The Mothers of JDRF..on a mission :)

Small world, I spoke with one of my clients who wanted us to sponsor tshirts for a walk a thon they were having on their property for JDRF. I was given a phone number to call and spoke with the lady in charge who was the mother of little Kaylan who has been diabetic since age 2.
I had to laugh as I always love talking to the Moms at JDRF because they absolutely get things done. High energy and on a mission to find a cure, a solution, or an improvement in their childs life.
You know who they are...they are the one on every committee, getting 5x more stuff done than everyone else.
God Bless the Moms.....

Has diabetes ever stopped you from something you wanted to do...?

Has diabetes ever stopped you from something you wanted to do...?

---

Looking back, was there ever a time that you chose to not do something because of how you might have to cope with the D.?
I think that I have pretty much done just about anything I set my mind to during my life and just took the disease in stride.
There are only a few times that I can remember Diabetes getting in the way.
It wasn't that I was worried, but society and employers were......probably rightly so.

1. When I worked at Disney in the late 70's...diabetics were not allowed to operate the rides.
I did want to drive the Jungle Cruise boat ....dangit.

2. When I was younger, I thought I wanted to fly and would have liked to have gotten my pilots license.....but alas, not back then. I understand that now a days, you can fly fixed wing aircraft if you meet certain criteria as a D.

3. I probably would have been in the Coast Guard or the Air Force, but was not accepted for medical reasons (diabetes). I always thought that I would have enjoyed being a military guy. I have a lot of respect for those who serve.

How bout you? Did you ever not do something, or did others stop you from doing something based on your Diabetes?

__________________
Keep Going.........Peace, Bob

What's that on your waist sir...? Please step over here sir!!!!! Flying while Diabetic!

Ahhhhh, the joys of flying while D.....

Sir you're gonna need to remove your pager.....Ummmm it's an insulin pump. Oh....Ok, take it off please..Ummm, Id really rather not if I don't have to...as I unclip it and show it to him. .Ok, I guess. You need to put everything else including your pager in the xray machine. Ummmm...its a glucose meter....A what? A glucose meter, I'd rather not run it through the xray machine....(I understand you probably can, but as I am gonna be on airplanes for the next 5 hours, I'm not really willing to chance anything....including it happening to alarm while being off my body. I probably would be hog tied and tasered ...lol)
Ok , Sir, Please put it in the basket and come with me..... says the security lady after I walk through the xray machine.)
I am directed to a little holding area off from everyone else right by the xray machine, and told not to touch anything and to keep my hands out of my pockets. A little holding area "fenced in " by ropes....as I stand there with my shoes off and feeling like a square peg in a round hole.

The following is Loudly announced by the female security officer who is not allowing other folks to proceed..... to the other 5 security folks and the 50 people now starting to back up in line....
WHITE MALE...NO ALARM.... No response...
WHITE MALE...NO ALARM.!!!!!....as she holds up my cgms in the basket
WHITE MALE....NO ALARM.!!!!!!...again, no response
For the fourth time....WHITE MALE !!!!!.....NO ALARM.....
Ok, now I'm starting to feel like a suspected terrorist...
WHITE MALE....NO ALARM.....!!!!!!!
At this point I'm starting to think,,,,jeeessshhh , it isn't bad enough that I have to deal with this in my own way 24 hours a day and struggle to stay motivated, regulated, and healthy, ...Now I am being treated like a domestic terrorist....

