Moved!

Don't worry, you'll be forwarded to my new home!

World Diabetes Day! - A Surprise or Two.

As much as I hate that we have to have this day, I am thankful that we do. All of you who are raising awareness, educating others, and helping fight this disease get a huge thank you and ((hug)) from me. You are awesome!

I cannot count the number of times I have mentioned the online community and how it has saved my life. All of your stories, support, struggles, and love has made me take better care of myself and learn so much. I cannot thank you all enough.

So on to this big surprise I was teasing everyone about. The surprise is that I am moving. No, not to Minnesota, to my own site. I am moving my blog from Blogger to my own hosted site.

I know, not nearly as exciting but it is for me. I am limited on this site and on my own site, I will be able to do what I want and you all know how crazy that could be right? So, starting today, www.ninjabetic.com will take you to the main site and www.thebadblog.com will take you directly to my blog page.

On the Ninjabetic site will be pictures, a blogroll, link to my cafepress store for all your Ninjabetic needs, and my blog. In fact, my entire blog, all 697 posts are on the new site.

I really would appreciate your feedback and understanding. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time and for some reason, World Diabetes Day seemed like a good day to launch it.

Now I am sure you are wondering about the second surprise I hinted about in the title.

That surprise is waiting for you on Amy's blog. Enjoy and Happy World Diabetes Day!

One More Day!

Last year I wrote a song for World Diabetes Day called "Not By Choice." It is available for purchase on iTunes or by using the link on the right side. My hope was to raise some awareness and some money for charity.

This year, people everyone in the blogosphere have been busy doing all kinds of cool stuff for WDD. I love it. The more of us out there putting diabetes in the forefront and educating, the better.

We can help destroy stereotypes, misconceptions, and myths. Just our voices can make people pay attention to the fastest growing disease in the world! You would think there would be "swine flu outbreak" pandomonium but there is not. People think diabetes is easy to live with. That if they lose some weight they will never have it. That is wrong. We need to educate.

So BIG UPS to Manny who broke it down in this interview. Thank you Manny. I am always impressed and thankful for you.

An Answer is Coming

I got a call yesterday from my neurologists office regarding the MRI I was waiting for approval on.

So I have an appointment on Monday morning to have the MRI done and hopefully an answer to the strange way my head has been feeling. Remember the whole Spinal Tap, Can’t sit down to blog, Stand up Vlog week?

In case you missed it, I have been experiences this strange head rushes. The best way to describe it is, imagine a power surge in your head. I get a rush, my vision dims like I am going to pass out, and then it’s gone. This has happened at different times and I cannot put my finger any trigger.

It’s like when the air conditioner turns on and all of the lights dim, that is what it feels like in my head.

After the MRI, I am waiting to get the approval for an EEG. After that point if nothing is found we may need to try a whole different approach. I am just thankful that I found a neurologist who wants to help me any way she can.

In more medical news, I have scheduled another blood draw next week for my up coming endo appointment. This is the blood draw that will prove if I am a type 1 to my endo. Because, he doesn’t believe me apparently. And I’ll see if the CGMS and Symlin has truly helped my a1c. I am actually looking forward to the appointment.

I cannot believe World Diabetes Day is in 2 days! I am so nervous and excited and nervous. Did I mention nervous? I hope you like my surprise.

A Different Kind of Soldier

I have written in the past, on several occasions, about how upset and depressed I get on Veteran's day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day.

Diabetes took away a dream of mine to be a soldier, serve my country, and fight for freedom.

But as of late I have tried to find a way to be a soldier of a different kind. Serving the world instead of my country. Fighting for freedom from a binding disease. Battling the war against Diabetes.

I am no doctor or medical professional in any way shape or form. Nor do I have any business entering a lab except to have blood drawn. Personally, I have no way to come up with a cure. No, my fighting has to happen out in the streets and in the world.

Writing this blog is a way I fight. I try to be open, honest, and as transparent as I can be. My hope is that it  adds some understanding to the ups and downs that come with this disease. We are all different so I never expect everyone to "get" all my posts but someone must and that means for that moment, that person feels less alone. That person feels apart of a community. And when they do...mission accomplished.

