find the stuff that makes my parents mood swing, pretty amazing. Yesterday I was told to "pretend I didn't know anything about Diabetes" so that I wouldn't make any carb counting mistakes. I'd just look up everything. (I was told this because I ate some pistachios thinking they were carb-free) Then later on when I bought a Diabetes education book for my Kindle they were all like, "Oh my goodness! That's so great!" and "I'm so proud of you for being responsible!" (Okay, not really) It taught me that the little things matter. If I keep improving then maybe I will end up getting the response previously mentioned, although that might be a little scary considering that when I reread what I wrote I hear it said in a Miss Piggy voice. I don't want to hear that coming from my dad, but I have had better blood checks today and managed to bring me average down about 20 points from when I last saw it. Now that is progress.

My Beginning

I don't know how many people will look at this blog and be interested but, I've decided I'm going to try an tell about my troubles and successes as a diabetic. It's partly just to rant about how hard life is for me, get out my frustration, and maybe end up with some advice, but it's also to show that everyone has problems and that's okay. We have them to make us stronger, or so my mom told me. I don't know about anyone else but if you ask me life can be a pain. If I had it my way no one would have problems, but if these trials make us stronger then we would all be as limp as a jellyfish on the beach. I'm hoping that as I write this all down I will get better at controlling of my exceedingly horrible blood sugars.