At that point, a man comes over and and says he wants to wand me.... Sir, I need you to hold your hands out and spread your legs....Ok, fine...go ahead.... I say in my sock feet and assume the crucifixion position...Ok great.....Sir, I'm gonna need to pat you down.....Ok, as he feels anything that could be in any spot on my body. ....now I'm starting to feel like I am being singled out because of my diabetes needs and am starting to take offense.
Sir keep your arms up, don't touch anything, and keep your hands out of your pockets.
Ok, great! he says after he pats me down.
Step over here please sir, and don't touch any of your stuff and keep your hands out of your pockets....Dont touch anything sir....
I now move to the "other" holding cell of ropes...as I slough over in my sock feet.
Sir, I'm gonna have to wipe down your insulin pump and your glucose meter and place it in this chemical reader over here to check for traces of potential chemicals...Please keep your hands out and stand in place...Please don't move and keep your hands out of your pockets....
At this point, I truly was having emotional feelings.....I understand that they have a job to do, but I was really feeling denigrated. I remembered at that point that I had been shooting targets at the gun range the day before, I was hoping I wouldn't have a problem with gunpowder on my cgms or pump.
I imagine I would have been gang tackled if the chemical reader had had a problem...lol

The man wipes down my cgms with a cloth on a set of tongs and then wipes down my insulin pump....He wipes the whole outside of each, front, back, and sides. He puts it in the chemical reader, and we wait.....hmmm hmmm hmmmm
hmmmm hmmm de hmmmm
woo doot doo hmmm de hmmm hmmm

After what seems like a minute.....beeep Ok, sir, you're fine....thanks for your cooperation....Have a nice flight....

No problem I say as I put my shoes on and collect my stuff which has been seperated by itself in it's own area. .................I gather my belongings and try to put everything back as it was......but as I walk away, I really wasn't ok...
I was very offended and upset .....and I'm not the type to feel that way.
Hey thanks for degrading me in public before I get on the plane,.....No problem,,,,just one more thing I will have to accept that goes along with being D.

I sit where I can, put on my shoes....reorganize, regroup, and recover mentally.
I'm not sure why it hit me so hard, I've been through this before...maybe it was just that I was "In a fish bowl" in the middle of the crowd and being singled out.....for something that I don't have a lot of options to control....
The whole process was probably less than 5 or 6 minutes, but it seemed like forever.
Oh well,,,alls well that ends well. After a day of flying, I got to come home to my kids and wife and give them all a hug. I realize that I am very in love with my family...especially when I am separated from them on my business trips.
Life goes on......However, I am guessing I will probably cringe next time I hear.....

Step over here please sir!!!.....

I do not like Green eggs and D'

Posted this on DD awhile ago...thought I'd repost it. Some folks say that they might want to be D again if they had the opportunity to choose.....some not. Heres my thoughts.....

---

Okay, here goes another strange, warped, take on this thing

Would you take this thing called D
If you could start over and avoid or flee

would you stay ...the same as you are
or would you choose to run away far

would it be.. the disease that defines you
or would you choose eating what the others foks do

would you choose this accepted known plight
or would you slink away in the night

could you be happier with no phsical worries
or are you made better ...you be the jury

what is it ...that could possibly make you
choose to stay with this thing wherever it takes you

24-7, forever, no breaks
why would you want this ...for goodness sake

would you, could you, choose this again
Not me, no way, Nada my friends.......


.....just one mans thoughts.......but I respect all others..Cheers...Bob

The Bird Strike of Diabetes....The Liver Dump

Liver Dump…The Bird Strike of Diabetes….Monday, January 19th, 2009
Yesterday I was able to kick back and relax a little and lo and behold….I fell asleep on the couch. After about a 2 hour deep sleep nap, I awoke with some unexplained high numbers. Am I the only one who sometimes seems to get a liver dump after a long nap? This is not the first time it has happened, and it is always hard to manage as you have no idea it is coming, and no idea how much insulin to take to offset it…..Ahhh, the Diabetic Birdstrike…...The Liver dump. My cgms alarm was working overtime…..
Listen to an Interview I gave on the Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb Show With Jimmy Moore http://cli.gs/LivinLowCarbInterview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lwLAV5Zykg The most recent video....It's kinda cute....