In talking to people I am constantly bringing up Tweets I have read, blogs I have commented on, and cool stuff happening around the Diabetes online community. Talking about it makes it educating easier. Letting friends ask questions and explaining things to them is a way of fighting ignorance and battling stereotypes. Especially when you hear those friends going out and correcting other incorrect information. I love that.

Walking for the ADA, raising money for the JDRF, donating money to the Diabetes Hand Foundation, or any other charity work you can do also helps in the struggle for a world rid of diabetes.

I know it is not the soldier I wanted to be but if I can help people in any way, then I am in.

Who's with me?

You Tube Tuesday #145

Since this Saturday is World Diabetes Day and November is National Diabetes Awareness month, it is fitting that this video is featured today.

The Making Sense of Diabetes video contest that ran during the month of October has been completed and a FANTASTIC compilation video was put together. I am very proud to announce that the video Scott and I made won for the week we submitted so there are clips from it in this video. In fact, below this video is a list of the all the winners.

There were so many awesome videos submitted. I suggest you check them all out when you can.

Enjoy!


Winners of the Making Sense of Diabetes contest were:

• Dennis Adair, PA
• Fabiana Couto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Patricia Harmon, NJ
• Scott Johnson, MN
• Andrew Jones, CA
• Terry Keelan, CA
• Joseph Nielsen, TX
• George Simmons, CA
• Bill Woods, CT
• Lorraine, CT

D-Blog Day - Letters

Hey George, 
How are you doing? I am still going strong. Destroying some blood vessels, attacking your major organs, and you know, other stuff I would rather not be too specific about just so you don't get in the way like you have in the past.


I remembered when you first started this whole blogging thing. Dang you really ticked me off. You used to not test your blood and eat whatever you wanted. Oh, I had a field day with your nerves, especially in your feet. But then you met all these people and started learning about stuff and you kind of slowed down my work. I was not happy with you mister and still have not gotten over it.


Then you heard about insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors and just had to have all that stuff too. Big deal, I am still here. You didn't get rid of me. You really have annoyed me though. My work has been slowed down but, it has not stopped. 


In fact, I should be honest with you George since we have had over 19 years together. I almost had you last night. I know, I know, you were pretty sure you had things under control but I almost had you.


Remember when you woke up sweaty and feeling crumby and you knew your BG was low. Remember how you could not wake up your wife and then how you thought that maybe she just wanted you to die? That maybe she was on my team? 


And then when you started thinking about how great your day was yesterday and all the stuff you did, and how you had a good day fighting me. Remember that?


All those thoughts were me, I was trying to get sneaky and finally move in for the win but you mustered up enough energy to sit up and when your wife woke up, I knew it was over. Oh well. 


There will be more chances soon enough. I am patient.


Hey I know you hate me, and you think I suck and all that but honestly, at least I provide you with blogging material.


Yours forever,
Diabetes. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------


Dear Diabetes,

I do hate you and you do suck. But I am lucky that I have found hundreds of people who fight you everyday. Who teach me about perseverance and hope. People who are there for me all the time and who hate you as much as I do.

If it were not for all this blogging and Tweeting and the online community you would have won. I was ready to throw in the towel and be done. But now I plan to fight until the bitter end. No matter what, I will continue to march on and take you down one day at a time.

Last night, I could tell my thoughts were out of wack. Why would my wife want you to win? Why would I start replaying the day as if I was just daydreaming? I knew I was low, what the heck was wrong with me?

I knew it was you making me think about different things and putting thoughts into my head. That was when I found the energy to sit up and turn on my lamp. I could hardly push the button because I was shaking. I had to do it, so I did.

Diabetes, you may be around for a while but I plan on slowing you down if not stopping you completely if a cure is ever found. I have not given up hope.

I will say, that although you are the basis of this blog, you are not the only thing I write about. In fact, if I was cured I was still write and still connect with my online family. I love them and I love that we are there for each other.

So watch out diabetes, you have one heck of a fight on your hands.

