Get your art on

So, did you know that Diabetes Art Day is coming up? Well, it's fast approaching on September 24th. But don't despair, it's not too late.

You say you don't know what that is?

Fair enough, but if you're out of the loop, I'm here to tell you that it's a fun and cathartic event.

2011 D Art submission from yours truly (was @Jamie_Na at the time) 

Now you're saying you don't have any ideas. C'mon, I'm sure you can come up with something. It doesn't even need to be "arts and craft-y". I'm not, although I'd love to be. But I just do not have the craft gene. I used to give my younger sister a bribe part of my weekly allowance to draw maps in geography for me. I failed at sketching an amoeba in biology.

But instead, what I did get was the diabetes gene. Aren't I lucky? And if you are reading this, I'm betting you either have, or know someone who has, the diabetes gene.

So like, I'm picking up my digital brush again this year and I'm painting some words that tell a diabetes story, and if you are looking for some ideas, check some out here. Also there's some cool and REALLY easy ideas here (not diabetes related, but they might get you thinking) that I'm sure can work for you.

It's not too late. Really, it's not.

So get your art on and head on right over here to read all about it and get your D on for 2012.

Out of here

We're on our way. We'll be offline - that's off the grid, folks (eek!)... but off to a cottage and hot tub for 2 weeks. But I'm still will be here in spirit. And I'm guest blogging for Kerri On The Prairies on September 11, 2012 for Invisible Illness Week. See you in a couple of weeks. :)

She's got a name!

Her name is Rosie. 

She stays by my side at all times. She is a Type Awesome* in my life. 

She:

Suggests...

Reminds...

Pokes...

Prods...

Jogs my memory...

Nags...

Admonishes (but only when I'm ignoring her)...

Doesn't judge...

Looks out for me...

Tells me what my blood sugar is doing and what I can expect.

Rosie is my robot - my artificial pancreas - a Medtronic Paradigm Veo. She is an Insulin Pump and, along with her transmitter, she is Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM). The transmitter communicates my blood glucose to Rosie, and tells me what's going on. She tells me when I need to do something.

Have I tested lately? Double arrows up? Perhaps I need more insulin, perhaps I guessed my carbs wrong... maybe my site has gone south. Double arrows down? Better test. Maybe I need a snack. But what she's telling me is that I better do something about it. I admit, perhaps she is a little overzealous about her job, and perhaps not perfect, but who is?

What won't Rosie do? She won't get me juice when my blood sugar goes low, do my housework and she doesn't cook.

I'm sure I can look forward to some new added features in a future firmware update.

*Type Awesomes are those individuals forming an invaluable support network for People Living With Diabetes. 

Dear Diabetes

Dear Diabetes,

I hate you.

Sincerely,

Jamie

PS: Diabetes, your days are numbered.
We are going to find a cure and
kick your sorry behind right out of here!


(N.B. It took 6 weeks to receive this letter after my endocrinologist submitted the report to the Ministry. Once a 'satisfactory medical report' is submitted again, it will take another 6 weeks to be assessed.)