I wanted to wish everyone a Healthy, Happy, and Prosperous 2009. I know 08 was a tough one, but the future is ours to make what we will of it. I believe that there is a lot of opportunity out there right now and in the upcoming year if we only choose to find it. There will be a lot of millionaires made this year…I’m thinking we should all be one of them.
The older I get, I realize what is truly important to me…..My God, My wife, My family, My friends, My health, My belief in myself and others, Good Mentors, Passion for whatever I am doing, Humor, Teaching/helping others to be more, Learning new things, and the understanding not to take myself too seriously. I know that when any of these are not going right, my life is not going right.
As most of you know, I wrote The Joy of Diabetes and published it in 2008. It has been a true blessing to be involved with and work with so many great and interesting people in every aspect of Diabetes-publishing-marketing-internet-sales-P.R.-Development and the like. What an amazing industry…and a truly helpful group of diabetics who care.
Sometimes folks look at me funny when they hear Joy, and Diabetes in the same sentence. I believe they are thinking “excitement and elation”…that’s more like Happiness…
Joy is about Peace and Confidence…..That is what I strive for and what I strive to help others find also. I think it is safe to say that I have found Joy in my situation.
I wanted to thank everyone whom I have worked with, been friends with (hopefully both), been helped by, and who have intersected my life in 2008.
I look forward to finding Joy in this year of 2009. I look forward to you being Joyful in 2009 too…..
I hope that you, your family, your work, your business, your finances, and your health, are all that you hope for this year. Best wishes………Keep going…………Peace, Bob
Ok…I gotta include a couple of my favorite Jim Rohn quotes again here.
“We must wage an intense, lifelong battle against the downward pull. If we relax, the bugs and weeds of negativity will move into the garden and take away everything of value.”
“Don’t take the casual approach to life. Casualness leads to casualties.”
“America is unique because it offers you an economic ladder to climb. And here’s what’s exciting: It is the bottom of the ladder that is crowded, not the top”

Navigating through the Christmas party season....

I don't know about everyone else, but I always struggle trying to maintain stellar glucose control when attending parties throughout this season. With all of the unknown tantalizing foods on the table, it is hard to figure out your insulin needs.
Usually most cooks seem to go for the high carbohydrate or high fat foods during these times. Unfortunately, it is not always apparent what exactly is in Aunt Mabels Super Surprise Caserole. You don't want to hurt her feelings, but you also don't want to mess up your sugar levels either. I think the solution is to say yes to small portions (sometimes really small) and to know that it is OK to say NO to things that you know will cause you problems. I am not always the best at doing so but after a party I attended last weekend and had major glucose control problems later, I have decided to just be more assertive in my NO's and more inquisitive in my YES's. I will focus more on what I have to do than on worrying about hurting someones' feelings.
I just have to get better at saying No I think.... I'll keep it a joyful season I guess being more resolved in my control and less worried about offending others.
I'll just see everyone as my teenager kids....that should make saying "No" easier.....lol

Keep Going.........Peace, Bob

Mayo Clinic Presentation

I was honored to give a presentation on The Joy of Diabetes to about 100-120 Diabetes Educators at the Mayo clinic yesterday. Jack Bisson helped me with a lot of the improv games, and he did a great job. It was hilarious to see all these folks up and around playing games and being funny. We focused on "Yes and" to help them see the benefits of agreement and positive reinforcement. The presentation ran about an hour and we have had a lot of positive feedback in regards to the message and the concept. The Omni-Pod folks were also there and had a display table set up for information.....I think a good time was had by all......Peace, Bob

Got Diabeetees....this is pretty hilarious

My most recent video about Poking diabetes with a stick. Thanks to all those who helped put this together including Ron, Jess, Kyle, and Josh. You guys rock. This is pretty hilarious....if I do say so myself.....