George

A Surprise is Coming

I have spent most of this weekend working on my World Diabetes Day surprise.

Can you call it a surprise if I tell you it's coming? I think so since you have no clue what it is and I cannot wait to share it with you.

I just hope you like it!

I should tell you, this is my first iPhone post! Sweet.

Your Assitance Please

I was called out a few weeks ago on Chris' podcast, "Just Talking," for not having his blog listed on my blogroll.

BUSTED!

In all honesty I have been terrible at adding new blogs to my blog roll. If you read this blog, write a blog, and do not see you blog on my blogroll, PLEASE leave me a link. Chances are I read it I just suck at updating.

You help would be GREATLY appreciate it. And for your help, here is a video that will entertain you I hope.

Normal

When I sit down at a table for dinner with my family, I pull out my blood glucose machine, fire the lancing device into a finger, squeeze out some blood, watch the count down, bolus accordingly, and go about the rest of the meal.

This is nothing that would shock you at all. Am I right? Did anything sound strange or not right? No, this is normal for us.

But if no one at the table had ever seen a diabetic test their blood, take insulin, and count carbs it would be very strange and not normal at all. They would probably wonder what the heck was going on if they even continued to sit there with you.

This is what I think. I do not think humans were made to hurt themselves. I do not think we are supposed to cut our fingers and make ourselves bleed several times a day. It's not in our make up to stick needles into our stomach, thighs, and arms. These acts are not normal.

But they are to us. We have no choice. We have to make this life filled with sharps containers, and vials of medicine our normal. To survive we have to accept this "normal" that is not normal at all.

It pains me to think back when I had to accept that this was going to be my new normal. What about the fear of needles or what if I felt faint at the sight of blood? Then what? What could I do? Get over it? "Hey kid, get over it or die." Is that how I get introduced to my new normal? How normal is that?

That's the thing, it's not normal. Not one bit of it. But still we do it day in and day out.

So to those of you who identify with this strange "normal" and who make yourself bleed every single day just to be able to live. Those who plunge needles into their body just to eat a meal. I want to congratulate you on being stronger then most people in the world. You are amazing and resilient. The battle you face everyday is one worth fighting and you know it even when you wish more than anything to take a day off.

I wish I could hug every one of you.

To those that love those of us with this "normal" life I hope you know how much we love you right back. Your ability to shift your "normal" to meet ours is just about the greatest gift you can give us. Thank you.

And to those of you that do not understand this "normal" I would say, be thankful you don't.

From Insulin to Symlin

When I first started my diabetes life I was taught to take all shots of insulin in my thighs. I was told I could take them in my stomach and arms but was shown the thigh method from a nurse who came to my house once, two days after I was diagnosed.

One day after we received a welcome packet from the American Diabetes Association, I watched this VHS tape that came in it with my dad. The host of the Welcome to Diabetes video was none other then dLife's Jim Turner. I remembered seeing his face in movies and TV shows and was surprised  to learn that he was a type 1 like me! Wow!

In the video as he is discussing living with diabetes, he drew up a dose of insulin in a syringe and unbuttoned one button near the bottom of his shirt, moved it to the side to expose his stomach and took the shot in a matter of seconds. The whole time still talking except for the second he bit his lower lip and punched the syringe in.

"Did you see that?" My dad paused the tape and we watched the quick shot several times. "You should try that. Did you see how easy that is?"

The next morning my dad talked me into trying it and after the 30 minutes it took just staring at the tip of the needle and my tummy, I found the courage to plunge that needle into my gut and it was fine. Thanks Dad and J.T..

So now that I started using Symlin and have to inject that, I find my stomach is the place of choice. One thing I have read about is people taking shots through their clothes. I had never done this before and honestly, it sort of freaked me out. It goes back that bizarre fear that a needle is going to break off inside of me and float around destroying my innards. Yeah right.

The first time I did it I was nervous of course. I always wear an undershirt so I figure I should probably make it easier on mister needle and lift the outer shirt and just dose through my t-shirt. As I held the Symlin pen in my hand I looked at my stomach, the t-shirt, the needle, my hand, and I could hear my heart beating. It took me back to that morning at my dads house. I felt that fear. I remembered Dad cheering me on. And Jim Turners flannel shirt. It all came swirling back and then I did it.

