The DDG was created to share Amber’s story and those of others living their best life in hopes it will resonate with all people living with diabetes. It’s a one stop shop for the good, the bad, and the down right ridiculous adventures diabetes presents in our everyday life.
A few years ago, I was at dinner with my dear friend who is an Oklahoma Justice. I can’t recall where we were having dinner, but I am willing to bet it was somewhere swanky. As the food was en route to our table, I made a comment about shooting up. She kindly brought to my attention that it was a bit awkward to say “shoot up” at the dinner table especially considering her profession. Note To Self: the term shooting up makes others think of intravenous drug abuse, not keeping a T1D alive. (more…)
This dish was incredible. A vegan dream. So much kale. So many forms of protein outside of meat. So much creativity on display due to operating on an empty pantry. And then it turned for the worst… (more…)
Only clutch that would fit my diabetes life. Not my first choice.
Not happening… Chocolate wrapped bacon.
Bride and Groom
07.11.2014 was a huge wedding weekend for one of my dearest friends. The bride is one of the my closest friends and I am so excited for what lies ahead for her and her lovely husband. As everyone who has ever been close to someone getting married… it can be a 72+ hour adventure of too much food, way too much booze, little to NO sleep and an emotional roller coaster. As a T1D – it takes on a whole new level of anxiety or at least for someone like me who enjoys an open bar, but is challenged by the food available. Here are a few tips of what I chose to do to prepare myself for such an eventful couple of days. (more…)
As a native Oklahoman, I can say that hiking is not part of our DNA. I am a flatlander by birth.
That being said, hiking contributes significantly to why I love waking up each day. The challenge, smells, camaraderie, and drinking beers afterward on the tailgate, make up the appreciation I have for glorified walking.
Most summers I travel out to the Rocky Mountain National Park , outside of Estes Park, CO. Yesterday, I took off on a hike with my grandpa (yeah, he’s 70) to Bluebird Lake (13 miles roundtrip). We covered about 2500 feet of elevation gain pretty gradually with a steep climb to the lake nestled next to Ouzel Peak. We hiked and explored for roughly 8 hours. This can be a real challenge for a diabetic. (more…)
Anhh.Anhh.Anhh. There goes the alarm. I turn over and hit snooze. Fifteen minutes later I’m up and feel like I can eat a horse (since I eat plant-based we’ll say a field of tempeh). I stumble my way down the stairs and test my blood sugar; 66. I immediately snag an apple off the counter and demolish it. Drink a glass of OJ soon after and polish it off with a bowl of granola. All in about 5 minutes.Before I can even truly wake up.
Obviously, this is not the ideal solution. I just took in about 75 carbs. Sure, it knocked out the low blood sugar sluggishness but I’m set to be looking at a blood sugar over 200 by mid-morning – then potentially a corrective low after lunch time. It’s a vicious cycle. (more…)
A little over five years ago I had this strong desire to get a tattoo. I’m a fairly rational person and could not justify putting something on my body that I might regret when I am 87. What would be a part of the rest of my life….. type 1 diabetes.
A few weeks later while at lunch with my mother, a group of firefighters entered the restaurant. While standing in line, I approached the handsome group of men and inquired as to what they would do if they found me unresponsive. “We would check your left arm for vitals.” BINGO!!! (more…)
So my dad was recently diagnosed with cancer. Don’t get me wrong, cancer is a total nightmare, but balancing all of his other medical conditions and medications has presented quite the challenge for my mother and his team of doctors. He is a Type 2 diabetic, has high blood pressure, heart problems…and the list goes on and on. After a solid month of dentists and small surgeries, he was cleared to begin a radiation – chemo combo. (more…)
I love me some US Men’s National Team Soccer. My membership application to the American Outlaws has been submitted.
When the US played Portugal last weekend, I made the most of the experience. Skinny Slim’s, an OKC outdoor pub, hosted a watch party with beer trucks supplying the lubrication for the crowd. While I wasn’t getting drowned in the beer throwing after each goal, I two craft beers over the three hours we were there. Combine that with the couple of beers consumed the previous evening at a buddy’s wedding, and the layman could predict a lower than average blood sugar. (more…)
AC – I prefer a vodka with soda, single, tall with a splash of bloody mary mix. Lime as a garnish. I seem to consume them quickly so the extra soda water helps me from becoming intoxicated too quickly. I LOVE a good bloody mary, but don’t want the sodium so a splash adds flavor. At home or with my friends I am definitely a red wine person.
RF – I’m going beer. I lean hard toward the IPAs. Here in OKC I like to go with the Titan or Caldera. Or I like to find a cool looking/sounding beer on tap and order that. Red wine has its own time and place too.
If you know you’re staying out past midnight, what are you packing with you?
AC – I am rarely out past 10pm, but I always have a fruit strip or organic gummies. I know that both items will raise my blood sugar enough w/o spiking it. Worse case scenario I would ask the bartender for a shot glass of cranberry juice.
RF – Rarely will you find me without a Clif Bar in my back pocket. I’ve found that if you end up going low at the bar, that usually means you’ve had more than a few. If you’ve had more than a few, asking for cup of soda incognito usually doesn’t keep it up for very long. The combo of carbs, fat, and protein works for me. Plus they hit the spot when everyone else is chowing pizza. I usually break down my tester and distribute the parts into 3 separate pockets. (more…)
Rarely in my life have I opted to go back to shots. It’s usually a last resort. My membership card for Team Pump has never been in question. I love the on-the-fly corrections I can make based on symptom awareness. Nevertheless, my employer switched up insurance companies last month and due to a few logistical issues I was thwarted back into the land of Lantus for two weeks. It wasn’t all bad. Check out the top 5 pump-free powers I rediscovered:
1) No strategic sleeping
My favorite pump site location is on the upper, outside butt region (almost above the hips). Occasionally, these sites can get pretty sore, even after one day. Because I pay for my sites, I like to get my money’s worth and keep them in for at least 3 days. At night, sometimes I avoid sleeping on a certain side if things turn tender. (more…)
