July 10th, 2010 by KerriSparling in Better Health Network, Medical Art, True Stories
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Some of the most inspiring moments from the “Friends for Life” International Children With Diabetes conference were found in the expo hall, where kids were creating their own diabeticons. These are two that I absolutely loved:
“Let the sun rise on a cure, let the sun set on diabetes.”
“Love your life with or without diabetes.”
Now I need to figure out how to use that Bamboo so I can doctor up my own diabeticons at home. (Siah has asked for one that says “I love pump tubing!” Because oh, does she. She loves that chewy, Band-Aid taste.)
[Animas disclosure]
*This blog post was originally published at Six Until Me.*
June 26th, 2010 by KerriSparling in Better Health Network, Book Reviews, Health Tips, Opinion, True Stories
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For anyone who has been reading my blog since my engagement three years ago, you know that motherhood has been on my radar for a long time. Longer than marriage. That quest for a decent A1C, that desire for a “normal” pregnancy, and that hope for a happy and healthy baby.
Part of the reason I wanted to write about my pregnancy here on SUM is because there wasn’t a lot of information out there about pre-existing diabetes and pregnancy. There was a LOT of information on gestational diabetes (obviously), and type 2 diabetes got some good press, but type 1 diabetes was sort of swept under the rug. Thankfully, there were a few diabetes bloggers who had chronicled their journeys, and I wanted to add my voice to that hopeful chorus.
But also thankfully, Cheryl Alkon had taken the topic to her publisher, and she penned the first book on managing pre-existing diabetes and pregnancy. And I’m very honored to have been both featured in her book (as a woman preparing for pregnancy) and to have her contributing here on Six Until Me (SUM). Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Six Until Me.*
June 19th, 2010 by KerriSparling in Better Health Network, Health Tips, Humor, Opinion, Quackery Exposed, True Stories
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KERRI walks to the center of the living room and sits down on the couch, across from SIAH, who is sitting in the corner, staring aimlessly at the wall.
KERRI
Oh Siah, I just received an email! About a chocolate shake with glucose-reducing powers! And how, if I purchase the family pack of chocolate powder mix, I’ll get a free personal blender and I will also be cured of my diabetes!
SIAH
(blinks) Meow?
KERRI
I know! Diabetes cures apparently are everywhere. Even in my spice rack, because it seems that just a spoonful of cinnamon, added to every meal and smeared on my face like Noxema, will help me achieve good blood sugar control. Man, if only I had known that these diabetes cures were there the whole time!
Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Six Until Me.*
May 29th, 2010 by KerriSparling in Better Health Network, Humor, True Stories
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You know you’re a diabetic mommy when…
- The bottle of glucose tabs is just as important as the bottle of breast milk in the diaper bag.
- You have already started wondering how you’re going to explain juice as “medicine” to the kiddo.
- When you wake up for 3am feedings and they double as a 3am blood sugar check.
- You start cooing sweetly at your meter when it gives you a result of 100 mg/dl. (“Oooh, what a good meter you are! Yes you are!”)
- Your baby ends up with a dot of blood on the back of her pajamas from your middle-of-the-night blood sugar check that didn’t stop bleeding right away.
- When you talk about “the pump,” you need to clarify “the insulin one, not the boob one.”
- Sometimes you have to draw numbers to see who gets to feed the baby. And by “draw” we mean blood samples.
- Nothing makes you happier than a full baby with a clean diaper and a full pump with a full battery.
- You need a diaper bag just for diabetes supplies.
- Your bedside table has just as many burp clothes as used test strips gathered at its base.
And when the Dexcom starts to “BEEEEEEEP!” you wonder if it needs a diaper change.
*This blog post was originally published at Six Until Me.*
April 17th, 2010 by KerriSparling in Better Health Network, True Stories
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Dear Baby,
I’ve been thinking about your face. Your hands. Your little feet and the chubby cheeks I’ve seen countless times on the ultrasound monitor. I’ve been thinking about the round swell of your baby belly, and the teeny nails on your little hands. Your petite ears. The little rosebud of a mouth. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Six Until Me.*