And it was fine.

Power Realized

As I surf around the DOC and check out all the blogs and communities springing up everywhere I realize that we are a powerful bunch.

Or I should say, we have the ability and potential to be a powerful bunch. Just imagine if all of us worked together on one thing and focused on one thing, the changes we can make in the world?

We do all focus on diabetes most of the time which is great. I have seen a bunch of blogs pop up the past few days all about American Diabetes Month and World Diabetes Day which is coming up quickly. It is great to see.

Manny has put together The Big Blue test that should also be a great way to unify so many of us and get us all focused on one thing. I love it all.

And this is where I am stuck. I want to do more. I want to give more. I know I can but what do I do?

I try to be involved with all I can online and be apart of different communities but I want more. I want to do more. I know I can.

This goes back to a post from a LONG time ago about looking for a purpose. Why is it that I never feel like I am done or finished or have found what it is I am supposed to be doing?

When I was in school I always heard teachers say to my parents, "George has so much potential" but potential for what? To do what? Sell ovens? Rent movies? Spin records? What?

It's funny but I feel like it's so close, just around the corner.

Something's coming, I don't know what it is but it is gonna be great!

You Tube Tuesday #144

I know it's a few days late on this Halloween video but it's so cool I had to share.

Why didn't any of my teachers do this cool stuff when I was in school? Oh yeah, we didn't have computers when I was in school.

Well we did but they were called Calculators! Enjoy!

The Awesome Weekend Recap!

We have to start with Friday or maybe actually some time Thursday. I was at work and was thinking about my mom. She was at my house sitting there without a car and basically trapped. I felt bad. You see I picked her up for a weekend visit from the airport on Wednesday night.

Rarely do I get to hang out with my mom alone. Typically it is with the kids or the family and mom/son days don't happen often. I decided in the middle of the day to take Friday off and just hang out with my mom.

And that was what I did.

We grabbed breakfast, walked around the mall, played with computers at the Apple Store, saw "This Is It," bought some stuff at Toys R Us, and spent most of the time together laughing. It was great.

We met up with my sister and her hubby for dinner. After that, which was about 10:30, we headed over to my friend Lisa's pad for a birthday party appearance. We hung out there for a spell and finally came home to crash out sometime after midnight.

Saturday being Halloween, we had plenty to do. My sisters and their families were coming over to hang out, visit with mom, and BBQ. I knew I was just going to BBQ burgers and hot dogs but I wanted to try some new stuff.

For the first time in my life I made Banana Nut Bread from scratch! It came out awesome! I also made some Creepy Cuppy Cakes which came out good too. A regular Bronson Crocker I am! ;)

We hardly had any Trick or Treaters so that was a bummer but we had fun playing Harry Potter Clue (which is a lot of fun) and visiting.

Sunday after a great church service we went to lunch with mom before she had to head out to catch a plane home. We my sister took mom to the airport, the remaining Simmons family headed over to an afternoon birthday party at a friends house. We had a great time.

And the final bit of awesomeness was the movie Scott and I were working on for the "Making Sense of Diabetes" video contest. This week, the sense was TASTE and I would love for you to check it out and let me know what you think.




Sure I didn't rest but who cares! 

It was a great weekend!

Count Me In!

It's close to 10:00 PM and I have just decided to join in out NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month).

What does NaBloPoMo mean for me? It means that not only do I need to come up with posts for weekdays but also for weekends too! For every single day of the month of November!

I tried doing this two years ago and a delayed flight made me miss one day! ONE DAY! I am not going to go out like that this time. This time, I mean business.

What does NaBloPoMo mean for you? It means, 30 posts right here on The B.A.D. Blog. I hope you are up for reading daily! I will do my best to make them all entertaining and since it is also American Diabetes Month, I will have plenty of D-related stuff to tell you about.

In fact, World Diabetes Day is coming up soon so be ready to spread the word about diabetes to raise awareness!

Anyhow, the score so far, 1 for 1!