Wednesday, November 9, 2011

National Diabetes Blog Day!

Yeah I know. I'm a slacker. I can't seem to find the time to write these.
So much has happened since the last blog that I have no idea where to start so I will give some brief highlights.
* I am one of 12 runners up for Nick Jonas's simple inspirations contest which means I will have my picture out in a calendar that will be motivation for newly diagnosed kids. To read my words click here.
*I received a good bill of health from my doctor this weekend at my endocrinologist appointment. My blood sugars have been amazing the last couple of days ranging from 90-140 no highs and no lows! It is rare that this ever happens.
*I received an award from the American Legion Auxiliary in recognition of my community service.
*Speaking of service I have 160 of community service hours done to reach my goal of 300 by June of next year!
*I have started ACT classes through a local learning center.For 4 hours every Saturday for 6 weeks I get to spend my morning learning the tips and tools to take the ACT.
*The ACT approved my accommodations which means that whenever I need to use the restroom, test, or eat they will stop the clock which will be nice.
*I have recently gone on two college visits. One to Regis University in Denver which would be awesome to be so close to my diabetic support system and not to mention they have an outstanding school and nursing program. The other Visit was to the University of Iowa which followed my doctors appointment there. It was interesting seeing a large school.
* I finished my 3rd half marathon in Denver with my diabetic friend Zyler. He is 12 years old and had a lot of determination to finish.
*Last weekend I got to see my diabetic friend Karlee, who plays volleyball for Michigan, play against Nebraska and Iowa. She has taught me a great deal about life and I couldn't thank her enough for being a positive role model to me.
*Cross country is over. I had a fantastic season filled full of fun times spent with friends. My teammates and coaches where supportive and so helpful when it came to my diabetes. My coaches stationed themselves along the race course with kits in case I went low.

Well I'm sure I missed some events but those are the main ones, now on to my actual blog.

A big theme in my life lately has been stress and nerves with and around diabetes. Like I said before we have been on the topic of college and with that comes stress on how to manage my diabetes alone at night. I have never been one to wake up with a low blood sugar and if I do it is once in a blue moon. What do we do when I am on my own possibly hundreds of miles away from my parents? I have such tight control with my diabetes that lows are quite commons and especially at night time. This is something we will have to work to find a solution to whether it be setting alarms and training myself to wake up or maybe new technology will be coming out! This school year has been challenging for the fact that it has been hard to focus and learn in school when I have a bad bg. I am taking strides to prevent this from happening but we all know that bgs arent perfect 24/7. I have to face this issue like any other and work with my teachers to find solutions to this. If it is during a test I find a later time to take it, if it notes in a class I work with my teacher or a tutor. Everyone is very understanding and I am blessed to have teachers that will put sticky notes on the top of tests or on their computers to remind me to check my bg before a test.
I hope that these issues I face can help others in their life with diabetes and that when younger kids get to this point they will be prepared or at least now what battles lie ahead.