2 am pump alarming...glucose meter alarming....no sleeping

Well I had one of those evenings , my twins turned 9 and my wife has thrown an absolutely memorable birthday sleepover for my kids. The food was a combination of finger foods that I could only estimate as to what their carb content was. I was taking all kinds of insulin and thought that I would probably be in the low range during the night.......wrong....I awoke to beeping and couldn't figure out what it was. My pump was beeping because of a low volume and low battery alert. My cgms was beeping because I was 280.....niiiicce. I have a feeling that those things were probably beeping at me for hours as far out of whack that I was.
You would think that after almost 45 years of this thing, that I would have it figured out. Oh well, I guess this gives me time to do all the blog posting that I have been meaning to do..
Keep Going.......................Peace, Bob

High ...Low Ping Pong

What a strange day yesterday was. I was at my kids Football Jamboree all day out in the sun and rain and not eating the best of food. My bloodsugar was up and down like a like a cursor on a heart monitor. I would go incredibly low, eat something to fix it, go high, take insulin, go low later...and the cycle continued. ...at least 3 times. Bad food, heat, rain,...and trying to count carbs on food that was difficult to figure...while sitting on the sidelines.
I didn't do so well but I always strive to do better.....I just keep going.
Wishing you "well" Bob

Presentation on Joy of Diabetes

I did my presentation on Living with Diabetes at the Mandarin Rotary club on Tuesday this week. It was well received and I had a lot of people come up later and say that they really enjoyed the presentation and the message. I hope to reach out and touch a ton of people and inspire them to Live out Loud as life is short. I hope to get across to diabetics the benefits of tight control and the issues it can lead to if you don't have it......Keep going, wishing you "well" Bob

Diabetes....unseen and unknown

After being Diabetic for over 44 years, it is always amazing to me how it seems to affect others when they find out you have a chronic unseen disease. D is just something I live with and figure it's just a hurdle I get to jump 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
I often hear, ",wow I guess you can't have any sugar can you?" Or the other "You just get to eat a candy bar to fix it don't you". The other favorite is "Gosh, you don't look diabetic, you look so healthy."Ummmm....Ok...thanks, I think.
Diabetes is usually only seen when something goes wrong....high blood sugar-- going to the hospital, or low blood sugar....passing out, then going to the hospital. Or if you are testing your bloodsugar when seen, or taking insulin when seen.
Those are just some of the visible signs that the public sees....but the battle rages on inside.
Diabetes, an unseen disease, chronic, and potentially debilitating.
I figure, I just keep going and doing the right things to maximize my outcome....any other option seems like a waste of time and life.
Keep going.......Peace, Bob

It has been interesting for me the last few months (as a rookie blogger) to see the many different ways that people deal with this disease. I often see a whole myriad of emotions and ways that people choose as their "style".I have always taken the learn more and apply what makes sense to me method of trying to aggressively manage this disease. I find humor and a focus on the positives of life also help me to find joy in life. For me, it's the easiest way to go through the journey of D-Life. What is your normal way of coping with the disease..is it denial, humor, anger, immersion in data..... or something else. What's your style...............?

Press Release sent today to try and help the parents of diabetics and their children

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL
BOB HAWKINSON

SOON,……...NERVOUS PARENTS ACROSS
AMERICA WILL BE SENDING THEIR
DIABETIC CHILD OFF TO SCHOOL

IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF WORRIED
PARENTS SHOULD BE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO ENSURE A SAFE AND EASY TRANSITION OF THEIR CHILD INTO THE CLASSROOM.

“Children and parents alike should be getting ready for the move from home to school.” So says Bob Hawkinson, author, and a lifelong insulin dependant diabetic of 44 years. “Children may be used to Mom and Dad making sure they are doing everything they need to do. These kids will now be faced with being more self reliant as they move into the classroom. Mom and Dad won’t be there with them all day to make decisions for them.” It can be quite a daunting time for parent and child alike.

