The diabetes puzzle

Continuing my Diabetes Mythbuster mission, today's message is that there is more than just the "bad kind" and the kind everyone's grandmother has. 

I'm no doctor of course, so if you would like more information, there are some great real sources out there.

Check out the Diabetes.co.uk website which has some great information about all of the types.

However, who knew there were so many types - Types 1, 1.5, 2, 3, LADA, Gestational, MODY, Insipidis and more(!) And certainly, with this in mind, one can appreciate the puzzle that our doctors and specialists have to sort out when patients come to them with a host of symptoms.

Let 'em eat cake

Sometimes I feel like a minnow in a big pond of bloodsuckers (okay, admittedly it was a rough week at the office). I work for a government agency, where I have only a small voice, but what I do have is a huge whiteboard and I'm not afraid to share my message on it.

So I thought I'd try to get the message out to my colleagues about World Diabetes Day, and along the way, dispel some of the myths that are rampant about diabetes. I knew that my whiteboard would be the perfect venue for the cause.

Then, Friday morning, the very first day of my new mission, not just one, but two(!) friends at work brought me cake! Which is so awesome because it means they were listening to me when I told them that I could eat anything I wanted.

Jamie and her whiteboard
Day 1 of her diabetes advocacy mission

Diabetes Mythbuster #1:  Let 'em eat cake!! People with Type 1 Diabetes can eat what we like. We just choose what we want to eat and when to eat it. (Insert poorly drawn cake here) Can I eat this? Heck yes!! 

So my very first day of diabetes advocacy was a hit with the perfect myth to bust, and might I suggest for the rest of them who don't want to listen to this minnow - let 'em eat cupcakes!!

On your mark, get ready...

I'm back and I'm giving this blogging thing a go once again.

I haven't been blogging for the better part of a couple of years now; so instead of boring my good readers with the ins and outs of what's happened in the meantime, I'm going to hold my breath and jump in the deep end - sink or swim. 

For those of you who are discovering my little space here in this very crowded web, why have I called my blog Flying Furballs? To me, this idea captures the very essence of the randomness of this blog. You never know what is lurking just beneath the couch... and for the very brave in my home, you're sure to find some furballs. 

They say, write what you're passionate about - so here's my list in no particular order:

• Family and 'fur-people'
• Life and everyday challenges that come along with said life
• Diabetes Online Community (a.k.a. the DOC)
• Advocacy - especially Diabetes and accessibility
• Snippets and pure randomness - things that just amuse me (you'll find a lot of this)
• Cupcakes (little bit of bolus-worthy nirvana)

So here we go!

"Sometimes," said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
                                                                                                                      A.A. Milne

Looking at things differently

Sometimes you think you may have got the raw end of the deal. Your employer says, "See ya later, good luck with that job search" or you get a brand new insulin pump that promises to make your toast in the morning, but it doesn't live up to your expectations.

You know what? It's really not so bad.

There's enough to eat. Clean water to drink. You're relatively healthy. The Kid is doing well in college and is still employed, even in the recession. The home business is picking up. But I still managed to eke out a bit of self pity recently.

Until I saw a post from my friend, who was struggling with a tooth infection. Ouch! Then she posted, "I disconnected my IV medications until I get answers!!!" What the heck? I know she's been dealing with cancer, although the last I heard she was doing pretty well. Looked like something was very wrong (I wasn't born yesterday, ya know), so I wrote to her. She explained that the treatments she's been undergoing could be more devastating than the cancer itself.

It puts life in perspective, doesn't it? All I could offer was to help with some shopping. Lame? Sure. But appreciated by her, maybe more than I know. That's okay, that part isn't important. If I can help even in some small way, I'm happy.

But maybe we all should look around us. It's the perfect time of year, in fact, every day is perfect for a random acts of kindness (or two).