I am featured at ASweetLife.org!

Wow.  Just wow. I seriously never thought I would see the day that I would have a feature about me.  I am honored that I get to express myself and reach out to others who are dealing with diabetes.  Thanks to ASweetLife.org for giving me this opportunity.  I hope you enjoy it and now I am off for the holidays!

Merry Christmas to all and to all awesome blood sugars!

My Pas de Deux with Diabetes

Diabetes Christmas Presents!

Merry Christmas to all!


Since the festive season is upon us I thought it would be fun to share some "Christmas Presents" with all my fabulous diabetic friends.  Here are some random little tips and tricks that I've picked up over the past year.  If you have any nuggets of wisdom for me please share.  I am always interested in learning new things to make the big D less of a pain!  Enjoy!

Also, the Tummietote belts by Tallygear are AMAZING!  Here is the website if you're interested visit Tally Gear for more information.


The music is a selection from "A Celtic Christmas" by the Dunloes


Enjoy!

Marsha, Marsha...Marsha!

Marsha, Marsha...Marsha!

Why am I jumping for joy shouting the name Marsha?  I’ll tell you why!  After my abusive relationship with my Omnipod Scotty ended yesterday I have added a new friend to my team of diabetes technology.  Her name is Marsha and she is an Animas One Touch Ping.  I got started using ContactD infusion sets with 43” tubing and it is absolutely perfect.  The kinking, stinging, blocking of insulin and pod failure days are over...for the most part!

My trainer did a fantastic job getting me up to speed on all the ins and outs of a One Touch Ping and even though it’s been 24 hours I feel like a pro, or at least someone who isn’t panicking anymore.  It’s a little new and different but things I thought I would have trouble with like sleeping or getting into my awkward ballet stretches are not a problem.  I actually try bumping my hip into things to see if it’ll hurt, which is never does.  

Hooray Animas, what a job well done!  

For those who are wondering, I hadn’t been with Omnipod for my 4 years but if you don’t like your pump and really want to change before your warranty is out you can reverse your claim and switch.  Sometimes you need a note from your doctor too.  Just call your insurance to see first.  So, moral of the story is; if you are in pain or suffering you have the power to switch, it is possible!

So why the name Marsha?  And why isn’t it spelt Marcia?  As anyone who knows me knows that I have a severe affinity for candy.  Not all the time of course, but if I had my way I would reside in Candyland and never leave. The name Scotty came to me because I thought my pods looked like scotch mints.  I happened to see pink marshmallows in the store a week ago and the color reminded me of my new Ping.  Hence, the name Marsha was born.  I also happen to love the Brady Bunch and if you catch me on a good day I can do a pretty authentic Marcia Brady impression.  

PS: One more Vlog is coming up this week before I take a break and head to Ireland for Christmas.  Stay posted, it’ll be fun...it always is!

-Exit Stage Left

I am interviewed by the fabulous Ginger!

Hey everyone!


In lieu of a blog post today I shall present to you a link to my friend Ginger's website Living in Progress.  She did a little interview with me and I must say, Ginger makes me look good!


http://living-in-progress.com/2011/12/dancing-ballerina-with-type-1-diabetes/

Breaking up is Hard to Do...

Breaking up is hard to do.  Especially when you’re a lifesaving medical device.

Dear Scotty my little Omnipod,

We’ve been together 10 months so in terms of insulin pumps we haven’t had too long of a relationship.  You’ve been with me all along when I was new and scared.  You made it easy to insert my cannula and you made pumping a little less scary when I began.  Sigh...I can already tell this is going to be hard.

Oh, please don’t cry.

You’ve kept me alive and functional since my diagnosis and I am forever thankful but I think it’s time I see other insulin pumps.  It’s not you, it’s me.  I am just not squishy enough for you.  The more I dance, the more my pump padding aka fat is disappearing at an alarming rate.  I know you’re happy that I’m finally healed from my surgery and dancing so I hope you understand.  I am sick and tired of you getting kinky on me every time I move.  It hurts, cuts off my insulin and turns me into a very angry diabetic.  I wish you could just change your cannula to a 90 degree steel set, but you know what they say, people never change.

Also, I need to tell you that you’re too clingy.  I need to be able to disconnect from you sometimes for when I am doing ballet partnering or arial dance.  It’s so sweet that you love me enough to never leave my side but you got to let me breathe.  Then you’ll go and fail on me, beeping and wailing like a firetruck.  You’re a little flakey Scotty.  I don’t know if I can depend on you.

I know pumping my insulin is a tough job.  It must be so hard to get it perfect and I understand that.  I know your replacement won’t be perfect either but at least I won’t be getting kinked up.  

So actually it is you, not me!  Kinking your cannula, blocking my insulin and causing me huge amounts of pain is not the relationship I want in a pump.  Why do you hurt me so?  Don’t you love me anymore?  We’ll I’ve shed too many tears over you.  I’ll let you reside in my closet but as of this afternoon I am breaking up with you.  

Well, just one more pod change, for old times sake.

-Exit Stage Left