Here’s some tips to help prepare your child and their school for the arrival of your diabetic child:

1. Constantly and consistently encourage self managing by the child. He or she needs to
learn what to be on guard for, and what to do. It is a skill set that must be encouraged.
2. Discuss your child’s special needs with all the teachers and staff that may be making
decisions regarding your child’s health. Don’t assume they know anything about
diabetes. Teachers, coaches, administrators, nurses, substitute teachers, and bus
drivers should all be aware of what your child’s needs are.
3. Make sure your 504 plan is up to date. (section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the
American with Disabilities Act). It may state that your child needs to carry their
glucose meter with them, or are allowed extra bathroom breaks, or can eat in class if
needed. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has resources available such as
Back to School Kits and How to Build Your 504 Plan, that can help you. www.jdrf.org.
4. Your child should carry their own carbohydrate source with them as they move
throughout classes during the day. A relationship with the school nurse is also
recommended, and the nurse should have training in administering glucagon.
5. Don’t just accept what someone tells you if it doesn’t seem right. Does your child’s
glucose meter really have to be at the nurses station? Dig deeper, and be your child’s
advocate. No one will look out for your child like you will.

With all the stresses of new classes, new friends, changes in activity, and making their own decisions more often, children can be overwhelmed. They need some direction, support, and reassurance from their parents, their teachers, and their schools.

Bob’s book “The Joy of Diabetes” is not only inspiring, but it also educates with a light hearted and pithy approach. Bob, who is 45, was diagnosed Type 1 (juvenile diabetes) at age 1. His goal is to “help other diabetics grab hold of this disease by the horns and wrestle it to the ground.” To order his book, go to www.joyofdiabetes.com .

For an entertaining and informative interview, call Bob
# # #

What in the world..........

....another weird lunch . I had a chicken salad today at Cracker Barrel and had 4 crackers to go with it. Nothing else. I would normally take 5 or 6 units of insulin to cover this. I took 6 and an hour later I was 135. I took 3 more and an hour later I was 195. Itook 6 more and 3 hours later, I am111. It makes no sense to me. It seems everytime I eat at Cracker Barrel, my bloodsugar goes through the roof...even with salads. I wonder what they put in their food that drives me crazy.....
Keep going. Peace, Bob

Living with Diabetes....

Friday evening I was interviewed by Diabetes Living magazine for an article to come out in November.
The reporter was gracious, very hospitable, and asked many good questions. I hope the article is helpful in promoting the idea of being accountable to others and personal responsibility in managing diabetes.
It's a tough disease, but I believe humor and a positive mindset are helpful tools in living with diabetes.
as I often like to say.....Diabetes, it's all in your head.
Keep going.....Peace, Bob

virusssneesss.......

I cant believe i got duped. I fell for the UPS email virus. I had ordered some medical supplies overnighted, and the next day, I happened to get an email allegedly from UPS saying that my delivery was not deliverable. I clicked on it and right as I did, I thought uh oh. I unplugged the internet cable, but alas, too late. A lot of bogus (but pretty darn convincing,microsoft screens kept coming up telling me I had 26 different viruses and my Trend Micro Pc cillin somehow became disabled too. It gummed up my whole system and is currently in the shop being de-bugged and new virus software is being installed. I am not so happy with PCcillin for even letting it in...Oh well, live and learn....dont open any UPS emails is all i can tell you.
I would not have fallen for it had I not been waiting and needing the CGMS sensors to be there that day......

Keep going........Peace, Bob

Stressed with diabetes..? Nah, I just go out in my backyard and look at God's creation....

I always do my best to look around and see

the beauty I am blessed with every day.

From my wife, to my friends, to my family, to

my children......and all the nature that surrounds

me....I am truly blessed.

I encourage you to look around....and realize the

beauty that is in your backyard...and realize that

it's not all just about you. We are all part of some

thing bigger...and someone is in charge....We like to think we are in control, but to me, that is very naive....we just get to enjoy the fruits of God's labor.

Keep going....Peace, Bob

Shocking.......

