Does coffee raise your bloodsugar levels....?

I asked this question before, and I used to think that was a crazy question. Now I'm not so sure. Tony at Dsainsights posed that question a while back and I told him I thought he had lost his mind. After paying attention for quite a few months now, Im not positive, but I think he is right. I have noticed that I do tend to trend upward pretty dramatically in the a.m. after drinking coffee. I can't prove it 100% but it sure seems like coffee is the cause of it... Adrenaline and all that......

Keep an eye out and see what you think. Watch it over time and see what your conclusion is....

oh yeah, and chocolate mocha latte doesn't count.... I'm talking coffee coffee....the straight stuff with just cream or sweet and low...
let me know ...................

Living Out Loud with Diabetes ....Forum

I have moved this blog and created "Living Out Loud with Diabetes" as a diabetes forum that is much more easy to use and allows for active membership posting and participation at no charge. Come visit us at www.joyofdiabetes.ning.com There is some good stuff there....Thanks Bob

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

Diabetes Presentation at Mayo clinic

Tomorrow I will be givng a presentation on The Joy of Diabetes to Diabetes Educators at The Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. I will be addressing them for about an hour and hope to inpire, educate, and shed some light on Living with diabetes......It should be a lot of fun.....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.....

Passionate......expressing passion or strong feeling. Capable or characterized by passion or intense feeling. Vehement.....

A word that I think has always described my approach to my diabetes. It is also how I feel about trying to motivate existing diabetics who are not taking care of themselves or are in denial .
This last week,I had 2 stories of how someone's loved one was not taking care of themselves, and the terrible impact that lack of action was causing in their lives. It was once again, incredibly sad and troubling to me.
Why oh Why, oh Why, don't people "get it". It just is what it is, You got the D!....now is the time to take charge and deal with it. The good news is that when you do, life improves and so does your health. If not.......well, we all kinda know how that works out.

Diabetes..........oh the Joy!......

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

Today's the Day......

So,,,,,another day in paradise as we enjoy the gift of another day....What will you do with it?
Will you use it up completely and live fully and out loud. ....Will you push forward on all those things that have been piling up on you? Will you write the book that you know is in you but you just can't seem to put to paper? Well........how bout today? Tomorrow may or may not come, but you do have the "right now"........use it!

Go kiss your loved ones.....

Carpe Diem!.....Sieze the Day!!!

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

Posted to tudiabetes.com

I posted this to the Word in your Hand contest at tudiabetes.com It is ABE the cartoon from my book. I thought it was fun and a little different than the other posts.

Keep going.......Peace, Bob
ADE%20Hands%20jpg%20%283%29.jpg

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

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...............?

Sandy Allen...worlds tallest woman...and diabetic

I am saddened to see Sandy Allen pass as she always seemed like such a kind woman whenever you would see her on tv. Most folks didn't know that she was also a diabetic.
Wow, talk about a woman who had to deal with a lot of hurdles in her life.....but it seemed she was always smiling and positive about her situation.
I think we can all learn a lot from her great attitude. Just when you think things are tough for you..........

Keep going, Peace

Wishing you "well" 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

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

The speed of Life..........

Wow, anyone else out there tired? It seems like we do more and more all the time. I get up early work ....seems like I get one half of what I need to get done finished. and then I go home feeling like I got nothing done. It's hard sometimes to remember to take care of myself by eating on time and correctly, but it seems to be more and more often that it will be 2 oclock before I even think about lunch...
Thank you God for an insulin pump.

Keep going.................Cheers, 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

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

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