Well, Saturday night as we sat in our great room, a huge lightning bolt struck the live oak tree right next to our house. It was maybe 10 feet from our home.
I am guessing that as the crow flies, my family and myself were about 50-60feet from where the tree is.
We lost 2 garage door openers, the golf car charger, the computer, the sprinkler system clock (not telling if the valves are smoked or not yet)1 breaker switch,and the pinball machine.
The good news is that my MiniMed insulin pump and my Dexcom CGMS didn't skip a beat. With all that electricity in the air, they still kept going. I guess that was a good test huh? I remember years ago having to reset my pump because it would freeze due to static fields and you would have to pull out the batteries, let it sit, and then put it back together. It would appear they have overcome the problem...:)

Wishing you more........Peace, Bob

Just finished the voiceovers.....

I spent part of yesterday working (if you can call it that) on doing the voice over for our newest video coming out in probably a week and a half or so. I can only say that it is funny stuff about a guy getting diagnosed as a diabetic....My buddy, and his son, helped create the voices...it's pretty hilarious and relevant. I find it very interesting to create this stuff, from writing the script, to filming, to doing the sound and picking the music ..it's all pretty cool stuff. I feel fortunate to be able to do it and have fun with it in a positive way...,
Stay tuned.......

Nothing much happening...just me n Oprah dancing

Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!

CGMS ....denied

Find more videos like this on Tu Diabetes - A Community for People Touched by Diabetes

anutha day of pretty darn good.....

Hey hey, things are going well with my glucose levels. Why...I couldn't tell you. I'm doing what I normally do.
I would love to say that my expert application of indepth knowledge of the insulin versus carbohydrates ratio as it relates to exercise and stress management on the 12th of May in a leap year creates a known level of expectation of the know formula for diabetes success.....but I cant.
As always....I just keep trying to figure out the variables and tweak my life around them..

I just keep juggling the chainsaws....................

Keep Going.....Peace. Bob

A Day of pretty good......

My numbers ran pretty good today although I didn't do much differently than the previous few days. Maybe a few less carbs....it seems to be easier to track and make less mistakes when eating less carbs...

Got Di-uh-beeteees.......no more treat--eeees

Keep going....

Wishing you more.....Bob

well...I kept my eye out for a low yesterday

It would have been nice had I seen it. I absolutely crashed and burned at work yesterday. One of those stare at the computer screen, put your feet up on the desk,and fade in and out of consciousness. I did not feel it, and somehow I even did not hear my cgms buzzing at me. Thank goodness for my brother who shoved gatorade down my throat till I recovered.
Now I get to be on guard for highs.....man, the saga continues.
High Low ping pong ......and its a game I don't even want to play. An unwilling participant who begrudgingly has to learn the rules.....again.

You would think I could get it right after 44 years. Ah the Joys of Diabetes!!!!

What in the world..........

One of those mornings..... I woke up low, ate a banana bolused for the carbs went to work,had a small muffin bolused, for the next two hours my bloodsugar climbed to 250 as I bolused at least 3 times to overcome it. Sometimes I just shake my head and realize that to my body, today may not be like yesterday and the day before. Even though it seems like it....oh well, finally down to where I should be now as I stay on guard for lows.....

Keep going......Peace, Bob

If Diabetes were an automobile.....

a diabetic car...
1962 convertible corvette...candy apple red, white top, and raring to go...
the only thing is....it would have to have an external fuel tank...and the fuel pump wouldn't work..so I would have to have a gas can and a syphon line with a bulb to press to put in fuel. The gas gauge wouldn't really be accurate, so I would have to stop a few times a day and check the fuel level with some sort of "dipstick"

What would yours look like...?

Sitting in the Doctors office ...a fun poem (I think you will relate)

I ususally go through all these emotions and thoughts everytime I wait for results

So I'm sitting in the dr's office
having just been ushered in
I'm looking round the room
..magazines are pretty slim

Women's Day, People, Glamour...PLLeeeaasse
Wheres Bass world, Business World....
What's a guy supposed to read?

So I'm looking at the charts
on the cold and stoic walls
seeing all the stuff I can contract
Unless my a1c's fall

Neuropathy, heart disease
Renal failute too
Retinopathy, DKA,
just to name a few

Hmm...I think that in the last few months
I've been doing pretty well
I know I could do better
only time will tell....

"Wow, it's really cold in here"
did I say that aloud?
The nurses probably think I'm whacked
...here talking to myself

C'mon baby.... let em be right
let the numbers be in line
I know the math really matters
If I'm to get through life just fine

New sounds from the hallway
the chart slides from the door
the doorknob twists quickly
the moment I've waited for

Why hello Mr Hawkinson
how are you today?
Why I'm fine....thank you doc
...WHAT DO THE NUMBERS SAY?

"Lets take a look---"
....hmmmm lets see how you've been doing
you know your fingersticks are pictures
...your A1c's the movie

Hey hey good news ..A1c's look good
even though youve gained 4 pounds
I think you're gettin the hang of this
after 44 years ---it sounds...

OK I promise to do better
and only eat what I should
I'll exercise and lose some weight
only lettuce and carrots for food

Yeah right, doc says,
You know .....I've been seeing you for years
you have the right attitude
and you've been blessed with health it's clear

...but this disease can be cummulative
damage adds up over time
which is why I always encourage you
to strictly walk the line

I know, I know ....
I should always do my best
but life just seems to happen
sometimes you need a rest

...well take a break when you need to
based on how you feel
but jump back in and get it right
NO SLEEPING AT THE WHEEL!

Ok doc I'll take your advice
Your direction I will heed
Next visit my numbers will be better
I'll be your "Noble Steed"

Okay Mr. H well see ya later
lets see you in 4 months
by then I expect you'll have lost the weight
of course...that's just a hunch

So out I go ... into the world
recalling what she said
4 lbs isnt much and easily lost
....but hey......................Isn't it Lunchtime yet

Anyone else gotta medical wasteland?

I changed my insulin pump site today and my CGMS site and I wound up with a heap of medical stuff to get rid of...I could use my own hospital incinerator :)It is amazing the volume of plastic and "stuff" diabetes management creates.....

Wishing you more.............Peace, Bob

Happy Day after 4th......

I hope all had a great 4th. I spent mine with family, friends, and fireworks.
It doesn't get much better than that.....
Decent glucose levels all day and negotiated the goodie table and ice cream bar well without overdoing or going high......insulin pumpin' away........
...and all the type1 & 2's went straight off to bed.zzzzzzzzz

Wishing you more......Cheers, Bob

Huge Dawn Phenomenon.....

I see that most Type 1's have some sort of dawn effect, but from everything I read, it seems mine is pretty huge.

12 a.m 2.65
2 a.m. 2.15
3 a.m. 1.6
5 a.m. 1.95
9 a.m. .05 for the rest of the day

It seems like a lot, but it works for me....
Keep going..................Peace, Bob

Diabetes Education.....

Well the good news is that today I was interviewed by KTSA in San Antonio Texas for a spot they will be doing on Thursday. The interview was about how diabetics deal with holidays like the Fourth of July and mangage their disease with all thats going on. Strange foods you may not normally eat, portions you may not normally take, alcohol, staying up late, and the heat stress of the day.

There were some pretty funny spots.....like what can A diabetic eat that won't affect their numbers adversely...my suggestion...eat the box that the stuff came in.

Keep Going, Peace

Cheers Bob

Presentation on Joy of Diabetes

I just confirmed the date of August 26th 2008, at the Mandarin Rotary Club. I will be presenting to typically between 60 or 70 Rotarians on TJOD. The meeting will be at 7:30 a.m. at the Ramada Inn in mandarin on Hartley road. Jessie with The Improv Effect will be there and we expect to have another fun, informative, inspiring, and educational presentation.
Hope to see you there. Keep going............Peace, Bob

Florida Times Union newspaper in Jacksonville Florida

Bob Hawkinson Author battles diabetes with a smile



By CHARLIE PATTON, The Times-Union
When Bob Hawkinson was 1 year old, he was diagnosed with diabetes.

The first clue, the Fleming Island resident said, was when he went into a coma caused by low blood sugar.
It was the first of "four or five times I've almost died."
Hawkinson, 45, understands the consequences of his disease, known as type 1 and formerly known as juvenile diabetes.
Living with the disease requires a lifetime of monitoring his blood sugar and regularly injecting himself with the insulin his body doesn't produce. If his blood sugar goes too low, he's in danger of going into a coma and dying. If it goes too high too often, the potential consequences include blindness, amputation and heart disease.
Sounds pretty grim.
But Hawkinson refuses to see it that way.
Which is why he has written and published a book titled The Joy of Diabetes.
As the name indicates, Hawkinson takes a lighthearted approach to a serious subject while conveying the message that "it is important to come to peace with this disease."
"It is," he said. "It just is."
But coming to peace, Hawkinson emphasizes, doesn't mean passively accepting the worst.
"My message?" he said. "Take charge. This is not a passive disease."
Hawkinson decided to create his own publishing imprint, Lifesaver Press, and market the book through his Web site, www.joyofdiabetes.com.
On Diabetes Mine, a blog described as "all things diabetic," a reviewer called Hawkinson "a sraight-talkin' narrator who has walked in our shoes, and offers some very pragmatic diabetes management advice."
Hawkinson grew up in Jacksonville, where he is partner with his brother in TLC Total Lawn Care and The Fresh Mulch Co. They started the business in 1983 with $2,000 they borrowed from their parents. Today they have more than 60 employees, he said.
Hawkinson and his wife, Melissa, to whom he refers as his "hero wife," have four children and a foster daughter. Melissa Hawkinson made national news, including an appearance on Good Morning America, in 2005 after she stopped her car and dove into Doctors Lake so she could pull a 5-year-old boy from an automobile driven into the water by the boy's suicidal father.
Bob Hawkinson likes keeping active. He's involved in martial arts and cycling. He has coached his children in soccer, flag football and basketball, about 30 teams in all, he said. He has been working on his comedy skills with an Orange Park improv group called Out on a Limbprov.
One thing diabetes taught him long ago, he said: "If there's something you want to do, hurry up and do it."

A mindset.....

I have been blessed throughout my entire life. One way I know, is that throughout my life, people have always told me so. I know it sounds kind of strange,but ever since I was a child, people have always mentioned to me that I am truly blessed and that God watches out over me. I don't know if that is odd but I know I have heard it at least 60 or 80 times in my life. I know that it is true as I have always been watched over and guided(not just in my diabetic walk but in all that I have done),
but I am not sure how it is obvious to others....
I will have people come up to me that I barely know or met and they will take me aside and tell me so.....it's kinda cool and kinda peaceful....sometimes kinda surreal.
I am not sure what God wants from me, but I just keep going and doing what seems and feels right. I try to bless others although I don't know that I am too good at that.

I have been truly blessed to see diabetes through a mindset of joy even though it is a chronic and potentially debilitating disease. It has nearly killed me at least 6 or 8 times that I can remember, yet I hold no anger, malice, or hostility.
It just is what it is, and so far, I have been lucky enough to enjoy 45 years of an incredibly exciting, fun, adventurous, and love filled life.
I no longer do things that I have no joy in. I am not willing to waste my minutes of life doing that which I don't believe brings peace or joy to myself or others. I walk away from hostile people if I don't believe I can turn them around. I don't yell at people or try to make them feel less about themselves. There is no long term joy in that for me or them. Typically my only source of frustration is when I am forced to do something that I believe takes me off track of that which I am supposed to achieve or accomplish.

Today is a gift.....tomorrow will come, but you never know if you will be around.

That goes for more than diabetics.....no one knows when or where, but we do know we will all soon pass. What today will be worth my time? I shall pursue that........

Keep Going........Peace, Bob